themongoose

Under 21s are still not classed as an adult for many things.

19 yo son-in-law had to get both his parents permission for new Thai passport, for example.

So personal choices of age of sexual partner aside, if under 21 you are still not exactly free of obstructions if the parents object.

Not had that problem myself, but sounds like a Natwest problem. You said your brothers is not Natwest, but I am assuming it is another "traditional" UK "high-street" bank. They are all the same. I have however had similar problems with HSBC business account with Wise.

There are so many scammers, and you only need to read online about all the duped fools who fall prey to them, but then expect their bank to bail them out. "Why didn't you stop me from being scammed, its not my fault!" That now the banks have to be on the side of caution and refuse the transaction.

You can get the pension paid directly into the Wise account if its any easier, and with the Wise card it functions identically as any other current account in the UK (and also pays interest as well which alot of them do not). Thats what you have to do now, if the banks give you grief, then move!

My daughter is half Chinese, and I made the decision before she was born that she would NOT attend school of any kind in China.

Daily social & morality philosophy lessons (i.e state brainwashing) and the relentless schedule and homework expectations are no way to be a child.

For all the long hours and constant learning, I have to say that most of the adult Chinese people I have interviewed for positions are quite hopeless. They know how to do alot of things very well, but they often don't know how to put that knowledge into practice in the real world, and cannot deal with unexpected consequences or things that were not part of the original requirements.

Our company (Chinese company) deals with alot of bespoke client requests and it is simply mind blowing how often the simplest basic requirements are not done, with scrappage or contractual penalties, just because the staff think they know what they are doing and will not listen to the client (or me).

M for Multiple

There are alot of questions on the online form which don't seem to make sense, or make assumptions that do not fit all cases.

When I did my wifes, it asked us if she had children in her home country (yes), to confirm their location (Thailand), to confirm if the child would travel with the parent (no), and then to confirm the date that th child would travel to the UK. The answer required a date, and there was no possible option to answer that they were not travelling. He was 17 and in full time education at the time, and had no intention of coming.

In the end we had to just put the same date as his mother and included on a cover letter stating that he wasn't coming as it was not his intention. Visa approved with no issues.

The best advice I can say is answer as the quesiton states, with a false answer if you have to, but make sure your proof with supporting documents is accurate to your current situation. And a cover letter is always a good idea.

When my wife orders the food, with the staff they tend to discuss the spicyness in terms of age.

i.e. she will order and "adult" spicy dish for herself, and "grade school" for me.

Until I have to correct her and say I am fine with the same as her...

...and then regret it the next morning.

From my experience with my first (Chinese) wife, the Chinese tourists will go where the Chinese Weixin influencers will go.

First time we ever went to Thailand was with her, and all she wanted was a photo of her on Kao San Road, as soon as that was taken care of she was pretty content to just stay in the hotel and/or buffet.

Trends and fashions change... Nowadays the actions of the Chinese government have put a stop to alot of the conspicious consumption of the wealthy. Those that have money are too busy trying to hide it to go travelling, and those that don't have money can't afford to travel anyway.

Most of my Chinese colleagues are too busy working 7-day weeks trying to pay off their mortgages to worry about travelling.

1 minute ago, youreavinalaff said:

There was a comment " not retrospective"

...but does apply to renewals.

The official term by the Home Office for FLRM is "extend".

Which is could be another word for "renewal".

1 minute ago, youreavinalaff said:

I've read it differently. 

 

It's retrospective to those who are yet to enter UK. There is also a quote from a top immigration lawyer suggesting the same. 

 

My wife will be eligible for ILR December 2024. I believe the income requirement will remain £18600. I belive the fact she is on a " 5 year route" will count.

Differently or perhaps optimistically. I wouldn't put in past the government to move the goalposts.

An immigration lawyer can say what they like, but as I said, there have been no comments from the government to confirm that the changes will or will not be retrospective in these cases.

Family visas are a small proportion of the overall 300K figure, but it seems that the disruption caused by these changes could be much more severe for families and relationships.

Yep, another vote here for the do it yourself route. Never had any problems and I have done it twice in the last 15 years.

Using an agent is just asking for them to charge you for correcting their own mistakes.

Proof of Onward travel is not a requirement to clear immigration, although if you cannot do so they are likely to ask you why.

One of the supporting documents for the visa stage you have already done is to provide a travel itinery. If you did not have this, or are unable to give it at immigration, you may again be asked why.

In all cases you are relying on the judgement and decision of the Border Force officer on duty, so its always better to have answers. You do not need to have a specific plan.

My wife has been asked many times all kinds of inane and stupid questions, they are gathering their decisions based on the response, not the content.

My first wife (Chinese) meant I got involved in the family business alot. I was frequently trotted out to meet local government officials when they were visiting etc.

I was (and still am) working for the 'business so I didn't have to charge, but it was an expectation. Didn't happen too often, but it would happen without warning and I had to drop everything and go, which was annoying.

I never been asked when I have flown into BKK, but when I flew into Don Mueang from Shanghai a couple of years ago, I was asked.

I just showed them a wad of Renminbi notes I had brought with me and they waved me through without counting.

Wife earned about 35,0000 per month as a University teacher in Maha Sarakham. Lower end of the pay scale as she was new to the position. Expected to work pretty much 7 days a week.

She claimed she would earn 60,000 if she made a doctorate position, but would take three years of studying at her own expense.

Now happily makes that much in the UK without all of the education department faffing that she used to have to do...

I think the biggest issue is that you haven't explained your own situation.

Are you working in Thailand, or retired (pensioner or otherwise)?

If she spends time with you, and never sees you working, while she toils away in a restaurant or whatever, she automatically thinks she is entitled to the same lifestyle as you.

If the dragon was not there at the start, then this is a sure way to make it emerge...

All lasting relationships require honesty and fairness. Notice I do not say equality.

This is a reason why age-gap and income-gap relationships often fail, if one person goes into it expecting equality instead of fairness.

I treat my wife fairly, but we are by no means equal. She has her responsibilities, a teenage son from deadbeat previous husband, and I have my own responsibilities and she simply does not allow me to financially support her.

Alot of countries have such rules, they are generally disregarded for items which are obviously for your own personal use, and not intended to sell.

So, any items in original shop packaging, or in excessive amounts (i.e. more than one Rolex per arm, which I have seen) are obviously intended for resale rather than use, and would be taxable, in theory.

Many a trip I have been asked by the MIL to wear a watch just for the walkthrough...

In China at least it was always the general presumption that if you were involved in the accident in any way, including helping after the event, then you could be considered a party liable for a compensation claim.

I lived in China for a couple of years and I remember a story where an old lady was hit crossing the road, a pedestrian came to help, and he was found guilty of causing her injuries by the courts, the reasoning because "an innocent person would not have felt obligated to give aid". There was no evidence at all that he was the driver, and this was not even considered.

There were many other stories involving people literally dying in the streets because no-one would come to help them, because they don't want to risk being liable.

Alot of people when faced with such a situation as their own imminent demise may be tempted to fix the bridges they broke on their way.

That said, take it easy, make it clear that you are willing to listen, but nothing else.

Fiance visa issued in February. Now just waiting for her to work off her notice period and then the flight in May.

We had no problems with any of the process, nothing was different from what it would normally seem to be.

As for tourist visa, I don't know.

Try this:

https://www.forrunnersmag.com