Can My Thai Wife Work In The Uk?

[nkg]

My Thai gf and soon to be wife is a qualified Thai masseur, she graduated at Wat Po massage school in Bangkok several years ago, has all the certificates etc. She has only ever worked in the "respectable" part of the massage industry, mostly upscale hotels and owning her own shops.

It's likely that we will marry within the next few months and move to the UK, assuming this is possible. I have been living in Thailand for 2.5 years, and my career was put on hold during that time. I'm sure I can get a job once I've moved back to the UK, but I will probably have to be present in the UK to do so successfully. My financial resources are limited, and I don't have any significant assets in the UK.

That's my background info.

1) Will she be allowed to enter the UK as my wife given the above?

2) Will she be allowed to work as a traditional Thai masseur - if not now, how long would we need to wait?

3) How long would she have to remain in the UK to gain permanent residency/get a UK passport?

I would appreciate any advice about the above - it's a pretty big life change for me. I've done some research already, but given my circumstances your views would be very useful.

[Basil B]

If you marry before applying then your wife my apply for a Spouses visa which will entitle her to work immediately on arrival in the UK.

your problem in getting the visa is your lack of funds, you will need (or to put it more correctly your wife will need to) demonstrate that she will have access to sufficient funds and accommodation to be able to live in the UK without access to public funds.

It may be possible to to be accepted if a third party such as a close relative were to offer to help with financing and accommodation while you get back on your feet.

As for UK citizenship (& UK Passport) this is only possible after three years in the UK and really unimportant at at this time.

The following like will answer in more detail : http://www.thaivisa....nt-visa-basics/

Edited February 11, 2012 by Basil B

[Thongkorn]

I would think again about a Masseur in the UK , usually [people think that is a seedy thing.

[rocketmanbkk]

Correct, if she does this in the UK I suspect everyone will think she was a whore in Thai and look co her she'll never lose it.

Best she does something else.

She should be able to source other employment if she speaks, reads, writes English etc.

Good luck.

[rocketmanbkk]

Further, on what you say, if you have no way of supporting her in the UK it is highly unlikely she we obtain any sort of visa, try to get a job and get settled for at least 6 months IMO, get an abode, even if rented and gain some stability here.

The embassy will want to see that you are not going to be another benefit claimer as she will have no recourse to public funds until she has indefinite leave I beleive,

Definetely need a job, home etc. savings would be good to see.

IMO doin't rush it and apply and get refused, complete waste of money and time and her refusal will be recorded.

Take time, even if you are apart for 6- 12 months you NEED stability with work.

Good luck.

[nkg]

It may be possible to to be accepted if a third party such as a close relative were to offer to help with financing and accommodation while you get back on your feet.

This is a possibility - I have a wealthy close relative who is well disposed towards me and wife-to-be, and would almost certainly put their name forward as a guarantor. Despite the problems in the UK, I don't think it will take me very long to find a job.

I'm aware that "Thai Massage" has dubious connotations in the UK - she specialises in sport injuries and medical problems, and I know that she would be gutted if she had to give it up. The going rate for people with her skills is 30+ UKP/hour - she's extremely good at fixing people, and no other respectable job would come close for her in terms of pay. And no, she isn't about to take to the streets!! The reputation thing is a bit sad, but I think that bigoted people would suspect her of being a whore even if she was a doctor or lawyer. She will of course be saving up a portion of her income with the intention of taking it back to Thailand for her retirement. That's fine by me, I want to retire in Thailand too.

The plan would seem to hinge on either re-establishing myself in the UK before she comes over, or getting a guarantor.

Thanks for the comments so far, very enlightening.

[rocketmanbkk]

could she work in Pysiotherapy then or is it she is qualified in Thai massage an dnot a degree for pysio?

It's a difficult one, you don't want people to think she is 'at it'.

Have a good think.

Where in UK are you? I have a Thai wife in Berkshire.

[rocketmanbkk]

sorry, should have asked, where you will be in UK.

Best regards

[Markkuwait]

Jesus - if living with a wife who just so happens to be Thai aint bad enough.......but then saying she works ina rub studio,,,,,,,welllllll, good luck!

