andyandythai

Hi,

My wife sent hers (ILR) in on 14th May, the money taken a few days later and just like you, waiting now!! I dont think bometrics will be taken again as they did this in Bangkok with the settlement visa and every time we come back into the UK they always scan her finger prints so they have them already.

Upto 3 months is the timescale given, I will post on here when I get it back.

Andy

Hi,

This is someting I have looked into for when my wife gets her ILR soon as we fancy a holiday later this year. I have found that France, Germany, Holland & Greece dont require a visa if you have ILR and are travelling or will meet your UK (EEA) familly member, you may need marriage cerificate also to prove this if asked on entry. I found this by just going onto the embassy website for each country, I checked out Spain and they do require a visa.

My wife will certainly be applying for citizenship next year so were free to go anywhere!!! Expensive but im sure it will be worth it,

Have a good holiday

Andy

An update on our applications. Got a letter back yesterday confirming they have the applications and will be sent to a case worker and they will be in touch in due course. Money has been taken and no mention yet of going for the biometrics. It does say on the website they will contact you within 14 days of application if they are needed so another week to wait.

Andy

Thanks 7b7, I cant find anywhere that tells you if they will need to take them again, when we have returned to the UK on the settlement visa's they have always checked there fingerprints in the airport, I would say they use the same ones for ILR. Also, if they do need to do them I cant find out if I can go to the UK Border Office or I have to go to a dedicated Post Office.

The thing is the Post Office charge another £19 each to do this. It does read like you can have it done at the enquiry office if using the premium service only. Looks like another additional charge to pay!!!

Im sure time will tell and I will update once I know.

Thanks

Hi,

I sent my wife & sons on Monday 14th May, they got it Tuesday and I have noticed my available credit has gone down by almost £2k on my credit card, so it looks like its pending and will show soon. Looks like they are processing it now. I completed the credit card payment section on the application forms I didnt do it online.

I am hoping to get a confirmation letter soon but not sure if they will need to go do the biometrics as they did this in Bangkok when applying for Settlement Visa 2 years ago.

I will post an update when I know more, let me know how you get on..Good luck..

Andy

I would be careful buying any books that are not published by the Home Office to make sure you have the correct and up to date information. I know it may be easier having the Thai version, at the end of the day this is a test on life in the UK and will be done in English. My wife got the original books and practise tests, did plenty of revision and past first time. What she did say was the way the questions are asked in the actually test are different from the practise tests so it really is also a test of the English language in a way too.

The official website is http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp?FO=1240167&trackid=002353

WH Smith also sell them if your in the UK.

Good Luck

Hi,

My Thai wife and stepspon came over to the UK at the age of 16 and I had the same worries, they came in June and by September he was on an ESOL course at the local college (all free), made lots of new friends and even got a a part time job in a Thai restaurant. After 12 months he passed his course and has now met the requirments for his ILR when then comes up this year.When he forst came his English wasnt very good and he started at ESOL entry level 1, now he sends me txt's and speaks English really well, I am so pround of him. It seems once you get here everything falls into place, there is lots of help and support to educate young people so I am sure all will work out fine for you.

Good luck and if you have any other questions just let me know

Andy

If you are in the UK and the person wanting the visa is married to a EU Citizen then the German Embassy allows you to send it through then post and its free and take about 3 days to get it back.Many other Embassies ask you to apply in person.

My wife has had 2 now, we entered through France to Germany and then went to Amsterdam on the ferry and no questions asked at all. We did visit Germany on the first trip but not the second and as we didn't arrive directly into Germany she has no German stamps in the passport. The rules do say that if you are seen to get a visa from the German Embassy and not visit that country then you may be refused another Visa in the future. We have just applied for another Visa through the German Embassy and that one has been granted no problems.

The website is http://www.london.diplo.de/Vertretung/london/en/07/Visa/Schengen__visas__seite.html

Andy

Hi,

Could it be Transglobal Express?? They have a advertisment banner on Thaivisa.com too.. If you have any contatcs/friends in Bangkok where you can get it sent to by DHL or a courier then EMS up to you may be an idea.

Good Luck

A

Thanks both, glad that is cleared up now!! My wife has her Life in the UK test next week so fingers crossed she will pass that. My stepson has been going to college last year & this and has passed and progressed so we should be ok with him too. I am still confused if he actually has to do the ESOL thing due to his age and been dependant on us but he has done it anyway and is carrying on with another year, I cant beleive how well his English has come along.

Thanks again and good look, likewise if you have any more hints and tips let me know

Andy

Hi,

An update..I have had a reply from the UK Border Agency, here is the reply...

His application form can be included in the same envelope with your wife. All fee details are on the application form. UK Border Agency application forms and related guidance can be found on the UK Border Agency website at:

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

The forms are in PDF format and can be viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader software, which can be downloaded free of charge from the website.

