giruz

My gf received a 30 days over a 6 months periods schengen visa (23rd of Sept to 22nd of March).

We are supposed to leave BKK the 23rd of August, unfortunately she needs medical treatment and she will not be able to make it for that day.

Can I change my departure from the 23rd of Aug to the 2nd of September without having to change/update the visa?

thanks

g.

If the validity of the visa is from 23 Sep to 23 March and the period of stay is 30 days she can enter anytime between the validity dates BUT must be out by the last day of validity. She is not supposed to stay morethan the 30 days from entry although this is not enforced.

Your departure day of 13 Augst doesnot fit with your visa dates

Wops...The visa is valid starting the 23rd of Aug. And our ticket right now is for the 23rd of Aug.

cheers

g.

My gf received a 30 days over a 6 months periods schengen visa (23rd of Aug to 22nd of March).

We are supposed to leave BKK the 23rd of August, unfortunately she needs medical treatment and she will not be able to make it for that day.

Can I change my departure from the 23rd of Aug to the 2nd of September without having to change/update the visa?

thanks

g.

Flew in last night from Singapore, arriving at 7.15pm. Longer queues at immigration than normal - dozens of bloody mullahs and head-robed Qataris. Oh well, never mind. It's an international airport and I can't have it all my way all the time. The 15 minute queue was an chance to catch up on my emails.

Luggage ready by the time I got through. No customs people loitering (I still havent ever seen them) and no taxi touts. No queues for regular taxis neither.

Was home by 8.30. Not brilliant. Not awful. A normal airport experience.

Same here. Landed at midnight from Macau. Queues @ Immigration were a bit longer than usual but for the first time I haven't seen anyone dressed like Osama.

Total time before my stamp: about 10 min.

Anyway, while I was walking to belt number 15 I saw my Samsonite coming.

No issues with the taxis.

At home by 00:45.

Some airlines might ask you a return ticket, a visa or a proof of outward travel when you check-in.

So far I've been asked only once and I had my good flight-out booked with Airasia

(if it helps, I entered Thailand from Macau, Singapore, Phom Phen, Sydney, London, Milan, Hong Kong and I've been only asked a proof of outward travel in Singapore (Airasia)).

So, do your homework...book a ticket with airasia, tiger, nokair or 12go (or whatever airlines you like) so you will not have problems.

g.

G.,

Get W. a new passport and it doesn't matter. Take the expired passport which contains the current UK/EU visa, and the new passport, show them both together, and everything will be fine. It takes either about three working days for a new passport to be issued, or a week if you want it posted to you.

Scouse.

HI,

thanks for the info. We applied today, she will be back the 21 to get her new passport.

g.

then 1 got last week in Bang Na for my g/f was exactly 1000baht.... and an extra 30 baht if we wanted it posted to us

Hey,

can I have just a quick answer for these questions?

1) Did anybody applied for an extension of validity? My gf called the office at MFA and they said they can't do it. They will only issue a new passport (hers is the old 'electronic versions' not the one with microchip)

2) How long it takes?

3) Do they place a void/cancelled stamp on each page of the old passport? (My gf has two valid visas for UK and EU on the current passport and we don't have time to ask for new ones because our plane is leaving in a week)

thanks

g.

And you're saying, cubes2, that you wouldn't be quite happy with your missus taking you through the same way? Yeah right.

Well put it this way,

when the day comes and your ten deep at the Thai immigration counter Falang and Thai wife each, I know exactly what will happen.

Get to the back of the foreigner line.

Enjoy it whilst you can.

TIT.

I just used the airport twice in the last 10 days.

Toilettes were clean (count 3 with my parents that landed a week ago)

Immigration was fast (<10min) the two times I used and I did pass under the 'thai national' queue even tough I don't a Thai wife nor passport. (However, my gf is thai).

My parents did immigration in less than 20min

cheers

g.

Hi,

I'll be taking some computer stuff in my hand luggage, like a disc drive, hard drive and an LCD monitor. Giving the electrical nature of the stuff, do you reckon I can take them aboard?

Tried calling the BA call centre today in Bkk, but ages on hold, so I thought i'd ask.

Cheers

james

Yes you can. Also, it doesn't count as hand luggage so you can have another bag. I did the same and never had any problems. Four days ago I did Darwin - Sin and yesterday I did Sin - BKK the only thing that has been requested was to open the laptop's bag and put the computer in a tray under the x-ray machine.

bye

g.

