Eneukman
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Posts posted by Eneukman
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18 hours ago, MaprangHolmes said:
I would check that the car you want to buy, is still going to be zero rated tax after they all change in April. I think but I could be wrong this car has a co2 level of around 95 which would mean you would pay £120 road tax for the first year then £140 each year or buy a nearly new car which was registered before 31st March and still get zero rated road tax
You're right. Its CO2 emission is rated at 95. I'll check again in April. £120/140 isn't much but it would buy a few litres of petrol.
. There are other cars I'm thinking about but I suspect that their emissions will be similar.
Alan
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On 26/02/2017 at 10:10 PM, 7by7 said:
You may find that if she applies for cover to only drive as an accompanied provisional licence holder, with a condition that she does not drive unaccompanied with her Thai licence, that the premiums come down.
It is possible to obtain cover to drive with a Thai licence; when I was an ADI many of my pupils did. But it does require a lot of searching; the cheaper companies found through comparison sites usually don't offer it as they wont cover anyone they see as high risk.
I had the same trouble when I was an ADI; many companies wouldn't cover me because I was in the high risk category. Same when I got my licence back after I developed epilepsy; it is only now, after I have been free from attacks for 10 years, that can get cheap cover again.
I do, of course, recommend that she does have lessons with an ADI; driving in the UK is different to driving in Thailand. Plus, people develop bad habits over time; even experienced British drivers would probably fail if they had to take the test again without having any professional lessons first!
That's useful to know. It'll give my wife all the excuses she needs not to drive! I would be looking to buy a new, small car - something like the Peugeot 108 or similar, on which as far as I can gather, the road tax is zero. Hopefully, if we buy a new car, they'll provide us with free insurance for the first year.
My brother tells me that parking where we'll likely be staying is going to be a major problem unless the place has off-street parking. Around half of the potential rental properties I've seen don't have parking outside your front door for one reason or another. Buying a car was going to be one of the first things I did but it looks as though I'm better waiting until we have a place of our own (rented) and both have up to date UK licences. At least being over 60, I can get a bus pass but will have to pay a fortune to take Noi with me when we go anywhere by bus.
Alan
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19 hours ago, BrainLife said:
10 minutes, very slow. Last week I did it within 1 minute.
Last time I did my 90 day report, it took me between 5 and 10 minutes but there were 2 or 3 people ahead of me in the queue. I've been here almost 12 years now and have only once had a problem when doing my 90 day report and that was my fault for being more than 7 days late.
Alan
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17 hours ago, rasg said:
Unfortunately, I don't think there is a Wilkinson's near where we'll be living (population 3000). I'll need to ask my brother at some point if there's a store in Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes or Dundee..A friend is coming over in May so I can also ask him to have a look as he used to be a driving instructor.
I have found a site for that gives several examples of the theory test, though I'm not certain how realistic they are.
Do a Google. I think I saw one on somewhere like Amazon in the last couple of weeks.
Thanks for that and the link. I've seen the DVD offered for sale by Amazon so I think I'll wait until we're in Scotland before ordering it unless I happen to be near a Wilinsons (or Wilko?) The nearest one seems to be in Falkirk - about an hour and a half away by car but it's a long time since I was last there so I don't know how easy it is to park there.
Alan
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9 hours ago, bobrussell said:
We found that word of mouth was the best way to find a suitable instructor.
Talking to other Thai friends we found someone that had taught several other Thais. He turned out to be great, very patient and as stated earlier - a pass first time!
As I said above, we'll be living in a town with a population of 3000 so I doubt there will be that much choice locally. I have found 2 within a short distance of where we'll be living. Curiously, one lives next door to a house we may rent when we get there. Again, I'll make enquiries with my brother and friends.
Alan
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14 hours ago, 7by7 said:
She does not need to display 'L' plates whilst driving with her Thai licence.
That's good news as I want her to get some practice on motorway driving in the UK - mostly 2 lanes for the few near me.
Alan
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20 hours ago, MaprangHolmes said:
You can get a cheap Theory driving test DVD in wilkinson's for about £3 that has just about every question from the theory test which you just click the correct answer and it also has a selection of hazard awareness test for you to practice. Well worth the money.
Unfortunately, I don't think there is a Wilkinson's near where we'll be living (population 3000). I'll need to ask my brother at some point if there's a store in Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes or Dundee..A friend is coming over in May so I can also ask him to have a look as he used to be a driving instructor.
I have found a site for that gives several examples of the theory test, though I'm not certain how realistic they are.
