collecting evidence for settlement visa, many questions

[KarenBlackwell]

Hi, I,m starting to collect the evidence required for a settlement visa to the UK for my thai husband. i no some questions are petty, but its a minefield and would like guidance.

1. contracts from previous thai businesses and apartment rentals are all in thai. Do I need to have them translated to English?

2. do I need to write on the back of the photos, explaining what they are and where there from?

3. I have etickets for his flights but lost the checking in cards, will this be a problem? ( hes had 2 visit visas to England)

4.in August I will have just 6 months wage slips but no p60, is this a problem?

5. As I,ve spent much of my time in Thailand i don't have council tax bills in my name, my lodger pays for this. is this a problem?

THANKYOU

[Jay Sata]

Sounds like you are on the ball. Dates on the back of photo's is a good idea although these day you can impose the time/date from the original.

It's like taking all your bills/invoices to the accountant every year. He needs a paper trail which is what you need.

For the minimal cost I'd get everything you might need translated.

Better have too much paper than not enough.

Good luck and best wishes.

[Tony M]

Hi Karen,

Welcome back. Please ignore the previous comments. Sometimes people wanting to help are not as helpful as they think they are. To answer your questions:

1. The immigration rules require documents to be translated into English ( whether the cost is minimal or not). To quote :

Where a document is not in English or Welsh, the original must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator. This translation must include details of the translator's credentials and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document. It must also be dated and include the original signature of the translator.

You will hear of people not getting documents translated, and a visa is still issued. It happens, but better to be safe than sorry.

2. There is no requirement to write on the back of photos, but it is a good idea, also explaining who is in the photos ( relatives, friends, etc), and where it was taken.

3. No problem. There is no requirement to provide tickets or boarding cards. Doing so, however, does help to establish your relationship, travels, etc. You also have the previous visa applications to help establish your background, of course.

4. There is no requirement to provide a P60.

5. No problem. You will need to provide evidence that you own or rent the accommodation, though.

Edited June 21, 2013 by Tony M

[KarenBlackwell]

thankyou tony m

can I just clarify about the council tax bill, I defo don't need to produce one? worried if I don't produce and they ask for it, well I,m knackered as I don't have it. I do have a yearly mortgage statement and a gas bill is this sufficient. also one more question, my boss is great and is giving me leave to go to Thailand and help sort the visa out. She is going to write a letter for the financial requirements, now does she write e.g I give Karen as much unpaid leave as she needs and she can resume her permanent position when she returns, or would it be better to write Karen has 1 month paid leave. I can do either, I would prefer to stay in Thailand until the visa is hopefully granted, but would this effect the decision as I,m not continually working

thankyou

[Kevin1908]

Hi Karen,

4. There is no requirement to provide a P60.

I was criticised for not supllying a P60 even though I had supplied an SA302. To my mind an SA302 trumps a P60. If it isn't required why was I told to send one.

I didn't have one and told the Embassey to make do with the SA302. They did still issue a visa based on that.

[KarenBlackwell]

Hi Karen,

4. There is no requirement to provide a P60.

I was criticised for not supllying a P60 even though I had supplied an SA302. To my mind an SA302 trumps a P60. If it isn't required why was I told to send one.

I didn't have one and told the Embassey to make do with the SA302. They did still issue a visa based on this

Hi I don't have a p60 as in august I,ll have worked just 6 months. if I obtained a p60 it wouldn,t show the requirements anyway..comment whats best to do please

[Tony M]

This is the guidance regarding P60s :

In addition to the evidence listed above, P60(s) for the relevant period(s) of employment (if issued) and a signed contract(s) of employment may also be submitted in respect of paid employment in the UK. If they are not submitted, the decision-maker may grant the application if otherwise satisfied that the requirements of Appendix FM-SE relating to that employment are met, or they may ask for the documents to be submitted in accordance with paragraph D of the Appendix.

Karen,

You don't have to have a council tax bill, just evidence that you own the house. A copy of the Title Register will help.

Regarding your job and salary payments, be careful. I'm not sure what your plans are, but if you are coming to Thailand on unpaid leave, then how will you show that you meet the financial requirement ( which requires you to provide wage slips for the 6 months prior to the application, etc ) ? To meet the requirement you will have to show that you are still employed, and that your monthly average wage in the 6 months prior to the application, multiplied by 12, equals 18,600 GBP or more. You don't have to be continually working, but you must be employed at the date of application. Similarly, you don't have to have a salary every month, but you still have to meet the financial requirement as I have described.

