theoldgit

6 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

The heading and the contents of the article repeatedly calls it a Visa; 

"The European Union announced this week a new security program that would mandate U.S. passport holders to obtain visas before traveling to any of the visa-required countries, including Spain, France and Greece."
"Before you secure your flights to your European destination, visit the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The earlier you apply and are approved for the visa, the sooner it will arrive,"
"The visa, which will cost about $8"

Yes l know that the Yahoo story mentions visas but the fact remains the Electronic Authorisations are just that, authoritarian to travel and will only be available, and required, for those who can travel visa free.

You quote Yahoo an saying “the sooner you apply and are approved, the sooner the visa will arrive”, it’s worth noting that the system isn’t up and running yet, and applications are not able to be made just yet.

6 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Was about  time. Always felt bad about the stringent US requirements while there were none on the EU side.

The ETIAS that’s being finally being rolled out by the EU isn’t a visa, it’s an Electronic Travel Authorisation that mirrors the ESTA used for travel to the US, along with similar systems currently running, or about to be, in a number of other countries.

These do not take the place of the visa requirements by some countries or by various classes of travellers.

On 7/28/2023 at 3:48 PM, proton said:

This is what they should do with illegal arrivals and over stayers in the UK- make it a deterrent, not a 3 star hotel.

Certainly not as bad as Thai IDC’s but not all illegal arrivals to the UK are put up in 3 star hotels.

14 minutes ago, clearance said:

You can see the name attached to a card in the mobile application in the card details.
But the better option is to apply for a virtual card (in the same app). It is more secure because you can set separated limits for a virtual card and you can re-issue it at any moment if you feel that data is compromised. 

But the virtual card can be problematic if the carrier wishes to see the card that was used for the booking when checking in.

Some carriers specifically exclude booking using virtual cards, probably only a few have this restriction, and then only hit and miss, but you do need to check

1 hour ago, vinny41 said:

There are border checks in some European countries they are listed here

https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-area/temporary-reintroduction-border-control_en

 

Indeed, as l said earlier

1 hour ago, theoldgit said:

There are no regular immigration checks at member state borders, but they do have them occasionally, we’ve encountered them on trains.

3 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

You can very simply book hotels that charge upon arrival and can be cancelled without penalty. Same for airline tickets.

Yes you can, there’s all sorts of ways to circumnavigate the rules if it’s that important for you.

32 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

You're talking about intentions. You can apply at any Embassy you want, telling them you intend to stay there the longest. Once you're in Europe, nobody checks nor care through which Embassy you got your visa. For my last trip to Europe I planned flying and staying only in 1 country. However I realised it will be much easier and faster to apply at an embassy of another country, and that's what I've done. Upon arrival at my actual intended destination I was asked by the IO why have I applied through another country when I'm actually visiting his. That was the first time ever I was asked this question, even though I always do it the same way. I simply answered "changed my plans" and I was stamped in.

Not just intentions you need to supply evidence of your stay that matches the application.

My wife had an application refused by the French as we were spending one night longer in Italy, which equated to a few hours, than we were in France, despite the fact we were flying to Paris from Bangkok as well as flying home from there.

Yes, once you have your visa you can pretty much travel within the Schengen Area at will.

There are no regular immigration checks at member state borders, but they do have them occasionally, we’ve encountered them on trains.

From the official Schengen Info website:

• If you are going to visit only one Schengen country, file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa centre of that country
• If you are going to visit more than two Schengen countries, file your application:
  • At the embassy/consulate/visa centre of the country where you will spend most days if you will be spending an unequal amount of days in each
  • At the embassy/consulate/visa centre of the country where you will step first, if you will be spending an equal amount of days in each

1 hour ago, GinBoy2 said:

So if I'm right, and this might interest me as an American, am I right in saying that if I wanted to travel to Europe with my Thai wife, I should simply apply in a Schengen country with the lowest rejection rate?

 

Now my wife is a US Permanent Resident, so I think that helps a lot, but we have wanted to visit Iceland for a long time, then we could visit with her cousin in Sweden. So apply in Iceland and we're off to the races!

 

Is that how this works?

Not quite that simple, you have to apply via the Consulate with jurisdiction for your main destination, ie where your going to spend the longest time.

If you intend spending an equal amount of time in both countries she would need to apply via the Consulate with jurisdiction for her point of entry into the Schengen Area, so that could be Iceland.

