smilingjim

Having read a great deal about this topic on this forum I made what I consider to be a comprehensive folder of documents in support of the application. I'm in the Uk at the moment working so can't be with her when she applies.

My fiance was worried about whether she had enough documents and went and asked them if everything was OK before submitting the application.

They told her she needed the following additonal items:

a) ID card - although she has a Thai passport. OK she can show this but why do they need it in addition to the passport?

The ORIGINAL title deeds for her PARENTS land.

I've never seen this mentioned anywhere on this forum, in their checklist or elsewhere.

Can someone please enlighten me as to why they are asking for this?

Thanks

I made a little bit more. the 300k is the liquid capital I'm investing, I have capital tied-up as deposits in UK properties.

Dear Arran,

I've just recently returned to the UK after several years in Thailand. I'm a tax specialist working for a firm of chartered accountants. We have our own IFA. I'll be happy to discuss this with you. if interested PM me.

Jim

With a settlement visa she can enter UK on a one way ticket.

It will be easier (and cheaper) for your g/f to book the ticket in Thailand. If you wish to control the booking you can book via a number of internet ticket agents such as airline-network or ebookers.

Remember though the embassy recommends you do not purchase your ticket before you get the visa.

Thanks for that. I plan to book through STA travel in Bangkok. I've used them loads of times.If I use STA they can reserve a ticket until I know the outcome of the application. I'll check out ebookers but always had problems before trying to book a ticket departing from Bangkok to UK, although they often have great deals UK-Bangkok.

I know the embassy recommends you don't purchase a ticket but on the application they ask you for details of any travel plans so i guess a reserved flight ticket is best.

Cheers

Next month my Thai girlfriend will be applying for a fiance settlement visa (and yes I will be signing up to the petition about the extortionate increases in visa fees from 1 April).

I'm working in the UK now and am trying to provisionally book her a single ticket. The travel agent has told me I need to book a return ticket. Can anyone confirm if this is correct? Only facts based on experience/knowledge please!

Have a look at their customer service website on https://nationwide.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nat...php?p_faqid=145

Thanks John, I'll contact them to see if I can do it from here or whether it will have to wait until I go back to the UK to visit the family.

Why make life difficult for yourself???If you open an account with Lloydstsb(or similar) in the Isle of Man you have none of these hassles. Just have to prove address in Thailand - utility bill,lease agreement etc.

If you open UK account they won't send ATM cards to you in Thailand.

If you are working in Thailand, no matter if you are being paid or not, you need a work permit.

Ok, but i thought the work permit was for a specific employer? So say you're having meetings with various companies who would be on the work permit? I'm assuming the work permit isn't issued against the australian co?

The visa you are talking about is to explore business opportunities. It is OK for you to have meetings (if you are not being paid for them). It prohibits you from working. I have such a visa.

if you are going to actually do some work then that is a completely different matter and you would need a work permit which would require a new visa for that purpose first. I'm sure Sunbelt will prvodie full info on the best way to structure this - depends on whether yo uare going to work for the Australian Company and be paid by them or work for the Thai Company.

It's based in Thailand, but we are looking at a solution to make it legal in Dubai without having to be there. It is a LTD setup

Thanks

Dr. B

Its a simple matter to set up an offshore bank account for a Ltd. Co. Just need to submit all the company docs etc.Why are you setting up the ltd co in Dubai.

Could you perhaps suggest a few banks that doesn't require you to physically visit the branch in person to open such accounts?

Does the Limited Company already exist? Most people do it through an intermediary who sets up the offshore account and does the bank intro/account opening at the same time.

Bll docs verifed by an appropriate person: lawyer, qualified acoountant, IFA etc. No need to go there in person.

Can try approaching them yourself. Have a look at these:

Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Plc - Isle of Man

Bank of Scotland – Jersey or Isle of Man

Lloyds TSB Bank Plc - Isle of Man

HSBC - Isle of Man or Hong Kong

Nationwide International Limited

RBSI - Isle of Man

Barclays: http://www.barclays.com/internationalcorporate/

It's based in Thailand, but we are looking at a solution to make it legal in Dubai without having to be there. It is a LTD setup

Thanks

Dr. B

Its a simple matter to set up an offshore bank account for a Ltd. Co. Just need to submit all the company docs etc.Why are you setting up the ltd co in Dubai.

