Fiance Visa Or Settlement?

[markr]

Hello all,

The gf and I applied for a uk tourist visa last year(as some of you may remember) and unfortunatley it was declined. I have since travelled to thailand again and we have decided that we would like to tie the not and be together permanently in the uk. We dont really want to apply for the tourist visa again as it will just be more heartache when its time for her to return to thailand.

The thing we are concerned about is which route is likely to be more succesful, either go to thailand again and get married there or apply for a fiance visa so we can do it here in the uk. Any ideas as to what might be easiest for us would be great!

Are we likely to be refused again due to the fact we have changed the type of visa we are asking for?

The help I got when we applied for the tourist visa was great but i'm a bit lost as to what to do this time any ideas are much appreciated

thanks Mark

[the scouser]

Mark,

The rules governing both fiancee and spouse applications are to all intents and purposes identical, so one is neither eaasier nor harder over the other. However, if you were to marry in Thailand and apply for a spouse visa, then this obviates the need to apply to the Home Office in the UK to extend a fiancee visa, thereby saving a minimum of £335.00.

You won't be refused solely because your now asking for a different type of visa, but you will have to demonstrate that the decision to marry is as a consequence of the natural progression of your relationship rather than a knee-jerk reaction to be refused a visit visa.

Scouse.

[zidaney]

Hello,

My wife and I are in a similar situation to you, however I am in Australia and she's still in Thailand. We were refused the visitor visa on a number of grounds. it has been almost a year since we applied and since then i've returned there for a month and we got married. Whether you apply for a fiance or spouse visa, the preparation of the application will be equally thorough for both.

You will need to think about the type and amount of evidence you have to support proof of your relationship and it's developments. You will then need to decide if it's compelling enough and whether or not a trip or two to Thailand or living there is something you are prepared to do to show that you are serious. Obviously if you do atleast go for a small trip there you should take photos with each other as much as possible and plenty with her family as well. Keep a hold of receipts of your stay together in a hotel or your trips to different places.

We were planning on a fiance visa, but the saving in costs and the need to apply for permanent residency after 2 years (in Australia) anyway meant a spouse visa seemed the best for us. We're working on collating all our evidence and hoping for the best. So I wish the best for you and your partner, and feel free to message me, because it gets overwhelming and frustrating at times. I'm not up to speed on everything involved with the visa, just letting you know other people are in your predicament or have been.

Cheers, Zidaney.