theoldgit

It's also useful to read the guidance issued to Overseas visitor managers and their teams, Frontline staff providing relevant services and Providers and commissioners of relevant services Overseas NHS visitors charging regulations - guidance December 2022 The advice for visitors, including expats, might be of interest: Visiting or moving-to-england/how-to-access-nhs-services-in-england-if-you-are-visiting-from-abroad/ It's worth noting that a referral from a GP is only required for non urgent hospital treatment, and is chargeable at 150% of cost for visitors, including non returning expats.

Yes, good point, I'd missed that.

What you're suggesting is actually illegal, or at least goes against HMPO rules rather than breaking the law. HMPO has a rule that passports cannot, or at least shouldn't be sent by regular post internationally, that said I believe a number of people do so, and don't encounter a problem. You've reported your passport lost and intend to apply for a new one to be delivered in the UK, they may well be aware that you haven't applied for an Emergency Travel Document and may possibly ask questions as to why you're applying in the UK and not following their requirements. that's just an educated guess. Obtaining the letter asking for your visa to be transferred could be an issue as I believe they are issued automatically with the new passports issued via VFS, however some people apply for a new passport whilst visiting the UK, and I believe the UK Embassy will issue the letter via e-mail in those circumstances, I think it's a template, maybe that might be an option.

You’ve posted in the wrong forum, I’ll move it for you.

@kimameyYou could pay for applications from Thailand in Baht back in the day, I remember needing to obtain draft from a specific bank in Baht, that all changed when you needed to pay online. Applicants from most, if not all, EU countries are charged in Euros.

Sorry, l meant to add that, though as it’s lost, you might need to attend an interview.

There are agents up and down the country who offer this service, maybe your lawyer friend might be able to do so for you. The use of an agent doesn’t speed up the process, it just saves the double visit to Trendy, the forms still need to be completed and submitted. Be aware that some agents retain the old passport during the process, which can cause problems.

As a follow up l’ve just checked my online bank statement for the account used to pay for my new passport and l note that the card has already been debited, that’s a week after l handed in the authorisation form with my application. Not sure that means anything, but at least I know the application has been received, and allays my fears due to the card expiring in February.

I'll move this to the Thailand Visa Forum.

Not sure that the availability of a Christmas lunch in Pattaya is a visa issue, let’s try the local forum.

I submitted an application yesterday, in and out in ten minutes. The VFS lass said applications are normally still taking eleven to twelve weeks, but added that some are being returned somewhat quicker. I heard, from a reliable source, yesterday of a new passport arriving in two weeks, not sure if the applicant had appealed, and had been given, a quicker turnround.

https://www.evisa.gov.kh/ The list of valid entry points is shown on the website, it's not valid at all entry points into the Kingdom.

There are numerous apps like WhatsApp and Line that require both users to have an App installed to make free calls. I use mytello which offers cheap calls to landlines and mobiles, with only the caller needing the app. Calls to landlines or mobiles the US cost 0.4 Baht per minute.

A1 would have been sufficient for her initial visa, but not for FLR or ILR.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt

As you seem to be asking for options for a visa for Thailand, I’ll move your query to a more appropriate forum.

I am very much with you on the mask wearing, especially in open spaces, not only are they uncomfortable but I sometimes find it difficult to breath. I stopped wearing them locally and in Bangkok, apart from on public transport. That said, I attended a function in Kuala Lumpur a couple of weeks ago, I complied with the wearing of masks on the aircraft, on the MRT in KL and in a couple of shopping malls, which the vast majority did. However at the function and subsequent banquet few, if any, of the three hundred or so attendees from around SE Asia were wearing masks, we hadn't for the most part met each other for three years so there were plenty of group photos and hugs. I returned to Bangkok infected with Covid, having previously avoided it since it became an issue, my travelling companions were also infected, on my return I passed it on to my wife. We're both fully vaccinated, so whilst I suspect we had a mild dose, it knocked us both for six. We've both tested negative this morning, the first negative test in ten days, but are both coughing for England, bringing up plenty and pleghm and feel pretty weak. Whilst I'm still not convinced that the wearing of masks is necessary in open speces, I'm still inclined to wear one inside a public area.

My last application was via Hong Kong, as I recall I didn't need to send my passport there so was able to retain it, a very efficient and speedy renewal.

Nasty troll post removed.

Indicative of the nasty and irrelevant remarks made by a number of Mail on line readers when this story was published yesterday.

Let’s move this to the correct forum.

I’d assumed the whole idea of the passport debacle here in Thailand was that to comply with the apparent rule that foreigners passports should be made available for inspection on demand, and the VFS involvement allowed applicants to retain their passports following an an application for a new passport. I understand that using an agent saves the applicant a round trip, or two, to Bangkok, but it seems to me that it rather defeats the object of ensuring the passport is available for inspection on demand, if the current passport is languishing in the agents office for a month or three.

The future of Darrens business is currently unclear, no doubt the team there are still in shock For those who have applications for passports and/or visas pending, you might want to contact Key Visa themselves, or maybe a local agent in Pattaya registered with OISC, Thai Visa Express is the only agency registered that I'm aware of, but there may be more, though it's not a legal requirement to be registered here in Thailand. To be able to assist current clients, agents would need access to current applications from Key Visa, which may be difficult for the time being. Please don't discuss various agencies that bribe Immigration Officers to obtain extensions of stay in Thailand, where the financial requirements can't be met, whilst it's seemingly a common practice, it isn't legal.

This question is on the wrong forum, and though it's been answered I'll move it the appropriate forum.

I beg to differ, I’m fully aware of the proof required to satisfy the decision maker, and that there are a number of highly qualified, and respected agents here in Thailand, who could assist with the application. Did you read the OP’s comment that he has “plenty of available funds available”? I’m sure the OP’s wife could satisfy the ECO that on the balance of probabilities she would return to her home country after their visits, where she and her husband have lived for 25 years or more without resorting to enlisting the help of an agent halfway around the globe.