bangkockney

Vista Park 1 or 2?

I was at the Royal Cliff a few weeks back, nice hotel.

We booked a restricted rate and my wife took her English passport with her just in case. When we did check in, they didn't even ask for it. Everyone was far more interested in our little boy.

They didn't even care that I had a non-im visa either.

Good points 7by7.

I fully intend for her to get a UK provisional and whatever international license is available but as she will need to drive by herself, not immediately but quite soon, then she cannot be insured under her UK provisional and it must be on her Thai / International license.

I also intend for her to get some lessons but here we fall foul of another point. She can drive a manual but we've always had automatics in Thailand. Quite simply, I will probably never buy another manual as it is unnecessary. However, in the UK, they make a distinction between licenses for automatics and manuals and thus, I suspect all driving schools have manual cars. I toyed with the idea of buying a cheap small manual car and though that remains a very slight possibility, we would normally buy a better car and go for an automatic. So to put her in the instructors car, as a manual, seems just another complication, though I would prefer her to pass in a manual but would rather not buy one, have her pass her test and then be stuck with a car neither of us want.

As for roundabouts, they do have them in Thailand and she is ok with them. My main worry is the need to pay attention to 20 mph and 30 mph speed limits as she is used to no speed limits and kph !

You can book driving lessons in an automatic car for sure.

Sure they have roundabouts in Thailand, but there is no lane discipline and no giving-way to the right. I've also never seen double mini-roundabouts etc. Just something to maybe do with her a couple of times first.

People in UK generally drive a lot faster, which I know can take Thais some getting used to. I guess a lot of the attitude you face on the road does depend on where you live.

Hi,

No there was only a written test and write a short storey about her self from the college, but she will be re-tested by the college before she would be aloud to start the course and she informed the lady who questioned her of this, but like you say there is no proof she completed the test her self.

Looks like we will be stressing this one out until they call back.

Don't stress too much, it's not worth it.

If worst comes to the worst and she is refused, you can make a fresh application with a fresh CAS. A refusal won't count against her, but be sure she gets proof of English level; take a test. You'll find that there is actually quite a lot of variation as to what colleges take as proof of B1: some will take TOEIC in the high 300s, others set a minimum of 550. You will not have a problem if you choose to enrol with a college who have a lower boundary.

Even if you want to withdraw her application with the college, you should be able to recover fees less some administrative charge. Sadly, registration fees and the like are often non-refundable. Check the college's Ts&Cs for full details.

Just something to bear in mind for the future if her application is unsuccessful.

Fingers crossed for you.

I agree with the OG, an unpaid for reservation will mean nothing to the ECO; it is no proof of return as it could easily be canceled. Even if one had an actual, paid for return ticket it would carry little weight and would not stop an ECO from refusing if one had no other reason to return, or failed to satisfy one of the other criteria.

I have been involved directly in several visit applications and am aware of many more through forums such as this; I have never heard of anyone being refused because they did not have such a reservation.

However, if you feel the need, go for it.

Using exactly the same argument you've constructed, a letter from her employer alone is not enough to show intent to return. She could simply leave her job once in the UK - many people simply leave work one day never to return, even in their own countries.

She should submit details of all assets held in Thailand (savings, land, property etc) regardless of value. I would also suggest documents that show she has significant family ties in Thailand too: details of family business, assets etc.

True, no return flight is not reason for refusal by itself, but I stand by my previous remark that one should make it as hard as possible for an ECO to refuse an application through weight of supporting documentation.

If the ECO is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that your relationship is genuine and therefore the visit is genuine then that she has no full time employment should not be a problem; although I would include an explanation of her work in your sponsor's letter. Will her family write a letter to say that she works in the family business?

She will need to demonstrate that she has the intention to return home following her visit to the UK. She should therefore submit evidence of any assets held in Thailand: savings, property etc. I would also suggest including family assets too, to demonstrate her family life is in Thailand.

Your sponsor's letter is not the appropriate place to detail her employment arrangements, as her employment is nothing to do with you; this must come from her employer.

Whose food stall does she work on? And the family laundry business - is it recognised as a business i.e. does it have a unique tax payer reference?

Many people in Thailand work strictly with cash, so this can be a tricky situation to overcome. For points based applications it's easier for people as they can just deposit cash in a brand new account for minimum 28 days, no questions asked. For visit visas there is the real problem of demonstrating ties to Thailand.

Do you only have access to backups of the data, or the original data still inside Outlook?

Neither has total control as no one has a majority share. Should the 2% side with one or other, that would make the difference.

