Tango7

dear tango7 and wife congrats to you both on your settlement visa outcome.myself and my wife are in a simular situation to yourselfs.wife submitted all paperwork on 12 march 09.my mistake ithought she was 16 weeks preagnant but she is actualy 20 weeks preagnant.i hope we here soon as the clock is counting down against us,as i do beleve airlines have acut off point at 7 months for preanant women .cking stressing now.

Hi Chanthas

I just sent you a PM ( Private Message in case you haven't received one before).

To access the message, look at the top right of your screen and as long as you have logged in, you'll see NEW MESSAGES...

Regards

Tango7

dear tango 7 very sorry about the late reply matehave been to inlaws in udon for couple days,anyway thank you very much for pm you sent to me much appreciated very helpfull.

No worries. Hope it helps in some way .....

Congratulation tlusername !!!

Congratulation Tango7 !!!

I am so happy for you and your Mrs. I submitted the children settlement application on 9th March, after you 5 day! However,when I read this thread again. I am very excited if one day from now will be my turn too !

At least, I know that they are working on March application now !!

I hope to get over a stressful time very soon. I am very sick waiting and waiting .... hold my breath almost death now.

Thank you.... and the best of luck to you with your application. I'm sure all be well. Your children happy they're not in school ??? I would be !

By the sounds of things, there's going to be a plane in June full of happy Brits with their wives. I've booked mine. Flying on the 16th with EVA, so if you see a farang with a pregnant Thai wife heading to Economy deluxe... cést moi !!

One thing I was goint to mention was that had I listened to Siam Legal, I'd have not submitted an application. Their advice was that I'd not get it. 100%, So, anyone thinking of using their services, think again. I had two lots of bad advice from them. First time they said they could guarantee it, then when they saw I was going to UK unemployed ( I'm not really, I'm starting my own business and have good savings ), they said I would not get it and basically cut our phone call short.

After a quick chat with a specialist in the UK, it was straight forward and nothing was questioned in my application.

Phew she's got it guys! it's not quite fully sunk in yet for me as I have got so used to sitting with this for the past two and half months, but we are there now.

Listen I really do feel for you guys and I sincerly hope a speedy answer for you...I will stick around in here and do my bit.

Submittied: 4th March

Recieved: 15th May.

Great news... congrats !

All the best to you and Mrs tlusername. Now..... the packing !!

i see no mention of which organ was bitten.

When I saw the title I wondered why she bite his piano.....

Thank you Tango.

I did get a reply from my e-mail today see below. Will hold off for a while on the fax.

Dear Mr. **********,

[/size]

Thank you for your email of 14 May 2009.

We were confirmed that the application is still on normally process with the British Embassy.

Regarding to your concerns, we have also forwarded a copy of your email to the British Embassy, visa section who will advise accordingly.

For information on how to submit an application including the documents required and visa fees or for tracking your application or any visa related enquiries please visits our website, www.vfs-uk-th.com

You can also find further information regarding information for sponsors and visit entry requirements on the website www.ukvisas.gov.uk

Status tracking through SMS for 15 Baht

Please log on to http://vfs-uk-th.com/ for further details

Effective 08 May 2009, the visa fees has been changed

Best Regards,

Helpdesk – UK Visa Application Centre

2nd Floor, Regent House

183 Rajdamri Road

Lumpini

Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330

Telephone: +662 800 8050

E-mail: [email protected]

I'd send the fax. That email came from VFS and not the ambassy and I think it's a standard reply as I had a number of those from VFS and even though they say they have forwarded the enquiry, it never gets an answer. Emails don't work in my opinion.

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Tango7, it must be sweet relief. From what you say though, you first hear that you can pick up her passport but you don't know if she has the visa at that point - is that right? You don't know if you've got the visa 'til you get to the front of the queue at VFS?

I was hoping to (1) get positive word (2) book 2 tickets from here in UK (3) pick up Mrs (4) pick up passport on the way back through BKK to airport.

Is there not some way VFS could let you know by phone or email if you're successful?

Has anyone got info on this please?

Hi Gypsymoth (is that not the saling boat at greenwich, london?)

I believe they are not allowed to even open the envelope, only your wife is allowed to collect and it must be sealed.