Edited June 21, 2013 by Tony M

[KarenBlackwell]

This is the guidance regarding P60s :

In addition to the evidence listed above, P60(s) for the relevant period(s) of employment (if issued) and a signed contract(s) of employment may also be submitted in respect of paid employment in the UK. If they are not submitted, the decision-maker may grant the application if otherwise satisfied that the requirements of Appendix FM-SE relating to that employment are met, or they may ask for the documents to be submitted in accordance with paragraph D of the Appendix.

Karen,

You don't have to have a council tax bill, just evidence that you own the house. A copy of the Title Register will help.

Regarding your job and salary payments, be careful. I'm not sure what your plans are, but if you are coming to Thailand on unpaid leave, then how will you show that you meet the financial requirement ( which requires you to provide wage slips for the 6 months prior to the application, etc ) ? To meet the requirement you will have to show that you are still employed, and that your monthly average wage in the 6 months prior to the application, multiplied by 12, equals 18,600 GBP or more. You don't have to be continually working, but you must be employed at the date of application. Similarly, you don't have to have a salary every month, but you still have to meet the financial requirement as I have described.

Tony

I've got 6 months good wage slips, which when doubled add up to more than 18,000. I will also be employed as my boss will keep my job open for me and give me a signed contract. but if I,m in Thailand for say 3-4 months with unpaid leave then after a year my income will drop. is it best to come for a month with paid leave then return to England alone and continue working? as for the title register OMG where do I get that from lol

Edited June 22, 2013 by theoldgit
Quote fixed

[MrZM]

When I applied I included as much as possible, and pretty much all documents listed on the guidance:

For financial:

6 months bank statements ( the account of which my salary was paid into)

Contract of employment ( maybe some don't see it as important, but it confirms, yearly wage, date started working, address of company, name of employer etc)

P60

6 months wage slips

Letter from employer ( one addressed to me and one addressed to the ECO)

I also was in employment, whilst I was in Thailand doing the application, the letter from my employer simply said, I started employment in October and have completed my probationary period. Nothing more the contract of employment stated the rest.

I think tony m has explained most.

Try and include as much as possible.

As for writing dates on pictures, I highly doubt the ECO spends time looking for dates and doubt they turn the pictures around. I have done four visas for my wife, and not one picture had a date on.

You will need the mortgage letter from the bank and if you can the mortgage statement for year end.

Council bill, utility bill, credit card bill are all suffice as long as it relates to the address you are staying.

You say you have a lodger, would there be adequate space, for your and your husband to live? Sometimes the ECO can pick up on this.

[7by7]

Mortgage letter or statement can be useful in proving that you own the property and I would include one or the other if you can.

Council tax bill, credit card bill, utility bill and similar are not required at this stage and including such will serve no useful purpose.

Although this type of proof that you have been living together will be needed when he makes his in UK applications for FLR in 2.5 years time and ILR 2.5 years after that; so it's a good idea to put his name on utility bills etc. once he is in the UK.

I assume that you and your lodger are not sharing a bedroom; but you and your husband will be!

In which case, the lodger wont be a problem. But in your sponsor's letter you should mention them.

E.g. "My house has two bedrooms, one of which will be used by my husband and myself; the other is currently occupied by my lodger (name)."

[Tony M]

This is the guidance regarding P60s :

In addition to the evidence listed above, P60(s) for the relevant period(s) of employment (if issued) and a signed contract(s) of employment may also be submitted in respect of paid employment in the UK. If they are not submitted, the decision-maker may grant the application if otherwise satisfied that the requirements of Appendix FM-SE relating to that employment are met, or they may ask for the documents to be submitted in accordance with paragraph D of the Appendix.

Karen,

You don't have to have a council tax bill, just evidence that you own the house. A copy of the Title Register will help.

Regarding your job and salary payments, be careful. I'm not sure what your plans are, but if you are coming to Thailand on unpaid leave, then how will you show that you meet the financial requirement ( which requires you to provide wage slips for the 6 months prior to the application, etc ) ? To meet the requirement you will have to show that you are still employed, and that your monthly average wage in the 6 months prior to the application, multiplied by 12, equals 18,600 GBP or more. You don't have to be continually working, but you must be employed at the date of application. Similarly, you don't have to have a salary every month, but you still have to meet the financial requirement as I have described.