Upon our return to BKK, we'll be staying one night out at Suk Soi 57. How much time should we allow for the taxi to the airport? We'll be leaving around 4:30AM and we'll want to take the expressway.

It took me 30 minutes from Soi 81 (next to On Nut) at 5pm a few weeks ago. Went down Sukhumvit then on to bang na.Don't see why it should take any longer than that at 4.30 am using the expressway.

A few days ago I received an E-Mail from the authority which pays my pension to say that they are no longer prepared to send it to me using the SWIFT system, their bank to my bank. They say that this is because of "very strict U.K. money laundering rules which involve a huge amount of paperwork every time we have to arrange a transfer ". They then made a rather snidy remark about this being " because you live in a place like Thailand". They propose to send me cheques through the mail instead . I am very unhappy about this, partly because of the vaguries of the mail service, but mainly because it takes up to 45 days for a foreign cheque to clear through the bank here ( at least so I am told). You must believe me when I tell that I am not a drug dealer or a terrorist , merely a simple Scottish pensioner! Has anybody else had this problem or have any advice to give me as I am very worried and upset about this.

You're lucky your pension provider did it this way - most don't want to know when it comes to Thailand!

I'd suggest having it paid into an offshore account in the Isle of Man or Jersey and withdrawing your money using an ATM card. Most UK banks (including the Scottish ones) now have offshore branches and they come with Internet and Telephone banking.

What you say about cheques is correct and a real hassle.

Hi,

Just looking for some general advise on offshore banking; bet banks, locations and solution for small businessess and individuals.

Thanks,

Dr. B

As other people have said offshore is relatively easy for individuals. The location can be in various places. EU nationals might now prefer Hong Kong or Singapore to avoide the red tape now involved for EU residents.

Is the small business a sole trader, partnership or limited company. Where is it based and what is your nationality?

Hypothetically complicated and in need of professional advice. Much more info needed.

I know...that's why I posted

Basically, I could work remotely in Thailand (hence the need for a WP)...But all my clients, bank account into which I'm paid by money tansfers (BACS) and the occasional cheque, are in the UK.

If I spent over 183 abroad in a tax year (6th April to 5th April), for UK purposes I am classed as a non-UK tax-payer, but I understand I would need to pay some tax on UK income.

If for tax purposes I was classed as a Thai resident, I would be liable to income tax on the income which was remitted to Thailand, but I may apply for liability on each particular £ of income to be reduced by Fny uk income tax paid on that £. I would not receive a refund if the uk tax rate exceeds the thai tax rate.

If however, I spent less than 180 days in Thailand I wouldn't be classed as a resident for tax purposes...

Before anyone gets on their high-horse...What I'm trying to do is MINIMISE my tax liablities, not AVOID paying tax altogether

There is a UK tax helpline on: 0845 0700 040. But I dread phoning it

Many thanks.

RAZZ

A work permit is attached to a job in Thailand so wouldn't you need to set up a Thai Company to do it that way? I'm sure Sunbelt can advise on the the Thai side of it. There is also the question of who is going to invoice for the work done - the Thai Company?

From a UK point of view if you want to minimise tax you'd be better off ensuring that the money is not paid in the UK or remitted there. I don't know how much you are hypothetically talking about but it may be worthwhile setting up an off-shore company and off-shore bank account - Isle of Man or Jersey and issuing all invoices from there for your services both to UK clients and the Thai Company.

If it is structured in the hypothetical way mentioned you'll be taxed on all of it in the UK and, I think, in Thailand, although Double Tax Relief would be due. You don't want to go there!

There is an excellent leaflet by the tax office which summarises UK liability for those living/working abroad: IR20

You can download it from their website:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/home.htm

Type in IR20 in the search section - it's a PDF file. Section 5.20 provides the summary whilst the leaflet gives a full explanation.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/home.htm

PS: The people on the helpline are normally very helpful but will only advise you of your UK tax liability based on specific situations

A hypothetical situation:

A UK national runs a business, with a WP in Thailand, working for UK-based companies. The money earned is paid into a UK bank account and remitted to Thailand...But you spend less than 180 days in Thailand...And less than 183 days in the UK...

