Hi I am new to this forum so my apologies if this is a repitition.

I intend to marry my Thai fiancee this year. We will register the marriage when I am in Bangkok in February and have the Thai ceremony on 23rd April when I go back next time. I would like my fiancee to return to the UK with me after the Wedding and honeymoon.

My question is: Do I need to use an agency. An agency has told me that it is virtually impossible for individuals to get Spouse visas with the new system. However I have read that individuals do get them. Also it struck me that it should be easier now. However I am possibly being niaive.

The agency guarantee getting the visa and this is too important to mess up. So should I just pay the £600 agency fee on top of the application and rest easy? They also offer a fast track marriage registration in 2 days for £200. Is it worth it, bearing in mind I will be in Bangkok 9 days in Feb and 20 in April. My fiance lives in BKK and speaks excellent english.

Thanks for reading this and for any help you may be able to offer

Simon

My question is: Do I need to use an agency. An agency has told me that it is virtually impossible for individuals to get Spouse visas with the new system.

Look further through this forum, search for topics on "settlement", you will read about a few failures but that should teach you what you need to do to succeed.Remember most successes are not posted here! If you follow the guidelines on the Embassy sites, understand them and can fulfill the requirements then you do not need an agency

The agency guarantee getting the visa and this is too important to mess up. So should I just pay the £600 agency fee on top of the application and rest easy?

No agency can guarantee a successful application, the decision is with the ECO's at the embassy.

Do a quick search on agencies as well.

You will find that most people give them little time at all, most of all they cannot guarantee a thing no matter what they promise.

As Mahout says follow the guidelines, read this forum and post as many questions as you like and you will get somewhere near.

If in any real problems and your queries are still causing you concern get in touch with a suitable and reputable advisor.

There is one that most on here will recommend.

Good Luck

Moss

Keep away from the place next to REGENT HOUSE They gave me some crap advice and they also reckon that for £1000 you are guarenteed dont believe it

Simon,

As others have commented, no adviser can guarantee success, and, more relevantly, the agencies in Thailand have no real knowledge of UK immigration law, practice, and policy: they just think it's a matter of providing a few documents, and that's it, Bob's your uncle! If you want to use an adviser, then either go to one of the reputable legal firms in Bangkok, or enlist the services of either a solicitor or immigration adviser in the UK most would charge less than £600, too. With regard to the marriage side of things, you can do it yourself in 2-3 days for tuppence ha'penny, so £200 sounds a bit steep.

Scouse.

Thank you all for the advice. Having spent the day reading through the forum and talking with my partner we both feel much more confident and will apply ourselves. Thats £800 you have saved me thanks!

No doubt i will be asking lots of questions

Simon