A Time To Reflect

It's that time of year again.  Coming into Christmas week things are slowing down at work and I have time to reflect on the past year.  And what a year its been.  Without doubt the most influential and important of my life so far.  If you'd have asked me a year ago where I thought my life would be at this point, I really don't think I could describe how things have panned out. 

2011 saw another three trips to Thailand, our marriage, the successful completion of my wife's settlement visa application and her recent arrival into the UK.  Its been a year of frustration and immense stress.  Yet at the same time I have found true happiness and contentment.

The Lows

The obvious low has been the overall amount of stress involved in the visa process.  Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the UK governments need to control immigration (or at least give the impression that they are in control).  But I can't help but feel that the amount of brick walls put up along the way is totally unjustified.  One example of this has been the farcical handling of the English language requirement.  You only have to look at the Thai forums to see just how much unnecessary confusion there is STILL out there.  Its not that the information isn't there to be found.  But I feel like the UKBA could present the process in a much more clear way.  That goes for the entire visa process not just the English test.  I can honestly say that without the help of forums such as http://thailand-uk.com/forums/forum.php I'm not 100% sure we would have been successful in my wife's application.  I wont rant too much about the process because in all honesty, the moment I received the phone call from my wife telling me she had the visa, it all seemed irrelevant.  But I must I admit I don't envy anyone just starting out on the process.

Time spent apart.  Nothing new, as with any long distance relationship its not possible to be together as much as we would like.  Holiday entitlement and funds have always dictated just how much time my wife and I could spend together before her arrival in England.  The distance can often magnify issues which in any "normal" relationship would not be so much of a big deal.  But overall I think its given us a stronger base on which our relationship has grown.  Now that we are together, any arguments seem to be more easily resolved simply by the fact that we are actually physically together and can talk things through face to face. 

A more recent low for my wife, was shortly after her arrival.  After only two weeks in the UK she heard the sad news that her eldest sister had passed away back in Thailand.  My wife's immediate concern was for her Mother and nieces who lived with her sister.  With the help of some family friends in my wife's home town arrangements were made for her Mother and the kids.  This left my wife feeling guilty for not being there, but in true Thai style she bounced back to her usual self within a few days.

From a purely selfish point of view, a big low for me is the fact that it will be a long time before we are able to visit Thailand again.  The cost of the visa, travel etc have left a big hole in the finances.  That plus the cost of the requirements for the next ILR and visa in two years mean that any holidays to Thailand will be a way down the list of priorities.

The Highs

The day my wife's passport arrived and she called to tell me she had the visa.  I can't describe how much of a weight was lifted off of my shoulders.  I had completed 95% of the application and supporting document folder alone and so failure would have felt like my failure alone too.  We had quite a short wait for the decision (3 weeks) but it felt like the pressure for success was all on me. 

Travelling back to Thailand on the last visit to pick up my wife.  Just knowing that I wouldn't be leaving alone at the end of the trip gave an entirely different feeling to the holiday.  Leaving my wife behind at the airport has always been one of the hardest things about previous trips.  This was probably one of the only times I've actually felt good about leaving Thailand.

Being able to enjoy the things which most couples take for granted in everyday life.  The simple things like watching a movie, going out for a meal, going to the supermarket for the weekly shop......just being together.

Witnessing with so much pride just how well my wife has adapted to life here.  Both my sets of parents have already developed an incredible bond with her and have told me they feel as if they have known her for years.  Janny has had offers to meet other Thais in our area but as yet she has shown no interest and would rather spend her time with my friends and family.  Watching how all those she meets immediately warm to her fills me with pride and makes me realise just how lucky I am.

Our first Christmas together.  OK this is still to come.  But being together and having my wife hear with me at Christmas will be the best present I could have wished for this year.  Those xmas day visits to the family will certainly be a lot more fun too.

How I've Changed

I think its impossible after such an eventful year not to have changed in some ways.  My views on immigration certainly have.  I will admit that before having a foreign partner and going through the visa process, I probably felt the same way much of the population does about immigrants.  You could say I was ignorant to how much is really involved.  I used to be one of those that presumed Britain had an "open door policy" when it comes to immigration and I'm afraid to say I believed everything I would read in the tabloids or see on the news or from the "expert" down the local pub.  Now I have so much respect for any "genuine" person or family going through the process, and I mean all aspects of immigration, but especially non-EU migrants.  In keeping with that, I have also noticed just how much more I take an interest in UK politics.  Before I rarely voted or had any interest in doing so, but I now realise just how important it is to have a say in who is running things, even if it has little effect. 

My wife's arrival has also had quite an effect on my relationship with my own family too.  Something I wasn't expecting at all, was just how much closer it has brought us together.  I always knew my parents would welcome my wife into the family, but there was always a fear of how she would be received by them.  No matter how much people consider themselves to be liberal or multicultural, I think there tends to be a certain view of Thai ladies coming to the UK and I thought this might have an effect on how my wife was perceived by my parents and friends.  Luckily we have had no such issues and like I said she has been accepted with open arms and is loved by all those she meets.  As a result I now see my family more than ever. 

