Hi guys,

Next year I hope to be retiring to Thailand from the UK.

My question is, if sometime (when I have retired)in the future I want to take my Thai wife on holiday to the UK, to see my family etc (for about 1 month), how do I go about this.

Acknowledging the facts that I don’t know anything, (starting with getting a passport for my wife,how and where to get one) is it difficult (as opposed to my living in the UK and wanting her to stay in the UK) to do.

Thanks in advance.

steve

The biggest obstacle to getting a visit visa for a partner is the reason to return. However, if you are living in Thailand with her, and show that you do, then this is eliminated as you will be her reason to return!

Provided you are living in Thailand legally, you show that you and she will be suitably accommodated whilst in the UK and can afford the visit and provided the ECO is satisfied that your relationship is genuine (so show that you are living together and have been for a while) then it will be a formality.

See:-

Visit entry requirements

The maintenance and accommodation requirements

Spouse of British citizen (based in Thailand) going to UK for visit checklist

and for how to apply; Visa Services

Thanks GU22 for the info, and the links, I will read through these tonight.

Thanks again

Steve

(starting with getting a passport for my wife,how and where to get one)

Your wife applies for a passport by taking her ID card to any one of the passport offices in Thailand together with the fee of B1073. It takes about 3 days if collected in person or 1 week if the passport is returned to you by courier to your home.

then you apply for a visitors visa as detailed by GU22 above.

(starting with getting a passport for my wife,how and where to get one)

Your wife applies for a passport by taking her ID card to any one of the passport offices in Thailand together with the fee of B1073. It takes about 3 days if collected in person or 1 week if the passport is returned to you by courier to your home.

then you apply for a visitors visa as detailed by GU22 above.

Can I ask, how long does a Thai passport last, is it ten years like a UK passport.

Thanks.

Steve.

Can I ask, how long does a Thai passport last, is it ten years like a UK passport.

A Thai passport is valid for 5 years but can then be extended for a further 5 years at any passport office or Thai embassy. After 10 years it must be renewed.

The biggest obstacle to getting a visit visa for a partner is the reason to return. However, if you are living in Thailand with her, and show that you do, then this is eliminated as you will be her reason to return!

Sorry to be a pedant but it's hardly eliminated, but, rather, satisfied.

Scouse.

Can I ask, how long does a Thai passport last, is it ten years like a UK passport.

A Thai passport is valid for 5 years but can then be extended for a further 5 years at any passport office or Thai embassy. After 10 years it must be renewed.

Unfortunately, currently, the 5 year Thai biometric e-passport cannot be extended.

Unfortunately, currently, the 5 year Thai biometric e-passport cannot be extended.

Vinny I hadn't noticed that, there is not a page printed for an extension and the endorsement page is already used up with details of the previous passport used. I wonder why, then, they now have 50 pages.

The biggest obstacle to getting a visit visa for a partner is the reason to return. However, if you are living in Thailand with her, and show that you do, then this is eliminated as you will be her reason to return!

Sorry to be a pedant but it's hardly eliminated, but, rather, satisfied.

Scouse.

I meant the obstacle is eliminated because the 'reason to return' condition is satisfied.

But, yes, sloppy wording on my part.