Alan
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12 hours ago, rasg said:
And make sure you get a grade 4 or even better grade 5 driving instructor. One of the useful bits of info that I found out about on a speed awareness course. I had no idea that they were graded.
I only found that out last year myself. My driving instructor friend was downgraded from 5 to 4 at one point because he was giving too much help to a pupil. As he said to me, he wanted to ensure that his pupils passed the test. Not only are driving instructors graded but examiners also have their 'work' assessed from time to time to ensure that their assessment of someone's ability to drive is fair.
Alan
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14 hours ago, 7by7 said:
Rubbish; examiners judge all candidates on how they perform on the day.
Before I had to retire as an ADI for health reasons I taught many Thais, and other foreigners, to drive with a 100% pass rate; most first time.
Eneukman, your wife will need to obtain a GB (if she lives in England, Scotland or Wales) or NI (if she lives in Northern Ireland) provisional licence and pass the theory, including hazard perception, and practical tests before she can obtain a GB or NI full licence,
She does not have to wait until she has been here for 12 months, she can do this at any time. If she does so during her first 12 months residence then she can still drive unaccompanied using her Thai licence until she passes her tests. But if she has not obtained her full GB or NI licence once the twelve months are up she cannot legally drive except as a provisional GB or NI licence holder.
I strongly recommend that she has professional lessons. Not just because different countries have different standards, but also because people pick up bad habits. Many 'experienced' British drivers would fail if they had to take their test again without refresher lessons first!
Thanks for that information. I'll apply for a provisional licence as soon as practical after we arrive in Scotland. Where we'll be living, the roads are fairly quiet with few traffic lights and only a handful of roundabouts so that'll make it easier for her.
As I said, a friend is a former driving instructor so I'll get him to assess her driving before getting a current driving instructor to give her more lessons and to take her to where she'll need to sit her test - about half an hour or so from where we'll be living. I'll sit in the back a couple of times so I know what he's telling her to do and more importantly not to do so I don't end up teaching her bad habits when she drives with me in the front passenger seat. It'll also give me a guide as to all the many bad habits I've picked up over the years and which would result in me failing the test if i had to sit it again.
I found an example of the 'hazard awareness test' on-line with zero instructions and failed miserably! However, once I found instructions and went back and tried again, I scarped a pass. I scored zero on one of the videos, mainly because I clicked to soon before it had developed into a hazard. I think she could struggle to pass that unless the qualified driving instructor is able to give her some tuition and guidance as to how it should work.
Alan
I assume "L" plates should be displayed when she is driving under both a provisional and a Thai licence? Could be fun driving on the motorway with 'L' plates and the police stop us.
Alan
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I shall be returning to live in the UK permanently with my Thai wife within the next few months. She has a Thai driving licence, which allows her to drive in the UK for 12 months. I'm keen that she should obtain a UK driving licence as soon as practical after she arrives in the UK without having to wait 12 months and then obtain a provisional licence (and 'L" plates) which would bar her from driving on motorways. That wouldn't be problem locally but would be if she had to drive to and from Edinburgh, say.
Is there any way she can take her UK driving test based on her Thai driving licence? It's crazy that one day she can drive on motorways on her Thai licence but cannot do so days later if she has to convert to a UK provisional licence.
I would have to knock all her current bad habits out of her and make sure that she was able to pass the theory and 'potential problem ahead' awareness test first. A friend used to be a driving instructor so I can ask him to take her out (with me sitting in the back so I know what he's teaching her) before getting her some lessons from a current driving instructor who knows the roads where she'll have to sit her test. I assume that she would be allowed extra time in the theory test as English is not her native language.
Thanks
Alan
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14 hours ago, rasg said:
Yes you are unless they have changed things since February. After attending the IOM building they send you to one of three hospitals for the XRay. The Christian Hospital is closest and a few hundred yards away.
I hope so. As I am self employed mine was a Godsend. In your situation your validated bank statements or original bank statements and the rest of the documents should do the job.
Let's hope they send us to the Christian Hospital!
I worked for many years in the banking industry the last 25 of which were in a specialist department in which I got a grounding in law, specifically law regarding Wills, accountancy and income tax. Also, my tax affairs are relatively simple and will become even more so when I return to Scotland to live. As I retired 12 years ago at the age of 50, my knowledge is a bit out of date but I still know the appropriate questions to ask if I need to contact any government department by phone or by email.
