theoldgit

There’s numerous reports in the local media regarding chaos and extensive delays at Manchester both on arrival and departure.

49 minutes ago, actonion said:

I recently asked my Son in the UK to send my Debit card   to Thailand via Courier, thinking its safer, he said he had asked several Courier companies including DHL,  but  they said no  they will not accept any Bank cards, just wondering if in your case , you didnt have to disclose the contents ?

My bank in the UK sent debit cards for my wife and I before the previous cards expired, Santander International, no idea what they told DHL.

As our cards needed to be activated on arrival here, I'm not sure what the issue is.

Maybe send the card inside a book.

48 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said:

Not heard of anyone getting instantly approved. Have heard of other provincial offices taking 2-3 days. 

I used to get instant approval via the old version of the reporting website, but now two or three days.

No problem with two or three days, though was concerned first time I used it.

1 minute ago, Surasak said:

What you think you deserve and what you are likely to get are two different things. My understanding is, you would not be refused, but you could have a very long wait before treatment unless an emergency.

You would not be refused, or charged, for initial emergency treatment, but any ongoing or elective treatment would be charged at 150% of actual cost for expats, whether you're a UK taxpayer or not.

3 hours ago, bradiston said:

If you're on a UK state pension, definitely let DWP know. It will unfreeze your pension, if applicable.

Yes, The Philippines is one of the countries where State Pensions are uplifted anually, so certainly a good idea to advise the DWP.

5 hours ago, Will B Good said:

In my experience (UK) immigration only have one question in mind........what will ensure that she has to (or will want to) return to Thailand.

The question is about the US though not the UK.

There is certainly no such thing for the UK, in fact such an offer is specifically excluded in the guidance to UKVI decision makers, I suspect the same applies for US applicants.

I live on the outskirts of Hua Hin, last week I received a letter from my bank in the Isle of Man that was posted on the 3rd January, it arrived with some Christmas Cards.

Thankfully my bank are aware of the hit and miss issues when sending post to me here, and had phoned me to say the letter was on the way, they also sent the form we needed to complete via secure messenging, I don't know why they don't always use this method.

The completed forms were received by the bank seven days after I mailed them.

Bank Cards are always sent by DHL.

As others have said, it really depends where you live here. 

This forum is for those seeking advice for travelers from Thailand, I’ll move your question to the correct forum.

1 hour ago, sghanchey said:

https://AQ.in.th

 

That link is for those returning to Thailand, I’m pretty sure that the OP is seeking advice regarding a company who can advise on the current requirements for other countries when flying from Thailand.

Maybe the IATA website might be a good place to look.

Another option is to transfer funds via Bangkok Bank in London, you can choose to send in Sterling or Thai Baht.

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/Personal/Other-Services/Transfers/Transferring-Into-Thailand/Transfer-money-from-UK-to-Thailand-via-London-Branch

1 hour ago, Brick Top said:

I would have preferred that it went to the Consular team , I have heard from my neighbor yesterday ( who is the ex Australian consulate) that as of April 5th  British passport can be renewed in Phuket . I am very well aware of the existing procedure of having to go to Bangkok in person.  Also I am aware of lots of older posts regarding this issue , I read the two Asean Now  newsletters in full every day and have lived here 21 years.

 

Whilst you're waiting for a response from the Consular Team, though has been pointed the renewal of passports isn't a Consular issue, maybe I can help you by confirming that personal appointments for the renewal at the HMPO offices can only currently be made in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

A number of agents have popped up, up and down the country, who will for a fee, typically 5,000 Baht on top of the HMPO fee for renewal and courier delivery from the UK to the Visa Application Centre, deliver your application to the HMPO's agents, and collect the new passport on your behalf.

I suspect it's one of the private agents that your friend refers to.

I note from your screen shot that the Consular Section states that forum members can respond to questions, maybe this is why other members have tried to be helpful and responded.

Troll post reported, and removed.

I wish you every success, though it’s worth pointing out that an agent who can complete the necessary paperwork for a British Passport for a UK National, may not necessarily have the skills required to obtain a UK Visa in the circumstances you describe.

As I say I wish you and your ex girlfriend every success, do let us know how she gets on.

You've asked this question twice, I'll close this thread.

9 hours ago, Captainchaos said:

Yes I understand she needs to show ties and a good reason to go home again after her visit, this is why I was saying she has a son in thailand and land and a home ( owner) . My son lives with her in Thailand ... I just thought our son would be more comfortable on the long flight to thailand with hi mother there with us , hence the need for a visa for her . I can show bank statements showing enough funds to well cover her visit to the UK. .. show my rent agreement and any other requirements.  I was hoping maybe someone else applied with similar circumstances and coukd advise or is it pot luck after showing all required . Thanks for the advise 

It's a sad fact that many mothers leave children with grandparents in Thailand to travel to "the promised land" in an attempt to make their fortune, I'm not suggesting that your childs mother wishes to do this, but it will be at the back of the ECO's mind when considering her application.

If you are going to fund her trip, not only will you need to satisfy the ECO that it's affordable but that it's reasonable to do so.

Whilst supplying details of your rented property will show that they have somewhere to stay during the proposed visit, it doesn't address the main issue of "reasons to return".

I can't stress enough that her reasons to return are very important, and you seem to accept that, she will need to satisfy the ECO is better off in Thailand than by overstaying in the UK. You say she has a house, how does she support herself and two children?

I wouldn't describe the proccess as pot luck, but the ECO, who are not based in Thailand, will need to be satisfied that she has sufficient reasons to leave the UK at the conclusion of a visit.

You mentioned an agent, a reputable agent would certainly help the lady present a compelling case, but she needs to be careful who she chooses, some will offer the earth but let you down, they don't come cheap.

The first thing you need to get your head round is that you don’t get a holiday visa for your ex and your son, it’s her that needs to apply for a Standard Visit Visa, and it’s her that needs to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer, the person who makes a decision on her application, that her proposed visit is genuine, affordable and that, on the balance of probabilities, she will leave the UK at the conclusion of her visit.

Does your child live with you in the UK or with his mother in Thailand?
 

As well as stating the reason for her visit, and how she will finance it, she needs to demonstrate her ties to her home country, often referred to as the reasons to return. This could be employment, housing and the like.

If you intend to finance her trip, you will need to demonstrate that it’s affordable and reasonable for you to do so.

On 3/13/2022 at 1:52 PM, overherebc said:

Only thing new I can see is ETIAS requirement pre travel.

New this year?

Now scheduled for 2023 I understand.

https://etias.com/

This is the advice from Delta, does it help?
 

https://www.delta.com/us/en/advisories/airports/icn-advisory

As the main part of your query seems to be regarding your return to Thailand, I'll move your post to the Thailand Forum.

The current rules for England are here travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-covid-19, you will need to complete Passenger Locator Forms before you travel.

As you point out the rules could well change before your travels, probably a few times for Thailand.

@bluebananaI transferred 95k out of Thailand today via the K+ App, took a couple of minutes to reach the Bank in Singapore.

I think the daily limit is US$49,999, well over 1.5m THB.

On 3/9/2022 at 1:47 PM, shortstop2 said:

Some banks will say you have to buy their life insurance in order to open an account.

I don't think any banks actually require this, but some staff will certainly say you can only open an account if you buy insurance from them, for which of course they earn commission.

A few of my friends have been succured into this route, a number of whom found the policies were useless in the event of a claim.

1 hour ago, kidneyw said:

I have two children, so did it twice. It was quite painless and the Embassy staff were very helpful.

Mind you, this was over twenty years ago.

It's worth reminding members that the UK Embassy now play no part in the renewing or issuing of new passports.