Pregnant Girl's Brother Joins Circus?

[the scouser]

You've answered your own question, really. Yes, if you intend to marry your g/f in Thailand, then complete the application form as if she is your spouse and then submit your decree absolute and marriage certificate when you attend for interview. If you wish your wife to live with you in the UK for the 2-4 years before you both go to live in Thailand, then her only option is a settlement visa.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[watson]

Another thing i'm still not 100% about

If g/f applies for a fiancee visa now, and by the time the application is processed, we end up having already got married, is it possible the app may fail on a "technicality" (ie. should have ticked the spouse box rather than the fiancee box) or could the certified-translated marriage certificated be presented to the embassy on the day of the interview and the original app amended there and then?

[the scouser]

Yes, you just tell the visa officer that despite having applied as a fiancée, the applicant is now your wife, and you want the application considered on those grounds. As the immigration rules as they pertain to fiancé(e)s and spouses are to all intents and purposes identical, there won't be a problem.

Scouse.

[watson]

ok, i think we'll do that then - just in case i can't get out there and get married in time. seems safest option.

cheers again.

[GU22]

Scouse, as usual, is spot on. May I add that I would explain the situation in a covering letter and submit it with the application.

Watson, you will find that the ECOs can be quite helpful and accommodating; provided you keep them informed, give them as much notice as possible of any changes and listen to any advice they give you..

Whether she enters as a fiance or spouse will not affect any possible future citizen ship application, as the 3 year qualifying period starts when she first enters the UK.

Best of luck with the baby, marriage, visa etc.! (Ever considered a simple life? )

[watson]

Thanks GU22. The simple life hopefully comes in a few years time when I'm putting my feet up in Koh Chang and learning how to fish (and be a parent)

Will keep you updated on this saga anyhow. Somehow I feel this is only the beginning and I'm going to need more advise soon.

Cheers

[watson]

Me again.

It may be that if my g/f is successful in getting a settlement visa to the UK, and has our child in the UK, that she may wish to return to Thailand after a few months (to see her family) and then come back again to the UK.

Do settlement-type visas allow for this, or will she have to apply (and me pay) for a new settlement visa every time she wants to come back to the UK?

Thanks

[mrbojangles]

Me again.

It may be that if my g/f is successful in getting a settlement visa to the UK, and has our child in the UK, that she may wish to return to Thailand after a few months (to see her family) and then come back again to the UK.

Do settlement-type visas allow for this, or will she have to apply (and me pay) for a new settlement visa every time she wants to come back to the UK?

Thanks

Hi Watson,

No, you don't have to apply (and pay) each time. The Settlement visa is a muti entry and is valid for 2 years.

[watson]

OK, thanks and good to know.

Another question

I was told by UK embassy staff in BKK to fax once it comes through (and my g/f settlement visa application has already been submitted).

How do I ensure the fax gets included in the application process?

Do I call the embassy and get a case number or something? Does anyone know?

Cheers

[the scouser]

When you g/f makes her application, it will be given a reference number. You can include either the reference number in your correspondence, or your g/f's full name as wriiten on the application form.

Scouse.

[watson]

understood, but how do i get the reference number? do i just call the embassy and give them my g/f's name?

[the scouser]

When they write the receipt for the fee, the reference number should be included. If not, then phone and give your g/f's name and the date the application was made.

Scouse.

[watson]

ok, great.

thing is, a friend is submitting the application to the embassy using the drop box facility, so i'm not sure how it works with regards getting a reference number with the receipt for the fee in that situation.

However, I'll call embassy and give the date the application was dropped off and my g/f's name so they can link it up -

Unfortunately, i can't pronounce her "real name", just her nickname, so it should be fun doing this over the 'phone.

Luckily I can spell it though.

[GU22]

thing is, a friend is submitting the application to the embassy using the drop box facility

Watson, I'm fairly certain that a third party can submit the application on your g/f's behalf, but I think that they will have to join the queue and submit it in person.

From Drop Box

You can use the drop box if:

You have travelled to the United Kingdom or North America within the last 2 years in the same category as you are now applying (for example as a visitor), and have evidence of this travel; or

You are aged 60 or over and are visiting your mother, father, sister, brother, son or daughter in the United Kingdom; or 

You are the holder of a valid United Kingdom work permit (except a Sector Based Scheme permit); or

You are the spouse or child of a work permit holder, and you are applying to join them; or

You are a diplomat in the Thai Foreign Service, or in a diplomatic mission in Thailand. Applications should be accompanied by an official note from the MFA or the Mission as appropriate; or

You are a Thai Government employee on official business. Applications must be accompanied by an official note; or

You are applying for a student visa and have previously studied in the United Kingdom on a student visa. You must include full supporting documents; or

You are applying for a student visa and have enrolled and been accepted on a degree level course of study in the United Kingdom; or

You are a member of an airline crew; or

You are a Thai Airways employee, or the spouse or child (under 18) of a Thai Airways employee; or

You are the spouse or child (under 18) of one of the above categories, and you are accompanying them.

Do any of these apply to her?

Alternatively, I believe she can submit it by post.

[watson]

Hmm, well spotted, wasn't aware of this.

