Advise On Spouse Visa

[pbd1971]

Hi to you all, I am seeking advice about obtaining a Spouse Visa. I have been engaged to my fiancee for 2 years and now we are ready to take the final step together. I live in England and my fiancee lives in Thailand. Over the past 3 years, we have spent time in each others countries with our respective families, she using tourist/visit visas when she has been here.

My first question is, will it go against us that we will be applying directly for a Spouse Visa without her first obtaining a Fiancee Visa and spending prolonged time here?

My second question is, because will be getting married in Thailand, how does the time frame of application work. Obviously, we will prepare the relevant documents before we get married but can we expect to get married apply for the visa and then within 2 weeks expect all the documents to be processed and given approval? I am very busy at work and don't think I can get leave from work for more than 2 weeks at any one time but I don't want to get married and then have to leave her behind in Thailand, we have been through that emotionally destructive process too many times in the past.

Many thanks

[Bearnagh]

Just to clarify... are you asking about a visa for your wife to go to UK? (settlement visa), or a visa for you to live in Thailand on a "Spouse visa". I have a little experience of both, having travelled that path recently and perhaps can help...

Edited October 4, 2009 by Bearnagh

[7by7]

My first question is, will it go against us that we will be applying directly for a Spouse Visa without her first obtaining a Fiancee Visa and spending prolonged time here?

No; it is your choice. In fact for most people marrying in Thailand and obtaining a spouse visa is the better option simply because it is cheaper as a fiance visa requires an additional application in the UK once you have married.

how does the time frame of application work

It depends. Last year most settlement applications were being processed within 2 weeks, but this year for various reasons they have been taking longer (see this thread). Although the processing time does seem to be dropping back towards a more reasonable level, the official advice is to allow up to three months.

The following may be useful to you.

Guidance for British nationals wishing to marry in Thailand

UK Visa Application Centre

TB test requirement

Settlement, Spouses

Maintenance and accommodation

[Thongkorn]

I think Your best course is to get married in Thailand , Thats just my opinion, I say this because you can get all your documents together before you go , Just update your file that you used for your girls holiday visa, You can get her chest ex ray and affirmation of marriage in two days, then marry her one the third , put all your relevant paperwork in your file Submit it and go on holiday , You will have booked your visa application on line and been given a date to submit your visa paperwork, I know you do not like to be apart but settlement visas and spouse visas are getting harder to acquire, Just my opinion .

[ThaiVisaExpress]

We have had one back in 8 weeks recently, if you marry in Thailand you may apply for a settlement application which if successful she will be given a 2 year visa.

As advised by 7/7.

[pbd1971]

Just to clarify... are you asking about a visa for your wife to go to UK? (settlement visa), or a visa for you to live in Thailand on a "Spouse visa". I have a little experience of both, having travelled that path recently and perhaps can help...

Yes she will be coming to live here in the UK.

Thanks

[antony77]

Just to clarify... are you asking about a visa for your wife to go to UK? (settlement visa), or a visa for you to live in Thailand on a "Spouse visa". I have a little experience of both, having travelled that path recently and perhaps can help...

Yes she will be coming to live here in the UK.

Thanks

before you get married in thailand you have to get a letter from your embassy here to say that you are "free to marry" which they will issue you after completing a form.

[Bearnagh]

So far, all above comments seem to be in keeping with my own recent experience. It's true that you will have to get a declaration from the British Embassy (Or Consul if you're in Chiangmai), to show that you are free to marry, if it's your intention to marry in Thailand. If you have divorce papers, these must be shown to them first. The actualy process of marriage, I can discuss with you either here or by email. It's fairly involved but not altogether difficult.

When we made the application for my wife to come to the UK on a 2 year settlement visa, apart from the obvious document - your Thai marriage certificates - we included prints of emails, dating back to the time when we first met. We also gave them prints of photographs of us together and even of me with her parents. We also included pictures taken on the wedding day. One or two of these photos had digital date-stamps which was good. I also wrote a letter to the Embassy stating who I was, where I was employed, that I had a steady income, what that income was, that I had good health etc., and could readily support my wife. I also got my employer to write a short letter basically verifying the same information. You see, they are really keen that no foreigner draws upon the UK public purse. In fact you will find that her visa, when issued, will state that clearly. In addition we supplied them with copies of my last 9 months bank statements and pay-slips, showing a regular salary. In addition they will want to know some details about your living accommodation in the UK... such as; do you own it or rent it, what rent are you paying etc... there are forms for all this, but it's good to build this information into your covering letter too, to eradicate any doubt about your circumstances.

My wife also had to supply her own documents such as Thai ID card, "House papers" Birth Cert., and, in her case, university papers, all to prove her true identity. In additiona we supplied them with evidence showing money transfers from me to her whilst I was residing in the UK and she was living in Thailnd. This shows that you are already supporting her and gives them confidence that you will be able to continue it.

I'm happy to enlarge upon this by email with you if you feel it might help.

Good Luck!