Uk Settlement Visa Application

[7by7]

From this post by VisaPlus

You can only book the VFS appointment one week ahead. You can book the appointment before you actually press the submit button for the application. You can prepare the application online, and submit it any time before the appointment.

[cptruff]

thanks for the millionth time!

[cptruff]

I'm currently going through the application form in pencil. I've come across the employment status of my girlfriend.

A bit of a long story.

She's a qualified beautician. She's worked in salons before and she's also qualified in massage, it's this field that she wants to work in the UK if possible.

At the moment she's freelance, she has a website where people can book appointments but it's not an official registered business or anything.

So my question is, for her employment status should I leave it as unemployed, or self-employed?

I can include screenshots of the website and even documentation proving the website domain is owned by me. Am I going in to too much detail here?

I suppose they don't really look too much into employment if the applicant is applying to settle in the UK, but I thought it would look good that she works here in the field that she wants to work in back in the UK, it might re-enforce her desire and intent to work and not sponge off the state.

Edited June 15, 2012 by cptruff

[dracos]

Her being unemployed will not hinder the application on its own but you then need to answer the question of how she supports herself. In many cases the spouse/gf is being supported by monthly payments from the sponsor - in which case provide copies of bank statements / bank transfer slips to prove this.

Presumably if you tick self-employed she will have to provide full details of what she does and proof of income derived from that which may be difficult if it is all cash in hand and no tax returns filed in Thailand. Not sure how the ECO would look at that situation - it may raise the question is she intending to do the same in the UK in which case she is avoiding tax or it may have no significance if they understand how things work in Thailand.

The main concern is how you support each other in the future in the UK. Previous work experience may be an indication of future intent or it may have no bearing.

In our application we ticked unemployed and provided evidence that I was making cash transfers to her on a monthly basis. She is working freelance as a puppeteer/dancer in Thailand but income is very minimal and not enough to support herself so I completely forgot about that when completing the application form (accident - only just realised now when writing this reply!). In the covering letter I included that she was intending to seek work once in the UK but did not specify any specific field of work or any qualifications she has. Our application was approved so ticking unemployed made no difference in our case.

[cptruff]

thank you for the reply.

I did think about that she may be asked to prove she is self employed, and as you say that would be impossible.

I'll have to have a good think, I may tick unemployed and maybe add info about the website in the supporting documents maybe,

Thank you again.

[cptruff]

We're pretty close to being ready to apply.

I've just got a quick question regarding paying the visa. I saw visa/mastercard logos on the website so I assume you can pay online when you submit the application form.

Are there any other methods of payment?

Thanks

[7by7]

From Applying for a UK visa in Thailand

Paying your visa application fee

You can pay your visa application fee in three different ways:

• You can pay by visiting any of the 25 selected branches of Bank of Ayudhya Branches - you can download this from the right side of this page, and obtain a cashier cheque made payable to ''The British Embassy, Bangkok''. There is no charge for this payment service. You should bring the cashier cheque with you to the visa application centre when you submit your visa application.
  
• If your bank account is held at a bank outside Bangkok, you can pay the visa application fee by Bank draft from any bank made payable to ''The British Embassy, Bangkok''. Bank charges for this service may vary. You should bring your bank draft with you when you visit the visa application centre to submit your visa application.
  
• If your bank account is held at a bank in Bangkok, you can pay the visa application fee by ''cashier's cheque'' or ''bank draft'' from any bank made payable to ''The British Embassy, Bangkok''. Bank charges for this service may vary. You should bring your bank draft or cashier's cheque with you when you visit the visa application centre to submit your application
  

[cptruff]

one quick question regarding the visa application.

8.3.1 Sponsors full permanent home address.

I've been living here for a few years but we're both obviously planning on living the UK. I take it I put my current address here in Thailand?

Sorry for simple and obvious questions, I'm probably thinking too much into these questions!

[cptruff]

my girlfriend is convinced we must put her Tabien Baan in the application. The problem is here, she's still registered in her home town and we live in another city.

Do we need to put it in?

[7by7]

Put your Thai address as that is your current address.

Other than proof of her address, which it isn't in her case, there is no need for her tabien baan. There is no need for her ID card either as her passport is proof of her identity.

[cptruff]

great, thank you!!