Esso49

1 minute ago, JackThompson said:

The rules they list are for extensions.  For a "Visa," there is no seasoning-rule.  It seems they are swapping "visa" for "extension" - a common error.

Sorry but for monthly income proof that is irrelevant, it is the same for either visa application of extension of stay so my point still remains a question.

15 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

When posting  such information you should include the source of it. I found it and it is here. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-embassy-bangkok-to-stop-certification-of-income-letters

My gut feeling is that this will get sorted out before the deadline.

The letter from BE states that it is ceasing income letters in support of Marriage or Retirement VISA applications.  Extension of stay based on marriage or retirement is not a visa application. Any thoughts on the wording here pls ?

Google is excellent and possibly far quicker to find the definition of such matters.

43 minutes ago, totally thaied up said:

Oh, the Brits taught us how to do that back in the 1800's when you sent us all out to that Island called Australia for stealing bread.

 

No with the Brit and Aussie dollar in the gutter and with a Government that takes money away from people when they get married (I lost a packet of my pension when I married my Thai wife), it really stinks. 

Look I'm really sorry about my ancestors doing that but look on the bright side, you were not arrogant enough like us Brits to think you knew everything and as such learned how to improve things and as such nearly always play a better game of cricket. That aside it never ceases to amaze me how, when you think you are doing what's right, governments always seem to offer those that buck the system the best rewards.

1 hour ago, xylophone said:

Unfortunately I get two of the buggers...…….one from the UK pension people and one from the NZ folk.

 

Nothing much to fill in but getting them witnessed seemed to be a bummer as a local lawyer wanted 3000 baht to do so. 

 

Found that my local bank manager would do it as my pensions get paid into his bank, so a smile and a "wai" do the trick!!

Now how you feel and I get one with all my private pensions too. 3 are ok but one is so small it is hardly worth it. Used to go into my bank to get them signed but got fed up with that as by the time I had explained what I needed the day was wasted.  Used a lawyer once and as you said expensive. Now I just use one of my local friendly policeman or my friendly immigration officer.   6 Changs and they sign anything  ????

2 hours ago, wgdanson said:

Been getting my State Pension for 6 years now and NEVER had one. I had better not ask the wife to be counter signatory as she thinks I am dead already !!!!!

I get one every year . You registered as an overseas pensioner ?

3 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Please, what's a Certificate of Life?

The DWP and private pension providers send out this certificate, usually annually, for you to complete and get a countersignatory to sign that they have witnessed you signing this document to prove that you are still alive and it is you still claiming the pension. It is supposedly to avoid continued pension payments being made when the beneficiary has actually died.

Does this work ? no idea but I'll let you know on my 180th birthday if it does or not ????

2 minutes ago, totally thaied up said:

A good friend of mine who is English had this happen to him. He normally only came for 6 weeks a year but three years ago, as he has some extra cash, came for 12 weeks. His pension was withheld without notice and he had a few questions given to him when he came back to England to get reinstated. It was a major problem for him! 

 

When he did decide to spend more time here, his pension was frozen and he returns home like every three months or so to visit his elderly Mum for a month.

 

My friend has to submit his earnings every year to Immigration as others have noted here for his Visa.

 

I would do some more digging if I were you.

Tell that to jamie2009.

1 minute ago, jamie2009 said:

Not fiddling the system just following advice given too me by the IPC. BTW I was resident in the UK for 6 months last year.

you wrote; "I don’t live permanently in Thailand, I still have a property in the UK and return every 3 months spending 3/4 weeks there."  That is different to what you stated above.  Irrespective of your claim that the IPC told you otherwise the stated facts are clear, not living in the UK more than 6 means disallows annual pension increase.  Now if you contest what is written down in black and white then clearly you will contest any other rule.  So carry on. I am sure there are many more like you abusing the UK  system .  Not worth anymore further commentary.

Just now, jamie2009 said:

As you said you live permanently in Thailand so never return to the UK therefore not entitled to the annual increases so no need to phone.

If I get pulled I will refer them back to the phone call I made too the IPC, calls are recorded on the advise the DWP Rep gave to me.

