In UK. How to marry gf and bring her here to live without myself travelling?

[sidjameson]

Health issues. If possible I'd like to marry Thai gf of many years and bring her here.

Not working but have own house and stock portfolio above the savings requirements UK impose.

Do I need to sell and put 90k in the bank? How long does it need to be there?

I'm divorced from previous Thai. We were in Japan and registered marriage with UK Embassy there. Divorced in Thailand and never told UK. I have a divorce paper in Thai. Needs resolving?

 

Simple steps of advice please. Health is stressful enough.

[Tony M]

She can apply for a marriage settlement (fiancee) visa, to marry you in the UK. After marriage she can apply, in the UK, for Further Leave to Remain as a spouse.

Without knowing what kind of stock portfolio you have, it's not possible to say whether it is acceptable to meet the financial requirement or not.  If you have to sell the stock portfolio, in order to turn it into "cash savings", then subject to certain conditions it can be used as cash savings immediately.

 

If you have documents showing that you are divorced, then that should be okay, but it depends on how the "divorce" was carried out.  A "divorce paper" may or may not be sufficient.

 

The amount of cash savings required is 88,500 GBP.  You haven't said if you receive any pension(s) or "benefits" (due to health issues), but that could change the level of cash savings required.

 

With respect, your post is a bit too vague to give exact advice.

[sidjameson]

11 hours ago, Tony M said:

She can apply for a marriage settlement (fiancee) visa, to marry you in the UK. After marriage she can apply, in the UK, for Further Leave to Remain as a spouse.

Without knowing what kind of stock portfolio you have, it's not possible to say whether it is acceptable to meet the financial requirement or not.  If you have to sell the stock portfolio, in order to turn it into "cash savings", then subject to certain conditions it can be used as cash savings immediately.

 

If you have documents showing that you are divorced, then that should be okay, but it depends on how the "divorce" was carried out.  A "divorce paper" may or may not be sufficient.

 

The amount of cash savings required is 88,500 GBP.  You haven't said if you receive any pension(s) or "benefits" (due to health issues), but that could change the level of cash savings required.

 

With respect, your post is a bit too vague to give exact advice.

Thank you very much Tony.

I'm 56, no benefits or pension. I've 200k in a ordinary tracker fund and some individual shares.

So, I could invite gf over on fiance visa, we can marry in UK. I put 100k from shares to cash and then immediately apply for remain to stay? No need for her to leave UK?

 

[Tony M]

5 hours ago, sidjameson said:

Thank you very much Tony.

I'm 56, no benefits or pension. I've 200k in a ordinary tracker fund and some individual shares.

So, I could invite gf over on fiance visa, we can marry in UK. I put 100k from shares to cash and then immediately apply for remain to stay? No need for her to leave UK?

 

Basically, yes, but there some qualifications.  You should seek advice from a licensed immigration advisor or lawyer in the UK, or from an advisor in Thailand who is registered with the OISC in the UK (a UK government approved immigration advisor). There are a couple of OISC registered advisors in Thailand, and one is in Pattaya  - Thai Visa Express.

[orang37]

I'd recommend talking to an immigration lawyer who knows the ins and outs of UK visa stuff, especially since you have a previous marriage to sort out. From what I remember, you usually need to show stable income or savings, and you might not have to park the full £90k in the bank right away. They often want to see it has been there for at least six months, but the rules can vary. Just make sure you keep all your divorce papers organized, especially since it’s a Thai divorce. It can feel overwhelming, but taking it step by step can help make it a bit easier. 

[brewsterbudgen]

On 10/23/2024 at 3:32 PM, sidjameson said:

Thank you very much Tony.

I'm 56, no benefits or pension. I've 200k in a ordinary tracker fund and some individual shares.

So, I could invite gf over on fiance visa, we can marry in UK. I put 100k from shares to cash and then immediately apply for remain to stay? No need for her to leave UK?

 

To add to @Tony M's advice, she will also need to pass the Life Skills English test at A1 or B1 level, before the visa is granted.  She can take the test in Bangkok and also in Pattaya.  

