theoldgit

6 minutes ago, sapson said:

This I presume includes UK passport holders returning home.

Yes

3 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Oh, re-read the OP. It says you need the proof BEFORE departure, so how could someone actually land in UK and get fined?

If the carrier doesn't check for compliance of the rule and allows a passenger to fly without proof of a clear test result, then, if the passenger then doesn't have a test result on arrival in the UK they are liable for a fine, as is the carrier for carrying a passenger without the required documentation, as they are already liable for a fine if they carry a visa national who isn't in possession of a valid visa..

12 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

I believe that is for airport fees, sometimes called PFC. Passenger facilities charge. I have heard of Airline staff who train it to Paris to avoid !

Those are charges imposed by indivual airports, and are included in the ticket price but usually itemised, the, considerably higher, APD, also included in the ticket price and itemised, is a Government Tax on all departing passengers, domestic and international. The APD has various bands, the further you fly, the more tax you're charged.
It's not just airline staff that travel to Europe to commence their flight, it has to be a seperate ticket, whereas we used to fly to the UK and usually have a side trip to Europe, we now fly to Europe and have a "side trip" to the UK, the savings are worth while, I suspect we're not alone. 

Just now, Peterw42 said:

Yes, but free is a mattress in a disused army barracks, hardly a comparison.

Of course it's a comparison, it's a matter of choice, and they're not all disused army barracks they do use hotels, my Durch friend was very satisfied with his free Thai accomodation in Phuket.

22 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

How is it dual pricing ? Its the same price for a foreigner or a Thai.

 

I doubt they are making any huge profit after meeting all the ASQ requirements, every 2nd room is empty, covid testing, PPE for staff, extra cleaning, transport etc

It's only the same price for a Thai if they choose to quarantine in an ASQ facility, otherwise it's free.

Bickering posts removed.

The UK Government have confirmed that from 4am on 15 January, they will be introducing pre-departure testing requirements for all inbound passengers to England. Passengers arriving by ship, plane or train will have to take a test up to 3 days before departure and provide evidence of a negative result before they travel.

This is the statement from the Minister confirming the start date and conditions.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/international-travel-update-11-january-2021

12 hours ago, Jofefe said:

Many thanks you all for the help and kind advise.

 

I'll try to change her name to make things easier. If it's not possible I'll show her Thai passport when departing/arriving from/to Thailand and if I find some problem I'll try to explain the situation.

 

Again, many thanks!

Even if you change the names, and the passports, you should still do the process I outlined in my previous post to ensure that the carriers are satisfied that she meets the immigration requirements of the destination country, in both directions. 

She should use her Spanish name to book the tickets.

At check-in in Bangkok she should show that ticket with her Thail passport, along with her Spanish passport, to show that she doesn't need a visa to enter Spain.

On exiting Thailand she should show her Thai passport when she passes through Immigration.

On arrival in Spain she should enter using her Spanish passport, as a Spanish citizen she has an absolute right to enter the country so doesn't need a visa, in fact she shouldn't even be issued one.

On checking in for her return she should check-in using her Thai passport, that shoes the check-in staff that she doesn't need a return ticket to travel from Spain to Thailand,  but exit Schengen Immigration using her Spanish passport, as she entered using that, on arrival in Thailand use her Thai passport.

Sadly there are a lot of people homeless at or near Heathrow, some even sleeping rough at the airport.

I suspect your friend doesn't want to intentionally put himself in that position, even though he could return to the UK if he so wished, I suspect things aren't as bad here as he thinks.

He may find this helpful. https://www.wearetrinity.org.uk/homeless-now/

15 hours ago, Upnotover said:

When they get around to it they will fill in some of the blanks, like what tests they expect, from GOV.UK today;

 

"Permitted travellers will need to take their test up to 72 hours before departure, and this will apply irrespective of whether a country is on the travel corridor list. The government will set out the standards that these tests will need to meet and what proof passengers will need to present."

The full statement from Grant Shapps, as @Upnotoversays, no doubt the full requirements will be published in due course, probably when arriving passengers are in the air.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mandatory-covid-19-testing-introduced-to-bolster-border-measures

19 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

I think there is wrong info being posted, you cannot convert a Visitor Visa to. Settlement Visa more so if you are currently in the U.K. If there is any truth can some one post a Gov. U.K. link showing the info ?

There’s certainly no inaccurate information being shared whatsoever, I’ve posted a link to the current advice from the UKBA, and Tony M has mentioned that it was previously permissible to exceptionally apply for Settlement from within the UK, if the applicant was genuinely unable to return home, I provided the link at the time and, like Tony M, I’m aware of a couple of applicants who took advantage of the concession at the time.

@HerbyJFlashwhilst I sympathize with your girlfriends wishes, I suspect that the argument that “if she returned home as planned that getting to see her again might be impossible for you” might not be considered exceptional circumstances, given that there are no travel restrictions for either of you, though there are hoops to jump through, and quarantine on arrival for you both.

Of course it’s not me your girlfriend has to convince, so don’t let me put her off if she wants to chance it.

Whatever next, these hospitals will be charging for carrying out a blood pressure test, weighing you and taking your temperature when you go to have stitches removed.
Many hospitals do seem to routinely charge for, what some would consider, unnecessary procedures as a matter of course. 

@HerbyJFlash This is the current advice from the UKBA, including the option to extend leave in exceptional circumstances, the UKBA will of course be aware that many Thai nationals and Expats return to Thailand every week.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents

7 minutes ago, Jumbo1968 said:

We have flown to BKK via Dubai from Newcastle n the past,  they never checked her passport before we left so no one would know if she overstayed not unless at the check in desk they would see it and report it.

Carriers, including all airlines, Eurostar and ferries, record the details of all passengers leaving the UK, they are required by law to forward the information to the UKBA, they in turn use that information to check against arrival records.

4 hours ago, AlexfromManchester said:

Does anyone know what is classed as legally permissible reasons for travel abroad? The only thing I can see is for work? Do you need to provide evidence at the UK airport? I am going as I am relocating but plan to apply for a work permit when I get over there. I currently only have a single entry tourist visa 

So you intend travelling to Thailand on a tourist visa, I suspect you may well be asked the reason for your trip at the UK point of departure, what will you say, "I'm hoping to find work in Thailand" or "I already of a job, but not the correct visa"?

"You can only travel internationally – or within the UK – where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home. In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting"
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

No, she can't convert her Standard Visitor Visa into a Fiancée Visa.

As to your second point, I think you were previously advised about the problems of your girlfriend staying for the full six months when claiming that she intended staying for 90 days in her application.
Whilst staying for six months doesn't breach any immigration rules, your concerns that doing so might cause her problems in any future application are justified.
When her application was considered, the decision maker would have taken account of all the facts she presented with her application, including any ties to her home country, if she decided to stay for double the period declared in her application, it may well cause the ECO to doubt the credibility of any future reasons to return.
If she decides to "overstay" she should explain her reasons for doing so in any future application. 

Nonsense troll post removed.

Unhelpful troll post removed.

16 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

I thought this had already been done.  The last I flew in October they were not serving refreshments or such on Bangkok Airways, you went to the lounge before the flight and ate it there.

Hot meals were certainly available for purchase on our Air Asia flight from Udon Thani to Hua Hin last month, that was in addition to the pre-booked meals that were dished out. 

Draft EU (Future Relationship) Bill

DraftEU (Future Relationship) Bill - Explanatory Notes

Happy reading

EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement 24.12.2020 - 1,246 pages

A number of unhelpful posts removed.

UK - EU Trade agreement SUMMARY