Preparing Uk Spouse Visa Application

[zedzded]

Hi there,

I'm about to start a UK spouse visa application for my wife. I looked through Rob's guide but this seems to be based on an application from someone living in the UK and visiting Thailand, whereas I've been working here and living with my girlfriend (now wife) for the last two years or so, and we plan to leave our jobs to return and settle in the UK.

I suppose in our case the important thing is to supply evidence we've both been at the same address for the last two years. Unfortunately, the apartment building has a very crap setup for delivering letters to residents, and we often see letters blowing up and down the corridors. Because of that, my girlfriend has always used her work address for any letters or parcels. However, we've both opened bank accounts in the town were we live and the banks may be able to provide us both with printouts with matching addresses.

We plan to stay at my parents' house at first, and as far as I understand I'll need them to supply a letter of invitation and some proof of ownership. They don't have a mortgage on it and the deeds are with their solicitors, so I'm not sure what to submit as evidence there. The house has four bedrooms so should be plenty big enough for four people.

If I've got this right, all they are looking for proof that (1) the relationship is genuine, and (2) we have means to support ourselves when we get to the UK, so whether we've been working up to now might not be relevant, but I'm putting in to prove we have been working, albeit in Thailand.

Below is a list of the documentation I've got so far:

Settlement form VAF4

Marriage certificate

Wife's new passport and ID card in married name

Regular emails between us dating back two years (several mention living together)

Regular photos of us dating back two years

UK bank account with about 12k sterling

Thai accounts with around 200K baht

Over one year's wage slips from both of us

(TB check to be done soon)

My list seems pathetically short compared to the reams on Rob's guide … can anyone tell me what I'm missing?

Cheers!

Zed

[7by7]

As well as the above, I would suggest:-

Covering letter from you outlining your history together and future plans in the UK. Also any necessary clarification/expansion of answers on the application form and covering anything not covered on the form. Keep it brief and to the point, two pages max.

Your wife's birth certificate and, if relevant, divorce certificate or death certificate of any previous spouse. If she has ever changed her name, other than on marriage, the name change certificate.

Your passport, or certified copy of same, to show that you have the right to reside in the UK.

Any proof you may have that you have been living together for the last two years.

Any evidence you may have to show that you have been seeking work in the UK.

Letter from your parents inviting you to live with them, briefly describing the accommodation available and showing that there is at least one room for your exclusive use.

Proof that your parents own the property and so can grant you permission to live there. A copy of the deeds would be ideal, but if this is not possible then confirmation of ownership in the letter of invitation may suffice (it did for me and my wife, but that was 9 years ago).

Anything else you may feel is relevant; it's better to give them something they don't need than miss something they do.

See document checklist.

You may also find the following useful:-

Chapter 9 - The maintenance and accommodation requirements

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

[zedzded]

Thanks very much for that 7by7, I'll add those items you mentioned.

Getting proof of living together might be difficult but hopefully not impossible - I wish I'd kept more stuff now. I've also got some plans I can put down for work when we get there.

Thanks again for your advice!

Zed

[azravico]

Thanks very much for that 7by7, I'll add those items you mentioned.

Getting proof of living together might be difficult but hopefully not impossible - I wish I'd kept more stuff now. I've also got some plans I can put down for work when we get there.

Thanks again for your advice!

Zed

Hello everyone.. Long time reader of thaivisa but havent posted many messages... I am currently going through the process of getting married in Thailand to my Thai girlfriend and also applying for a Visa for her to visit the UK, she has her own business in Thailand but would like the opportunity to possibly do some work in the UK when she visits, I am filling in the online Visa application and unsure what type of visa to request, I believe that as my wife she can stay for up to 2 years and also work, but she will only be staying for a maximum of 3 months on this visit and may only want to do some part time work whilst I am working. I can choose settlement visa or Visiting Visa amongst many others, which one would give her the option to seek employment whilst she was staying in the uk... Many thanks in advance for any help received...

[7by7]

She should apply for the visa applicable to her intentions. If her intention is to just visit for 3 months then she should apply for a visit visa.

But:-

If she comes as a visitor she cannot work.

The maximum she can spend in the UK as a visitor at any one time is 6 months.

To work in the UK she would need either a work permit or a spouse visa.

Edited July 20, 2009 by 7by7

[tjthai]

Thanks very much for that 7by7, I'll add those items you mentioned.

Getting proof of living together might be difficult but hopefully not impossible - I wish I'd kept more stuff now. I've also got some plans I can put down for work when we get there.

Thanks again for your advice!

Zed

Hi Zed

We are amongst the group of people eagerly awaiting settlement visas at the moment and in a similar situation. We supplied pretty much the same and for your parent's house deeds the easiest and safest is to go online and for £3 you can print them out! Much better than digging them out from solicitors for a copy....and at what cost!

Anyway I wish you the best of luck.

TJ

[tjthai]

Following on from my last post the website is http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/ which is the official Land Registry site where you can get a copy of your parent's Title Deed for £4 (not £3 as I said before)

As long as the Title Deed shows your Parent's name(s) and that there are no lenders (i.e. no mortgage) then that will be fine.

Also the letter from your Parents should be the signed original - not a fax or email version and should be addressed, state that they are happy for you and your Wife to stay for as long as is necessary and tell how many rooms are in the house.

Chok Dee