Scouse: Thanks for all of your replies. Those links were really handy, too.

LaoPo: You're right -- I should get my company to handle this; I could certainly do without the hassle. I'm just not comfortable about asking them before I've even started there yet. They've got their hands full sorting out my accomodation etc.! I'd also like to let that Dutch law firm handle this, but money is tight and we'd like to save as much as possible for a place in Amsterdam. That means doing as much as posible ourselves.

Khun Jean: Thanks for your post, and that link. Very interesting!

Hamish

I had a look for the Netherlands before applying for a UK EEA family permit as unmarried partner.

If I remember correctly, they asked for accommodation, proof of income and health insurance. However, the main issue was having a job with at least a year contract before applying for the EEA visa.

Try to call the embassy and ask....

bye

g.

Hi guys , i understand that at the borders of maesai/tachilek we can be issued a 14day visit entry permit for travel up to kengtung and mongla. i need to visit my girlfriend's family soon and i might need t stay longer den 14 days.

i also understand that i can purchase a 28day tourst visa from the myanmar consulates, but my question is: can i travel to kengtung WITH the 28day visa through maesai overland, i will not be flying in.

The last time I was there the answer I got was a NO. All they were issuing was a 1-day visa. All the people with longer visa got it from abroad. I'm not sure if you can traver overland wherever you want because some places where closed unless you got a special permit and armed escort (that country isn't a democracy where you can move freely).

My advice is to look in thornetree and ask...

g.

If you want to see real mongrels in action, watch the Xcite channel on UBC on Friday evenings (repeated Sat morning). A show called 'Border Control' or something along those lines, documents the Australian immigration fellas at work.

Aahah that show is so funny...there is a kiwi version as well.

Aussies aren't that bad in the end...all the times I've been stopped they always been professional.

g.

Hi All,

I did not reply to this topic early because I'm a bit busy with my last exam (done on Monday) and with my transfer (sydney to london)...anyway...

Thanks to GuestHouse, Khun ? and likite.

What I'm not sure I understand is:

• What happens to my 'Company Pension Schemes' if I change employer? Does it work like here in AUS where I can choose my superannuation provider (no matter who is the employer)? Or do I have to transfer my contribution to a specific provider (and...I guess...pay some fees to do so)?
  
• What happens if I leave the country? I didn't get this...Assuming I'm leaving the country sometime between now and 10 years to go somewhere else (e.g. Italy, Holland or Singapore). Can I get my 'pension' as lump sum? (from what I've been reading the answers appears to be: NO)
  

Thanks

g.

Hello,

I thank everyone for responding to my Query.

I now have a follow-up...

From what I understand the above, Switzerland would need to the last country we visit since my Thai wife could not enter a second Schengen country from Switzerland unless she obtained a more difficult multiple entry Visa?

For example, we could get the Schengen Visa from Italy for a trip to Italy then France then Switzerland.

But going from Italy to Switzerland to France would be problematic because we would be leaving the Schengen countries once we crossed into Switzerland and, therefore, would have used up her Visa.

Is this correct?

Thanks again!

Hi,

As long you can provide a reasonable explanation there are no barriers that stop you from obtaining a multi entry visa.

Do you homeworks,

prepare an itinerary for each country

book some hotels/hostels whatever you want

do a travel insurance for over 30k eur

then again..if you are EU citizen, she is married to you and you are traveling together...well..in that case you don't need to proof anything. Just show your certificate and she will get a visa issued free of charge.

g.

The visa is valid for 90 days from date of entry (single entry) or date of first entry(multi-entry).

If you remain with the Shengen area you do not need a multi entry.

The visa can be issued for any time between 1 and 90 days. The maximum stay permitted is 90 days over a 6 months period. It will be weird if they give you a 90days visa the first time you ask it...especially if you ask at the Italian Embassy in Bangkok (the rule of thumbs is: 'no visa over 30 days')

If you guys are traveling together you can ask for a family permit as EEA family member...this would be issued free-of-charge and within few days. If she is traveling alone and you want to meet in EU she has to ask for a tourist visa that will cost you 60EUR.

Medical insurance is mandatory and for a 3 months cover (2mln bath med exp + 1.5mln bath for med evac...will cost you about 3k bath)

cheers

g.

