theoldgit

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

Any thoughts on whether an airline might insist on seeing a return ticket?

I understand their obligations re passengers who are refused entry......

Some airline staff may try and enforce a non existent rule, but escalating to a manager should resolve any issue.

As you’ve suggested, carriers can be penalised if they carry a passenger who is not properly documented, not having a return ticket wouldn’t fall into that category.

No, a return flight isn’t required for those traveling to the UK.

On arrival at the the UK Border a Border Force Officer will often ask if the passenger if they have a return ticket, as it’s the easiest way of demonstrating that the person seeking admission has the means to leave the UK at the conclusion of the visit. If the passenger doesn’t have a return ticket, and the Officer has concerns, the passenger may well be asked to demonstrate that they have the means to travel home.

Border Force Officers will be aware that possession of a return ticket doesn’t mean they will use it.

The short answer to the question is that there is no requirement to have a return ticket, but being required to satisfy an officer at the border that you have the means to leave is.

@NorthernRylandShe's not alone with this issue and many Thai people seem to go for this easy money, that may be considered far too easily available, will not want to listen to advice and then bury their head in the sand, in the hope that it will simply go away.

There is a scheme currently available through the Central Bank to restrucure debts, something she might need to look into, but she needs to actually want to do it,  62000-debtors-apply-for-debt-restructuring-through-thailands-central-bank/

There was some discussion on the scheme recently here https://aseannow.com/topic/1274803-62000-debtors-apply-for-debt-restructuring-through-thailand’s-central-bank/#comment-17665395

6 minutes ago, Mac Mickmanus said:

Landlords will usually want to see bank statements and three years worth of salary pay slips to show you can afford the rent 

it certainly can be challenging renting in the UK at the moment, for a number of reasons, but that’s on top of proving the right to rent.

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Haven't you got to be earning a minimum amount now? in order to bring wife and family back. I vaguely recall someone posting it was 30k

The sponsor needs to be earning £18,600 per year, or you can use cash savings. There is an aditional cost for children, but only if they are not entitled to British Nationality.

As has been pointed out the application fee and NHS Surcharges are quite high, and applications are currently taking in the region of six month, they blame the fact that the UKVI are concentrating on processing those displaced by the invasion of Ukraine 

Troll post flaming another member removed, along with response.

The live in the UK rule is for those that are applying in the UK, as you're applying in Bangkok the requirements are different.

Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.

If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.

Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.

What the countersignatory must do with your form

After you’ve filled in the form, your countersignatory must check the details are correct and sign it.

By signing it they are confirming that:

they’ve known you for more than 2 years

you’re who you claim to be

as far as they know, all the information you’ve put on the form is true

Your countersignatory must put their passport number on the form.

What your countersignatory must write on your photo

Your countersignatory should write the following on the back of one photo:

‘I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of adult or child who is getting the passport].’

They must add their signature and the date under the statement.

They may be contacted by the HMPO

This is a link the accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories they can be retired from professions, there are numerous retired Civil Servants in Bangkok, you probaby know a few. 

1 hour ago, cauldlad said:

The long stay option was always there as far as I know.

Not always no, I think it was introduced as a workaround when some Embassy's stopped issuing income letters, and the then TransferWise negotiated a system with some banks, so as to satisfy Immigration Officers.

I did a transfer yesterday evening from the UK to Bangkok Bank here, I got a SMS shortly after 14.00 today advising of a transfer from abroad and a Credit Advice some 30 mins later confirming FTT.

I’ll update my book in a day or so.

Moved to the Banking Forum

53 minutes ago, DarChana said:

I was hoping to get some advice regarding our chances of getting a first time visitor visa to the UK for a 3 week stay. We are about to go with an agency, but hoping to get a feel as to if we have a chance or not.

When your girlfriend applies for a Standard Visit Visa, it's she that needs to convince the Entry Clearance Officer, the person who makes the decision on her application, that her proposed visit is genuine, affordable and, that on the balance of probabilities, she would return to her home country at the conclusion of her proposed visit, the latter part probably being the most important part of her application.

Many applicants use an agent to guide them through the process, which can be quite daunting, and there's nothing wrong with doing so, but when deciding on an agent she should pick one who is properly qualified, not somebody who is a travel agent, or simply has a plush office in Pattya, I would strongly recommend that she seeks out an agent who has OISC Accreditation, whilst not a legal requirement here in Thailand, an accredited agent is a safer bet.

Going through your various points, you mention that financially support your girlfriend, accomodation rental and living expenses, whilst this may suggest you're in a relationship, the ECO would need to be satisfied that she doesn't intend to remain in the UK with her benefactor.

Her University course might go towards satisfying the ECO that she might return, but she would need to provide compelling evidence of her comitment to her studies, and her proposed visit is outside of term time.

If she intends to stay with you at your mothers house, your mother should write and confirm that there is sufficient accomodation available, and that she is welcome to stay with you at her home. Booking a hotel in London wouldn't add anything to her application, unless a trip to London is part of her trip.