[newbee2022]

On 10/22/2024 at 9:39 PM, sidjameson said:

Health issues. If possible I'd like to marry Thai gf of many years and bring her here.

Not working but have own house and stock portfolio above the savings requirements UK impose.

Do I need to sell and put 90k in the bank? How long does it need to be there?

I'm divorced from previous Thai. We were in Japan and registered marriage with UK Embassy there. Divorced in Thailand and never told UK. I have a divorce paper in Thai. Needs resolving?

 

Simple steps of advice please. Health is stressful enough.

Lawyer required 

[theoldgit]

Unhelpful posts and measured response removed.

[theoldgit]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Lawyer required 

Really no need for a lawyer, if the OP and his partner needs some guidance during the process l would recommend enlisting the help of a qualified Immigration Agent, the agent recommended by TonyM is qualified and highly experienced.

[newbee2022]

49 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

Really no need for a lawyer, if the OP and his partner needs some guidance during the process l would recommend enlisting the help of a qualified Immigration Agent, the agent recommended by TonyM is qualified and highly experienced.

The agent is not a lawyer. I prefer an expert than an " I can do". 😂

[theoldgit]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

The agent is not a lawyer. I prefer an expert than an " I can do". 😂

I’m fully aware that an agent is not a lawyer, but l stand by my view that a lawyer isn’t necessary in all but the most complex of cases, which the OP’s isn’t.

 

Of course you are free to use a lawyer who may be expert in UK Immigration Law as well as other legal matters.

 

I’m not sure which sort of “l can do” agent you are referring to, but the agent recommended by TonyM is registered with the UK Regulatory Authority, even though that isn’t a legal requirement in Thailand, and highly experienced, as l say, the choice is of course yours.

[john donson]

On 10/22/2024 at 9:39 PM, sidjameson said:

Health issues. If possible I'd like to marry Thai gf of many years and bring her here.

Not working but have own house and stock portfolio above the savings requirements UK impose.

Do I need to sell and put 90k in the bank? How long does it need to be there?

I'm divorced from previous Thai. We were in Japan and registered marriage with UK Embassy there. Divorced in Thailand and never told UK. I have a divorce paper in Thai. Needs resolving?

 

Simple steps of advice please. Health is stressful enough.

 

thai divorce, translated and MFA certified...

[Tony M]

14 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

The agent is not a lawyer. I prefer an expert than an " I can do". 😂

 

OISC members are more than "I can do"  alleged visa agents.  This might help you:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulations-that-immigration-advisers-must-follow--2/regulations-that-immigration-advisers-must-follow

Interestingly, lawyers in the UK do not need ANY immigration experience at all in order to give immigration advice:

No additional formal qualifications are technically required beyond being a qualified lawyer

• However, most immigration lawyers will:
  • Take specialized immigration law courses
  • Gain practical experience through supervised work
  • Join professional bodies like the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA)
  • Regularly attend continuing professional development (CPD) courses to stay updated
  • Some may pursue additional certifications in immigration law

So, it might be better to use an OISC regulated advisor who has taken, and passed, examinations, and is audited annually, and is accepted by the UK government as competent.

[newbee2022]

58 minutes ago, Tony M said:

 

OISC members are more than "I can do"  alleged visa agents.  This might help you:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulations-that-immigration-advisers-must-follow--2/regulations-that-immigration-advisers-must-follow

Interestingly, lawyers in the UK do not need ANY immigration experience at all in order to give immigration advice:

No additional formal qualifications are technically required beyond being a qualified lawyer

• However, most immigration lawyers will:
  • Take specialized immigration law courses
  • Gain practical experience through supervised work
  • Join professional bodies like the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA)
  • Regularly attend continuing professional development (CPD) courses to stay updated
  • Some may pursue additional certifications in immigration law

So, it might be better to use an OISC regulated advisor who has taken, and passed, examinations, and is audited annually, and is accepted by the UK government as competent.

