theoldgit

Update re UK Visa application processing times from UK Embassy https://www.facebook.com/ukinthailand/videos/547663913984889/

As the Consular Team are not involved in Visa and UK Entry issues, I'll move your question to a more appropriate forum.

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 the Border Force Officer should refuse entry. Border Force Officers are advised to check the visitor’s travel history, including how long they are spending in the UK and how frequently they are returning. They must assess if they are, in effect, living in the UK through frequent or successive visits or making the UK their main home.

Your wife can apply for a new visa at any time, her current visa doesn’t need to have expired. UK visa holders must leave the country on, or before, the expiry date printed on the vignette, UK visa rules differ from countries like Thailand.

Applicants can believe what they want, but the fact remains that VFS staff play no part whatsoever in the decision making process, they don’t even see the actual application. if an ECO requires clarification, and the vast majority of applications are decided on the application and the supporting evidence submitted, they will either make their own enquiries, or use a locally employed member of the UKVI team based in Bangkok to make enquiries.

Maybe the police?

I can't speak for Udon and I don't where else you've been in Thailand, but I've seen numerous armed and uniformed police officers when I lived in Bangkok and they also have them here in Hua Hin.

What’s the difference between the officers selling their services to escort tourists and the uniformed and armed officers who sit inside gold shops throughout the country?

For the avoidance of doubt, VFS only capture the biometric details, upload supporting evidence if the applicant hasn't uploaded it themselfs, and retain the applicants passport until a decision has been made by a directly employed ECO in either the UK, India or China, I think that's what you meant.

There are no quotas for the issuing of Standard Visit Visas, why would there be? If an applicant can satisfy the ECO that they are a genuine applicant, who can afford the trip, and also satisfy the decision maker that they will return home at the conclusion of the proposed visit, then Entry Clearance will be approved. Like all of us, ECO's make mistakes.

Indeed, the vast majority of applications are successful, the UKVI publish a spreadsheet, your number isn't far off the mark.

So the Minister didn't overturn the decision, or did he? When you say that "There were many cases of UK nationals who were refused their wife's visa" the person who told you would no doubt be aware that it would be the applicant who was refused, not the UK National.

That wasn’t my my experience, my 65th birthday was in late March, I deferred drawing my State Pension until April and was paid the new rate for that year. The State Pension isn’t calculated by when you retire but by age, I retired at 60 and had already been drawing my Civil Service Pension for five years when l became eligible for my State Pension.

OP has resolved his issue, thread closed.

Responses to old thread, closed

Maybe for the same reason as a number of posters on this and other forums, she's retired from the Immigration Police/Service and either want to help others or maybe she wants to earn some extra cash.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/proposed-changes-to-passport-application-fees

I submitted my application on Friday 23rd December, and have just received notification that it's available for collection. So less than three weeks, pretty good when you take into account the Christmas and New Year breaks. The downside for me is that I'd already factored in a trip to Bangkok in March, when I have a medical appointment there, not complaing though.

I think BB has explained what you need to prove, but if you're providing financial support you should include your bank statements and evidence of the source of your income, it's you that proving affordability. You also need to satisfy the decision maker that it's appropriate for you for you to provide financial support, as BB says that you've actually met, provide some details, and evidence of your relationship. The applicant will need to provide evidence that she's likely to return, details of her life of Thailand, emmployment, accomodation etc. Visitor visa guide to supporting documents/guide to supporting documents visiting the UK

A previous Home Secretary told me that he intended to ensure there would be a linking of various Government IT systems to allow a more joined up Government, including the ability to keep a record of UK Nationals leaving the country. It's been almost 22 years since Jack Straw was Home Secretary, he never achieved it during his time in harness, and I don't think it's been achieved since.

Troll post removed

Maybe you might be wise to make contact with the HMPO and put this them. hm-passport-office/contact/hm-passport-office-webchat or via phone +44 (0)300 222 0000 I cannot find the rule regarding the posting of UK Passports overseas, but I know there is one, HMPO don't post overseas, they have a secure contract via DHL. As I indicated earlier whilst it's against HMPO rules to apply in the UK when you're in Thailand, I'm aware that some people do, though I'm not sure that those who have lost passports have done so, it might be a problem if they decide to make contact with you. Your countersignatory will need to countersign the photo and confirm that they know you personally and have done so for more than two years, also supply a copy of their passport and contact details. As part of their work HMPO will check that the countersignatory is genuine. This may include checking their passport and other records to confirm their identity and their profession or professional qualification. You will be asked to ensure that your countersignatory knows that HMPO may contact them and carry out their checks. Good luck with whatever you decide to do, please let us know how it goes.

Troll post, and responses, removed.

Off topic post removed, this thread has nothing to do with US political views.

This topic is in the news forum, please discuss there if you need to.