If you are providing financial support for her trip, along with financial support for her life in Thailand, you will need to provide evidence to confirm that it's realistically affordable. You state you work via an agency, you should provide evidence of your employment, now, in the past ane in the future. The fact that you've spent a third of the last 30 months in Thailand may be of concern to the ECO.

By all means supply chat logs, it would help if chats were initiated by both of you, rather than just you, however the UKVI specifically advise that photos should not be sent as supporting evidence.

In all honesty, I don't think a trip to a neighbouring country, where entry clearance isn't required, will add anything to her application. 

To be quite frank with everything you've mentioned, it's not going to be easy for her, but not impossible, everyone has to make their first application some time. Using a qualified agent, be careful there are a lot of cowboys out there, won't guarantee her a visa, but they will help her draft the application and the supporting evidence along with the covering letters.

Good luck 

In my opinion it's not really cost effective for the visitor who wishes to make the occasional planned visit, as you say the six month visa is far cheaper.

My wife currently has a five year visa, having had a two year and some six month visas previously, and certainly hasn't had her monies worth, and probably wouldn't have had even without the Covid travel restrictions. What it has given her is protection against price increases for five years, not having to bother with the application process, and the ability to be able to travel at short notice, should the need arise, as with anything in life it's a judgement call and a personal decision. When her five year expires, it was her intention to apply for a ten year visa, which is even less cost effective.

You'll be aware that the longer term visa is designed for applicants who can demonstrate they need to travel to the UK on a regular basis, if the decsion makers believe that a longer term visa is not appropriate, and can satisfy a manager of their concerns, then they can issue a standard six month visa, in which case there would be no refund of the extra fee, it rarely happens, but it does.

It is correct that there is no rule saying that a visitor can only stay for 180 days in a twelve month period, though even a  actual six month stay would need to be justified in the application and possibly at the UK Border. As you mention the ECO and/or Border force Officer would need to be satisfied that the applicant/traveller is not making the UK their main home through frequent or succesive visits. The instructions to staff is outlined, on page 21 of this document: Visit.pdf  

4 hours ago, isnakebite said:

I presumed as such, but sending the email and stating "VFS do offer an optional paid for service which permits customers to retrieve your passport whilst we continue to consider your visa application please use the link below for more information:"

The "Premium Service" offered by VFS in Thailand allows applicants to retain passports for a limited period of time, 15 days, not retrieve it.

As @hotandstickycorrectly says, the passport stays in Thailand during the application process, with VFS inserting the vignette into the passport of succesful applicants.

21 minutes ago, jayboy said:

Many thanks.I see that an arrival card has to be submitted up to three days in advance.

Yes, that was introduced recently, couldn't post the link earlier from my phone.

https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/

https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore

“There's no problems sharing hotel rooms with an unmarried companion in LOS obviously”

I wouldn’t say it’s obviously no problem in Thailand, there are a few hotels that don’t allow this, but they are few a far between.

Before my wife and were married we had a few holidays in Malaysia, we didn’t encounter any issues.

We also stayed together in Singapore, Vietnam, Laos and even the UAE, again with no problems.

You might encounter some resistance if you booked a room with a local lass, rather than a Thai, especially in Laos, Vietnam and the UAE.

I’ll move your question to the travel forum.

As has previously been advised, they need to make separate applications though they can be submitted together.

if you need any further pointers, you need to provide more details before anyone can offer any meaningful advice.

You need to give us a lot more details as to what you’re trying to achieve along with both of your personal circumstances, before anyone can offer any meaningful advice.

The BTS and MRT are operated by different companies, and you cannot buy through tickets.

I understand that there are plans for tickets that cover all systems, but I'm pretty though plans have been in discussions for years/ 

https://www.bts.co.th/eng/routemap.html

https://metro.bemplc.co.th/Fare-Calculation

I use this powder, available in most supermarkets at about 35 Baht, certainly hot enough for me.

16 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Why does yours say GBP when mine says THB, and several others say THB. Mistake by WISE?

I think it shows the particular currency you input into the search, it also came up with 28,000 in Euros and US Dollars.

However they've changed the advisory again to Sorry, this weekend we can only accept transfers from customers sending a maximum of 28 000 THB. To send more, please return on Monday 3 October.

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Interesting... I think my maximum limit is 500,000 baht when transferring to the same Bank and less when transferring to a different Bank (within Thailand). 

I’ve just just checked my K+ App, and I can set the limit up 5m Baht for Prompt Pay, assuming I had the funds available.

34 minutes ago, DFPhuket said:

The dealership had a QR code to scan so there were no concerns about mistyping the account number. When scanning, the app gave the name of the company. It was then simple to get a one time password (OTP), and finish the transfer. I don't recall if they took a picture of the confirmation or asked me to email it to them. The whole process took about 3 minutes.  

Likewise, did so recently, and with the name of the company showing in the App I had no concerns that the transfer was going to the correct account, well not too many.

Whilst I was in the dealership there was another couple with an enevlope stuffed with 1,000 Baht notes paying for their car, each to their own.