However, hopefully there may be a way around this someone else has found...perhaps a call to the Embassy would be best as they would need to auth this in the first place.

I think you are right but someone knew before my wife because the person who handed her the envelope said "congratulations"as he handed the envelope to her. She said "what do you mean congratulations?"and he said.. "open it and see".

So, he already knew but I think they will not tell you over the phone... not sure though. anyone know differently ?

Fingers crossed, but it sounds like it'll be OK... Good luck

Thanks. I'm not worried. It'd take a very special organisation to enquire when you want to go to the UK and then issue a refusal

exactly....

Just sent an E mail to see what is going on but wont hold my breath for a reply. Tango7 you seem to get a result when you fax what fax number did you use?

Try: +66 2 254 9579 (outside Thailand ) 02 254 9579 ( in Thailand )

I suggest you use this if you have a reason to ask them to consider your application due to certain circumstances rather than just asking them why it's taking so long.

I sent a fax only because my wife was found to be pregnant after we submitted the application and I wanted them to be aware of this issue. I didn't fax them asking them why it was taking so long, so be careful not to get them annoyed. It could work against you ??

Fingers crossed, but it sounds like it'll be OK... Good luck

Thanks. I'm not worried. It'd take a very special organisation to enquire when you want to go to the UK and then issue a refusal

exactly....

We got a call from the embassy yesterday asking when we intended to travel and got confirmation from vfs today that passport is ready for collection. It took them 50 plus working days to process our app which was submitted on 18 Feb.

Good luck to all those still waiting.

Fingers crossed, but it sounds like it'll be OK... Good luck

Fair Dues Tango7 - in light of you situation its only right they got it sorted out asap.

Hey wish you all the best mate and congrats on visa and hope the wifes pregenency is hassle free and you have a healthy bouncing baby boy /girl.

Many thanks...

This is one section of ThaiVisa forum where people are actually nice to eachother !!

Could be right, but I submitted documentation that would put Mein Kampf to shame. I submitted everything but the kitchen sink so it certainly wasn't an easy one. However, I did label each section very clearly, numbered each item and put a cover letter at the beginning peppered with (see item number 3) (see item number 20) etc

Did you send anything to them to say the wife is pregnant so its an urgent case? I think that is more likely to get you through quicker.

Anyway I feel it wrong to sulk at your good news..I don't want to come accross like that...I should at least take this as a show that they are now working on March's applications, but after waiting all this time it feels like a real let down and I can't help but think <deleted> is going on!

Yes I did. I sent one fax after I found out she was pregnant and I sent another about a week ago politely reminding them that time was getting on and she needed to settle down to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

I'm sure it added a lot of clout as they phoned after each fax. We answered the first call which was an enquiry about the pregnancy and how long she'd been pregnant and the second time we missed the call, but it came the day after I sent the second fax.

The second call was Thursday last week. They didn't try to call again.

My wife was pregnant last December but miscarried over Xmas whilst were were in UK. This being her second pregnancy, I reminded them that we really wanted to avoid all possibilities of it happening again and that delaying the visa, if successful, meant flying could become an issue.

I would give up trying to predict anything here.

It seems they just pick them up in any old random order. Some people get them in two weeks, some wait three months...it does not depend on when you submitted...I think its more based on cherry picking..i.e. "that one looks easy to process, think I will work on that today."

Could be right, but I submitted documentation that would put Mein Kampf to shame. I submitted everything but the kitchen sink so it certainly wasn't an easy one. However, I did label each section very clearly, numbered each item and put a cover letter at the beginning peppered with (see item number 3) (see item number 20) etc.

I just hope you all get good news soon so that all of this seems like a distant nightmare.

Anyone heard from the poster whose wife had to go back to Laos while he stayed in Thailand ?

dear tango7 and wife congrats to you both on your settlement visa outcome.myself and my wife are in a simular situation to yourselfs.wife submitted all paperwork on 12 march 09.my mistake ithought she was 16 weeks preagnant but she is actualy 20 weeks preagnant.i hope we here soon as the clock is counting down against us,as i do beleve airlines have acut off point at 7 months for preanant women .cking stressing now.

