Settlement Or Visitor Visa?

[killblues]

Hi All,

I would like some advice on which visa to apply for to get my thai gf (soon to be wife) to the u.k.

We have been together for two years now, I have been to Thailand to see her 6 times and she has visited me in the U.K. twice. (on one 6 month visitors visa) with me as her sponsor.

We are getting married in Thailand in January 2011 and we were thinking of applying for a settlement visa as soon as we are married.

A friend said that applying as soon as we are married might not be a good idea as the UK authorities may see it as a "marriage of convenience" . Can anyone tell me if this would be the case?

Would we be better off applying for another six month visitor visa first and leaving the settlement visa until a later date?

[Stanaris]

Hi

I would just go for the settlement visa. You have known your wife to be for 2 years so you will have no problems.

Just to give you an idea, I married my wife on 3rd September 2010, submitted settlement application 14 September and got her visa on 4th November and I had only known her for 8 months.

You have nothing to worry about mate

[Thai Visa Express]

You should apply for a settlement visa see Spouses, partners, civil partners and proposed partners.

[7by7]

I agree, your friend is completely wrong.

You have a 2 year relationship, with, presumably, lots of evidence to show this. I can see no reason for any doubts about the genuineness of the marriage.

As well as TVE's link above, you may find the following helpful:-

Maintenance and accommodation

SET03 - Spouses

[killblues]

Thats pretty much what I expected you to say but I thought it was best to check as failed visa applications appear to be very costly!!

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

[aland2012]

Sounds good to me, go for it, I hope to to do the same thing in around April May time, fly to BKK, get married then file for Spouse Visa..... Good Luck.

Settlement Visa and Spouse Visa are the same yes???

Alan

[RAZZELL]

Sounds good to me, go for it, I hope to to do the same thing in around April May time, fly to BKK, get married then file for Spouse Visa..... Good Luck.

Settlement Visa and Spouse Visa are the same yes???

Alan

It's a settlement visa and your wife will be applying as "your spouse".

But it's semantics...

RAZZ

[7by7]

There are various categories in which one can apply for settlement and there can be important differences between them, spouse and fiance for example. So it's a little more than semantics.

Having said that, in forums such as this when people talk about 'spouse visa' or 'fiance visa' etc, they usually mean a settlement visa in that category.

[Basil B]

A quick question regarding settlement visas, If you go the "Fiance" route which costs a lot, then after you marry you have to fork out £500 to £800 again for the settlement, is going for a "visitor" visa with permision to marry (returning to Thailand and applying for spouses settelment) an option?

[7by7]

Yes, one can apply for a Marriage Visit Visa and then marry in the UK. As you say, this does not mean the holder can then apply for settlement whilst still in the UK; they would have to return home and apply there for settlement as a spouse.

Balancing the costs of the Marriage Visit Visa plus the cost of the extra flight(s) against the cost of FLR after entering with a fiance settlement visa and marrying; is it worth it?

Personal choice, of course.

BTW, the cost of a settlement visa is the same, whether it is for a spouse, fiance or most other categories.

[Basil B]

Yes, one can apply for a Marriage Visit Visa and then marry in the UK. As you say, this does not mean the holder can then apply for settlement whilst still in the UK; they would have to return home and apply there for settlement as a spouse.

Balancing the costs of the Marriage Visit Visa plus the cost of the extra flight(s) against the cost of FLR after entering with a fiance settlement visa and marrying; is it worth it?

Personal choice, of course.

BTW, the cost of a settlement visa is the same, whether it is for a spouse, fiance or most other categories.

Thank 7by7, thats what I thought and yes, with the cost of flights it would probably not be a financial saving, but if the visa holder had to return it may be, but also it takes many weeks to process a settlement visa and the visa applicant would not be able to return until the settlement visa is granted.

[Thongkorn]

I got married on Thursday , i put my Settelment visa in on monday , and got it . For me the best way was get married in Thailand , Then submit your Settlement visa,