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Posted

My wife and I have been married for six and a half years and we have a daughter who is six. For various reasons which include the education of my daughter and the ever icreasing cost of healthcare, we have decided to relocate to the UK. I've recently done some research and the first thing we need to do is to apply for a two year settlement visa. I know that we could apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain, as we have been married for over four years but I got a copy of the questions the panel coud ask the applicant, my wife and I doubt if 20% of the UK indiginous population would pass the test. Examples: What percent of the population claim to attend church. What percent of Christians in UK are Catholic. When were women over 30 given the right to vote. I know these are multiple choice answers but I for one wouldn't have a clue which answer to choose. She would also have to take an English language test and from the book I bought with example questions, it's very difficult. My wife speaks pretty good English but I have doubts she would pass this test.

Apparently there is a point system when applying for the2 year settlement visa and my question is does anyone know how many points are needed to qualify and how many points will she lose if she doesn't have the A1 English pass. Maybe they will be a little more sympathetic with our particular case??

Posted

It is not a choice of applying for a two year settlement visa or Indefinite Leave to Remain; your wife will apply for settlement. What she is granted depends upon what she meets the criteria for. See this topic.

BTW, to be pedantic, she cannot apply for ILR if she is not in the UK, instead she will be granted Indefinite Leave to Enter; assuming she qualifies.

Presumably your daughter is a dual Thai/British citizen and so has a British passport and will not need a visa. If not, then she also applies for settlement and will be granted the same as her mother.

The Knowledge of Life and Language in the UK requirement is for ILR or ILE, not for initial entry (see below). You are correct in saying that very few British people could pass the Life in the UK test, to which I would add a very important phrase: without any study.

If your wife's English is above ESOL entry level 3 then she should be able to understand the study materials and then the test itself. If not, then she can take an ESOL with citizenship course instead. Note that both can only be done in the UK. See here.

She will have to pass an English speaking and listening test of at least A1 standard from a UKBA approved provider before she submits her settlement application.

She will also need to supply a certificate from the International Organisation for Migration showing she is free from infectious TB.

For more details on the A1 test and TB certificate plus how to apply, fees etc., see UK visa application centre.

Finally, UK settlement applications are not points based, applicants either meet the criteria or they don't. From what you have said, provided you can meet the Maintenance and Accommodation criteria, I don't see you having a problem.

Posted

Thanks 7by7. That's very informative. Yes my daughter already has a British passport so there's no problem there and I did know my wife would need to have a health check for TB. Are there any UKBA approved English test centres in Pattaya or only in Bangkok?

Many thanks once again.

Posted

if your wife's English is ok, i would not worry about the A1 test for the settlement visa. it would be quite easy for her.

i have attached a list of test centres. EMD no longer offer the test. i would suggest ringing around. you asked how many points will your wife lose if she did not have the test? if she didnt she would not be able to apply (unless she had a degree taught in english )

my girlfriend will be applying for settlement very soon. we will marry on the 4th July

i had a look at the 'life in uk test'. i could not answer the questions and i am quite ''''knowledgeable''. obviously not knowledgeable enough.

when it is time to think about the test there are 2 options. if your wife's english language level is good enough (level 3 or higher) she will have to take the life in uk test.. it is a one day test and you will know if you have passed the same day. dont worry, they provide a book for her to learn from.

if her english language level is level 1 - 2, she can take an ESOL course in english language with citizenship. this is a 6 month course and is about 6 hours a week ( though this can vary ). her language level will be assessed at the start, and she will need to gain 1 level by the end. this is the option my gf will probably go for.

remember for UK settlement you will need to provide her with suitable accomodation in the uk, you will need to have suitable finances to support her, and you need to show your relationship is genuine.

Good luck

A1_Testing.pdf

Posted

Don't let the lituk test put you off, my wife's English and knowledge was very poor and I stated she would never pass it, but the wife being the wife, she studied the books night and day failed the test 3 times then bump she comes home with a pass, fair play to her, so it's possible for your wife, go for lie if you have it all prepared, remember the answers are I'n the books. Good luck

Posted

Thanks for that. We've been married 6 and a half years and have a 6 year old daughter and I've spent most of the last 6 years in Thailand. I don't think we could be more serious than that. I have a house in UK where we will live and I've got bank statements to show my income is sufficient to support us.

Are there any UKBA approved English test centres in the Pattaya area or have we got to go to Bangkok?? Thanks again.

Posted

We plan on getting married at the end of august and i thought a spouse Visa which gives you 27 Months was different to a Settlement Visa, But i think i am wrong on that.

just a few things to ask.

My Girlfriend has only 2 Months left in the UK and i see that most of the course's can last up to 3 months.

I thought that if your Partner is on a Visitors visa, she was not allowed to Study, So any course's would have top be done in Thailand

I have been looking at the cost of the course, But i have found that it can depend on the center that you go to. Is their a average cost?

Basically

I now fully understand on how to get married in Thailand and that my GF will need a TB test, Then it gets harder, She will need to sit a English test before she can apply for a spouse Visa which may take time to do.