Hi Chanthas

I just sent you a PM ( Private Message in case you haven't received one before).

To access the message, look at the top right of your screen and as long as you have logged in, you'll see NEW MESSAGES...

Regards

Tango7

Dear All

My wife received her spouse settlement visa today.

There were a number of people there and so there was a 30 minute wait once in the office even though we headed the queue. The person who gave my wife back her documents said "congratulations" before she even opened it.

To all who have shared their concerns, advice and stories: A very big thank you as it helped us both through a stressful time.

Mrs. Tango7 and I wish everyone waiting the best of luck and perhaps we'll bump into you in an asian deli squabbling over the last bottle of fish sauce !

Good luck all.

Tango7

Congrats to Mr and Mrs Tango!!! Great news!!!

I think the time between being told it is ready to pick up... and actually finding out the result will be very stressfull.... especially for me!!!

Good luck for the future, Mr and Mrs(+1) Tango7......

Thank you very much. Our best wishes to you too.

Just got a call from my wife stating that she has been told her visa is ready for collection. Can't do this until 3pm today ( now 10 am ).

I will report back when I know.

I placed my application on the 10th March, application sent to embassy on the 11th March.

Next 5 hours will be hel_l...

Good news Tango I am happy for you - but I must say I am f**king livid now. Our application was forwarded to the embassy on the 4th March so it just goes to show that they are not processing in any order...unless they are about to spring an interview on us after waiting for over two months.

Dear All

My wife received her spouse settlement visa today.

It must have been the most stressful few hours of both our lives and took us back to waiting for our Uni. entrance results and then our finals.

There were a number of people there and so there was a 30 minute wait once in the office even though we headed the queue. The person who gave my wife back her documents said "congratulations" before she even opened it.

I believe that the visa might have been processed a little earlier due to my wife's pregnancy.

To all who have shared their concerns, advice and stories: A very big thank you as it helped us both through a stressful time.

Mrs. Tango7 and I wish everyone waiting the best of luck and perhaps we'll bump into you in an asian deli squabbling over the last bottle of fish sauce !

Good luck all.

Tango7

Good News Tango7 Now you can get on that Flight and its Tango7 Over And Out

All the best From Kennkate

Thanks KennKate but it's not a positive outcome yet. I will know at about 3pm whether we've been successful, and with her being 12 weeks pregnant and sincerely hope so.

Its nice to see you lot havent lost your sense of Humor.

It certainly makes this thread better. All we have had on this Thread is Doom & Gloom

My Wife won't use the Hotel Shampoo she says its not good

So I pack it up and use it

I did ask her if she wanted to take Buda she said "NO Not want" And I thought she would want to.

Maybe when the time comes she will change her mind.

All Systems go tomorow Embassy back to work

You would think they would give them a bit of Overtime to get that pile down. Tight Buggers

Any work done after 4.30, if agreed by supervisor, is paid as overtime in 30 minute increments and with the number of applications x fee means they can certainly afford it

Assuming 165 per month ( last one or two months ) x 26,000 baht ( could be more, but I'm keeping it simple ) = 4,290,000 per month just on settlement visas.

Let's assume 75,000 Baht per staff as an average salary, that means 57 staff. Assuming one staff takes 5 days to process an application, they could finish roughly 4 per month per staff. This would mean 228 applications completed per month.

Instead, our money goes to ensure each diplomat has a large number of paid for holidays per year. What I mean by this is, as diplomats, they are allowed to spend X amount of money per family member on taking holidays to anywhere in the world. They then put in an expense claim and get it reimbursed. I know of 500,000 a year being paid out to a single family to take holidays (not British embassy staff but I'm sure they get the same or more). This is over and above salary......

Just thought I'd brighten your day a little.

By the way, don't you need a letter from authorities to take a Buddha out of Thailand ?

Just got a call from my wife stating that she has been told her visa is ready for collection. Can't do this until 3pm today ( now 10 am ).

I will report back when I know.

I placed my application on the 10th March, application sent to embassy on the 11th March.

Next 5 hours will be hel_l...

Its nice to see you lot havent lost your sense of Humor.