So you are admitting you are going to fiddle the system irrespective of the UK guideline link I attached stating that you will not qualify as you intend to not be in the UK for at least 6 months per year ?   amassing.  Another quality retiree coming to Thailand whilst abusing the UK system

25 minutes ago, jamie2009 said:

Like you I not going to spend the W.E. trawling the internet as there is no need too explain to you the difference between domicile and residency as you live permanently in Thailand I don’t.

And as you seemed not able to do a thorough search I have done a quick one for you at the pensions advisory website which I am sure you are aware of

Read this link and it is now worse than I said, especially for you, because you have to live in the UK for a minimum of 6 months per year to qualify for your increases.   Fiddling the system is now getting harder by the number of prosecutions also.

https://www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/about-pensions/when-things-change/moving-abroad

18 minutes ago, jamie2009 said:

Believe me I trawled the UK Gov websites looking for info so there is no need for you to spend the W.E. doing so.

Obviously you haven’t bothered too read my posts, yes I did call the International Pension Centre so there was no need to put the phone number and put in brackets ‘did you’ making out I am a liar ?

I fully explained my circumstances to the representative at the IPC and he said I was entitled too the annual increments.

That's good news and many thanks because I shall now be ringing them myself on Monday to ask why I have not got them all these years.

58 minutes ago, jamie2009 said:

Could you forward a link about the 8 week rule, I explained to the DWP Advisor all my circumstances, he couldn’t understand why I called the DWP in the first place.

It can be very confusing/grey area,  I am liable for UK Tax as I have a property in the UK, I am entitled to the Annual Pension Increments but possibly not free NHS healthcare ?

i am also entitled too the Winter Fuel Allowance as I am resident in the UK for the qualifying period which is in September.

Believe me I have gone too great lengths to check everything out as the last thing I want at my age is ending up in court.

I am not going to spend my weekend searching through the UK gov website, you can do that.  If you spoke to the International Pension Centre ( did you ? ),  just ask them the question "what is the time limit to stop me qualifying for annual pension increases).  Note you need to speak to the International Pension centre. +44 (0) 191 218 7777 .  Years ago I was advised by them that the limit is 8 weeks.  Doesn't matter for me anyway as I spend 52 weeks in thailand

Just now, wgdanson said:

No, they will not with-hold your pension, some guys have theirs paid into a foreign (Thai) bank account. However you will not get the annual increase of about 3 quid a week if you tell them you live here. 

They will most certainly withhold a pension if they find out you are out of the UK for longer than 8 weeks continually and could quite possibly take further action against you.  They will not withhold a pension if you advise them of your Thai retirement address. They will withhold your pension, irrespective of where you are living if you fail to return a Certificate of Life within 16 weeks.  All pensions withheld will be remitted to the beneficiary once their conditions are satisfactorily met.

7 minutes ago, jamie2009 said:

I don’t live permanently in Thailand, I still have a property in the UK and return every 3 months spending 3/4 weeks there. I am also liable for UK Income Tax, I have already confirmed my position with the DWP, I am classed as UK Resident.

My understanding is that you must inform DWP if you are out of the UK longer than 8 weeks. That being the case you could see your pension withheld if they find out, which they will, you are out of the UK for periods up to 3 months at a time. It has happened to others already.

You will need a new letter every year from the British embassy, BKK, to support your request for extension of stay.  But you say that your state pension will never increase, only decrease.   That is not true as you should advise the DWP that you are living in Thailand.   Living in Thailand means that your UK state pension will be frozen at the current rate, there will be no increases.

1 minute ago, Constantinos said:

Nikon D800, 60 mm, 1/80 sec, f:3.2 ISO 50

Fabulous, you can see the joy in her face

I was reading this earlier and find it quite disturbing that so far this year that the police in the United states have killed 136 people with a disability.

The news link is here https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-45739335

Glad I live in a better, safer place

This thread is 9 years old !

3 hours ago, jayboy said:

 

You needn't trouble your head about it ever since as a retiree you do not qualify for PR.

Actually that is incorrect