Good Morning

I am hoping somebody out there can give me some advice.

I am recently married to my Thai girlfriend (August 21st). As a lot of my family could not make the trip out from the UK for the wedding we are aiming to go back for a celebration in December.

Firstly am I right in saying we should be applying for the 'Spouse/Partner of British Citizen (Based in Thailand) going to the UK for a visit (family visit)' visa? We will only be there for two weeks due to my work commitments here in Thailand.

On the documents checklist for this visa it asks for our marriage certificate, it is a Thai marriage certificate, at the end of the list it states that 'PLEASE NOTE:

(a) There is no requirement for all Thai language documents to be translated'

however on the VFS main page it states '

If you want the UK Border Agency visa officer to consider your visa application you should provide translations of any supporting documents that are not in English. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original document for verification. All translated documents must include the following information

So which should I do? Is it ok to just submit the Thai marriage certificate?

Also the 'Letter of explanation from spouse/partner outlining relationship/circumstances in Thailand etc' this is written by my wife, is that correct?

Sorry for the questions.

I look forward to your help

Kind regard

Dave

The staff in VFS are mostly Thai, they will have no problems with the Marriage certificate

The staff in VFS are mostly Thai, they will have no problems with the Marriage certificate

Yes, but they are not part of the decision making process, all VFS do is pass the application onto UK Visas at the UK Embassy.

In answer to your specific questions there is no requirement to have Thai language documents translated into English, some people take the view that they prefer to go the expense of doing so in the belief that this may ensure that the application isn't delayed, they may be right I really don't know, but as I say the UKBA say you don't need to.

You are eligible to apply for a family visit, the only difference is that a family visit over a standard visit is that it carries the right of appeal, where a standard tourist visa doesn't.

Your wife should indeed provide a covering letter outlining her circumstances the reason for the visit and plans for the future, make sure she ties in Thailand so that the ECO will be convinced she will leave the UK at the conclusion of the visit. Assuming you are paying for the visit, you should include a letter of sponsorship outlining the reasons for the trip and why you are paying, also proving its affordability.

You do not need to have a translation of your marriage certificate for the visa application however, you will find it useful to have a “sworn translation” of the marriage certificate from a licensed translator, so that you can use the document for legal purposes in the U.K. It is important that you use a licensed translator. Also you will need a sworn translation when you record your marriage with the General Registry Office (GRO), which can be done at the British Embassy, Bkk. This allows you to get copies of your marriage certificate whilst in the UK.

Look at the British Embassy, Bkk website in the section 'Help for British Nationals', Living in Thailand.

I would recommend that you get Your marriage license and your Lady's birth certificate trans lated , it will help if you are in the UK ,