It certainly makes this thread better. All we have had on this Thread is Doom & Gloom

My Wife won't use the Hotel Shampoo she says its not good

So I pack it up and use it

I did ask her if she wanted to take Buda she said "NO Not want" And I thought she would want to.

Maybe when the time comes she will change her mind.

All Systems go tomorow Embassy back to work

You would think they would give them a bit of Overtime to get that pile down. Tight Buggers

Any work done after 4.30, if agreed by supervisor, is paid as overtime in 30 minute increments and with the number of applications x fee means they can certainly afford it

Assuming 165 per month ( last one or two months ) x 26,000 baht ( could be more, but I'm keeping it simple ) = 4,290,000 per month just on settlement visas.

Let's assume 75,000 Baht per staff as an average salary, that means 57 staff. Assuming one staff takes 5 days to process an application, they could finish roughly 4 per month per staff. This would mean 228 applications completed per month.

Instead, our money goes to ensure each diplomat has a large number of paid for holidays per year. What I mean by this is, as diplomats, they are allowed to spend X amount of money per family member on taking holidays to anywhere in the world. They then put in an expense claim and get it reimbursed. I know of 500,000 a year being paid out to a single family to take holidays (not British embassy staff but I'm sure they get the same or more). This is over and above salary......

Just thought I'd brighten your day a little.

By the way, don't you need a letter from authorities to take a Buddha out of Thailand ?

Dear Fiend I am one week ahead of you March 17 Submission

Are you taking into account Friday is only half day

They need the rest working their socks of down at the Embassy

I have not seen Any reports on here of People getting Visa's from a MARCH Submission

Last two that posted was ROBO1792 submited 2 Feb Recived on 30/03

and EDDIBABY submited 20 Feb Recived 1/04

Anyone out There recived your Settlement Visa since then ?

Your application went in on the Tuesday.(17th)... mine went in on the Friday of same week (20th)and it was passed on the the embassy on the Friday afternoon.

Personally, my feelings are that as long as the visa is granted I don't care how long it takes.....

One thing i want to add is that MrsFiend wants a room for Buddha in our house, so it is giving me a little bit of time to straighten the room out for her....

MrsFiend sounds like MrsTango7. She also wants a Buddha "room" but this just means a small statue; more of a symbol than anything.

Does MrsFiend take bottled shampoo and conditioner from hotels ?

Dear Fiend I am one week ahead of you March 17 Submission

Are you taking into account Friday is only half day

They need the rest working their socks of down at the Embassy

I have not seen Any reports on here of People getting Visa's from a MARCH Submission

Last two that posted was ROBO1792 submited 2 Feb Recived on 30/03

and EDDIBABY submited 20 Feb Recived 1/04

Anyone out There recived your Settlement Visa since then ?

Embassy called my wife last Thursday but because she attends many meetings due to work, she has her phone set to vibrate for the first three rings and then it'll start to ring out.

She noticed three missed called from the embassy and wondered why she'd missed the calls.

As she was working from home on Thursday and I was at home too, I know that they must have let the phone ring no more than three times before cutting off and trying again because neither my wife nor I heard her phone.

When she called back to try to speak to the person who had called, she was told she couldn't be put through as it was not known who had called her.

My wife mentioned they need to allow the phone to ring longer, rather than agree or jsut say something simple like "OK, not a problem", She was also told "you'd better pick up next time".

Sarcasm must be part of the training for the LES (locally engaged staff) at the embassy.

is there some sort of recycling going on?

Ms. Bino brings them all home.

Mrs. Tango7 does the same. I look under my kitchen sink and find bottles and bottles of the stuff.

She tells me she's doing this to save money but I wonder why we still buy all this stuff as well. It just keeps piling up. I could open a shop !!

I try for a business upgrade whenever possible. . I always fly EVA, and no matter what time of the year they are usually fully booked, so an upgrade is easy with a silver card. The great thing about flying EVA, is that you can book in to Evergreen deluxe, and if you do not get the upgrade, then all is not lost, because that class is like business class on some airlines. What is particualy important, is that you get to use the VIP lounges.

Have I been missing something ? I always fly EVA Elite and have never been given a lounge pass. Is it possible ?

