My Thai wife has changed her Thai passport because she changed her first name (as Thai people do), but there was still 8 months left on her UK family visit visa. Anyone know if we can transfer the existing UK visa over to her new passport. If so will VFS sort this out? There's nothing about it on VFS website.

I think the UK is like most other countries that don't transfer visas. She will use both passports until the visa expires.

Your wife can have the visa vignette transferred to her new passport at a cost of $237, but as Joe points out it's not necessary which is also the advice the UKVI gives.

My wife has travelled with her visa in her old passport and the Border Force Officer simply stamped her passport and wrote "visa in previous passport".

It would be a good idea to have available a copy of your marriage certificate and her name change certificate when she travels, we've never been asked for them though.

10 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

It would be a good idea to have available a copy of your marriage certificate and her name change certificate when she travels

Plus certified English translations presumably if the originals are in Thai?

5 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Plus certified English translations presumably if the originals are in Thai?

Yes of course, thank you, I'd meant to put that bit in my reply.

My wife only carried copies of each but, as I say, they were never asked for, but better to be prepared. 

What happens if a wife’s passport is stolen and had a 10 year visa for USA and 5 for UK? Have a mate with this predicament.


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On a related note, which category is best for a UK guy living and working in Thailand with a Thai wife who visits the UK 1-2 times a year with me for holidays. There seem to be marriage visas, standard visas, etc., is there any advantage to apply under the marriage category? Thinking of a 2 or 5 year visa.

There’s only one category which suits your needs, a Standard Visit Visa.

Providing your wife has visited the UK previously or other countries that require a visa, can provide evidence that there is a need to visit the UK on a regular basis, and satisfy the decision maker that they have a life in Thailand then by all means she should apply for a longer term visa, longer term visas are not normally issued to first time applicants.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Othello said:

What happens if a wife’s passport is stolen and had a 10 year visa for USA

For the US visa it is lost with the passport and will require a new one being applied for.