International: www.mobissimo.com

Italian based:

http://it.viaggi.yahoo.com/

http://www.volagratis.com

http://www.expedia.it

or...have a look here:

http://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=vi...oogle&meta=

g.

A cousin is getting married in Italy this summer, and has invited my wife and I to the wedding.

My wife has a settlement visa in the UK, and will be eligible for full time residency this coming October (having lived in the UK for 2 years).

I'd quite like to do a road trip through Europe, starting in France -> possibly Switzerland (where my wife has friends) -> Italy -> France -> UK

So, my question is; which is the better embassy to apply to?

I've already purchased two tickets to fly from Manchester to Italy (which should make it easier to apply to the Italian embassy), but am more likely to go with the road trip idea.

If at all likely, I'd like to not have to travel to London to visit the embassy - preferring a postal application

Ok, what you have to do is:

1) Find where you plan to stay longer, if it is Italy then apply to the italians. If you plan to stay much longer in France..then apply with the French.

2) Ask your friends for a letter / invite. It is linked on the ministry for foreign affairs or I guess on the consulate's webpage. The invite has to be legalized (14.57EUR). It shouldn't be mandatory but might help. If they refuse...do as for point 3 (well do point 3 no matter what)

3) Get a letter from your friends with a formal invite stating why you want to go in Italy (if you apply to the italian the letter should be in Italian or English...if you apply to the french consulate french/english)

4) Get an insurance for the period

5) Book the flights (I think you should be able to get good deals from webjet/ryanair)

6) Prepare bank statements (with HER name, not yours!)

7) Write a letter stating that you'll go with her

8) Pay the 60EUR due

///

Switzerland does not require a visa for thai holding a ILR, family permit or British temporary permit. Also, a schengen visa does the job.

(assuming your wife is thai).

///

NOTE: in this case she is able to travel ALONE in schengen.

If she travels with you all you need is a copy of your marriage certificate, a printout of the latest ec directive and I think you should be fine. NO VISA. (new eu rules, some cases have been reported in Italy and Spain but most customs officers aren't aware of it...this is why you need the relevant laws printed out...in Italian and French would be better)

If you want to apply for a visa it can be issued free-of-charge at the either the Italian or British consulate but you MUST travel with her.

g.

Anyway, I remember I met once a South African girl that had a Schengen visa valid for 18 months (she couldn't spend more than 90 out 180 days in)...anyway...

she was in uk on a working visa and she wasn't married (because she is lesbian!)

so..I'm sure those visa exists...I dunno where...

Short stay multi entry type C Schengen visas can be issued with validity periods ranging from 3 months to 5 years. What you get depends on what you present to the embassy as supporting evidence regarding why you want it and what you want to do, it shouldn't matter where you apply.

WOAHHH! Mission accomplished!

Ok..I have to say that sometime things work even at Italian Consulates. We were told that she had to expect a 30days visa...instead she got a 6month with 30-days max stay!

That more than we wanted! (I guess that they played the 'bad cop' role during the interview)

We asked for a visa that was valid until x-mas so to avoid to pay another time (we will spend x-mas with my family in Italy!). We were told we couldn't get it....and...instead we got a visa that is valid until few days before her British visa expires! :-)

Thanks Italian Consulate

g.

Hi Giruz, no European country will grant a longer Visa. Besides that UK is a member of EEC but not a Shengen country, therefor even if you were able to get a valid Visa your GF would still have to apply fo a UK Visa. GF is NOT a recognised legal status in Europe i'm sure you are aware of this. the only option to get a longer Visa is to be living in a European country and garantee all responsibility for the appliant, this is something that has to be done through the Embassys. Even this type of Visa would only grant 3 months , hope it works out ,

harold

As I mentioned in the two posts you quoted...my gf HAS a family permit for UK. Uk DOES recognise inlaw/defacto relationships.

Anyway, I remember I met once a South African girl that had a Schengen visa valid for 18 months (she couldn't spend more than 90 out 180 days in)...anyway...

she was in uk on a working visa and she wasn't married (because she is lesbian!)

so..I'm sure those visa exists...I dunno where...

(I think the girl was South African..but I'm not 100% sure)

g

I presume you are Australian. If you are I don't think you need a visa for any of the EU countries for the first 3 month. Of course it's a different story for your GF.

I'm Italian, my Gf is Thai and we live in Sydney.

We are going to the UK and she has a visa as EEA family member (in-law).

