My Visa Case

[MakTB]

Hi All,

OK, my story first. I first came to Thailand on Hols Dec 03 with mates. I met a girl and we became friends, when I returned to blighty I packed in the job and came back out here on my savings. I met O everyday and we got closer and closer and in March we moved in together. All was going well...

Now the money is getting tight (about 4,000 left + a couple of thousand to come in from an old job) and we decided that work back in the UK is better for me (web delevoper/programmer).

We married a few weeks ago and then we went to the embassy and handed in the application for settlement. When we returned to Samui, I panicked. Did we rush in with the application? I have no job in the UK at present (although I believe it won't be difficult to get one, never was before), haven't a great deal of savings as I been spending out here for so long.

My family are prepared to accomodate and support us until I have a new job and a place to live. Is this enough? How can I prove this to the embassy?

last question (honest ) What information is required for the interview and what sort of questions will she be asked?

Thank you all in advance, I have been reading past posts all day and didn't see any other cases close to ours.

MakTB

[the scouser]

MakTB,

For the purposes of getting your wife a settlement visa, you have to show that you have somewhere to stay and can support yourselves without claiming benefits. If your parents are willing to fulfil both of these obligations, that's fine but they will need to substantiate their claim. In other words, your parents should write a letter for the attention of the visa officer explaining that they are content for you and your wife to stay with them, mentioning how big the house is and how many people currently live there. They should also provide evidence of their ability to financially support the 2 of you, e.g. bank statements/wage slips/savings books etc.

At the interview, your wife will be asked general questions about your relationship and about your intended life in the UK. As you have already lived together for some time, the visa officer will expect your wife to have a thorough knowledge of you and your circumstances. Basically, your wife needs to satisfy the visa officer that she intends to permanently live with you once you are in the UK. You should submit evidence of your relationship to back up this claim; e.g. photos, greetings cards, letters sent to the 2 of you at the same address etc.

Best of luck,

Scouse.

[MakTB]

They should also provide evidence of their ability to financially support the 2 of you, e.g. bank statements/wage slips/savings books etc.

You should submit evidence of your relationship to back up this claim; e.g. photos, greetings cards, letters sent to the 2 of you at the same address etc.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks for the quick reply Scouse. In the quotes above, my parents are now both retired so bank statements and saving accounts is what they have. Is this enough?

Photos we have, aplenty but no letters sent here, Would a letter from our landlord be sufficent? What about 'up-standing/professional' people/friends as references. Will these help?

So the fact I have no job in the UK is not major if my family can prove support? (this I was the most concerned about)

Again, thanks for the quick response.

MakTB

[the scouser]

Yes, there's no harm getting a letter from your landlord saying that both you and your wife have lived at the address for however long. And, yes, your parents' bank statements and savings details should be fine, providing that their income is sufficient to take care of 4 people.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[MakTB]

providing that their income is sufficient to take care of 4 people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Firstly, Scouser, you rock!! You may have heard this a lot but just reading this forum all day, your knowledge and clear written posts I have to say is awesome. Thank you.

Quote above - that's the deal breaker right there, sufficient?? Depends on what they class as sufficient.

I believe (in all honesty) that for me to get a job soon is not a problem, so I really need to convey to them that this setup with my family is short-term. I vowed when I was 16 (16 years ago ) That I'll never go on public funds, and so far I've stuck to that.

My plan now while waiting for the interview date is get my CV circulating round, who knows, I may get lucky and get a phone interview and a job before her interview at the EM.

Thanks again, I'll keep reading here and you keep posting your good knowledge and vibes.

MakTB

[mrbojangles]

providing that their income is sufficient to take care of 4 people.

Firstly, Scouser, you rock!! You may have heard this a lot but just reading this forum all day, your knowledge and clear written posts I have to say is awesome. Thank you.

Quote above - that's the deal breaker right there, sufficient?? Depends on what they class as sufficient.

