Hi all, just hoping that I can benefit from the wisdom of some of you here. I was in Thailand a few months ago and met a guy who I've since fallen in love with. He's never been to the UK and I'd like to do all I can to get him here to be with me so that we can have a Civil Partnership ceremony in the UK.

Looking at all the different types of visas is confusing and I'm not sure whether the visa application would be for a visitor, a prospective spouse or a marriage/civil partnership. I think that it's not possible for us to apply for this from the UK (where I am), but that I'd have to return to Thailand and visit the British Embassy there.

Being apart from him is driving me crazy. I'm sure that some of you here will understand what we're going through. I have even thought of giving up my job and flat here, and trying to get a job out there, which might prove to be slightly easier, but it's not really what I want to do.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance

Ian

The first thing you both have to decide is what you want. A visit or for him to live in the UK with you.

Assuming it is the latter, the procedure is relatively easy. He applies, not you; although you will be his sponsor. He needs to show three things:-

He is a genuine applicant in a genuine relationship with his sponsor.

He will be adequately accommodated in the UK.

He will be financially supported in the UK. (He will not be able to work until after the civil partnership has taken place.)

Assuming his application is successful he will be issued with a 6 month visa which will allow him to travel to the UK and you can both register your civil partnership. Once that has taken place he then applies for further leave to remain in the UK. This lasts for 2 years and at the end of this he applies for indefinite leave to remain.

The following links should be helpful to you:-

UK Visa Application Centre in Bangkok

Guidance - Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4)

Chapter 9 - The maintenance and accommodation requirements

Chapter 13 - Settlement : Fiance(e)s, proposed civil partners, spouses, civil partners, unmarried and same-sex partners

You've only just met this guy.

Your chances of getting any visa at all are slim to none unless you prove you have an "ongoing and subsisting" relationship over a period of time.

RAZZ