HowardJohnson

Visa for my step daughter granted today!

Submitted 30th March so 8 weeks plus 2 days. Pretty good result considering the closures!

Absolutely delighted that the family will be back together again.

Good luck to all those still waiting.

Cheers!

HoJo

From: [email protected]

RE: VCS309980: General information

Thank you for your enquiry.

The fact that the TB certificate was valid when lodged with the visa application will be sufficient for purpose.

Sent by:

Public Enquiries [G], Visa Services, International Group,

UK Border Agency, London SW1A 2AH

Web-site: www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Well, this is very good news and contrary to the info received from the IMO today!

Once again, thank you to the clever, clever people here at Thai Visa!

Cheers!

HoJo

Hi Guys,

We were delayed in applying for my step daughters settlement visa application for the UK (Long story!) but finally got it in on 30th March and now, due in part to the longer application processing times, it looks like we won't get her visa until after the TB certificate expiry date of 15th May.

I suspect that we will have to get another one but has anybody experienced this situation and managed to find a way of getting the current certificate extended?

Cheers!

HoJo

^ Shocked, amazed and actually very slightly jealous!!!

Submitted our step daughters application 5 weeks ago and still no word. Bit of a nightmare coz her TB cert expires on the 15th May so will have to get her a new one, most likely.

Congrats to everyone who has received theirs so far.

HoJo

Thanks for the info guys. Hopefully it will warm up a bit before she arrives. Her mum has suffered the worst winter for 30 years but is still smiling!

Hi Guys,

We successfully got a settlement visa for my wife back in Novemeber, thanks in no small part to the assistance received on this forum.

After setting up home etc, we are now in a position to arrange for a visa for her 12 year old daughter.

We are looking at a settlement visa and have virtually all in place for this.

My only slight concern is that if I am the sponsor, is there a special document that we require to allow her to leave the country? ie to prevent human tafficking?

Also, does she require a specific document from her father allowing her to leave?

We have a document that is quite old from city hall showing that the father has given up responsibilitybut I wondered if there is something specific.

I have asked the UK embassy but no response after a week...

Cheers!

HoJo

Sounds like you'll need to get a letter from the RLA stating that it is ok for your wife and child to live there.

And it looks like they are requesting clarification of the size of the accommodation.

Once you have that, I think you'll be ok.

Cheers

Thanks again Lopburi,

Yes I did mean Nonthaburi and I guess you are right that they would have sent me there.

For all the hassle, I have just booked a visa run and will extend after that.

What a polava!

Cheers!

Thanks Lopburi,

It was indeed good advice but unfortunately my wifes Tabian Baan is in Nonburi so Pattaya immigration said they would not do it and I have to go to Bangkok.

I fail to see the point but I guess thats the Thai system.

I'm a bit worried that after travelling to Bangers to get the extension, they will also come up with some excuse as to why they can't issue it and then I'm stuck.

Think I'm just going to do a visa run tomorrow and then extend by 7 days next week. At least then I know I'm ok.

Its a real pain in the ass just for a few extra days!

Thanks!

HoJo

Hi Guys,

I've been getting various barstool advice but want to check with the very clever people here.

My 1 year extension/permit to stay expires on the 5th November but I am actually returning to the UK on 22nd November permanantly.

What is my best and cheapest (of course!) option?

Visa run to Cambo will only give me 14 days right? Can I then extend that for another 7 at Pattaya Immigration?

What if I get the 14 days and then pay for 3 days overstay?

Flights to Cambo/KL/HK/Sing etc seem to have rocketed with nothing less than 7k available, so would prefer not to do that.

Can I extend my current permission to stay by another 30 days?

Any other genius options?

Cheers!

HoJo

Visa Granted!

Who was the doubting Thomas who said we wouldn't get home for Xmas!

Happy days but so much to organise!

Cheers guys and good luck to everybody else still waiting. (Sorry to the guy and lady who opened up their envelope before us and she promptly burst into tears as he looked at the refusal notice shocked. Keep trying and you'll get there.)

Cheers

HoJo

Notification on website today that the application is ready to collect. Of course, no indication if it has been approved or not.

Heading to BKK tomorrow to pick it up and find out if we got it.

Applied 29/09/09 - Ready 29/10/09 4 Weeks and 2 days.

Waiting times do seem to be at a more acceptable level now.

Wish us luck!

Pattaya Players are doing their Ghost Tour again this year up at Horseshoe Point.

It was good fun last year with lots of stalls and games for the kids and the tour was actually pretty scary (If you are 10 years old!)

Not sure what time it starts but check out their website for details.

Cheers!

