I am about to start the process of moving my family (Thai wife, 2 year old and 6 year old) to the UK. Both the kids have Thai and UK passports.

 

My wife has to book and have a test, but due to the fact my kids are British, I presume they don't need tests?

 

My wife and children have visited the UK every year up to Covid, looking forward to seeing how easy the "settlement" process is?

 

If anyone has any tips on the process would be appreciated.

 

 

 

 

That’s right your kids don’t need the test. My wife has just got UK citizenship and we arrived here in August 2015. The applications are not difficult but it is a a long and very expensive process to get to the end. Your wife will have to pay the NHS surcharge on top of the visa for this one and the FLR but not for ILR. Good luck.

1 hour ago, bigyin said:

That’s right your kids don’t need the test. My wife has just got UK citizenship and we arrived here in August 2015. The applications are not difficult but it is a a long and very expensive process to get to the end. Your wife will have to pay the NHS surcharge on top of the visa for this one and the FLR but not for ILR. Good luck.

 

Thanks for that. I am anticipating quite a few expenses, around GBP5k in total?

 

I am going down the "savings" route and have property in the UK, so hoping it should be an "easy ride"....we shall see!

 

Gotta be cheaper than paying the high school fees for 2 kids going forwards and as I'm getting an "older" git, NHS is always a bonus + get the Mrs a UK Passport, which will be useful for when I kick the bucket or become a dribbling wreck!

 

I just think there is more opportunity and stuff for the kids to develop in the UK. The eldest one (now 6) has been 5 times for 2-3 months at a time and she loves it. To be honest, being here for 12 years I'm ready for a change as well! Maybe come back here to retire one day!

 

Let the fun begin!

 

8 hours ago, falang1969 said:

 

Thanks for that. I am anticipating quite a few expenses, around GBP5k in total?

 

I am going down the "savings" route and have property in the UK, so hoping it should be an "easy ride"....we shall see!

 

Gotta be cheaper than paying the high school fees for 2 kids going forwards and as I'm getting an "older" git, NHS is always a bonus + get the Mrs a UK Passport, which will be useful for when I kick the bucket or become a dribbling wreck!

 

I just think there is more opportunity and stuff for the kids to develop in the UK. The eldest one (now 6) has been 5 times for 2-3 months at a time and she loves it. To be honest, being here for 12 years I'm ready for a change as well! Maybe come back here to retire one day!

 

Let the fun begin!

 

If your wife's English is reasonable it's worth her doing the B1 test (rather than the minimum required which is A1) so she can use it for FLR later when she's in the UK.

I agree with that. If she can do B1 now then that will see her right through to citizenship then it will only be the LITUK test to worry about later. I don’t think you will have any problems getting the visas but I think you are underestimating the costs. The initial visa plus FLR are about £1000 each but the IHS is, I think, about £1600 each time. ILR is around £2300 and citizenship is about £1400. LITUK test is £50 a pop and passport £75 so about £9000 in total if she does B1 now. The English tests are £150 a time in the UK. I brought my step daughter now adopted daughter over and she is waiting for her GCSE results now and I agree with all 

your reasons for coming back.

On 5/26/2021 at 5:14 PM, bigyin said:

I agree with that. If she can do B1 now then that will see her right through to citizenship then it will only be the LITUK test to worry about later. I don’t think you will have any problems getting the visas but I think you are underestimating the costs. The initial visa plus FLR are about £1000 each but the IHS is, I think, about £1600 each time. ILR is around £2300 and citizenship is about £1400. LITUK test is £50 a pop and passport £75 so about £9000 in total if she does B1 now. The English tests are £150 a time in the UK. I brought my step daughter now adopted daughter over and she is waiting for her GCSE results now and I agree with all 

your reasons for coming back.

 

Yep, it adds up, it is what it is I suppose........all for pushing a few bits of paper around! 

 

Lucky it's only the Mrs I have to cough up for!

 

Regarding the TB test that covers living in Thailand: 

 

This is the government site: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa

 

The piece that maybe applicable:

Who does not need to be tested

You will not need a TB test if any of the following apply:

• you’re a diplomat accredited to the UK
• you’re a returning UK resident and have not been away for more than 2 years
• you lived for at least 6 months in a country where TB screening is not required by the UK, and you’ve been away from that country for no more than 6 months

Children

All children must see a clinician who’ll decide if they need a chest x-ray. Children under 11 will not normally have a chest x-ray.

You must take your child to an approved clinic and complete a health questionnaire. If the clinician decides your child does not have TB they’ll give you a certificate. Include this certificate with your child’s UK visa application.

 

 

Good luck with the process.

It seems quite daunting initially, but is doable, and has been mentioned somewhat expensive.