One of the main things I've had to learn is how to compromise and not have everything my own way.  I bought my house four years ago and had lived alone until my wife's arrival.  After so much time on my own there have been times when it has been "difficult" to accept an others view on how things should be done but I guess its all part of the fun.

What Will Next Year Bring?

As with this year, it's hard to predict.  We have an idea for my wife to start a small business working from home so that's something we'll be looking at early in the new year.  I also know Janny really wants to start a family sooner rather than later so that will be a conversation we'll be having in the not too distant future I'm sure.  Other than that I'm trying not to think too far ahead.  It's still a long road for us and I'm sure the next visa requirement will creep up on us a lot sooner than we think, so that will always be in the back of my mind.  But for now I'm going to try and relax a lot more this year and see what comes our way.  One thing I've learned since having a Thai partner is to expect the unexpected............

Hope everyone has an amazing Christmas and New Year

Cheers
Steve

Home Sweet Home

Hi all,

Well, its been a long time since my last post and has felt like a long wait.  But my wife and I finally arrived back into the UK together a few days ago.  After a couple of busy days she's having a snooze so I thought it would be a good time for an update.

I flew out to Thailand just over a week ago to help my wife pack up.  I decided to make the trip over and travel back together as my wife is a nervous traveller at the best of times, never mind flying half-way around the world alone for the first time.  Not only that, but it also gave me a chance to say a little farewell to Thailand as I think it is going to be a while before we can go back.  Not the cheapest way of doing things but was the best way for us.

bye bye Thailand

So on a bright sunny Thursday lunchtime we arrived into Newcastle airport.  Another reason for me wanting to travel back with my wife, was so that I could be with her if she faced any hard questions at the border.  After hearing about some not-so-nice immigration officers at the London airports we were a little nervous about what she could expect, but no such issues at Newcastle.  The staff manning the queues were very friendly and helpful and said it was okay for me to join my wife in the non-EU line which wasn't long anyway.  When we reached the front we went up together and to my surprise it was I rather than my wife who faced the questioning.  I was asked how we are related, about my job, how long we have been married and if my wife intends to work here.  That was it, stamped in and all very pleasant and friendly.  My wife wasn't asked any questions at all or asked to produce her TB test certificate.  So from landing, clearing immigration and collecting our baggage was under thirty minutes.

Back home, Janny's first priority was to get everything unpacked, arrange all of her stuff and re-clean the house from top to bottom which I'd done just before leaving anyway.  But it has helped her to settle in and feel at home straight way.  The cold has been an issue and she's wearing several layers of clothes to bed but she is taking it all in her stride and I'm sure she'll get used to it.

After unpacking and getting sorted the last thing we felt like doing was going out and doing the shop, luckily there is an excellent Thai takeaway just a few minutes walk from our house and that drew a close to our first day together in the UK.

Our next priority will be to get Janny added to the council tax, registered at the doctors, dentist etc etc.

We'll keep you posted with our progress in the UK.  After all it's still only the beginning of a long journey for us.  But for now........life is good!!

Cheers
Steve

Settlement Visa Success!!

After months of organising, stress and uncertainty, today everything became so worthwhile.  Yesterday my wife received the sms from VFS to say that her application had been processed and returned to the courier.  We had been expecting to wait at least a few more days before her passport arrived in Phuket. Earlier today I received the best phone call I've ever taken in my life....my wife's passport had arrived and inside was her UK settlement visa.

It's still sinking in but it feels like a huge weight has been lifted.  Now we can finally start to make real plans for our future together in the UK.

The application was submitted on 19th September and processed on 11th October so total processing time was just three weeks and one day, or 16 working days depending on how you look at it.

The only disappointing thing (if that is even possible after such good news) is that the embassy have started the "valid from" using the "expected travel date" that we put on the application form.  At the time of submission the processing times were longer and so we put in what we thought was a realistic date two months after the submission.  We did not specifically ask for that travel date anywhere else on the form or in the additional info so we were not expecting them to post-date the visa.  That means my wife can not travel until next month, but still its not too long and if anything will give me a chance to organise things at home.

So the plan now is to look for flights.  I'm going to head back to LOS for a week next month, help my wife pack up and then bring her home with me.

Although this is what the blog has been building toward over the past few months, our journey is far from over so I will continue to post on our progress.  For now I'll take some time to let it sink in and relax before the real hard work begins lol

Cheers
Steve

Wedding Studio Photos

When my wife and I were married earlier this year, one thing we didn't have time to do was make some decent wedding photos.  So on my first week back in LOS we spent a day at a wedding studio in my wife's home town Maha Sarakham.
Originally we decided on a package of 7000thb but the price didn't include too much for the money.  When we went back to have the photos done we agreed to a more expensive package of 13000thb.  For the price we had two outfit changes with four backdrops, farang and Thai style (although my wife used her own thai style wedding dress), hair and make-up, 30 action shots and album, plus one large scale print of our choice.

Here's a selection of a few:-

Visa application submitted 19th September

Hi All,

Just back home today after a busy couple of weeks in Thailand.  We finally submitted my wife's settlement visa application on 19th September.  The on-line submission and appointment is relatively straight forward so I'll keep this one (reasonably) short.

