ilgitano

Total fees in addition 2000 + 24 (photocopying) + 85 = 2109 THB, don't see any additional (£55) fee invoiced or quoted.

There is a $80 additional User Pay fee quoted, which I missed out. I don't have a receipt for it. So instead of them owing me $67, I owe them $13. mea culpa, about 450 THB, to come off the 10000 THB, still giving 9550 THB though.

It looks like the GBP to USD conversions at the VAC have a 5% markup.

1 hour ago, 7by7 said:

Ok, the following is what you would have paid had you and your wife prepared and submitted the application yourselves.

 

Visa fee £1464, charged in USD (using the rate charged by your agency); 1808 USD

NHS surcharge £600, charged in USD (using the exchange rate as above);  741 USD (Unlike the visa application fee, this is refunded if the application is refused.)

Total: 2549 USD. At todays exchange rate of 33.09 baht to the dollar, that's 84,347 baht.

 

In addition, there is a surcharge of £55 for using the Chiang Mai VAC rather than travelling to Bangkok. Using today's Sterling/Baht rate of 44.88 baht to the pound, that's 2468 baht.

 

Total so far in baht: 86,815 baht.

 

In addition, there is an optional settlement scanning service. All documents submitted in support of a settlement application have to be sent to Sheffield where settlement applications are processed. Applicants can opt to either send their physical documents, or have them scanned by VFS and the scans sent instead. The cost of this service is 2000 baht.

 

So, if used, that brings the total payable to UKVI and VFS to 88,815 baht.

 

There are other user pay services as well, see here, but if an agent is handling the application I see no need for any of them.

 

All of the above must have already been paid; either when the online form was submitted or when your wife attended her appointment at the UKVAC.

Prices actually increased (again) in april, and VAC in thailand takes payment in USD. I have copies of those receipts from visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. My wife was there during submission, and had cash in hand to pay any additional charges, from memory 2000 THB scanning charge. Got a receipt for that. I have no knowledge of the £55, though I have seen it on websites. I can only assure you that my wife would have been required to pay it, not the agent.

Application cost was $1992 USD, IHS surcharge $816 USD. No receipt for £55 or equivalent, but my wife may have that.

Total paid $2808, shown on receipts from visa4uk.fco.gov.uk. Closer to 94000 THB in total than the 84000 you calculate. The agent hasn't inflated those.

$2875 was paid in USD to their USD account, $2808 was used. That leaves $67, about 2200 THB, and they wanted another 10000 THB because the currency 'has been fluctuated', so at this point I figure I'm 12200 THB in credit. I'm looking for an assurance from them that that is the case, to be credited to the 35000 final fees.

Yes, 35000 THB is going to add over a third to the total cost, which I've agreed to. 47000 (50% markup) was not agreed.

Is it possible to change the passport delivery address? Any fees for that?

Ok, I've started an email dialog, asking what the final amount will be and putting down what I understand it to be.

Their email reply basically said that they'll tell me what to pay when they have the passport in hand, with of course the vignette ticking down, tickets bought and paid for etc. Not liking the look of this so far. Fastest email response I've had from them.

So, can I get the passport return address changed away from the visa agency and deliver direct to my wife? If it's possible, how much?

I have the actual application reference numbers and all, but probably won't be able to do it online as the agency will have the account passwords.

------

Follows is roughly what I copied the agency:

1875 USD deposited to their USD account, to pay VAC fees

1808 USD actual VAC fees paid, difference 67 USD in out credit, about 2200 THB

10000 paid to cover currency fluctuations

  2200 actual USD fluctuation at time of payment, in our credit

35000 Fixed fee quote

---------

22800 Due on the day we pick up the passport.

10 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

Please don't name and shame the agent you're complaining about, I'd previously removed the location and now the full agents details.

Ahh, sorry about that. Didn't see your previous edit, thought I'd missed it out.

1 hour ago, 7by7 said:

Unfortunately, not all visa agents in Thailand come up to the high standard regulation requires in the UK. Even well known ones have been known to rip people off. I know of only one agent in Thailand who is also registered, and therefore regulated in the UK; the forum sponsors Thai Visa Express.

