Leaving And Returning To Uk

[Rj 81]

Hi Guys

Long time no speak

Were going on holiday to Thailand soon and I would just like to know if there is anything we need to do regarding my wifes visa. It's a settlement visa which is due for ILR in June next year.

As I understand it my wife doesn't need to do anything and she will be free to leave and return to the UK as long as she has her Passport with her current visa. I just want to check with the experts so as we don't have any surprises at the airport.

On a separate note how are people here finding the new Life in the UK test, what are your experiences with it? My wife is going to have to take the test before June next year so hopefully we have enough time for her to study the LIT UK book. So far we have covered 1 page and that was painstakingly slow. I think we need all the time we've got for this thing!

Cheers

[Mahout Angrit]

All she has to do is return to UK before next June with time to apply for an extension either ILR or FLR if she is not ready for the test

[mrbojangles]

Hi Rj, how you doin.

No problem with the visa, we have been back to Thailand 3 times since the mrs came here. And all but the last time they let her come through with me at passport control.

As for the test. It's so easy, i've become an Irish citizen

[Rj 81]

Thanks for the replys.

Thats good news mrboj.. so did your mrs come through the UK bit or other passports que? When we first came here we both went through the Other Passports even though I've got a British Passport, the que was smaller though!!

This will be our first time back to Thailand since coming to the UK in June last year. Were only going for 3 weeks so that won't affect the visa situation then, good.

I'm thinking of hiring a car to drive up to Buriram but its a bit daunting I think once I'm out of BKK and on the Highways it wont be too bad, its just the thought of driving round BKK in the traffic and not having a clue were I'm going Have any of you guys any experince driving in Thailand??

[mrbojangles]

Thats good news mrboj.. so did your mrs come through the UK bit or other passports que? When we first came here we both went through the Other Passports even though I've got a British Passport, the que was smaller though!!

All except one time (a jobsworth pr1ck !!) they have let both of us through the UK passport desk.

[Eff1n2ret]

"I'm thinking of hiring a car to drive up to Buriram but its a bit daunting I think once I'm out of BKK and on the Highways it wont be too bad, its just the thought of driving round BKK in the traffic and not having a clue were I'm going Have any of you guys any experince driving in Thailand??"

Off topic for visas, but here goes anyway. I've never tried driving in BKK for exactly the reasons you state. But across country I find it less stressful than driving in the UK, despite the lunatic antics of some drivers, mainly because there's less traffic on the roads most of the time. Just keep your eyes well peeled, and sharpen your anticipation.

If you're not going into Bangkok, why not hire a car from the airport?

[Mossfinn]

so did your mrs come through the UK bit or other passports que?

There has been several posts on here previously stating that they have gone through the same channel together and unless my memory escapes me, I thought someone stated that the parter has every right to go through with them, can anyone confirm with any concrete info?, however never tried it and have no need to attempt it, as she has her Brit Cit now.

Rj, in answer to your other question, the LitUK test has also had many lives on here, all with varying responses, but to a man it is a consensus that the questions are a crock, but the trick is not to let it phase you.

Ensure your wife does the hard yards and reads the chapters necessary for her visa, the book is a catch all for most visas, so only read the relevant parts, I believe there are 5 chapters now for Settlement, read with her, question her and revise on a continual basis, she wont understand why they are asking, 'what do you bring to a Scotsman's house on Hogmany', but who cares, it's multiple choice, if she/you have revised and she has a reasonable grasp of the English Language, she/you will get through it.

Trust me.

Moss

[Mossfinn]

Rj,

A previous thread that highlights my previous post above, regarding the differing views of the introduction of the LinUK test for ILR, if nothing else quite entertaining to read of previous combatants and Mr Boj's journey on joining the Irish Diaspora.

Previous Thread

Good Luck

Moss

[pointofview]

On a separate note how are people here finding the new Life in the UK test, what are your experiences with it? My wife is going to have to take the test before June next year so hopefully we have enough time for her to study the LIT UK book. So far we have covered 1 page and that was painstakingly slow. I think we need all the time we've got for this thing!

