Settlement Visa For Unmarried G/f & British Passport For Baby?

[dan060975]

Hi

I'm in a sticky situation at moment & if you guy's could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated !!!

ok my situation is my g/f is expecting our first child in Thailand the due date is 03/09/07 im expecting to fly out on 24/08/07

Once the baby is born I'm wanting to apply for british passport for her, then the next stage is to go for settlement visa for g/f now we are engaged to marry but wasn't in any rush and the time limit is 6 months to marry in uk on fiancee visa,

so what is the best way to do this? can i apply for british passport & settlement vsa at same time?

what timescale are we looking at? I can stay in thailand until 06/10/07

is it essential to provide bank statements or could you supply say a years worth of payslips?

my phone bill's i destroy so can't prove we stay in touch

i send her 14000 bt every month which she has kept all the receipts

so if anyone can help me please please do as i aint much time to get things rolling

thankyou in advance

Dan

[the scouser]

Dan,

Providing that you are British "otherwise than by descent" and are named as the father on the child's Thai birth certificate, s/he will have an automatic claim to British citizenship. You may apply for the passport at any time after the baby's birth at the embassy in Bangkok. In addition to the application form etc. you will need to show your child's original Thai birth certificate, plus a certified translation, and your original long-format British birth certificate.

You can apply for the fiancée visa at any time but your girlfriend will need a TB test which is a prolonged procedure when pregnant, and, additionally, the nearer she gets to her due date, the more difficult it will be to find an airline to carry her, so I'd apply for the visa once she's recovered from the birth.

This now gives you one month in which to get copies of your destroyed telephone bills and bank statements. Submitting payslips is all well and good, but the bank statements demonstrate that you have enough money left over from your pay with which to support yourself, your fiancée and your child. Once the visa application is made, the embassy will make a decision within a matter of days unless they decide that they wish to interview your girlfriend in which case she will be allocated the first available appointment, which might involve a wait of six-seven weeks.

Scouse.

[dan060975]

Dan,

Providing that you are British "otherwise than by descent" and are named as the father on the child's Thai birth certificate, s/he will have an automatic claim to British citizenship. You may apply for the passport at any time after the baby's birth at the embassy in Bangkok. In addition to the application form etc. you will need to show your child's original Thai birth certificate, plus a certified translation, and your original long-format British birth certificate.

You can apply for the fiancée visa at any time but your girlfriend will need a TB test which is a prolonged procedure when pregnant, and, additionally, the nearer she gets to her due date, the more difficult it will be to find an airline to carry her, so I'd apply for the visa once she's recovered from the birth.

This now gives you one month in which to get copies of your destroyed telephone bills and bank statements. Submitting payslips is all well and good, but the bank statements demonstrate that you have enough money left over from your pay with which to support yourself, your fiancée and your child. Once the visa application is made, the embassy will make a decision within a matter of days unless they decide that they wish to interview your girlfriend in which case she will be allocated the first available appointment, which might involve a wait of six-seven weeks.

Scouse.

thank's for the advice Scouse, appreciate it

how long does it take to for the baby's brit passport?

the bank statements I could get from bank , is it essential for my mobile phone bills ?

I was hoping she had baby before 10/09 put the applications in & bring them both back to uk no later than 06/10 would this be possible?

or would it be best to sort baby's british passport then apply for settlement visa on my next trip in 6 months?

what would be the best visa to apply for as not married or would it be better to get married?

thanx

Dan

[the scouser]

I don't know how long it takes to get the Brit. passport issued, but it shouldn't be more than a week or so. The phone bills aren't absolutely necessary if you otherwise can demonstrate your relationship, but if you want to do a belt and braces job, then I'd go to the trouble of getting them. In theory your girlfriend can get a fiancée visa within the time you specify, unless the embassy wishes to interview her. Don't forget that you'll also need evidence of accommodation in the UK, too, as well as some plans for when the marriage will take place.

Scouse.

[Nomad97]

"I was hoping she had baby before 10/09 put the applications in & bring them both back to UK no later than 06/10 would this be possible?"

I do not wish to put a spanner in your works but there are travel considerations too. Check with the airline before you make any plans. I think (as in used to be the IATA rules) that there is a six week window either side of the date of birth, during which time your fiancée and baby daughter will not be allowed to travel on scheduled airlines. Also, I think you should consider how fit your fiancée will feel immediately after giving birth. She may need three months or more before she feels really fit enough to embark on a long journey, especially with a new born baby and a 12-hour flight to the UK .

[dan060975]

"I was hoping she had baby before 10/09 put the applications in & bring them both back to UK no later than 06/10 would this be possible?"

