theoldgit

39 minutes ago, QPRFC said:

For the reasons to return to Thailand, is it possible to just list ALL the reasons why you wouldn't want to stay in UK? 

Stabbings, scams, climate, poor service quality, expensive, racist etc

😁

No

The UK Government has published their long awaited White Paper on Immigration.

It’s a Policy Document so not in law yet, no doubt there will be some debates, and probably some amendments, before it becomes so.

Happy reading 
 

Restoring control over the immigration system - White Paper 

2 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

So basically we have too many university and college places available. That could be easily solved just close a few of them down.  If they need to rely  on immigrants there is something wrong. 

The overseas students were charged higher fees and kept many universities and colleges afloat, many have closed or reduced the courses available, and of course tutors have lost jobs, or moved overseas.

6 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

 

2023 when the 3 year visa was granted. It is automatically approved for longer periods once you have had X number of previous Schengen visas.

Yes it seems to be automatic now, my wife applied for a visa to visit the Netherlands for a week and was issued with a visa with a five year validity.

The rules for the maximum time allowed in Schengen in a set period still apply, as they do for UK Citizens and other third country nationals.

Unhelpful troll post removed, along with measured response.

2 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

I agree re: flights. I have always had flights booked before the application and included them in it. Obviously I have no idea if it had any influence but I always felt it was a strong statement. 

The more documents you can supply the better. The worst they can do is disregard the ones they don't need.

Whilst I’ve always purchased flight tickets before assisting my wife with her visa applications over the years, and have thus ignored the published advice by the UKVI not to purchase non refundable tickets prior a visa being issued, it maybe worth sharing the instructions to caseworkers/ECO’s that evidence of flight tickets are not to be considered when reaching a decision on the application. 

It’s also worth reminding members that ECO’s have a very limited time to make a decision, so may not be minded to wade through unnecessary documents.

As BB has pointed out there is no problem entering the UK using a passport with limited validity or even an expired passport, your son is a British Citizen so not subject to UK Immigration Controls, his passport may be close to expiry but not his citizenship.

I personally would renew his passport whilst in the UK, though it depends how long you are there for.

I note the post regarding leaving Thailand using his Thai Passport, but keep in mind that he should leave Thailand using the passport he entered on.

3 hours ago, BritManToo said:

It's a total deflection, it's the illegals that Brit citizens are concerned about.

Yes you’re right, but there is far more legal migration than those arriving illegally.

There is a large black market in non existent jobs, social media is awash with dodgy job offers, many entering the country via these routes subsequently seek asylum. Many others are students who do not take up their courses and then disappear into the black economy. HMG are bringing in legislation to address these routes, though a massive reduction of overseas student visas being issued is severely affecting colleges and universities.

The language tests are pretty easy, it’s the Life in the UK tests that many struggle with.

Of course the boat people are an issue because they’re in the public eye, ideally they would build more Immigration Detention Centres, but there is a massive NIMBY movement making this difficult, hence the use of expensive hotel accommodation.

5 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Yes, but who makes the rules. Some of those persons seem very silly to me....a chiropodist but NOT a Doctor. A Sally Army Officer but NOT a Vicar or Priest. 

A doctor can sign if they know the applicant well enough to recognise the applicant from a photograph, l think you’ll find it’s the GP’s themselves that have decided that they don’t want to be bogged down with this sort of bureaucracy, as they don’t want to sign a form confirming that they recognise an applicant from a photo, not unreasonable given that GP’s generally have well in excess of 2,300 patients.

Ministers of religion can countersign applications, including vicars and priests.

I don’t know who originally drafted the guidelines they’ve been around for decades, they’re pretty extensive.

On 4/25/2025 at 9:19 AM, KannikaP said:

Slightly off topic, but relevant. My son in Dubai is renewing his 5 year old daughter's passport, online....no silly VFS involved.

He had to nominate someone who has known HIM for over 2 years, and sent them MY email. I subsequently got an email from HMPO which I started to fill in, only to find that a family member is not acceptable. An airline pilot...chiropodist, dentist, funeral director, journalist, pub licensee!, nurse, optician, Sally Army Officer, surveyor, nurse, photographer, trade union officer or travel agent are all OK, working or retired. 

Professions that are not accepted

You cannot confirm someone’s identity if you:

are a doctor, unless you state you know the applicant well (for example they’re a good friend) and you recognise them easily from their photo.

How silly can it get?

Luckily we know a Travel Agent.

The rules who can, or cannot, countersign a passport application are clearly detailed in the application guidelines, including the restrictions on family members, the list of those who can is pretty extensive.

As the OP’s question refers to entry into Thailand, rather than from Thailand to another country, to prevent any confusion I’ll the question I’ll the question to the appropriate forum.

6 hours ago, Moonlover said:

 So, how many days does your wife's visa specify? Therein you have your answer.

Not that simple I’m afraid, whilst the Visa does give the maximum duration of stay permitted, it also shows the expiry date of the visa, it’s that date which the visa holder must leave the UK by.

As this post asking advice in respect of Immigration requirements I’ll move the post to the appropriate forum.

3 hours ago, Nid_Noi said:

‘So it’s different than the Thailand METV.

The Thai expiry date on the METV visa is the last date you can enter Thailand and you still get 60 days or more before exiting.

Yes, the rules in Thailand are very different to most other countries.

Troll post removed

Most UK Visa application fees are being increased from 9th April.

Immigration and Nationality fees 9 April 2025

4 hours ago, ipeterrobinson17 said:

I presume visitors who already have a visa don't need to pay this, is that right?

 Yes, as clarified in the original post this is for visitors who do not require a visa.

Forget the London Eye, this viewpoint in the city is probably the highest in London and free. https://horizon22.co.uk/visit/
 

Maybe not for you BB, but others may find it interesting.

As the post is in respect of a visa for Thailand, I’ll move the post to the appropriate forum.

This forum is for visas and migration to other countries, as you were born in the UK and, l assume, a UK Passport holder, this forum isn’t the  right place for your question as you wouldn’t be subject to Immigration Controls.

I’ll move your post to the UK Forum where someone may be able to help, or at least point you in the right direction.

Good luck 

Retired UK Civil Servants can sign these forms as can some other retired expats, like bank managers, no stamping is necessary.

Most expats know people who fit into these categories and who would be only too happy to assist.

23 hours ago, simon43 said:

Actually I provided the link in a post some months ago.  I'll try to dig out the link.  The Thai government requested an agreement similar to that which the Philippines has and their request was ignored by the UK government at the time.....

I understand, from British friends living in Canada, that the Canadian Government also sought a similar agreement but were given short shrift by the last Conservative Government.