I assume only one signature is required on the cheque books, so best to seek legal advice ASAP. That's if the account hasn't been emptied/transferred elsewhere already.

I would not let my wife drive on anything other than a British License, let me explain, if she's here on a temp visa (27 months) she will in the future apply for ILR/citizenship, ok, picture the scene, she runs a red light on her Thai/International License, if she had a British License, she would be dealt with by way of fixed penalty, ie: 3 points and £60 fine, but on a foreign License, she cannot, she would have to go to court, and get a criminal record! which would not be "spent" for 3 years---criminal record=NO ILR/CITIZENSHIP!!

If caught by camera, you can always take the points instead on your British licence. Pulled by plod is a different matter though.

Provide evidence of, is actually what I said. This does not imply purchase.

You can make a reservation for a return ticket and submit this. In Thailand I know this can be done free of charge.

And the ECO's know this as well.

I personally would just provide details of your proposed itinerary rather than making a ghost booking which you know, and the ECO will have a good idea, will not be taken up.

Why would the booking not be taken up?

Given you have to satisfy the ECO on the balance of probabilities, it is best to submit more documents than less. Given the intention test is so subjective - and can vary from ECO to ECO - best to make it hard to refuse an application by providing lots of supporting documents. I've seen many refusal documents where supporting documentation has been lacking.

Each to their own and no worries if you're happy to run the risk of burning the application fee.

Hi,

Well from what she told me it seems she did fail most of the English questions but she did explain to them that she has studied bachelor and master degree at Bkk University and her reading of english is ok but she struggles with understanding conversation, hence wanting to study English in the UK.

What I am trying to find out is, is failing the telephone interview a instant refusal for the visa or is there a 2nd chance interview .

Thank you in advance to anybody who can answer this question for us .

As there is no other proof of English level, it can be grounds for refusal yes, given that there is no guarantee that it was your girlfriend who completed the college's English test.

Did she have a Skype video interview and if so, is this mentioned in her CAS?

If you get a settlement visa before 29th November 2010 does it still apply? Will it apply until spouse gets ILR even if spouse receives settlement visa before 29th November - hopefully :-)

I think it will apply, as the new rule is for people applying to remain too i,e, ILR, naturalisation etc

The official advice from the embassy and UKBA is to not purchase tickets until after the visa has been issued.

I would include the rent book, as it shows a commitment to the relationship by you both.

As you do not actually live together, then it is a general visit visa she wants, using form VAF1A.

She is employed, and this provides a reason for her to return.

In your sponsor's letter, briefly outline the history of your relationship, your plans for the future and the reason for the visit at this time. Many couples in your position have been successful when the Thai partner had no concrete reason to return simply because they have shown that their relationship is genuine, and so the reason for the visit is genuine, and that they would not want to put any future settlement in the UK at risk by overstaying a visit.

Provide evidence of, is actually what I said. This does not imply purchase.

You can make a reservation for a return ticket and submit this. In Thailand I know this can be done free of charge.

Letting your education provider assess your level of English is a big warning sign right now. This will lead to the Embassy calling you to verify that the students is at B1 CEFR minimum. If she failed the majority of the English questions, her application could well be in jeopardy.

If she needs to apply again, I'd advise the student to take an English test with an approved provider in order to demonstrate he English level.

I'd also recommend a letter from the the bank confirming immediate access to the funds, that they have been held for the minimum 28 days prior to date of application and state what the balance is in GBP. This letter should be on headed paper, printed in colour, bear a signature and stamp of the bank.

Did you pay all course fees in advance? If not, any balance must be added to the required level of maintenance.

Good luck with the application and keep me posted - happy to help in any way I can (I'm an education consultant).

Thanks for the info, Chongam. Now we just have to wait for the announcement of where in Thailand this test can be taken; and how much it will cost!

May I ask members to restrict posts in this topic to factual details and/or questions about same. There is already one active topic (and one older one) on the rights and wrongs of the test, so any comments on that aspect should be posted there.

It's not that you have to take a new type of test or anything like that, but must demonstrate that your English level is at A1 of the CEFR - Central European Framework Reference.

You can take any flavour of English test you like - TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, PET etc. Of course, not all are available in Thailand.

You basically need to score on the IELTS 1.0 - 2.5, so we're talking about beginner level. Not really a tall order. IETLS is probably the best to take as it is one of the only testing frameworks that grade to complete beginner level. Other tests can be taken, but the bottom levels are slightly higher, typically A2.

OISC registration is only required for case workers providing immigration advice within the UK.

