Uk Settlement Visa

[smartecosse]

Hi

Quick question, after a settlement visa has been granted in BKK and your Thai partner arrives in the UK what is the situation about visiting the rest of Europe, do the applications still need to be done in BKK or as they are here on a settlement visa can they be done somewhere closer?

Thanks

[7by7]

Anyone living in the UK with a settlement visa is classed as resident in the UK, and so can apply in the UK.

If visiting a Schengen state or states then you should either apply to the embassy of the country you will be visiting, or if touring the embassy of the country you will visit first.

For spouses of EU citizens a Schenegen visa is free and most of the requirements listed on the application form wont apply; so read the form and guidance carefully.

[smartecosse]

Great, thanks for the reply.

Guess the kids will be going to Euro Disney then

[malct]

That means that i can take my wife to Spain for a week

Has anyone on here applied for a schengen visa and how long did it take?

Malc

[bangkockney]

Usually only a few days.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Ensure you have a translated marriage certificate if you married in Thailand.

And generally around 5 working days if you apply in the UK but they will indicate how long it will take.

[tigerjohn]

Ensure you have a translated marriage certificate if you married in Thailand.

And generally around 5 working days if you apply in the UK but they will indicate how long it will take.

we have a translated marriage certificate but someone told me to apply for a schengen visa the certificate has to be stamped by the thai consul, is this true?

[bobrussell]

The applicant often needs to go to the Embassy or private company processing visas with passport, letter of invitation, hotel reservation, ideally return tickets. Bank statement or other means of showing that the applicant can support themselves over the period of the stay (more money for longer stay!) and give reasons for visit and reason to return!

Not quite as easy as some may give the impression. If you are on temporary leave to remain you need to have at least three months remaining at the time you return! My wife wanted to go with friends to France and was told that as her visa is close to expiry she would not be granted a Schengen visa. You need to show proof of travel insurance as well.

We live in Hampshire so would need to go to London. If we were in Dorset or on the Isle of Wight it could be done by post!!

Check what is required by the first/main country you are visiting. Not difficult to do (and free for a spouse of an EU citizen) but a real pain!

[bangkockney]

You don't need all of that if the applicant is married to an EEA citizen and is resident in the UK.

Completed form, 2 x photos, fee, marriage certificate and proof that application has been made at correct Embassy (main destination or point of entry).

The applicant often needs to go to the Embassy or private company processing visas with passport, letter of invitation, hotel reservation, ideally return tickets. Bank statement or other means of showing that the applicant can support themselves over the period of the stay (more money for longer stay!) and give reasons for visit and reason to return!

Not quite as easy as some may give the impression. If you are on temporary leave to remain you need to have at least three months remaining at the time you return! My wife wanted to go with friends to France and was told that as her visa is close to expiry she would not be granted a Schengen visa. You need to show proof of travel insurance as well.

We live in Hampshire so would need to go to London. If we were in Dorset or on the Isle of Wight it could be done by post!!

Check what is required by the first/main country you are visiting. Not difficult to do (and free for a spouse of an EU citizen) but a real pain!

[Contractor]

For spouses of EU citizens a Schenegen visa is free and most of the requirements listed on the application form wont apply; so read the form and guidance carefully.

Please note that some embassies have introduced "processing" charges.

In some cases, whereas it used to be able to be done by post, the applicant now has to get an appointment with the embassy or their agent in London.

In the case of the Greek embassy for example, one has to phone a premium rate phone number and listen to several minutes of irrelevant guff before being given the date of the first available appointment (which was a month away when I called).

The visa might be free, but getting it certainly is not!

Edited October 12, 2011 by Contractor