Looks like my friend will not be able to submit by drop box after all.

Hmm, now i got to persuade the friend to queue.

Any idea how long it takes?

When I was last at the embassy, it was for a visitors visa application and the interview was on the same day and took most of the morning.

I guess the wait is less for a settlement visa application, seeing as there's no interview...

[the scouser]

Under normal circumsatnces, your mate should be in and out within an hour. The front desk staff give the application form the once over and then, as it's a settlement application, direct him straight to the cashier to pay.

Scouse.

[watson]

ok, sounds good.

i'll owe them TWO papaya salads now.

[GU22]

There is a thread on Thailand-UK about waiting times; When to get in line outside Embassy.

Opinions seem to differ, with some saying 4am! But one poster says

Also, we got there at 4am and were the only ones there for at least an hour and could've still got in if we'd turned up at 6.30am. Depends how sure you want to be.

[watson]

4AM!!?

That'll be twenty papaya salads!!

[watson]

Dear all,

My application for a Settlement visa was submitted on the 25th (by hand) - but without g/f's bank statements (as she forgot to send them).

Is this a big problem, to anyone's knowledge?

Seeing as she's applying to settle in the UK, I would hope not, or should they be submitted along with my Decree Absolute (when I get it)?

Many thanks

[watson]

Correction: should read my g/f's application for a settlement visa has been submitted, not my application.

[the scouser]

No, that won't be a problem. Whenever she has her interview, short or full-blown, she can take her statements with her then.

Scouse.

[watson]

Great, thanks again

[watson]

Dear all,

I am told by Bow County Court that my Decree Absolute should be with me in a week or so. My g/f has received a letter from the UK Embassy to attend an interview in mid-December (not bad given she only applied in late October)

My questions are the following and assumes we will be married in the UK in April:

1. If she is successful in the interview, will she be granted the visa immediately? I ask because I don't want her unecessarily travelling up and down Thailand whilst pregnant and would get her to buy a ticket to the UK right after the interview and, assuming she gets the visa, fly "the next day". That way she needs to only make one trip and can take all her warm bags for the UK with her.

2. Alternatively, because of a combination of her father being seriously ill, the likelihood I may be out of the UK for a few weeks during Jan + Feb (on business - she would be home alone) and expensive Xmas period air fares , would she be able to fly out to UK in say, March, on a visa issued in December? Would this be detrimental for her future ILR application in (presumably) June? That is, she would have only been in the UK for 3-4 months and not six. I do not wish her to change the "when do you intend to travel to the UK?" question in her application (Answer: ASAP), as this would prolong the period for when she could apply for ILR. However, if changing this is the only way to do it, so be it, but we'd rather not.

3. IF, she does get the visa, comes to the UK (be it December or March), and applies for ILR, would it be possible for her to travel back to Thailand (to see her family) right after applying for ILR? I appreciate that for settlement she needs to be in the UK for a minimum period of time over the 2 years, and we fully intend her to be so, but she would probably want to get back to Thailand ASAP to see her family/father, show off the baby (all being well) etc. I'd probably go with her for a couple of weeks holiday (if you can call Lamphun a holiday-destination)

I know all this is irrelevant if she does not get a visa, but I like to plan ahead

Cheers again

[mrbojangles]

Hi Watson,

The big boys will answer questions 2 and 3 in more detail that i can. However, to answer question 1. Yes, she will get the visa the same day as her interview, if successful. I think my Mrs had to go back in the afternoon.

Me and the Mrs did the same. She went for the interview (on a Wednesday), got her visa, booked a flight, had a leaving do with her mates and flew here on Friday.

[watson]

a-ha! good to know. BTW, do you happen to know if flights are more expensive if you book on/near the day? Or cheaper? Or about the same? (OK, maybe better for the Travel Forum, but it's relevant to my visa questions)

[mrbojangles]

a-ha! good to know. BTW, do you happen to know if flights are more expensive if you book on/near the day? Or cheaper? Or about the same? (OK, maybe better for the Travel Forum, but it's relevant to my visa questions) 

The thing is, you don't have much choice. It's pointless buying the ticket before she goes for the interview and if you want her here quickly, then you have to pay the rate for a next day flight. It cost me 23,000 baht for a one-way, which i think is expensive. However, one ways are expensive.

I could have got her a return but that would mean that every time we go back, we would be out of sync. I.E. She would be on her Return ticket and i would be on my Outward ticket. Thus, as we always want to fly together, it takes away our option of flying by the cheapest Airline at the time.

Edited November 4, 2005 by mrbojangles

[watson]

yes, you're right. there is no choice if you want to fly on the day. maybe there's a way of reserving a flight? i'll look into it as this is taking things a bit off subject.

cheers mrbojangles

[the scouser]

Watson,

You can ask the visa officer to post-date the validity of the visa for up to 3 months.

Once your wife has her visa, she can come and go as often as she likes without requiring another visa. However, with the exception of family holidays etc., she will need to spend 2 years in the UK before she qualifies for ILR. Therefore, if she goes to the UK in March 2006 with a post-dated visa issued in December 2005, she can apply for ILR in Feb 2008.

[watson]

thanks scouse