I do not wish to put a spanner in your works but there are travel considerations too. Check with the airline before you make any plans. I think (as in used to be the IATA rules) that there is a six week window either side of the date of birth, during which time your fiancée and baby daughter will not be allowed to travel on scheduled airlines. Also, I think you should consider how fit your fiancée will feel immediately after giving birth. She may need three months or more before she feels really fit enough to embark on a long journey, especially with a new born baby and a 12-hour flight to the UK .

yes that is something to think about, I know it's a slim chance of her flying at same time but it would be good if could get visa sorted out while in Thailand , but yes your right in what your saying i'm just hoping & praying everything goes smooth, but then again it is Thailand

cheers

[dan060975]

I don't know how long it takes to get the Brit. passport issued, but it shouldn't be more than a week or so. The phone bills aren't absolutely necessary if you otherwise can demonstrate your relationship, but if you want to do a belt and braces job, then I'd go to the trouble of getting them. In theory your girlfriend can get a fiancée visa within the time you specify, unless the embassy wishes to interview her. Don't forget that you'll also need evidence of accommodation in the UK, too, as well as some plans for when the marriage will take place.

Scouse.

I have been in contact with Brit embassy regarding passport for child & if the child was born prior to july 2006 & appointment would be needed & can take upto 4 months for decision, if born after July 2006 no appointment needed & take upto 10 working days, which is good news,

regarding the settlement visa I have now got 2 month'sbank statements & will have my latest mobile phone bill through the post on 16/08 and can suply my last statements for my c/cards & have all my wage slips would this be sufficent evidence along with a letter from my employer confirming my employment???

also the tb screening, do you get the certificate the same day or is this a lengthy process, & it can only be done in bangkok as will be staying in pattaya

cheers

[the scouser]

The TB screening can only be done in Bangkok and if undertaken whilst your g/f is pregnant, can take 3-4 days to complete as she can't be x-rayed.

Although that you will have a child together is good evidence of a relationship, you will still need to demonstrate that you have kept in contact with each other whilst apart, and, to this end, you will need evidence which covers the entire duration you have known each other, so you will need more than one month's phone bill. Do you have e-mail records, greetings cards, letters you have written to each other etc? If so, then these should be included, too.

Scouse.

[dan060975]

The TB screening can only be done in Bangkok and if undertaken whilst your g/f is pregnant, can take 3-4 days to complete as she can't be x-rayed.

Although that you will have a child together is good evidence of a relationship, you will still need to demonstrate that you have kept in contact with each other whilst apart, and, to this end, you will need evidence which covers the entire duration you have known each other, so you will need more than one month's phone bill. Do you have e-mail records, greetings cards, letters you have written to each other etc? If so, then these should be included, too.

Scouse.

cheers for that scouse

the only way we have stayed intouch is by phone, i sms just about every day, i call her a min of 3 times per week but as i live with my parents &? not want to run up there bill i have used payphone round corner from my house using an access number which then cost's me 5p per min , occasionaly have used my mobile, so really can't prove calls only a few but all the sms will show, i could call mobile company to send me out say my last 6 phone bills,

regarding the t/b screening if she was to have after giving birth would the certificate be the same day?

thanx

[the scouser]

regarding the t/b screening if she was to have after giving birth would the certificate be the same day?

It should be. Your g/f will need to make an appointment to have the test done.

Scouse.

[dan060975]

I don't know how long it takes to get the Brit. passport issued, but it shouldn't be more than a week or so. The phone bills aren't absolutely necessary if you otherwise can demonstrate your relationship, but if you want to do a belt and braces job, then I'd go to the trouble of getting them. In theory your girlfriend can get a fiancée visa within the time you specify, unless the embassy wishes to interview her. Don't forget that you'll also need evidence of accommodation in the UK, too, as well as some plans for when the marriage will take place.

Scouse.

Sorry scouse i'm becoming a pain

i'm working through collecting evidence & one which you have mentioned is to prove our marriage plans which I have just called my register office to book & pay , which was thinking then proof of payment & booking would be sent through the post , not so they said they can't book until she has been here 7 days then would have to go to sheffield for an appoitment of notice then would be free to book & get married in my Town of Doncaster

any idea's how i can prove this or has anyone else been in same situation

nothing is straight forward in life why why why lol

[mrbojangles]

Dan,

As you are due a baby and i presume funds would be better spent on the young one. If you are intending to marry why not just get married in Thailand? That way you'll only have to go through the hassles of the visa once AND saving you several hundred ££s.

i got married over there and it was a doddle. Changed her passport and ID card into our married name over there and it made the whole process simpler.

Just a thought and good luck

[gregchambers]

Why don't you get married in Bangkok or even at the embassy if you want to do it on British soil. If the baby gets a Brit passport on how earth can the embassy refuse the mother a settlement visa? It would be a brave civil servant who went that route, these days, I would have thought!