I believe (in all honesty) that for me to get a job soon is not a problem, so I really need to convey to them that this setup with my family is short-term. I vowed when I was 16 (16 years ago ) That I'll never go on public funds, and so far I've stuck to that.

My plan now while waiting for the interview date is get my CV circulating round, who knows, I may get lucky and get a phone interview and a job before her interview at the EM.

Thanks again, I'll keep reading here and you keep posting your good knowledge and vibes.

MakTB

Hi MakTB,

The following is a list that a Visa agency gave to me when i was submitting an application. Just ignore what doesn't apply to you but i posted the entire list for any other readers in different situations who may wish to know. Other members may wish to add more but this was sufficient for mine.

1. Wage slips for the last six months.

2. P60.

3. If self employed last two years income tax return.

4. If you have a company in UK provide copies of last two years annual accounts.

5. A letter from your employer stating salary, length of service NI number on company letter headed paper.

6. Your last six months bank statements.

7. Birth certificate Original

8. Marriage/ divorce/ death certificate

9. Evidence of contact between yourself and your lady e.g. E-Mail, letters, telephone bills and any photos with you both.

10. Full details of your house e.g. no of rooms and what they are used for.

11. If you have a mortgage we will need a letter from the mortgage company.

12. If you are renting the property we will need to see a copy of the tenancy agreement for a minimum period of six months.

13. Details of all the people living at your home giving age and sex.

14. Previous and present Passport

15. If applying for a fiancé visa we need letter stating date to

marry from registrar or church.

All the best

Mr BoJ

[kayo]

Hi MakTB.

I can´t give you much practical advice.

Your name stuck out though, and so I read your well written posts, and you seem like a good bloke.

Your name is almost the same as that of my bar:

Maktub (Maktub´ar)

Maktub means "And so it was written... and so it shall be." in arabic.

I believe in it, and so far so good...

In other words,

Wishing you well, and have faith. (doesn´t matter in what, just have faith)

Ciao, Chris

[Del22]

Mr Jangles

I am not sure about item 15, I thought you could only marry in a limited number of registrars. My fiancee has an interview in 3 weeks and I have not booked a registrar in the UK. We plan to marry in Thailand in December and I don't know if you can pre-book. Does anyone know if this is a requirement for a fiancee visa ? As we don't have much time.

Thanks

Del

[the scouser]

It is not a requirement of the immigration rules to have a marriage date pre-set and, indeed, I would venture that it's not possible to do so as one party to the intended marrriage would not be present in the UK. The visa officer needs to be satisfied that a marriage will take place and having clear plans should be sufficient.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[mrbojangles]

Mr Jangles

I am not sure about item 15, I thought you could only marry in a limited number of registrars. My fiancee has an interview in 3 weeks and I have not booked a registrar in the UK. We plan to marry in Thailand in December and I don't know if you can pre-book. Does anyone know if this is a requirement for a fiancee visa ? As we don't have much time.

Thanks

Del

hi Del,

I would agree with what Scouse says. The list is just a cut and paste from what the agency gave to me and even they profess that the list is not totally exhaustive. I think it is a matter of the more things you have and have arranged the better the chances. One thing they are keen on though is originals i.e. birth certs, divorce certs etc. and not copies.

All the best

Mr BoJ

[MakTB]

All I can say is Wow, responses aplenty Thank you all.

Thank you kayo, not that my name was exactly the same but the arabic translation sounds good to me . My 'handle' has been that for a long time and a too long of a story to go into right now.

OK, on topic, hehe. Is there any guideline/estimate on sufficient funding? Would they take into consideration that I have been living out here for so long?

If I'm nervous now, what am I going to be like when I have the interview date ???? This is crazy but it's an important step in my life. I know you all understand that.