Than it can take 3 months to find out if she has been lucky in getting a Visa which we thought it was maybe a week or 2 ;-(

If anyone was applying for a fiancee visa for 6 months and i know that the cost will be a lot more, But would the Visa be granted within the 2 weeks and then apply to do the UK test once married and staying the UK?

Finally I did the life in the UK test and failed with only 42% correct.

Posted

Thank you for the Link to the Video

both myself and my GF has just watched the Clips and very useful and we have a better understanding on whats required.

For these tests, i would imagine that its a matter of going to a test center or do you have to go on a Course?

Will try and find out the cost

Malc

Posted

Thank you for the Link to the Video

both myself and my GF has just watched the Clips and very useful and we have a better understanding on whats required.

For these tests, i would imagine that its a matter of going to a test center or do you have to go on a Course?

Will try and find out the cost

Malc

what is your gf's english ability? do you think she could pass the test?

the test costs around 8000b ( that what with the 1 hour pre test ). my gf said the pre test was worth doing, she learnt a few words that came up in the test. the whole thing takes about 2 hours. you will have to ring around to see from the list to see who is offering the test and how often they do it.

the video did put my gf's mind at ease, and she didnt worry about the actual test.

good luck

Posted

Her English is OK but i still have to explain new words to her which would not go down well in a proper test if she did not know what the word meant.

There is a test center in Carlisle but cant get a reply due to the lady been out of the office until thursday.

I have seen the Jomiten office that you can sit the UK test and thinking about spending a Couple of days there in August.

Malc

Posted

Do you have any details regarding the centre in Jomptien. It's location and telephone number please. Do they teach English there or only arrange tests. We are trying to get a 2 Year settlement visa for my wife of 6 years so that we can settle back in UK with our 6 year old daughter. If I had more money, I'd go to the Europian Court of Human Rights. This is getting to be a joke.

Thanks

Posted

Do you have any details regarding the centre in Jomptien. It's location and telephone number please. Do they teach English there or only arrange tests. We are trying to get a 2 Year settlement visa for my wife of 6 years so that we can settle back in UK with our 6 year old daughter. If I had more money, I'd go to the Europian Court of Human Rights. This is getting to be a joke.

Thanks

http://www.visas-plus.com/

I know what you mean by a Joke, Planning on getting Married is not a Joke and it is showing a commitment to each other. I know that its in the favor of the Thai person, But if things go to plan, then retirement in thailand will be a big plus for me.

Malc

Posted

I've just tried to contact the English testing centres in Pattaya. The person I spoke to at The John O'Neil centre said their licence was no longer in place and that they were waiting for its renewal and the other number didn't answer.

Posted

Do you have any details regarding the centre in Jomptien. It's location and telephone number please. Do they teach English there or only arrange tests. We are trying to get a 2 Year settlement visa for my wife of 6 years so that we can settle back in UK with our 6 year old daughter. If I had more money, I'd go to the Europian Court of Human Rights. This is getting to be a joke.

Thanks

http://www.visas-plus.com/

I know what you mean by a Joke, Planning on getting Married is not a Joke and it is showing a commitment to each other. I know that its in the favor of the Thai person, But if things go to plan, then retirement in thailand will be a big plus for me.

Malc

There are currently no English testing centres in Pattaya or Jomtien. There were two testers in Pattaya up until last month, but the UKBA rescinded the approval for the UK based establishments to run overseas testing. The result is that the only test centres are now in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

If you are in Jomtien or Pattaya sometime soon, then I would be pleased to have chat with you or your wife ( free, of course ), and we can, hopefully, point you in the right direction for A1 testing and give you any other advice you might want.

Posted

Do you have any details regarding the centre in Jomptien. It's location and telephone number please. Do they teach English there or only arrange tests. We are trying to get a 2 Year settlement visa for my wife of 6 years so that we can settle back in UK with our 6 year old daughter. If I had more money, I'd go to the Europian Court of Human Rights. This is getting to be a joke.

Thanks

http://www.visas-plus.com/

I know what you mean by a Joke, Planning on getting Married is not a Joke and it is showing a commitment to each other. I know that its in the favor of the Thai person, But if things go to plan, then retirement in thailand will be a big plus for me.

Malc

There are currently no English testing centres in Pattaya or Jomtien. There were two testers in Pattaya up until last month, but the UKBA rescinded the approval for the UK based establishments to run overseas testing. The result is that the only test centres are now in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

If you are in Jomtien or Pattaya sometime soon, then I would be pleased to have chat with you or your wife ( free, of course ), and we can, hopefully, point you in the right direction for A1 testing and give you any other advice you might want.

Posted

Do you have any details regarding the centre in Jomptien. It's location and telephone number please. Do they teach English there or only arrange tests. We are trying to get a 2 Year settlement visa for my wife of 6 years so that we can settle back in UK with our 6 year old daughter. If I had more money, I'd go to the Europian Court of Human Rights. This is getting to be a joke.

Thanks

http://www.visas-plus.com/

I know what you mean by a Joke, Planning on getting Married is not a Joke and it is showing a commitment to each other. I know that its in the favor of the Thai person, But if things go to plan, then retirement in thailand will be a big plus for me.