[dan060975]

Dan,

As you are due a baby and i presume funds would be better spent on the young one. If you are intending to marry why not just get married in Thailand? That way you'll only have to go through the hassles of the visa once AND saving you several hundred ££s.

i got married over there and it was a doddle. Changed her passport and ID card into our married name over there and it made the whole process simpler.

Just a thought and good luck

that's a good thought!!! what would be the difference of a marriage visa and fiancee visa?

on a fancee visa would she not be given 2 years the have to apply for an exstension??

what would i need document wise to get married in thailand something i haven't looked into, the problem being is i have from 25/08 until 05/10 to get this all sorted ,

thanks Dan

[dan060975]

Why don't you get married in Bangkok or even at the embassy if you want to do it on British soil. If the baby gets a Brit passport on how earth can the embassy refuse the mother a settlement visa? It would be a brave civil servant who went that route, these days, I would have thought!

I do hope your right mate , fingers crossed

[dan060975]

I'm in a bit of a dilema now, should i get married in Thailand , looked around a few posts on here and seems you can get a freedom to marry within 2 days, so thats ok , then it's a case of finding a Amphur to marry us asap which i would have thought would be easy, then my thai girl would have to get her pasport changed & id changed , how long would this take? i suppose she would need to get her passport changed at passport office in Bangkok, where would she change id card because all this would need to be done asap as would be needed for visa, so has anyone gone through this procedure, if so what was the timescales??

so if go down this route & say got married in first 5 days of being in thailand & submitted for a settlement visa for wife , wouldn't this look as though we just got married for visa trying to pull a fast one??

what do you guy's recomend I do ?

thanx in advance

|Dan

[the scouser]

Certainly, getting married in Thailand would save you the cost of one application to the Borders and Immigration Agency (BIA) at a cost of £395.00. Also, your wife is under no obligation to change her name to yours, so she doesn't even need to change her ID card and passport, unless she really wants to.

In terms of the timing, the visa officer should look at the duration of your relationship overall, and not just how quickly after your marriage the visa application is made, and that's why evidence of contact is important.

Scouse.

[dan060975]

Certainly, getting married in Thailand would save you the cost of one application to the Borders and Immigration Agency (BIA) at a cost of £395.00. Also, your wife is under no obligation to change her name to yours, so she doesn't even need to change her ID card and passport, unless she really wants to.

In terms of the timing, the visa officer should look at the duration of your relationship overall, and not just how quickly after your marriage the visa application is made, and that's why evidence of contact is important.

Scouse.

yes i think your right scouse as always when it comes to theese matters

i think it's the best option & the cheapest

I will put my documentation together before I go but will need to edit it with marriage details, or fiancee dtails, the internet cafe's would have microsoft word to edit if put on a disk ..

i would prefer her to have my name so if we chose to do so then that would mean her passport & id would need to be changed if she named with my surname or marriage certificate?

could she change her surname to mine at later date?

my head is fuzzy with all this information lol

[the scouser]

could she change her surname to mine at later date?

Yes, at any time.

Scouse.

[dan060975]

Does anybody know, if i get married in Thailand would my wife have to go to her home town to change her surname on id card or could she do it at any Amphur office?

Getting the passport changed would it be a case of visiting passport office in bangkok showing id with new surname & marriage certificate do they change there and then while you wait? or are we talking a waiting game (days)???

cheers

Dan

[the scouser]

I'm not sure about the ID card. It always used to be that you had to go back to the amphur at which you're registered, but times may have now changed.

With regard to the passport, your wife will require a new one. This has to be applied for in person and the new document will either be ready for collection within about 3 days, or will be dispatched by post, arriving within the week.

Scouse.

[dan060975]

I'm not sure about the ID card. It always used to be that you had to go back to the amphur at which you're registered, but times may have now changed.

With regard to the passport, your wife will require a new one. This has to be applied for in person and the new document will either be ready for collection within about 3 days, or will be dispatched by post, arriving within the week.

Scouse.

thanks for that

my major concern is time , say if got visa passed & then decided to change passport the new passport wouldn't have visa stamp in would it so that could just complecate things , am i right in thinking this... if this is the case it would be better to change passport first which again is going to be time consuming, .

the id , going back to amphur where registered rings a bell, i was with a previous gir 4 years ago & she lost her id & we had to travel to her home about a 5 hour drive to go to her local amphur office , so if this is the case she will be keeping her maiden name as definatley no time for that as she has to give birth in between all this lol....

