Richard croucher

Richard,

For your wife to qualify for indefinite leave she will have to either sit an ESOL with Citizenship course or pass the Life in the U.K. test, details of which can be found here.

Before she applies, you should read the Borders and Immigration Agency guidance notes, and don't forget that when the time comes if she does not have the language/citizenship qualification, she will not qualify for indefinite leave and should instead apply for an extension to her current conditions.

Scouse.

Hi Scouser,thanks for the advice.I had a look at the links that you provided,and some of the questions do seem to be a bit heavy,but i am sure we will be okay.sorry it has been so long since I last posted,but since Lek has been here in the UK,I don't seem to have had time to go online. Thanks again Richard

is there any maximum amount of cash that you can tke from the Uk to Thailand?

HM Customs and Excise state you have to declare cash of more than 10,000 euros if you take it to a non EEC country.

It's actually cash and cash equivalents, like travellers cheques.

However, that's just a limit before you have to declare it. You're allowed to take out as much as you like, just expect a few questions - like how did you earn the money (i.e. has tax been paid on it), and why are you taking it out of the country. (where the interest on it will no longer be taxed automatically.)

I believe it's really a new EU-wide limit for declaration. (which is why it's defined in Euros, and is mainly because there's a long history of people in certain high tax countries depositing their money in tax havens, and neglecting to declare the income back home, and so avoiding the ridiculously high taxes.)

Mike,thanks for the advice.Next March we are going back home and wnt to take about £14000 back with us to buy some land in Essan.Would it be better to transfer this amount to a Bnk account,and if so what is the best type of account to have.There will however be a large number of people traveling with us as me and my Wife are going back to have a Budhist Wedding in te Viliage,so I could split the cash that Way.it is just that I have been told that I will get a far better rate if I change the cash whilst in Thailand rther than doing it here in the UK

Hi Everyone,me and My Wife Lek have had a fantasic year,but I have just heard tat she has to take some kind of Exam so that she can stay in the UK aftr her Two Year Visa expires,is this correct and can anyone shed any light on what we have to do before she has to renew her Visa next Year.Also,and i know that this Question does not relate to this part of the Forum but is there any maximum amount of cash that you can tke from the Uk to Thailand?

Hello Everyone.I am not sure if i should be posting in this area of thr Forum about this topic,and I am sure thar I will be redirected if need's be,but I have now taken on a whole new set of things to worry about.

Lek will arrive in the UK at LHR on the 3rd of November,and I have stated to worry Myself stupid about the process she will have to go through upon arrival.I suppose My Questions are as follows

1 what process does she have to go through

2 is it possible to be with Her to make it easier for Her

Kind Regards

Richard and Lek

Hello to you all ,and thanks for all of the advice over the last Six Months.I really would like to say a very special thankyou to Scouce, GU22,and Vinny for the Advice that you have given Me,but not just the advice also the support.I will make a further posting Tomorrow,to tell you all about it and especially about My Wifes Three Days of Testing to make sure that she did not have TB.We are both just so very,very happy,as soon we will be able to got on with our lives

Thankyou so,so,so Much

Richard and Lek

Dear all

I am just about to start filling in the Settlement Visa Application,and want to make sure of a few points.My first question is,do i have to get a copy of My Wife Tabien Ban and have this Translated.I have not seen a Mention of this anywhere,and the only reason am querying this is because My Wife is worrying that I have not told her that we Have to do this.the reason she is worrying is because when Her Farther and Brother applied for there US visa they had to supply this.

My second Question is do we need to fill in the section with regard to My wife's employment History.I can understand that this would need to be completed if we were applying for a VV as this would show a reason for my Wifes return to Thailand,but we are not.we are apply SV and as I will be supporting My Wife when she comes to the UK I can't see that this applys to us.

My Third Question is,does My wife have to include details of her Daughter on the Application.the reason I am questioning the need for this,is that My Wife's Daughter lives with Her Fathers parents,and has not been with My Wife for over Three Years Now.My wife was never legally Married to this Thai Fella,as it was just a comman Law relationship.My wifes Daughter will never need to travel to the UK,so I can't see the Need to include Her on the Application

And last but not least,does My Wife Have to include Details of Previous Partner,i.e His Name or is this not needed as it was not a leagally recognised Marriage.

