Frogster

Hi all can u add me to the list. Just applies for my step daughters settlement visa today. Was told to expect about a 4week wait but I'm taking it with a pinch of salt as I know every case is different. Good luck to all those who are still waiting too..... Cheers darryl

As you are not aware of the case how can you comment applications do not come back any quicker because you use an agent. Not all cases are straight forward & the embassy may exercise the right to take up to 90 days to process a visa. With you're limited knowledge of applications you're hardly in a position to pass comment are you ?

My my my.... it is easy to rattle your cage isn't it, maybe my statement was a a bit to close to the bone for you..... If you don’t like the heat in the kitchen…. don’t profess to be a cook!

Re my "limited knowledge".... Hmmmm.... my point exactly, I and many others can obtain a visa without delay, with as you put it, "limited knowledge".

The other thing I can do is reference a forum post correctly…. Not looking very professional there are we, if this is the attention to detail you give as a norm?

We have one still at the embassy from November & they still have not made a decision.

Hmmmm.... Now how is that a good advert for using an agency, I wouldnt be too proud of that ststement when many others are walking it without agency help.

IMHO

Good news

Thank You..... It is indeed !!!

Good luck with your applications too.

It is 1:30 on a Sunday morning, I have just had a phone call from a very happy wife…. "the man from the Visa office say yes"….

Our application went in on the 26^th September, (so that makes 6 weeks and two days for processing, 4 days for returning to her address). Sunday delivery!!!

One on its way back submitted 25 September 2011.

Hmmmm....... How did you manage to submit an application on a Sunday (25th September) ???

Just hope she gets the settlement visa now....fingers crossed!

When did you put the settlement visa application in at the VFS office phomthai?

Is this what you are looking for? Visit Visa Basic Information

I can vouch the Australian embassy seems to be "business as usual," as we just received an email yesterday (Friday) concerning our application. Although it was generic(-ish), it more than infers someone has finished their review of our app and pumped out the required "next steps" email.

Don't knock it.... at least you get some form of updates, unlike the UK... their idea of Visa tracking is a message when you apply saying "we have it" and a message when "passport is ready for collection"..... Thats it.... Oh, and No phonecalls or contact allowed to find out the progress!

Maybe I should emigrate?

I called the British Embassy on Friday as I am awaiting a Visa decision and asked if they were still processing Visas, they said "No, the Embassy would be operating a reduced service for emergencies only till Tuesday at the earliest".

The website today says "British Embassy in Bangkok is open but limited service due to the Floods, Please call +66 (0)23058333 before you visit Embassy".

They obviously are reacting to the latest conditions and will open / not open depending on the local situation regarding the floods...... Best to call before visiting in any event, I think !!!

Hi Leeboi999,

You don't say what type of Visa you are applying for.....

If it is a settlement / marriage visa I think you should be aware there is an age limit for both partners of 21 years, you say you are 20 ????

(On 27 November 2008 UKBA increased the minimum age for marriage visas from 18 to 21 years. This means you cannot sponsor or be sponsored as a husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé(e), prospective civil partner or unmarried/same-sex partner until you are 21 years old.).

If it is a visit Visa you may be OK on the age issue, I don't think there is a limit.

There was limited parking when I was at the Bangkok VFS (UKBA) office last month, we just got a taxi and dropped off at the door.

My wife was in the inner sanctum for 1 Hr Exactly

Hope this helps

Frogster

I am afraid I cannot put forward any helpful advice, but I (along with many others on here I am sure) offer my condolences in what must be a very traumatic time for you.

My understanding is that copies of original documents are required, If you want the original documents returned to you.....

So it seems good practice to do so. How you present them is up to you. But, I would suggest to make it as easy as possible for the ECO and therefore hopefully make obtaining the Visa a smother process.

I submitted two folders, 1 marked "Originals to be returned" and one marked "Photocopies for retention of the UKBA"

With luck..... I will know next week how it went!

As per the other messages at the other site............. Wahhhhhhhhhhooooo for you buddy!!!!

Or you could wear a false one.... I have seen some pretty impersive red / ginger ones on sale on Blackpool front.

Hi Chris,

I agree with toddmeister (steve) above..... We did it last week, appointments were available for the next 6 days for us, we booked for last Monday and it all worked well.

Regards

Kev

We're just ahead of you. We submitted my wife's application a week before you on Monday 19th September. I too noticed there has been a few processed within a couple of weeks recently, so hoping for the same but we'll see.

Hi mate,

Well, I will just be happy for a positive result even if it takes the full 12 weeks (but secretly would like it in three or four) I don't know if my bum can take another 17 hrs eachway to collect her, just yet )

Good luck to you as well mate !!! :jap:

We submitted the Settlement Visa application to the VFS in Bangkok on Monday 26th September at 10:30, had a SMS in the afternoon saying it had been forwarded to the UKBA Bangkok for processing.....

Now its down to waiting, but the good news is, it seems to be quicker now than it was a month or so back, from other site reports, some people are getting settlement Visas in 2 to 4 weeks.

We are just keeping our fingers crossed for positive news.

Kev & Wanisa

Trust me, I have no difficulty comprehending anything you say.....

But you fail to understand at the level I refer to.... and ignore all my references out of hand....

