the scouser

I think the point being made is not that there is a crackdown on visa runs, but one upon people who don't do them however their passports do.

Scouse.

In fact, I firmly believe that we should hold a poll on whether to have more polls.

Scouse.

Chonabot,

Are you still miffed because no one took you up on your offer of a pint or two when you were last in Pattaya? Well, I'll tell you what mate, I'll be there in Oct/Nov time and if we coincide I'll buy you a Sing or two to settle your furrowed brow.

Scouse.

Tripxcore,

Providing that you are still in the States, approach the nearest Thai embassy/consulate with a view to registering your marriage with them. Then, for the purposes of Thai law, your marriage would be recognised in Thailand.

Regards,

Scouse.

Thanks for the advice Valentino. Yes the DTAC sim card is "live". It is in the hands of the current love of my life in Singburi.

Cheers,

Scouse.

Sorry folks, but I know sod all about mobile phones other than how to make a phone call. The question I have is.....

I have a British pay-as-you-go phone (Orange network - Samsung GSM dualband phone) which I would like to use in Thailand where I already have a pay-as-you-go DTAC sim card. What do I need to do to get the phone to work in LoS and am I better doing whatever's necessary in the UK or Thailand?

Cheers,

Scouse.

Dan,

The rooms above Enjoy travel agency on soi 8 are fine. 300 baht per night with air con, tv, a fridge and en suite shower and bog. You're right in the thick of the soi 8 nightlife but the rooms are not too noisy. Don't ask for room 502 as that's the one I stayed in and you wouldn't want to know what went on in there!

Scouse

No one need worry. The fact that such a declaration has been made is uneforcable should a Thai woman subsequently decide to marry whilst in the UK. The UK used to get Libyans to sign similar declarations saying that they promise not to blow things up or shoot policewomen dead whilst in the country. Do you think that would stop 'em?

Scouse.

ps. Wolf - Sangatte.

I'd be careful with the letter trick. When I was a visa officer I used to insist on seeing the original envelopes in which the letters came which, of course, would be postmarked. No envelopes=disregard letters as evidence.

To answer the original post, there is no set figure for an applicant to have in their bank a/c. The visa officer is looking to establish that the applicant will return to their country of origin and having a job/savings is one means of doing that. I, personally, wouldn't deposit a one off amount in the g/f's account as the visa officer will spot it a mile off and deduce that she's portraying herself as having more dosh than she really does.

Scouse.

To answer Plachon's question, a Certificate of Entitlement is issued to a person who is British but it is endorsed in their "foreign" passport. It may be costly at 7,300 baht but is a one off expense. Plachon's daughter would then be free to travel to the UK no matter how frequently on her Thai passport without firstly having to obtain a visa and upon arrival she can pass through the European Union queue, thereby saving time. When a subsequent Thai passport is obtained then the bearer just needs to carry both the current and old passport containing the C of E. Essentially for the purposes of entering the UK it changes the bearer's passport into a British passport. However, it does not confer the right, for example, to travel around Europe without obtaining visas first.

Scouse.

Sorry, Chonabot, I can't access the website. One observation, however, and that is that simply being born in the UK no longer automatically confers British citizenship (British Nationality Act 1981-effective from 1/1/83). One of the parents has to be lawfully settled in the UK; i.e. either they are British or a foreign national with no restrictions on their stay in the UK. Therefore it is possible for, as an example, a married Thai couple to be in the UK on work permits and for them to have a child. The child would not be British and a Thai passport would need to be obtained from the Thai embassy. Consequently, the Thai embassy would issue a passport for a UK-born child whether or not they recognise dual nationality.

Scouse.

The GI apparently contacted the FBI and was persuaded to give himself up. He stuck the girl on a flight from Stuttgart to Manchester and surrendered to the German police outside the US consulate in Frankfurt. There is no suggestion that he sexually assaulted the girl, but he's been nicked for kidnapping and as the previous post says, is awaiting extradition to the UK.

