Hi to all,new here and first post,hope someone could help me out.

I am currently working in the uk,while my wife is in thailand with the children and family.

My wife has previously been granted ILR in the uk since 2002, we were married here in uk,although we have been staying in both countries since.

On this occasion,she wants to travel back with me to the uk for an uncertain amount of time,due to me working here for now.

Since she has been out of the uk for more than 3 years,and i have also been in thailand for a lot of this time,will she need to re appy for entry clearance again?

I seem to remember previously at check in before boarding,my wifes thai passport being checked,and was told that this was to make sure that she had not been away from the uk for more than 2 years.

I will be arriving in thailand at the end of the month for 3 weeks,with my wife hopefully returning with me.

Can anybody give me any advice as to what they think i should do.

Go to the uk embassy and ask them in bangkok?

Any help would be most welcome.

Regards,martin.

I am moving this topic from the forum "Thai visas, residency and work permits" to the forum "Visas and migration to other countries"

Unless your wife can show " strong ties" with the UK ( and I don't think she can, from what you say ) she will need to apply for a new settlement visa. She will also need to have a TB test, and the recently introduced A1 English test. If she intends to stay for less than six months, she could apply for a visit visa, of course.

Are you Irish ?

Looking at your user name ?

You may if you hold an Irish passport apply for an EU Family permit which is free.

The visa is valid for 6 months and upon entry you apply for a 5 year residence card allowing her to stay in the UK .

And her children can also join her in the UK.

If you require professional help feel free to contact me .

Thanks for the help with my dilemma.

I have dual nationality,but have yet to apply for my irish passport,been meaning to do this for some time.

If i get my irish passport and apply for the EU family permit,will this allow me and my wife to live in england,where i currently live and work?

Thanks in advance.

Are you Irish ?

Looking at your user name ?

You may if you hold an Irish passport apply for an EU Family permit which is free.

The visa is valid for 6 months and upon entry you apply for a 5 year residence card allowing her to stay in the UK .

And her children can also join her in the UK.

If you require professional help feel free to contact me .

Yes.

If you, as an Irish citizen, are exercising an EEA economic treaty right to live and work in the UK then your wife is entitled to a free (yes, free) permit as described by TVE to live in the UK with you. That you are also a British citizen does not affect this.

Remember, though, that if you follow this route her permit will lapse if she spends more than 6 months out of the UK and should she wish to apply for naturalisation as British she will have to be resident in the UK for at least 5 years, not the 3 years for the spouse of a British citizen (I know that you are also British, but if she uses the EEA route, and therefore your Irish nationality, to enter the UK, she cannot then switch to your British nationality for naturalisation).

See EEA and Swiss nationals - visa application guide

EEA Family Permits