Visa To Uk

[payneo]

Hi, on having a lenghty chat with the wife and some close friends we have decided to opt for trying to get a tourist 6 month visa rather than trying straight away for a settlement visa, do you think this is a good idea, like my friends say it will give her a good insight to life in the uk, and giv us a better chance i hope for the big one, is it easier to get this visa, or should i go for the settlement ?

[VisasPlus]

Well, actually it depends on what you want your wife to do, or what she wants to do. Do you both want her to visit the UK or to settle in the UK ? The choice should really be yours, not the folks on this forum. I'm sorry if this sounds a little facetious, but if you want your wife to live with you in the UK, why are you thinking of applying for a visit visa ?

[payneo]

Well, actually it depends on what you want your wife to do, or what she wants to do. Do you both want her to visit the UK or to settle in the UK ? The choice should really be yours, not the folks on this forum. I'm sorry if this sounds a little facetious, but if you want your wife to live with you in the UK, why are you thinking of applying for a visit visa ?

Yes of course i want her to stay in uk and she wants the same, my friend and his wife tried for the settlement but got refused then they applied for visit and got it, but now his wife is here on settlement so i was thinking should i follow the samre route, i no its up to us how we go about this i was just looking for some general info not for answers, as ive been told applying for any visa is scary.

[7by7]

I agree with VP; it is entirely your choice; however, some thoughts:-

Whether she has previously visited the UK or not will have little or no effect on any settlement application; she either meets the criteria for settlement or she doesn't. I cannot comment on your friend's refusal as I don't know the details, but it is unusual for a settlement application to be refused but a subsequent visit application be granted; usually it's the other way round!

If you live in the UK and she applies for a visit visa, the entry clearance officer will be wondering why your wife only wants to visit you and not live with you, and so may be concerned that she will not leave the UK when the visit visa expires.

A settlement visa is not a life sentence. If she decides that she doesn't like living in the UK she can leave.

If she does enter the UK as a visitor she cannot change to settlement in the UK; she will have to return to Thailand and apply for settlement there; an expensive way of doing it.

It is, of course, perfectly understandable that you and/or she may be concerned that she will not adapt to life in the UK; but, with respect, isn't that something you should have thought about before marrying? A visit before the marriage may have been a better idea.

A visa application can be scary for first timers, but you can get plenty of advice here. Remember that over 90% of applications in Thailand are successful.

Edited May 29, 2011 by 7by7

[payneo]

I agree with VP; it is entirely your choice; however, some thoughts:-

Whether she has previously visited the UK or not will have little or no effect on any settlement application; she either meets the criteria for settlement or she doesn't. I cannot comment on your friend's refusal as I don't know the details, but it is unusual for a settlement application to be refused but a subsequent visit application be granted; usually it's the other way round!

If you live in the UK and she applies for a visit visa, the entry clearance officer will be wondering why your wife only wants to visit you and not live with you, and so may be concerned that she will not leave the UK when the visit visa expires.

A settlement visa is not a life sentence. If she decides that she doesn't like living in the UK she can leave.

If she does enter the UK as a visitor she cannot change to settlement in the UK; she will have to return to Thailand and apply for settlement there; an expensive way of doing it.

It is, of course, perfectly understandable that you and/or she may be concerned that she will not adapt to life in the UK; but, with respect, isn't that something you should have thought about before marrying? A visit before the marriage may have been a better idea.

A visa application can be scary for first timers, but you can get plenty of advice here. Remember that over 90% of applications in Thailand are successful.

Thank you 7by7, i have just taken onboard everything you just said and agree with you 100%, i think the biggest part of this is worry, applying for anything is a worry but this is so scary for us both, i will talk with the wife again and i think we have to go for settlement as the first attack. Thank you.

[englishinsiam]

My wife was refused a Visit visa a year ago but has since been granted a settlement visa. So it's not a route you need to take.

As long as your wife can pass the English and TB tests and you have a place to live and enough money to support her then you should be able to get a settlement visa as long as you submit your case well. You obviously need to prove the relationship with photo's etc.

There are several indexes on this forum you can copy and change to your circumstances. Take your time and get it all in there and you have your best chance of success.

[payneo]

My wife was refused a Visit visa a year ago but has since been granted a settlement visa. So it's not a route you need to take.

As long as your wife can pass the English and TB tests and you have a place to live and enough money to support her then you should be able to get a settlement visa as long as you submit your case well. You obviously need to prove the relationship with photo's etc.

There are several indexes on this forum you can copy and change to your circumstances. Take your time and get it all in there and you have your best chance of success.

Thank you .

[Thongkorn]

I got a visit visa for my now wife, It let her see the Culture and living standards of the UK, and the weather , Also to See and and meet the Family ,Many Thai Lady's come with good intension's, but just cannot settle , Up to you, but i know i did mine the right way, Visit then settlement visa, also when she returned after the visit to the UK she had chance to prepare properly because she new what to expect, . just my opinion as has been stated before my post UP to you.

[true blue]

uk is expensive which ever way you go visit visa is okay as you in a holiday mode, and you no your going back soon,settlement is a bit of a different kettle of fish,its starting to buy things and put down roots,must admit we have tried to settle in uk,but the pull of los,is to much ive just sold up this week and were back as soon as everything sorted,but its horses for courses they say.

[payneo]

uk is expensive which ever way you go visit visa is okay as you in a holiday mode, and you no your going back soon,settlement is a bit of a different kettle of fish,its starting to buy things and put down roots,must admit we have tried to settle in uk,but the pull of los,is to much ive just sold up this week and were back as soon as everything sorted,but its horses for courses they say.

OK now is it best to use Agency or DIY we have spoke to a couple of agencys in Patts but it seems to me all they want is big money and nothing is 100% like they all say, im back in uk now so is it still possible for us to do whilst apart, and what is the best way to send what is going to be alot of papaerwork, or can i send some of this on cd-r disk or is this not excepted, ? Like how many photos do they want, do thay require all are chat on msn ect, .......onr big big pile of paper .

[7by7]

Whether to use an agency or not is up to you, but I'd suggest that you readthis topic first.

It is perfectly ok for your wife to submit the application on her own, you do not need to be there; you wont be allowed into the application centre anyway.

The embassy want paper evidence, they will not accept evidence on other media, such as CDs, due to the risk of that media containing a virus or similar which could infect their systems.

How many photos? How long is a piece a string? I'd suggest a couple of dozen, taken at different times in different locations.

There is no need to submit the contents of your MSN chats; merely the logs etc. to show that they have taken place.

How you send your evidence is up to you. I've never had a problem with Royal Mail International signed for, but others have and you may want to use a courier.

[bellboy86]

Fedex quickest safest and you can track it door to door, little bit more expensive but worth it, goodluck