Here's what is happening to my Brother; he asked the British Authorities about getting a British Passport fior my sister - in law (his wife). She has been living on the island of xxxxx with my Mum (my Brother is working in Dubai, and returns to xxxxx every 2 months to see her). She has been there since Three Years. The British Authorities replied, that she has to wait for her Five Year Thai Visa to expire first! I believe that this promotes lying; reason being that i told my brother to say that she has lost her passport...this way she can ask directly for a british by reapplication..it seems that this will work, although this is still being Processed, so i still dont know the result. I will post as soon as i know.

Is there any reason why she cannot wait for the visa to expire (or near to expiring) before applying..?

totster

Here's what is happening to my Brother; he asked the British Authorities about getting a British Passport fior my sister - in law (his wife). She has been living on the island of xxxxx  with my Mum (my Brother is working in Dubai, and returns to xxxxx every 2 months to see her). She has been there since Three Years. The British Authorities replied, that she has to wait for her Five Year Thai Visa to expire first! I believe that this promotes lying; reason being that i told my brother to say that she has lost her passport...this way she can ask directly for a british by reapplication..it seems that this will work, although  this is still being Processed, so i still dont know the result. I will post as soon as i know.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't make too much sense. The wife is married to a British citizen and has been living within the United Kingdom for 3 years?

Then if so, after 3 years (2 year initial visa +1 year ILR) she would be eligible for British nationality anyway......

Of course, many laws are malicious or capricious, and make no sense. Most British law, however, makes sense and has a legitimate purpose. Some laws are strict, for a reason, and that encourages CHEATING. You want to lie to, cheat, and steal from your government? You have the free will to violate law. Just don't cry that the law's 'unfair' if you get caught.

Of course, if can get around an obstacle without lying, that's fine.

If you want the law changed, petition parliament or talk to your MP.

It sounds like she's in the UK on the rules for spouse of an EU citizen.

Is it possible she didn't go straight to the UK from Thailand, so her visa was processed elsewhere?

In which case, she's not currently on ILR, but still in the UK on her entry visa. - The Scouser is probably the best person to tell you if she can apply for ILR before her entry visa runs out.

If this is the case, it means she can't simply apply for a UK passport, as her current status wouldn't permit it (only people on ILR can apply). Also, she has to comply with the relatively new rules on English ability (or ability in Welsh or Gaelic).

I did read this thread, Mike, but could make neither head nor tail of it. If the wife is in the UK as the spouse of an EU national then, technically, she would be unlawfully in the UK when her husband goes to work in Dubai. The OP refers to his sister-in-law living on an island. If this is one of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, then they have their own immigration requirements.

Scouse.