Procedure immediately after submitting visa application

[pasak]

I was just about to submit my online Settlement Visa application when I thought I'd better find out what happens next as there will be time constraints once I do so. I read that: 

 

"subsequent to submitting an application the Applicant can usually expect to be contacted within 5 days by the embassy, via telephone, with a follow up letter and standard information sheets. It is particularly useful to know the content of these information sheets before submitting the application, especially if you are hoping to be granted a 'short interview' and thus aim to submit all required supporting evidence along with the application form (to do so is not required - some people rightfully choose to take the folder of evidence along to an interview offered at a later date)."

 

Perhaps this advice is out of date or incomplete. Would members please advise

 

I have already collated what I believe to be adequate in terms of letters, test certificates and other supporting documents. What I would like to know is what happens and approximately when once I have clicked "submit" on the UKBA website.

 

A couple of off topic additional questions. As spouse and sponsor, will I need to complete an SU07 form and if so, where would I find one? Also my wife answered 'No' to the question on the application form about whether she had ever voluntarily elected to leave the UK. Rather an ambiguous question I thought but I'm assuming they are referring to applicants who have previously overstayed or been threatened with deportation. She has never had any adverse issues with UKBA though she has visited the UK on a Visitor Visa and left (voluntarily) well within the granted period.

 

Many thanks in advance.
 

[theoldgit]

The paragraph you quote is totally inaccurate, where did you find it?

Once the application is submitted the next stage is the applicant submits the hard copy of the application, together with the supporting evidence, at the Visa Application Centre, and waits for the decision by the UKVI a number of weeks later.

You don't need to complete a SU07.

The section about leaving the UK voluntary refers to visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers or immigration offenders who choose to leave UK under their own steam, rather than being removed by the immigration authorities, it doesn't refer to visitors returning after the planned conclusion of their trip.

I do note that you seem to be seeking advice from a number of channels, you might be wise to settle for one or the other, rather than cherry picking advice.

[pasak]

I copied the quote from another website. It was an old quote which is why I doubted it and thought I'd pass it under the nose of more experienced members.

 

I gather from you that I will need to print out the application that I have already submitted online and then go to the Visa Application Centre with the printout plus supporting documents. Will I need to make an appointment to submit my physical application or will I be notified as to when I should do so? How soon after submitting the application online will I be submitting physical documents?

 

When will I be obliged to make the payment for the visa? In what currency will the the payment be denominated? Can I make the payment using a UK debit card? 

 

Thanks for the answers regarding the SU07 and the visa overstayers.

 

As you say, I did ask some of these questions elsewhere but as there was no response I decided to do what has been recommended by moderators in the past; start a new thread.

 

 

[pasak]

I understand that the Visa Application Centre has moved from Regent House, Rajdamri to Trendy Office Building, Sukhumvit 13. Is this correct?

[theoldgit]

Yes, it moved four months ago, the information on the VFS website is up to date.

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/applicationcentre.html

[theoldgit]

I gather from you that I will need to print out the application that I have already submitted online and then go to the Visa Application Centre with the printout plus supporting documents. Will I need to make an appointment to submit my physical application or will I be notified as to when I should do so? How soon after submitting the application online will I be submitting physical documents?
 
When will I be obliged to make the payment for the visa? In what currency will the the payment be denominated? Can I make the payment using a UK debit card? 

Yes you print a hard copy of the application form and take it to the Visa Application Centre and hand it in together with your supporting documents, your biometric details are captured at that stage, I'm assuming you're the applicant.

You should make an appointment online via the VFS website, appointments used to be loaded a week in advance, I don't know if that's still the case.

You pay for the application when the online application is made, fee is payable in US$ and a UK Debit Card can be used.

[pasak]

That answers most of my questions. Still not sure about payment but that may be clarified once I submit the online application.

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond OG.

[pasak]

Just seen your post re payment. All clear now! Thanks again. 

[pasak]

In the process of submitting my wife's application am asked what type of appointment I wish to make. As we will submit the application in person I suppose I should enter Premium Lounge as Standard appears to be for a postal application. Please advise.

[pasak]

Am reading conflicting definitions of 'Standard', 'Prime Time' and 'Premium Lounge'.  The latest google suggests I should enter Standard. Why oh why do they try to jazz it up like this and when they do, why don't they explain what each one is? 

