Uk Spouse Visa

[sped333]

Hi there.

My wife will be applying for a spouse visa this November to come and settle with me in the UK.

Relationship: We've known each other for over two years, and we've been married for one year now. We also lived together for ten months in Thailand, where I was working as a teacher. We have a little boy on the way now, so we decided that the best thing to do for our future is for me to come back to the UK, and then apply for a spouse visa.

Accommodation: I have suitable accommodation for my family to live in.

Maintenance: I've been back living in the UK now for two months. I'm financially stable with two jobs and I earn over £1,400 a month. I regularly send money to my wife and there's always funds available in my bank account. My wife has a part-time job offer waiting for her when she arrives here.

My questions are, should I use a visa company to handle all of our documents? Before I returned home, we went to a visa company in Bangkok, and they said it will cost me over £1000 for their service. That's not including the visa fee or flights. They also said that the visa will be granted in two weeks to a month.

I feel confident enough that I can sort all the paperwork out myself, then pass that on to my wife.

If I don't use a visa company, then how long or quick could I be waiting for my wife's visa to be granted?

With all the information I have written above relationship, accommodation and maintenance. Do I have a strong application going in for this visa???

I look forward to your answers.

Regards,

Chris

[tigerjohn]

it is up to you if you use a company or not, if you think that you can do yourself you will find anything you need help with on this forum and save yourself a packet, but one thing i can tell you and that is present waiting time for a spouse visa is 8/9 weeks i know this because my wife has just got hers today after 8wk 5days, check out uk settlement waiting on this forum?

[sped333]

it is up to you if you use a company or not, if you think that you can do yourself you will find anything you need help with on this forum and save yourself a packet, but one thing i can tell you and that is present waiting time for a spouse visa is 8/9 weeks i know this because my wife has just got hers today after 8wk 5days, check out uk settlement waiting on this forum?

Thanks for that quick reply.

My other question is, with all the information I have explained on my first post on our relationship, accommodation and maintenance. Does our visa application look strong enough to be granted??

Thank you again.

[tigerjohn]

it is up to you if you use a company or not, if you think that you can do yourself you will find anything you need help with on this forum and save yourself a packet, but one thing i can tell you and that is present waiting time for a spouse visa is 8/9 weeks i know this because my wife has just got hers today after 8wk 5days, check out uk settlement waiting on this forum?

Thanks for that quick reply.

My other question is, with all the information I have explained on my first post on our relationship, accommodation and maintenance. Does our visa application look strong enough to be granted??

Thank you again.

i would say so just as long as you put enough evidence of this, pictures, correspondence, bills, statements etc, but the man you need to answer you is theoldgit and 7by7 im sure they will reply to you soon, they certainly will help you mate,

[7by7]

If I don't use a visa company, then how long or quick could I be waiting for my wife's visa to be granted?

Exactly the same as if you did use a company. Despite what some of these companies claim, they have absolutely no influence over the entry clearance officers, and this includes the speed with which applications are processed.

If considering using an agent, I suggest that you read this first.

From what you have said, I can see no reason why your wife should have any difficulty; obviously you will need to provide evidence of the accommodation available and of your income/finances.

The connection I'm using at the moment is very slow, otherwise I would post some links to the appropriate guidance; but putting "UK Spouse" or similar into the forum search should provide you with more information.

[theoldgit]

Whilst I appreciate "Tigerjohn's'" kind words, I need to point out that I am not a professional in these areas, though I do try to help if I can.

Answering you last question first, the use of an agent is a very personal choice, the UKBA makes this point very strongly, it will certainly not guarantee you a visa. There are a number of cowboys, these are usually lurking around Regent House, but there are a few more hiding in travel agents and the like. Most people say you should only use an agent who his registered with OISC, I have often said this myself, but you also need to bear in mind that there is absolutely no requirement for an agent offering advice in Thailand to be registered. I know for a fact that there are some agents with very experienced staff some of whom have recently been ECO's themselves. Personally I wouldn't use an agent, especially at a grand a pop, the process is pretty straightforward, and there is plently of guidance on the VFS website and of course on this forum.

Regarding your specific points, you are married and need to prove so, your marriage certificate will prove this, but evidence of your time in Thailand together will help the ECO make the correct decision. Also in your sponsorship letter give details of your relationship, your time together and then go on to say why you returned to the UK and your plans for your future together.

Regarding your accomodation, you state it's suitable so you need to prove that's it's suitable for you and your wife and the future child. If the accomodation is yours then again prove so, mortgage statement etc, and proof that it's big enough.

Your financial circumstances seem ok, again you just need to prove that your job is real and that your prospects are sustainable, as much as anybodies is these days.

This is a pretty old link but it's well worth reading http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/81148-robs-guide-to-uk-settlement-application-preparation/

Come back if you have any concerns, someone will try and help you.

Good luck

[sped333]

Is it okay to show 4 months of bank statements? It does say on the UK Home Office website that you need to show at least 3 months of bank statements.

So as long as I can prove all that I have written on my first post about my situation, my wife shouldn't have any problems getting the visa?

Thanks again.

[7by7]

From what you have said; yes and yes.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

The fees for the Agent are very expensive we are OISC registered and we are not charging those kind of fees.

Good advice has already been added if you decide you require professional advice feel free to contact me.