Validity Of Leave To Remain In The Uk

[Martin_F]

My wife has a stamp in her old Thai passport saying:

'Given leave to remain in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period.'

This was issued on 29th December 1993.

We left the UK on 29th January 1994 (1 month later) and she has not been back to the UK since.

Is this still valid?

Can we use it to return to the UK for settlement, with our children (who will have UK passports).

[jhj2000]

I suspect that you will have to apply for a settlement visa again but check with the embassy. I think the guide lines for re entry are 2 years but there is some discretion allowed by the immigration officer.

[the scouser]

Hi Martin,

This endorsement ceases to be valid once the holder has spent more than 2 years outside the UK and your wife will therefore require a new settlement visa from the embassy. The new visa will enable her to remain in the UK for 2 years after which she can apply for indefinite leave to remain again. Once she's had ILR for 1 year she can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen.

Scouse.

[Martin_F]

Thank's Scouser and JHJ.

I was suspecting it but I wanted to sound it out to see if anybody gave a different view.

[siam]

Hi Martin,Yes definitely 2 years,As when we emmigrate to Los next year,My fiance/wife will have to return here to the UK before 2 years is up,to keep her status running,