As others have said, you don't need really need to use an agent. Be sure to fully read the relevant guidance and you should be OK. Make sure you check you have the most up-to-date forms as they new ones tend to be issued every one to two months.

If you must use an agent, confirm all fees in advance and find out exactly what it is you are paying for. It's almost important to establish very early on if they have professional negligence insurance and what happens if your application is refused.

She should get an international licence and you can there buy her insurance. This arrangement is only valid for her first year of residency.

Buy the self-study books for the theory test, with the tests on CD. The test is multiple choice, so it's just a case of practice. She will also need to point out where certain things on the car/under the bonnet are: where to put screen wash, engine oil, where's the horn etc. Again, just a case of practice. Get your hands on the material and it's easy really. My wife passed the theory test first time (and she scored more than me lol!

No matter how long she's been driving, I suggest getting her lessons. In fact, if she has been driving for years lessons are a must as one really needs to know how to pass the British Driving Test; examiners expect you to do things in a certain way.

This is what my wife did. I think she had something like 20 hours of lessons. She didn't bother with an international licence, but we could go out together, time permitting so a provisional was OK. I certainly wouldn't advise you let her loose on UK roads without going with her a few times. Roundabouts seem to cause the most confusion!

Before you decide on self-study or English language course, what is her current level of English like?

Provide evidence of return ticket back to Thailand.

Have her employer confirm dates of her holiday in her letter and provide a date that she is expected back at work.

Does she own anything in her own name in Thailand? Do her family and are they particularly liquid? Some documents showing what her family do would also help build a solid picture that her life is in Thailand.

As you pointed out, the intention test still stands for Tourist Visa applications and this is where most applicants fall down.

Hi

If your marriage is not recognised, you will be able to apply for a UK fiancee visa only.

If succesfull you'll be given 6 months permission to stay, after which you will have to get married and switch to a married visa. No work is permitted during this period.

The married visa will give you 27 months permission to stay, after which you would have to apply for indefinite leave to remain if you wish to stay in the UK.

You will not qualify for either if you or your partner is under 21 years of age.

These visa are not under the Points Based System and so are much more subjective in nature. There is no specific guidance as to what documents you are required to show, but you must be able to demonstrate:

You will be supported without recourse to public funds

Your relationship is genuine

That you intend to live together

Your partner in the UK should submit covering letter, payslips, bank statements, fixed deposits, stock and share holdings, tenancy agreement / house deed etc.

Phone bills, emails, photographs, visa stamps, air ticket stubs and receipts of payment, letters etc should all be used to demonstrate your relationship is genuine.

Any relative of your partner can also sponsor you. The same sorts of documents should be provided, with particular attention paid to available funds to support you both and must be accompanied by a covering letter detailing the sponsor's relationship to your partner. Proof of this relationship (e.g. birth certificate) is advisable.

Friends are not considered suitable sponsors.

You could has piss-poor wiring in your building letting you down. Don't be so quick to blame your ISP unless you've checked everything.

A lot of you with poor performance could be far from the exchange too. Have you tried to find out?

I'm generally happy with 3BB. The only major gripe I have is that all ports are closed at source, so no port forwarding.

I've never had a problem with decent down speeds with reliable torrents. A torrent with only a handful of seeds is always likely to be slow.

Internet Cafes are so 1990s.

I've never used memory sticks, always hated them.

Proofs go to printers by email, allowing any corrections to be made before leaving.

Any data can easily be transferred online, there are so many free services offering it., negates the need to carry something else with you all the time.

To be honest, I'd of called each client say an hour before the appointment to confirm their attendance.

Scarey to have to do such weaving and dodging, covering of tracks, etc., to avoid such headaches. About all I can say is, TIT.

TIT indeed.

It is always worth looking into if you would qualify for a work permit. I chose not to because of increased tax burden (foreigners pay higher tax than Thais), too much paperwork and large capital requirements (2m Baht minimum cash in the business to sponsor a work permit, if memory serves me right).

If you're looking for headaches, start a business here.

If not, earn your money other ways.

What you need to do is hire a good accountant who will fill you in on the necessary details to avoid said headaches.

As long as you don't draw a salary or dividends from the company, you can be a share holder with no need for a work permit (but don't do any work).

If your type of business allows, incorporate your company in your home country as well as Thailand, split revenues and take your salary from there. E.g., UK tax laws are much more favourable than Thailand; in Thailand dividends are classed as income and taxable at any level. In the UK, it's possible to withdraw £40k from the business and pay no tax, no NI, no employer's contributions etc.

You can therefore print the company details from your own country on your business cards. There is nothing to stop you doing work for your company back home whilst you are in Thailand.