 

Though I cannot comment on the agent you used as I have no knowledge of them.

 

The important question is; are you 100% sure that your wife's application has definitely been submitted to UKVI?

 

If it has, then you have plenty of time to argue the toss with the agent over what you may or may not owe them.

 

Unless they used the same tactic as a certain Pattaya agency and convinced your wife ask for her passport to be returned to them once the decision has been made, and then hold onto it until they get their money!

The passport goes back to their offices, for 'convenience'. I'm sure the application has been submitted as my wife received email receipts for the fee payments from the Visa Application Center, and she was physically present for the submission, I think for biometrics. (And a further fee of round 2000 THB paid there for scanning and maybe biometrics)

2 minutes ago, 7by7 said:

As UKVI charge applicants in Thailand in USD than the actual visa fee paid can fluctuate according to fluctuations in the USD/Sterling exchange rate used by UKVI; but once it's paid, it's paid and UKVI will not come back to an applicant to ask for more.

 

 But I'm not sure who paid your wife's fee. The fee is usually paid by the applicant, or their sponsor, as part of the online application process; as is the NHS surcharge. Are you saying that you transferred the money to the visa agent and that they completed the application form for your wife and then paid her fees?

 

I think you need a long talk with the agency to find out why they want more money from you!

Yes, they paid the fees. I was assuming they would send me links to pay myself, but that is not what happened. The quote I accepted was a fixed fee for all services, with the actual (USD) fees to be paid by myself. I accept a reasonable markup to cover fluctuation (it did vary the other way by 67 USD) but would expect that to be deducted from the final fees.

Another problem is that they are very slow to respond to emails. The few calls I have attempted have never reached the right person.

On 12/09/2017 at 12:59 AM, theoldgit said:

You can ask for the visa vignette to be reissued if it doesn't fit in with your plans, you apply online, I haven't got the link to hand, but, as you would expect, there is a fee.

Any idea what the fee is? Under £100 would be worth considering.

Hi all,

We submitted our UK spouse visa application a few weeks back. I've used an agency in Chiang Mai to do everything, since I just didn't have time to do it myself, and to be sure I got everything right. They quoted me a fixed fee of 35000 THB, which seems fairly typical, and application center fees to be paid on top of that. The application center wants fees paid in USD.

Now the application fees initially quoted were 2875 USD, about 94000 THB at the time. I was told I could pay that as THB at 104000, about a 10% forex markup. Since I'm in the UK, and didn't have that much money in my wifes hands, I requested and got their USD account, and transferred 2875 USD directly to that.

The agency representative then came back and said that the exchange rate 'had been fluctuated' and 2875 USD is only 94000 THB, so I must pay another 10000 THB, taking it up to the 104000 quoted.

The final fees taken on the day by the visa application center were 2808 USD, 67 USD less than initially quoted, 2200 THB less.

So now the final visa costs through the agent has escalated by 10000 THB (and 2200 THB for the difference actually paid, which I'm sure is not going to be returned)

Is this normal procedure? The agency is a high profile one, and expensive, chosen to avoid exactly this kind of thing. They're always busy.

So my 'fixed fee' quote 'has been fluctuated' by about 33%.

The actual 35000 fee has not been paid yet, and I'm sure they'll be requiring it before they release her passport to her. Do I have any recourse here? Perhaps this is just a misunderstanding?

Thanks,

Looks like my best option is to get tickets now, and pay a bit more for a right to refund and change travel dates. Close to xmas, flexibility might be a problem.

Hi all,

Just made the visa application (last week) all fees paid, and from Chiang Mai.

I have an issue with the travel date we put on the form, and I'm wondering if I can change it, and if so how. I understand that we have one month to enter the UK from the date given on the visa. We set the date as 1st of december, which is three months from now. I said that as I read that the visa would take about 2 1/2 months, but the visa office tells me that a decision is likely to be 3-4 months.

Can I get them to change it to start one month after the visa is granted and her passport returned?

Coming off nadan pier on kho samed the last couple days, everyone is being made to pay 20 THB for "upkeep of the pier" is this legit? I haven't seen it mentioned on any of the guides or discussions.