I hope that you can give me some advice with regard to these points,and look forward to hearing from you

Kind Regards

Richard

As GU22 says, you may complete the application form but your wife has to sign it. She should also be aware of the form's contents as, if interviewed, you wouldn't want her to contradict it.

Scouse.

Thanks for the advice,and the prompt replies.I will do as you suggest.When I go back to Thailand in August,Me and My Wfe will fill in the Application Form Together,so that she is Fully Aware of it's contents.

once again this Forum and its learned members,will enable me to sleep again

Kind Regards

Richard

Dear one and all

Just a quick question with regard to filling in the Visa Application Form.when me and My Little Lady Wife fill in the Application Form for Her seetlement Visa,which we are going to apply for in August(I really can't wait to get back to Thailand to see her) certain questions will be very difficult to answer in English,so can they be written in Thai, i.e My wifes Mothers and Fathers Name,as I am sure that there will be no direct English Translation,or is it acceptable to the Eco's for certain parts of the Form to be filled in,in Thai

I have looked at the Guidance Notes that come with the Application form but can find no mention of this.I am sure that you will be able to answer this one for me.

Kind Regards

Richard

Thanks for the clarification, Ash. It does seem a confusion over the English/Thai, blown out of all proportion by someone with a lot less knowledge than he thinks he has and a hatred of people from the sub continent.

Topfield, did you try the link I gave you earlier? You'll find lots of like minded people if you do.

Dear GU22,can you just clarify something for me,I read your post the other day,regarding the visit of someone to the VFS and the ease that he found in making his application.The way I read it was that you can purchase the correct Draft at the VFS for the MASSIVE sum of 35Baht.If this is the case,why and please someone tell me Why,has Adolf Toppfeild spent more than 35Baht on Electricty with all of these rediculous BL***Y post.

Also,seeing as this Forum Deals with all Matters regarding living,working,eating and everything that you can possibly think of with regard to Thailand,and not to mention interracial Realationships,then i really must say that it is no place for RACIST remarks of the kind seen in Toppfeilds Post,and I must admitt that I find them offensive

and Toppfeild if you read this post as I am sure you will,remember that when you point a Finger at someone,you have Three fingers Pointing back at you,which raises the Question,Who is the Bl**dy Idiot

Kind Regards

Richard

Some day if you see a guy herding a flock of rabbits into the fields to graze, you'll know I've retired to Thailand. I just hope I can train some sheep dogs to keep them all orderly.

This Rabbit Subject is Interesting.My Wife comes from a small Villiage not far from Ban Chiang,and was Horrified when i told Her that i used to eat Rabbit In England when I was growing up ,it seemed a Bit strange to me at the time,because we had just eaten Rat Stew which is quite a speciality in Issan .Also My Mother-in-Law Thought it was disgusting to eat Rabbit.I have personally eaten Rat,Kia Moot Daang (Red Ant Eggs+Ants) small Birds and Various assorted Insects whilst being with My Wife,But the only thing I have really Dramn the line at is Cows AfterBirth which is also a Speciality of Issan

I hope that this Little snipet has wetted your appetites

Richard

Hi Richard,

It's not necessary, so don't fret. Brunodog's missus has gone to the trouble of getting one and it does no harm in submitting it, but, as I say, it's not necessary.

Cheers,

Scouse.

Cheers Scouse,thanks for the advice.Now i will be able to concentrate on the Match Tomorrow.I spoke to My Brother in Law Today in Nong mek who is a Mad keen Liverpool Supporter,and he asked me if i was going to the match,I told him I wish i was Sorry if I went of the topic there

Kind Regards

Richard

I have just read a posting about which Thai papers had to be Translated,and now I am very concerned .I Have looked at the Checklist supplied by the UK Visa Application Centre and can find no mention of the need to supply a Police report Confirming that the Applicant has no criminal record.It is not a problem for me to do this as I know that My wife has not got a criminal record,but i just need to know if it is necessary to obtain one of these reports and have it Translated before i come back to Thailand in August and we lodge our Application

If there are anymore documents that might assist our Application that are not mentioned on any of the Official websites,could you please advise me as to what they are.

