Coming Up To 3yrs In The Uk With Thai Wife

[siamsam]

Hi all, It's been a long time posting. Almost 3 yrs my thai wife has been in the uk, and if I'm correct 3 yrs is the minimum duration of residence before citizenship/passport proccess can begin. Actually she's approx 4 months short of 3 yrs. Questions: How/where do we begin? How to make the proccess as hassle free as possible? Can we begin the application now, 4 months early? Will wifey need to make a trip to Los? Can wifey obtain uk citizenship/passport and still remain thai/passport? And finally, her thai passport is going to expire any time soon, can she renew it at a consulate here in the uk? Thanx in advance for replies my fellow posters, and a happy new year to you all! siamsam.

[Rinrada]

Hi all, It's been a long time posting. Almost 3 yrs my thai wife has been in the uk, and if I'm correct 3 yrs is the minimum duration of residence before citizenship/passport proccess can begin. Actually she's approx 4 months short of 3 yrs. Questions: How/where do we begin? How to make the proccess as hassle free as possible? Can we begin the application now, 4 months early? Will wifey need to make a trip to Los? Can wifey obtain uk citizenship/passport and still remain thai/passport? And finally, her thai passport is going to expire any time soon, can she renew it at a consulate here in the uk? Thanx in advance for replies my fellow posters, and a happy new year to you all!      siamsam.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Siam...just gone through the process...passport last month.

Anyway to get started Log on to Home Office..and dont waste time....

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/content/ind/en/home.html

and print out and fill in Form AN (new)

Make sure to read everything and provide requested info.

Also be aware that there are new requirements with regards English language requirements as well as Citizenship ceremonies at local Town hall (Photo with the Mayor)

British Nationality

I am here: Home > Applying > British Nationality

LATEST UPDATE 15/10/2004

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT, FURTHER INFORMATION - THE NEED TO PROVE SUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

This page provides everything you need to know about becoming a British National or applying for Right of Abode.

Citizenship Ceremonies

There have been important changes to the way British citizenship is granted to people applying to register or naturalise.

Under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, we expect successful applicants to attend citizenship ceremonies held in their local communities.

This new arrangement applies to all applications we receive on or after 1 January 2004.

At the citizenship ceremony, new citizens make an oath or

affirmation to Her Majesty the Queen and a pledge of loyalty to the United Kingdom. After this the citizen receives a certificate.

A website relating to Citizenship Ceremonies is now available.

Latest News

Telephone numbers for the application forms unit have changed to 0151 672 5472 and 0151 672 5473.

If you send your application to us today, the expected times for a decision are as follows:

Naturalisation 8.07 months

Please note that these are average times only. Some applications may take longer to decide. If you obtain an acknowledgement letter confirming that we have received your application please accept we are dealing with your application as quickly as possible.

Please contact Nationality Group in urgent cases only. A lot of

enquiries can slow down decision times.

If you applied before January 2004 and you have not yet had a

decision, you may be assured that your application is now with a

caseworking team. We hope to notify you of the outcome within the next few months.

If you wish to apply for British citizenship and you plan to travel

abroad within 12 weeks of making an application, you should not send in original passports or travel documents with your application. You may send in copies of documents certified by a solicitor. Each page of a passport must be copied.

It is important that you contact us in writing if you change your address.

Return of passports

If you want us to return your passport or other documents urgently, you should contact us by using one of the methods below, making clear the latest date that you need the documents back.

You may:

Fax us on 0151 237 5400

E-mail us

Write to us at:

Home Office Nationality Group

PO Box 285

3rd Floor

Reliance House

Liverpool

L69 2UF

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/ho...ationality.html

You can then apply for the Brit.P.P. after you have recieved your Citizen Certificate (with the unique number )...but thats for later.

Next ref. Thai Passport .

Call up the Thai Embassy and tell them that she needs new passport and ask them for application form.

We went down to South Ken in person (just to make sure-double check)but no need to.(we had lost the origonal T.P.P)

Believe replacement costs came to about £40 plus registered post for return (at £3.... bargain)

New passport was issued in Bangkok and took about 3-4 weeks to arrive.

Next you might want to get her "indefinate" Visa re stamped in new T.P.P.but be aware that costs are now £155/£250...ouch

Another thing you might want to consider and it will make life much easier is to ensure that both P.P. are registered in your married /agreed names.(same)

Airline Tickets need to match up

eg.Mrs Smith-Taskin - Brit PP to US ..No problem

Mrs Smith-Taskin - Thai P.. to US...Need VISA

Mrs Smith-Taskin - Brit PP to Thailand...Need Visa(on arr)

Mrs Smith-Taskin - Thai P.. to Thailand...No problem

Can leave UK on BPP and arrive in LOS on TPP -

Good Luck

[the scouser]

Hi Siamsam,

You'll have to hold your horses a bit longer as your wife must have been in the UK 3 years (and to have had indefinite leave for 1 year) before she can apply.

Scouse.

[siamsam]

Thanx for the advice/info guys - well appreciated.