jimn

Hi I don't think it will be an interrogation in Thai but they will expect her to speak some basic Thai. Best of luck hope it all works out ok

Just be careful. I heard of a friend on an education visa who got questioned at immigration at the airport and asked questions in Thai. He could not speak Thai to any sort of Standard. Also he comes in and out of Thailand a lot for work and they questioned how he can do this if he is meant to be studying. He was refused entry and deported. Just make sure that your Education visa is for the right reasons.

By the was my friend is now back in Thailand. He replaced his passport and is now here on a 30 day stamp

The following statement is not entirely factual, obviously what you have read.

"Indeed; according to the relevant EU directive you don't even have to apply via VFS, or other outsource agency, but can apply direct to the embassy; although many embassies try to keep that quiet."

This was the response from the Spanish Embassy.

Subject: RE: Visa appointment

Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 04:36:31 +0100

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Dear madam,

Short-term visa applications (“Schengen visas”) must be submitted at the new Visa Center by VFS, from Monday to Friday 08.30 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 16.00, without prior appointment.

191 Silom Complex Building, 15^th Floor, Unit C, Silom Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

You may also call VFS Help line 02 263 91 00

Regards,

Sandy

You getting it wrong again.

7by7 is referring to freedom of movement across Europe for the spouse of a resident of a member state. Not Schengan visa. Read below Sandy you must have missed it.

See under "I am a family member (spouse, child) of an EU/EEA citizen:" at Schengen Visa FAQ and links from there

After my suggestions, if he wants facts connect to the links to VFS Thailand and UK. All the following info is from their website.Check if you wish. It is always easier after she has got her first one. She now has to go in person for the application. I have attached the facts and links.

Misleading is is when you don't give access to the correct info. The hints were given to me by Brits who have done it recently.

Do you also mention applications are done online and an appointment is necessary and only the forms and documents will be used

Anyhow thanks for your input. We are supposed to be online to assist.

Newcomer01 At no time did I say that you were not trying to help and yes I know that the links were from the website. 7by7 is as far as I know one of the experts on this site, he always spends a great deal of time in helping people, as you can see from his pinned topics. However if you post inaccuracies in the interests of all they must be pointed out. Deal in facts and not hints.

Applications have been done on line for some time now, all that has changed is the website and the VFS address. The applicant has to go in person that has not changed. You submit the form online, pay your money and make an appointment to submit the documents and biometrics.

I also don't know why you think its easier if she has got her first one. No it is not. Each application is treated on its own merits. Applicants who do not put the same effort and details into every application could end up disappointed, yes I made that mistake before, but not now.

Would welcome further discussion but not petty snipes, we are trying to help as you said.

Newcomer01 I know you mean well but please be sure of your facts before posting. It does end up miss leading people rather than helping. Also as 7by7 has said there is no interview for a General visa application. Vfs are an agent of the embassy and are there to accept the applicants documents and take biometrics before forwarding to the embassy where an ECO will make a decision. Pointless your friend going with her other than for moral support. He will not be allowed in with her.

Can someone please give their opinion? thank you!

For 2500 does it really matter. I assume that is per month, it must be very basic accommodation. If that's all you want to pay then go for it, you can always move out after a month

Updating my previous rant about VFS, my wife got her visa a month after her 4 hour wait. I have written a series of emails to Embassy/VFS/Foreign Office/various MPs and only received automated responses. Disgraceful service.

I agree with your last comment Mike, its absolutely disgraceful that no one seems to be accountable for the service. As a general question to members. Has anyone ever had an acceptable reply addressing your issue when contacting the services mentioned by Mike? The usual response is an automatic reply or a very general response irrelevant to the complaint

I think we are speaking about 2 different services here. (1) The premium service at about 3000 thb that is supposed to give a better experience on the day but as people have said this is sometimes not the case. I believe this is booked on line at the same time as the application is submitted. (2) The priority visa service where a decision is promised in 3 to 5 working days. You pay for this when you go to VFS on the day you hand in the paperwork. The cost is 5600 thb. Is it worth it, to some yes because sometimes a decision is urgently needed. Note you can only use this service if you have visited the Uk and other nominated countries before. A personal decision I think.

You don't need WP

Five Year License (Renewal) Documents Needed for a foreigner:

1. Application for Driving License

2. Photocopy of Passport pages showing identity and visa/visa extension stamp

3. Photocopy of a Valid Thai Work Permit (required only if you have one)

4. Original Residence Certificate from Thai Immigration or your Embassy not more than 30 days old

5. Photocopy of Original 5 year Thai driving license (have original available for examination)

6. Fee for Car License of 605 Baht and/or Fee for Motorcycle License of 355 Baht

7. Upon receipt of your new license, look it over before leaving the LTO to be sure everything is accurate (your current address will be on the reverse side below the Restrictions section, but it will be in Thai script, so unless you read Thai script or have a Thai with you, about all you can verify is the house/unit number and postal code)

Thanks for putting me right 7by7. James read the linked topic and take note of what 7by7 has said it will save you worrying and your wife falling foul of any immigration issues.