Hojo

^ Yep, agree. Many stories of guys being searched at Bangkok bus stations for prescription drugs and when they can't provide the prescription it is suggested a certain amount of Baht will make the problem go away.

First time in Pattaya as far as I know. The word must have got round in BKK so now they are having a go in the provinces. Nice...

Funny how some posts just slip through and disappear. I've had the same thing happen to me.

The Boathouse is a nice place and I believe they have an Elvis play there once a week.

The beach right outside your hotel is very nice and theres lots of space at the moment.

Plenty of bars and restaurants all within walking distance.

Baht bus goes right past you if you need to go anywhere further.

Elephant Park, Water Park, ATV etc are all close by so plenty to keep you entertained.

Have fun!

I enjoy everything about the Hard Rock, both the hotel and the cafe, but I just cannot justify paying those prices. Yes, I am willing to pay a premium for top quality but their prices are ridiculous and border on rip off amounts.

Has anybody recently seen the price to use the pool for the day if you are not a resident? Last year I think it was 800 Baht a person!!!

Way, way too much.

Well, my wife and I (got to get used to saying that!) applied for a settlement visa yesterday.

No issues apart from getting hassled at every choke point by the guys from the agencies.

We arrived earlier than our appointment, the security at the door was very polite and allowed her through a bit early.

The person checking the documents was apparently pretty rude and aggressive (I guess you get one at every office) but the guy who took the application was very pleasant.

She was in and out in 10 minutes.

So, I guess we wait now for up to 12 weeks, hoping they might get it done earlier as I'd like to get home before Xmas.

Just as a thought. I assume VFS has KPI's that they must achieve? Is a 12 week turnarournd likely to be within agreed timelines?

Do you think it's possible that if they are under pressure to get back to a more reasonable turnaround time, they might be letting more applications go straight to approval rather than interview?

Just a thought...

We take it and use the points on our advertising mainly but it comes in handy for trips away and eating out.

Remember, its the profit margin on the product you sell that can make it worthwhile.

Cheers

HoJo

Hi Guys,

I am taking the mrs to the VAC tommorow to submit her settlement visa application for the UK.

I think I have everything but would appreciate it if someone spots a glaring error, letting me know.

Our slight difference is that I have lived and worked in Thailand for the last 3 years so accomodation and employment status is a liitle different.

Cover letter

My passport

Birth certificate

Thai work permit

Company papers

Letter from mother saying we can stay temporarily

Details & photos of 3 bed house

council tax bill

utility bill

land registry document

Letter confirming offer of employment in UK for me and salary details

Thai bank books for both showing about 200k Baht

Current vehicle loan agreement (Thai)

Copies of old emails to each other

All entry & exit stamps

photos of the last 3 years

Marriage certificate

Copies of house rental agreements

Copy of her UK tourist visa which I sponsored in 2007 and we visted the UK together

My divorce cert

All pages from passports

TB certificate

Joint car insurance document

My Thai driving licence

Her ID card

Her birth cert

Her tabian baan

Her professional qualifications

Obviously photo, payment and application form

Anything you think I am missing?

Many thanks

HoJo

Thanks guys - appreciated

Hi All,

Thanks for all you help so far.

We have just returned from Bangers with my translated "affirmation to marry" and my girlfriends TB certificate.

We are getting married tomorrow and will then submit our application for a settelment visa for the UK.

However, it just occured to me that her passport and now TB cert are in her family name.

Is there any legal requirement for her to change her family name to my surname once we marry?

If she keeps her family name for the duration, is this likely to cause any difficulites with her visa application?

Am I just over thinking this and worrying too much!??

Cheers!

Thanks for all the advice guys and gals.

I have run into a slight problem as it looks as though my Decree Absolute has gone missing!

I have spoken to the court and they can issue a copy that is stamped with the official court seal.

Does anybody have any experience with submitting a stamped copy to the embassy and was it acceptable?

Just a bit worried, as the website clearly states it must be the original.

Thanks

HoJo

In fact, if you don't have it, you cannot get the marriage registered.

Ah, I didn't realize that.

Thanks for the advice. I will surely now "man up" and stroll in a manly swagger down to the DHL office and arrange for the decree to be sent post haste.

Not lazy - just wanted to save some butch time...

After nearly 3 years I'm considering doing the "honourable thing" and getting married.

I am divorced but my decree absolute is in the UK.

Do the British Embassy actually check their records to see if you have been married before issuing the signed affirmation?

Or is it just a case of signing the paper to go along with the Thai regulations.

If I can get away with declaring that I have never been married, it would save me the hassle of getting the decree sent over here.

Thanks

HoJo

Thanks Nanlaew.