On-line Application Process


Basically the on-line visa applications are filled in by going to this website http://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/  Firstly I printed off a rough paper version of the settlement form from the UKBA website and went through it with my wife to make sure I had all the relevant answers.  I actually started the process about a week before I left the UK and filled in the form on behalf of my wife.  The on-line form is pretty much (if not identical to) the paper form.  It also allows you to save your application before submission and then go back to complete it but you must log-in within seven days or you'll have to start a fresh application.  I basically signed into the almost completed form on the first day when I arrived in LOS and printed it out when it was completed.  I did it this way because I needed to make an appointment for the second week of my trip but the system only allows you to book appointments so many days in advance (a week), hence the reason I couldn't simply complete it all and book an appointment from the UK.

Booking Appointments to Submit Supporting Documents and Payment


When you reach the point on the form where it is complete, you are then prompted to print a copy which must be signed and submitted with the supporting documents folder.  You are then also prompted to make an appointment to submit the supporting documents.  This is done by clicking on a link to the VFS website.  To book an appointment you need the spouse's passport number which you'll have anyway.  When we booked there were many appointments available for later the same week, but none available on a next day basis which may be worth considering if you have limited time.  When the appointment is booked you print out the confirmation which will show the VFS office address and contact details.
We booked an appointment for 10.00am and arrived at Regent House at around 09.30 because we had to arrange a bank draught for the payment.  VFS do not accept cash but there is a bank downstairs where we obtained our bankers draught made out to "British Embassy Bangkok" for the 40,500thb fee.  I believe you can pay by card too when you complete the form on-line but I won't comment on that because it's not the way we wanted to go.
So we made our way upstairs at 10.00am and although busy, it wasn't a scrum.  I had to wait outside whilst my wife went in and I nervously waited around for about 30mins.  Janny then came out looking stressed and said we had to reprint the form because something was missing.  I looked through it and couldn't see anything wrong but they mentioned something about the signature page.  I still don't know exactly what the issue was but I think the page had not printed correctly and also my wife signed it in English and she was told to print and sign again in Thai.  The staff let me inside for around 10mins to reprint the paper before I was basically told to get out lol.
Anyway a while later after Janny had her biometrics done and paid the courier fee to send back the original folder to Phuket (we submitted a separate folder of copies to be retained by the Embassy), she came out and had calmed down a little.  My wife was given a receipt with a reference number which is used for tracking the application through the VFS website and it also says the receipt must be given to the courier on receipt of her passport when the decision has been made.

That was pretty much it.  In total we were at the VFS building for almost two hours.  We then flew down to Phuket later that afternoon.  A few hours after submission Janny received a text to say the folder had gone to the Embassy.  Now it's just a waiting game and I'll keep checking the website every other day to check the status.  The lady at VFS told my wife "4 weeks if quickly, 60 days if slowly".  However I've seen a few quick responses recently of around two weeks but I'm not trying to think about it too much.

It's gonna be a long first day back at work tomorrow that's for sure.

Cheers
Steve

Almost there.......

It's just over a week before I fly back out to LOS.  I haven't posted for a little while so I thought I'd give a brief update. 
Everything I can include or add to my wife's settlement folder from the UK has pretty much been done.  My sponsor letter which I was putting off until the last minute is now finished, as is Janny's covering letter.  After reviewing the file I decided to add a few additonal documents.  For example I downloaded a copy of the land registry document for my house to add to the accommodation section (£4 from http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/).  Other than that I'm fighting the urge to play around with the layout and just leave it as it is.  That just leaves the addition of Janny's documents in Thailand, such as her birth certificate, name change paper, etc to complete the folder.  One of our first jobs when I arrive into BKK is to have those documents translated. 

Janny's had a busy week starting the prepartions for our village ceremony, although to be honest her family back home are doing a lot of the work before we get there.  There's been lot's of ringing around pricing studio photo's, having invitations made and pricing dress rental etc.  In the end it worked out only a little more expensive to actually buy her dress so we'll only need to rent my suit.  I must admit, when we first started talking about the village ceremony a while ago it was basically just a way of gathering more evidence to add to the visa application.  But the more we talk about it and the closer it gets I'm really looking forward to it.  From what she's been telling me, it sounds like it will be a really good experience for both of us and I know she's a lot more excited about it than she's letting on.

So what now?  This weekend I'm going to fill in the online application and save it, ready to submit and print out when I get to Thailand.  The problem being you can only book appointments to submit the supporting documents up to five days in advance.  We need a date for the second week so that will have to be done in LOS. 
I'm sure the following week is going to drag with nothing left to do.  But one thing is for sure, I'm so glad I started preparing everything early rather than leaving it to the last minute.  I'd much rather be sitting here with nothing to do rather than rushing around trying to pull everything together.

Next time you here from me I'll probably be in Thailand, so until then.....

Steve

Folder Layout & Document Presentation

***Amended 7th August.  Following advice from those in the know, I have changed the folder to a smaller more manageable flexible plastic one.  I have also removed all of the photocopies and will submit those in a separate folder in the same layout.  The reason being that if the folder is too large to fit inside the VFS jiffy bag used to send it to the embassy, then there is a chance the staff will remove the documents from the folders which could affect the order and presentation***

With five weeks to go until I return to Thailand.  The TB test and all of the legal requirements are taken care of.  There's not much more I can do from the UK, other than compile the documents and evidence which I have with me here and organise them into my wife's settlement visa folder.

