UK Visas for my Thai wife and our 2 Grandaughters

[john west]

Hi Everyone and sorry if this is a topic already on, but can not see it anywhere.
I am aware that one has to apply online for a British visa and one can not deal with this until 3 months before departure. Must be A British website but which one
Yes, one reads about being able to book so-called early bird prices and think one can book flights a year in advance and one has to book by a certain date, but anyone know the site at present to apply for a tourist visa to the UK and believe it might cost 30K Baht for one person, regardless whether an adult or child over 12 or 13.
How does one get this visa stamped into Thai passports and presumably in Bangkok at the British Embassy?
Also, when we travel I want them to come through Customs with me a British passport holder and yes they speak a little English, but worried they would not be able to answer  furthurCan I pen a note and then ask at UK Immigration, but anyone who has experience of these things, if one could advise me questions.
Thanks ever so much and the last point depends on many things ie if the immigration people have had a bad day etc or one who sticks to the rules, but over efficient and unhelpful

Thanks a lot 



 

[theoldgit]

Many, if not all, of your questions are answered on a regular basis, have a trawl through the forum and read the pinned topic at the head of the Forum 

You are right in saying that the applicant can apply for a visa three months before the intended date of travel, the details along with how the application is made are detailed in the pinned topic.
The visa, if granted, will be inserted into the passport by UKVI staff, but the British Embassy plays no part in the application process.

Yes flight tickets can be cheaper the earlier you book, but the advice from the UKVI, and regularly on this forum, is that non flexible tickets shouldn't be purchased until after a visa has been issued.

On arrival at the UK Border non EU Nationals have their own line, it's perfectly acceptable for you to use that line with your family, and in most cases they might be able to join you in the EU line, if the Border Force Officer is content for them to do so, you will all go through the Customs exit together. 

[john west]

19 hours ago, theoldgit said:

Many, if not all, of your questions are answered on a regular basis, have a trawl through the forum and read the pinned topic at the head of the Forum 

You are right in saying that the applicant can apply for a visa three months before the intended date of travel, the details along with how the application is made are detailed in the pinned topic.
The visa, if granted, will be inserted into the passport by UKVI staff, but the British Embassy plays no part in the application process.

Yes flight tickets can be cheaper the earlier you book, but the advice from the UKVI, and regularly on this forum, is that non flexible tickets shouldn't be purchased until after a visa has been issued.

On arrival at the UK Border non EU Nationals have their own line, it's perfectly acceptable for you to use that line with your family, and in most cases they might be able to join you in the EU line, if the Border Force Officer is content for them to do so, you will all go through the Customs exit together. 

19 hours ago, theoldgit said:

Many, if not all, of your questions are answered on a regular basis, have a trawl through the forum and read the pinned topic at the head of the Forum 

You are right in saying that the applicant can apply for a visa three months before the intended date of travel, the details along with how the application is made are detailed in the pinned topic.
The visa, if granted, will be inserted into the passport by UKVI staff, but the British Embassy plays no part in the application process.

Yes flight tickets can be cheaper the earlier you book, but the advice from the UKVI, and regularly on this forum, is that non flexible tickets shouldn't be purchased until after a visa has been issued.

On arrival at the UK Border non EU Nationals have their own line, it's perfectly acceptable for you to use that line with your family, and in most cases they might be able to join you in the EU line, if the Border Force Officer is content for them to do so, you will all go through the Customs exit together. 

19 hours ago, theoldgit said:

Many, if not all, of your questions are answered on a regular basis, have a trawl through the forum and read the pinned topic at the head of the Forum 

You are right in saying that the applicant can apply for a visa three months before the intended date of travel, the details along with how the application is made are detailed in the pinned topic.
The visa, if granted, will be inserted into the passport by UKVI staff, but the British Embassy plays no part in the application process.

Yes flight tickets can be cheaper the earlier you book, but the advice from the UKVI, and regularly on this forum, is that non flexible tickets shouldn't be purchased until after a visa has been issued.

On arrival at the UK Border non EU Nationals have their own line, it's perfectly acceptable for you to use that line with your family, and in most cases they might be able to join you in the EU line, if the Border Force Officer is content for them to do so, you will all go through the Customs exit together. 

Hi Old Git and sure you not old.
Thanks for information and think they might be testing a new form as well, not sure. One question a British UK Govt site and had a dabble at the questions, but it is for a year and a half for now and why on earth is it quoting Us Dollars and I have only accesss to pounds and Thai Baht. Very strange and they like to make things difficult right???
Appreciate your help and thanks, everyone.

 

[theoldgit]

3 hours ago, john west said:

One question a British UK Govt site and had a dabble at the questions, but it is for a year and a half for now and why on earth is it quoting Us Dollars and I have only accesss to pounds and Thai Baht. Very strange and they like to make things difficult right???

One of life's unanswered mysteries I'm afraid, I think it's more about income generation that making life difficult.
As you have to pay online, your card provider will carry out the conversion, though you can bet your bottom dollar, no pun intended, that the UKVI rate won't be in your favour.
Be warned that the rules may well change in the next 18 months or so, the prices will most certainly increase.

[7by7]

On ‎8‎/‎31‎/‎2018 at 4:56 AM, john west said:

why on earth is it quoting Us Dollars

Because the British government tell them to!

 

This has been a bone of contention ever since it started; and the excuses offered by the Home Office for using USD rather than Sterling are pathetic; see attached letter.

 

As theoldgit says; it's an income generator for the government as they use a conversion rate which adds up to 8% onto the visa fee set, in Sterling, by Parliament!

Visa fees in USD.doc

[7by7]

When leaving Thailand passport control may want to see that you have permission to take your grandchildren out of Thailand; such as a letter from their parents granting such permission.

 

If instead you and/or your wife have legal custody of them, then evidence of this.

 

 

[john west]

Thanks for replies everyone and 7by 7 interesting point indeed and yes at times it seems so many aspects and actions to go through.
On the subject of the Grandchildren, they would be travelling in early May as it is the school holidays and concerned about the availability of flights and the 3 months online tourist visa seems very short, but they are the current laws, but could these change also.
Yes, concerned if one does not book flights and I know one can a year in advance and is it too much of a risk to book a flight this way and more concerned about the availability of flights so near departure date ie only 3 months.

Thanks again for any advice.easy.
In my case been married for 12/13 years and no logical reason to not get  a visitors visa to the UK, but maybe even the most silliest mistake and we all know how Government officials can be..
 

[7by7]

16 minutes ago, john west said:

On the subject of the Grandchildren, they would be travelling in early May as it is the school holidays and concerned about the availability of flights and the 3 months online tourist visa seems very short, but they are the current laws, but could these change also.
Yes, concerned if one does not book flights and I know one can a year in advance and is it too much of a risk to book a flight this way and more concerned about the availability of flights so near departure date ie only 3 months

 There is always a risk if booking flights before the visa is issued that the visa application will be refused; which is why the official UKVI advice is not to do so.

 

But at the end of the day it is up to you whether you want to take that risk or not. Can you not book refundable tickets so you'd get at least some of your money back should the worst happen and for some reason they be refused a visa?