Tony

I've got 6 months good wage slips, which when doubled add up to more than 18,000. I will also be employed as my boss will keep my job open for me and give me a signed contract. but if I,m in Thailand for say 3-4 months with unpaid leave then after a year my income will drop. is it best to come for a month with paid leave then return to England alone and continue working? as for the title register OMG where do I get that from lol

Karen,

First, the Title Register can be obtained easily from the internet. It costs around 4 GBP.

Secondly, your income must be evidenced by taking the average of the 6 months prior to the date of application ( that is the total salary for the 6 months divided by 6). Then multiply this monthly average by 12 to get the annualised salary. I'm concerned that, if you take a couple of months or more off before applying, then your monthly average for the 6 months will be very low.

I would take only a short break to Thailand, at least until the application is submitted. And, at the moment, the decision time is only 2 - 3 weeks ( that can change very quickly, of course).

[KarenBlackwell]

This is the guidance regarding P60s :

In addition to the evidence listed above, P60(s) for the relevant period(s) of employment (if issued) and a signed contract(s) of employment may also be submitted in respect of paid employment in the UK. If they are not submitted, the decision-maker may grant the application if otherwise satisfied that the requirements of Appendix FM-SE relating to that employment are met, or they may ask for the documents to be submitted in accordance with paragraph D of the Appendix.

Karen,

You don't have to have a council tax bill, just evidence that you own the house. A copy of the Title Register will help.

Regarding your job and salary payments, be careful. I'm not sure what your plans are, but if you are coming to Thailand on unpaid leave, then how will you show that you meet the financial requirement ( which requires you to provide wage slips for the 6 months prior to the application, etc ) ? To meet the requirement you will have to show that you are still employed, and that your monthly average wage in the 6 months prior to the application, multiplied by 12, equals 18,600 GBP or more. You don't have to be continually working, but you must be employed at the date of application. Similarly, you don't have to have a salary every month, but you still have to meet the financial requirement as I have described.

Tony

I've got 6 months good wage slips, which when doubled add up to more than 18,000. I will also be employed as my boss will keep my job open for me and give me a signed contract. but if I,m in Thailand for say 3-4 months with unpaid leave then after a year my income will drop. is it best to come for a month with paid leave then return to England alone and continue working? as for the title register OMG where do I get that from lol

Karen,

First, the Title Register can be obtained easily from the internet. It costs around 4 GBP.

Secondly, your income must be evidenced by taking the average of the 6 months prior to the date of application ( that is the total salary for the 6 months divided by 6). Then multiply this monthly average by 12 to get the annualised salary. I'm concerned that, if you take a couple of months or more off before applying, then your monthly average for the 6 months will be very low.

I would take only a short break to Thailand, at least until the application is submitted. And, at the moment, the decision time is only 2 - 3 weeks ( that can change very quickly, of course).

hi, sorry maybe I,ve not been clear. I came back to England to get 6 months good wage slips, in 3 weeks I,ve got my 6 months and am coming to Thailand straight away to apply for the visa and give in all documents. then I was going to stay in Thailand until the visa was hopefully issued, taking into account it can be months. this is where I was asking do I stay months if needed or 1 month

thanks

[KarenBlackwell]

Mortgage letter or statement can be useful in proving that you own the property and I would include one or the other if you can.

Council tax bill, credit card bill, utility bill and similar are not required at this stage and including such will serve no useful purpose.

Although this type of proof that you have been living together will be needed when he makes his in UK applications for FLR in 2.5 years time and ILR 2.5 years after that; so it's a good idea to put his name on utility bills etc. once he is in the UK.

I assume that you and your lodger are not sharing a bedroom; but you and your husband will be!

In which case, the lodger wont be a problem. But in your sponsor's letter you should mention them.

E.g. "My house has two bedrooms, one of which will be used by my husband and myself; the other is currently occupied by my lodger (name)."

hi 7 by 7

I wasn't going to mention the lodger as hes hardly ever there, but he is registered at my address. I think maybe this would be a mistake, what do you think

thanks

Edited June 22, 2013 by theoldgit
Quote fixed

[MrZM]

Mortgage letter or statement can be useful in proving that you own the property and I would include one or the other if you can.

Council tax bill, credit card bill, utility bill and similar are not required at this stage and including such will serve no useful purpose.

Although this type of proof that you have been living together will be needed when he makes his in UK applications for FLR in 2.5 years time and ILR 2.5 years after that; so it's a good idea to put his name on utility bills etc. once he is in the UK.

I assume that you and your lodger are not sharing a bedroom; but you and your husband will be!

