Hi

My question has a couple of parts, but some background is required.

I am a UK resident and marrying my thai g/f in Feb. We will apply for a settlement visa for her and i hope she will join me in the Uk in May.

I will be 50 in just over 2 years and want to live in Thailand permanently then.

I will have approx £120,000 plus a pension of £2,750p.a at 50. This will double at 55 and again at 60 plus the state pension at 65. My g/f owns a house in Bkk without mortgage so we do not need to buy property

I want to work in Thailand (I have been offered some consultancy work as a substance misuse professional with the UN) but this will be irregular and will also teach English part time.

My questions are:

What is the best type of visa to apply for?

What is the best way to invest my sterling (Iam thinking for a regular income)?

How will this affect my wifes visa application (we will be over the 2 years and will have applied for citizenship)

Thanks for the help.

Simon

Once you are married you can apply for a Non Immigrant O visa based on your marriage.

This will allow you to enter Thailand for 3 months.

After 2 months you can apply for a one year extension.

For this you will have to show a combined family income of 40,000 baht a month.

This income might be achieved by investing your capital.

A 5% return would satisfy the 40K baht requirement.

Be careful on the consultancy work.

Make sure the organisation is willing to apply for a work permit for you.

Your pension seems rather small, to be embarking on married life?

Thai wives are notoriously expensive to run.

How will this affect my wifes visa application (we will be over the 2 years and will have applied for citizenship)

Your wife will have to be in the UK for 3 years before she can apply for Citizenship, then it could take another 9 months for it to be granted.

She can apply for Indefinite leave to remain in the UK after 2 years but if she subsequently spends too much time out of the UK that priviledge falls away.