Greetings all - not a regular poster over here, but a regular reader.

I've searched about a bit regarding a settlement visa for my wife to return to the UK with me, hopefully this year. I have seen lots of info here about folks trying to get a visa for wives to join them in the UK, but not much about folks trying to return to the UK with wives - if that makes sense!

I have been residing in Thailand for over 4 years now and we have lived together for 2 and a half. We have a child of 18 months old who will have UK birth certificate soon (working on the application at the moment). We have been married only 3 months though.

How difficult is it likely to be for me to sort this out?

I intend to return to the UK and find work. I don't have any savings (the visa application process will take what I do have) but my family have offered unconditional support while we get settled and I get employed, including accommodation for as long as we wish. My main reason for returning to the UK is post-graduate study, although initially I will seek employment and again I have financial support to see me through my studies - I will have no need of state handouts ever as far as I'm concerned!

Would I be better off not expressing my wish to study and saying that I fully expect to settle straight into full-time employment?

What kind of documentary evidence am I likely to need to back up all of this?

I'm guessing:

- letters of support from my family including details of times they have met my wife in the past as far back as two years ago when we were expecting.

- details of my family's place of residence (which details exactly?)

- letters from landlady/neighbours over here to say we have lived as a family for the past couple of years

- my previous UK employment history and details of my time in Thailand

- a letter from me detailing the history of our relationship and how we got together and all that

Have I got a hope? Do I need an agent/legal advisor?

Any ideas/answers/suggestions/experiences greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much!

Providing that your wife meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules, there is no reason why she shouldn't get a settlement visa.

You should outline your intentions to the visa officer, as you have done here, and perhaps, if possible, have a job lined up for when you return. Failing that, at least have an idea of what you will be doing work/study-wise. Your family may offer financial support and accommodation and will need to evince their ability to do so; i.e. submit evidence of their income/savings and house ownership/rental etc. You will also have to demonstrate that you are in a genuine relationship, although the existence of your daughter is pretty much testament to that.

Scouse.

Thanks for that.

I was a bit worried when I read this on a different forum ..... Link

You can't necessarily extrapolate what happened in application x to application y. Also, the visa officer's decision may have been flawed.

Scouse.

Thanks again

If you do feel that you need an adviser, then by all means contact me on [email protected].

Scouse.

Hi Defender!

I'm sure Scouse will do a decent job for you, if needed. Please don't use any visa agents in BKK though - just throwing money away. Good luck.