poolie

Donutz

I hear everything you say and understand the points regards to "Direct Access" and right to be seen by consulate/embassy. I am going to try and contact one of the consulates to discuss this

Link below explains more about visa services being removed

http://unitedkingdom.nlembassy.org/organization/dutch-consulates

Thanks again

I suggest to check the Schengen sticky first, it's aimed at applying from TH but the rules apply for applying from the UK aswell:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/724180-schengen-visa-faq-when-applying-from-thailand/

- You can apply via VFS (why would you? They are optional, charge a fee and are less knowledgable then the embassy itself) or directly at the embasssy. An appointment should be given within 2 weeks. Direct applications are free of a service charge.

- Applications under Directive 2004/38 Freedom of Movement means that the visa will be provided for free (except for a service charge if you chose to use the optional service provider), ASAP and with mininal documentation.

- Minimal documentation is required, the below minimum should be sufficient to bring along:

-- The application form (filled out, skipping the * questions)

-- 2 passport photo's

-- Pasport and copies of the applicant

-- Copy of the EU passport (show the original at the counter if you wish)

-- The marriage certificate (you might supply a translation and it might be certified/legalized, the embassies often prefer this dditional documentation, so it's suggest to provide this. But stricly speaking you only have to show that you are legally and genuinly married and you can use ANY means to show this)

-- Something that shows the Thai will travel with the UK citizen to NL. A letter from the EU national explaining their intentions should be sufficient. But if you feel like it you are free to submit more evidence that make it clear that you will head to NL (and UK) together such as hotel bookings etc.

-- Hotelbookings, transportation reservations etc. are NOT required as as is evident from the application form: questions marked with an * can be skipped. VFS is thus incorrect (!) in requesting these items! Insurance, proof of funds, likelyhood of return etc. also do not have to be established.

- The Netherlands also accept "durable relationships akin to marriage", such as having lived together for a while (6 months are more seems to be sufficient for the Dutch).

Useful recent topics:

- http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/757121-dutch-schengen-visa (edit: not so useful, applies to TH application)

- http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/804545-taking-thai-mrs-to-france/?p=9137460 (See TheoldGit's post on a free visa for his Thai girlfriend to NL)

Thank you very much for all your help

I note that as of March 1st 2015 it is no longer possible to apply for visas at the Dutch Consulates or Embassy in London. This work has been out sourced to VFS and you can only apply at VFS London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Although the cost of the visa is £0 you must still pay a service fee of £20.39p

Just called 0871 376 0023 (VFS Global) and been informed that my partners Biometric residence card must contain the following wording, otherwise she must apply for a schengen visa

"Please note that the UK Residence Permit must state that the holder is a family member of an EU/EEA National"

I will have to check the card as unsure of what it says. I know she has full ILR and is free of immigration.

Hi there

Just seen this on the VFS website

"IMPORTANT NOTICE: Family members of an EU/EEA National in possession of a valid UK Residence Permit do not require a visa to enter Netherlands if traveling with or intending to join the EEA family member. If the person travels without the family member, they would be required to apply under the Tourist visa category and provide all of the required documentation for the same, and would be required to pay the visa fee in addition to the service charge. Please note that the UK Residence Permit must state that the holder is a family member of an EU/EEA National"

^ Seems straightforward, but then goes onto mention the documents required eg implying you have to apply somewhere before travel?

"Applicants must provide a fully-booked return flight, train or ferry ticket directly to Netherlands, proving that the main destination is Netherlands and that family members are travelling together.

Applicant must also provide marriage certificate/birth certificate and a copy of the passport of the EEAEU Spouse/Child.

If applicants are not able or do not wish to provide the above, they must apply at the embassy of the country they intend to transit through."

Thank you all for your feedback

Hi

I am British and my Thai partner are not married and she has permanent residency here in the UK. We are getting married early June 2015 and plan to visit friends in Holland end of July.

I have looked into getting the schengen visa via VFS Manchester but i was wondering if the process would be easier/different if we were to wait until we are married?

Can anyone advise please

Many thanks

Hello

First of all a big thanks to everyone who has helped provide invaluable info which has helped my Thai partner and myself (Uk citizen) get to where we are now.

My girlfriend has ILR and at present we are not married, we have been living together 8 years. She entered the UK back in April 2011 on an unmarried partner visa and under the old rules she is eligible to apply for citizenship in April 2016 providing she completes the B1 speaking and listening test.

I am hearing more and more talk about stricter immigration policies, especially with the next general election looming. In the last 3 years it is even harder to get in and now there are additional language qualifications that need satisfying.

I was wondering whether it would be better/easier to sign the paperwork and just get married as it's over 3 years now. Is it possible that the rules for citizenship could be changed even if a new party wins the election? Could previous rules be reversed?

Thanks for your help

Hi there

My Thai girlfriend recently got ILR status as unmarried partner to me, a British citizen. The process took 8 weeks. Many thanks 7by7 for your help along the way.

We fall under the old rules and am aware that applying for citizenship after Oct 13 will require my partner to obtain B1 speaking and listening in addition to her life in UK test certificate obtained already.