What would your tax situation be?

RAZZ

Hypothetically complicated and in need of professional advice. Much more info needed.

Expat Thaivisa members may use financial planners and advisors but what is their opinion of them? Most seem to be involved in "legal scams" tax evasion ,tax

"minimisation" and promoting financial "products" which earn them on-going commissions.

You ask a simple question to say your bank and they reply"have you seen a financial advisor?

They have a poor reputation in Australia.

IMHO.

As in all professions there are good ones and bad ones. Thailand is a non-regulated market and there are a lot of cowboys out there who only care about their commission. There are however some who provide a complete service based on the clients needs. They all earn their living from commission.

The problem is if you want to invest off-shore to minimise your tax liability and maximise your return through someone like Skandia, Friends provident etc. you HAVE to use an adviser approved by them. So...shop around and try and get a personal recommendation from one of your friends/colleagues who has been happy with the service provided.

Please note tax evasion is illegal and is not something that would be promoted by any decent IFA. Tax avoidance (making full use of your expat status), on the other hand, is totally legal.

Hi,

This is a question on behalf of my sister who has a client who lives in Thailand and claims he cannot move money out of Thailand because of the local law / banking policies.

Is this true?

This is to pay rent in a European country. It's a 'substantial' rent also by European standards, though don't know exactly how much money we're talking about.

So suppose you had to move 200,000 baht monthly out of Thailand, would that be as easy as going to your bank and doing an international transfer, or is it really difficult / impossible? If there is a certain amount that's allowed, what amount would that be?

(Yes I know, the story sounds strange because who would keep all his money in baht in Thailand, but it *IS* his story, so I'm just looking to know if moving baht out of Thailand is easy or not.)

Cheers,

Chanchao

Suggest you check out the bank of Thailand regulations which explains all this. Hope the link works:

http://www.bot.or.th/Bothomepage/General/L...rol/guide_t.htm

If not go to www.bot.org.th and do a search.

Well done ged

I see you are from Manchester, we're not too far and i think it's time we arranged another ThaiVisa p1ss up in Manchester.

Let me know when you arrange the piss up. I arrive back in manchester in 2 weeks!

I have had numerous conversations with Thais in Bangkok and they tell me there are plenty of houses to be had for 1 or 2 Million baht. This will typically be an older house in need of some repair, but then you can factor that into the price. Thus my question would be, what areas can I get these types of houses or what aeas would people recommend. I would assume not too close to the BTS/subway but probaby within motorbike taxi distance? Certainly I would want access to the BTS/subway to get around. My initial thoughts are up some of the sois in Ladprao or further out down Sukhumvit where the BTS extension will run? Also anyone got any tips? PS: I have lived in Thailand a long time so I am quite happy to live in the simpler types of accomodation Thais live in; I mean my needs are quite simple and am not looking that dream home in paradise (whatever paradise is ).

My lawyer advises me a cheap and clean way to buy these types of properties is via the banks (assume reposessions that the banks need to dispose of, however legally cleaned up).

You can go to a main branch of any of the major Thai banks and ask them. They all have lists.

try these websites also:

http://www.thailisting.com/main/default.aspx?l=en

http://www.kasikornbank.com/PropertyForSal...1,2098,,00.html and click the link for English.

Make sure you get a good lawyer to help you! Plenty of practices with Ex-pat lawyers in them.

We have just been issued a fiancee visa and I am looking for web sites to help me book her a ticket, we paln that she travells around the 25th Feb so I need to get organised.

I plan to contact Qatar airlines tomorrow in the uk see what they come up with, but I sure would like some help to get this nailed

Thanks

Rob

Try Etihad Airways:

http://www.etihadairways.com/etihadairways...al/en/home/home

You could also contact statravel in the Uk or Thailand. They tend to have best prices from Bangkok to UK.

Cheers

Jim

See also UK passport stamps and endorsements - a brief guide

Thanks for that.

Good to get a posting on this topic with a practical and helpful link and without any sarcastic or derogatory comments.

Rob...

Honestly FLAKEY is the word for you and your girlfriend. I mean for crying out loud how difficult can it be for 2 people to work out if she has a visa or not .??

BTW just to set your mind at rest it is OBVIOUS you do have it .