For the layout I have decided to split the folder into eight sections.  Each section will be labelled, indexed and separated by dividers.  A main contents page at the front will make it easy for the embassy staff to find whatever they need.  At the beginning of the larger more detailed sections, for example the financial, accommodation and evidence, I have written an overview explaining what is included in that section.

No doubt there may be some changes made before submission and there are some things I have yet to complete e.g. my sponsor letter, on-line application, plus the addition of translations and any documents from Thailand.  But so far the layout is as follows:-

Section 1 – Introduction

• Cover letter from applicant
• Cover letter from sponsor

Section 2 – Application Form

• Printout of completed online application form VAF4A

Section 3 – Applicant Key Documents

• Current Passport
• Previous Passport
• ID Card (Photocopy)
• Thai marriage certificate + English translation
• Name change certificate + English translation
• Tabien Baan house book (photocopy)
• Financial status, Bank of Ayudhya bank book, Bank of Ayudhya applicant/sponsor joint bank account book
• Employment history

Section 4 – Sponsor Key Documents

• Copy passport certified by UK based solicitor
• Birth Certificate
• Copy of Thai marriage certificate
• Copy of certified Affirmation of Freedom to Marry

Section 5 – TB Test & English Language Requirement

• TB Test certificate issued by IOM Bangkok
• BULATS English test certificates issued by Vantage Siam Bangkok (A1 + B1 levels achieved)

Section 6 – Sponsor Financial Status

• Financial status overview
• Six months salary slips + P60's dated 2010 & 2011
• Annual bonus confirmation letter
• Letter from current employer
• Confirmation letter of 2011 pay increase
• Savings account statements Feb '11 – present (Acc No 01196228)
• Current account statements March '11 – present (Acc No 02432952)
• Latest credit card statement showing balance & available credit

Section 7 – Accommodation

• Accommodation overview
• Photographs of accommodation
• Land Registry Document
• Floor plan
• Royal Bank of Scotland mortgage statements 2008-2011
• Council Tax Bill, City of Sunderland 2011/12
• Northumbrian Water utility bill 2011/12
• Npower Gas & Electric utility bill 2011
• Home insurance policy certificate

Section 8 – Evidence of Relationship

• Section overview
• History of relationship
• Photographs applicant/sponsor April '10 - Sept '11
• Boarding passes from sponsors Thailand trips April '10 - Sept '11
• Copy of sponsors passport pages showing entry stamps into Thailand
• Boarding passes from joint trips made together applicant/sponsor
• Hotel receipts
• Skype sms records sponsor to applicant May '10 - Sept '11
• 18185.co.uk itemised telephone invoices, sponsor to applicant
• Orange home invoices
• Orange mobile invoices
• Copy of joint bank account book opened after marriage May '11
• Western Union money transfer receipts sponsor to applicant June '10 - Sept '11
• Copy emails, selection May '10 - Sept '11
• Wedding Greetings cards from family and friends

 

Presentation of Evidence

Photographs - For the presentation of photographic evidence.  Rather than submitting full albums I have made a selection of pics spanning the duration of our relationship.  Some of the photos have the date digitally stamped in the corner which also helps.  I have arranged them into a kind of timeline format.  I have pasted three or four photos onto individual A4 pages and printed them out.  I will add more in September when I return to Thailand to include our village ceremony and more with the family. But in total I will include maybe twenty pages or around eighty photos.  I may also include the original prints but haven't decided if that is necessary.  

Evidence of contact - I have included copies of monthly Skype sms records, itemised telephone bills from land line and my mobile, money transfer receipts and emails.  For emails, due to the volume I have selected copies of a few from each month from the duration of our relationship but will also include a screen shot of my in/out box.  This may sound strange but in with my photos I have included a shot of me and my wife chatting on skype to show how we talk via webcam.  

Originals vs Photocopies - The Embassy state that original documents, plus one photocopy of each should be provided.  I have tried to do this for everything where possible including bank statements, pay slips, P60's, marriage certs etc.  I have also made photocopies of everything that will be included in the folder to keep here at home.  Just in case I need to refer to anything and also there is a chance that some documents will not be returned by the Embassy.
***Following advice and due to the amount of documentation I have decided to submit two folders.  One containing all of the original documents and a second for photocopies of all of the original docs to be kept by the embassy***

So again, that's pretty much where we're up to.  I imagine the next few weeks will feel like a lifetime, because there isn't really much else I can do.  I will start working on my sponsor letter soon but that shouldn't take too long.  Ideally I will submit the on-line application just before I leave for Thailand but I believe they won't allow you to make appointments for any longer than five days ahead.  So even that may have to wait until I land in LOS because we need to have an appointment for a week after I arrive.  The first week when I arrive will be spent in Isaan for the village ceremony and I'll also have to spend some time having translations done and finalising the folder.  

