theoldgit

I’m grateful for the OP for reminding members that visa applicants can have their biometric details captured at a posh hotel rather than attend the standard Visa Application Centre. I think the thread can be closed now, in doing so I’ve also removed a number of bickering posts.

British Airways flights are Qatar. I guess people want to avoid travelling via the ME. My wife flew on the regular BA BKK-LGW direct flight last week, a BA aircraft and BA staff.

I understand that a new B2 test will be rolled out in the UK that doesn’t include the reading and writing requirements. As to whether the revised B2 will be available overseas l suppose we’ll have to wait and see. I’m surprised that they’ve made this change retrospective, there are quite a few people in the UK who have taken and passed the B1 test and now have to fork out for another test.

The Home Office have introduced a number of changes in the process for Settlement in the UK for most groups of applicants wishing to settle and ultimatley gain British Citizenship. There will be a higher standard of English required for applicants seeking Indefinate Leave to Remain, with applicants for ILR being required to pass an English Language Test at the B2 level, it's currently B1. The new requirements are being introduced retrospectively, which means that those already in the UK and part way through their settlement journey will be required to meet the higher requirements when they come into force in March 2027. I understand that later changes will be published later in the year. The relevent sections of the memo, which is attached, are copied below: Change to English language requirements 5.60 This change increases the English language requirement for settlement to B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for a number of immigration routes where the existing requirement is at B1 level. The changes apply to those routes covered by Appendix KoLL; Appendix Skilled Worker; Appendix Tier 2 Minister of Religion; Appendix Representative of an Overseas Business; Appendix UK Ancestry; Appendix Global Talent; Appendix Scale Up; Appendix Innovator Founder; Appendix International Sportsperson; Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection); Appendix Long Residence; Appendix Bereaved Partner; Appendix Private Life; and Appendix Settlement Family Life; and make consequential amendments to Appendix English Language. 5.61 These changes commence implementation of the relevant commitment in the White Paper “Restoring Control over the Immigration System” published in May 2025 which set out plans to introduce new English language requirements across a broader range of immigration routes to ensure better knowledge of English, including an 14 assessment of improvements over time. They help ensure that those who come hereThey help ensure that those who come here to build their lives in the UK can integrate into life in this country. 5.62 These changes will come into force on 26 March 2027. The changes will therefore apply to those already on a pathway to settlement in the UK and the rules applying to the Skilled Worker route and Scale Up routes are accordingly amended to apply the language requirement at settlement stage in addition to the requirements specified for a limited permission. The coming into force of these changes is being deferred until 26 March 2027 in order to provide those subject to the new requirements with sufficient opportunity to take any steps necessary to meet them. Statement of changes

Just to re clarify a couple of points, it’s not actually possible to register with the UK Embassy in Thailand, hasn’t been possible for many years. VFS don’t issue British Passports in Thailand, and have never done so, they forward applications and supporting documentation to HMPO in the UK.

There is no facility to register with the UK Embassy if you’re resident in Thailand, that doesn’t prevent you using the, somewhat limited, services they offer. What you can do is register to receive emailed updates from the FDCO via their GOV.UK website. If you’re resident in Thailand you can apply for passport, the UK Embassy are not involved in the process.

As @hotandsticky has pointed out VFS has to be used, but only for the Biometric Capture procedure, your wife first needs to apply for her visa online via the .gov link he has supplied. She can upload her supporting evidence herself, or pay VFS to do so when she attends to have her biometrics captured.

Yes they’re wrong, when Embarkation Checks were stopped at airports it became the responsibility of carriers to pass on details of all passengers leaving the UK, l seem to recall that Eurostar were the first. GOV.UKExit checks fact sheet

Yes, if you can satisfy the relevant NHS Trust that you have returned permanently you are immediately eligible for free NHS care. There’s no qualifying period but you maybe asked to provide evidence that you have severed ties overseas, sold or cancelled a lease on a property for instance. Some conditions are not charged, emergency treatment in Casualty for instance and visits to GP surgery. UK Nationals in receipt of a UK State Pension used to be free, but that concession was cancelled during the Cameron/Clegg Coalition. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-cost-recovery-overseas-visitors/charging-overseas-visitors-in-england-guidance-for-providers-of-nhs-services

As there have been numerous changes in the procedures, especially since Brexit and the new Schengen Entry/Exit system, this post is in the process of being rewritten.

Thai Visa Express ThailandUK Passport Support ThailandHelp with your UK passport while living in Thailand? We’re IAA-registered advisers offering safe, fast support. No embassy visit required.

He said “must present a current passport”.

