Spouse/settlement Visa Questions

[johnsurin]

Hi all, I have a few questions about applying for the spouse/settlement visa for my thai wife for the UK.

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

First off, we married in january 07 and my wife and 1 year old son, I am 36 years old and the wife is 22, we are now currently in the UK as she has a 6 month tourist visa. We return back to thailand in january 08, just before my wifes visa expires.

As I do not own my own property we stated that me, my wife and child would be staying at my parents house and that I would be liable to all expenses for my wife. We used a visa application office in Bangkok to sort out all the details and the visa was approved without question, I.E. no need for interviews or questions from the embassy officials.

I have read some of the forms on the UK's immigration website but would just like a few things clarified if possible.

Do I need to own or rent my own property for the spouse/settlement visa? Or would using my parents address again be OK until I/we return to the UK and I arrange our own place.

I can arrange to rent our own property before we leave for Thailand if this is a requirement.

Does my wife need to be interviewed or questioned about anything before being granted a visa?

Would it be easier to apply for the visa in the UK or in Bangkok?

That's all I can think of for now. Any answers to these questions would be of great help.

I plan to use a visa application office again to help with all the forms and fill in the blank spots, I believe at a cost of about 47,000 baht, is this about the going rate? However the money is of little consequence compared to getting the visa granted.

Thanks for any help in advance and perhaps I have not given a great deal of detail, but any answers, questions or advice will be greatly appreciated.

John.....

[the scouser]

Do I need to own or rent my own property for the spouse/settlement visa? Or would using my parents address again be OK until I/we return to the UK and I arrange our own place.

Your parents may offer accommodation, but it should meet the requirements, i.e. one room for the sole and exclusive use of you and your wife, and for the house to not be considered overcrowded under the terms of the Housing Act 1985.

Does my wife need to be interviewed or questioned about anything before being granted a visa?

The embassy undertakes to decide as many applications as possible based on the paperwork. However, they do reserve the right to interview visa applicants.

Would it be easier to apply for the visa in the UK or in Bangkok?

As a general rule, it has to be applied for in Bangkok.

I plan to use a visa application office again to help with all the forms and fill in the blank spots, I believe at a cost of about 47,000 baht, is this about the going rate? However the money is of little consequence compared to getting the visa granted.

If you wish to use the services of a representative, you should ensure that they are either registered with the OISC or a member of the Law Society. Thailand-based agents are not so registered and are not bound by any professional ethics. Indeed, generally they have no knowledge of actual immigration law. You may wish to therefore consider using a UK-based firm and, you never know, you might get a cheaper price and better representation. If you wish my firm to assist, please feel free to drop me a PM.

Scouse.