I hope to here from you all soon

Kind Regards

Richard

will I have to show the Embassy a copy of My mothers Title deeds?because i read in another post somewhere that you have to do this,and will i have to produce a Rent book?,and last but definatley not least,wil I have to provide a council Tax Bill?

The Checklist says that you should supply

Evidence of your spouse's accommodation in the UK, e.g. mortgage statement, letter from landlord, tenancy agreement etc. (original and 1 photocopy)

So, if you mum is still paying a mortgage, then a recent mortgage statement will be fine, if she has paid off the mortgage then a copy of the deeds. The reason for this is to show that she owns the house and so can give permission for you to live there; which is why you'd need a landlord's letter if she rented.

There is no need for her to give you a rent book, neither do you need a council tax bill.

Dear GU22 and Scouser

Thanks for the replies,yet again you have answered my questions.this whole process is,and can be very confusing,but with help form all of you at this forum,it does allow for nights when i can sleep as the mind has been put at rest yet again

Thanks alot

Richard

Hello Everyone

Can you please give me some advice with regard to a letter of support.Further to my previous post I have a couple of questions that i would like answering.My wonderful old Mum has agreed that My wife can come and stay at her place when she come to the UK,so that it will give me a chance to save up a deposit,so that i can get myself back on the Property ladder.

I understand that i will have to give a description of the accommodation that is avalible to both me and my Wife,and that at least the bedroom has to be for our sole use,that is not a problem.

will I have to show the Embassy a copy of My mothers Title deeds?because i read in another post somewhere that you have to do this,and will i have to produce a Rent book?,and last but definatley not least,wil I have to provide a council Tax Bill?

as you can see I am not sure what I have to show them,and what they will expect to see in a case like mine,so any advice would be greatfully recieved

I hope to hear from you all soon

Thanks

Richard

Dear Vinny

Thanks for the reply,I have checked out the links that you provided and all seems okay

Thanks for the advice

Kind Regarsd

Richard

A simple letter describing the accommodation available should be sufficient. Photos may be nice. See also What evidence can I supply? and the maintenance and accommodation requirements.

Dear Burbonizer

I really would take the Advice that has been given to you and go and live in Thailand.After a period of time you would then come to realize,that infact,it is not most of the Girls who need Money go and work in Bar's.infact the majority of girls and Women have nothing to do with the sex industry.

To really understand any society you really do need to go and live in it,and just spending time in one of Thailands Fleshspots has certainley not shown you what a diverse country Thailand is.

I am not normally a controversal person,but the genralisation that the majority of Thai women are Bar Girls or Ex Bar Girls is quite saddening.

I met My Wife Whilst Teaching English in the Northeast of Thailand.she had been working for the same company making electronic components for well over Ten years and only earning 6600 Baht a Month of which 2000Baht was sent home to her Parents every Month.when mre and My Wife first got together,one week we had a very lean period,and only had 600Baht between us and we survided

May I suggest that you go and live with your Girlfreind in Thailand,and see what she is really Like.I would also Suggest that when you are living with her that for a period of Time take Money out of the Realationship,e.g. tell her you haven't got any and then see what Happens.

But please most of all,go and Live in Thailand,and I don't just mean Pattaya,Phuket,Bangkok,Koh Samui.I think once you have removed yourself from the Bar Scence that you will stop Making Sweeping genralizations.

Richard

I was wondering if anyone can help me out here. My brother (Big Spuds) is a member here and said that you guys really help.

This is my question. ....

I have recently been to Thailand and like any normal person has met someone. The problem is that she has a 19 month old daughter. She loves it to bits and has to work in the bars to send money back to her father to look after it. The daughter's father basically done a runner when he found out she was pregnant and she has to bring it up as both mother and father. She works in a bar like most girls do who need money.