A lawyer who is specialized in immigration matters is the better choice by far.

[Tony M]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

A lawyer who is specialized in immigration matters is the better choice by far.

 

Maybe yes, maybe no.  On what do you base your statements ?    The  OISC registered agent, that I mentioned, has a 100% success rate in UK settlement visa applications since 2010. To back up this statement, I invite anyone who can show differently to post here. Can you give me some stats for lawyers ?

[newbee2022]

Who was rating him and how many were deleted?

[Tony M]

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Who was rating him and how many were deleted?

 

That's all you have to offer ?   You really don't have any idea what you are posting about.   Who mentioned ratings (what ratings ?) and deletions (deletions of what ?) ?   The agent is well known in Pattaya, and also on this forum (previously having been a sponsor of the forum).  If you have any evidence that he is not a qualified, successful, UK government approved visa advisor, then let's have it. Otherwise, you are just wasting oxygen.

[theoldgit]

Post flaming another member and making unsubstantiated allegations removed.

[john donson]

did you even meet ?

[D2Pipes]

Please allow me to add my ha'penny worth:-

@Tony M You sound most knowledgeable and have given sound advice.  As you are no doubt well aware and I have tried to highlight here with myn experiences, there are many pitfalls so I understand your OISC recommendation.

I have personally dealt with the UK immigration authorities in both the UK and the country of the lady whom I married so had no need of an OISC registered agent and certainly a lawyer would have provided no useful useful assistance.

I currently have a long standing Thai girlfriend and have arranged both UK and Schengen visas without incident though I must admit the Schengen visa was fraught with difficulties due to my previous marriage and divorce.  

From my experience it is imperative that @sidjameson registers the divorce with the UK authorities otherwise a visa application would be a non-starter.

[Tony M]

23 minutes ago, D2Pipes said:

Please allow me to add my ha'penny worth:-

@Tony M You sound most knowledgeable and have given sound advice.  As you are no doubt well aware and I have tried to highlight here with myn experiences, there are many pitfalls so I understand your OISC recommendation.

I have personally dealt with the UK immigration authorities in both the UK and the country of the lady whom I married so had no need of an OISC registered agent and certainly a lawyer would have provided no useful useful assistance.

I currently have a long standing Thai girlfriend and have arranged both UK and Schengen visas without incident though I must admit the Schengen visa was fraught with difficulties due to my previous marriage and divorce.  

From my experience it is imperative that @sidjameson registers the divorce with the UK authorities otherwise a visa application would be a non-starter.

 

With respect, I cannot agree with you.  Register the divorce with which UK authority ?  As I said in an earlier response, the OP has not explained what his "divorce paper" is. Depending on whether it was a court registered divorce or a District Office divorce, then it will be legal and only needs translating into English by a certified translator.  I do not see, nor have I experienced, in 15 years of assisting in UK visa applications, any application that was a "non-starter" because a divorce was not registered with the UK authorities.

[theoldgit]

1 hour ago, D2Pipes said:

Please allow me to add my ha'penny worth:-

 

From my experience it is imperative that @sidjameson registers the divorce with the UK authorities otherwise a visa application would be a non-starter.

Maybe l could also add my ha’penny worth, based on personal experience.

 

l had a failed marriage in Thailand and obtained a divorce some years later via a Thai Court, retrieving my assets in the process. The divorce wasn’t registered in the UK, in fact I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have been possible anyway, maybe you could enlighten me as to which UK authorities you refer to.

 

I met someone else and we’re in our 18th year together, as girlfriend and spouse, during which time she successfully applied for numerous visas in the UK, as my girlfriend when l was still married to the previous lass, and as my wife following our marriage, there was never a problem due to me still being married to someone else, for visit visas and ultimately a settlement visa.

 

For her settlement visa l, as her sponsor, submitted a copy of the court order in respect of my divorce along with a translation, her visa was issued without further question.

 

So in my experience the lack of a divorce being registered in the UK, to whoever, didn’t make the applications “non-starters”.