cowman1

To update the last post, I have spoken with a benefits officer and the following may be the best way forward.

If your wife is allowed to work she should apply for a National Insurance number (if she has not done so already).

Once she does this, you can make a claim for Main Council Tax Benefit and she will then be treated as your partner for the purposes of the claim. Depending on your household income (you do not mention if you are working as well as studying) you may receive Council Tax Benefit to cover the remaining 75% liability once your own discount has been taken into account. If you are a tenant, you may also receive assistance with your rent.

Hope this helps

Hello. Thank you very much for looking into this for me. Sadly, I don't think I will have time to work as it's quite an intensive course. My wife is wating for her NI card (we have just sent the paperwork back), so as soon as it comes through I will look into this further.

Thanks again.

Ok. Thanks for all the advice!

Hello. My wife was granted a settlement visa and we have been in the uk now for about 3 weeks. I am going to be studying for a year, so therefore I am not required to pay council tax. However, do we still have to pay because my wife is living with me in the same house? The thing is, we have a small child and he will need looking after, in between nursery sessions. If my wife was unemployed ( and English) I think she would not need to pay, but part of the terms of the visa state that she cannot claim public funds.I have no intention of doing this, but I am a bit unsure where we stand regarding council tax.

When we applied for the visa, we used my parents as sponsors and state we were staying with them, which we did for a while. However, we have now moved into a small house as it was getting a bit claustrophobic!

Thanks if anyone can offer any advice.

Hi. Sorry to drag up and old post! Anyway, since starting this thread I have now been paid my salary and talked to my boss, who was a lot more helpful than I had anticipated. She says she is happy to write a letter for me that will state that my last day if work is on Wednesday (the date of my flight). Can someone just confirm what exactly it needs to say? She also said she will sign it for me if I write it out. Is there anything else i will need to bring with me to immigration, other than passport. And will it be a problem that, supposedly, my last day of work was on the same day I turn up at Immigration (probably early in the morning).

Thanks if anyon can help!

Hi. I sent my 90-day off, via mail, about 2 weeks ago buy I am yet to get it back. On Friday it will be 6 days after the reporting due date, so I it has not arrived by then I guess I will have to go to Chang Wattanna. Just wondering, does anyone know of a number you can ring to check onthe progress of it. Immigration is quite far away for me and I really don't Wang to go if if is in transit. I have always done it by post before, but it has always come back promptly.

Thanks if anyone can help!

OK. Thanks for all your help.

Hi.

My wife was granted her settlement visa last month (yippee!) and we will be travelling to the UK in a few weeks time. I was just wondering what we should take with us? We have her passport, a translation of her birth certificate and her TB test certificate. The thing is, my wife has read on other websites that she needs to provide the actual TB original X-ray itself, as well as the certificate. I can't even remember ever seeing this. Can someone confirm if this is the case, or whether just the certificate will suffice?

Also, regarding her I.L.R, are there any documents we will need to obtain from here, that will be required. My wife has been informed that she needs to get a Thai Police clearance CRB check done from here, before we leave, as it will be needed when we apply for the ILR in 2 years time - can someone confirm whether this is true?

Also, one more thing, I have read that it is important to get her name on any bills, etc, and get her an N.I. number. Is she able to open her own bank account?

Thanks if anyone can help.

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Yes, I am on a 1 - year extended stay visa. So, if I want to avoid paying the 1900 extension fee, I should see my boss and obtain this letter on the morning of my flight, take it to the labour department and then go to immigration and inform them I am leaving on that day. Can this second part be done at the airport? Just out of interest, what would happen if I just attempted to leave without cancelling the permit / visa? It just seems like quite a lot to do before a long flight later in the day! Thanks for all the advice so far!

quote name='Mario2008' date='2010-06-22 08:28' timestamp='1277170139' post='3702654']

The work permit itself doesn't need to be returned, but your employer should write a letter to the labor department stating your employment has ended on ********. This cancels your work permit.

So as soon as you have your pay, go to your employer and ask him for the letter and take it to the labour office.

You also might need to cancel your permission to stay, if you are on an extension of stay from immigration. You will have to elave the same day your employment ends. As you won't do that, you can get a 7 day extension from immigration for 1,900 baht. Again take a letter from your employer stating the date your employment ended.

Hi. I am due to leave my current job in Thailand, to go back to the UK next month. I am currently on a non-imm visa (that expires early next year) and I have a work permit. The thing is, I really need my last month's pay from my employer, which will come through about 2 days before I leave. I would love to give my employer notice now about the fact I am leaving, but they have often held employee's money back in the past (or not paid them at all), so I may have to just leave without letting them know in order to ensure I get money that is rightfully owed to me.

Anyway, I was just wondering what is the best thing to do, in terms of my work permit / visa? Can I just leave the country with it still running, considering the fact that I will not be returning for at least a year. Can I cncel it myself? If I do cancel it do I have to leave the country the same day? Also, can it be cancelled with just a phone call?

