Insurance for German visa

Tanin told me about the need of insurance in order to apply for German visa. Although I have not to worry about it now, I have got some information from a.Jaruroj regarding German insurance company.

• www.aok.de - this is related to the government (~ 40 - 50 € / month)
• www.wuerzburger.com - this is the private company (~ 30 € / month)
  

UPDATE: Pom* told Tanin that Erasmus Mundus have health insurance. There's no need to purchase more.

*Pom is an EuMI student from Thailand in 2006 cohort.

You've got visa!

Today, I was able to phone the visa office. They said that the status "Received from Embassy" mens I can get my passport back.

My visa starts from 8 September (my arrival plan) and ends with 30 June 2008. This means I must request for continuation if I am able to find the summer job in Edinburgh. :)

Some visa info:

• Number of entries: MULT
• Valid from: 08/09/2007
• Vald until 30/06/08
• Obsv: No recourse to public funds Work (andany changes) must be authorised
  

UK Visa application and tracking

According to the letter from Ms. Gordon, I've applied for UK visa n 21 June. The document preparation can be found in UK visa entry. I've provided following support documents:

1. TOEFL score
2. Letter of scholarship acceptance from EuMI school (The one that Mr. Valenzin e-mail me to sign and send the paper back.)
3. My dad & mom bank book
4. My transcript

The website said that some document does not need the photocopy, but the officer actually to have me make a photocopy of everything! That cost me three times higher cost! (of general photocopy service, and six times higher than those in my university) In addition, I have just quit monkhood, which make me skin-headed. They let me take new photo there. (4 photos for 250 THB. Normally, I can take 12 photos for 100 THB. T.T) The real worry is at the time I fly, I may have my hair grown, and that won't look like the photo in the visa.

Here are some recommendations for UK visa request in Thailand:

• Don't go to the Embassy. The visa office is in another place.
  
• Wake up very early to have an early queue.
  
• Buy bank draft from any bank that sells you. Buying there is dally. The bank that sells (as far as I know): UOB, Thaharn Thai
  
• Prepare a real and a photocopy of your census registration and any name changing document or marriage documents (if any). (They do not tell us in the website, but they recommend me to provide everything I have in order to support my application.)
  
• Prepare the bank book. (Get the good one.)
  
• Photocopy EVERYTHING! They will keep the photocopy.
  
• Take your photo at normal 2 inches size. Take it near the time of application, so you will still be the same.
  

After interrogations, they accepted my application and have me got biometrics data collected. The collection process is quite easy: taking a digital photo, and finger print scan. It is about 5 minutes.

I've tracked my application for 3 days now. Current status is as follow: (some ID information is deleted form this screenshot.)


The silly thing is when I try to use the tracking system in Thai language, it appears that the programmer forgot the "submit" button. :D

I've got no TB!

TB
Yesterday morning, I went to IOM after terrible experience of sputum collection for three days. The doctor told me that I have no TB! Yeeey! They issue a certificate for me and also give me the x-ray film. I have to bring it with me on the plane (no folding!). It will depends if the random check from immigration at UK will take place or not. He also advice me to have a film examined by a doctor when I arrive there. (Aj.Ja told me that the medical expense is state responsibility, so I do not have to pay anything.)

More Shopping
I went to Sumpeng and got a dozen of socks (330 THB) and a dozen of handkerchief (140 THB). Very cheap!

EMS Arrived Edinburgh
I've tracked and see that my unconditional offer is received by University of Edinburgh on June 19, 2007 16:30-17:59 [EMS report]

Next stop, visa application
Tomorrow, I am going to apply for UK visa. The UK embassy has just installed new biometric system and will operate the first time tomorrow. I will be a volunteer for this system! Lucky me!

UK Visa

Some information about UK Visa that I need.

Category: Student
Fee: 7,128.00 (may change, Bank draft, can be purchased at the application centre)

Documents

• Completed visa application form (VAF-1) -- need more filling
• Application fee
• Passport ( minimum validity 3 months and sufficient blank pages on both sides )
• 2 Photographs
• 
• White background
• Clear and of good quality
• Printed on normal photographic paper
• Unmounted - 45 mm x 35 mm in size
• Full face (without sunglasses)
• Photocopy of the data page of passport ( passport page with photo)
• Supporting documentation
• A photo
  
• A letter of unconditional offer the University confirming your acceptance for a study. It should show the course starting date, its duration and costs ( original + 1 Photocopy )
• Photocopies of previous education qualifications/certificate.
• Student Questionare
  
• Evidence of Funds -
  
• Questionare form
• A TOEFL score (tentative, call the office if the real one is needed)
  
• Tuberculosis Certification (obtained from IOM, see IOM section)
• Declaration form
  

Instruction:

1. Apply
   
2. Wait 2 - 5 working days (if no interview required) track the application
3. Get the passport and visa

• Original receipt issued at the application centre at the time of submission.
• Data page of the passport with VFS stamp

For safe, spare a month for visa.

Security
Security regulations restrict carrying the following items to the Application Centre effective 21st of June 2007.

1. All battery operated or electronic gadgets such as cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3's, floppies, laptops, or portable music players.
2. All bags such as travel bags, back packs, briefcases, suitcases, leather, jute or cloth bags and zip folders. Only a plastic bag containing your application related papers would be permitted. Ladies personal handbag will be permitted.
3. Sealed envelopes or packages.
4. Any inflammable item such as matchboxes/ lighters/ fuel etc.
5. Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail filers.
6. Weapon or weapon like objects or explosive material of any kind.

Limited facility at the Application Centre has been provided for safe custody of mobile phones.

UK Visa Office, Bangkok
UK Visa Thailand Website
Submission of applications: 0830 - 1500
Collection of passports : 1500 - 1630

Visa enquiries telephone helpline: +66 (0) 28008050
Email : info@ukvac-th.com

IOM
IOM Bangkok web
[map]

120 Kasemkij Building 8th floor Silom Road , Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel: + 02-234-7950-1 Fax: + 02-234-7956
E-mail: bkk.tbdp.uk@iom.int
(Saladang exit 3)

Price: 2,600 THB
Documents:

• Valid passport, and copy of the passport
• ID Card and copy of the ID card
  
• 2 recent colour photos, size 45mm x 35 mm (2"x2") (not older than 6 months)
• Ante-Natal Care Book for pregnant women. (for pregnant woman)
  

Instruction:

1. Made an appointment -> (8:00 - 15:00)
   
2. Registraton & paying fee at IOM office
3. Chest X-ray: Payathai 2 Hospital or Bamrungrad (Sukumvit)
4. Get the X-ray result
   
5. Go back to IOM and get the certificate (afternoon or tomorrow)

The certificate is valid for 6 months