theoldgit

Schengen Visas can be issued for single or multiple entries, and various validity periods from the length of the intended stay up to a five year validity, though there is a limit how long a visa can stay in the Schengen Area.

Applications are considered on the applicants circumstances, whilst any sponsor will be taken into consideration, they cannot guarantee that an applicant will abide by the terms of the visa. Schengen Visas must be applied for via the Consulate with jurisdiction for the main destination within the Schengen Area, ie where the applicant intends to spend the longest time, if the applicant is intending to visit more than one Member State, spending an equal amount of time in each, then they should apply via the Consulate with jurisdiction for the point of entry into the Schengen Area.

Yes, applications need to be made in the applicants country of residence. The Swiss and UK Visa Application Centres are in different locations. If applicants are visiting other countries outside of the Shenghen Area that require a visa then Schengen Countries require that a visa is obtained for that country first, that used to be the case, I’m assuming it still is.

Yes, you’re in the wrong forum, I’ll move your post to the Thailand forum.

Yes, you would be included in the nett migration figures, but they are at best a “guesstimate”.

Yes, the financial requirements were introduced by Theresa May back in 2012, there has always a requirement but previously applicants and their sponsors only needed to satisfy ECO’s that they could afford to live in the UK, May just set a figure. The £18,600 figure for spouse's and their offspring who are not UK citizens was raised in 2024 though those already on their settlement journey were allowed to apply using the previous figures. According to the ONS the median gross annual earnings is £35,000 so the requirements are only going to go in one direction, and as brewsterbudgen rightly points out the anti immigration rhetoric in the UK is currently rife

The UK Embassy in Thailand have no part in the decision making process, most are processed centrally in the UK. She needs to convince the Entry Clearance Officer, the decision maker, that her ties to her Thailand are so strong that “on the balance of probabilities” she would leave the UK at the conclusion of her proposed visit. The ECO has to make a judgment call based on the evidence she submits, she cannot prove that she’ll leave, just satisfy the decision maker that she’s likely to do so. She needs to provide details of her living arrangements in Thailand and how she supports herself, you mention a 13k pension is that THB or GBP, and how often does she receive that amount? Dependants in Thailand will probably be discounted, it’s not unusual for Thai ladies to travel to the promised land and leave dependants behind. What are her plans for her holiday and how is she intending to fund it. Is she receiving any financial support from anyone in the UK, if so they would need to provide evidence of affordability and that it’s reasonable for them to do so.

Unhelpful troll post, and response, removed.

I’ll move this to the correct forum, though you’ve been given the correct answer.

The issue will likely be the increase in nett migration that the independent panel suggests may be the result of the suggested lower income thresholds. Reform and their followers are creating a song and dance about the so called boat people, but number wise they fall into insignificance compared to those arriving into the UK using the legal routes. The legal routes are very much abused with social media awash with “legal advisors” offering the dodgy paperwork for non existent jobs and education places, once visas are issued and the holders “through the door” they disappear into the black economy or seek asylum. Spouses and partners are very much near the end of the line number wise with applicants mostly being genuine, but they could get caught up in any backlash.

Serco are certainly seeking landlords with properties to rent, though l don’t know what the contractual rates are, they will normally be “commercial in confidence” https://www.serco.com/uk/sites/serco-aasc/landlords I’m currently in the UK for an extended period, and here on the South Coast there are certainly beggars in abundance, some begging quite aggressively. There are certainly some shops and services that will only accept contactless payments but there are others where “cash is king”. The NHS is of course pretty good if you can get through to a surgery to make an appointment, it took me 35 attempts to reach the queue to request an appointment last week, though once in the queue l only waited 20 mins to get an appointment and was seen the same day. I was previously referred to a consultant by the GP and as it’s an urgent referral I’ve been informed that it’s only a 48 week wait.

This is in the wrong forum, it’s been answered but I’ll move it anyway.

H&S, you're of course spot on, there is absolutely no requirement for an applicant to submit a marriage certificate for a Standard Visit Visa. It's probably worth noting that the Decision Maker only needs to be satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, the applicant will leave the UK at the conclusion of their proposed visit, so evidence of a stable life in their home country will be what they're looking for. I've attached the official guide to supporting documents Visitor Visa - Guide to supporting documents I've also attached the Guidance for the Caseworkers who make the decision on the application Visit

No

The UK Government has published their long awaited White Paper on Immigration. It’s a Policy Document so not in law yet, no doubt there will be some debates, and probably some amendments, before it becomes so. Happy reading Restoring control over the immigration system - White Paper