Going Home

[thelasthornet]

My wife and I have split up. She has also just lost her passport. A new one will be with the Thai embassy in london in 4 to 6 weeks. Does anyone know if we can get this posted to her or if she will have to go to london to collect. Also as her visa runs out in 4 weeks and she can't get home without one will a letter to the border agency keep them happy or will this be a problem. One more thing is she does not have any money and I am struggling as well as my work situation has changed dramatically. We have been told that she can get a flight home but will only have to pay this back if she applies tries to get another visa, is this so and how does she go about getting this.

[7by7]

I am sorry to hear that your relationship is in difficulties, are you sure there is no hope for a reconciliation?

If not, then obviously your wife must leave the UK when her current leave to remain expires.

If I recall correctly, my wife and step-daughter both had their new Thai passports posted to them when they renewed; but I think they had to request this when applying. See the Thai embassy website (it's in Thai).

As passports are rarely checked when leaving the UK she could wait until she has received her new passport and then leave. It wouldn't have a UK visa stamp in it anyway, so her visa having expired would not matter that much. In the unlikely event of her passport being checked; she's leaving, so no one is going to worry that much, but I would suggest that she carried a copy of the police report on her lost one just in case. (The airline at check in will want to see her passport, but that's just so they know she will be allowed in at the other end.)

If she does want to leave before receiving her new passport then she can obtain a travel document from the Thai embassy which will allow her to leave the UK and enter Thailand. Again, see the Thai embassy website.

The only way I know of for her flight to be paid for by the British government would be if she were to get herself deported. Not a good idea as this would be permanently on her record and would cause problems if she were to apply for another visa in the future; and not just a UK visa.

I can only suggest that she speaks to the Thai embassy and sees what, if any, advice/help they can provide.