[steve187]

I think the posters on here are a little biased when they say everyone will think she is a whore, what a load of rubbish, the way in my mind to go, would be for her to try and rent some space, from a hairdressers or a beauty shop of some sort, advertise as a traditional Thai massage catering for sports injuries, make it upmarket, she should do well, where in the UK would you be.

as soon as she arrives in the UK on a settlement visa she would be able to work.

But as already posted, your main problem will be to get her there in the first place. there are loads on threads on here, which will help with the process, do not think it will be a breeze. if she had a job offer in the Uk, that would help with the application.

all the best

Edited February 12, 2012 by steve187

[AllanB]

I think the posters on here are a little biased when they say everyone will think she is a whore, what a load of rubbish, the way in my mind to go, would be for her to try and rent some space, from a hairdressers or a beauty shop of some sort, advertise as a traditional Thai massage catering for sports injuries, make it upmarket, she should do well, where in the UK would you be.

as soon as she arrives in the UK on a settlement visa she would be able to work.

But as already posted, your main problem will be to get her there in the first place. there are loads on threads on here, which will help with the process, do not think it will be a breeze. if she had a job offer in the Uk, that would help with the application.

all the best

I agree 100%, back in the 60's Swedish Massage parlours were that way, but not now, in fact that is pretty insulting, probably from someone who frequents such places here. There are plenty of health spas in the UK too employing such people, they are very upmarket, so I would strongly suggest she dress in a "businesslike" manner. If you are bit short of funds, spend a little there.

We plan on going to the UK for the summer and both work, so in the same boat really. However, we plan on shelf stacking for 3 months, or similar, even though my wife is similarly qualified and I am an engineer. Just want to earn some quick cash.

Good luck.......

[mucker1234]

I think the posters on here are a little biased when they say everyone will think she is a whore, what a load of rubbish,

YOU continue kidding yourself, Mr. Dudley.

'Thai wives' .......noone ever says, 'Irirsh wives', 'New Zealand Wives' - folk refer to Thai women as 'Thai wives'.

Put on the TV - anything about Thailand, Little Britain for example, is taking the piss. Documentaries on Thailand......the whoredom, the rip off by hoes.

Open a newspaper - Thai wives, mail order wives, scammming old blokes, robbing old bloke and divorcing them an their kilts.

Your avaerage john on the street....Thailand = hookers.

YOur avareage John on the street when he sees, 'Thai massage', he isnt thinking hot stones and sports injuries, he's thinking baby oil and blow jobs.

And just because people are polite to you Steve, doesn't mean they aint thinking it.

My Mrs has a way poo cert - but then again she also has a BA in business, various professional qualifications and was half way to an MA - she's never been involved in the scene, speak 3 languages.....and if she opened up a rub shop......well.....Brits are all about assumption and it is once of the most judgemental cultures in Europe.

the way in my mind to go, would be for her to try and rent some space, from a hairdressers or a beauty shop of some sort, advertise as a traditional Thai massage catering for sports injuries, make it upmarket, she should do well, where in the UK would you be.

Upmarket? Do you think th investment would warrant building a salon that is posher than your average massage parlour?

Also, saying he will 'do well' is just encouaragement and assumption. YOu cant possible make such a statement without looking at the business plan.

[nkg]

I'll probably be returning to Yorkshire, since that's where most of my friends and family are. Renting some space is very doable - the woman who used to massage my back hires two rooms within a Gym/Fitness centre, the last I heard from her she wants to rent one of them out, it's already kitted out nicely. The location is an advantage, not many people go to a gym expecting dodgy services.

With her CV she could probably get offered a job before she got to the UK, however it would probably be a similar situation to the top-notch Spas in Thailand, where the girls only get a relatively small percentage of what the customer pays.

She doesn't have a degree in Physiotherapy, but I'm sure she could call herself a Traditional Thai Physiotherapist without falling foul of the law. "Alternative Therapies" are very popular with UK women in particular.

