theoldgit

What is your nationality, you probably don't even need a visa on arrival, you will just be stamped in for 30 days.

If its registered at the UK emmbassy then I'm sure it's legal and binding,if not then the UK will not acknowledge the marriage.

There is absolutly no need to register a marriage at the British Embassy, as Mario2008 correctly says, if the marriage is registered at the Amphur a marriage certificate is issued which is recognised by the UK.

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for...ister-marriage/

One other question - do you have to have bank statements translated? Obviously the numbers speak for themselves but the account name at the top is in Thai. Hope not - ready to go tomorrow and that would delay it by a day.

No need for translations, they have Thai staff who can translate if necessary.

Make sure they know you want the original documents back as you are applying for further visas, maybe a good idea to enclose copies in case they need to keep them

^^^^

So Lickey you will see that you qualify for a family visit visa as you will certainly be able to prove that you have live together in a relationship akin to marriage in excess of the two year requirement.

Minimum 6 months I would advise you get a new passport immediately.

I am really grateful for the professional clarification, it would be really helpful, for me and others, if you could supply the source of this information as the only advice I can find it that supplied by IATA on the Delta Airlines website states the passport must be valid for the duration of the trip.

http://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_webs...ubuser=DELTAB2C

However as everyone has already said I think a new passport would be the safest option.

First of all congratulations on the forthcoming wedding Lickey, your girlfriend shouldn't have any problems getting a visa but make sure she puts in a robust application and don't take anything for granted.

As you have been living together for the time you have you can apply for a family visit, so then in the unlikely event that a visa is refused you would then have the right of appeal.

Because you live in Thailand should make the application pretty straight forward but make sure you supply all the papers and proof of you together, add an index to the pack pointing out the various parts of the application so that the ECO doesn't need to plough through everything. In your covering letter explain that you are together and that your future is in Thailand, I would give copies of your permission to stay as well as details of your small-holding.

Your proven relationship coupled with the salon should be adequate to prove the reason to return but I would provide details of who is going to manage the business during your time in the UK, a mate of mine had his visa declined because he didn't do this and the ECO was concerned that he was abandoning the business. Have you travelled outside of Thailand together? if so provide details with corresponding passport stamps.

The letters from your family are not strictly speaking sponsorship letters, you will be the sponsor, but they build up a picture of the purpose of the trip and emailed letters are usually ok, but I would add the actual emails with the headers that proves you haven't simply written them yourselves, and yes include the invitation. Have a look at this regarding the supporting documents http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/images/VisitSpous...InThailand).pdf

Unfortunately a trip to Bangkok is required as the biometric details have to be taken when the application and supporting documents are lodged, even if you apply on-line. You can however have the passport returned by courier, so you don't need to wait in Bangkok for the result.

To sum up you should have no problem, just ensure that the application is easy to read and leaves no doubt as to the reason for the trip, your relationship in Thailand and the reason to return.

Yes, you can apply for a new passport in the UK and it's considerably cheaper, the details under "applying for a passport in the UK" http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for...ports/how-apply the only thing I am not too sure about is transferring the Thai extension stamps, though I presume you would enter with the old passport and new passport then get the stamps transferred.

The OP broke the law, so it's not a Civil matter it's a criminal matter. The information is freely available on the Thai Customs website and I suspect at most international airports and airlines so there is really no excuse.

It's certainly a warning to others that the Customs are not mugs and with less passengers coming through the borders they need to maintain the revenue flow from the passengers that are still coming here.

I suspect that the IO has made a mistake but having made the "go back to the US" remark I doubt if he would be mindful to rectify his error. Probably he didn't take kindly to your lawyer putting him right.

No it doesn't sound like a knock back, though it's very quick either way, maybe you have struck lucky as a result of the red shirts, ie less apps and they are catching up.

Think positive, there is nothing you can do now and you will know the strength of the application, good luck and let us know.

I don't understand the reference in the OP to "my student." Are you the representative of a registered educational establishment in the UK?

Most visa holders are asked few, if any, questions by immigration when entering the UK. They have a valid visa and so should be allowed in. The Immigration Officer may ask a few simple questions about the purpose of the visit, as evidenced by LindsayBKK, but unless they have reason to suspect that the visa was obtained fraudulently or the passenger's circumstances have changed since it was issued or similar then that is it.

If. for some reason, a longer interview is required then the passenger can request an interpreter.

7by7 i'm a little suprised at you. Generally your posts come accross as knowledgable & factual.

A visa gives one right to travel to a country, it does not give right of entry, as many have found out on arrival in LOS.

Wasn't there a fairly recent newsworthy case of a female being refused entry with a visa because she had previously had some drug offences in LOS? Just as one example.

And the answer given by 7by7 is factually correct and reflects the knowledge he has researched and built up over the years.

When a visa is granted that means that means the applicant has been cleared for entry into the UK and whilst you are correct in stating that entry can still be denied it can only be done so, as 7by7 has pointed out, it can only be done if the visa has been fraudulently obtained or there has been a material change in the applicants circumstances, and even then the traveller shouldn't just be put on a plane back to their home country as they have the right to an in-country appeal against the decision to deny entry. I am not aware of the case to which you refer but if a person had failed to declare a drugs conviction on the application then they could feasibly be refused on the grounds that she had failed to declare it.