Cheers for now

Steve

Here We Go Again - More Proposed Changes To UK Visa's

In July 2011 the UK government published a consultation on proposed changes to family migration (which includes the spouse of British nationals).  The closing date if you wish to respond to the consultation is on 6th October 2011.  The implementation of the proposals is to take place from April 2012.
As we will be submitting my wife's settlement visa application before this date, it remains to be seen how the proposed changes will effect us.  However, the consultation contains important information for those considering applying for settlement to the UK over the coming months.  The document is long and involved so I have tried to extract the important information in relation to spouses in keeping with the theme of this blog.

The consultation follows on from recent changes to other areas such as student and economic visa  applications "We have already capped the number of economic migrants coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area. We have announced plans to reform student visas and to clamp down on bogus colleges. We also recently launched a consultation aimed at breaking the link between temporary migration and permanent settlement. As a result of our policies we anticipate net migration will be in the tens of thousands in future.  But we have been clear that we will take action across all the routes of entry to the UK, so we must also take action on the family migration route" 


From what I can tell the key proposals relating to spouse applications are as follows:-

• Increasing the probationary period before applying for settlement from two years to five years.  As it stands when a foreign spouse enters the UK they are given a two year probation period.  After that two years they can then apply for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).  This will be increased to five years under the new proposals.  This would also mean that the spouse would also not be able to claim benefits until after that five year period.
• Introducing stricter or a more clear definition of what they consider to be a "genuine and continuing relationship, marriage or partnership".  How exactly they intend to do that is not clear and they "invite views on how that definition should be framed".  One suggestion is that "the couple have been in a relationship for a minimum of 12 months prior to the marriage visa or leave to remain application, and must be able to evidence regular contact during those 12 months."
• Increasing the income requirement of the sponsor considered sufficient to support the applicant without the need for recourse to public funds.  At present, what is considered sufficient is based on the current level of Income Support.  The document states that only the sponsors income and savings will be taken into account.  It is also suggested that, given the current economic climate, the applicants potential earnings from working in the UK will not be taken into account as part of the requirement.  Third party support will also not be considered, an example being if the sponsors parents were providing financial support for the couple.
• Reintroduction of an "attachment requirement".  This means that the applicant and sponsor would have to show a combined "attachment" to the UK greater than to any other country other than marriage.  The proposed outline of this is based on the system used in Denmark.  One criteria of the Danish system states that the applicant must have visited the country at least 2 times before applying for the visa.
• Applicants to have an understanding of "everyday English".  This would mean an increase to the B1 level from the current A1 level.
• Currently couples who have lived together for 4 years or more outside of the UK can be granted immediate settlement, leave to remain on return to the UK.  Under the new proposals they would be made to complete the new 5 year probationary period.
• Appeals for family visitor visa refusals would be scrapped

So what are my thoughts?  Well there are probably some good points in there and also some bad.  I haven't had a chance to get my head around everything yet, simply because of the volume of information in there. What I haven't mentioned in the above is the amount of times the "burden on the tax payer" is highlighted in the consultation document.  It's brought up too many times in my opinion and it seems like the government are using this as the basis to win favour with the general public.  I also believe that the proposals are politically motivated, rather than a genuine attempt to tackle the immigration issue.

For anyone thinking of going down the settlement visa route these are important times and I would seriously recommend having a read through the consultation.  It may seem like pretty boring stuff but could potentially have a major impact on future applications.  The consultation can be found here:-

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/consultations/family-migration/consultation.pdf?view=Binary

Instructions on how to respond to the consultation can be found here:-

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/consultations/family-migration/response.pdf?view=Binary

Closing date for responding to the consultation is 6th October 2011

I suspect the decision on which, if any of the proposals will be implemented has already been made.  But I for one will certainly be taking the time to complete the response form.  I would suggest anyone with a personal interest do the same, however little effect it may or may not have on the outcome.

Steve

TB Test Certificate Issued

I mentioned briefly in another post about the TB test which is required for anyone wishing to stay in the UK for longer than six months.  Today Janny was in Bangkok to have her test.  Thankfully she was issued with a certificate, but again not without some drama. 
The only office which can issue the TB test certificate is the IOM (International Organisation for Migration) based in Bangkok.  Janny took the overnight bus from Phuket up to Bangkok (12hrs ouch!) and was met by a friend at the bus station who took her to the IOM office.  Janny had called the IOM a week before to book an early appointment.  When she called she was told to bring her passport plus one photocopy, her ID card plus photocopy and also two passport sized photos.  After registering at the office, Janny was told to go to Phyathai hospital for her x-ray.  There are two hospitals which the IOM use for the the x-rays, Phyathai and Bumrungrad. 
Janny took a taxi from the IOM to Phyathai hospital where it didn't take long to have her x-ray done and then back to the IOM.  At this point it was around 12.00 Thai time so I called her from home before I headed to work to see how she was getting on.  First thing she said to me was "I not pass".  Great I thought, nothings ever easy for us.  I don't know exactly what the issue was with her x-ray, but they told Janny to go back and have another x-ray done. 
So again, another taxi ride to Phyathai, another x-ray and back to the IOM.  Luckily this time Janny was issued with a certificate.  I can only presume that there may have been something small showing on the first x-ray and the IOM wanted another just to confirm that there wasn't a serious issue.  I had heard of some people having to go back to the IOM on cosecutive days or even weeks for further tests, so we were both relieved to have the certificate issued.  
So anyway by 15.00 a very tired but relieved Janny was heading back to the bus station with her TB certificate.  When the IOM gave Janny her certificate, they told her to keep it with her when she flies because she will need to present it at immigration. 

So thats another requirement ticked off the list.  Some useful addresses and links as follows:-

TB Test fee: 2600baht
Validity Period: 6 months

International Organisation for Migration
Kasemkij Building
8th Floor, 120 Silom Road
Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel: +66 2 234 7950-5
Fax: + 66 2 234 7956

Phyathai 2 Hospital                                       Bumrungrad Int Hospital 943
Phaholyothin Rd                                           33 Sukhumvit 3
Phyathai, Bangkok                                        Bangkok
10400                                                          10110

http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/tb.aspx
http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/images/IOMInformationSheetEnglish.pdf
http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/images/kasemkij%20map.pdf

Visa Fee - Another Money Making Scam?

***Amendment 30/08/11 - Well maybe the Embassy are reading my blog :) from earlier this month the rate being applied by the Embassy has been changed to 50thb to the £.  Still not quite the more realistic 48 but its a start***

Can anyone remember the last time they were getting 52thb to the pound in Thailand?  It certainly hasn't been within the last two years from what I can remember.  Yet that is the current exchange rate being applied to visa fee's by the UK Embassy in Bangkok "These fees are effective for all visa applications made from 6 April 2011. The consular rate of exchange is 52 Baht [THB] to £1". 

The UKBA website sets the settlement visa fee at £810 or 42120thb using their out of date exhange rate of 52thb to the £.  In reality, using the ACTUAL rate which is more like 48.5thb, that makes the fee substantially more at around £868. 
Given that the Embassy process hundreds of visa's every month, that difference in fee must be making them thousands of pounds over and above what they should be charging than if the fee's were linked to current exchange rates.  For example, the statistics for processing visa's found on the guidance to processing times, claims that 146 settlement visa decisions were made in May.  146x the difference of £58 would make the Embassy £8.5k more than they should be charging by using the current rates.  Surely it would be a much more fair system to regularly update the exhange rate, even on a monthly basis?
I can't help but feel that the government are maintaining the out of date rate as another way of squeezing even more money from those that have no choice but to pay.  Afterall, what price do you put on being able to join your loved ones in the UK?

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/visafees/visafeessettlement
http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/visafees.aspx

TB Test Booked

Another requirement of the settlement visa, or for anyone wishing to stay in the for UK longer than six months, is that they must have a test certificate showing that they are clear of infectious tuberculosis.  The TB test certs can only be issued by the IOM (International Organisation of Migration) in Bangkok.

Today Janny called the IOM and has booked her appointment for 11th July. 

I will write another post about exactly whats involved and how she gets on, after she has had her test.

English Language Requirements For UK Settlement Visa

On 29th November 2010 it became a requirement of the settlement visa to satisfy a level of English to at least A1 level. 
This has been the cause of much frustration for myself and many others over the past few months.  Until around March this year there was a list of approved test providers available on the UKBA website, and also a list of test providers located within Thailand on the VFS Thailand website.  At the end of March '11, one month before I was due to fly to Thailand, I booked an English test for Janny to take whilst I was there with her through one of the test providers on the VFS list.  Within a day of booking that test I received an email stating that the test provider had been removed from the list and they were cancelling all appointments.  I then looked to the UKBA for an explanation and the only information being given stated that a review of the test providers was being conducted and would be published at some point in April.  For a period there was no further info being published by the UKBA or any advice on offer for the interim period.  This effectively stopped me from being able to make any other arrangements for booking a new test and also stopped me from making any travel plans to Bangkok where most of the test providers are located.  
With only vague information coming out of the UKBA (as ever), I started contacting some of the test providers on the existing list to ask whether they could confirm if they were to be included on the new list.  I received a few replies but the most confident was from a company called Vantage-Siam.  They advised that as an agent for Cambridge they were very confident of being included on the list.  One requirement of the new approved providers was to have test center's in a minimum number of countries and to provide a certain amount of tests each year, which Cambridge do.  I decide to take a small risk and book a test through Vantage rather than waiting around for the new list to be published.  This meant that we could book flights to Bangkok and hotels etc. Cost of the test was 5600baht
The test which Janny took through Vantage was the Cambridge BULATS.  The test is actually a business language test but only a low level is actually required to meet the A1 standard.  The test consisted of two parts.  An online computer based test CBT and also a speaking test.  The Computer test is what they call "adaptive", meaning that each question is decided by how the previous one was answered.  If several questions are answered incorrectly the level drops, or goes up a level if answered correctly.  This then gives an overall score to determine the applicants level.  For the speaking test Janny was asked to talk about where she was from and what her job involved.  She was then asked to elaborate more and was asked things like what she liked about her job etc.
We waited around a week to receive the test certificates, which we arranged to have posted back to Phuket.  Janny's score for the two test was A1 & B1 so more than suffiecient to satisfy the visa requirements.  Janny was so proud of herself, as was I.  She had worried for weeks about having to do an English test and was so relieved to finally have it in the bag.

