theoldgit

As your issue is regarding your continued stay in Thailand, rather than visas or immigration to countries outside of Thailand, I’ll move your thread to the Thailand visas forum.

Your post does highlight the dangers of using agents who deal with corrupt Immigration Officers.

2 hours ago, alant said:

Having just done my passport I seem to recall that the monies had to be paid using a UK card in sterling.

I renewed my passport recently using my Kasikorn Debit Card.

The payment form asks for for address, including the country of residence of the card holder, the form doesn’t state the card must be a UK card, where did you read that it had to be?
 

“Cardholder's address: (including postcode where applicable, and country)”

23 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

If that is the case, I am making a mistake, but in my opinion, anyone employed by the government is a civil servant?

Yes you’re mistaken, VFS are contracted by the UKPO to collect applications and pass them onto civil servants in the UK to process.

6 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

Don't expect too much from civil servants, they only 'work' for themselves, and have nothing to do with the rabble.

Not sure which Civil Servants you’re referring to, VFS staff certainly aren’t civil servants.

6 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Send a friend.

Indeed, from the VFS website:

“You must collect in person. If you’re unable to, someone else can go on your behalf:

Your friend will need to have your passport in their possession to enable VFS to cancel it, they can then courier it to the passport owner.

Thread closed at OP’s request.

Assuming she want to visit and not settle, she will need a Standard Visit Visa.

3 hours ago, superal said:

Above in bold print is to me a strong reason for being denied a visa . However  for a Thai lady to visit the UK alone would be a bit strange . Thai tourists to the UK are often part of an organized escorted company tour . 

My ladies previous application stated that she owned her house and large restaurant ,plus took care of her elderly parents . My lady was 48 years old when applying for the visa . I wrote the covering letter for the application stating that I would sponsor her , house her and guarantee she would return to Thailand at the end of the visa . However the visa was refused , reason was they did not believe she would return to Thailand . Maybe that having my own UK property and she would be staying there with me , sounded alarm bells .

Sheryl is spot on when she says that having a UK sponsor could be detrimental to the applicant, as the ECO may assume, rightly or wrongly, that the applicant intends to stay in the UK with their sponsor and bypass the Settlement process, most people understand the dangers of that approach.

Many Thai ladies visit with their sponsors who live in Thailand, either as a spouse or long term partners, it’s unlikely, though not impossible, would be using the Visit Visa route to uproot and both settle in the UK.

The applicants who sometimes face problems are those who live in Thailand with their spouse, partner or sponsor living in the UK, who sometimes support their partners in Thailand. The ECO may reach the conclusion, again rightly or wrongly, that the applicant intends to stay in the UK with their benefactor, it’s these that face problems, you’re fully aware.

l have to admit that l have never encountered groups of Thai tourists in the UK, especially unaccompanied ladies, I’m sure there probably are some though, it’s not a easy route to remain as an overstayer and subsequently be removed and face a lengthy ban from applying from even applying for a visa.

l understand that applicants from Thailand with sponsors or spouses in the US face similar problems, probably more so.

6 hours ago, superal said:

Fact , many Thai ladies are successful with their UK visa applications . Many of these ladies have no reliable employment , employer or income ( maybe false employment claims on the application ? ) . Many are working in bars with little or no collateral or savings. 

I have heard that some use an agent who guarantees a visa if paying the agent a fairly high fee . 

My case , my lady has her own business , own house and large restaurant . Money in the bank , employs up to 7 Thais . Takes care of parents . Visa refused on the grounds that they thought she would not return to Thailand . I stood as sponsor which I have been told may suggest that she would like to stay in the UK and an application to purely take part in an organized tour would / may be successful . Do you agree ?

Certainly many Thai ladies are successful with their applications for various categories of UK visas, l have no idea if many of these have no credible ties to their home country or have falsified evidence, I’ll have to take your word for that, but no doubt you can substantiate your claim.

I’m certainly not aware of any reputable agent who would guarantee a visa for a fairly high fee, l think you’ve been misinformed, given applications are processed remotely, the claim isn’t really credible.

Regarding your specific issue, it’s difficult to give a view without knowing the full facts, including the actual reason for the refusal, but l would add the suggestion of joining a tour group and simply remaining in the UK isn’t a good idea, it would give her many problems.

A number of unhelpful posts removed 

Offensive troll post removed.

One option is to register for a proxy vote, that’s what l do.

https://www.gov.uk/how-to-vote/voting-by-proxy

1 hour ago, jimn said:

Whilst I respect your knowledge of the UK visa system I think you are misunderstanding the real question in this case. Whilst she can apply any time she will be limited to the dates she can enter the UK. On a Standard UK visit visa no one will be allowed to stay for more than 180 days (6 months) in a rolling 12 month period. So if the OP's MIL stays 15/3/24to 15/8/24 this is 5 months. This means that she can only stay for 1 more month before 15/3/25. I suggest if she wishes to come for 5 months again, the earliest she should apply is to arrive after this date.