@RubbaJohnny Further to the previous reply, I’ll add a couple more comments. The application must be paid for online during the application process, a debit or credit card from the UK or Thailand can be used, but not a bank transfer. She doesn’t need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, that’s required when the applicant intends to remain in the UK for more than six months, typically students and those settling. Travel insurance isn’t required, though obviously wise to have, even for you, there’s no need to submit evidence of insurance. Your wife needs to satisfy the ECO, the decision maker, that on the balance of probabilities she’ll leave the UK at the conclusion of her proposed visit. Evidence of her ties to Thailand is what they’re looking for, her house any employment are all good, if you live in Thailand together and are in subsisting relationship, then provide evidence of that. A guarantor is not required as it’s not enforceable in UK Law, if you submit one it would not be taken into consideration. There’s no need to book flights in advance, in fact the advice from the UKVI is not to book flights until a visa has been issued, it should be obvious with her an/or your proof of finances, that the trip is affordable. Hotel bookings are not required, nor can they be used as evidence, but it’s good to provide an indicative summary of your plans. There is no interview at the Visa Application Centre (VAC), the main purpose is for the applicants biometric details to be captured. The application is submitted online, her supporting evidence can be uploaded prior to the visit though the staff at the VAC can do so for an extra fee. Good luck

Forum members may find this interesting

I read that they’ve parachuted in some Senior Servants from the Treasury/Cabinet Office to identify and, hopefully, resolve the issues. I’m hoping they’ll manage to update the system with the pension increase in April.

Holders of an expired UK passport have always been able to travel to the UK using an expired UK Passport, on the basis that whilst the passport may have expired their citizenship hasn’t and thus are not subject to immigration controls. However many of the mainstream UK media are reporting that UK Citizens must use a valid passport to enter the UK, duel nationals must have have a Certificate of Entitlement, costing £589, in their foreign passport if they don’t have a valid UK Passport. The UKBA requires that carriers check passport and evisa validity, including the CoE requirements.

That’s quite a significant change, currently you can travel to the UK on an expired UK passport on the premise that your passport may have expired but your status as a UK citizen remains the same. The Certificate of Entitlement, which costs a tad under £600, is normally issued to foreign nationals, via a sticker in their foreign passport, who can demonstrate they have strong family ties and the right to live in the UK, and usually actually are. If these changes do come in it would be far quicker and cheaper to renew your current UK passport.

Yes, she can take her supporting documents to her biometrics appointment at VFS and they can upload them for her, l think they will charge her 880 THB. For the avoidance of doubt there’s no interview at VFS, their role is basically to capture her biometric details, she should of course take her passport with her.

She needs to provide evidence to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer, the Decision Maker, that she is a genuine visitor to the UK who that on the balance of probabilities will return to her home country at the conclusion of her proposed visit, and that her proposed visit is affordable. She should submit details of her ties to her home country, accommodation and employment and the like along with her finances. If you are sponsoring her trip you should prove that it’s affordable and reasonable for you to do so. In detailing her proposed trip she should detail her plans, if she is staying with you, you need to submit details of your accommodation. She needs to submit her application, and pay the fee, online. We can give further advice if you provide more details of her planned holiday. GOV.UKVisiting the UK: guide to supporting documents

Yes her UK passport would certainly be better and would negate the need for a Schengen Visa application, though as a third country national she would still need to register for the new EU entry/exit system on arrival In Sweden, this is a requirement for UK and Thai passport holders, as they are now both third country nationals. As the previous poster has advised she should check for her outward flight using her UK passport, this shows the check in agent that she doesn’t need a visa, and clear Thai immigration with her Thai passport, using her UK passport for the rest of her outward journey. On her return journey she should check in using her Thai passport, this shows that she doesn’t need a Thai visa or a return ticket, clear Swedish Border Control with her UK passport and enter Thailand with her Thai passport.

And neither do they take account of the the fact that expat pensioners are charged 150% of the actual cost of ongoing NHS treatment they may require when visiting the UK. Many cite their reasoning that expats don’t contribute to the Exchequer by paying VAT, forgetting the fact that many pay thousands of Pounds annually in income tax on incomes from the the UK.

Yes l agree, in fact many people in the UK don’t even think that pensioners should even receive the State Pension if they live overseas.

Yes

I’m assuming that your girlfriend wishes to apply a visit visa, as you mention that she successfully applied for one previously. You’re right that it’s a pretty straightforward process which she could easily do herself, but l appreciate her reasons for wishing to use an agent. Whilst not in Bangkok I would highly recommend https://thaivisa-express.com who are based in Pattaya, they are highly recommended, registered with the Immigration Advice Authority in the UK and are not a bolt on for a firm of lawyers. Maybe your girlfriend could make contact, they have Thai and British staff, I’m sure they’ll be able to assist her.

The police have today announced that they have arrested two British Nationals of Caribbean descent in connection with the incident, both of whom were born in the UK.