Hi

Let me know how you get on. 7by7 is right they do give wrong information over the phone, I called again yesterday and they told me to use SET (O) and the cost is £972. I challenged he on the form and she went away came back and said yes SET (O). Clearly this is wrong. After looking through the website I will use SET (F) as though they are under 18, the financial questions leave blank and refer to his mothers application, thats what we did with the settlement visa applications, then pay £972 to do by post. Your right it does read that only SET (M) in straight forward cases can be done the fast track way.

I did send an email so I can get it in writing, you get an automated email back that is very long and basically says this is the only answer you will get unless you re submit the email with "FAQ" in the subject box on your email.

I dont need to send ours in until next year so just getting prepared the the moment, please keep in touch and let me know, what form you used, price and if you can fast track it, as we are also looking to go away and need the passports, apparantly (again not confirmed as this info was given to me over the phone) you can request the passports back for a short while during application process but then return them back when you get home although they dont advertise the fact.

Hi,

I am slightly concerned as to where these figures have come from as I have only seen the £1350 figure??!!!

Also the fact that Andy added a quote which says the fast track option is not available?!

Bit of a nightmare for me this as I was hoping to fast track hers as t runs out in december and we want to go away for christmas. Will phone up tomorrow.

Thanks

Bangbuathongben....

Hi 7by7,

I will take your advise on that one and send an email thanks, ive just read up again and it seems they may have told me wrong on the phone. The reason I called them in the first place was about the fee, they told me it would be the same as my wife, can you confirm this is right? On the website this is what it says

Application fees for settling in the UK using form SET(F)Close The application fee using form SET(F) for a child or adopted child under the age of 18 of a parent(s) or relative(s) settled in the UK is:

• £972 if you are applying by post
• £1,350 if you are applying in person

The application fee using form SET(F) for a parent, grandparent or other dependent relative aged 18 or over of a person present and settled in the UK is:

• £1,814 if you are applying by post
• £2,214 if you are applying in person (but note that the premium service is currently unavailable for this application type)

Does this read that as they are over 18 years old its £1,814?

Thanks

Andy

Find the right form says SET(F).

Completing application form SET(M) says

Can I include my dependants in my application?

You can use one form for a joint application by you and any children aged under 18, if they are applying as your dependants. Children over 18 must apply separately, using application form SET(F).

You can contact them to check if you wish, but I'd suggest doing it by email so you have something in writing. I'm sorry to say that staff on the phones are notorious for misunderstanding enquiries and giving misleading information.

Contact details

The email address below is for applicants who are already in the UK and require general information about the Immigration Rules' requirements. For data protection reasons, we cannot answer questions about individual cases by email.

Phone: 0870 606 7766

Textphone: 0800 389 8289 (the contact centre also accepts calls by text relay and other similar services)

Email: [email protected]

Address: UK Border Agency, Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 2BY

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 16:45, Friday 09:00 to 16:30 (excluding public holidays).

Hi,

I may be worth a phone call just to check as I got different information when I called, it may have changed but when I called them about a month ago with a similar situaton, 18 year old step son, they set to use SET M, the same as his mother, yes it will be the same fee and they said send them together with a cover letter. The reason I called was to question the price as a dependant other with SET F has to pay more. Like I say it may have changed so I will be making another call before mine goes in.

Andy

Yes, SET(M) is for spouses and civil partners; minor children can be included on SET(M) for a reduced fee.

Adult children and other dependant adults use form SET(F) and have to pay the full fee.

Thanks for the help matie.

Bangbuathongben......

Hi,

My wife has now been here for just over a year now and everything does fall into place as you go along. She settled here very well and even has a own credit card now in her own name (dangerous I know!!)

We plan to apply for ILR next year and it pays to plan ahead for that if your doing the same as this last year has flown by. To open a Bank Account she will need to show address verification so putting her name on the council tax bill is advisable then you can use this. I have had my wifes name put on all the bills so each month or quarter we get the bills sent in joint names as the UK Border agency need evidence that you have lived together for the 2 years. I think they need 6 documents in total from 3 different companies such as council tax, utility bills and bank statments but they must also be spread throughout the 2 years so its a good idea to start collecting them early if you can.

About the motorbike, my wife finds it tool cold at the bus stop in the winter never mind riding a motorbike!!!! Yen Yen Yen is all I hear!!!

All the best for the future and I hope you will be really happy.

Andy

Hi,

My wife had to get one last year before we applied for her sons UK settlement visa. My wife did it the same day but it depends on the circumstances of the sole responsibility. Our situation was her son had not seen his father for almost 15 years and he has lived with her all and no contact with his father at all. My wife had to take the chief of the village and another reputable member of the community, police, teacher etc (she took her best friend who was also know to the chief of the village) They went to the Ampur in the morning and it was all done an dusted by lunch time. Also my wife never married his father so this made it easier. So in this situation the ex partner didnt need to attend

If the ex partner is around and willing to do it then its just your girlfriend and the ex partner that need to go to the Ampur,she will need to take as much paperwork (and copies) of everything, house book, birth certificate, ID card, marriage/Divorce certificate,passport all the usual stuff. The cost to the Ampur is about 100B, my wife took the Chief Of Village for lunch after and he was happy with that so you may need to pay them something for helping you out.