In which case, the lodger wont be a problem. But in your sponsor's letter you should mention them.

E.g. "My house has two bedrooms, one of which will be used by my husband and myself; the other is currently occupied by my lodger (name)."

hi 7 by 7

I wasn't going to mention the lodger as hes hardly ever there, but he is registered at my address. I think maybe this would be a mistake, what do you think

thanks

I think it would be a massive mistake. You should not lie on your application.

[Tony M]

Karen,

I misunderstood. Okay. Firstly, decision times are around two to weeks at the moment, but that could change.

Secondly, I think you should stay only one month. The visa officer, if he wants to, can ask for updated, or up to date, wage slips. In the event that the processing time stretched to a couple of months or more, and if he asked for updated wage slips, you would be showing nil income for the time you are in Thailand.

You can mention the lodger, but also demonstrate that the house is big enough for you all ( ie how many bedrooms. Photos would be good to prove it). There is nothing wrong with having a lodger, but a lodger's rent cannot be taken into account as rental income to meet the financial requirement.

[7by7]

I am sure that the VAF form used to ask who lived at the address where applicant and sponsor would be living; but the latest version doesn't.

Maybe I am misremembering.

As Tony says, provided there are no overcrowding issues, mentioning the lodger wont be a problem.

I understand your desire to be in Thailand with your husband while the application is being processed; but, as Tony says, if the processing time starts to get longer there may be issues if the ECO contacts your employer for updated salary details.

There is already a warning on the UKBA in Thailand website that they are getting busy again and so processing times are likely to get longer. This is probably due to student applications for the start of the academic year in September; which is normal for this time of year.

You could complete and submit the online application from the UK, then print it out and send it to him to sign, including your supporting documents. He then adds his documents and takes the whole lot to the VAC to submit and have his biometrics taken.

This is a common practice, many here have done it.

The initial visa will be valid for 33 months, but he only needs to have been in the UK for 30 months to qualify for the next stage. So, once he has the visa, you could fly out so you have a holiday in Thailand together before both returning to the UK.

Just a thought.

Edited June 22, 2013 by 7by7

[KarenBlackwell]

I am sure that the VAF form used to ask who lived at the address where applicant and sponsor would be living; but the latest version doesn't.

Maybe I am misremembering.

As Tony says, provided there are no overcrowding issues, mentioning the lodger wont be a problem.

I understand your desire to be in Thailand with your husband while the application is being processed; but, as Tony says, if the processing time starts to get longer there may be issues if the ECO contacts your employer for updated salary details.

There is already a warning on the UKBA in Thailand website that they are getting busy again and so processing times are likely to get longer. This is probably due to student applications for the start of the academic year in September; which is normal for this time of year.

You could complete and submit the online application from the UK, then print it out and send it to him to sign, including your supporting documents. He then adds his documents and takes the whole lot to the VAC to submit and have his biometrics taken.

This is a common practice, many here have done it.

The initial visa will be valid for 33 months, but he only needs to have been in the UK for 30 months to qualify for the next stage. So, once he has the visa, you could fly out so you have a holiday in Thailand together before both returning to the UK.

Just a thought.

your all so helpful thankyou...my husband is here in England with me on a visit visa. I came for 2 months alone and then he joined me, being in England for 4 months. we just hate being apart. I,m going to apply online then once I land in Bangkok get his TB and translations etc. he passed his English at A2 when I can last time. once all evidence together click the send button. I so don't want to come back to England alone. thanks everyone will be in touch is any further questions pop up in my mind lol

[KarenBlackwell]

I am sure that the VAF form used to ask who lived at the address where applicant and sponsor would be living; but the latest version doesn't.

Maybe I am misremembering.

As Tony says, provided there are no overcrowding issues, mentioning the lodger wont be a problem.

I understand your desire to be in Thailand with your husband while the application is being processed; but, as Tony says, if the processing time starts to get longer there may be issues if the ECO contacts your employer for updated salary details.

There is already a warning on the UKBA in Thailand website that they are getting busy again and so processing times are likely to get longer. This is probably due to student applications for the start of the academic year in September; which is normal for this time of year.

You could complete and submit the online application from the UK, then print it out and send it to him to sign, including your supporting documents. He then adds his documents and takes the whole lot to the VAC to submit and have his biometrics taken.

This is a common practice, many here have done it.

The initial visa will be valid for 33 months, but he only needs to have been in the UK for 30 months to qualify for the next stage. So, once he has the visa, you could fly out so you have a holiday in Thailand together before both returning to the UK.