If it's not legit what are the options to get it shut down? I'm guessing local high officials must be getting a cut of it, it's not a low profile thing.

Getting tired of being nickel-and-dimed all over the place.

On 26/11/2016 at 7:55 PM, brewsterbudgen said:

 

Make sure you're looking at the right test. The only UKVI approved A1 and B1 test, taken outside the UK is the IELTS Life Skills test. The only approved suppliers in Thailand are the British Council and IDP. For a student visa, a regular IELTS test is required, not Life Skills.

British Council may offer Life Skills tests in CM. IDP do not.

Do you have the details for the IH preparatory course?

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app
 

 

Details on the IH preparatory course are on this page: http://www.ihbangkok.com/exam-preparation/visa-exams-ielts-life-skills/

It is over five days before the test itself. I am told that the British Council does indeed do provide the life skills test in CM and offer a 30 hour preparatory in the week or so before the test. I am waiting on details for that.

Looks like redoing the test then.

I have conflicting information on doing the english test in chiang mai: some sources say that the test is only available for student visas, other sources imply that the spouse visa english test can be done in CM. Can anybody give me a definitive answer?

Also, International house in bkk offer a five day 3hr per day preparatory course prior to the test. Anything like that in CM?

On 25/11/2016 at 0:06 AM, rasg said:

Three year visit visas are no longer available.

What about 5 or 10 year? No longer available?

On 23/12/2015 at 6:32 AM, Richard W said:

Perhaps the Border Force correctly smelt a rat. She came on a visitor's visa, but to quote https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa , one can't use a visitor's visa to "live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits".

I know this is long past, but I take exception to that. It was her first visit to the uk, so that doesn't apply. Also she was not the only thai woman detained. Two others were detained with her for that entire time. And I was waiting in arrivals the entire time.

There was no deception. She had applied for a visa for a six month visit, to stay with her husband, me. First time, no ongoing pattern of behaviour.

29 minutes ago, rasg said:

Also my actual visa preference is a multi year (6mo/yr or less) visit visa. Does anyone think that is going to be possible?

 

The problem is it starts getting expensive if you get a refusal or a downgrade from, say a three year, to six months.

Still cheaper than the spouse route though. I accept professional legal assistance will be needed. In the end, it comes down to our word we have no interest in illegally staying over, and I'm off to a bad start with a one week overstay. Thaivisa seem to be confident that they can get any visa. Has anyone got one of these multiyear visit visas in recent times?

Good thing I decided not to be cocky and waited for the test result before submitting the application. Failed the english test. 

Back to the drawing board. Any good courses to prepare for the test in Chiang mai?

Also my actual visa preference is a multi year (6mo/yr or less) visit visa. Does anyone think that is going to be possible?

Bear in mind she failed a second visit visa due to a 1 week overstay on the first (due to my misunderstanding)

6 hours ago, rasg said:

I've found what I was looking for. Here is the email we received. I think I would wait!

... We strongly recommend that you wait until you have received your certificate to ensure that these details have been uploaded to our verification system that is accessible to the Home Office. 
 

Waiting sounds like a good idea. 

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

 

The British Council and IDP both provide IELTS Life Skills tests (A1 & B1) in Bangkok.  However, the tests are conducted in exactly the same way and the marking system takes about a week to process and be checked.   If you PM me, I may be able to provide more specific information for you.  Did she take the test at the British Council or IDP?

IDP (CP Tower, Silom Road, Bangkok)

12 hours ago, rasg said:

I don'l know if it's the same for Thailand as it is for the UK but my wife did the exam on the 8th Feb and received the email with the number that you need for the visa on the 9th Feb. The certificate took a week.

That is what I recall seeing somewhere, thanks for confirming. She just did the test this morning, and she asked about it but they said they don't. There are two organisations that do the testing, perhaps the other provides that facility. I guess we see what shows up in her email, or wait til the 24th for the certificate.

Have any idea what the pass rate is for these tests? She figures 50/50 she'll pass. She talked to a few people who are on their second and even third attempts to pass.

All the financials are done now, just the english test. Tomorrow bangkok.

