Uk Spouse Visa. Please Help Don't Know Where To Start?

[ukmaninthailand]

Hi i am a UK citizen currently married to a thai citizen and live and work in thailand. My wife is also due to have are baby in May here in thailand.

In the near future we me, my wife and new born child would like to move to the UK to live permantely.

To do this i need to apply for a spouse visa. I have many questions sorry if they have all been asked before im not sure where to look.

1. What is the exact name of the visa i need. Is it Application form VAF4 - Settlement

2. Where do i get the visa applicaton form from?

2. Do i apply online or can i get paper application?

3. Where i do i submit the application if i get paper application?

4. What is the processing time from applying for the visa to recieving the visa?

5. I live and work here in thailand at the moment so do not have a job in the UK for when i move with my wife and baby. We would plan to live with my parents until i found a job, would this cause any problems in the application process?

6. What evidence do we need to supply?

7. As we are not sure when we will go to go to the UK to live is it possible to apply for the visa now or do we have to give a specific date of when we will be going to the UK?

Any other information i need to know please tell me. Lots of help appreciated.

Thanks

[7by7]

Firstly, have a read of the following:-

Chapter 9 - The maintenance and accommodation requirements. You will see from Para 9.7 that strictly speaking financial support from family for a married couple is against the rules. However, ECOs are allowed discretion on this point provided they are satisfied it is a temporary arrangement. You will need to show what type of work you are looking for, your chances of obtaining it and what steps you have taken to find work once in the UK.

Living with family is not a problem, as long as there is at least one room for your exclusive use.

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

Guidance - Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4)

Requirement for Tuberculosis testing for applicants visiting the UK for longer than 6 months

For details of how to apply, costs, waiting times etc. see UK Visa Application Centre in Bangkok.

You can apply at any time. However, the visa will be valid for 27 months. To qualify for the next step (indefinite leave to remain) she will, among other requirements, need to have been resident in the UK for 24 months. If her visa expires before she has completed this period she will have to pay for an extension or leave the UK. She can ask for the start of the visa to be deferred for up to 3 months, so effectively you can apply up to 6 months before you intend to travel. Remember, though, that she cannot enter the UK before the start date of the visa. Better, IMHO, not to apply until you have decided that you are going to live in the UK.

How long have you been married and living together? If more than 4 years then her visa should be endorsed 'KOL REQ'. This means that she does not have to wait for 24 months before applying for ILR, but can do so once she has demonstrated her Knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom.

Edited December 29, 2008 by 7by7

[7by7]

Forgot to add:-

Your child will of course be entitled to dual Thai and British nationality, and it is a good idea to get the child both a Thai and a British passport.

For how to get a British passport for the child, see How to register a birth from the British embassy.

You should also register the birth at your local Ampur and can obtain a Thai passport for the child from the Thai passport office.

[mariner29]

UK/Vac

All the info is on here if you require any professional help feel free to pm me.

Good luck

[ukmaninthailand]

Firstly, have a read of the following:-

Chapter 9 - The maintenance and accommodation requirements. You will see from Para 9.7 that strictly speaking financial support from family for a married couple is against the rules. However, ECOs are allowed discretion on this point provided they are satisfied it is a temporary arrangement. You will need to show what type of work you are looking for, your chances of obtaining it and what steps you have taken to find work once in the UK.

Living with family is not a problem, as long as there is at least one room for your exclusive use.

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

Guidance - Husbands, wives and partners (INF 4)

Requirement for Tuberculosis testing for applicants visiting the UK for longer than 6 months

For details of how to apply, costs, waiting times etc. see UK Visa Application Centre in Bangkok.

You can apply at any time. However, the visa will be valid for 27 months. To qualify for the next step (indefinite leave to remain) she will, among other requirements, need to have been resident in the UK for 24 months. If her visa expires before she has completed this period she will have to pay for an extension or leave the UK. She can ask for the start of the visa to be deferred for up to 3 months, so effectively you can apply up to 6 months before you intend to travel. Remember, though, that she cannot enter the UK before the start date of the visa. Better, IMHO, not to apply until you have decided that you are going to live in the UK.

How long have you been married and living together? If more than 4 years then her visa should be endorsed 'KOL REQ'. This means that she does not have to wait for 24 months before applying for ILR, but can do so once she has demonstrated her Knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom.

Thankyou for all the great help and information. We only got married this year. But yeah we are still not 100% sure of when we plan to go to the UK. I just wanted to find out all the information and get prepared for when we do. But thanks again for all your help.