Just a thought.

your all so helpful thankyou...my husband is here in England with me on a visit visa. I came for 2 months alone and then he joined me, being in England for 4 months. we just hate being apart. I,m going to apply online then once I land in Bangkok get his TB and translations etc. he passed his English at A2 when I can last time. once all evidence together click the send button. I so don't want to come back to England alone. thanks everyone will be in touch is any further questions pop up in my mind lol

been thinking, surely if I,ve got 6 months good bankstatements and a letter from my employer stating I can return to work anytime. then I could stay in Thailand until the visa application is complete thanks

[KarenBlackwell]

I am sure that the VAF form used to ask who lived at the address where applicant and sponsor would be living; but the latest version doesn't.

Maybe I am misremembering.

As Tony says, provided there are no overcrowding issues, mentioning the lodger wont be a problem.

I understand your desire to be in Thailand with your husband while the application is being processed; but, as Tony says, if the processing time starts to get longer there may be issues if the ECO contacts your employer for updated salary details.

There is already a warning on the UKBA in Thailand website that they are getting busy again and so processing times are likely to get longer. This is probably due to student applications for the start of the academic year in September; which is normal for this time of year.

You could complete and submit the online application from the UK, then print it out and send it to him to sign, including your supporting documents. He then adds his documents and takes the whole lot to the VAC to submit and have his biometrics taken.

This is a common practice, many here have done it.

The initial visa will be valid for 33 months, but he only needs to have been in the UK for 30 months to qualify for the next stage. So, once he has the visa, you could fly out so you have a holiday in Thailand together before both returning to the UK.

Just a thought.

your all so helpful thankyou...my husband is here in England with me on a visit visa. I came for 2 months alone and then he joined me, being in England for 4 months. we just hate being apart. I,m going to apply online then once I land in Bangkok get his TB and translations etc. he passed his English at A2 when I can last time. once all evidence together click the send button. I so don't want to come back to England alone. thanks everyone will be in touch is any further questions pop up in my mind lol

been thinking, surely if I,ve got 6 months good bankstatements and a letter from my employer stating I can return to work anytime. then I could stay in Thailand until the visa application is complete thanks

and what if I send the application in now, then give in my documents when I land in Thailand 3 weeks later. would this speed the application process up

[theoldgit]

Karen, you could certainly submit the application online now, the applicant then has, I think, 30 days to make an appointment and attend VFS to hand in the hard copy of the application together with the supporting evidence. Not sure that this would speed things up very much as I think the applications are considered in the order they are received from VFS.

As 7by7 suggested yesterday "You could complete and submit the online application from the UK, then print it out and send it to him [or he could print it out] to sign, including your supporting documents. He then adds his documents and takes the whole lot to the VAC to submit and have his biometrics taken." Depending on the speed of the delivery of the documents, and depending on the ability to make an appointment, you could save a week or so, appointments are loaded a week in advance.

[Tony M]

Karen,

The visa officer can ask for updated wage slips. If the application takes 3 months, and you are in Thailand for those 3 months, and the visa officer asks for updated wage slips, then you will be providing him with 3 months at nil income. That will bring you average monthly salary down. Actually, that raises an interesting point, as the rules state that you only have to provide wage slips for the 6 months prior to the date of application. If the ECO asked for updated wage slips, and you had nil income on those wage slips, I wonder if they could refuse the application ?

theoldgit - just saw your post, so edited mine.

Edited June 23, 2013 by Tony M

[MrZM]

I assume your husband has taken an English Language test and also that he has had a TB examination and received certificates for both.

[7by7]

I assume your husband has taken an English Language test and also that he has had a TB examination and received certificates for both.

I,m going to apply online then once (we) land in Bangkok get his TB and translations etc. he passed his English at A2

[KarenBlackwell]

Karen,

The visa officer can ask for updated wage slips. If the application takes 3 months, and you are in Thailand for those 3 months, and the visa officer asks for updated wage slips, then you will be providing him with 3 months at nil income. That will bring you average monthly salary down. Actually, that raises an interesting point, as the rules state that you only have to provide wage slips for the 6 months prior to the date of application. If the ECO asked for updated wage slips, and you had nil income on those wage slips, I wonder if they could refuse the application ?

theoldgit - just saw your post, so edited mine.