If you intend spending longer in Sweden, than she would need to apply via the Swedish Consulate, either way she would need to supply travel and accommodation details for the complete stay.

Incidentally applications for visas for Iceland are processed by the Danish Consulate in Thailand, though I believe Iceland processes applications in the US.

During a trip there a few years ago we were surprised just how many Thai tourists there were, though they were outnumbered by the Chinese, stunning country.

Off topic and unhelpful troll post removed.

Offensive troll post reported and removed, along with some quoted replies.

Insulting troll post has been reported and removed.

Troll post reported and removed

On 7/19/2023 at 2:53 PM, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Do you have a Thai bank account in your name? A copy of a statement with your name and Thai address may work.

Failing that, do you have a statement from a mobile phone account that is in your name? 

 

 

I’m with Santander, they wouldn’t accept a mobile phone or credit card bill, but they did accept a Kasikorn statement that l downloaded via the K+ App.

As this a Thailand related topic, rather than for visas for other countries, I’ll move the thread to a more appropriate forum.

17 minutes ago, RHCP said:

..but don't really share your view about the income level. For example we can survive OK on a lower total income than proposed without, in my case, resorting to state support. Furthermore if they deem that a 'living' income of at least £26,200 is necessary (incidentally in the report they said "still exceptionally low" so if they had their way the figure would probably be in excess of £30k) then why is the state pension and/or support benefits nowhere near their proposed income figure?

 

I read on another site that it could be questionable raising visa fees purely to fund public sector salaries which is what Sunak has announced and could potentially be open to a legal challenge although I won't hold my breath on that possibility.

The salary requirement is always going to be contentious as a one size fits all figure doesn’t actually mean anything, maybe it should be assessed on affordability, as it used to be, but that wouldn’t allow “tick box” decision making.

The £26k figure is still well below the current average earnings figure, which is in excess of £30k.

A good question regarding the legality of using the increased visa fees, which in the most part already cost more than it costs the UKBA to process applications. 

3 hours ago, RHCP said:

Among these proposals are 3 recommendations directly affecting this thread:

 

·       Raise the minimum combined income threshold to £26,200 for sponsoring a spouse, in line with work visas.

·       Raise the minimum language requirement to B1 (intermediate level).

·       Raise the Immigration Health Surcharge to £2,700 per person, per year.

 

 
I personally don’t think the first two suggestions are unreasonable, but the suggested increases in the NHS Surcharge for immigrants who are more than likely paying UK income tax and making National Insurance contributions in their own right certainly are.

As I’ve mentioned previously Sunak has a history of using this route which would appease the Daily Mail readers and Brexit fans.

All the previous answers are spot on.

There are few, if any, visa processing centres in a High Commission.

I’ll close the thread due to the question being answered.

Nonsense troll post removed.

Nonsense troll post reported and removed.

@KUGSyour post is discussing visas and residency in Thailand, but you have posted in the Visas to other countries forum, non Thailand, I’ll move your post to a more appropriate forum.

As has already been pointed out there is already a long running thread on this subject.

Nonsense troll post removed

On 6/30/2023 at 8:27 AM, Shannoblic said:

Although UK State pensions are not taxed [they are below the tax threshold] the Government adds them to any private/forces etc. pensions you have.  This usually takes you over the tax threshold [set at £12,570 for the 23/24 tax year]

And they do this by reducing the Personal Allowance by the amount of the State Pension thus ensuring that the tax is collected at source by, in my case, my Pension Provider.

The Personal Allowance has been frozen until, and including, the 27/28 years, the media is reporting that many middle income taxpayers, including pensioners, are being dragged into the 40% tax bracket as a result of this stealth tax.

17 hours ago, Polar Bear said:

It wouldn't even automatically guarantee them a UK visa, let alone citizenship and a passport. But once you get the visa, and you live in the UK for at least 3 years, pass the tests and so on, then they can apply for citizenship. 

After five years, not three, Indefinite Leave to Remain can be applied for, after which the Citizenship process can start.

Just to be clear the new Electronic Travel Authorisation is being rolled for travellers who don’t need a visa to visit the UK, Visa Nationals will still need to apply for Entry Clearance, a Visa, to travel to the UK.

The ETA application costs £10 with similar schemes already in operation in a number of countries, including the USA and Australia, and shortly in theEU.

I’ve removed a troll post.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta