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Posts posted by 7by7
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On 5/13/2021 at 4:33 AM, Rinrada said:
Correct...all of our Thai friends in North London have now received their Second dose...and are happy..
So all your Thai friends in North London are either over the age of 50 or in one of the priority groups due to their health or occupation?
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2 hours ago, overherebc said:
Gives the impression that money comes first, hard to believe that, isn't it. ????
1 hour ago, overherebc said:Very true. Life was never meant to be fair.
UKVI have always argued that the visa fee covers the cost of processing the application; which is the same whether the application is successful or not and also if an issued visa is unused.
Whilst limited, there have been flights from Thailand to the UK throughout the last year and there still are. Whilst you have what can be considered good reasons for not using her visa, at the end of the day it was your and her choice.
Refunds are usually only issued if an application is withdrawn before being processed. Cancel your visa, immigration or citizenship application
QuoteYou will not get a refund of the application fee if:.....
you have a visa and do not use it to travel to the UK
I can see nothing in Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents to suggest that the above has been temporarily suspended during the pandemic.
You can, of course, always ask UKVI directly.
If you do so, please let us know how you get on.
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5 hours ago, EricTh said:
B1 is low intermediate English. The same as primary school Thai.
As can be seen from the table you, yourself, posted earlier; yes, B1 is the lowest intermediate level.
However, as can be seen from this table, it is higher than primary school level.
Having said that, B1 should be easily achievable for someone living in the UK provided they have help and use English whenever possible; even when talking to their British partner. From my and others' experience, I would say that professional lessons are often not necessary. Especially as the candidate will have some English ability otherwise they would not have been granted their initial visa, which requires A1, nor their FLR, which requires A2.
Different for the LitUK test as English reading is required for the study materials and the test itself. Not too difficult if you come from a country which uses the Latin alphabet; but for those who don't, such as Thais, learning a new alphabet obviously makes it more difficult.
There are many courses available which teach the skills and knowledge required for the LitUK test, ranging from in a classroom with others to online at home. But fees for these are usually £200 plus.
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16 hours ago, EricTh said:
What is the min level for English proficiency in order to get a citizenship in UK?
The minimum requirement for citizenships is the same as that for ILR.
That is at least B1 in speaking and listening from an approved provider or a recognised degree taught or researched in English. Unless exempt through age, disability or being a national of one of the listed Anglophone countries.
All applicants except those exempt through age or disability must also pass the LitUK test.
The qualifications used for ILR can be used again for citizenship; even if the pass certificate has expired or the provider is no longer on the approved list.
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If it is the correct grade, CEFR A2 for FLR, then she can use the same pass as before, even if the certificate has expired.
However, remember that following the continuous FLR route instead of ILR is not only be expensive with new applications every 30 months, but hazardous as well. For example, if for some reason you can't meet the financial requirement for FLR then she'd be refused and have to leave the UK.
Also, once she has ILR she can apply for citizenship. FLR expires after 30 months, and ILR will lapse if she spends a continuous period of 2 years or more outside the UK; but citizenship will only be removed if she obtained it fraudulently or is convicted of a major crime, which I'm sure neither would be the case here.
I appreciate that the language requirement and LitUK test can be difficult, but after at least 5 years here surely her English has improved enough for her to at least have a go.
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15 hours ago, CharlieH said:For those that wish to look at/post world topics and events, new sub forums have been created in the "home country" forum.
"NO POLITICAL discussions."
I'm sure that you and your fellow mods plus the admin team fought hard for this concession from the owners; but, with respect; a forum where one can "look at/post world topics and events" without political discussion is akin to non alcoholic beer.
Watered down and pointless.
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On 4/11/2021 at 1:17 PM, thaibeachlovers said:
Due to things invented during WW2 life began to change quite quickly after it was over. The first operational electrically operated computer was invented to break Enigma, and that started probably the largest change in human behavior ever. Also major advances in aircraft eg the jet engine.
It's got to the stage where it seems new inventions are obsolete even before they are taken up in significant numbers. IMO hydrogen is going to replace battery cars even before they become universal, no doubt to Elon's disappointment.
No argument from me over any of that.
But it doesn't have much to do with your comment
On 4/11/2021 at 12:49 PM, thaibeachlovers said:Many of the changes that have been made since WW2 have been disastrous for the environment, and the primary motivation of business now seems to be making a profit rather than serving humanity.
and my response
On 4/11/2021 at 1:00 PM, 7by7 said:Since WWII? No. 'Twas ever thus; even before the Industrial Revolution, but more so since.