whos the oldgit? heres another point. I messed up last time I went to apply for a spouse visa. I had 6 months wage slips one was for 3000 pound another for 100, numerous people told me they take the lowest wage slip into account, so my 100 pound made me well under the 18,600 and couldn,t apply. so if I come to Bangkok and take 1 month of work and the ECO want more wage slips then my lowest would be 0 as I haven't worked for one month.. does this make sence

[theoldgit]

Me

[Tony M]

Karen,

The visa officer can ask for updated wage slips. If the application takes 3 months, and you are in Thailand for those 3 months, and the visa officer asks for updated wage slips, then you will be providing him with 3 months at nil income. That will bring you average monthly salary down. Actually, that raises an interesting point, as the rules state that you only have to provide wage slips for the 6 months prior to the date of application. If the ECO asked for updated wage slips, and you had nil income on those wage slips, I wonder if they could refuse the application ?

theoldgit - just saw your post, so edited mine.

whos the oldgit? heres another point. I messed up last time I went to apply for a spouse visa. I had 6 months wage slips one was for 3000 pound another for 100, numerous people told me they take the lowest wage slip into account, so my 100 pound made me well under the 18,600 and couldn,t apply. so if I come to Bangkok and take 1 month of work and the ECO want more wage slips then my lowest would be 0 as I haven't worked for one month.. does this make sence

Karen, if you read my earlier post ( #11 ) you will see that this is what I have told you already. The requirements changed since you were last on here some time ago, and it is now an average of the 6 months prior to the date of application that is required as the base figure, and not the lowest salary of the 6 months prior to the date of application.

Then read my post #21.

[7by7]

Karen,

If his application takes three months to process and if the ECO does request updated earnings evidence when s/he comes to process the application and if that evidence shows that you have earned zero for the last three months and if this means that your average monthly income over the previous 6 months multiplied by 12 is less than £18,600; he will be refused.

A lot of 'ifs' in there, I appreciate, but do you want to take the risk?

Which is better for you and him; a three month separation while he returns to Thailand alone, or the possibility of refusal if you return together?

[Tony M]

Karen,

If his application takes three months to process and if the ECO does request updated earnings evidence when s/he comes to process the application and if that evidence shows that you have earned zero for the last three months and if this means that your average monthly income over the previous 6 months multiplied by 12 is less than £18,600; he will be refused.

A lot of 'ifs' in there, I appreciate, but do you want to take the risk?

Which is better for you and him; a three month separation while he returns to Thailand alone, or the possibility of refusal if you return together?

7x7. As I said, it does raise an interesting question. The rules say only that the sponsor must have been earning the required amount at the date of application. If the ECO requests updated wage slips, and they show nil income, I don't think that, legally, he can refuse. Of course, the sponsor will still have to be employed when the ECO seekd updated evidence, but the sponsor could be employed and on unpaid leave. It would probably have to go to appeal to be tested, but I base my thoughts on the fact that I dealt with an applicant who was asked to provide an updated TB certificate some three months after she applied because it had expired. Similarly, the rules say only that a TB certificate must be valid at the date of application. UKBA conceded the point.

[7by7]

I see your point, Tony.

But I still feel that in the scenario I suggested there is a risk of him being refused, even though there is a very good chance that the refusal will be overturned at appeal.

Were I in Karen's shoes I wouldn't want to take the risk; so I'd remain in the UK until the visa was granted and then fly out to Thailand for a holiday together before returning to the UK to start our life together.

I had spent 9 months living in Thailand with my wife back in 2000 when I had to return to the UK and work. Once I'd secured a job, I sent all the necessary to my wife so she could submit the applications for her and my step daughter.

By the time the visa was issued and I returned to Thailand to bring them back to the UK we had been apart for about three months. Which was hard at the time, despite daily phone calls.

Nearly 13 years later it seems like nothing.

Take the long view.

[Tony M]

I see your point, Tony.

But I still feel that in the scenario I suggested there is a risk of him being refused, even though there is a very good chance that the refusal will be overturned at appeal.

Were I in Karen's shoes I wouldn't want to take the risk; so I'd remain in the UK until the visa was granted and then fly out to Thailand for a holiday together before returning to the UK to start our life together.

I had spent 9 months living in Thailand with my wife back in 2000 when I had to return to the UK and work. Once I'd secured a job, I sent all the necessary to my wife so she could submit the applications for her and my step daughter.

By the time the visa was issued and I returned to Thailand to bring them back to the UK we had been apart for about three months. Which was hard at the time, despite daily phone calls.

Nearly 13 years later it seems like nothing.

Take the long view.

Actually, I happen to agree with you.