There has since been a new approved list of test providers published by the UKBA and also some guidance for the interim period.  Basically anyone that has a existing test certificate from a test providers on the old list, will still be accepted for applications made before 17th July 2011.  All applications made after 18th July (like Janny's will be) must provide test certificates issued by a provider on the new list. 

Links:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/partners-other-family/guidance-for-applicants.pdf
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf
http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/images/A1_Testing.pdf

Marriage In Thailand

There are two sides to a marriage in Thailand.  The legal amphur (registry office) marriage and usually a buddhist ceremony or "village" wedding for show.  For the purpose of the visa application info I will concentrate only on the legal marriage requirements for now.  Janny and I will be having a small village ceremony on my next trip in September and I'll post about that when the time comes.

The process for a UK national to marry a thai within Thailand really is quite simple and in theory can be done over a couple of days.  There were some delays with our marriage which I'll explain but the process basically involves the following stages:-

1)  Affirmation of Freedom to Marry - needs to be stamped by the UK Embassy in Bangkok
2)  Translation of the stamped Affirmation - have the affirmation translated into Thai
3)  Affirmation authenticated by the MFA - the translated affirmation then needs to be certified at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
4)  Amphur wedding - Produce the certified affirmation & other documents at any local amphur office where a marriage certificate will be issued.

As mentioned above, there were some issues which delayed the process for us but we still managed to have everything completed within four working days.  Our experience went like this:-

Before leaving the UK, I prepared my affirmation from a template which can be found on the UK Embassy website.  It's just a case of retyping the affirmation in the same format and adding your own personal details and printing it off.  I also included a photocopy of my passport page.  We took an early morning flight up to Bangkok from Phuket midweek on a Wednesday.  After checking into our hotel we headed straight to the UK Embassy on Wireless Rd at 10.00am.  Due to the security checks and a small queue at the entrance it took a little while to enter the embassy grounds so I would suggest going as early as possible.  The affirmations are taken at the consular section which is located to the right as you enter the embassy.  I took a number in the waiting area and waited to be called.  When my number was called I signed the affirmation and handed it in with the photocopy of my passport and paid the 2860baht fee.  I was told to return after 14.00 the same day to collect the stamped affirmation.
After collecting my stamped affirmation that afternoon I took a walk around and found a decent looking translation office not too far from the embassy.  I paid 450baht to have my affirmation translated and was told it would take an hour to complete.  The guy in the translation office tried to sell me their wedding package to do the entire process for us but there really is no need to pay for something thats easily done yourself.  I returned an hour later to collect the affirmation (which must also be stamped and dated by the translator).  By this time it was around 16.00 so within the first day I had my affirmation stamped and translated. 

It was a this point that I found out that the MFA were closed on the following day because of a public holiday and so we lost a full day and were not able to have the affirmation certified.  I would advise checking for public holidays before travelling, especially if you have limited time in Bangkok.
After losing a full day on the Thursday, at 8.00am on Friday morning we took a taxi to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lak Si.  The MFA was already busy when we arrived and headed up to the legalization dept on the 3rd floor.  As you enter the MFA building go up the escalator and then up another set of stairs.  At the info desk they asked me what I needed and was given a form to fill in.  I completed the form, another copy of passport is required at this point too, and they asked if I needed the affirmation back that day, which I did.  We were then given a number and told to go to the supervisors office.  The supervisor had a quick glance at the form and scribbled something in thai and told us to return to the waitng room where we were given another number.  After waiting an hour and a half my number was called and I handed in the affirmation and paid the 800baht same day service fee (standard 400baht I think).  I was told it would be ready at 12.00pm and so we went back into town as Janny had her English test scheduled for 11.00am (English test to be covered in another post).  By the time we returned to the MFA it was around 12.45 and I went to the collection counter.  Problem number two, there was an issue with the translation of my surname and the MFA would not accept it.  The told me they needed a new translation and directed me to the bookshop within the MFA building whom offer a translation service.  I had to hurry down and wait another hour to have a new translation done (another 400baht) and then hand it in again.  Following another long wait I was finally given my certified affirmation, but by now it was after 15.00pm and the amphur offices close at 16.00, no time to do the amphur wedding.  We already had flights booked back to Phuket for the Friday evening and so we couldn't complete the amphur wedding in Bangkok.

Back in Phuket we had no choice but to wait for the local amphur to open on Monday following the weekend.  We arrived mid afternoon (our own fault due to a few too many the night before) and the amphur was very busy, mainly with locals renewing ID cards.  We waited two hours only to be told that they did not have enough time to issue the paperwork and to return the following day.  We returned at 9.00am the following morning and again had a long wait before we were seen.  We handed over the certified affirmation, my passport, Jannys ID card and tabien baan (blue house book) along with copies of everything.  The staff asked me how old I was and where I came from and we signed a few forms.  We paid 40baht and were given two copies of the marriage certificate and a paper required for Janny to changed her family name.  And that was it......married!