Even less to do with the topic of this thread!
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7 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:
Many of the changes that have been made since WW2 have been disastrous for the environment, and the primary motivation of business now seems to be making a profit rather than serving humanity.
Since WWII? No. 'Twas ever thus; even before the Industrial Revolution, but more so since.
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11 hours ago, meechai said:
Yes normally I would think that is the case but...........
Same as you said bold underlined above....The US airline of choice may also require the same to fly you to the destination
of that expired passport with no further visa etc
Again...it is just these trying days that one would not want to find out at departure you will be denied
Especially afaik Visa On Arrival is dead for now? So we would be safer to just each get a 3 month visa before hand if her PP is not
sorted by the time we fly
That will satisfy all & would not be a US citizen overstay as our trips are 90 days or less & she would renew Thai PP while in Thailand
But lastly... Unless this whole C19 deal clears up we are remaining stationary in our safe rural residence here. Just too many hoops & rules/risk etc
Carriers have a duty to check that, to the best of their knowledge, passengers have the necessary paperwork to enter their destination; and can be heavily fined if they knowingly carry a passenger who does not.
However, all airlines' international check in staff know, or should know, that many (most?) countries allow their citizens to enter with an expired passport; and that Thailand is one such country.
As I said, neither my wife nor my daughter had a problem; but I do know of one instance where someone did. A request to speak to the check in supervisor soon fixed it.
However, if you want to get a visa for her in her US passport; up to you and her. But remember, if she uses her US passport to enter Thailand then for all immigration purposes she will be treated as a US citizen and she must also use it to leave.
Whether or not she could renew her Thai passport in Thailand when there is no record of it and it's holder entering the Kingdom, I don't know.
I think you are overcomplicating things. If she's unable to renew her Thai passport in the US before you travel, then I suggest she uses her expired one to enter Thailand and renew it whilst there. If worried about her being allowed to check in with an expired Thai passport, contact your airline and ask.
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My wife and daughter are both dual Thai/British citizens. They have each on separate occasions left the UK using their British passport and entered Thailand using their expired Thai passport without any problems.
My wife's was only a couple of months out of date; but my daughters had expired over a year previously.
Citizens of most countries have an absolute right to enter the country of which they are a citizen. A passport usually confirms citizenship, and that citizenship does not expire just because the passport has.
Of course, a valid passport is usually required to leave again, so my wife and daughter both renewed their Thai passports whilst there. Cheaper, quicker and easier than doing so in the UK.
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11 hours ago, KannikaP said:Some members are saying that the closure of World News will be reflected in advertising revenue.
Let's have a poll.....how many of you log on in order to see the adverts, have looked or responded to one of the ads on TV?
I stand to be corrected by those more knowledgeable than I, but my understanding is that a forum such as this is paid by the number of clicks a page receives, whether someone clicks on the actual ad or not.
Having said that, obviously clicking on the advert also generates income. Hence the adverts being tailored to each visitor. I can see one headed "A Cremation In Surrey Should Only Cost You This Much." I somehow doubt that any members in Thailand can see that!
But even those tailored ads wont attract visits from people who, like me, wont be visiting this place anywhere near as often now that our main attraction has been closed.
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8 hours ago, meechai said:555 yeah ok so I guess like 10 people have replied here same as you?
So over 200,000 members of ThaiVisa & 10 have agreed with you here....
Your right that is a majority I guess we are doomed as all 10 may leave & ThaiVisa will go belly up? ????
Thanks that was good ????
More people have posted to agree with me than you.
Yes, look at the membership list and there are well over 200,000 registered members. But how many are active?
On the first page are 24 members; 20 of whom joined more than 10 years ago of whom only 4 have post counts in double figures or above.
Most people who join a forum such as this do so for specific information, and when they have that information they never visit again. Yet they remain on the membership list. Everyone does; even banned members!
You have quoted "90,000 unique visitors/day" but have not said where that figure came from. Will you now do so?
Even if it is that high, from the views, let alone post counts, that the World News forum received, a large proportion of daily visitors reads that forum, even if they didn't post there on each visit, or even at all.
As others more knowledgeable than I have said, a large part of a site's ad revenue comes from the number of clicks.
That revenue has now been lost as even the archived topics have now been removed.
As has the Entertainment News!
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18 hours ago, bigyin said:
Regarding the vaccine, just discovered that the government website confirms that visitors to the UK can receive the vaccine free of charge. It does not say anything about following the age criteria so I don’t know how it will work. I must say I am very surprised but I suppose the view is to have as few unvaccinated people as possible.
As far as i can ascertain,
On 4/2/2021 at 11:56 AM, 7by7 said:Whilst visitors can have the vaccine for free in the UK, they must meet the same eligibility requirements as UK residents.
is correct.
One of the requirements is being registered with a GP. Whether or not the OP and his girlfriend can find a GP to register them I can't say.
There is also their ages to consider. Her exceptional circumstance runs out on 30th June. They may not be eligible for even the first dose by then.
(Source)
Then the second dose could be up to 12 weeks later.
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11 hours ago, 2530Ubon said:
I think it's because then TVF could be sued for sharing news stories and not paying for the content. There's no such thing as 'free' content. Journalists & news publishers work for money, and no-one is going to let you copy and paste their work for free.
QuoteRepublish for free
Scoop.me offers media and authors all over the world the opportunity to republish the content shared on Scoop.me free of charge – both for print and online. The articles can either be translated or republished in the original language.
(I have no connection to them, I am merely using them as an example. Other sites offering the same or a similar service exist.)
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12 hours ago, meechai said:Yeah right because gawd knows folks flock to Thai Visa for World News
I certainly didn't join TVF for the world news, and I doubt that many did.
However, the forum was popular; whilst some topics had less than 1000 views, many had tens of thousands. Did this popularity not generate revenue?
12 hours ago, meechai said:No...This is the classic sky is falling forum whine when someone doesn't get their way...
Suddenly it is .....doesn't the forum know it will fold without "me" or the "Feature I want"
From the replies here it seems that more people share my view than yours. So I guess the question is; should the management provide the type of forum the members want? After all, if it doesn't people will go elsewhere. The less traffic the forum receives, the lower the revenue.
12 hours ago, meechai said:1- This is a THAILAND Forum it should be Thai specific
So you think they should also get rid of all forums not directly related to Thailand?
That is most of them! How, for example, is Entertainment news. The latest showbiz, celebrity and entertainment news from around the world" or "In Your Face! Have your say on popular trending topics currently in the world. Quirky, fun, interesting."
There's the Regional Forums covering countries in S.E. Asia other than Thailand. Should they go?
13 hours ago, meechai said:2- Folks looking for "world" news have many forums to choose from as well as news websites
Indeed, but I'm a member here and enjoyed the banter and discussions with other members; including those with whom I disagreed.
Although we don't pay directly, we are this sites customers in the same way that a commercial TV station's viewers are it's customers. No business ever made money by telling it's customers to go elsewhere!
13 hours ago, meechai said:3- World News on Thai Visa has over the years just become a giant soapbox for the usual suspects to blame/whine/cry
over this & that in countries they usually no longer live in
Good Idea to shut it down Thai Visa ???? Agree 101%
OK, you didn't care for it nor the discussions therein. But it was popular. Should the forum be run solely for your benefit?
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10 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:20 minutes ago, nkg said:If the total income was less than the fees that they paid to Reuters ......
Stop using Reuters...
Indeed.
As I asked in the OP: "If ThaiVisa management no longer wanted to pay for World News content, why could the forum not have been left open for members to post free content and comments on same?"
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20 minutes ago, Chill27 said:
The Visa states "Duration 180 days"
My apologies, I got that bit wrong.
However
16 hours ago, Chill27 said:My Gf's visa has an Issue date and an Expiry Date.
I would genuinely like to know when this wording on the vignette changed.
23 minutes ago, Chill27 said:Anyway, this morning I have an update.
She has been granted an "exceptional assurance" until 30th June.
She can now stay without any adverse consequences for future applications.
Good news and a huge weight off my mind !
Congratulations, though I am surprised due to the reasons I've already stated.
32 minutes ago, Chill27 said:Now we will try to both get vaccinated and hopefully enter Phuket or Koh Samui on 1st July without needing to quarantine.
Whilst visitors can have the vaccine for free in the UK, they must meet the same eligibility requirements as UK residents.
QuoteIf you are not eligible yet
Wait to be contacted. The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
So the NHS need to know you exist! This is usually because you are registered with a GP.
If eligible but have not been contacted you can book online, but you must be registered with a GP to do so.
Note the above is for England.
Vaccination in other parts of the UK
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Scotland – NHS Inform: coronavirus vaccination
www.nhsinform.scot
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Wales – Public Health Wales: coronavirus vaccination
phw.nhs.wales
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Northern Ireland – Public Health Agency: coronavirus vaccination
www.publichealth.hscni.net
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Scotland – NHS Inform: coronavirus vaccination
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3 minutes ago, nkg said:
I was referring to the number of people participating in any given discussion. A topic with 1000 posts but only 15-20 contributors isn't making Thaivisa much money. This topic has one poster with 149 posts and another with 111 posts:
N.B. I edited my post with an addendum while you were typing.