I remember the preconceptions I had about "Thai Brides" before I actually came to Thailand, despite being a fairly open-minded and intelligent bloke. I know that some people will never accept her in the UK - if I hear a few profane comments as we wander around Tesco's, so be it. We're both middle-aged, which might help - you seem to become invisible in the UK as you get older My family have already met her, and the prospect of a bit of mickey-taking from my mates doesn't worry me. If I cared deeply about what people from the UK thought of me, I would never have come to Thailand in the first place!

Thank you again for the advice, warnings and encouragement - it's very helpful.

[marstons]

No Assets, No job, No money, how do do perseve being able to support her. i would imagaine you have no chance, the Embassey will see it staraight away as a possible burden on the state. The "graduation" courses last a couple of weeks if that, the qualification will be worthless. to do this work in the UK would require some form of insurance and that would require a UK qualification.

[bobrussell]

You/she will have to demonstrate that she can be supported without recourse to public funds. It would make sense to try to get work before the application goes in even if it means travelling in advance.

Unlike some of the posters comments above there are legitimate jobs for qualified Thai masseuse in the UK. A number of top hotels have massage parlours that are completely above board. We have a five star hotel nearby and they are always looking for qualified staff.

I assume they know the legitimate qualifications from the mickey mouse ones!

[maprao]

A member of my Thai family went to the UK on her 3rd tourist visa. She said all the Thai wives she met were working as escorts there. This does nothing for the reputation of being married to a Thai in the Eyes of the average red neck or Brit for that matter!

People have stereotyped views of Thailand!

Edited February 13, 2012 by maprao

[Bangkokhatter]

You should also start with obtaining proof of your relationship, just having a wedding certificate is not enough, plenty of advice on other threads.As for your wife, once she gets the visa and arrives, she can apply for a NI number and start work.

My wife has a masters but it was not much help at first. She took a couple of the usual thai restaurant jobs, and worked in a factory, but during that time we got together a C.V and started applying for jobs as a teaching assistant, she was unsuccessful the first few attempts and got a bit down hearted, but eventually was successful , so it's not all doom and gloom. Only did it for a short while as I then got a job here, but it shows getting decent work is possible

And not every-one in the U.K thinks about Thai people the same as some <deleted> on here.

I wish you well

[norrona]

A member of my Thai family went to the UK on her 3rd tourist visa. She said all the Thai wives she met were working as escorts there. This does nothing for the reputation of being married to a Thai in the Eyes of the average red neck or Brit for that matter!

People have stereotyped views of Thailand!

your last remark is spot on....as for the member of the family, think she should have had a look round for a better quality of company to meet...I mean if she not in that line of business then why the need to hang round with a load of hookers?

No thai wives are not all working in escort agencies, my missus works in a warehouse/factory job with a load of other thai people...again it's all about the company you keep

[MAJIC]

A member of my Thai family went to the UK on her 3rd tourist visa. She said all the Thai wives she met were working as escorts there. This does nothing for the reputation of being married to a Thai in the Eyes of the average red neck or Brit for that matter!

People have stereotyped views of Thailand!

your last remark is spot on....as for the member of the family, think she should have had a look round for a better quality of company to meet...I mean if she not in that line of business then why the need to hang round with a load of hookers?

No thai wives are not all working in escort agencies, my missus works in a warehouse/factory job with a load of other thai people...again it's all about the company you keep

Agreed.

I know dozens of Thai ladies and their English husbands,and I have yet to meet one that does "Escort" work.

Do people really think that the husbands bring them to the UK just to put them on the game,yet more biased nonsense!

[RAZZELL]

Your wife can get a job if she put's together a good CV, practices her interview technique and perhaps more importantly gets a bit lucky.

My wife got a job within 3 months of arriving in the UK earning £20k so it is doable.

All the best!

RAZZ

Edited February 13, 2012 by RAZZELL

[brit1984]

I don't know about Yorkshire but in London there are many respectable Thai day spas (including mine). The going rate for Thai therapists with Wat Pho qualifications and afew years experience is around 15 pounds/hour and in a busy spa she can expect to get 3/4 hours per day during the week or 5/6 hours per day at weekends. Obviously she can earn more per hour if she runs her own place but this route is more risky as there will be rent to pay. Either way she will be waiting around all day for customers so you won't see her much on the days she works and she will not make enough money to support both of you so you will certainly need to go back to work.