Cheers

I looked at the Book today in a UK store and took 10 minutes to go through the test - i failed miserably.

(I am 46 years of age; have spent over 20 years working as a senior research engineer for the UK government, drink 6 cups of tea a day - and i failed: it is a f***king joke)

[Mahout Angrit]

I looked at the Book today in a UK store and took 10 minutes to go through the test - i failed miserably.

(I am 46 years of age; have spent over 20 years working as a senior research engineer for the UK government, drink 6 cups of tea a day - and i failed: it is a f***king joke)

I think you're missing the point. It is intended as a test of the understanding of the English language, of course you are unlikely to know the answers to the questions without some study.Would you be able to pass the theory section of the UK driving test without at first reading the highway code? A test is not a test if it's a walk in the park

Edited November 11, 2007 by Mahout Angrit

[mrbojangles]

I looked at the Book today in a UK store and took 10 minutes to go through the test - i failed miserably.

(I am 46 years of age; have spent over 20 years working as a senior research engineer for the UK government, drink 6 cups of tea a day - and i failed: it is a f***king joke)

I think you're missing the point. It is intended as a test of the understanding of the English language, of course you are unlikely to know the answers to the questions without some study.Would you be able to pass the theory section of the UK driving test without at first reading the highway code? A test is not a test if it's a walk in the park

It's not often i do but i got to disagree with you on this one Mahout.

Rightly so, you state that it is really a test on understanding the English language (and i believe on life in the UK). In which case, Brits who are born, educated and raised here, should therefore be able to take the test WITHOUT having to study.

Question's like, how many emergency services are there and what number should you call. Would quite easily meet the criteria stated above. It would show understanding of the language and the information would be of use.

Now, my response is all based on the change of rules this year. Expecting a non-english speaker to learn this in 2 years is too much IMHO (especially when they didn't give us any notice, leaving us 6 months in which to do it). I had no problem with the test as a way of getting Brit Cit, they would (by choice) have plenty of time to do this. I just think there should be 2 tests. An easy one when going for ILR and another harder one when going for Brit Cit.

[mrbojangles]

A previous thread that highlights my previous post above, regarding the differing views of the introduction of the LinUK test for ILR, if nothing else quite entertaining to read of previous combatants and Mr Boj's journey on joining the Irish Diaspora.

I tell you what buddy, my journey for an Irish passport has been a doddle compared to what most of us/you have to go through to get ILR.

[Mahout Angrit]

It's not often i do but i got to disagree with you on this one Mahout.

Rightly so, you state that it is really a test on understanding the English language (and i believe on life in the UK). In which case, Brits who are born, educated and raised here, should therefore be able to take the test WITHOUT having to study.

I agree with you Mr Bo, wouldn't it be nice, if as well as attaining competence in the language the subject matter studied was also useful for their stay in UK.

Brits born and raised in UK come in many shapes, sizes and educational aspirations so to expect them all to know any answer is a bit folly, should the test be set to suit the dumbest Brit?

Hasn't it always been that subject matter is often irrelevant? I remember studying calculus and differential equations in my maths courses and at the time I wondered what use that would be in my chosen career, I was right to doubt it, never used it!, but if I hadn't have passed the final examination including those questions I'm sure a lot of my career path would not have been open to me.

Many kids probably question the content of their GCSE courses but going out onto the world without those qualifcations can close a lot of doors to them. Making them easy to pass would achieve nothing.

It is my opinion when considering the rewards and advantages gained by passing the life in UK test that a little effort, even if misdirected, spread over a two year period is not a heavy price to pay. (I take your point that many were not given 2 years notice and have had to pay £395 to postpone the test date). Very little is achieved in this world without effort

That isn't to say that if some can get in under the wire that they shouldn't, after all we weren't all born equal were we?

[Richard W]

Would you be able to pass the theory section of the UK driving test without at first reading the highway code?

My wife got through the Highway Code by learning the answers to the questions and practising on some test software - her English isn't up to reading the highway code. She was worried enough that she coughed up for an interpreter (c. £100 because there aren't enough Thais in the UK), but it seems that the interpreter wasn't really needed by the time she actually did the test.