So to sum up.  Although there is a fair amount of running around between the embassy, translator, MFA and amphur, the process is quite straightforward.  If I could have done anything differently I would have checked for public holidays in Bangkok before we made the journey and also allowed more time for errors like our translation issue.  If not for the public holiday we could have done the entire process in three days, two at a push but allowing for three should cover everything.

Total cost was 4550thb including:-
UK Embassy affirmation fee: 2860thb
First translation: 450thb
MFA certification same day service: 800thb
Corrective translation: 400thb
Amphur fee for 2x marriage certificate: 40thb

Other costs to consider are: taxi fares when travelling to and from the MFA, cost of making copies and also some amphurs charge a fee for the staff to act as witnesses but we were never asked to pay a fee.

Useful Links & addresses:-

UK Embassy
14 Wireless Road 
Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330

http://tipsthailand.com/marriage-in-thailand/

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/
http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-thailand/how-register-marraige1/
http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2011/affirmation-of-freedom
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My Story So Far

Where to start?  I guess I should begin with an overview of my history with Thailand, where I am now and how I reached this point.

My first trip to Thailand was in April 2008.  Before that trip I had never considered a visit to Southeast Asia and it was a friend of mine that first suggested we take a "lads holiday".  It was the same friend that thought of Thailand as a possible destination, somewhere he had visited with his ex-girlfriend. 
At that time I was 27 years old, single, with money to burn and it had been years since my last holiday abroad.  I must admit my view of Thailand before that trip fell into the same stereotypical view that most first-timers have.  The image in my head was of ladyboys, gogo bars, buddhist temples and poor rice farmers.  I had no idea or real interest in the complexities involved with Thai culture and relationships.

One thing for certain, that first trip changed my life and the view I had of Thailand forever.  I met a girl, and remained in contact with her after returning to England.  Within a year I had returned to Thailand for a further two trips to visit her.  On those visits I was introduced to a side of Thailand away from the touristy beach locations and ex-pat bars.  I visited her family in the northeast, Isaan and was able to experience the "real Thailand" that so many westerners never see. 
That relationship lasted a little over a year.  There were none of the thai girl horror stories you hear so much about with us.  Long distance relationships are hard and some don't work out, nothing more to it than that, but I learned a lot in that year.  I tried to settle back into some kind of normal life in the months following that relationship but I could never seem to shake off the hold that Thailand had over me. 

Several months later in April 2010, I decided to take another trip with the intention of catching up with some friends which I had made on previous trips and also to see whether Thailand still held the same draw for me.  I went with no intention of becoming involved with another girl.....but again it didn't quite work out like that.
So in April of 2010 I met Janny and with a little help from mother nature, we spent just short of one month together.  That trip was originally supposed to be for a little over two weeks.  However, it was at this time that the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland was causing chaos all over Europe.  My scheduled flight home was cancelled and I spent an extra ten days in Thailand with Janny.  I'm not sure whether I believe in fate, but if it wasn't for that volcano, I really don't think we would be where we are today.
I returned home and remained in contact, but after my experience with my ex-girlfriend I was a little reluctant to become involved in another long distance relationship.  But the weeks went by and we grew closer and I returned six months later to visit Janny.  On that trip we visited Isaan where we spent time in Janny's home town of Maha Sarakham and also Khon Kaen before heading down to the islands.  We grew very close and it broke my heart to leave, but again I returned home and continued to talk with Janny via Skype everyday after work. 

After another visit the pressure to pay for the trips was catching up with me and so we started looking at a way forward for us.  I had already looked at ways for me to stay in Thailand which for me just seemed impossible and so we had to find another way to be together.  The only option left open to us was for Janny to come and live with me in the UK and so we decided to marry and apply for a settlement visa.  This was two months before I was due back for another trip in May 2011 but not enough time to put the settlement application together and finalise everything.  I decided that we should finalise some of the legal requirements on that trip in May and so we were legally married on 10th May 2011.  (I will make a seperate post detailing the legal aspect of marriage within Thailand as it's too much to cover in a few sentences).  One of the other things Janny managed to complete was a test to satisfy the English language requirement for the visa.  This requirement was brought into effect in November 2010 for anyone wishing to settle in the UK.  Again I will make another post detailing the English test. 

So I've been home a little over a month now and my wife Janny is still in Thailand.  I have started compiling together the masses of evidence required and building our settlement file.  The fact that we have done the legal marriage and English test will save us a lot of time and running around on my next visit to submit the application so that has taken some pressure off.  There are still some things that Janny will need to do before I head back, such as the TB test and she is planning on heading to Bangkok next month to do that.  I have my flight booked and will head back to Thailand in September to submit Janny's application. 

That's a brief summary but pretty much brings us up to date.  One thing I have found frustrating so far relating to the visa process, is the (lack of) information provided by the UK Border Agency (UKBA).  I have constantly found myself having to look to internet forums for advice and guidance due to the vague nature of the information given by the UKBA.  An example of this is the A1 English language test requirement which I'll cover in another post.  This is the main reason behind starting this blog.  I hope that my experience of actually going through each stage will help clarify some of the processes for anyone looking to do the same.

Cheers
Steve