Hi,

I am marrying my Thai GF in 6 weeks and would like to know how long and what the process is for getting my wife to the UK. How long between getting married and getting a British passport for my wife or the documentation I will need for her to get into the UK. Is it as simple as applying to the British Embassy in Bangkok as soon as we are married or do I have to wait a period of time. The mariage is all above board and we will have a Thai wedding as well as the legal one. I will make sure there are lots of photo's to show the Embassy. As I am only there for 3 weeks I would like to do as much of the official stuff as possible so as when I come to get her and bring her to the UK most of the paperwork will be done.

Thanks Dave

To qualify to apply for a British passport a wife must live with her UK citizen spouse in the UK for 3 years, she must also pass a 'life in UK test'.

For your wife to go to the UK with you on her Thai passport (I assume she has one) she must apply at UK Visas for a visa to enter UK. If she only intends to visit UK then apply for a 'visitors visa', if it is her intention to settle in the UK then she applies for a 'settlement visa'. All of the requirements are listed on the UK Visas site together with downloadable application forms.

You can apply as soon as you have been married and have collected all the necessary support documents together. If you are lucky and the application is correct and strong it could only take about 4 days. Otherwise your wife may have to attend an interview and she could wait several weeks.

Check out this forum for plenty of advice on how to apply for visas for UK

In addition to the link provided by MA, the following may also be useful to you:-

Guidance - Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4)

Chapter 9 – The maintenance and accommodation requirements

CHAPTER 13 - SETTLEMENT : FIANCÉ(E)S, PROPOSED CIVIL PARTNERS, SPOUSES, CIVIL PARTNERS, UNMARRIED AND SAME-SEX PARTNERS

Thanks for your advice, I want my wife to live and work in the UK so a settlement Visa is what is required. She hasn't got a passport at the moment so I guess she needs to get one

Thanks again

Thanks for your advice, I want my wife to live and work in the UK so a settlement Visa is what is required. She hasn't got a passport at the moment so I guess she needs to get one

She wont get anywhere without a passport...... She can take her ID card and B1073 to anyone of the Passport offices in Thailand . It takes about 3 days if she collects it in person or about a week if she gets it returned to her home address by courier. She doesn't need you in Thailand to get a passport.

Dwaldo-good luck my friend

As if getting married isnt stressful enough,getting a UK visa prepare yourself.

Please, like others have said use this forum,dont be afraid to questions on here.Any doubts you have in your mind(you will believe me) ask,many many good people use this forum and with their knowledge and experience will help.

I hope that since your relationship has begun you have been in contact and most importantly kept it(telephone bills,emails,letters etc)

You will need it.

This can be difficult I wont tell no lies,but if your application is well prepared and you have all the relevant documnets it shouldn't be so stressful.

I wish you both all the best.

delboy