My bank statements shouldn't be required as I'm applying on the grounds of my income being in excess of £18,600. My UK savings are less than £60,000 (or whatever the limit is) and in any event have varied considerably over the last 6 months but showing a sizeable balance should help.
Alan
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14 hours ago, Aranyrammie said:
Just trying to find the sites in Bangkok online, website must be down. Does anyone know where in Bangkok you go for tests and any contact numbers?
Take a look here - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/573290/Approved_Secure_English_Language_Tests_and_Test_Centres.pdf
This lists various sites in Bangkok where they appear to do the tests though I don't know how often they're held. I believe the agent I plan to use will arrange for one of his Thai staff to take my wife to and from the test site.
Alan
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15 hours ago, TommyUK1960 said:
What about the English test? Have you got that covered?
My wife has got do the test in January. Just wondered if you got any tips?
I haven't got round to arranging the English language test yet though I'm confident that she'll be able to pass it without any problems. That said, I'm going to arrange additional English lessons for her in January.
Additionally, rather than trying to jump through all the hoops the UK government place in your way, I'm going to use the services of a local agent to assist with the visa process. I object to paying the outrageous fee he'll charge but at least he has the experience required to ensure that she does get the visa at the first attempt. I spoke to him a few months ago and asked if he could give my wife a couple of example language tests so she knows what to expect. He can also check that I have provided the correct documentation and not omitted anything stupid.
Alan
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16 hours ago, 7by7 said:
From what you say in your OP I assume that you are meeting the financial requirement through a combination of Category C: Non-employment income and Category E: Pension.
The documents you need to provide for each can be found in the relevant parts of the financial appendix, linked to above, and the Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE: family members specified evidence. Documents should be originals or if copies or internet printouts certified as true copies by the issuer; either by stamping each page or with an accompanying letter.
Yes, her X-ray will be done at the IOM; see Tuberculosis testing in Thailand.
Your brother needs to provide a letter offering to accommodate you in which he describes the property and who else already lives there to show that there will be at least one room for the exclusive use of you and your wife. He may also want to supply one or more of the other documents listed under 'Accommodation' in the supporting documents guide, but don't go overboard.
16 hours ago, 7by7 said:Yes, I'll be applying using a combination of pension income and investment income. My total income is in excess of £26,000 though I think proving all of it may not be possible. Nevertheless, I shall be able to prove income of around £25,000 - maybe bit more.
I've emailed my brother asking him to courier to me the end of year statement showing my investment income for the last financial year along with the original bank statements for the last 6 months. I'll be speaking to him later today so I can give him more information as to what I need. I can also email him at a later date with copies of my on-line savings account statements and ask him to go to the Natonwide Building Society and have these stamped and couriered to me along with any more recent bank statements and the appropriate letter from him.
Thanks,
Alan
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Thanks for the information. I was assuming that the x-ray would be carried out at the IOM building but am I wrong in thinking that? We'll probably stay at the Asia Hotel which is only 2 stops away from Sala Daeng on the sky train though on different lines so getting there early isn't a problem. Getting to a hospital elsewhere in Bangkok could be an issue. My wife went to Pattaya City Hospital to check a couple of other things so I got her to have a chest x-ray, which came back clear so there shouldn't be any problems getting the certificate.
I'll email my brother and get him to courier to me (at my expense) the full end of year statement for the previous tax year from Stocktrade (subsequently bought by Alliance Trust from Brewin Dolphin) along with my last 6 current account statements. If necessary, I can email him my on-line savings account statements and again get him to have them stamped by Nationwide and couriered to me. That shouldn't be necessary as I'm applying on the grounds of income rather than money in the bank.
I'm required and have enough knowledge about financial matters not to need an accountant at present.
My brother owns his own house - in fact it has been in the family since it was built around 1881. It's a terraced house on 3 floors with 4 bedrooms, on the 2 upper floors. so it has plenty of space. There are only 2 public rooms - a living room and a kitchen / diner but one of the outbuildings has been converted into a lounge.
The British government sure don't make life easy for you!!!!!!
Alan
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I'm planning on returning to the UK to live with my Thai wife in 6 months or so. I'm aware of the various requirements to enable my wife to get a settlement visa, which as far as I can see allows her to stay and work in the UK for an initial period of 33 months.I do have some questions:
1. I know she has to get a TB test at a specific hospital in Bangkok. How long is this certificate valid? We are planning to visit Bangkok next month so it would save another trip if we could arrange for the test to be done then. I know that we have to tell the hospital that the test is for a visa to the UK.