Scouse.

Simon,

I advise that your daughter perhaps enters and leaves Thailand on her Thai passport and enters the UK on her British passport as the Thai one will have no authority in it for her to stay in the UK (unless you've already been to the home office in Croydon). However, whatever you do, do not tell the Thai authorities that your daughter also has a British passport as they do not recognise dual nationality. The British do recognise it.

Scouse.

And save you the difference between the cost of a visit visa and a settlement visa, too! Bit of a tricky one, this one. Yes, it is possible to marry and gain residency from within the UK  having entered as a visitor, but if the home office believes that this was the intention from the word go they can insist upon you leaving to obtain another visa.

Scouse.

If only it were so simple Wolf, but unfortunately it's not. A settlement visa can still be refused by the embassy even where the decision involves splitting up a family. However, each case is judged on its merits. Consequently, whereas your friend was successful that does not automatically mean that every human rights claim will be so.

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was enshrined in English and Scottish law with effect from 1/10/2000 as the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). The result of this was that an individual who felt that his/her human rights had been infringed by a UK public body, or a private entity operating on behalf of the public, could seek redress from within the UK rather than going to the European Court.

Article 8 of the HRA provides that an individual has the right to a private and family life. However, these rights are secondary to the state's. The British government can therefore argue that its operation of an immigration control is more important than a person's right to family life. Furthermore, they can say that the right to family life does not confer a right to exercise that in the UK; ie they are not splitting up the family because that entity could, in this example, live together in Thailand.

It is expected by the British authorities that somebody who lodges an application for a visa will, at the same time, mention all other relevant facts including any human rights claim. Should both the visa and the human rights claim be refused then a right of appeal against both decisions does exist.

Hope this clarifies the situation.

Regards,

Scouse.

The European Conventon on Human Rights is now enshrined in English and Scottish law. Article 8 gives an individual a right to private and family life. Whereas I understand the Wolf's mate may have been successful, the British govt. line is normally that whilst the law confers this right it does not confer the absolute right to practice it in the UK; ie we're not stopping you from living together, it's just that you can live together somewhere other than the UK.

Scouse

Ok Sev, I know what you mean, but it's there for those who, for whatever reason, wish to apply for a visa for the UK. We may have made our decision but that is not to say that those with a different opinion are wrong (or we are right!!!).

Regards,

Scouse

Hi CMT,

I know bugger all about US immigration law but have experience of the UK's and I'm sure the general principles are similar. I have posted info on UK visa applications which you may like to have a look at, under the "other topics" forum.

For what it's worth I'll give you my honest opinion on the scant available facts and that is your mate's g/f wouldn't stand a chance of getting a visit visa for the US. Having said that, there are always exceptions and Lanny's comment that it depends which visa officer you see has a degree of truth in it. Some are more strict than others.

The only problem is that once a visa is refused the applicant's passport is endorsed to that effect and any future application (to any embassy) may be jeopardised. Alternatively, however, once a visa has been issued and a positive immigration history has been built up it is far easier to get another in the future.

With respect to Attitude Girl, I would suggest that, being university-educated and middle class, she would not encounter any difficulties in obtaining a US visa and that, consequently, she has failed to realise that those not in her position are not treated as favourably.

Regards,

Scouse.

Hi Greg,

That appears to be basically correct but I logged on to the British embassy site quoted in Sev's previous post and they give what seems to be a fairly comprehensive step-by-step guide. You can also obtain a blank copy of the affirmation which you can complete in advance.

Regards,

Scouse.

I apologise for such a long post, but members seeking to take their other halves to the UK may find the following useful. I am in no way whatsoever associated with the British embassy in BKK and what follows is based upon my own experience. I am happy to respond to any questions and to be corrected on any omissions.

Guidelines for members on applying for visit and settlement visas for the United Kingdom.

