theoldgit

15 hours ago, Mike Teavee said:

• Would it be easier for her family in Germany to support her visa (they are only moving there this year, she is very close to them hence the topic has come up... Hubby is Dutch, wife is Thai with a Dutch(EU)/Thai passport,2 kids also have dual citizenship)
• Is there an easier EU country to apply for a Schengen visa to than Germany (as mentioned planning to visit France/Italy as well so can do these 1st but a pre-holiday trip to Spain/Portugal wouldn't be unwelcomed). 

She should apply via the consulate that juristiction for the member state of her main destination, not the one that is perceived to be easier.

If she plans to spend an equal amount of time in a number of member states, then she should apply via the consulate with juristiction for her entry into the Schengen Area.

If you plan on staying with friends or family then they'll have to formally invite her, if you plan on staying hotel then she'll need to provide evidence of booked accomodation for the duration of the trip, along with flights to and from Schengen and insurance.

Member States have different available finace requirements, it not only varies from State to State, but also whether you're staying in hotels or with friends and family.

If you can provide evidence that you're in a subsisting relationship here in Thailand, hence reasons to return, I really don't think she'll have a problem.

No real changes since Brexit for her, apart from the fact she could have previously applied for a free visa, with very little evidence, as the partner of an EU National living together in a subsisting relationship, via the Freedom of movement clause, you will have to ensure that your passport complies with the rules for other third party nationals, those have changed.

A number of troll posts removed.

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

I have the same card.

Paid 200b extra to get my name printed on it, took a week.

I used to have one of those with my name, but when I renewed I was advised that they no longer offerred the facility.

When I use the card online I use my own name rather than "privileged member".

58 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

Can anyone advise if having a Thai wife who's never lived in the UK or been involved with NI payments would be relevant to an application for a UK pension being made now?

 

As I understand it they're not eligible for anything any more. Or are they?

Nothing from a State Pension, but some private pensions will pay a widow or widower a pension following the demise of the person in the scheme.

A number of inflammatory and off topic posts removed.

This is the official website for evisas for those nationalities that require them, which cost $25 as opposed to the €79 via the agency previously listed, the information the agency provides is, however, helpful

 https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/web/guest/home

Thai Visa Centre deals with visas for Thailand, not overseas, is that what you’re asking about?

My Visa Debit Card is issued by Santander International, for some reason they regard card transfers to Wise as a cash advance and have a daily limit of £500.

Funding a Wise transfer via a bank transfer is cheaper than using a debit card and £9k is well under the Wise transaction limit.

I’ll move your question to the correct form.

You’ve posted in the forum for visas to countries other than Thailand, I’ll move your question to the appropriate forum.

This is the current advice from the UKVI website "

"UKVI is prioritising Ukraine Visa Scheme applications. Applications for family visas may take up to 24 weeks to process.

You should get a decision within 24 weeks once you attend your appointment at the visa application centre, if you are applying to settle in the UK as the spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or is settled in the UK.".

This anouncement was made in March regarding the priority services, as far as I'm aware it's still current "UKVI are currently prioritising applications made under the Ukraine Family Scheme, As a result, UKVI have temporarily suspended priority and super priority services for all non-visit routes". 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-uk#join-family-in-the-uk

No doubt members will post their own experiences.

On 6/11/2022 at 11:52 AM, plus7 said:

Do you know if there a way to get Schengen visa application date faster? Currently VFS Global offers visa application appointments on August.

VFS's phone support doesn't know about it.

You're aware that the Finnish Consulate handle visa applications for Estonia, as the Estonian Consulte doesn't yet handle visa applications.

As you say, there are no appointment slots available until 4 August, and there is a warning on the website to that effect.

As you are required to obtain a visa via the Consulate with jurisdiction for the Member State you wish to visit, you can't shop around for a member state with an earlier appointment. 

21 hours ago, proton said:

EU law states you have a right to apply to the Embassy in person, they try to send you to VFS but if you stand your ground and show them a print out of the law they will give in. Did this at the Italian Embassy, well office. 

Yes you do have that right, but I understand that right will be withdrawn in the near future.

The Finish Consulate, who handle visas for Estonia do offer direct bookings, via VFS, you can't just pitch up at the Consulate, but there are currently no direct bookings available, which is pretty much the norm.

Which Schengen Member State are you visiting?

As you're asking about flying into, rather than flying out of Thailand, I'll move your post to a more appropriate forum.

Strictly speaking you will need to be in possession of details of your travels out of Thailand if you wish to travel visa exempt.

I have seen people having problems at LHR when attempting to travel without a visa and in possession of a one way ticket, I have no idea how strictly this requirement is enforced. However whilst others may tell you that they've managed to fly without a visa using a one way ticket, it would be of little comfort to you if you're denied boarding.

Maybe consider purchasing a cheap one way ticket to a neighbouring country to produce if required. 

27 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I never cherry picked, he never said much else of interest. 

Apart from the rebuttal of your claim about Disney.

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

How old was your Filipino friend? 

I'm sure the ticket person had good reason to believe she was Thai. 

What would you consider a "good reason" to believe she was Thai?

She's in her forties.

As you aren’t posting about Visas to other countries, you’ve clearly posted in the wrong forum - I’ll move it for you.

Be prepared for some questions regarding your report, specifically where this happened.

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Mod can you close this thread. 

As requested 

Get well soon

Then there’s the 200 Baht fine for not wearing a helmet, which had he worn he may not have been identified.

9 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

 you want to speak to a real person you have to phone, toll free in the UK but you have to pay an arm and a leg to get to the UK (B800+) so far, and no human!

On the rare occasions I've needed to call the UK, I use mytello who charge 0.4 THB per minute, others swear by Sype.

9 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

That's because they are offshore banks, the complaints or criticisms on this thread are about UK banks.

Yes I think everyone realises that, but thanks for pointing it out.

But the questions I was helping with were, "can I have a UK Bank with a Thai address" and from the poster who sought clarification regarding the "International Department of Santander" - not every post is a complaint or criticism. 

1 minute ago, The Fugitive said:

Don't know how DWP convert U.K. State Pensions. 

They convert via Citi Bank in the US who handle the whole transaction, I understand their rates are competitive though there can be a delay if there's a UK or US Public Holiday.