Another question: There is a wait of one week to get a test certificate, for the english test. Now I thought I saw somewhere that they will pass or fail on the day of the test (tomorrow) and if you pass, they can give you a reference number or receipt that is good enough for a visa application. Is that true? I don't recall where I saw that, so I don't know if it's accurate. Otherwise I'll have to ensure the appointment is a week or so after the english test.

I fly thursday, and it would be good to get everything done and dusted on monday.

Thanks for your replies,

Checked with Nationwide and they will stamp copies while I wait at no cost, so that seems to be sorted.

Given the visa cost, I don't want to take a chance on translations, so I'll do that in BKK, when I get there. From memory there are plenty of translation shops in the foyer of the visa building. I don't think there is much to translate. I have marriage cert translation with me. That leaves Tabien Baan, and ID card. I'll be staying nearby.

Wait time for appointments (any visa except student visas) is 3 days right now.

Just need all the VAF4A financials signed now. Bank statements and payslips, and cover letter.

Gotta do the sponsorship cover letter as well.

I bank online, and I can see myself running into not being able to get the bank to certify the statements. It might be better to get a letter from my employer stating income and current employment status. Would that be good enough?

Any comments on what is happening in this link:

http://www.expatforum.com/expats/britain-expat-forum-expats-living-uk/248249-certified-bank-statements-experts-needed.html

FYI: electronic signatures have legal support since 2000 or so now. PDF documents can be electronically signed (genuine cryptographic signature, not just a pretty picture signature overlay, unforgeable) I've been signing contract/accounting form PDFs for years now. I notice that bank PDF statements are not cryptographically signed. My accountant did ask that I support the crypto signature with a scan of my paper signature. Does mean I would have to supply a memory stick with the statements on it with printouts.

@theoldgit My bank statements, I appreciate, have to be statements (and will be) I have no issue with that. I guess that effectively answers the question, since my wifes passbooks will be good enough on her side. The only thing I want to prove with those is that she has received support funds I've been sending over the years. Matching xfers sent from my account to hers.

@rasgI assume only my statements will need to be validated? Since financial requirements will be met entirely by me, based on income. That is a new one. Understandable in hindsight I guess, hope I can those from the local branch quickly. And I'm sure they'll want £5 a page. My payslips come by email, are prints of that good enough?

I recall seeing on support documents for visit visas that passbooks are good enough, but I haven't seen equivalent detail on support documents required for spouse visa. No clear comment that passbooks are good enough.

What happened with the overstay was a misunderstanding on my part. I had assumed that she had 6 months on entry to the UK. Like in thailand, a visit visa is 3 months from date of entry, and the UK up to about 2006 was like that. Since then though, the six months is from visa issue. She was issued the visa two weeks before coming to the UK. She left the UK 5 months and 3 weeks after arriving, six months and one week after the visa was issued.

I know, up to me to keep up with things like that.

With regards to translations and my nervousness with parting with that much up front: Failed applications will be refunded, £25 processing fee. Based on that I can just submit without translations, and they'll tell me to come back with translations if I need them. Authenticated translations are much cheaper in BKK than in CM, or translate them if I have time while in BKK.

All up fees look to £1185 visa + £500 2.5 years NHS, £1685 in total. I had incorrectly thought the NHS part was going to be £1000

Hi all,

This weekend I will be filling in a spouse visa for the wife. She has previously visited, for 6 months. I have a few questions:

1. For the visit visas I never bothered with translations. I never had any issues with that. Is the spouse visa any different? Are translations required?

2. For the visit visa, we supplied passbooks, but a friend is saying that bank statements are now required. Is that true?

3. Does the full spouse fee, some £1200 AND NHS surcharge (I don't know how much) have to be paid in full up front? I thought the NHS surcharge was collected later.

4. For her visit visa, she accidentally overstayed one week (my fault) and basically the visa comeback was why we don't get a partner visa, will this be an issue? She missed out on another visitors visa because of that.

4. Once all that is done, what is the appointment lead time.

I am heading over for a few weeks in a few weeks. She is in the process of getting her english test done and has just got the TB certificate. As far as I can tell, the rest of the documentation is much as for a visitors visa.

The fees, thousands, in full up front makes me very nervous.

Many thanks. Any answers appreciated.