Schengen Questions

[evanevan100]

Hi People,

Went to Liverpool on Thursday to get my Thai Wifes 2 year Further Leave to Remain visa and whilst the process was expensive at just under £700 pounds, it was a compleate breeze and the service was excellent.We were in and out in 40 mins and her identity card arrived today. The problem is I am unsure as to what our status now is.

Some facts:

My wife entered the UK 19 Oct 2009 on a multi entry Fiance visa.(Thanks Paul at Thai Visa Express)

This Visa says it expires 19 April 2010

We were married in Scotland 30 Jan 2010

we have now got Further leave to remain for 2 years.(Valid until 18 March 2012)

But here are my questions:

All she has is a Residence Permit card to prove she can work and live in the UK , can she travel on this to Thailand and back as it does not appear to be a visa like her Fiance one?

If we would like to travel to Europe(Schengen Area) is it a simple matter to get a Schengen Visa.

My confusion is that she only seems to have this ID Card(ICFN) and after the trials and tribulations of getting her entry into the UK, I don't want to get caught out with the wrong documentation.

[dragonvolker]

I am a German, living in Germany, so I donnot know British law, but I think it's same all over Europe in this case. I am sure that your wife can travell to all Schengen-States without problem and for travelling to Thailand she has her Thai-passport!

But nevertheless ask your British authorties.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

On both questions the answer is yes you apply for a Schengen visa to travel to the EU.

Her visa is multi entry but extended lengths of time spent away may affect future applications for citizenship no more than 90 days per year as a guide.

She is entitled to apply for Citizenship subject to gaining ILR in the UK and this is 3 years from first entering the country so in your case its from the day she first entered on a Fiance visa.

Example

Entered October 2009

FLR in March 2010

ILR in March 2012

You can apply for citizenship in October 2012 3 years from entering the UK.

All subject to her passing the KOL/ESOL requirement within the 2 year period.

Guidance

Edited March 24, 2010 by ThaiVisaExpress