What is the quickest way to get this qualification? Do you have to go to college/enrol on a course for so many hours/weeks learning? I have also heard that you can self study and then pay to sit the exam as an external candidate at an accreditated exam centre.

Any advice or experiences are welcome, thanks

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks 7by7

I think then we will put down "Employed" as that is what she will be at time of application and not mention the future self employed basis. To be fair she doesn't earn a great amount each week as she works approx 20hrs per week.

Many thanks

Hello there

I am a British citizen and my Thai partner has been here 2 years on the 18th April 2013. We are now applying for the ILR unmarried partner visa on the 23rd April using the settlement checking service. I have read the guidance notes and looks straightforward.

I just have a couple of questions. I am exployed and work full time and my partner is employed and works part time. We bothe have worked since arrival in the UK 2 years ago. In the coming months we will be opening our own Thai restaurant and my partner will become self employed. My circumstances will remain the same and i will continue with my job. Do we need to mention this on the application?

From an income point of view our joint income (hopefully) will be higher than it currently is so i was wasn't going to mention anything. I just wasn't sure what level of checks they do and whether this may go against us if not disclosed.

Many thanks

Thanks 7by7

7by7 - Thanks for clearing that up regarding the additional language requirement.

My fiancee is due to apply for her ILR around March/April time (entered UK for first time on 18 April 2011). She has been working part time ever since she arrived and can verify this. Around the time she intends to apply she will be finishing her job to go self employed opening her own Thai restaurant. I will continue to be employed by my firm, no changes. I understand that the new financial rules do not apply in our case, but do you think her change of circumstances will have any bearing on her application for ILR?

Any advice much appreciated.

Steve

Any changes that may be coming into effect will not be of concern to those whose settlement visa was activated before June 2012. If you are applying for ILR in 2013 then surely you will fall under the old rules which mean your wife/partner will only have to complete one of the two language requirements. 1. An ESOl course or 2. Pass Life in Uk test.

Cheers

Steve

cheers 7by7

Hello everyone

I am a British citizen and currently live with my Thai girlfriend in the UK. We had lived together in Thailand for over 3 years and then applied for an unmarried partner settlement visa. This visa was granted in February 2011 and in April 2011 the visa was activated upon arrival in the UK. My partner already has passed LIfe in UK test. We plan to marry in the future and understand that if we do marry then my partner will be able to apply for citizenship sooner. Does it make any difference when we marry? If we apply for ILR as unmarried partner and then after ILR is obtained we then marry, will that be ok re our application for citizenship later on?

Many thanks

Can anyone confirm that the new Astro channels on SD, notably channel 805 will not only show all 64 games live, but also broadcast with English commentary.

Many thanks

Checked out the Astro website and the World Cup is heavily promoted on "Supersport HD". Using the TV guide i checked out the free local channels RTM1 RTM2 and others mentioned previously but i could not find any listings advertising World Cup matches.

Been to a few pubs and Supersport 3 is still available which is also the main World Cup channel.

People mention that Astro are showing the World cup games live with English commentary. I would imagine that this would be on the supersport channel, but this is going to dissapear on the 1st June isn't it? What channel if any will world cup games be shown on , if this is the case? Any astro viewers out there can shed any light?

Just called UBC. They confirmed no English commentary on their HD channel 111 nor is there English commentary available on free to air channel 3, 7, 9 or 11. RS bought the right to show picture only.

Apart from clearer picture what is the point of upgrading to True HD?

Cheers imola

Madmitch

It's true the championship play off final is on Supersport 3 but as far as i know we can't receive it here in Thailand as its on the South Africa listing. It needs to be rest of Africa. Can you shed any light.

Cheers

Ended up watching the game on the internet and was well worth it in the end. So here we go again. Need to find the game somehere in Bangkok on Saturday 22 May kick off 9pm Thai time. Checked supersport website and they are showing it on S3 but its on their South Africa listing only. As far as i know Thailand picks up the signal from the Rest Of Africa and so therefore it won't be on.

Somebody please prove me wrong or find the game for me. A few beers are in it for you.

Cheers everyone and up the pool!

Msingh - Sorry mate but if the championship play off games are not been covered then you can forget about league 1. I know how important it is as i'm trying to catch the pool v forest game and not having any luck myself.

All the best

dsfbrit - Thanks for trying.

I checked the "south africa" listing and you're right the blackpool v forest game is shown the following morning delayed on ss3. Later the cardiff game is shown live and on tuesday night the forest v blackpool game is advertised live. I've checked the "rest of africa" listings again and there is nothing at all regarding the play offs. "rest of africa" did previously advertise both play off games but now shows nothing.

I'm 90% sure that the feed over here picks up the "rest of africa" signal so unless the programme listings change i think we're pi@ssing in the wind. the only other channel that might show this game is "setanta" which i think some aussie bars have as its good for rugby. i'll try and check around.

Cheers

The last 2/3 years the championsip play off games have all been shown on super sport. A couple of days ago i saw the first leg games advertised on super sport 3 on their website, but now the listing has disapeared . If anyone sees the games advertised and on what channel it'll be most appreciated. Cheers

Just for your info. You can get the airport tax refunded if you don't show up or you miss the flight.

Does anyone know how long this is valid for when claiming for an unused leg of your ticket?