UK Visa for Thai wife

[sua yai]

I'm hoping that someone may be able to help me out here.

My Thai wife and I are in the process of getting her application form for a UK visa sorted out. She's been over once with me before but that was 6 years ago. I note some things have changed since last time and am looking for some clarification.

1. First off, what type of visa should she apply for? I had it down as a Family Visit as that's what she applied for and got last time. However, after reading a bit more, I'm confused. Somewhere, what I read seemed to suggest that this type of visa was for members of her family to visit if she was settled in the UK.

Are we getting things fundamentally wrong at the start and should she be applying for a general Visitor's Visa instead?

She will be visiiting her mother and father-in-law (so family) and we'll be staying with them.

2. It appears that the marriage certificate we have (colourful thing from the local Amphur Office) needs to be translated into English - certified translation. Is this necessary as I don't remember doing it last time?

I think that's it for now. Everything else seems pretty straightforward especially as we've been through the process before and have a template to work to with regard to supporting documents - I'm sponsoring her.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

[rawhod]

1. The Family visa would be correct for you particularly if you are accompanying her to the UK.

2. They do ask for all documents not in English to be translated and we did have the Thai "flowery" document translated into English and certified by the Min. of Foreign Affairs. (It is useful to have it done in Thailand in case you find that you require it whilst in the UK, eg. I used it as confirmation of my marriage for my private pension provider)

However we have never had Thai documents, such as birth certificates, Chanotes, Tabian Baan, etc. translated before our visa submissions, and have had no problems.

[7by7]

You may find UK Visit Visa Basics helpful.

[jonnyscot]

My wife received a 5 year visitor visa a couple weeks back,, application was based on family visits,, she translated the marriage doc, did her letter in English,, my supporting docs were in English , my annual medical/accident insurance docs from my thai bank were not translated, house docs were not translated and letter from kids school allowing them time off and stating required date to return to start school was also not translated

[sua yai]

Thanks for the replies especially relating to visa type. I'd hate to get something fundamentally wrong.

I'll get a certified translation of the marriage certificate done.

6 years ago, we were waiting in the application centre and a very helpful lady came by and quickly checked the docs. At that time I had my wife down for a Visit Visa and she told us to amend to Family. Hence, after reading too much on the internet, I thought I might have got things wrong yet again. 6 years is a long time.

[sua yai]

Also, thanks for the link, 7by7.That was helpful.

[MrZM]

It's not important to translate the marriage certificate, as its quite obvious on your wife's of card and passport that you are married.

I didn't translate it for a spouse visa and had no problems.

Birth certificate needs to be translated.

And all documents that are t in English, ie job contract

[wooloomooloo]

Birth certificate needs to be translated.

You state it's not important to translate marriage certificate but birth certificate is a requirement.

There's no hard and fast rule. But I would prefer to translate marriage certificate over birth certificate if it came to it.

For certainty, I had all my wife's / our Thai documents translated and notarised at MFA, including birth certificate, and they've served us well for last three years and no further requirement for additional expense. All these documents are stored safely and rarely see light of day now, but they're there.

[MrZM]

Birth certificate needs to be translated.

You state it's not important to translate marriage certificate but birth certificate is a requirement.

There's no hard and fast rule. But I would prefer to translate marriage certificate over birth certificate if it came to it.

For certainty, I had all my wife's / our Thai documents translated and notarised at MFA, including birth certificate, and they've served us well for last three years and no further requirement for additional expense. All these documents are stored safely and rarely see light of day now, but they're there.

The birth certificate is very important and needs to be translated.

It's the only document my wife has that's in Thai.

Well other than the marriage certificate.

[7by7]

Having the same surname on her ID card and passport as her sponsor does not prove that a woman is married to that sponsor.

If the application is based on marriage, and a family visit is, then the marriage certificate is required.

Applying for a UK visa in Thailand

If your documents are not in English or Welsh - translated documents

If you send us a document that is not in English or Welsh, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by us. Each translated document must contain:

• confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document;
• the date of the translation;
• the translator's full name and signature; and
• the translator's contact details.

If you do not submit translations of all supporting documents, this may result in your application being delayed or refused.

Many people have in the past got away without translations of official documents such as birth and marriage certificates; but for the sake of a few 100 baht each to get them translated, better to be safe than sorry I reckon.

Whilst not relevant to a visit application, translations of the marriage and birth certificates will almost certainly be required in the UK if settleing there; far cheaper to have them done in Thailand.