I met her on her first work doing this and i said that i would support her as she doesn't want to do it. I talk to her everynight on the phone and i beleive that we have fallen for each other. Even though we have only seen each other for 3 weeks. I know it is too soon to be thinking about all of this but something has cropped up.

Two days ago the father of the child turned up and took it whilst my girlfriend is in Pattaya. Now she is really upset as you can imagine. He has asked for 20,000 baht and he will give it back. The thing is i want to be able to get both my girlfriend and her baby to England in about 1 - 1 1/2 years time. How hard is it to get a visa for the both of them. As you can imagine she really does not want to leave the baby at all.

Any light on this matter would be appreciated. I am doing the usual keeping all e-mails, Text messages, phone calls, photos and flight stubs. So i beleive that i am on the right track so far. But does the father have to sign for the baby to leave even though he does not care about it?

Burbonizer

Hello Everyone

After reading some information about suitable Accommidation obtained from the UK visas website I noticed that it is acceptable for a couple to live in an existing Household e.g.that of a Parent,as long as they have at least one Bedroom for their exclusive use.

Can someone please tell me what Documentary evidence I would have to provide to the British Embassy if that was the case.

The reason I am asking,is that if me and My Wife could live at my Mothers when my Wife comes to the UK for a short period,it would give me the chance to save a Deposit so that I can get back on to the property ladder again back here in the UK.

At the Moment I am looking at spending over £500.00 a Month just in rent and the thought of that crucifie's me.

My Mother has allready said that it is fine and she will give me a letter to take to the Embassy,so that is Okay,but what format should the Letter be in?:,and does it have to be Attested by a Solicitor here in the UK?and will I still have to provide Photographic evidence of the accommidation to show them at the Embassy?

I look forward to hearing from you all soon

Kind Regards

Richard

will we still have to supply my Wife's employment History with the Visa Application,as this is still not clear to me

If you were relying on her prospects of finding employment in the UK in order to satisfy the financial side of things then her past employment in Thailand would be relevant as it would go to showing her prospects of finding work in the UK quickly.

But as you yourself can satisfy them without the need for her to find work, then you don't need to include her c.v.

Hope this is clear.

Dear GU22

Thankyou for the reply,and yes that has made things clear for me now,once again Thankyou for all of your advice

Kind Regards

Richard

As long as you can show that you can support and accommodate you both without recourse to public funds then this requirement is met. If you can do so from your income, then it matters not that your wife doesn't have any.

The DSPs are written as a guide for the ECOs and have to cover all eventualities. You don't.

Dear GU22

will we still have to supply my Wife's employment History with the Visa Application,as this is still not clear to me

Kind regards

Richard

As long as you can show that you can support and accommodate you both without recourse to public funds then this requirement is met. If you can do so from your income, then it matters not that your wife doesn't have any.

The DSPs are written as a guide for the ECOs and have to cover all eventualities. You don't.

Dear GU22 and Scoucer

Thanks for the very propmt replies,that has really put my mind at rest,i think I will be able to sleep tonight,and not spend the whole night like I did last night chewing things over in my mind.

Once again thanks for the advice

Richard

I hope that you will be able to clear up a certain amount of confusion I have with regard to these Issues.

Firstly with regard to my Wife's previous employment History,I don't think that we have a problem there,because my Wife worked for the same company for a period of about ten years and we have pay slips and Tax reciepts showing this is the case.My wife would also be able to obtain a letter from her previous employers stating that she work for them over this period of time.

With regard to her financial position,she does not have a financial position so to speak,as I have been supporting My wife Since we have been together.We lived together in Thailand for fourteen Months before i returned to the Uk,and the reason for my return,was to secure fulltime employment ,and a place here in the Uk for us both to live.

I will be returning to Thailand in August for us to lodge the Visa Application,and by that time will have been in Fulltime employment back here in the Uk for six months,wil have six Months Bank statements,and Tenancy Agreement.

