theoldgit

There's already a, very, long running thread on this problem https://aseannow.com/topic/1234763-wise-transfers-not-being-processed-as-international-specifically-bangkok-bank/page/34/?tab=comments#comment-17000368 With the help of a senior, and very helpful, bank employee I received this advice from Bangkok Banks senior management, which they asked me to share, it was actully posted in the depths of the long running thread, but it may be of help and negate the need plough through all 34 pages. Have you asked Wise to tag your account to ensure that transfers through BKK Bangkok Bank, they still don't guarantee it 100% though? Guideline for obtaining a Confirmation Letter of Int. Funds Transfer (1).docx

No that's not correct, National Insurance contributions are paid into a fund, from which some state benefits are paid. This includes the state pension, statutory sick pay or maternity leave, or entitlement to additional unemployment benefits. This was made very clear to me when I wrote to the Health Secretary calling foul in the change of rules surrounding NHS charges for visiting expats of pensionable age, even though I hadn't mentioned NI contributions in my submission. The NHS is funded from general taxation, many of us pay substantial amounts of UK tax on their pensions, with many joining the ranks of the higher rate tax payers as the freeze in personal allowances bites over the next few years.

That's not strictly correct, when embarkation controls were abolished in 1994 there was no real control of who had actually left the country, The solution was the e-borders fiasco, which was supposed to keep a check on all arrivals and departures, it cost well over £830m, final estimates exceed £1.1bn, and failed miserably, the UKBA has a history of failed computer projects. The follow up solution was for carriers to record all those leaving the UK and to pass that information to the UBA, who would in turn pass onto relevent agencies and check for visa violaters, so UK Nationals are recorded when leaving the UK, but what if anything is done with that data is another question, one I suspect we all know the answer to.

Glad to see that you agree with the facts I've posted. Your wife went to A&E with a suspected fishbone in her throat, that was clearly an emergency and not ongoing treatment, so was rightfully treated free of chage. Friends of mine here in Thailand, a couple of whom happen to be forum members, were charged for ongoing treatment in line with the legal requirements, and I didn't feel the need to question their claims. Both are true, but I didn't feel the need to shout. I think we're done now.

No, if you return to the UK to live on a permanent basis, and can prove it, you're covered from day one.

I have absolutely no idea, maybe you could read their guidlines and report back, but the intructions are very clear. The Charging Regulations place a legal obligation on providers of 'relevant services' (which means accommodation, services or facilities which are provided, or whose provision is arranged, under the National Health Service Act 2006, other than primary medical, dental or ophthalmic services) to establish whether a person is an overseas visitor to whom charges apply, or whether they are exempt from charges. When charges apply, a relevant body must make and recover charges from the person liable to pay for the NHS services provided to the overseas visitor. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/742251/guidance-on-implementing-the-overseas-visitor-charging-regulations-may-2018.pdf

Some people manage to flout the charging legislation, many others don't, there have been numerous members posting on TV over the years stating that they've been charged in the UK for treatment.

There used to be a concession that Expat UK State Pensioners could receive ongoing NHS treatment when they were taken ill in the UK, this was withdrawn during the Cameron/Clegg Coalition Government, and Jeremy Hunt subsequently introduced the charging legislation, to much applause from the Daily Mail and Sun readers. I wrote to the Secretary of State at the time, as I'm sure many of us did, calling foul, I was advised that the NHS is funded by general taxation, with the NI payments funding benefits. I responded saying I was aware of that and that's why I didn't mention it in my submission, adding that I paid thousands of pounds a year in tax so I was in part funding the NHS, they responded that they would put my views forward to the policy department, I knew that would be the end of it.

Good to hear that your sister works for a hospital that doesn’t apply the current legislation. I hope your plans to circumnavigate the published and well reported rules work out for you.

Not a load of tosh at all, whilst anyone can get treatment at an NHS Casualty Dept in the case of an emergency, it’s highly unlikely that if somebody suffered a major trauma or a heart attack in Thailand that they would be in a position to fly to the UK for free treatment, even if a carrier would fly them. Those with ongoing health conditions, unlike the condition the OP sadly has, would not receive ongoing treatment in a Casualty Department and would be charged for the full cost of treatment, plus 50%. Did you actually read the Government guidelines?

@SteveyYou might want to contact the RBL here in Thailand, they have a tremendous support network and a number of caseworkers here, I'm sure they'll be able to offer some meaningful advice.

Troll post removed.

You are not covered for free NHS Treatment unless you are actually resident in the UK, it doesn't matter if you left the UK thirty years ago, or thirty days ago, unless to can prove that you're actually resident, apart for certain conditions, you're charged 150% of the actual cost of treatment, even if you're a UK taxpayer. NHS Trusts are obliged by law to implement the charges. If you can prove that your returning to the UK to settle, you're covered from day one. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-the-nhs-charges-overseas-visitors-for-nhs-hospital-care/how-the-nhs-charges-overseas-visitors-for-nhs-hospital-care https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/742251/guidance-on-implementing-the-overseas-visitor-charging-regulations-may-2018.pdf

Both, if you apply yourself then you submit the application to VFS in Asoke, if you use an agent then they deliver the application to VFS and also collect the new passport. The current delays advised by HMPO are applicable in both cases. The only real benefit of using an agent is saving the trip to Bangkok, for those up country that can be cost effective.

Well I have been treated extremely rudely by a very unprofessional Immigration Officer, I'm glad to hear that neither you or your friends have had the same experience as me.

The UK guidance clarifies the requirements pretty well when it says: You must be able to prove that you’ve been fully vaccinated under a vaccination programme with approved proof of certification. If you were vaccinated in another country or territory, the table below gives examples of what you can use as proof of vaccination. Vaccine certificates only If the table below says you can use a ‘Vaccine certificate’ as proof of vaccination, the following rules apply. The vaccine certificate must be issued by a national or state-level public health authority, be in English, French or Spanish, and include as a minimum: * your forename and surname(s) * your date of birth * vaccine brand and manufacturer * date of vaccination for every dose * country or territory of vaccination and/or certificate issuer In respect of arrivals from Thailand it simply states "vaccine certificate", the International Vaccine Certificate isn't mentioned and neither is the App, just the vaccine certificate. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countries-with-approved-covid-19-vaccination-programmes-and-proof-of-vaccination

No, the HKG option ended when the UKPA opened their facilty with VFS. You don't need to use an agent to deal with VFS, most people don't, but using an agent can be cost effective if you don't live near an Application Centre. Some people apply online and use a UK address, and get the resident of that address to post the passport here, whilst doing so is not legal, some claim it does work, but it is risky.

It's been many years since the UK Embassy here were involved in the renewal of passports, I last renewed mine in 2013 and that was done via Hong Kong.

The jist of the OP's question is regarding a return to Thailand, so I'll move the post to the Thailand forum.

It's probably fair to note that there are a few agencies who offer an excellent service for the renewal of UK Passports in Pattaya and around the Kingdom. Key Visa certainly receives a number of recommendations for their passport renewal service, and probably rightly so, but they are most certainly not the only agency who carry out this service effectively.

In my time here I’ve rented three condos and a house, two condos from Thais via an agent, a house from a Thai and the other condo from a foreigner, on each and every occasion our deposit was returned in full and promptly.

This thread has nothing to do with Visas to countries other than Thailand, I'll move it to a more appropriate Forum.

Nothing to do with Visas to other countries, I'm closing this topic.

Bintabaht is all shuttered up, the only thing moving there is the tumbleweed blowing down the street.

You're asking this question in the wrong forum, as you're asking about your Thai Immigration status, I'll move your question to the Thai Immigration Forum.