James I have sympathy for your frustration but you are blind to the fact that there is in the eyes of immigration a limit of the time your wife can spend outside Thailand whilst on a Settlement visa. She has to prove she is living in the Uk. By going on regular long holidays to Thailand she is not doing this and immigration have a right to question this. If in the future she is granted ILR in the Uk that is a different matter but on a Settlement visa she has to live permanently in the Uk. A short holiday a year ok if not expect problems.

James it may be relevant if you let us know how long your wife stayed in the UK after she came in March 2013 and September 2013 and how long she has spent on holiday in Thailand. Their thinking may be that she is spending too long outside of the UK and is not a true resident living in the UK. I seem to remember a recent topic about this I will try and find it and post it. Might be helpful in understanding the questions

Here it is

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727716-holiday-entitlement-on-a-settlement-visa/

Ha only because I was looking at the topic when the question was asked

Thanks for the info. She would not be eligible for priority service so it looks like 2 round trips to Bangkok. Am I right in thinking that you have to apply online, wait for an appointment, then take your documents to the embassy, then wait up to 3 weeks and then go and collect them?

Do you have any say when the appointment might be. Or offer dates when you would not be available?

Hi

You apply here https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

After you have completed your application, the website directs you book the appointment online and you pick a date suitable to you. You take the documents to VFS here http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/applicationcentre.html not the Embassy.

Yes it will take about 3 weeks and yes you can go and collect them or choose to have them couriered back to you see here http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/user_pay_services.html#4

cheers

Jim

Best of luck thaimite. Its going to be very tight on time though.Im sure you will get it this time as long as you have followed the advise on the forum especially 7by7 who knows his subject.

Here I am sitting in front of my TV hoping to see re runs of last nights games. There are 4 or 5 dedicated channels so of course there will be a choice of games to see so I can pick my game and relax. How wrong I am. All channels are showing the same feed. There is no constant re run of games, just constant babble in Thai that I cannot understand. They are just staring to show a re run of last nights game between Chile and Australia, but rather than just show the game they are showing the full build up as if the game is live. Unbelievable what a waste of 1,590 THB

Ok lets leave it there. Best of luck to OP

Sandy I know we are going a bit off topic here but VFS do not do interviews. All that happens is biometrics are taken, documents are handed in, maybe a few queries about what documents are being handed in thats it. No interview on General or Family visa applications.

Why dont you go and see Darren at Key Visa near Big C at Pattaya Tai. They only charge 300 baht in addition to the embassy fee. They take your info to the Embassy and get your letter within a week. A great service. They will also advise on your address situation. I have nothing to do with them just a satisfied customer

I wish you best of luck. You keep saying though "an interview". Your wife will only be dropping off her documents and you will not be allowed into this area while she does this, there is no interview. As far as a family visa is concerned I think that you can apply for a family or general visit visa. In your case however I would have thought that as she has no immediate family and you are travelling with her that a general visit visa is more appropriate in your case. Fingers crossed for you

The question that must be asked is "who informed the council that you had someone staying" if it was you, why would you do that?

How can the authorities accept an unofficial town wedding at all? It has no legal status fir the Thai authorities and most certainly not with any others such as the UK... If you have no official marriage paper you aren't married.

Yes I know that but that's a bit off topic. To the Thai's that's the only wedding they know in many cases, that's why I shall be making it official later this year. The question relates to after that is done. So back to my question

If you are married, you need to apply for a Family Visitor Visa.

You can apply for a Family Visitor Visa if your married but there's no requirement to do so. There used to be a right of appeal for Family Visit Visas but they were abolished some years ago, so your wife can apply for a General or Family Visit Visa.

TOG interested in your comment above I shall be making my marriage official later this year after previously had a village wedding. Do immigration treat both types of application the same? IE if a married thai person applies for a general visit visa will the ECO reject the application and refer her to a family visa or are both types accepted and treated the same. Any thoughts on this appreciated

There will be many bars showing the world cup try Wetherspoons (Baukauw), irovers (LK) Monkey House (Soi 7). If you dont want to go out buy a world cup set top box from 7/11 for 1500 thb they are the only official broadcaster of the world cup in Thailand. Its not on True but at the last minute they may allow some games on free Thai tv channel 7