2. I shall be applying on the basis of my income being in excess of £18,600. We'll probably be applying shortly after the end of the tax year so it's unlikely that the documentation of the current tax year will be available. I have the P60 for one pension here in Thailand for the yax year to 5th April 2016 so can provide that along with a letter from my pension provider showing me my new pension rate from 6th April 2016. I have a second smaller pension the monthly advices from which are sent to my brother. I could ask him to email a copy of the P60 from them if necessary along with a letter giving me my new rate from 1st January.
My pensions are less than £18,600 so I shall be making up the shortfall by using investment income. My shares are held in a nominee company managed by Alliance Trust in Dundee. My brother emailed me the relevant pages covering my income from the 2015/16 end of year report. Would this be accepted or would the original be required? If the original is required, rather than risk it going astray in the post, I would probably ask him to have it couriered to me by DHL at great expense to me! I should be able to print the 2016/17 report on-line shortly after 5th April but doubt the original printed version would be available before we start the visa process.
3. My bank statements go to my brother but I am able to view my statements on-line and indeed save them to my computer monthly. Will I need to produce them when my wife applies for her visa? In addition, I also have 2 on-line savings accounts, for which I can print statements if required. I can also produce the passbooks for my two Thai bank accounts.
4. I believe I'll need to give my wife a letter inviting her to come and stay with me in Scotland. We'll be staying initially with my brother before finding somewhere to rent nearby. Will she also need a letter from him confirming that we can stay with him until we are able to rent a place of our own?
Thanks,
Alan
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Curses! That will affect me though I was, for some reason, under the impression that it had already been implemented so not really a problem as I was already allowing for it. I assume it's still level B1 for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years?
Alan
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I was trying to buy a new kindle from Amazon. Amazon in the UK wouldn't ship to Thailand but their parent company in America did, though only certain models. Fortunately, one of them that did ship was the one I wanted.
I had big problems with FedEx, who handle Amazon's worldwide shipping from America. My kindle arrived in Hong Kong in good time but from there went to:
China
Back to Hong Kong
To Taiwan
Back to Hong Kong
To China
To Korea
Back to Hong Kong
To China yet again before finally being sent on to Bangkok.
Amazon were very good and refunded all delivery charges yet. surprise, surprise, FedEx in Bangkok saw absolutely nothing wrong with it being bounced from Hong Kong to and from Taiwan and Korea.
Alan
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On 10/7/2016 at 2:57 PM, Suradit69 said:
"Rich guys in Poor guys out"
Surely most people saw the writing on the wall and topped their Thai bank accounts up to cover the Baht 800,000 bank balance requirement. You have to laugh at the people who purposely live month to month because they don't think it's safe to keep money in a Thai bank or because they're earning a couple percent more by keeping their money in a bank in Old Blighty or one of the shaky European banks.
In any event, I'm pretty sure most of us spend more than Baht 65,000 a month without being labelled "rich." That's only about GBP 1500 a month or £18,000 a year. If you can't muster that maybe you should return to the embrace of the nanny state. You could get on the waiting list for a council flat.
On 10/7/2016 at 11:29 AM, Lampang2 said:Completely normal effect of global trade and interchange.
Rich countries get poorer.
Poor countries get richer.
Until equilibrium is reached.14 hours ago, pjrob said:He is British. Currently he has no money whatsoever so buying a ticket home is not an option. I dont really think trying to get a job would be a good idea as he would end up overstaying more than 90 days. If he turns up at UK embassy, are they likely to turn him over to the authorities? Or would he be best simply handing himself over to immigration? 2k fine means maybe 10 days in jail, not too bad considering the pickle he is in. But is the embassy likely to fly him home after that? Sorry if i sound clueless, any more info appreciated!
A few years ago, a friend's cousin ended up in the IDC for overstaying his welcome. The British Embassy paid his fare home but retained his passport until such time as he repaid the cost. To the best of my knowledge, this is still unpaid. They wouldn't pay his overstay fine and his family point blank refused to bail him out. I believe a Catholic priest ended up paying his fine so he could get home.
Alan
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15 hours ago, TCA said:
A common solution is to temporarily stay with family or friends if that's an option. When you apply include a letter of invitation from the property owners and a couple of documents proving they stay at the property in question.
Yes, that's my plan as well. I would stay with my brother until such time as we could arrange to rent a house or flat nearby (furnished to begin with). A copy of his passport and a gas/electric/telephone bill could be included with the application.
Alan
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16 hours ago, 7by7 said:
Yes. Savings above £16,000 and income, except for some reason self employed income, can be combined to meet the requirement at every stage; initial visa, FLR and ILR. Income from different sources can also be combined.
