theoldgit

28 minutes ago, LoeiI said:

 

Would the state pension be frozen if it was paid into a uk bank account ?

Yes, mine is frozen and paid into a UK account in the Isle of Man.

It’s where you’re actually resident that decides whether your State Pension is frozen or not. 

4 hours ago, Merv291265 said:

can I renew it from UK

Yes, you can renew it in the UK, you can even do it online, confirming his current address in the UK.

You will need to forward his current passport to the UKPO, remember you should send it from the UK, if you’re currently in possession of it, no problem,  but it’s not supposed to be posted internationally.

If he holds a Thai Passport, that must also be forwarded to HMPO.

Somebody who has known him personally for at least two years will need to confirm his identity as a friend, neighbour or colleague, they must be qualified to do so and they will be personally contacted by HMPO to confirm their statement.

I personally agree that it may be safer for him to apply from Thailand, even if long winded and more expensive.

Yes, Civil Service Pensions are uprated anually, in line with the CPI, wherever you live in the world, even Thailand.

UK Pensions are taxed at source by MyCSP, your Personal Allowance is reduced by the amount of your State Pension, effectively taxing your State Pension.

As your State Pension will be frozen your Civil Service Pension will be increased on the full amount, irrespective of its division between pre and post 88 GMP, I think that has something to do with the contracting out.

A friend of mines wife collected her passport with her UK Standard Visit Visa inside on Friday, it took one month and three days from the date she had her biometric details captured.

She didn't pay for the priority service, I think it was a fluke rather than a new norm.

Objectional troll post removed, along with a few responses. 

Does she already have a Schengen Visa, she would need to show a return ticket to apply for a visa?

I think it's unlikely that she a carrier would board her with only a one way ticket, due to the possibility that she could possibily be refused entry at the border of the Schengen Area, and they would be resonsible for returning her.

Is there a reason she only wants to purchase a one way ticket?

4 hours ago, Crill said:

Although very glad to have received it so quickly (20 working days in total) I still feel a little aggrieved by the strong arm tactic by those in the VFS in regards to telling everyone it would take 9 to 11 weeks to receive unless we changed our application to a priority visa.

I'm glad to learn that the visa has been issued.

Whilst I'm certainly not a fan of VFS, I think you'll find that they were doing no more than relaying the advice from the UKVI about processing times, it's they that pocket the Priority fees for the application to be fast tracked, not VFS.

Though VFS do pocket the fees for their premium time slots to drop off passports and have the bio details captured. 

18 hours ago, wn78 said:

 when they offered me an account, just the passport, the insurance fee, and the card fee.

What exactly was the insurance they wanted you to buy?
 

Bank tellers have been offering this insurance deal for years to allow you to open an account, it’s not official and they get commission on the sale, very often the insurance is next to worthless.

Argumentative posts removed.

2 hours ago, Tazmo said:

Can it be done here in CM at the VFS Office?

I'm not sure that VFS in Chiang Mai handle applications for Canada, it could be a glitch in their website

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tha/en/can/attend-centre

@dereko169You've already asked the same question in this forum, so I'll close this one.
 

@thonglorjimmyI think the numbers of those applying for settlement are probably down hence no replies, either that or they’ve got their visas, and moved on.

3 hours ago, Thujone said:

Does anybody have any ideas as to where a suitcase can be left as cheaply as possible, which I may be able to adapt to leaving it in Brighton?

I've used these previously https://stasher.com/luggage-storage/

32 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Girlfriend isn't a social status that qualifies for a UK settlement visa, regardless of the girlfriend's nationality.

If he and the girlfriend have been living together in a durable relationship for in excess of two years, and can provide compelling evidence of doing so, she could meet the requirements for a Family Visa, though that doesn’t seem to be the case here.

4 hours ago, dereko169 said:

I am living in Newcastle Upon Tyne uk at the moment and my Thai girlfriend is staying with me on a 6 month visitor visa. I want to extend her visa possibly a settlement visa. Does anyone have any advice or can recommend a local company to deal with this.

