Uk Spouse Visa Application Query

[justmarried]

Hi, I married my wife in Thailand under 2 weeks ago. I met her whilst travelling over 4 months ago, so it was a fairly whirlwind romance! I have been out of the country travelling for almost 2 years now.

I'm now back in England and I'm looking for work. Not a lot out there, but I should be able to get a job at my old work pretty quickly.

Does anyone know how long I have to be back in work before we can apply for the Settlement Visa? I've heard it has to be 3 months? Obviously I want to get my wife over asap, not being able to even apply for 3 months is a killer, but if that's the way it has to be then not a lot I can do.

Will the short amount of time we have been together affect our application?

As I've been travelling for 2 years I come back with £2,400 debt on my cerdit card (the max) and no savings. If I have to give 6 months of bank statements it will show transfers to my credit card so I can't exactly hide it. Looking back at previous posts though, I should be ok as once I work I'll be able to show I can save over £400 a month.

Fortunately I can live with my parents while all this goes through, and they will write a letter and say we can both live here rent free for as long as we like. So that's a great help, but my debt and lack of savings, along with the time I'll have spent in employment in the UK are all a great concern. Especially the employment part. Am I done for?!

Finally, thank you for all the great advice that people have previously posted. It really has been a massive help.

[the scouser]

There is no prescribed period for which you have to have been in work before your wife can apply for a settlement visa. Providing that your income is adequate for the purposes of paying your debts, leaving enough for your upkeep, that should be all that is required. However, you are going to have to demonstrate an intention to live together permanently and, in considering this, the visa officer will look at the strength and depth of the relationship to date. Obviously, the shorter the relationship, the less strength and depth it has. That's not to dissuade you from applying but, rather, to indicate where the potential pitfalls may lie.

Scouse.

[justmarried]

There is no prescribed period for which you have to have been in work before your wife can apply for a settlement visa. Providing that your income is adequate for the purposes of paying your debts, leaving enough for your upkeep, that should be all that is required. However, you are going to have to demonstrate an intention to live together permanently and, in considering this, the visa officer will look at the strength and depth of the relationship to date. Obviously, the shorter the relationship, the less strength and depth it has. That's not to dissuade you from applying but, rather, to indicate where the potential pitfalls may lie.

Scouse.

Thank you very much for that info. I lived with her parents in her village for 2 months and have plenty of photo's + DVD's of my time there, so hopefully that will be a big help. Plus a fair bit of other correspondance, emails, cards, phone cards, etc. We'll just have to give everything we possibly can and hope for the best.

I was told 3 month's by an agent based in UK and Bangkok. I want to make sure I make no mistakes and get everything right first time. They have quoted a reasonable price to help. Problem with the agents is that one tells you one thing and another tells you something else! I know, given all the info on here, I can get it right myself, I'm more worried from my wife's end. Although her English is good, some things do get lost in translation and I don't want any mistakes.

Thanks again for the advice, I'm truly amazed at the extent people help each other on here (particularly Scouse). Cheers

[the scouser]

If the agent is based in the UK, ask to see his OISC registration certificate or evidence of his ability to practise as a solicitor. To say that you have to have been in employment for three months is an arbitrary figure that appears to have plucked from the air.

Scouse.