[pointofview]

I looked at the Book today in a UK store and took 10 minutes to go through the test - i failed miserably.

(I am 46 years of age; have spent over 20 years working as a senior research engineer for the UK government, drink 6 cups of tea a day - and i failed: it is a f***king joke)

I think you're missing the point. It is intended as a test of the understanding of the English language, of course you are unlikely to know the answers to the questions without some study.Would you be able to pass the theory section of the UK driving test without at first reading the highway code? A test is not a test if it's a walk in the park

An english test would be a good test of ones understanding of the english language. This test is far from that - you dont understand, you obviously dont get the point at all. This test is about citizenship, historical fiction etc etc. If it were about understanding of english language then we would have an english test - simple as that.

[Mahout Angrit]

An english test would be a good test of ones understanding of the english language. This test is far from that - you dont understand, you obviously dont get the point at all. This test is about citizenship, historical fiction etc etc. If it were about understanding of english language then we would have an english test - simple as that.

The test is not about citizenship, it is a requirement to pass it to obtain citizenship and it seems you are not thinking beyond the content of the questions.

So how would you test competency in the English language?

If it is by an "English Test" as you say then they would get such questions as:-

Put this verb into the pluperfect tense

List ten countable nouns

Write the conjugation of a verb

List the number of indefinite articles in this sentence

.....and so on.

What earthly good is that in testing an understanding of the language and how many Brits born and raised in UK could answer those questions either without study?

The best way to test understanding is to write a story and ask questions about what is written and as far as I can see that is what the life in UK test tries to do. The stories are in the study book and the student doesn't even have to compose the answer he only has to choose the most likely from a choice of 4 answers (two of which, if they can read and understand, are usually completely discountable anyway). Sure some of the subjects in the book are bizarre but the skill being tested is the ability to understand and to prove it the student must give a correct answer, the content is irrelevant.

Maybe another cup of tea is needed

[randall]

If you hire a car from thairentacar you can hire a sat nav/gps at the same time which helps a lot when driving round bangkok.

[the scouser]

I think you've got the wrong thread, Randall.

Scouse.

[randall]

Hi Scouse

RJ 81 asked about driving in his second post so i though i would let him know that you can hire a sat nav to help you get round bangkok

Randall

[the scouser]

Fair enough.

Scouse.

[Mossfinn]

I looked at the Book today in a UK store and took 10 minutes to go through the test - i failed miserably.

(I am 46 years of age; have spent over 20 years working as a senior research engineer for the UK government, drink 6 cups of tea a day - and i failed: it is a f***king joke)

You are not alone, there was a news report on LitUK test in a local pub with four fairly reasonable? presumably educated and in my view long enough in the tooth to have a certain amount of knowledge behind them, I think, from memory they all failed, but then they had no need for the book, even less to study it.

My posts have always related to the necessity of having to study the book, whether you like the system or not, the system is in place, banging your head against the wall will only have one outcome, an even bigger headache.

An english test would be a good test of ones understanding of the english language. This test is far from that - you dont understand, you obviously dont get the point at all. This test is about citizenship, historical fiction etc etc. If it were about understanding of english language then we would have an english test - simple as that.

I personally feel that it is a test of understanding English and being able to interpret the question and answer reasonably there after, the multiple choice gives you a good heads up on this account.

A test on English Language specifically would leave an awful lot of us in trouble I fear.

Moss

[Mossfinn]

A previous thread that highlights my previous post above, regarding the differing views of the introduction of the LinUK test for ILR, if nothing else quite entertaining to read of previous combatants and Mr Boj's journey on joining the Irish Diaspora.

I tell you what buddy, my journey for an Irish passport has been a doddle compared to what most of us/you have to go through to get ILR.

From what I have read, it most certainly has.

Approx how long did it take, from filling in the form, to the passport dropping in? It certainly seemed very quick.

