Falling Number Of Thai'S Entering The U.K Due To Stricter Requirements.....

[coolhandjoe]

Anybody have any figures, stats, thoughts on the amount of Thai spouse/partners entered into the U.K over the last 10 years.

When my Thai wife first came here back in 2003 we were seeing many new faces arriving.

The past few years we have only met a few new Thai's on short 6 month tourist visas.

Maybe the new requirements for applications eg: English tests or fewer U.K visitors and low exchange rates etc....

What do you think?

[GuestHouse]

I suspect it has more to do with the state of the UK economy. The last two years has seen large number of Brits leave Thailand because of the financial problems they have with exchange rates, interest rates back home etc.

However, I'm quite certain the new immigration rules will impact many Brits hoping to return to the UK with their tee-lak. The problem I see is the declaration of income, not so much showing it to immigration but hiding it from the Tee-Laks.

The grand claims of being a rich foreigner may not stand up to the inevitable scrutiny - but to be fair, better to get that cleared up here than wait to do so back home.

[cmsally]

Apparently whereas before students who went to study (mostly Masters) found it easy to get work, now the govt has brought in legislation to make it difficult for companies to employ non Brits. Sorry don't know the details but was told that recently by some Thai and Chinese students studying there. That would be one reason there are less Asians. As for spouses, it could be they are not really returning due to state of UK economy. If I've got a correct picture you've got qualified immigrants disadvantaged by paperwork and less qualified ones by lack of jobs.

[cdnvic]

Please stay on topic and don't turn this into a bashing session. I've removed the posts that don't relate to Thais entering the UK.

[theblether]

The only area of immigration policy that the government could legally tackle was non-EU immigration, therefore that fell right below the axe.

The government would need the judgement of Solomon to get non - EU immigration right.........I feel that there should be far more student visas for Chinese and Asian students in particular, however that has to be linked to a greater responsibility on the part of the originating country to ensure that the students return after the course has ended.

As for Thai immigration, as far as I'm led to believe it's more difficult but not impossible. I'm led to believe that the authorities are now focusing more on proving that the people involved in relationships are involved in genuine relationships and not 3 day Pattaya romances, and that the UK citizen is capable of looking after their partner without automatic redress to the public purse.

I would say the majority of us would nod our head in agreement with that tightening in policy, however if you read some of the threads in the visa section you will find plenty of members howling at the moon. As I said......the judgement of Solomon is required. This is a seriously emotive subject for many people, and the old saying stands alone here.......

" When emotion meets logic, emotion always wins ".

.

[roamer]

Numbers, numbers, its ALL about the numbers. As Blether pointed out the only area of control the UK gov has is on non EU citizens, and every single one counts in that total. I know of a company desperately trying to get work visas for two MSc students at Imperial College, one from China, the other from India, whose expertise lies in electrical engineering ,not that popular at this level with UK stiudents. Despite the expert and expensive legal advice the company is taking they are almost resigned to the fact it ain't gonna happen. You have people like Sir James Dyson , probably one of the best British inventors of the last 30 years talking about taking the design side of his company abroad (manufacturing went to Malaysia years ago) because he can no longer recruit the people with the skills he needs because of these restrictions. Can understand his frustration, these are some of the very brightest people in their fields who come to study at institutions that really are at the very top of the worldwide tree, have grown roots here and would be marvellous assets for UK PLC but its doors are closed.

Given all that its hardly surprising if the average Thai, most of whom do not possess higher academic awards find it harder to enter the UK. But that ain't nothing to the way they are going to turn the screw as we start to approach another election.

[Chittychangchang]

If you watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics 2012 you'd as the question - If the U.K built and forged the world as we know it then why do we need outside skills?

The laws have been introduced to stop abuse of the system by certain countries citizens.

[Chittychangchang]

If you watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics 2012 you'd as the question - If the U.K built and forged the world as we know it then why do we need outside skills?

The laws have been introduced to stop abuse of the system by certain countries citizens.

Unfortunately the genuine and honest suffer.

[thunder30101]

Yes those poor companies that cant get any qualified workers at slave labor rates, why pay a native citizen a decent wage with benefits (health care, retirement, etc) when they can employ foreigners for cheap and toss them aside when they are done ? I have worked with many foreign phds who work until they have enough money to go home and retire in a cheap to live country. I have never understood companies telling me I have to compete with someone who lives in a grass hut on a dollar a day, get real.

[Chittychangchang]

Yes those poor companies that cant get any qualified workers at slave labor rates, why pay a native citizen a decent wage with benefits (health care, retirement, etc) when they can employ foreigners for cheap and toss them aside when they are done ? I have worked with many foreign phds who work until they have enough money to go home and retire in a cheap to live country. I have never understood companies telling me I have to compete with someone who lives in a grass hut on a dollar a day, get real.

Granted, you have a point ie: the NHS recruitment drives in the Phillipines for English speaking medical staff. However all UK employees are paid a minimum wage of £6.58ish + , Unless they are illegals then they take their chances...

I don't see proffesional qualified people working for slave labour rates, do you have any examples you can refer too?

[arthurwait]

Pensions ?

Unqualified girl marries older man, does a minimum wage job for how ever long is required and then gets a pension when the pension pot is mean to be not that full ? Could that be it ?

[Beetlejuice]

I think it`s to do with that Thailand’s economy has flourished over the last 20 years and not so many Thais are leaving.