Thanks if someone can offer any pointers, much appreciated!

Hi.

I mentioned this in another forum, but thought people may be a bit more clued up here! Anyway, basically I am trying to sync the TV coverage of the world cup, with a radio feed. The radio is currently about 5 seconds ahead of the TV, which is not ideal. Anyone know if there is a simple way to do this? If I could sort it out it would make for perfect viewing, and possibly satisfy a few disgruntled farangs in Thailand!

Thanks if anyone can help!

Well, it looks like channel 3 aren't offering English commentary - my UBC dual language button is having no affect. I'm currently watching the game on Thai TV whilst listening to a live feed from radio 5 live. It's about 5 seconds out of sync, but it works fairly well. Anyone know if it's possible to "slow down" or delay a radio feed, cause if that was possible it would be perfect.

Just to say. a big thank you to everyone on this forum. After waiting for 8 agonising weeks we were granted the visa today. Mine was a quite complicated visa, so I'm very chuffed!

Special thanks to 7by7 - without your help, I don't think we would have got it.

I don't have to worry about leaving my family behind now.

Thanks again,

Luke

My daughter only has a Thai birth certificate and this has been accepted in the Uk for child benefit purposes without translation! Very strange question for them to ask!

This is great news. I will save myself the 10,000 baht then, and just take the passport and birth certificate.

Thanks for the reply. I guess I will just have to wait and see if they need more information. I am also a bit puzzled as to why they need this information. If I am successful in obtaining the visa, this is another thing I am unsure about. Can I just take my son's Thai birth certificate (with a certified translation) back to the UK with me, without the need to get him an official UK cert. here? Are there any advantages to having it, or can I just sort things out back in the Uk without it? I can pay the 10,000 baht if needs be, but if it is not essential I would rather put that money towards something else. Thanks if anyone can shed some light on this!

Hi. Can you let me know if that was for a settlement visa? Also, when did you apply? It's just that I also provided copies of my son's passport, along with his Thai birth certificate and a translation. I also have not got an English-style birth certificate, as it was about 10,000 baht, and I figured I could just do it later. What reason did you give them on your letter? I guess I will be getting a call too then....

Update:

After downloading Recuva, disc doctor and a couple of other recovery programs i've failed to find any of the erased files, pictures, videos etc.

The only thing visible in these recovery programs is the previous windows XP files that i replaced with windows 7.

I did read on a forum that erased files from a WD Smartware H/D are not recoverable.

Hi.

Just out of interest, how much did you pay for it? I am planning on buying one to conect to my wii and the cheapest I have found is around 2600 baht.

Thanks

As someone has already said, use nadzproject (www.nadzproject.com) they will send them to phuket for you by ems, and they have always provided a good service to me. Or just go to mbk, where you can pick ps3 games up for around 1400-1800 baht. 3000-4000 baht is a rediculous price to be paying! I have also not heard of copied games for ps3, so even in mbk or saphan lek you are pretty safe. Also, around 95% of ps3 games are region free. I often get games sent from the UK from my mum, and I have never had any problems. Playasia is ok, but I have often had to pay import tax which beefs up the price, so it's better to buy from within Thailand.

Hi.

I keep recording the champion's league games with my old and trusted vhs recorder, one of the domestic channels. I am putting the audio on to English (checking with a film on a movie channel first) but it's still coming through with Thai commentary.

Has anyone stayed / woken up for these games? Is the English commentary available or am I stuck with Thai?

Thanks if you can help!

Cowman1

1) Seems a good idea, go for it.

2) You are the sponsor. Immigration Rules, Introduction, Interpretation

"sponsor" means the person in relation to whom an applicant is seeking leave to enter or remain as their spouse, fiance, civil partner, proposed civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner or dependent relative, as the case may be, under paragraphs 277 to 295O or 317 to 319.

Q5.10 and 5.11. Put what the situation is. If she is not working than 5.10 will be nil and put the money you give her in 5.11. Then a brief explanation in your covering letter.

3) You should put all finances that will be available to you and your wife once in the UK. You should provide evidence of your income once in the UK and your parents should write a letter offering financial assistance and provide proof of their ability to do so.

4) Pounds.

5) No; these undertakings are only required in exceptional circumstances, which yours aren't, or certain categories of applicant, of which your wife isn't one. See ECB12.3 Sponsor undertakings on maintenance and accommodation.

6) Put any additional information you may think will help the application or any expansion on previous answers. As this space is rather small, I'd suggest that you simply put "See covering letter" and/or "See enclosed letters."

Thank you so much! You've answered everything I needed to know. I am sure I have all the right info, I just want to get eveything in order, and not make any silly mistakes.

The questions you are asking are very straight forward ?