[theoldgit]

There is no such thing as a postal application.

The Premium Service is where you pay 3,000 Baht to sit on a comfy chair whilst you are submitting your application, that supplement is paid for in cash on the day.

The standard service is where you pitch up for your appointment and wait with the others.

Prime time is out of hours, like a Saturday.

They "jazz it up" because VFS want to make money out of you, I will concede that Saturday appointments are convenient to some, though to be fair I think their website makes it all very clear.

[pasak]

Well I'm a pitcher then.  

[pasak]

OG,

 

You say their website makes it clear but I didn't see anything that explains what is meant by the 3 types of appointment. Admittedly I didn't search around on their website. I think they deliberately make it unclear in the hope they will catch some applicants out.

 

A glimpse of what is in store when you live in the UK, why some of us came to live in a lawless land and why so many people wonder why anyone would want to return to live under grey skies, oppressed by excessive laws. There's always a flip side of course and we are not returning with our eyes closed. There are many benefits to living in the UK of course. LOL.

 

BTW, the application takes a while to process. Been 20 mins already!

 

 

 

   

[theoldgit]

It's under the section "user pay services".

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/user_pay_services.html

I think it's always better to study all the information provided before starting the application.

[pasak]

"I think it's always better to study all the information provided before starting the application."

 

I couldn't agree more but I missed that.

 

It is why I was asking questions before submitting the application and fortunately you kindly responded.

 

[ilgitano]

I am a UK resident and passport holder. I have been with my partner since 2005 now. I will be visiting thailand in mid october, and I'm hoping to bring her back for a visit; say 3-6 months tourist visa.

 

I have alternated living in Chaing Mai, thailand, 1-2 years at a time and the UK 1-2 years also over that period.

 

I've been keeping her all that time, and can show it pretty easily with bank statements from about 2007. She has land we've bought in CM in her name as well, we plan to build on when I've saved some more money. Since I alternate between Thailand and UK every few years, I can only show phone records for the last 2 years. We keep in almost daily contact, by skype and phone.

 

I work in IT and have a good job paying well over double the minimum per person of 18600/yr so the minimum financial requirements aren't an issue.

 

So, would 2 yrs phone records, bank statements evidencing my payslips for the last six months, and supporting her for the last 7 years be enough? Just how much running arround will I have to do to assure my application will pass?

 

I plan to be there about 4 weeks arriving mid october. I believe the process from interview to approval is about two weeks. So we should have the form printed, and interviews booked within a few days of my arrival to make this work. Is this a viable plan of attack?

 

Edited August 3, 2014 by ilgitano

[pasak]

Your partner would need to apply for a Visitor Visa with you as sponsor. She has to demonstrate that she will return to Thailand at the end of her stay. You say you are supporting her financially so I take it she would not be able to provide any wage slips. But she has land in her name. Perhaps she has some savings. If she is in employment and has a job to return to after her UK visit, you can show that you have the means to sponsor her trip and that you are in a genuine relationship then it should not be a problem.

 

You would be better to go to the UKBA website and look into the requirements for a Visitor Visa. Simultaneously search this site for threads on how to apply for a Visitor Visa. This thread is about a Settlement Visa.

 

 

[ilgitano]

Shes not gainfully employed, so no payslips. I've already filled in the form on the UKBA website. I was stumped on how and where the evidence was to be submitted, and how much is enough. I don't want to spend huge amounts of time collecting documents, and yes I have the PDF which lists all the things I could provide. I was hoping for guidance on how much is enough.

 

We qualify for the de-facto partner thing, but I don't want to deal with the documentation requirements for that, they seem to be a bit more onerous. In the future, if she likes it here, there may well be a settlement visa application.

 

The UK visa basics page is behind the times, what with the new online procedures. I was looking for up-to-date experience, which you now have.

 

Sorry, missed the settlement visa bit, but everything I read in this thread seems to be relevant to any visa as far as I can see. Any reason to limit it?

Edited August 3, 2014 by ilgitano

[7by7]

Have a read of UK visit visa basics and then if you have any further questions I suggest you start a new topic to ask them.

 

IMHO, posting questions about a visit visa in a topic about settlement visas means your questions could easily be overlooked or even ignored.