260 posts out of 1000. Yes, many of those other posts were by the same people, too. But the topic had over 20,000 views! All of which generated advertising income.
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11 minutes ago, nkg said:The "World News" was dominated by a small number of "super-posters" who drove new users away with their aggressive, overly-argumentative posts.
New users provide ad revenue. 100 posts a day regulars don't.
Are you saying that advertising revenue is determined by the number of members, not the number of daily visits?
If so, that would explain the Hotel California nature of Thai Visa. Even banned members are still listed as members!
Although
suggests that the main revenue stream is from the total number of visits, regardless of how many individuals make those visits.
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22 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:<snip>
It is free so I guess I can't complain..
Free because of the advertising revenue. This will surely fall when the traffic drops.
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15 hours ago, Chill27 said:
My Gf's visa has an Issue date and an Expiry Date.
As the example I posted earlier shows, and others have confirmed, until 2019 at least a UK visit visa said "Valid for United Kingdom, from (date) until (date)."
I'd be very interested to discover when this changed to "issue date" and "expiry date."
9 hours ago, theoldgit said:Yes, of course the visa vingette still has a valid from and an until to date, and most of us know that means that the holder must leave the UK on or before the valid until date
Again, unless it's recently changed, nowhere on the vignette does it say that the visa is valid for a maximum of 6 months stay.
Coupled with the applicant being asked for their date of travel during the application process, I feel it should be obvious that they must leave the UK on or before the valid until date.
But if the OP insists that it was not so to he and his girlfriend, I'll believe him; but will UKVI?
Furthermore, at the start of the process applicants are asked to complete a short questionnaire to ensure that they apply for the correct visa. Having answered the questions thus
QuoteQuestion/Answer
What’s your nationality as shown on your passport or travel document?/Thailand
What are you coming to the UK to do?/Tourism
Will you be travelling with or visiting either your partner or a family member in the UK?/Yes
one is told to apply for a Standard Visit Visa and there's a link to the guidance for applicants; included in which is Visit the UK on a Standard Visitor visa.
Which contains
Quote7 After you arrive in the UK,
Check your visa to find out when you must leave the UK. If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to return to the UK again.
Not "The latest you can enter by" but "when you must leave."
OK it does say "After you arrive in the UK" which is a bit late for such a check. But it does make it clear that the visa says when you must leave, not the latest date you can enter and still stay for 6 months.
Again, if the OP says that neither he nor his girlfriend read any of this before she applied, then I'll believe him; but will UKVI?
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26 minutes ago, treetops said:
You used to be able to request for it to be post dated to start on the applicant's expected date of arrival, thus making the 180 days all available. Is that no longer the case?
When I first became interested, 20 plus years ago, UK visit visas were valid from the date of issue; unless a specified date was requested, which could be up to 90 days ahead.
Can't say exactly when, but more recently, certainly since the application process went online, applicants have been asked as part of the application to provide an intended date of travel; which can be up to 90 days ahead.
As far as I am aware, this is still the case. However, I await answers to the questions asked above to confirm or deny if this has changed.
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22 hours ago, theoldgit said:
I do have some sympathy with the OP, whilst the vignette does state that there is an expiry date,
On 3/31/2021 at 10:55 AM, 7by7 said:The last time I looked, UK visit visas also had two dates; valid from and valid until.
Is this no longer the case?
I did ask @Chill27
On 3/31/2021 at 11:57 AM, 7by7 said:Does your girlfriend's visa just have one, expiry date on it or does it have two dates, from and until, as per the example I posted?
but he has not answered.
22 hours ago, theoldgit said:many of us are aware that expiry date means that the visa holder must leave the UK on or before that date, the UKBA website no longer makes it clear.
What I have been told by applicants is that a lot of the guidance which used to be on the website is now part of the online process. The last application I was personally involved in was my stepson's in 2017, and I'm sure in his application he was asked the date he wished to travel to the UK.
I cannot find out without making an actual application; can anyone whose done so recently say if this is still the case?
Covid 19 Vaccination for expats.
in Q&A, Ask the Consular Team
Posted
As said in another topic, the UK government via the ambassador has made representations to the Thai government; which seem to have had some effect.
Though other sources would indicate that the Thai government are ambivalent on the matter.
But the UK government cannot force the Thai government to it's will; the days of gunboat diplomacy are long gone.