BTW, if using income alone the minimum required is currently £18,600 p.a.
No, there is no minimum time which must elapse after leaving the UK as a visitor and applying for settlement. She could submit the application the day she arrived back in Thailand if she wished. The only limit is that she cannot apply for settlement in the UK whilst there as a visitor, so will have to return home to do so.
Yes, spouses and partners can work immediately they arrive with a settlement visa and there is no limit on the number of hours worked other than the 48 hours per week maximum which applies to nearly every one.
No, the TB test has to be taken at the IoM in Bangkok. See Tuberculosis testing in Thailand
The current English speaking and listening minimum requirement for each stage is:
- initial visa, A1;
- FLR, A2;
- ILR, B1.
Click here for the current list of approved providers; those in Thailand are on page 13.
I can't comment on the sample test in your link. However the level required for the initial visa, A1, is very basic; see the tables here (I am not recommending these people, merely using their explanation of the various levels of the CEFR).
If of the required minimum grade or better a pass which has been used for a successful visa or LTR application can be used again for subsequent applications; even if the certificate has expired or the provider is no longer on the approved list. So if possible, she should aim for B1 so she can use that pass for her FLR and ILR applications as well.
These tests are speaking and listening only. For ILR, though, she will also need to pass the written LitUK test.
Thanks for that information - most helpful. I think she'd be ab;e to pass the A1 test without too much difficulty though I'm not so sure about the B1 test. I'd forgotten that is she was able to pass this before we leave, she wouldn't have to take it again in the UK when she applies for ILR. She would still need English lessons once we get settled in.
Alan
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I've been looking into this as well though it is likely to be some 18 months / 2 years before I take the step unless the £ falls even further down the drain.
One point I've noticed is that when the settlement visa is issued, your wife must enter the UK within 1 month of that date or she'll have further hoops to jump through. 3 months would be a more reasonable time scale but that is the UK government.
I would be going down the income route using a combination of pensions and investment income. My pension income is below the figure of £18,400 (?) but when my investment income is included it is considerably in excess of it. However, can you use a combination of income and money in the bank as you can for extending your permission to stay here?
The plan just now is so visit Scotland for 2 weeks for a holiday next year. Is there a time limit after we return before my wife can apply for a settlement visa? I would need to sell my condo before returning to the UK to live. I understand that the settlement visa allows her to work once we arrive in the UK. Is there any limit to the number of hours she can work?
I am aware of the need to confirm that my wife is free from tuberculosis before she can apply for a settlement visa and that there is only one hospital in Bangkok where the test must be done. However, is it possible to have this done locally (Pattaya)?
In addition, she has to show a basic understanding of English (IELTS - level A1). I've found this site - https://www.ielts.org/what-is-ielts/ielts-for-migration/united-kingdom/ielts-life-skills. Is this still up-to-date and more important is the sample test truly representative of the English language requirement to obtain a settlement visa. I am aware that further tests will be required before she can apply for permanent residence status but is there also a further test once the initial 33 months she will be granted expires?
Thanks,
Alan
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In August, I used either a telephone bill or my internet bill without any problems. Last year, I forgot to take proof of address but they accepted my Thai driving licence.
Alan
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17 hours ago, newnative said:
I like mystery, suspense, and some historical novels. Some of my favorite authors who have never let me down:
Jo Nesbo
Jeffrey Deaver
Daniel Silva
Elizabeth George
P. D James
Jonathan Kellerman
Michael Connelly
Ken Follett
Erik Larson
Ruth Rendell
Lee Child
I like similar types of novels, though not so much historical ones. I've added some of the names to my list of authors to be checked before adding the books to my "wish list"
Currently, I'm reading "Last Bus to Woodstock" by Colin Dexter. It's the first book in the "Inspector Morse" series. Next up is"Payment in Blood" by Elizabeth George.
Alan
. There are other cars I'm thinking about but I suspect that their emissions will be similar.
UK Driving Licence for Thai Wife
in Visas and migration to other countries
Posted
Her driving isn't too bad though she'll definitely need lessons in the UK before she can even think about sitting her test. She's had a couple of accidents recently but these were due to motorbikes using her car as a brake! Also, she's in her 50's so doesn't drive that fast, though I'll need to ensure that she pays attention to speed limits etc as it would be all to easy to forget that you're in 40 mph zone in places. Letting her son drive when he comes over for a visit WOULD be a mistake!
Alan