Marrying My Gf In The Uk

[kankaroo]

Hope somebody can shed some light on this subject regarding what is the best method to get my Thai GF a fiance visa in order to come to the UK so we can get married.

I am 27 yo and live in Scotland UK. I have known my GF for years and have visited Thailand many times. She has also visited the UK last year and stayed for a few months.

The problem is that I have just recently become unemployed and am having a bit difficulty finding work. I know this will not fit the criteria for satisfying the Home Office's requirements.

Would there be any other type of method to get my GF a visa to come to the UK so we can marry IE : educational visa ???

Also I would like to add that when she was here last time we went to the registrar office to see about getting married but were told that she did not have enough time left on her visa (she had 2.5 months left and the min is 3). The registrar said that would have been an easier method as opposed to her returning to Thailand and completing the laborious fiance visa forms. SO what I would like to know is would it be easier if she returned here on a tourist visa again and we just went straight to the registrar's office and tried that?

I have done research on this matter but I would really like some information from you guys who have had first hand experience with this matter.

All help greatly appreciated,

Thx !

[astral]

Moved to the appropriate section.

[Mahout Angrit]

Hope somebody can shed some light on this subject regarding what is the best method to get my Thai GF a fiance visa in order to come to the UK so we can get married.

Do you want her to go to UK, get married and return to Thailand at the end of the marriage visit or do you want her to go to UK, get married and continue to live with you there?

[kankaroo]

Initially we hope to spend a couple of years or so here and then return to Thailand

[the scouser]

If you wish to stay in the UK for up to two years, your g/f will need a settlement visa. She may apply for a fiancée visa which is for the express purpose of getting married. It is valid for six months and once married, your g/f could apply to the Border and Immigration Agency for permission to stay longer. The fiancée visa costs £500.00 and the application to the BIA is £395.00.

However, you will need to demonstrate that your g/f can be maintained without claiming certain benefits. It doesn't matter if you receive them, but you need to show that you have money above and beyond that to take care of her. You could use a third party to financially support your g/f , but they will have to demonstrate their ability to do so.

Scouse.

[kankaroo]

Cheers Scouse. But OUCH thats a lot of coin for a couple of documents!

So even if we were married in the UK and living here, there is no possibility that she can obtain work legally then ?

And how much money would I have to show I had in my bank that would be sufficient for them eg : 5000, 10000 pounds ? This part will not be a problem however as I have family members willing to "top up" my account temporarily but am just curious.

Many thanks,

Kankaroo.

[Mahout Angrit]

So even if we were married in the UK and living here, there is no possibility that she can obtain work legally then ?

Your wife cannot work on the Fiancee visa but as soon as you are married and she receives Leave to Remain she is free to find work.

The layout is a lot but that is primarily due to her wanting to spend 2 years in UK,there is further bad news in that at the end of the 2 years(if she wishes to stay longer) there is another £750 to lay out to apply for indefinite leave to remain (not to mention the cost of her English courses and tests).

There are cheaper ways to get married in UK but as a visitor and then she would have to return to Thailand after 6 months. If you married in Thailand it would also save you £395.

See Guidance to join Fiancee . As a sponsor you will have to show you have sufficient funds to meet your current needs and that should she join you you could maintain her using the funds left over or saved. You will have to show there is sufficient accomodation for her and that she is allowed and has space to live there. There is no set figure to have in the bank so a steady income is by far the best proof. £5000 doesn't last long if you are paying rent and living without an income. She will not be allowed access to public funds to support her in UK.

Use the search function in this forum on the word 'Fiancee' to check other threads that have been discussed.

[kankaroo]

Thanks for your help !

Just wondering though......if we had tied the knot in Thailand and then moved to the UK what would the process be then ? I mean would the UK government accept a marriage in Thailand as being as legitimate as if it were done in the UK? What are the pro's and cons of this.

Cheers again :-)

[Mahout Angrit]

Just wondering though......if we had tied the knot in Thailand and then moved to the UK what would the process be then ? I mean would the UK government accept a marriage in Thailand as being as legitimate as if it were done in the UK? What are the pro's and cons of this.

A Thai marriage is recognised the world over including the UK. If you had married in Thailand you would then apply directly for a settlement visa (not a Fiancee), which means if granted your wife would be able to work as soon as she arrives in UK. The requirements you would need to fulfil to get the settlement visa or the Fiancee visa are very similar (except you wouldn't have to show your intent to marry). You would then not have to pay the £395 to get leave to remain once you get married in UK. Other expenses are the same.

[kankaroo]

Mahout, thanks very much for the info mate, you may just have allowed me the excuse for another wee trip to Thailand , after all, the costs won't be much different regarding plane fare and I do have enough stashed away. My missus owns her own home in BKK paid for by herself so no rent. Plus she left UK 3 months ago and it will be great to meet up

[the scouser]

Sorry to be a pedant, but a fiancée visa is a settlement visa; that's why it costs £500.00.

Scouse.

[Mahout Angrit]

Sorry to be a pedant, but a fiancée visa is a settlement visa; that's why it costs £500.00

If pendantry is your passion I have no problem with that however sometimes the simple explanations get the message across clearer, I hope this was one of those times

..and to Kankaroo, if you now choose to get married in Thailand, search through these forums for tips and hints.

[kankaroo]

Well I've been searching the forums and have got a pretty good idea of what to do next. HOWEVER I have seen something which could be a spoke in my wheel though.

I have been unemployed for a few months since returning to UK (no decent offers) and have been receiving benefits. Now obviously I won't be applying for the visa until I am working but I have read that you need to supply 6 months back-dated bank statements

It's not looking good

PS: As I said earlier I can chuck 5-10 grand in it to show I have money but all that benefit payments over the last months are going to paint me in a bad light are they not ?

Kankaroo.

[the scouser]

The requirement of the immigration rules is that your girlfriend can be maintained without recourse to public funds, so once you are in work, you should be able to satisfy this criterion. That you were previously on benefits is irrelevant as long as you now will have sufficient income to take care of the two of you.

Scouse.

[kankaroo]

Phew !

cheers m8