manxlad

Ojas. I think it's not a problem as he is in a private medical insurance scheme, but thanks for the links as it makes interesting , but worrying reading..

This is a question on behalf of a pattaya friend"

He has a extension of stay visa but wants to apply for a single re entry visa as he needs to return home to uk .

His extension of stay was renewed Dec 2015 and wants to apply for re entry permit around January or February 2016.

He will leave Thailand in March 2016 and wants to return to Thailand if possible in October 2016 ( is having knee replacement surgery)

So is his re entry permit valid ? As he has been told ( by bar friends) that it is only valid if he returns within 90 days of leaving Thailand !

Ubonjoe... Can you or anyone with accurate knowledge of the immigration laws please advise

He is 76 and is not in the best of health and the last thing he needs is a load of grief at suvarnabhumi immigration on his return

Thanks guys for your information, that clarifies my possible regarding re entry issues

On the marriage extension it appears here in udon that it is a lot more intensive a procedure with such documents as tabian baan, I D cards multiple photos of house and the couple posing in various places ( including both sitting on the marital bed ) a detailed map of where you live, a letter and ID card of a near neighbour who has a hi so profession and is also agreeable to being interviewed and an impromptu visit from immigration officers at your house etc etc

So just ridiculous red tape to go through instead just go down the simple route if you have the necessary 800000 that has seasoned correctly imho

Hi all

I am about to apply for extension of stay (retirement over 50 and 800000 baht etc)

I am married to a Thai lady but have been advised by udon immigration not to bother with visa based on marriage as it it is a lot more complicated and troublesome

I probably will get me visa ok'd end of December 2015 but I now need to head back to the UK late March for approx six months for medical reasons and wind up property affairs etc

My question is.. I was told that if I apply for a re entry permit prior to leaving Thailand and then on arrival back at suvarnabhumi I will be stamped in and given another years extension of stay?

Is this true, or what is the correct advice...maybe ubonjoe can clarify for me

Thanks all in advance

Manxlad

One thing I miss is tins of john west red salmon or any other brand.... Can find every other make of fish but no red salmon anywhere! Ah well...Looks like tuna salad again haha

maybe he was there trying to buy the DVD, 'from Russia with love' and just thought a demo was easier than trying to speak thai

great - thanks... back in BKK Tuesday so fingers crossed .

Any idea if we need to book an appointment to collect or do we just show up?

I remember reading you had to go between1pm and 4pm in the afternoon to collect. tgf had hers couriered to home for 200bht extra fee booked when applying

Collected my wife's last month and they will only give it to the applicant after 1PM, no earlier, so dont go in the morning as they are totally inflexible.

good luck

cheers mark55, it has ben 18days up to now so maybe we will hear something next week hopefully, fingers crossed and thanks again

manxlad

Hi all

Have applied for my new Thai born son for his UK passport (British citizenship by descent) 2 weeks ago via the Bangkok Brit Embassy, have received back the fee receipt and documents that they needed to see but not forward on. The receipt stated that the application has been forwarded to HK , so my question is... roughly how long is the current processing time before we will recieve his new passport back from the UK? as I really need to get on with booking return UK flights for my famil asap

any up to date advice would be spot on

cheers all

manxlad

hi all

have received wife and step sons settlement visa and they have both been successful, so thanks to all who have helped and supported me with advise and suggestions etc

so from a very happy Mr and Mrs Manxlad thanks and bye for now

Well guys we got an email yesterday saying its ready to pick up so processing time was 09/01/12 - 06/02/12....fingers crossed!

still waitng!!! no SMS or E mail starting to really worry now .but good luck s4161.

I dont think you need to worry about it being 4 weeks and no word...we put ours in on the 9th of Jan and nothing yet but from what I read on this forum people generally hear after 6 weeks or so about settlement.

You have to remember that those 86% of decisions made in 15 days are refusals as well as issues so I reckon maybe if it takes a little longer then it may be a good sign!

Hi S4161

I had just read your post and thought that makes good sense, then logged into my email account and there was an email sent this morning 10.19 saying paperwork ready for collection,so it,s off to bkk tommorow with fingers crossed.

hi keith... excellent news for you, . I have still heard nothing, but maybe our applications will take slightly longer as it has to also go to Isle of Man immigration dept for their ten penneth worth of paper shuffling etc!

dont forget to let us all know the decision ....so fingers crossed and good luck mate

over 4 weeks now and still waiting.... anyone else in the same situation? UKBA decision stats for december state that 86% decisions in 15 days from submission... so really starting to get worried now

just my sitution, submitted my wife's and step sons settlement application on 5th jan and still waiting, just had the standard SMS saying sent to UK embassy on the 5th and since then ziltch!!, also looking on UKBA site there has been no update on processing times since november.. also wondering if their will be longer delays processing settlements as it stated that the UKBA was now accepting and processing tourist visas for the london olympics tourists from january 2012...... bloody great... it is stressful enough without possible processing delays that the olympics possibly will cause... i have no nails left to chew!! LOL

Nooooooooooooooooo you not need it translated, your embassy already checked its ok,

All you need to do is go to an ampur, once you get your wedding certificate in Thai, get it translated to English and stamped

ok madmin.... you have convinced me, will chance it and head to udon next week and try it out! fingers crossed

The affirmation is just you affirming that you are free to marry, it doesn't, as I recall, indicate whether you are a widower, a divorcee or have never been married. So all you need is the translated affirmation endorsed by the MFA.

