brewsterbudgen

What's not to like? She's Thai and she's a superstar.

There are similar financial requirements for Leave to Remain too.

Hopefully the OP is well aware of that, as being married to a Chinese citizen means a Marriage Extension is impossible!

The income requirements for UK settlement are an annual income of £18,600 or savings of £62,500. All UK income is taxed. Foreign income counts as well, if it meets the threshold.

"They" being Immigration/the government? Not sure there's much incentive in them doing it, unless they can make money out of it. It might be better for them to provide English/Mandarin and other language classes to Immigration/government officials!

Why would the Thai government want to do that?! There's already a basic Thai language test for those wanting Permanent Resident status, extensions are a regular source of revenue and are only valid for one year. Why would anyone want or need to learn a language for a year?

I had similar advice from the UK Embassy when my son had to enter Thailand in 2020 with a UK passport that expired in 4 months. The UK Embassy even tried to suggest that he need an Emergency Travel Document as he would be refused entry at the border. The advice I got on this Forum suggested otherwise, and fortunately I followed this advice and not the Embassy's! He entered Thailand and was stamped in until the expiry date of his Extension, 1 month before his passport was due to expire, leaving plenty of time to get a new passport before then. Embassies are probably issuing such advice over an abundance of caution, as some countries/airlines may require 6 months remaining on a passport, but Thailand is not one of them.

There seems to be a consensus that there is certainly no obligation or duty to learn Thai if you're an expat here. Maybe the thread should be closed as the OP has his/her answer.

I don't think the Rohingya refugees in Thailand have to meet the visa/PR requirements that we do either!

Not many families are out boozing in Pattaya in the early hours!

Not true. You need to pass various levels of English Language tests and the Life in the UK Test.

Alcohol or drugs to blame on BOTH sides! Pattaya is getting back to normal!

VFS are not a government agency, they are the contractors who deal with the applications for UK visas and passport renewals. They check the documentation, do the biometrics and forward the application to UKVI (for visas) in Sheffield or India, and to HMPO (for passports) in Liverpool. They also have similar contracts for Australian, Canadian and (I think) Netherlands visas. The delays in the UK are totally down to government inefficiency and cutbacks, Covid (if you believe them!) and Brexit (if you believe Remainers like me!).

It's too late now (for me). I've used the same broker for nearly 10 years and I've gone with his recommendation and switched to WRLife for my policy, and with effect from next month, now for my (non-Thai) wife and son. All our policies are inpatient only.

Are the current premium levels that low? I'm just about to pay $2,300 to cover myself (62), wife and son on a family policy, and it's only slightly cheaper than I was quoted by other insurers?

Thanks for posting. Having just moved my wife and son to WRLife (I've been a policyholder for a year), it's reassuring to hear that claims are being met without hassle.

Are there any places in Thailand that are not affected by seasonal air pollution?

I loved Breaking Bad but, for me, Better Call Saul is superior in all aspects. I don't think I've watched a better written, better acted TV series, not to mention the cinematography and music.

Too true. Cameron deserves to hang his head in shame. Brexiteers are thin on the ground!

Then you can't marry her. Unless she bumps him off as you're a better prospect. Best of luck. I'm sure she's a keeper!

I'd leave it until about 8 months before expiry (October 2023) - the new passport starts from the new date of issue, so you'd want to minimise the months lost. Surely by October 2023 HMPO will have got their act together!!

I thought Better Call Saul was fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen a TV series with better acting, writing, cinematography, music. The ending was superb too.

I met her in Paris...????

What have Romanians got to do with an organised crime murder in Liverpool? Local gang/drug violence is nothing new there, although killing children in the crossfire is thankfully only a once every 15 years occurrence (RIP Rhys Jones).

I completed the survey, although my wife's not Thai.