As @hotandstickyhas correctly pointed out your girlfriend cannot extend her visa to Settlement/Family Visa from within the UK, she would need to return to Thailand and apply from there.

Unless she can prove that you’ve been living together for in excess of two years, it’s unlikely that she would qualify just as a girlfriend, though she might be able to qualify for a Fiancé Visa if you have evidence of a forthcoming marriage.

A visit visa can only be extended in very exceptional circumstances.

Without wishing to appear pedantic, you cannot extend anyones visa, it’s your girlfriend that would need to apply and demonstrate that she meets the criteria, though you could assist her.

Unhelpful troll posts removed, along with some measured responses.

1 hour ago, brianburi said:

Old Git, is that a typo error?? National Insurance number, surely....  NHS is for hospital treatment.

Well spotted, thanks very much.

I’m not a hundred percent sure, as you’re an EU National you’re covered by the Freedom of Movement Directive, in which case she could travel as your spouse without the need for evidence of accommodation and insurance, just evidence of your flights.

What I’m not sure about is that if you’re a National of your main destination whether the FoM still applies for that country, I suspect it does but I’m not sure. 
 

Edit, I’ve just read the info from your link, that certainly doesn’t say details of accommodation should be provided if you’re traveling together, only evidence of where your living if she joining you. It helpfully adds that the list is exhaustive and nothing more can be requested.

As your certificate is in Thai, for an application for a Schengen Visa for Luxembourg the certificate needs to be translated into French, German or English by a sworn translator.

https://guichet.public.lu/en/citoyens/immigration/moins-3-mois/ressortissant-tiers/entree-visa.html

You might get a better response in the dedicated insurance forum.

I'll move it there for you.

9 hours ago, andiwilson said:

Aye I read that. Especially this bit...

"This guidance is not intended to be a step by step guide and certainly not a "Dummies Guide" to the complete process,"

OK, maybe read this then, it’s all here, if you need professional advice, maybe seek out an OISC Advisor.

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

If you’re looking for an English test, have you looked here https://ielts.idp.com/thailand/about/article-how-to-book-ielts-checklist?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxveXBhDDARIsAI0Q0x3FDp5dobL0Kk4SFD-260ub3n80tb0rs_o3et4jO-853F330vHmHkMaAkinEALw_wcB

VFS don't require anything, they are not involved an the decison making process whatsoever, they will simply capture the applicants biometric details, and hold onto the passport and, hopefully, insert the vignette when Entry Clearance is granted by an Entry Clearance Officer outside of Thailand.

Your sister in law will need to apply online and can also upload her supporting evidence, though VFS will be happy to scan the and upload documents on her behalf, for a fee.

The applicant will need to satisfy the decision maker that her proposed trip is genuine, affordable and that, on the balance of probabilities she will return home, or at least leave the UK, at the conclusion of her proposed trip. Probably the most inmportant thing is the latter, she will need to demonstrate her ties to Thailand, and that they are strong enough for her to return to. 

In pledging financial support you must demonstrate that it's reasonable for you to do so, whilst it's certainly not unreasonable, don't take anything for granted. If you're providing financial support you should provide evidence of your ability to do so, include statements and the source of the funds, along with an indicitive estimate of the total expected costs.

If you are providing accomodation, detail the accomodation available, no need for things like Title Deeds just a description of the accomodation available.

Your covering letter should also detail the length of her proposed stay.

The UKV specifically advise that non refundable shouldn't be purchased before Entry Clearance has been approved, she should just give indicitive details of the proposed travel dates in her application.

I've taken the liberty of changing the caps in your title, I'm assuming this was done in error. 

19 hours ago, freedomnow said:

Interested to know what premium service costs is ?

Not that I'd be using it right now...a Plan B for family emergencies in UK etc in future.

https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement/applying-outside-the-uk

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/tha/en/gbr/news/important-changes-to-priority-visa-services-offered-by-ukvi