knortyboy

Great news - Her visa was issued

She returned home today and checked her passport to find it contained her settlement visa. Her friend who took delivery of the documents from the courier company looked last week but couldn't see it She was looking for a small stamp the same as is issued upon arrival at immigration. I could of lived without the fews days of stress and worry but am too happy to be angry with her.

For anybody else applying or waiting recently the dates etc. are as follows.

Morning 11th February - Paper only application handed in at VAC. 35 -45 minutes wait.

Afternoon 11th February - SMS informing her of application forwarded to embassy.

Morning 12th March - SMS informing her that application had been processed.(21 days)

Afternoon 12th March - SMS informing her that passport passed to courier company.

Afternoon 15th March - Courier company deliver passport/supporting documents.

A very big thanks to everyone who took the time to answer all my questions and evrybody else on the forum, as reading other posts has help me a lot too.

My wife was notified that her passport had been passed to the courier company on the 12th March(Friday) and it was delivered to her house in Pattaya on the 15th March(Monday). Not bad for 300bht.

Hope that helps.

Hello.

My wife has just had her settlement visa refused .

I don't know why yet as she's visiting her family and will not get back home to read the reason for refusal letter until Tuesday. Her friend took delivery of her documents and checked her passport but cannot read English to a high enough standard to explain the reason.

I'm just thinking ahead if an appeal is needed and see on the UKBA website that when an appeal is lodged, an ECM will review the decision to refuse the application in light of the notice of appeal and any supporting documents and if then satisfied that the application meets the immigration rules may overturn the original decision.

My question is, does this happen often and presumably this does not take anywhere near the 1 year timescale qouted?

Settlement applications are taking 4/6 weeks.

My wife had notification that her settlement visa application was processed and passport sent to the courier company today, 21 working days since handing in the application.

Handed paper only application in and was accepted no problem at all.

Took about 35 minutes.

Opens at 08:30 hours, same as VFS office.

My wife submitted her application on the 11th Feb. No news yet

I wonder if the 2 day closure of the Embassy on the 8th and 9th Feb has caused a small backlog.

Tel: +66 2 234 7950-5

This number is incorrect.

It should read: +66 2 234 7950 1

Apologies if it's wrong, I just cut and pasted the information directly from the VFS centre's website.

I may be the one who is wrong. It does, as you say on the VFS site state that the number ends with a 5. I was reading it off of the PDF that you have posted a link to, and that I have seen elsewhere.

Maybe both numbers work.

Tel: +66 2 234 7950-5

This number is incorrect.

It should read: +66 2 234 7950 1

Tel: +66 2 234 7950-5

This number is incorrect.

It should read: +66 2 234 7950 1

2 settlement applications handed in yesterday (1/2/10) Both paper not online. No problem just long A wait 3 hours.

We only do on line applications as far as i was aware this was all the accepted, as they turned away two this last year on paper.

Now I'm still unsure. Ahh well T.I.T.

Thanks for the replies.

As I'm not able to print off the application after completing it online I'll have to chance a paper only submission. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hello,

Anyone applied for a settlement visa recently without doing the online application first?

I have a secure internet connection but don't have a printer, so was hoping to just make an appointment for my wife to hand in a paper application only.

Thanks,

Knorty.

Was he a farang or Thai?

OK - I have done this process for couples many times - mainly English, Australian and Irish couples and a few foreigners to Thais - the reason being as we have to go from Pattaya to Bangkok whichever Embassy the couple can sign the paperwork and then leave me to it, doesn't waste their holiday time!! Never had a problem at all, even when I forgot the passport copies for MFA - the supervisor agreed to let the paperwork be done (only once, I have never forgotten again!!)

I don't remember paying more than Baht 150 at Banglamung office for the marriage registration.

Compared to agents I am cheap - maybe I will have to add more on to my prices

For me it is a good excuse to have a night or two in Bangkok.

Hi,

I'm planning on getting married next month and would be interested in using your services, subject to cost, to sort out the paperwork in bangkok(GF wants to marry in Pattaya) but I need to go up to Chiang Rai for a few days at the start of my trip and you could really save me some time.

Can you explain what is required etc. and costs involved.

I arrive 6th Feb and it'd be good to get married the 15th or 16th if possible.

Thanks,

Knorty.

I am looking for a LATE NIGHT expats club.

Plenty of those around!!!!

What prices were you qouted and where in LOS?

Grand sole hotel, I believe.

I suggest you avoid Q Cars

Can you explain why?

I'm with Jingthing. I don't see or have any problem with anybody visiting etc. The few Russians I've had any contact with have, for the most part been pretty easy going, good natured and friendly.

The only strange thing I've noticed about them is why they feel the need to borrow cigarettes when drinking. It's like they don't want to buy a full pack.

massive sex industry in Pattaya.

What massive sex industry?

The reason to return is totally different from you as a sponsor funding the trip.

Are we to presume that your fiancee wishes to go to the UK for a holiday? if so, as you have suggested, she needs to demonstrate that she has a reason to return to Thailand after her trip, job, studies, property and the like.

Your original question was about sponsorship and that's what others have given you advice about, but the issue of her return is certainly something she needs to address.

If he is submitting a Vaf 1 form we presume its for a holiday however clarification would be useful as suggested.

Thanks for the replys.

To clarify, Yes she will be coming for a holiday on a visit visa(if granted).

The point about 'reason to return' was intended merely to show that this point is difficult to prove, (we have known each other for two and a half years so hope that the strength of relationship will be enough to satisfy the ECO) and I/we don't want to answer any question on the VAF1 form with an answer that could be wrongly interepted, hence the question. It asks what funds will sponsor GIVE, and as previously stated I am covering all costs involved so won't actusally be GIVING any money directly.

They will need to see the funds available in her bank to show she can fund the trip herself for example.

But if you are funding it your bank statements will verify you have sufficient funds to maintain and accommodate her whilst in the UK.

Yes, I understand and have that all covered. What I'm looking for is a way to answer the question truthfully as I'm not actually giving her any money.

We have the common problem of proving 'reason to return' and I don't want to give the ECO any excuse to refuse her VV on an incorrect or ambiguous answer.

Can someone advise me as to the best response to question 5.18 on form VAF1?

The question is as follows:

If someone other than yourself is paying for all or any part of this visit, how much money will they give you?

Please also explain why they are paying for all or part of your visit.

I am covering all the costs involved for my fiancees visit as she is not able to afford it on her own, (usual story) and will not actually be giving her any money directly.

Is an acceptable answer:

Fiancee will cover all costs as I am unable to fund the visit myself.

It doesn't really seem to answer the question. The only other answer I could come up with was to estimate what the cost to me of her visit would be, and give that figure. It still doesn't seem correct as I will not actually be giving her the money.

Would a better answer be:

As I am unable to fund the visit myself my fiancee will give me £XXXX to cover all costs.

Thanks,

Knorty.

A bizarre aspect of these interviews is that, notwithstanding all the "life in the UK" and knowledge of English requirements to gain ILR or British Citizenship, if the applicant indicates a preference for another language, the Passport Agency will provide an interpreter!!!

Joined-up government, or what?

I guess in these politically correct times the government are affraid to appear racist.

BTW - I am a bloody good cook

and modest with it.