The affirmation should include a statement as to why you are free to marry ie. single, divorced or widowed.

The affirmation should be translated into Thai by a certified translation service. The translation must then be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) for certification; it takes two days and a fee of about 400Bht is payable.

The Amphur requires the MFA certified affirmation document and your passport to marry. They do not require your decree absolute since you have affirmed your freedom to marry at the Embassy.

If you are in the South of the country you can use MFA office Bangkok, in the north there is an MFA office in Chiang Mai.

cheers guys for your advice. after a couple of phone calls by my GF today to friends, I think I will need to get the decree translated in bangkok for 300bht just as a precaution as we will be dealing with the amphur in udon thani and my GF says that the lady amphur is not flexible and will want the translated version! Grrrrr.

I love thailand, but nothing is ever straight forward

awaiting the next beaurocratic obstacle

manxlad

hi all

I have had my affirmation to marry letter certified by the embassy and also showed them my original decree absolute divorce cert, but do i now need to get my divorce cert translated into thai? and also have that officially certified at the ministry of foreign affairs in bangkok? I am not sure if the amphur will want a thai translated copy or will they accept the affirmation as proof of divorce along with my english divorce original?

getting more confused by the minute

manxlad

The application forms need to be separate but you can provide one bundle of information as long as the applications are made at the same time. You will need to show sole responsibility rests with the mother.

I did not see from the post whether the father is still on the scene! Sole responsibility is described at 7x7's link for Settlement; Children (http://www.ukba.home...e/ecg/set/set7/) Set7.8.

cheers bobrussell, that is helpful info, I thought I may be able to submit just one bundle of supporting documents etc, but I wanted to make sure as it is a very costly mistake to make if you get it wrong.

and yes the thai father is not on the scene... he did a runner about 2 weeks after the child was born and has had nothing to do with him ever since , the fathers parents have on a couple of occasions contacted my wife's mother just to see how he is ,but offer no support etc but I worry as they know there is a farang now on the scene and may start smelling a pay off if they get wind of me wanting to take him to the UK! maybe me just being paranoid, but you know how the thai minds work when there is a sniff of farang money

anyhow thanks again for all your comments and advice, I'm sure their will be more questions hahaha

cheers for the clarification on the visa for the child, but I still need to know what documentation I will need to submit and support in his application apart from my and her sponsorship letters, as all my collated relevant info and documentation will already be attached to my wifes application folder, so will i have to duplicate all this info etc for his application also? cheers manxlad

... is their an official form i can download for affirmation of freedom to marry? or a template that i can use or copy of what is required info wise?

See Guidance for British nationals wishing to marry in Thailand and Affirmation of freedom to marry, example.

You may also find Settlement; spouses, Settlement; children and Maintenance and accommodation helpful.

From your nic, are you, or will you be, living on the Isle of Man? If so, most of the requirements are the same and you apply in the same place, but you should check with the Isle of Man government to see if there are any different requirements or procedures. See Immigration, Passports and Nationality

cheers 7 by 7 and thai visa express,you have been really helpful.

7 by 7, you assumption is correct we hopefully will be going to my home in the isle of man, and i have already been on the IOM goverrnment Immigration website for our visa requirements etc, it is almost a mirror image of UK regs, but sadly i just missed out by a couple of months cos the IOM did not require english A1 test, but have now they have adopted this requirement grrrrrrr! anyhow thanks again and I really appreciate all you guys input... but no doubt i will have another question soon LOL

hi again

what is the correct advice regarding the following

I am applying for settlement for my wife for the UK, but also I am going to apply for settlement for her 2 year old son, so can he be included on her application form, or does he need a seperate VAF4A form, and if so, then does his seperate application need all the documents included that I will be using to support my wifes application? I am getting really confused about this because iI have been told two different versions by bar pals, they are trying to be helpful but have just led to more confusion

help please

... is their an official form i can download for affirmation of freedom to marry? or a template that i can use or copy of what is required info wise?

See Guidance for British nationals wishing to marry in Thailand and Affirmation of freedom to marry, example.

You may also find Settlement; spouses, Settlement; children and Maintenance and accommodation helpful.

From your nic, are you, or will you be, living on the Isle of Man? If so, most of the requirements are the same and you apply in the same place, but you should check with the Isle of Man government to see if there are any different requirements or procedures. See Immigration, Passports and Nationality

cheers 7 by 7 and thai visa express,you have been really helpful.