This is where my confusion stems from,contianed in the Document (Diplomatic Service Procedures-Entry Clearance Volume 1-General Instruction sectio 9.7 it states [if the applicant and/or sponser has skills or qualifications which offer a reasonable chance of obtaining employment,or alreay has employment arranged,that should be sufficient to meet the maintenance reqirement without having to make further enquires]that so far is fine.

But then latter in the same section it states as follows.

[the following is a list which is not comprehensive,is intended as a giude to factors which may need to be considered when assessing means of maintenance:]

the applicants past and present employment;

the applicants educational qualifications and any other skills or qualifications which the applicant has that could be of assistance in getting started in the UK

the sponsors current or proposed employment

any plans the applicant has for employment in the Uk ect,ect.

I can understand that if we were going to apply fora fiance visa or visitors visa then this would be applicable,but we are going to apply for a SV.

Could you please clarify this for me

Kind regards

Richard

Dear GU22

Could you please just clarify something for me.This fee of 425 Baht per Passport that is to be Levied,is that for every pasport that is included with an Application,I'E 425Baht for Applicant and Sponsor,or just 425Baht for the Applicant.Sorry if I seem to be a bit thick ,but Knackered and just can't get my head round how much Money they are actually going to want from me.

Thanks alot

Richard

More details have appeared on the embassy website; CHANGES TO UK VISA APPLICATIONS

There will be longer opening hours (08:30 to 15:00 for submitting applications), more room and more staff. If they live up to their promises then the whole application process should be quicker and less stressful.

However, a service charge of Baht 425 (plus 7% VAT) per passport will be levied.

One very important point to remember is that VFS, operators of the UK Visa Application Centre, will be dealing with the admin and processing side of things. All decisions will be made by ECOs at the embassy.

They say that they will try to make as many decisions as possible, on all types of application, without an interview. It is therefore even more essential to supply as much supporting evidence as possible with the application.

I await with interest the first report from someone using the new centre.

See Chapter 9 – The maintenance and accommodation requirements.

Cheers Vinny

After reading the link it all seems okay.I will just have to make sure that my wfe joining me later is the year is okay with the landlord,and does not affect the Tenancy Agreement in anyway.I think just to make sure I will obtain written permission from the landlord/Letting Agent,to that affect and include this with the Application.

Once agian thanks for that

Richard

Hello everyone.

I just need to clarify what is considered suitable Accomidation .I know that when I lodge My wifes Visa Apllicatoin that I have to Provided evidence that I can provide Suitable Accomidation for Her to live in when she arrives in the UK.At the Moment I rent a Studio Appartment through a letting Agent on a Six Monthly Lease basis.

I beleive that when I apply for my Wifes Visa that I have to give a list of the room sizes,and Also Photo's,and that I have to supply an Attested copy of my Tenancy Agreement,Is this correct.?

The Main reason for asking if the Accomidation is suitable,is that if it is not then I will have to change my Accomidation before August.

Could you all please give me some advice with regard to this question

Richard Croucher

As far as the UK is concerned, certification by the translation agency is sufficient. All our translations are stamped (in Thai and English) with the name of the agency, and the words "Certified Correct Translation" with the name and signature of the translator.

This was acceptable to both the embassy for the visa and, later, the Home Office for both ILR and naturalisation.

Dear GU22,could you please just Confirm for me that the Documents to be translated for My Wife SV are as follows.

Birth Certificate,our Marriage Certificate.

My Wfe has never been Legally Married before so there is no need to supply a Translation of any Divorce Certification though.

One further question that I would like to ask,is with regard to my Wifes previous relationship with a Thai National.They lived together for a period of about sevenn years,and had One Child from the relatioship.

My Wifes Daughter does not live with my Wife but resides with her father and His parents elsewhere in Thailand.I note however that on the Visa Application form that it asks to list any Children,wheter or not they are to be traveling with the Applicant.

Can you Please Advise if this is necessary in our case,as there is no Chance that My wife will ever be reunited with Her Daughter.

Kind Regards

Richard Croucher