Moss

[mrbojangles]

A previous thread that highlights my previous post above, regarding the differing views of the introduction of the LinUK test for ILR, if nothing else quite entertaining to read of previous combatants and Mr Boj's journey on joining the Irish Diaspora.

I tell you what buddy, my journey for an Irish passport has been a doddle compared to what most of us/you have to go through to get ILR.

From what I have read, it most certainly has.

Approx how long did it take, from filling in the form, to the passport dropping in? It certainly seemed very quick.

Moss

I filled the form in and sent it off but forgot to send my parent marriage certificates. So they sent it back, i returned it with said document and they sent me the passport. All together including returning paperwork.....2 weeks, yes, 2 weeks!! Very, very fast indeed.

Whereas i sent our passports to the UK home office for the residency card 6 weeks ago and heard nothing yet, apart from confirmation they received them. Could take upto 6 MONTHS Useless pr1cks

[mrbojangles]

I'm sorry but i'm going to have a rant and it'll be the last i ever mention about this frigging test.

To those in favour of the test, IMO your'e talking <deleted>. A mate of mine sent his wife to the college to do the ESOL course. They confirmed with her that the curriculum was sufficient for the LITUK. After much hard work at very short notice (don't forget, they brought it in without advanced warning, leaving many with just a few months to learn how to read and write in English), she passed and sent off for ILR, only to be refused because immigration said the course wasn't the right one. So he wasted tuition fees and has had to pay extra for a FLR until she passes.

How can they impose this, when obviously the infrastructure isn't set up and why you can't understand that it just another stealth tax is beyond me.

Well, upto you if you want to lie down and take it, pay the fees if you like and send your partner to college when she has just landed in a strange country. As for me, i served in the Royal Navy for this country but stuff em, i'm now the proud owner of an Irish passport and getting my mrs a EU residency card, which is FREE.

Now, if my mrs wants to gain UK citizenship she will have to take the test but that is fair enough IMO, as she will have 5 years in which to learn the language etc. My points above are all related to the test for ILR NOT to Citizenship. I strongly agree that if someone wants citizenship to this country a test should be done.

[Mahout Angrit]

A mate of mine sent his wife to the college to do the ESOL course. They confirmed with her that the curriculum was sufficient for the LITUK. After much hard work at very short notice (don't forget, they brought it in without advanced warning, leaving many with just a few months to learn how to read and write in English), she passed and sent off for ILR, only to be refused because immigration said the course wasn't the right one. So he wasted tuition fees and has had to pay extra for a FLR until she passes.

Sorry to hear that your mate was mislead,to help others avoid a similar fate here is the list of examination boards that offer courses which are accepted by the B & IA.

47. Are college certificates acceptable to satisfy the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirements?

No. Only certificates issued by recognised awarding bodies are acceptable not those from colleges themselves. These are ESOL Skills for Life certificates (or in Scotland 2 ESOL Units at Access Level under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework approved by the Scottish Qualification Authority) that have been awarded by one of the nine accredited awarding bodies:

University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (ESOL Cambridge)

Trinity College London

City & Guilds (Pitmans)

Edexcel

English Speaking Board (International)(ESB)

National Open College Network

Open College of the North West (OCNW)

Education Development International (EDI)

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

[Rj 81]

Some good points from both sides but I have to agree that it would make much more sense if the test was relevant to daily life. Fair enough, a brief bit of history about the UK, but not to the extent this test goes to. But as Mossfin says no point banging your head against the wall. Theres nothing we can do about it, apart from get on with it. I know we could all start a petition or something but I don't think it would make any difference, the government have there reasons why it's like this and they ain't going to change it for us.

My mrs started one of these ESOL courses after lot of sorting out, phone calls, appointments, emails ect ect... I checked and double checked with the college that this was in fact the ESOL with Citizenship course. They said they would hand her a letter when finished which would be sufficient for the ILR application. Luckily she had to stop the course due to work commitments and we resided ourselves to the fact that she was going to have to take the LIT UK test. After reading mrboj post about his friend and Mahouts about awarding bodies I'm glad it's turned out that way now as I have my doubts about the letter which we were told would be sufficient.