7 by 7, you assumption is correct we hopefully will be going to my home in the isle of man, and i have already been on the IOM goverrnment Immigration website for our visa requirements etc, it is almost a mirror image of UK regs, but sadly i just missed out by a couple of months cos the IOM did not require english A1 test, but have now they have adopted this requirement grrrrrrr! anyhow thanks again and I really appreciate all you guys input... but no doubt i will have another question soon LOL

• He must attend VFS
• Children 12 & over require a TB test

cheers thai visa express, unfortunatly i thought that he may have to attend, well happy days trying to amuse a lively 2 year old around regent house for god knows how many hours! LOL

if you don't mind i have one more question... is their an official form i can download for affirmation of freedom to marry? or a template that i can use or copy of what is required info wise? as i cannot find this anywhere and am getting more frustrated by the minute as their does not seem to be any easy info obtainable from the embassy website

thanks again

manxlad

hi all, i am in the process of applying for a settlement visa for my soon to be thai wife, but we are also going to apply for her 2 year old son also under a seperate settlement application (this what i have been told i need to do) my question is.... does he need to attend the VFS office at time of his application submission? or will they just interview my wife and ask about his application then?

also what is the current status regarding his biometric requirements? and is it still the case that an under 5 does not require Tb cert still?

forgive me if these questions have been answered in previous topics, but an upto date answer would be appreciated as the goal posts seem to change by the minute with these visas, and my stress levels are getting higher also by the minute with FLOODS, Tb Testing, english A1 test, Marriage and GF 6 months pregnant!!!

any advice would be massively helpful

Further to my post above. I posted the following on another thread. I contacted the Embassy to query the fact that A1 test applicants are required ( with at least one of the 3 approved testers in Thailand) to take a four-part test in order to get the the required two parts of the A1 test ( listening and speaking). This is what I posted :

I queried, with the British Embassy Visa Section, the fact that A1 English applicants have to take a four part test ( with at least one approved tester in Thailand ) in order to qualify in only two parts. I received this reply earlier this week :

I have forwarded your question to policy colleagues in the UK, who have given details of some providers who offer testing in the two components we require. They have cited The TOEIC test at Level A1 from Educational Testing Service and Spoken English at Level A1 fromTrinity College London as examples. If the applicant is not able to undertake one of these tests, it will mean testing in all four components as most tests are only available in this format. As I am sure you are aware UKBA are not qualified to set and assess their own tests and therefore most applicants will need to sit all four components. To reiterate, though, the applicants will not be assessed on the reading and writing components. The ECO will only assess the application on speaking and listening as required by the Immigration Rules.

I hope that this clarifies matters for you.

So, it looks like, until a new approved tester comes along, with a test tailored for settlement visas, applicants will have to carry on with the current limited choice of testers. Also remember that the current government propsals on Family Migration recommend rasing the level of English required to pass the test to B1 level CEFR.

We had this scenario our client had passed the Speaking & Listening but failed the writing part of the test, good information Tony.

hi visasplus

can i confirm that what you have posted means that when my wife takes her A1 test with BULATS that she will have to take all 4 components, but only needs to get passes on speaking and listening for her settlement visa. i have been really worried about the reading and especially the writing as i know she will never pass that. but if she can get just passes in the speaking and listening and a cert to show this then that would be a big relief

. is this the definite case?

cheers

Yes that's correct information.

brilliant.... that is a massive relief as she is good at talking (arn't they all LOL) and i'm sure she will have no problems, but her reading and writing is pretty poor. but if her BULATS cert will show the pass marks in the mandatory 2 components then all should be ok then

my next worry is will the ECO be alert or interested enough to recognise this on the cert and not just discard it because of not passing all 4 components! i think it is pay ya money, and take your chance with the ECO's in regent house!

anyhow thanks again, i really appreciate your help etc

manxlad

Further to my post above. I posted the following on another thread. I contacted the Embassy to query the fact that A1 test applicants are required ( with at least one of the 3 approved testers in Thailand) to take a four-part test in order to get the the required two parts of the A1 test ( listening and speaking). This is what I posted :

I queried, with the British Embassy Visa Section, the fact that A1 English applicants have to take a four part test ( with at least one approved tester in Thailand ) in order to qualify in only two parts. I received this reply earlier this week :

I have forwarded your question to policy colleagues in the UK, who have given details of some providers who offer testing in the two components we require. They have cited The TOEIC test at Level A1 from Educational Testing Service and Spoken English at Level A1 fromTrinity College London as examples. If the applicant is not able to undertake one of these tests, it will mean testing in all four components as most tests are only available in this format. As I am sure you are aware UKBA are not qualified to set and assess their own tests and therefore most applicants will need to sit all four components. To reiterate, though, the applicants will not be assessed on the reading and writing components. The ECO will only assess the application on speaking and listening as required by the Immigration Rules.

I hope that this clarifies matters for you.

So, it looks like, until a new approved tester comes along, with a test tailored for settlement visas, applicants will have to carry on with the current limited choice of testers. Also remember that the current government propsals on Family Migration recommend rasing the level of English required to pass the test to B1 level CEFR.

We had this scenario our client had passed the Speaking & Listening but failed the writing part of the test, good information Tony.

hi visasplus

can i confirm that what you have posted means that when my wife takes her A1 test with BULATS that she will have to take all 4 components, but only needs to get passes on speaking and listening for her settlement visa. i have been really worried about the reading and especially the writing as i know she will never pass that. but if she can get just passes in the speaking and listening and a cert to show this then that would be a big relief

. is this the definite case?

cheers