I think you found a thai who thought that inside those walls you are still in thailand under thai authority. Maybe she forgot there she is on Australian soil working for the Australian Government and the Australian people being paid Australian wages by Australian people. You are not the farang shit in there she is the foriegner in there but I guess she forgot that.

She wouldn't be getting Aussie wages. She'll be classified as an LES or Locally Engaged Staff and paid accordingly.

Here is our case in brief

My wife and I now are finding our selves in an increasing impossible situation. we applied for a 2 year visa extension for my wife who is Thai, as advised by the Immigration Advisory Service, we have been refused because my wife does not have the correct visa to apply for this, and immigration want her to return to Thailand to apply from there, we have been married for 2 years together for 4 years. I am a British national.

We are also being informed that we have no recourse to appeal the UK border decision, Based on the fact that my wife does not have the correct visa to apply. Therefore the immigration service have with drawn our appeal as it will fail.

This means that my wife will have to return to Thailand now, which for us is not possible, we do not have any money to take this course of action, just to send my wife back is more than we can afford, to then place an application from Thailand would cost over 3k with fees and expenses flight, some where to live.

I have explained that I as a foreigner can not return to Thailand as I have no means of work there. I have in the past worked for 4 years as a teacher, due to recent changes in the laws, I am unable to work as a teacher, the only work I am allowed to do there. my wife is totally dependent on me

So now we have been dropped by the immigration advisory service, we can not find a lawyer who will help us appeal, it seems because my wife has a tourist visa we have no right to appeal, but as much as everyone keeps saying send your wife back to her home country to apply, we simply do not have the money, we are totally committed here. I have been told to wait it out and have the immigration come to take action to remove my wife, then appeal under the right to family life.

I have been advised to send my wife back to Thailand by everyone, of cause this would be the right thing to do, but we simply do not have the money to do this, it will take months to get the money together, by then she is on overstay, and I believe that this will count against us, and she will be refused, and we will be kept apart.

Unfortunately I am not in a financially stable situation, I pay the bills and get by well enough, just don't have any to spare.

Any help or advise would be a great help

Thanks

Sorry but you really are some kind of doughnut ,,, I have been lambasted by other doughnuts on here because I have spent a bit of the folding stuff doing things the correct way ,, now my wife has her UK test passed,, we 100% own our UK home,, she is gainfully employed ,, well loved by the neighbours , and 90% of people that meet her ,, and we have a good 5 figure sum tucked away to show for her ILTR and UK passport at a later date . we have just been on a lovely holiday to the Dominican republic and the UKBA could not have been more helpfull when we landed back in the UK ,, even though my wife has an out of date visa in her Thai passport , she has a UK spouse ID card ,, its worth its weight in gold,,,,,and IF you had done it the correct way your wife would have one now. It puzzles me why you would ever want to bring your wife here on a visitor visa in the first place ,, ( mabe you could not make the financial ,, work criteria then ) and by the sound of your post you cannot make the requirements now.. Just let the UKBA deport her then it wont cost you ,,,,then when you have your finances in better order you can help her get a UK settlement visa in BKK .. good luck with that !!!!!!!!!

One thing I can tell you if your that hard up you cant send her home ( which I have to say I dont believe ) you havent got a flyin fkkkks chance of getting her a settlement visa here.

Why people like you seem to think you can shortcut the system never fails to amaze me ,,,,,, I bet you also got a mortgage repaying 12% interest ,, because you never read the small print !

I don't think you do yourself any favours waving your good fortune in the face of someone less fortunate. Yes, he made a mistake, but he is paying for it now with his current difficulties. He doesn't need you showing off and bragging at him to make him feel worse.

Not bragging about anything ,,,,,,,,,not had good fortune either ,,,,,,,,,,just played the game by the rules and got the result,,,,,,,,,,to be honest the original post is so naieve I doubt vey much it is even the case ,,,,,, why would anyone go through all the expense of getting a visitor visa for his wife , plane ticket etc ,, knowing full well in 6 months he would have to pay for her to go back then go through it all again ? Did he really think you could shortcut the system by getting her here , then getting the UKBA to feel sorry for him and waive her by ?