Thanks again to all who replied

MakTB

[the scouser]

MakTB,

There are no hard and fast rules about what constitutes sufficent financial support. It is basically an assessment made on the individual's circumstances; i.e. Fred has an income of x amount per month. Given his financial obligations, is that enough to support y number of people? As with all immigration decisions, the legal standard applied is that of the balance of probabilities, so to answer your question just ask yourself whether it's probable.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[MakTB]

I understand that scouse, I think it's enough just need them to think the same way

One other thing (sorry about all these questions) the letters from family/friends about us etc. Can they be some in English and some in Thai? for example, my landlord's letter will most likely be in Thai, but letters from home will be in English. Or do they need to be translated into English. My wife's interview is in thai language.

Also is there some example questions about what she we be asked in the interview has she is worried about not knowing enough about me.

thanks again

MakTB

[bkk_mike]

Mr Jangles

I am not sure about item 15, I thought you could only marry in a limited number of registrars. My fiancee has an interview in 3 weeks and I have not booked a registrar in the UK. We plan to marry in Thailand in December and I don't know if you can pre-book. Does anyone know if this is a requirement for a fiancee visa ? As we don't have much time.

Thanks

Del

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Del - Are you saying is your g/f is applying for a fiance visa now - but you're going to return to Thailand to get married?

Sorry - but doesn't that mean that you'll end up paying for 2 settlement visas, with 2 waits of 3 months for interview. (Scouse - correct me if I'm wrong...)

[the scouser]

MakTB,

Any documents that you have in Thai should be translated into English with both submitted to the visa officer; i.e. the Thai original and English translation.

The basic questions that a visa officer might ask are:-

1. What's your husband's name?

2. What's your husband's date of birth?

3. Where did you meet?

4. In what circumstances did you meet?

5. What do you like to do together?

6. What hobbies does your husband have?

7. Name some of your husband's friends.

8. Does you husband have any brother/sisters? If so, how old are they?

9. What's your husband's trade/profession?

That's just a sample, as your wife's answer to a particular question may spark further questions in the visa officer's mind. However, they don't set out to trip people up and providing your wife has a good knowledge of you and your circumstances she should be OK.

BKKMike,

I may be wrong, but I interpreted Del's post as meaning that he and his fiancée are to marry in the UK, get an extention on the basis of their marriage and then undergo a traditional ceremony in Thailand. But, as I say, that may be incorrect.

Scouse.

[MakTB]

6. What hobbies does your husband have?

7. Name some of your husband's friends.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cheers Scouse, that's a great help.

Quote - How do they know the answers ??? Big brother is watching

(As you might be able to tell, I'm a little happier about this now)

Cheers

MakTB

[Del22]

Scouse / BKK Mike

Our plan was to get a settlement visa ( interview in July ) my fiancee to come to the UK in Mid July. Then get married in Thailand before Christmas. Then for both of us to return to the Uk as I understood the Visa would be still valid, correct me if I'm wrong. Apply for a FLR in the Uk, when we returned. Is this possible or have I got it wrong ?

Thanks

Del

[the scouser]

Hi Del,

That's a novel approach but I don't think it'll work. The immigration rules as they apply to fiancé(e)s specify that the purpose of entry to the UK is to marry. From what you've posted this is not the case for you and your g/f. If you therefore go ahead with this plan your fiancée may well be refused her visa because she doesn't intend to get married in the UK. You have 2 options:-

1. Either change your plans to include marriage in the UK, or

2. Apply for a visit visa which would grant your g/f entry for 6 months as a visitor leaving you free to return to Thailand in December in order to marry.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[Del22]

Thanks Scouse

New plan is being implemented as I speak. Just in time, I was going to post the final documents tomorrow. I'll have to wake the G/F up too. (she's had enough beauty sleep).

Ok so I/We plan to marry in the UK just before Xmas and go to Thailand for a Ceremonial wedding and honeymoon.

Thanks again,

so easy to slip up even with all the good advice and intentions.

Del

[the scouser]

A stitch in time...........

Scouse.