Whilst your response is clearly well intended I think there is a danger that people could be unnecessarily concerned over their chances of being denied entry, the fact remains that you will be allowed to enter the UK providing your visa was correctly issued, though you might still need to convince the IO that the trip is genuine and they will be leaving the UK at the conclusion of the trip.

Copper in OZ would not accept my Thai license without an IDP.

He was of course wrong, though there is no point in arguing the point.

Visitors can drive using an overseas licence providing the details are in English, which a Thai licence is.

This is from one State, though I understand all the Sates have the same rules

http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/Assis...tional_drivers/

The words "p*ss up" and "brewery" spring to mind.

Yes, I have also used mine in the UK and France without question.

Try this guy

http://mrmooltd.com/index.html

Also consider the Heathrow express if times are tight ...peng but only 15 min to Paddi then circle line to the X....although assuming no rail works (check on net TFL for info) U should be OK on the Picadilly .......

I was also going to suggest the Heathrow Express, they run every 15 mins and it's a 15 min journey, you can book and print your tickets on-line. As you will have luggage I would suggest taking a cab from Paddington to Kings Cross, it's not too far and as you are travelling fairly late the journey would be quicker then the tube even though it's only five stops, but it would certainly be better than lugging your luggage up and down the stairs.

I agree with others that an overnight stop in London might be more relaxing, you don't want to spoil your trip by worrying about queues and train connections.

^^^^

Great, thanks for that.

The British Embassy is certainly open on 3rd May, and as VFS website only lists the closure dates of the embassy I assume they are open as well.

Correct me if I'm wrong. It is illegal to to send any passport overseas from Thailand. If you need to renew a passport you must go threw your embassy in your host country (Thailand). This is Thai law.

Not sure that it's against the law as certainly the UK Passport Processing Centre in Hong Kong requires residents of countries other than Thailand to send the passports being renewed to Hong Hong. As I said earlier the arrangements for those applying from Thailand to just send a copy only applies because of the reason I have mentioned.

You are not allowed to send you passport to the UK, where replacement passports are considerably cheaper, "for security reasons" but you can send to Hong Kong, so work that one out.

It's been stated on this thread that it's not necessary to send your old passport when applying for a new one in HK.

However, On the Passport documents link on http://ukinhongkong.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for...sport-documents

It states,

Renewing your passport or changing information in your passport

If you are applying to renew your passport or change information in it, in addition to the documents, you must also provide:

• your current passport or

• your old passport - the passport that has expired.

So which is correct, who has done what?

The information in the link I provided is the correct one as it specifically applies for those applying from Thailand, the link you provided is for those applying in Hong Kong and are actually in Hong Kong.

The procedures are different for those applying from Thailand because if the "legal requirement" to carry your passport at all time whilst in Thailand.

This is from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, where all the Diplomatic Missions are listed.

http://122.0.2.102/protocol/list_detail.as...e_code=11020001

My wife had/has a 'permanent leave to remain' sticker in her passport since 2002 but as we haven't lived in UK for more than 3 months a year for the past 2 years will it still be valid if we revisit UK or will she now require a tourist visa?

Sorry I'm not 100% sure about the requirement to spend time in the UK with permanent leave to remain though I think you neet to be out of the country for two years before you would encounter a problem, but that's only think.

I was just pointing out a potential problem with a visit visa, albeit one with a ten year validity where somebody spent more than six months in the UK.

The other thing to bear in mind is that a visa does not guarantee you entry, if the IO at the border notes that the visa holder has consistently exceeded the guidance of six months in the UK in a 12 month period then they could deny entry.

My wife paid an extra amount to be notified by text.

Yes I appreciate that, but the text only advises that the passport has been returned, it doesn't give the result of the application.

For the benefit of others, this is the details of the SMS service from the VFS website

SMS service - track your application

SMS and e-mail news updates will be sent to your mobile phone and your registered e-mail address provided in your application form, informing the status of your visa application. You will receive several automated messages to your mobile phone and e-mail informing you what stage your application is within the process. The service supports the transfer of SMS text into the language of your choice (Thai and English languages are available). At the end of the process you will receive an automated message informing you that UK Border Agency has made a decision on your visa application. You will not be informed on the outcome of the decision on your visa application.

You can buy this service for 75 Baht at the same time you submit your visa application form, supporting documents and biometric data at the visa application centre. The SMS service application form can be downloaded and completed before you visit the application centre by clicking here.

That said, I truly hope the application is successful

Not a settlement visa I know but my wife applied for her "tourist" visa on 21st april and she has just had a text today (30th april) saying it is approved and ready for collection.

So they may have their doors shut to the public but they are still working and therefore should be clearing some of their backlog which should please some people.

I am very suprised that the text said that the visa had been approved and was ready for collection, Visa Section normally return the passports to VFS in a sealed packet and the result is not known until until the applicant opens the pack, I will of course be more than happy to be proved wrong.

Just one point, the application centre is actually open for a limited time this afternoon, 15.00 - 16.30, for people who have been advised that their visa decision is ready.

Good luck.

But it wasn't the esteemed PM's fault he slagged off the lady in the privacy of his car, straight away he looked for someone to blame, in this case it was Sue, one of his advisers.

You have to remember Gordon can do no wrong, I can hardly believe there could be another four years of that <deleted> idiot at the helm.