The point I am making is for other people reading this example who mabe thinking about cutting corners , it shows you in the long run the correct way to go,, and yes also it is bloody expensive , the whole thing is even when she is here ,, you still have at least 2 trips to the UKBA at Croydon to pay for Bio ID cards etc ,, UK test second version ,, ( which the government is currently raking in over 2 million a year from ) etc , my point is anyone thinking of doing it make sure you got enough of the folding stuff before you set off .

As for the OP I have no beef with him ,, if I had my way the fact that they are legally married they should be allowed to stay here without any of this crap , as we all should ,, as he states he pays his way and she cannot claim any benefits anyway,, if the government here removed the garbage from the UK that should not be here then this problem would not arise ,, as usual they are targeting easy people.

There are more tactile means of getting your point across.

Whilst I agree the OP has not done the correct thing, he also knows it and now seeks a way out. Bragging about where you went on holiday, your assumptions as to his mortgage rate and how well liked your wife is shows you are unable to stay on topic or provide assistance in a mature and effective manner. So, best not post at all.

OP: good luck, but work evening shifts in pubs, meat packing factories and so on; anything to get some cash together and then send her back and apply properly. It's a short term discomfort for a long term fix and also save as much as possible for when you do apply. If you have no full-time job, you'll need to show savings and that could be aound 12,000 pounds. There are other criteria but cash and financial stability will be a major factor.

It seems like pie in the sky hopes, but I really think very hard graft will get you there even if it means sleeping 5 hours a day for a few months. It's all down to how badly you want something.

Good luck with it and aim at positive moves rather then getting yourself bent out of shape with worry.

Here's my take ..... If a tourist buys a copy watch , handbag whatever how the hel_l can that affect or infringe on revenue from the original supplier or company.

The tourist is not going to pay hundreds of dollars for an original rolex , gucci or any other brand. So what is the big deal.

Also , the vendor makes his money, he employs thais, the copy factory employs thais who take money home to put food on the table.

I for one am happy to buy a fake as I will never be able to buy the real thing and even if I had enough money I woundn't waste it on name brands anyway.

If a poor person wants to buy a copy or fake then who is it hurting ???

I hope the Gucci's , Valentinos ect.. go bust.... good on the fakes

Tell me if i'm wrong !

Cheers..

steve, while I tend to hold the opinion that extortionist fee practices of certain software companies has lead to the huge counterfit problem its facing, stealing is stealing - call it what you want.

I am not sure what business you are in but if you had someone knocking off your patented / copywrited products and services - you wouldn't be happy.

I don't disgagree as to the 'immediate' commercial harm in having some tourist buy a fake rolex will have on the company - it doesn't make it right does it?

The other day - I went to the licenced Man Utd store in Lad Prao and paid over the top price for a pair of shorts. I could have gotten something very similar on the street for 1/8th the cost I am sure. I chose not too. Why, it wasn't the difference in price - it's the fact that I wanted authentic garment that was hopefully produced in some properly run factory with ethical practices. I have my reasons - I am sure those who buy copies have their reasons.

Are we at this stage in the world the of commerce where R&D and brand building are worth nothing though?

anyways, the actions I would guess are window dressing yet again.

Bad money pushing out the good...

Let's look at it this way:

You buy exclusive goods so that you can: 1. show you can afford it 2. Have goods that others can't afford and thus become more exclusive

If counterfeiting allows people to appear to have a real item, this ultimately reduces the "value" of the original item.

If you see aperson with a Rolex now, do you think it's real or that it's a fake ? Personally, I assume it's a fake and this means fewer people will want to buy a real Rolex because they'll have people assume it's a fake and then defend the fact that's it's real.

So, the fake watch is driving out the authentic watch. People now look for other, more exclusive watches that haven't yet been pirated to the extreme.

Another case I can think of is Burberry. It was originally thought to be the domain of the rich and famous until football hooligans started to wear Burberry baseball caps and scarfs.

I bet the Burberry executives didn't rub their hands in glee at the "increase in sales", I bet they sat in shock horror as their market dynamics shifted and they lost the kind of customers they were after; i.e the ones that could afford Burberry outfits and not just baseball caps and scarfs.

No self respecting hi-so would wear something a football hooligan is also wearing.

Bad money drives out good.