For example....

Your Quote:- "If the candidate fails reading and writing but passes speaking and listening then they will have acheived an A1 pass in those two elements and that is all they need."

Yes, Yes, Yes, the UKBA will accept a pass in these two elements, I have never said otherwise....... What I have said is that it can not be called an "A1 pass" it is just a "Pass in 2 sections of the BULATS test" (It can not be called an A1 Pass unless all 4 levels are passed at the grade required, and equivelent level of the Common European Framework), Is it so hard to understand???

It should not cause concern for those yet to take any test, the UKBA are clearly accepting people who just show a "2 section pass in Speaking and listening"....

As I said before, let's just agree to disagree, as there are obviously different levels of legal understanding here, either that or you seem to have a problem admitting when your wrong.

7 by 7,

I am not confusing anything, and I will try again to explain my point again, in a different way, as you seem to be missing the level totally.

1) As you say, and I quote "I do know that this lists a minimum pass mark for reading and writing for BULATS" OK let's make sure this is clear. Just looking at BULATS for the moment. An A1 level in the BULATS test can only be achieved by scoring as per their criteria. Their criteria is very clear and is detailed on the website, all 4 areas need to be submitted and the required scores need to be achieved in all 4 areas. So, to Clarify If you do not score in, or do not submit all 4 areas, you do not achieve an "A1 Level Pass" at the Common European Framework. So, lets assume you dont complete the writting part or fail to score on the reading part. You will however still get a report indicating your scores and levels and the individual area pass or fails. And yes, the UKBA may accept this as "satisfying the English requirement" but it is not in any shape or form an A1 Pass.

2) Again as you say, and I quote "The immigration rules say that for a spouse, partner or fiancé visa the requirement is in speaking and listening only". You also go on to say that the UKBA ECO's, "ignore the reading and writing elements, no matter what the applicant scored; reading and writing are irrelevant in spouse, partner and fiancé applications according to them".

3) Now lets look at the Immigration rules, where it states, "281 (ii) the applicant provides an original English language test certificate in speaking and listening from an English language test provider approved by the Secretary of State for these purposes, which clearly shows the applicant's name and the qualification obtained (which must meet or exceed level A1 of the Common European Framework)" The same wording is used in the Entry Clearance Officers Guidance.

4) The point I am making is this….. By definition, and as I have demonstrated above, the UKBA is accepting a level that is not at "A1 of the Common European Framework" by stating that they will ignore the reading and writing elements, no matter what the applicant scored.

5) Finally I would like to quote you from a previous post where you state "They wont disregard the rules, they wont interpret them in a different way to "their policy making section"; The government have said that only tests from approved providers are acceptable, and I can fully understand why." Well, sorry, but I think I have just blown you right out of the water on that statement. They are obviously interpreting what an A1 Pass level is, as they see fit.

6) Again I am going to quote you "BUT AN APPLICANT FOR A PARTNER VISA DOES NOT NEED A PASS AT ANY LEVEL IN READING AND WRITING; ONLY A MINIMUM A1 PASS IN SPEAKING AND LISTENING!" By the above defenition, I think I have clearly demonstrated, more than once, It is not an "A1 pass" without all four elements having been achieved. It is just "part of a test".

So, not to put to fine a point on it, you are misguided! The UKBA say on one hand you Must have a minimum of A1 level, but then they accept less than an A1. Ergo: they are inconsistant and wrong in their interpritation and definition of the requirement!

I am not saying they should increase their requirement to a minimum of all four levels (for BULATS).. But they should change the wording in the Guidelines and Immigration Rules where they reference it. As this is clearly (from a legal point of view) WRONG INFORMATION! And they would get discredited and their rear end kicked all over the place should this be challenged in law.

I can't think of any way of making it simpler to understand! - They say one thing and accept another!

I'm sorry to shout, but I don't see how I can make it any clearer.

Shouting does not make it any clearer, or make it correct!

Have you read the relevant part of the immigration rules and ECGs I linked to earlier?

Yes, in depth. Have you read the relevant part of the UKBA VFS List of providers A1 requirements for BULATS?

Have you read the information VP obtained from the embassy?

Yes, in depth. Have you read the relevant part of the UKBA VFS List of providers A1 requirements for BULATS?

If you have read both you must be able to see that there is absolutely no contradiction between the two.

As I have already said, there is a difference between the requirement listed in these two documents and the stated requirement listed in the UKBA VFS List of providers, A1 requirements for BULATS, on the UKBA VFS Website.

However, this is getting nowhere, I think we will have to just agree to dissagree on this, as we both have differing points of view (and I say that without shouting).

Steve (Toddmeister),

I think it was you I was telling about an old Visa settlement checklist I had seen somewhere.... Well, it was in this post (post number 8), as far as I know it has not been updated.

So I am including it anyway, can't hurt mate.

Frog

I'm pretty sure even after the many discussions with my other half that she will arrive in London with just a few pairs of denim shorts thinking I was talking crap about how cold it gets here.

And this is the height of our summer too !!!! Just wait till winter gets here

There are many FREE "Online Floor Plan Generators" on the web.... just google a few and have a play, It took me about 20 mins to produce a reasonable looking professional floor plan with measurements etc. for both floors of my house.