[Eastender]

I wonder how important my bank statements are for my wifes settlement visa? I really hope they don't ask for them as they're not too favourable at the moment.

I submited most of the other info, am now back in the UK while my wife waits for her interview. A week after we went to the office they contacted her and asked her to take in her bank statements, (didn't mention mine) which she'll do tomorrow. Seems strange cause I don't think they mentioned an interview, and I would have thought they'd have just asked her to bring them along then.

I'll keep you posted.

[mrbojangles]

I wonder how important my bank statements are for my wifes settlement visa?  I really hope they don't ask for them as they're not too favourable at the moment.

I submited most of the other info, am now back in the UK while my wife waits for her interview.  A week after we went to the office they contacted her and asked her to take in her bank statements, (didn't mention mine) which she'll do tomorrow.  Seems strange cause I don't think they mentioned an interview, and I would have thought they'd have just asked her to bring them along then.

I'll keep you posted.

Eastender, I mentioned in my thread that the Embassy are in backlog at the moment. We submitted our settlement application 4 weeks ago and have just got the interview date (normally 10 days). The interview is at the end of September. In total we will have waited 18 weeks from submitting the application to having the interview!! As for your Bank statement, i am 90%+ sure you will be asked for it. Below is a list that a Visa Agency gave me for what information i needed to supply, they do this for living but still, i don't think the list is exhaustive. I think the rule is generally, the more info you provide the better the chances.

1. Wage slips for the last six months.

2. P60.

3. If self employed, last two years income tax return.

4. If you have a company in UK provide copies of last two years annual accounts.

5. A letter from your employer stating salary, length of service NI number on company letter headed paper.

6. Your last six months bank statements.

7. Birth certificate Original

8. Marriage/ divorce/ death certificate

9. Evidence of contact between yourself and your lady e.g. E-Mail, letters, telephone bills and any photos with you both.

10. Full details of your house e.g. no of rooms and what they are used for.

11. If you have a mortgage we will need a letter from the mortgage company.

12. If you are renting the property we will need to see a copy of the tenancy agreement for a minimum period of six months.

13. Details of all the people living at your home giving age and sex.

14. Previous and present Passport (if visited Thailand on old the one)

Good luck with your application

Mr BoJ

[Eastender]

Further to my post above. My wife visited the embassy today to take in her bank statements. They asked her a few questions about us and me, but this didn't seem to be the actual interview as they've asked her to return at the end of August for this.

They also asked that in August she bring my bank statements for the last 6 months. Six months back from August, or date of application I wonder? I don't want to give them any more than necessary as the further back they go the less healthy they will look.

Any comments on what they're looking for in a bank statement. Just regular income, or a healthy positive balance?

[the scouser]

Hi Eastender,

They're looking to see that you have a regular income and that, generally speaking, your income is greater than your expenditure. It would be unreasonable to refuse a visa just because someone dips into the red. They ask for 6 months' worth in order to make sure that you haven't "loaded" the account for the purposes of getting the visa.

Scouse.

[Clive sorts]

Further to my post above.  My wife visited the embassy today to take in her bank statements.  They asked her a few questions about us and me, but this didn't seem to be the actual interview as they've asked her to return at the end of August for this.

They also asked that in August she bring my bank statements for the last 6 months.  Six months back from August, or date of application I wonder?  I don't want to give them any more than necessary as the further back they go the less healthy they will look.

Any comments on what they're looking for in a bank statement. Just regular income, or a healthy positive balance?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi EE

The short interview your wife had is standard, happened to my Fiancee when she had to hand in further documents for her settlement interview. They asked her a few questions about our relationship and gave her an appointment 10 weeks later for the main interview for which I attended.

My thoughts regarding your bank statements would be to have them available from six months up to her interview in August. Your statements would need to show that basically your outgoings aren't higher than your income etc.. so that you have enough funds for you both without recourse to public funds when you are together in the UK.

Good luck

Best regards

Clive sorts