We are also planning a series of short trips in EU (Rome, Milan, Paris and Amsterdam) starting the end of August. I'm just wondering if there was a way to get a year (or two) tourist visa for my gf. The Italians don't want to give her a long visa because we are not married (no matter if she has a visa valid until 01 march 08 for the UK). So...I was wondering if there was any other way to save money for our next trip...

Thanks

g.

Hello,

I just came back from the Italian Consulate in Sydney where I saw for the last time a $100 note bill (60EUR). I had to pay that amount for a 30 days multi entry Schengen visa.

Plus...I had a little 'fight' with the lady that is ruling the visa-section because she didn't want to issue any visa to my gf. Anyway, we settle down...and she should get a 30days multi entry...

The problem is that I will have to apply again for another one soon...I'm wondering if there are more civilised countries that are issuing long-term visas to de-facto/in-law couples. The Italians aren't and do not want to issue long term visas (e.g. 1 year) because:

'it is in our power, we can...and you know issuing a visa it is a really important matter' (I couldn't answer in a polite way when the lady said this...so I just bit my tongue)

Having to pay 60EUR each time...well...I can think on better ways to spend that money...

any suggestions?

thanks

g.

no one wants to help me?

giruz

you can loose all your money chasing higher returns than banks, in australia, 3 companys offering debentures, fincorp australian capital reserve and another i dont know the name of,have gone under costing a lot of mum and dad investors all or most of thier investment,the secured gpot back about 30% and unsecured lost the lot,these where investments offering 9% for 1 year.

bank west internet account pays 6.8% intrest calculated daily and fully secure.

My gf has a 'savings' account with commonwealth. It pays 7% pa. Interest paid montly. Before she had bonds for over 2 years that never paid more then 4% (she was really upset when she found this difference...because the bond is locked for 12/18 or more while the savings can be transferred anytime)

g.

My BF's English is fairly good, so an education course takes second place to him being able to work.

Peter

I don't think you need an agent from Thailand. You can help him, what you have to do is:

1- Find a doggy school that doesn't ask for too much money (in Sydney: $140/120 on 10weeks courses). An agent (in Australia) knows and can help you. He will not charge you, the school will pay him/her

2- Apply @ embassy once you paid the school fees and obtained a confirmation of enrollment (e-coe or coe)

3- What you have to present are: - ECO, proof of medical insurance (the cheapest I found is AHM, medibank does the job but is more expansive and IMO is worth only if you can access to bulk-billing doctors @ your uni (mine does)). Last thing you need are bank statements.

4- Permission to work: only after his school is started. You can apply online and you have to pay $60. It is usually guaranteed on the spot.

5- Work: I don't know where you are but generally speaking, the majority of Asians I know do not work regularly but cash in hand (most for issues with English). Moreover, Coles&Wollies have for policy not to hire people with visa shorter than 12 months. You can try cafes and restaurants but remember, again, from my exp here in Sydney is only cash-in-hand for $10ph. However, I've been told that in places as Brisbane or Cairns even cafes hire with proper papers.

If you need infos about the school I can give you a couple of names, I know few ppl that are here in doggy schools just to made up few more months in order to ask for a de-facto PR.

g.

Hello,

I'm just wondering....

How do you guys plan your retirement?

I'm 27yo, I got some money that I can't touch (and I probably will never see) in Italy. I got few more quids here in Australia that I'll be able to touch after the 30th of September (when my visa expires).

I'll be landing in UK during september and I will start working over there with my Miss (the idea is to settle over there but you never know)

Anyway,

I was wondering about two things:

1- Can I choose a plan where I can put money by myself without relying on employer contribution? I had a look online and it seems possible, what I couldn't understand is if:

a) I will have any tax break

B ) I can 'move' my employer contribution to the same fund

2- What will happen if I will leave UK? Something like, I will move back to Italy or to another country (EU or other).

3- Is there any way to save my retirement money from the monster that is the tax-man?

g.

Hi, has anyone had to jump through the Australian Defacto Immigration Visa hoops? My Thai partner and I have a telephone interview next week, (in Australia), has anyone had one? Any sneaky questions we should know about.??

There are only sneaky questions if you have lodged a sneaky application.

I just spoke with my gf. She said that her former boss had to answer questions such as:

'what color of underwear your bf is wearing?'

'when you had sex last time? what position?'

Because the interviewer didn't believe that there was a genuine couple...

aahah

too funny!!

g.