brewsterbudgen

The thread is about UK visas.

All UK visa decisions are made by UK civil servants working for UKVI. VFS have NO part in the decision making. They just take and check the applications before forwarding them on to UKVI.

Why? Since 1984, UK passports have been issued by HMPO which comes under the Home Office. It has nothing to do with the FCO. HMPO, however, should answer emails!

I think it must depend on the local Immigration Office. I live in Rayong, and they do not require a new TM30 after coming back from abroad. I've had the same one for 4 years.

I'm sure she cares a lot about what you think! 🤔🙄

It's nothing to do with the embassy, so not surprised.

Thanks. It's been a while since I did it, so hopefully moving back to the UK has improved the process. Interviews are almost never carried out and if a phone call needs to be made it's done by a Thai speaking Admin officer. Yes, getting a 5 or 10-year visa is the way to go if you make regular trips.

Checked for what?

Paying for sex with a freelancer from the street is not illegal. The girl who is on the street soliciting for sex is committing an offence. But once she's left the street with the customer, what they do is their business.

The EO (based in India!) will need to be sure that she will return to Thailand after the trip. As long as you can show evidence of your life together in Thailand, it should be fine (assuming you live there permanently with her). Everything in Thai will need to be translated before it is uploaded.

If you both live together in Thailand you should have no issues. If you can show a Work/Retirement/Marriage extension it will help as it will show you have a life together in Thailand. As well as the information Richard has mentioned, as your wife's sponsor for the trip, only you need to show that you have the funds to pay for it.

I came through on 1 May and a number of people were turned away at passport control and had to go back to complete their TDAC at a kiosk (and join the back of the queue!)

Paying money for sex is not illegal in Thailand, as long as both parties are 18 or over. Many aspects of prostitution are illegal, such as underage, soliciting and running a brothel. Paying for sex must not be carried out "promiscuously" which is rather ambiguous. Various pieces of legislation exist that regulate prostitution, and allow bars, gogos and entertainment places to operate within the law.

I have to do my annual Extension based on work in Bangkok (CW) every year as that's where my employer is based. However, I live in Rayong and my TM30 and 90-day reports are processed there. I also got Re-entry permits there. (However, as mentioned in an earlier post, they wouldn't transfer my son's extension to his new passport!)

There is only one way for her to get a UK Visitor visa (see @richard_smith237's post above mine). She can apply online, but she will have to attend the VFS offices in Bangkok or Chiang Mai to submit her biometrics. Using an agent will possible speed things up but she will still need her biometrics taken. You'll need to act quickly as it is likely to take a few weeks (if you're lucky!).

As a UK citizen he will have no issues returning to the UK. He could do so even if his passport had expired. Get it renewed while you're in the UK.

If we received a triple vaccination back in 2020/2021, is it recommended to have a new booster? Or is the virus today not worth worrying about? Everyone in my family is up-to-date with our Flu jabs, but I suspect this is completely separate from Covid.

In order to get Permanent Residence in Thailand or Thai citizenship some evidence of being able to speak Thai is required. The vast majority of expats here are non-immigrant, so there is no requirement to learn the language. Similarly the UK visas in this thread can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain and UK citizenship, hence the language requirements. It would be nice if the UK offered 'easy' annual extensions of stay for various purposes like Thailand!

Not in the bars they can't. But that's why there are short-time hotels! You'll find them in every Thai town.

Paying for sexual services is not illegal in Thailand. Some aspects of prostitution are (underage, soliciting, brothels), but nothing illegal about paying for or selling sexual services in private.

Agreed. But it certainly used to be the case that Thai hookers soliciting on Beach Road were also regularly rounded up (and fined a few hundred baht, then let go). The foreigners can be deported.

Yes. Foreigners cannot do it. Although soliciting for prostitution is also illegal for Thais, they can legally work in the 'entertainment' industry and bars, but foreigners cannot. Prostitution itself is not illegal.

No, but why is that relevant to this thread?

Yes. Waste of time.

None of the places on your list.