Good luck.

Andy

Hi. A good website that dosnt always take a deposit is booking.com, check that one out. Im not sure about the 6 month visa, when we applied we expected to get just the week we asked for but they give you a 3 month.

Andy

Thanks for that AndyAndyThai!

Dont suppose your brother wants to invite me to Germany ??

I thought you could get a 6 month multiple entry Schengen by post, if not I suppose 3 month will do!

What I will try and do is book a hotel which does not take payment at booking, then cancel once I have the Visa....... and rebook again once we have sorted our holidays from work!

Hi,

My wife has applied a couple of times as we go to visit my brother out there and we get a letter from him, you must show them where you will be while in Germany, Usually you will get a 3 month multi entry Shengen Visa so what you could do it book a hotel (if not staying with friends or familly) around the time you think you will be going so your 3 month visa will still be valid, send that confirmation to the Embassy just to get the visa then you can change or cancel your hotel booking.

I am unsure if your in the UK or not but the London German Embassy is very good and quick, if you have all the right documents it will be back within 2 days and its free if your a EU citizen. If you do submit it without a hotel booking etc or any documents for that matter they will just return it as they did with me when I didnt send my stepsons birth certificate.

My wife and I make the most of the German Schengen visa and have used it to also holiday in Amsterdam and Spain as its valid for 3 months, so worh while getting a cheap flight to Europe too!!

Hope this helps, have a good trip

Andy

Hi All,

I wonder if any one could help me out here??

My wife (Thai) and kids now live in the UK and have been here 6 months, my wife and my step son are both on UK 2 year Settlement Visa's. My stepson, aged 17 wants to back to Thailand in the summer for a holiday, we won't be travelling with him, he will be travelling with some friends of ours that are also going back for a holiday.

My question is, will he be allowed to go and come back without any issues at immigration either in the UK or Thailand as his Settlement Visa states on on it "Visa to Acc Mother/ and her details" The visa was granted to come with his mother to the UK. Would my wife need to prepare some kind of documentation that gives parental control to our friends that are travelling with him.

Thanks in advance

Andy

Hi,

When my wife and kids came to the UK to live 6 months ago I did a lot of research into this to make sure I got this one right. You are allowed to claim Child Benefit (in your name) and child tax credits, as previous posts say this has to be joint but make sure you put on the form your other half is Thai and has settlemt visa so they are not counted so to speak.

My step son goes to college here and can not claim EMA as he is on a settlemt visa too so watch out for those kind of benefits.

Put a claim in for both, it can take while for the tac credit but the Child benefit it quick.

Good Luck

Andy

Hi,

I have searched other threads but cant seem to find the answer....Now my thai wife is here in the UK with me we plan to go and visit my brother in Germany, he is in the British Army out there.

My wife & stepson are both on 2 year UK Settlement Visa's so we will need to apply for a Shengen visa. The German embassy website states they will need a Residence Card, what is this and is the Settlement Visa classed as a residence card for the UK or do I need to get a residence card for them?

Thanks in advance

Andy

An update on my situation.....Submitted settlement application 26th March and got the SMS today (25/05/2010) to say its completed and sent by courier.

8 weeks in total, includes Easter, Songkran & the red shirt carry on!!!

Just a day more or so and we will know the answer.......Let you know!!

Andy

Mine too was a yes for my wife and stepson...So happy we will all be in England in 2 weeks....I must say a MASSIVE thank you to all Thai Visa members with excellent advice on this site...I did all my applications tourist, settlement and lots of other things by using this site.....Sure I will be back again in 2 years for the ILR..

Good luck to all who are still waiting.......

Andy

An update on my situation.....Submitted settlement application 26th March and got the SMS today (25/05/2010) to say its completed and sent by courier.

8 weeks in total, includes Easter, Songkran & the red shirt carry on!!!

Just a day more or so and we will know the answer.......Let you know!!

Andy

I am behind you all there.....My wife submitted hers on 23rd March and were hoping to travel 25th May...I am hoping it will be done in time....With Easter, Songrkan and the issues in Bangkok im not too hopeful. It seems they are getting through them the same though.

Good luck everyone and keep me posted.....I will update with mine too

Andy

I am behind you all there.....My wife submitted hers on 23rd March and were hoping to travel 25th May...I am hoping it will be done in time....With Easter, Songrkan and the issues in Bangkok im not too hopeful. It seems they are getting through them the same though.

Good luck everyone and keep me posted.....I will update with mine too

Andy