The rejection stamp that everyone is going on about is nothing like a visa . It is a TINY TINY stamp on the BACK page of the passport . Will have a black line drawn horizontally through it . No-one in the world could mistake it for a visa .

Well done ....you deserve it .!!

Another success story.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone posted a copy of a settlement visa granted and someone posted a copy of a rejection stamp?

That way anyone who has seen neither will know which is which.

There must be a lot of people who have no idea what they look like (including me) and whose Thai partner is not fully conversant with the English language. Would save all this anxiety when their partner is in the UK and they are in Thailand.

I've tried 3 ATMs in my area now, they all tell me the same thing, that I have the money in the bank but I can't take it out

Does anybody know if there is a bank that will do ATM transactions over the counter like they do in Cambodia?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Nikkijah

Not sure about over the counter but something is very strange if you are going to authorized ATM's. Not knowing what bank you are with the only advice I can give is to contact your bank and find out why you cannot withdraw your funds.

Good luck

Thanks for your input, I just called the Halifax Plc and they checked my card and my account and they confirmed that there is no problem with either. they did however confirm that there have been problems due to fraud but does this explain why I can't withdraw cash at ATMs??

The phone operator asked his boss who said that it is possible to go into many banks and even shops(!!) in Thailand and withdraw money over the counter but in all my time here I've never heard that one before...

Is anybody else having problems with their ATM at the moment??

Nikkijah

The problem is that it is not the banks who issue the cards - it is a separate card issuing company. What you should do is advise them that you are in Thailand and want to use your card here (I assume it is a Visa card). Their contact number should be on the card. When I'm coming here I always tell my bank and card issuing company.

Any unusual transaction can result in a 'freeze" on your card or a security check is triggered. Go into a bank with your card+ passport (preferably one where they are likely to speak some English)and tell them you want to make a withdrawal. it will either be approved or you will be asked a security question first. This normally solves the problem.

I have a Police Pension which from February will be paid into my New Natiowide account instead of Lloyds because better deal.

I also posed a query with my Police pension dept about paying pension into Thailand also in the event of my Death can my wifes Police Widows pension be paid into her Thai account?

They replied that there TAPS agreement with Bank of Scotland does not cover Thailand. Sorry cannot help

Whilst its not a big problem, it would be easier when I pop my clogs .It means that replacement cards have to go to a UK mailing address, which again at the moment is not a problembut it means unessessary problem for the wife in the future.

Any input gratefully received

Have you considered opening an offshore account in Jersey/Isle of Man or similar in joint names using your Thai address ? You could have the pension paid into that and have Visa cards allowing you to draw money worldwide.

I'm about to start a holiday villa rental business in Thailand. The business will be in the name of Thai partner, and will market through internet. Target market will be UK and pricing will be in sterling, so easiest way to collect money would be through my UK bank account, but this would surely be subject to UK tax. Cash on arrival might make the business look dodgy. Are there any other ways of getting payment in advance without paying UK tax? Not big enough yet to use visa or mastercard.

You haven't really provided enough info. Are you living in the UK or Thailand?

The last thing you want to do is pay money from a Thai business (in your Thai business partners name) into your personal UK account. This could lead to lots of problems with UK tax etc.

Either

1) Open a Thai bank account in the Thai business name or your name (if you are trying to ensure you get your share of the money). Remember Thai taxes will be payable.

2) Open an off-shore account to specifically have these funds paid into

3) Use Paypal - linked to a Thai bank account if you want the funds in Thailand.

I've already sent a few items internationally via registered post but I have yet to see or be asked for a customs form?

Are they needed? Where are they? Parsar Thai Liak Ali??

Thanks

From my own experiences they only ask you to complete them now when the parcel weighs over 2KG.

International Registered mail under this weight is treated differently. It has an electronic registering system and no need for the form. I always write on the parcel what it is just in case customs choose to look at it.

it is a bit strange to have tax problems in the US when one hasn't lived there in 20 years and has no dependants, property or otherwise any connection with the place, hence my confusion...

anyone?

edit// the subject line should read US IRS, ie United States Internal Revenue Service...

1)What is the problem?

2) Are you a US passport holder?

3) have you ever filed US tax returns?