1. Visitors:-

A person applying for a visit visa to go to the UK must satisfy the visa officer that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their holiday (maximum 6 months’ duration). Evidently this cannot be proven prior to the event. Therefore the visa officer will interview the applicant, not on the day the application is submitted, in order to establish his/her credibility.

In deciding whether to grant the visa, the visa officer will take into account such factors as how long the applicant has known the sponsor, how and how many times both parties have met, how frequently they correspond, the applicant’s knowledge of the sponsor, who will be financially responsible for the applicant whilst in the UK, and the applicant’s circumstances in Thailand. You can expect these areas to be fully and intimately probed. Evidence of the sponsor’s ability to maintain and accommodate the applicant and of correspondence (copies of e-mails, phone bills etc.) will be necessary as well as a copy of the sponsor’s passport and a letter of sponsorship.

Realistically the only successful applications will be those of wealthy Thais or of applicants whose sponsor has resided with them in Thailand for a lengthy period of time. Those who come to LoS for a fortnight’s holiday and meet the love of their life on the first day in some forsaken fleshpot, promptly lodging the application at the embassy the following day, can kiss it goodbye. Having said that, there are exceptions but they are not too common.

Employment is prohibited whilst in the UK and refusal of the visa does not attract a right of appeal except if the application is to visit a relative.

2. Settlement.

This visa is sought where an applicant is married to or intends to marry a British citizen, or a foreign national already settled in the UK, and permanently reside in the UK. Again, the applicant will be interviewed. For an applicant to obtain such a visa several criteria have to be met:-

i) If not yet married, that the two parties have met;

ii) If not yet married, that they intend to marry  and are free to do so;

iii) That sufficient funds are available in the UK for the applicant’s support;

iv) That there is adequate accommodation for the applicant in the UK, and

v) That the two parties intend to live together as husband and wife in the UK.

The first 4 categories are relatively easily fulfilled. The applicant will need to submit to the visa officer photographs of himself/herself with the sponsor, copies of e-mails, letters, and telephone bills etc. Original marriage/divorce/death certificates, which if in Thai should be translated by an officially recognised organisation, should also be supplied as should the sponsor’s latest mortgage statement, bank statements (at least 6 months’ worth) and wage slips (3 months’ worth). If the intended matrimonial home is rented then a letter from the landlord should suffice. In terms of what constitutes adequate accommodation, one bedroom for the sole occupation of the applicant/sponsor is acceptable.

Point v) is the potential barrier. Again, it is not possible to prove a future intention so, again, the visa officer will assess the applicant’s credibility based on what he/she says when interviewed. The same ground will be covered in the interview as for a visit visa, but in greater depth. Basically, if it becomes apparent that, inter alia, the applicant has little knowledge of the sponsor then the visa officer could deduce that he/she does not intend to permanently live with the sponsor. Likewise an applicant with an over keen desire to work or with a plethora of mates in the UK could possibly be subject to the same decision by the visa officer.

Refusal of a settlement visa does attract a right of appeal.

Conclusion.

In terms of both visit and settlement visas the rules are somewhat open to the interpretation of the individual visa officers who can be capricious beasts depending upon whether they got their leg over last night, have a hangover, or if the current interview is the last one on a Friday afternoon. Additionally, different British embassies may have different policies depending upon the nature of their applications; e.g. the likes of Bangkok and Manila may be tougher than others on the interpretation of the settlement rules because they form such a large part of their workload and the visa officers therefore become “expert” in dealing with them.

If you are a national of A European Union country settled in the UK and wishing to sponsor a Thai for settlement then different, more lenient, rules apply. That also goes for Brits who may also have, for example, an entitlement to an Irish passport or who have lived in an EU country other than the UK. Remember, all visa fees are non-refundable.

Regards,

Scouse.

Thanks, all, for the advice.

Scouse.

Hi folks,

I'd be interested to know further too about whether evidence of income is necessary. I intend to marry in Thailand and haven't worked for over a year - please, no jokes about Scousers not working.