Rich888

I'll mention it to her... doesn't hurt to check. She's smart and legally qualified though, and this guy isn't the sharpest tool in the box.

My fiancée did it...I'd be amazed if it's not iron clad, she doesn't take prisoners when it comes to her kids!

Yes, time is tight. I'm hoping 6 months will give us a good indication whether or not they will cope, and if so we can crack on with a family visa application with a view to them moving to the UK for the next school year. If not plan B is for them to stay in Thailand until the eldest has gone to university and think about moving over with just the youngest, although maybe the eldest will be able to come on a student visa.

Thanks... slightly shifting the topic a bit, but does anyone have any recommendations for a good school in Bangkok that teaches the UK curriculum? I'll do my own research but personal experience is going to be useful too

This is the big unknown. They are both very bright, hard working and top of their classes at a good government school, but I need to be confident they can manage the British curriculum before bringing them here. If not, make sure they get the best education they can in Thailand.

Still living, new wife and hasn't seen his kids, supported them or shown any interest for years. Signed away his parental rights during the divorce.

That's a good point, partly why I'm leaning towards them attending a school that does the British curriculum in Thailand first, to see if they can cope.

The younger is in a bilingual educational program and essentially fluent. The elder has a good standard, but not as strong.

All good points. In an ideal world we want to live together as a family, but my job is specialised and I wouldn't be able to do it in Thailand. My fiancée is keen for her and the children to move to the UK for better educational opportunities. I think the younger child would flourish here, very outgoing and confident, but the older is more introverted and sensitive. If they do come I want to send them to a private school where they should get more support and hopefully meet other children in the same situation. They both seem very keen although I have a nagging doubt that some of that stems from not wanting to disappoint their mum. Ideally I want them to attend an international school in Bangkok for 6/12 months first to see if they can manage the British curriculum.

They're already in a good government school in Bangkok. My fiancée is keen for them to get some experience in the UK at least. The other benefit from them going to school/uni here is they will have a chance to qualify for British citizenship (unless the Govt moves the goalposts again). It won't be cheap but they are bright kids and will do really well, I think.

No, I appreciate the input. It's new territory for me. The first priority is to keep mum and kids together, and if they can't come to the UK it will be a long distance relationship for a few years. If it isn't possible I'll look at getting them into a better school in Bangkok.

The plan is to get married and then apply for a family visa for the wife and children. I meet the financial requirements, and understood this is the main factor, is that not correct?

That's my concern. I don't doubt they would get a better education in the UK but I don't want to drop them in at the deep end if they won't be able to cope. It would be simpler if they were younger

Good point, I hadn't thought about that. One more thing to consider

Hi, does anyone have experience of moving older Thai children to school in the UK? My soon to be wife has two children, both currently attending a Thai government school in Bangkok. The elder is 16, and in the age group to start A levels, and the younger is 13, in the year prior to GCSEs. Both speak a good level of English. I'm wondering how they would cope in the UK system, especially the elder. Another option we are considering is sending them to an international school in Bangkok the teaches the UK curriculum for 6/12 months before moving to the UK. Opinions appreciated, thanks.

Thanks...we know the mistakes made on the first application and hopefully how to avoid them next time. It was a combination of unexplained payments into her bank account (support payments from me) and that we applied for her children to come too. It's not that the UKVI doesn't provide clear guidance, it's more knowing what to say and what not to say in the application, plus the right way forward. My preference is to go with a visa agent purely to maximise our chances, same reason I would call a plumber to fix a water leak rather than try and bodge it myself. Luckily my partner is on board with this after the first refusal.

Thanks...we already got rejected once, I don't want to take any chances next time

I appreciate there is a lot of info on the forum already and I have already listed some options, just posting to ask if anyone can recommend from recent experience a good visa agent to deal with a visitor application for a Thai national to the UK?