Sorry, is that a question or an observation? I'm just after a bit of help- I thought they were pretty straight forward? I just really want to know who's income I fill in on the form when there is 3rd part help involved.

Thanks

Hello,

I am just putting the final touches to my Settlement Visa application. I am going to be doing a pgce and getting a bursary, which I have confirmation of in the form of a letter from the University, and I will be getting help from my parents for finance and accommodation. I'm pretty sure I have the necessary evidence for the visa now, but I have a few queries regarding putting it all together!

1) In the evidence file, is it acceptable to print out the photos on an A4 sheet, without priding the originals? I figure this will be better as it will be a more organised and I can put dates and notes below the pics.

2) Who actually is the sponsor? I figure as I am the husband then we apply for the settlement with the spouse (me) as the sponsor. I am just a bit confused about what to put on the form regarding sponsors earnings, etc..

Regarding the visa application if someone can help:

2) In the visa application form, it asks about the applicant's finance and sponsor's employment.

Income and Expenditure:

5.10 What is your total monthly income from all sources >>> of employment or occupation after tax?

5.11 Do you receive income from any other sources, including friends or family? Put a cross (x) in the relevant box

My wife has been supported by me for the past few years, whilst looking after the baby (I have been in working here, in Thailand), I have been transfering money into her account for shopping etc, should I put this amount in here?

3) It then asks about the sponsor's finances. Now, is this me or my parents (as they are providing the 3rd party support)? Obviously, my earnings and employer are Thai-based, so do put this in. Or my parent's financial details. I have their bank statements and the mortgage info on seperate sheets.

4) Do I put the money in baht or pounds?

5) As my parents are offering 3rd party support, do they need to fill out a sponsorship undertaking form?

6) One more question, if that's ok. I am a bit unsure about the notes pages (section 9).

9.1 Is there any other information you wish to be considered as part of your application?

I have a few letters (one from my parents about suporting us) and a few covering letters from me and my wife. I have covered a lot of the stuff that I would be writing in the additional notes. Should I just write in all in the notes, and provide the letters just to be safe?

Thanks if anyone can provide some help!!

Out of interest, is it a two year course, and is it full time?

Hi.

It's a one year course, full time. Thanks for the help, I've looked into it a bit and the Uni will be sending the crb forms out in the near future, so I will put down my last UK address and then my Thai addresses. Hopefully, this will suffice.

Actually, I thought things were going quite smoothly, but I have had a call from the student loan company asking about my wife, who will be coming with me. If you are married your wife becomes your sponsor. I completed the form, stating she had no earnings for the last year, and sent a letter saying the same thing (as requested by them). However, they have now said they need some proof like a tax document that confirms she has had no earnings. Any idea where I can get this from.

Everything is so complicated when you want to get back in tto a UK system and you've been living in Thailand for a few years - system's don't seem to compute!

Hi. I was wondering if someone could help!

I am due to start a PGCE primary teacher training course in September. I am currently living in Bangkok, and will be heading back to the UK in July. As part of my pre-course assignment, I need to spend 2 weeks in a primary school. Previously, I figured that I could just come back in July and spend the last few weeks of term in the school. I was aware of the need for a CRB check, however, I thought this could just be done online, or I could send the forms to the school from here. It appears that it's best if I am actually in the UK while I apply as, amongst other things, I need to provide various forms of identification.

The school have offered the first few weeks of the autumn term 2010/2011, as an alternative time to visit, which seems like a good idea. I can then produce all the paperwork when I arrive in July, giving 3 months for it to be processed until term starts in September. However, I am concerned about the part on the form that asks about previous addresses. I will need to put down where I have been living for the past 5 years (which have been in Thailand). Will they need some sort of police clearance from over here? I have seen on the CRB website that that there are procedures in place, if you are living back in the UK and need an overseas check done. As I am already over here, is there something I can get done now that I can take with me?

Thanks if anyone can offer any help!!

Hi. I have read that when you apply for a settlement Visa you can apply for a later date, as long as it is within 3 months. I am trying to avoid the new visa costs that come in on April 6th, and also I want to get the Visa sorted out as quickly as possible so I know where I stand, and I can make the necessary arrangements. The thing is, I will not be returning till at least mid-July, early August. My question is: If I was to apply for my visa at the beginning of April and then put the date of July 1st (3 months later), do I have to go on this exact date, or can I enter the UK a few weeks / a month later? Therefore in total I would be entering the UK 4 months after the date I originally gave the paperwork in, but only a month from the requested date on the visa itself.

Hope this makes sense!

Thanks, if anyone can help.

Hi. Thanks for the quick response. So I will actually need to get one then? I am thinking, for example, when claiming child benefit they need to see an original birth certificate - I guess a translated Thia birth cert. would not be enough. If I do require one when living in the UK then I guess it's best just to get it done anyway?