This is not correct, there's no such rule, it's a pretty common mistake by posters.

Whilst the Guidance to UKBA Decision Makers advises them that they must be satisfied that applicants aren't attempting to make the UK their home through "frequent and successive visits", and outlines the checks they should make, the guidance specifically reminds decision makers that "There is no specified maximum period, which an individual can spend in the UK in any period, such as ‘6 months in 12 months’ (as long as each visit does not exceed the maximum period for that visit, normally 6 months). However, if it is clear from an applicant’s travel history that they are seeking to remain in the UK for extended periods or making the UK their home you should refuse their application".

You may find the attached Guidance to Staff helpful Visit guidance

14 minutes ago, superal said:

Can you please advise how to satisfy that a visitor can convince all concerned with the application , that they will leave the UK at the end of the permitted stay . I ask this because my lady was refused a tourist visa on the grounds that they believed she would not return to Thailand .

There’s really no guarantee that an application will be approved, however genuine the applicant is, the decision maker (ECO) has to make a judgement call based on the evidence submitted by the applicant, they use the “balance of probabilities” and don’t always get it right, and of course there’s no right of appeal.

If the sponsor is located in the UK, l note you’re posting from Thailand, the ECO may take the view, rightly or wrongly, that the applicant may decide to remain with their partner in the UK, so they need to convince the decision maker that they have strong ties to Thailand.

I’m afraid there’s no magic formula, the applicant has to show that there life in Thailand is such that it’s unlikely that they would overstay and remain with their partner in the “promised land”.

ECO’s are not based in Thailand, they can be anywhere, that hasn’t made it any easier.

Applicants should specifically address the reasons for refusals in subsequent applications, also mention in a short covering letter.

Good luck

She can apply to travel for any date, there’s no “time between visits” requirement for Standard Visit Visas for the UK, each application is treated on its own merit.

For each application your mother in law will need to satisfy the decision maker that she’s a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the conclusion of her holiday.

The ECO may wonder if regular three month holidays are genuine, though they are perfectly legal.

On 5/27/2024 at 8:01 AM, phetphet said:

Proof of address: Went to both Kasikorn Bank and 3BB this morning to ask for a statement and a bill with my address in English. Both said "Cannot."

When I renewed my passport last year I ordered a statement in English via the K+ App and it was delivered almost instantly as a PDF and I was able to print it, VFS were fine with it.

Maybe check the app and see if that option is still available.

3 hours ago, Eddie45 said:

Theoldgit, if you are a UK Citiizen and returning to live in the UK on a full time basis there is no charge so nothing to worry about.

That’s right, you’re covered as soon as your feet touch home soil, you might be asked for proof of your residency by NHS Trusts, but l understand that’s hit and miss.

@Eddie45

This is the Guidance to NHS Trusts that I referred to in my earlier post. Guidance on implementing the overseas visitor charging regulations

1 hour ago, Eddie45 said:

I was looking to find out the actual rules on this situation so I know where I stand if I end up in a bad situation like Steady Eddie. Touch wood it doesnt happen. Whats that saying plan for the worst and hope for the best.

This is a summary of the rules, there is a far more comprehensive document available which details the instructions to NHS Trusts to make the appropriate charges and to check that those seeking ongoing treatment are actually resident in the UK and entitled to access the NHS without charging, whether NHS Trusts actually comply with these requirements is another matter.

Emergency life saving treatment is free for all.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-the-nhs-charges-overseas-visitors-for-nhs-hospital-care

VFS staff don’t have sight of the statements if the applicant uploads the supporting evidence themselves, only the UKVI decision maker will have access.

As the previous poster has rightly pointed out, there is no minimum figure required to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer that you have sufficient funds available, you and the applicant need to satisfy the ECO that there are sufficient funds available for the trip declared in the application, it’s affordable to you and that it’s reasonable for you to do so.

Off topic post removed 

1 hour ago, Letseng said:

How difficult or easy it is to get a Schengen visa also depends on which embassy you apply for it. I hope it won't be Germany or Austria.

You can’t pick and choose unfortunately, I realise you’re not suggesting you can.

You need to apply via the Consulate with jurisdiction for your main destination, or if touring and spending and equal amount of time in more than one member state, then you should apply via the Consulate’ with jurisdiction for your point of entry into Schengen.

You need to apply for Transfer of Residence Relief from the HMRC, quite a straightforward process, and is completed online, no tax was due when l made my application.

Removal companies will probably ask for the HMRC approval before they ship the goods.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/application-for-transfer-of-residence-relief-tor1

I used Sevenseas and was satisfied with their service.

21 hours ago, claffey said:

If you have an accident your insurance could be invalid if you don't have an IDP. Thailand requires one too but most people don't bother. Not worth the risk really as they are easily obtained. 

As others have pointed out there is no risk in using a compliant overseas licence do drive in the UK for up to twelve months.

Like many other members l have never had an issue using my Thai licence to rent a car in the UK.