If decided to to change her name at a later date how would this affect her visa if granted, would we need to go to brit embassy to have a new stamp put in?

thanks

[dan060975]

i have ben scanning this site & other sites on getting married in Thailand, when all documents are ready to submit to Amphur office i'm i right in saying there is no ceromony somebody to marry ie like vicar in England, they look through your documentation if happy they then just issue you a a Marriage certificate and off you go, is this right? seems a bit odd

[mrbojangles]

That's right Dan. That's why it's a doddle to marry in Thailand. Also why don't you talk to you gf about the other stuff i.d. cards passport, wedding etc. She is Thai and so she'll know the Thai procedure (my mrs did anyway).

[dan060975]

That's right Dan. That's why it's a doddle to marry in Thailand. Also why don't you talk to you gf about the other stuff i.d. cards passport, wedding etc. She is Thai and so she'll know the Thai procedure (my mrs did anyway).

you can be married in 3 day's no fuss yes think i'm going to take this route it seems the easiest way and bar far the cheapest , so cheers for the thought it was a good one , yes i think i will leave the id & passport for future wife but i think it will be time consuming so will prob have to do another time ..

thanx Dan

[dan060975]

I have now my last 2 months bank statements, my last c/c state ment, and delivered today my last six months mobile phone statements , i have put photo's together what i have of us together , but when it comes to proving our relationship it's very difficult, i have no receipts plane tickets, etc etc all i have is the stamps in my passport & phone bill's & my fiancee has all the receipts of western union from monies i sent her...... so please be honest ...am i wasting my time because i want to be with my two girls more than anything & if it gets refused it's going to jepordise any future application....

now i'm starting to worry already....

what are my chances guys

I could order more telephone bills but this is going to be a lot of paper

Dan

[Mahout Angrit]

you can be married in 3 day's no fuss yes think i'm going to take this route it seems the easiest way and bar far the cheapest , so cheers for the thought it was a good one , yes i think i will leave the id & passport for future wife but i think it will be time consuming so will prob have to do another time ..

She should apply for the settlement visa in the name of the passport she will travel on but if she travels in her maiden name you should get a translated/certified copy of your Thai marriage certificate whilst in Thailand to use in UK when she is asked for ID if you intend her to use your name (the passport and the marriage cert will provide the link) otherwise she can continue to use her Thai name in UK for bank accounts etc, it really is no problem. So many married couples in UK continue to use their own family names after marriage.

And remember when you book the air tickets to use the names on the passports (No Mr & Mrs if she isn't!)

If you have time (3 days) you should consider also getting your child a Thai passport as it will ease her entry when you return to Thailand. This can be done in UK but takes longer and costs a bit more especially if the trek to London is long for you.

[dan060975]

you can be married in 3 day's no fuss yes think i'm going to take this route it seems the easiest way and bar far the cheapest , so cheers for the thought it was a good one , yes i think i will leave the id & passport for future wife but i think it will be time consuming so will prob have to do another time ..

She should apply for the settlement visa in the name of the passport she will travel on but if she travels in her maiden name you should get a translated/certified copy of your Thai marriage certificate whilst in Thailand to use in UK when she is asked for ID if you intend her to use your name (the passport and the marriage cert will provide the link) otherwise she can continue to use her Thai name in UK for bank accounts etc, it really is no problem. So many married couples in UK continue to use their own family names after marriage.

And remember when you book the air tickets to use the names on the passports (No Mr & Mrs if she isn't!)

If you have time (3 days) you should consider also getting your child a Thai passport as it will ease her entry when you return to Thailand. This can be done in UK but takes longer and costs a bit more especially if the trek to London is long for you.

Thanks for that information mahout

This maybe a stupid question but when we get married will they automaticaly give her my surname on certificate or will they put hers on if she decides to keep her surname?

if she decides to use her maiden name in thailand can she use my surname in uk? or does it have to be what it says on passport?

We woild have time to change passport to my surname but it all depends on her id card if she has to go home to do we will not have time, if she can do in Pattaya we will change to my surname, but she is going to amphur office on Monday to get birth certificate so she is going to ask theese questions...

yes that is a definate getting child a thai passport if we have the time , if not it will have to be done in Uk can it not be done in hull??

thanks again

Dan

[the scouser]

The marriage certificate just confirms that you've registered your union: it doesn't confer new names on either party.

If you want to get your child a Thai passport once s/he is in the U.K., this can only be done at the Thai embassy in London.

Scouse.

[dan060975]

The marriage certificate just confirms that you've registered your union: it doesn't confer new names on either party.

If you want to get your child a Thai passport once s/he is in the U.K., this can only be done at the Thai embassy in London.

Scouse.

ok thanks for that, i probaly will apply for thai passport when submit application for british passport , so better start looking what document are needed to apply for thai passport....

my first stop is Bangkok to sort freedom to marry etc & for partner to have t/b screening, does anyone know of a good hotel central?

thanks Scouse