Malc

There are currently no English testing centres in Pattaya or Jomtien. There were two testers in Pattaya up until last month, but the UKBA rescinded the approval for the UK based establishments to run overseas testing. The result is that the only test centres are now in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

If you are in Jomtien or Pattaya sometime soon, then I would be pleased to have chat with you or your wife ( free, of course ), and we can, hopefully, point you in the right direction for A1 testing and give you any other advice you might want.

Glanville63 - you didn't add any comment ?

Posted

Thanks for that info VisaPlus. I'm returning to Thailand 6th July from UK and my wife and I would like to have a chat with you and possibly use your services to obtain our 2 year settlement visa. Presumeably you have a tel number on your web site??

Posted

Thanks for that info VisaPlus. I'm returning to Thailand 6th July from UK and my wife and I would like to have a chat with you and possibly use your services to obtain our 2 year settlement visa. Presumeably you have a tel number on your web site??

Sure - would be happy to see you, with no obligation whatsoever. Our office number is on our website, and we are situated next door to the Honorary British Consulate in Jomtien Soi 5.

Posted

Thanks. I know where you are based now. I'll give your office a call after 6th July and come over and see you. Presumably you can assess if my wife needs English lessons to get her up to speed and give us some contact numbers for schools you think are reliable. I don't want to waste time and money getting her to take the A1 test if she's not up for it. Apparently it's 8,000 baht a test??

Posted

Thanks. I know where you are based now. I'll give your office a call after 6th July and come over and see you. Presumably you can assess if my wife needs English lessons to get her up to speed and give us some contact numbers for schools you think are reliable. I don't want to waste time and money getting her to take the A1 test if she's not up for it. Apparently it's 8,000 baht a test??

We cannot assess your wife's standard of English as it would be unfair to do so. We are not a language school or a testing centre. If we said that we had assessed her as capable of passing the test, and she didn't, then we would be laying ourselves open to all sorts of allegations. Even a pre-test for the actual test will not give a definitive answer as it is designed to prepare an applicant for the test, not to say whether he/she is sure to pass or not. We can, however, point you in the direction of reputable schools/language centres locally. Regarding the cost, I believe that, in Bangkok, the test currently costs about 7,500 - 8,000 baht. There is the possibility of a testing centre opening shortly in Pattaya, but it would be unfair to name them at this time. Maybe when you arrive their plans will be more firm.

Posted

We plan on getting married at the end of august and i thought a spouse Visa which gives you 27 Months was different to a Settlement Visa, But i think i am wrong on that.

just a few things to ask.

My Girlfriend has only 2 Months left in the UK and i see that most of the course's can last up to 3 months.

I thought that if your Partner is on a Visitors visa, she was not allowed to Study, So any course's would have top be done in Thailand

I have been looking at the cost of the course, But i have found that it can depend on the center that you go to. Is their a average cost?

Basically

I now fully understand on how to get married in Thailand and that my GF will need a TB test, Then it gets harder, She will need to sit a English test before she can apply for a spouse Visa which may take time to do.

Than it can take 3 months to find out if she has been lucky in getting a Visa which we thought it was maybe a week or 2 ;-(

If anyone was applying for a fiancee visa for 6 months and i know that the cost will be a lot more, But would the Visa be granted within the 2 weeks and then apply to do the UK test once married and staying the UK?

Finally I did the life in the UK test and failed with only 42% correct.

You now need an A1 Level test to apply for a fiancee visa too. If she is currently in the UK she could take a "test" but not study for one (I'd get written confirmation on that from the UKBA)

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf

As this visa is also a settlement visa it will take the same amount of waiting time. My gf's (now wife's) was granted in 6 weeks.

Check this thread:

I'm guessing your "hopes" of returning to Thailand on holiday and bringing your new wife back at the end of it need a rethink.

RAZZ

Posted

Thank you Razz for your reply.

I have written to the UKBA for confirmation that it will be OK for my GF to take the test while on a UK Visitors Visa.

Thank you everyone for your Help.

Its a matter of knowing and making sure that everything is in Order before going off to Thailand

Malc

Posted

I'm sure it will be OK for your GF to take the test while she is UK. They will always be happy to take £160 off you wherever you are but you will still have to go back to Thailand for the other stuff. I rang the UKBA and asked them if my wife could apply for a two year settlement visa while she was here on a 6 months holiday visa with our daughter, who has a British passport and myself and they said definitely no. You have to go back to your country of origin.

Posted

Got a reply back from the UKBA and my GF can take the test in the UK.

See Reply

Yes, she can take take the test in the UK, and the test centre has to be approved University or college on the list of UKBA

Finally i got a email from a company in carlisle who have some dates in July for a Test but its not the A1 or A2 test.

Email from the company in Carlisle

The test we offer is called the Life In Uk test and it is 25 multi choice questions and you get 45minutes to complete it. You also need to study from Life in the United Kingdom: A Journey to Citizenship 2nd Edition (2007) the test fee is £50

Looks like its the full test.

company called System Training

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