A1 English for UK fiancee

[nickmuay]

Does anyone have any insight into the A1 English requirements for the UK fiancee visa? Are the test centers only in bkk? Thanks

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[7by7]

The latest list of approved test providers from the embassy is:-

Pearson Professional Center Bangkok Business Building Level 10, Unit 10-10 54, Thanon Sukhumvit Soi 21, Bangkok 10110

TOEIC
Center for Professional Assessment - Bangkok Suite 1907, Bangkok Business Building 54 Asoke Road, Sukhumvit 21 Bangkok 10110
+66 (0) 2260 7061 +66 (0) 22664 3122
Center for Professional Assessment - Chiang Mai Nawarat Building 3rd Floor Kaeo Nawarat Soi 3 Amphur Muang Chiangmai 50000

BULATS
Vantage Siam Co. Ltd. 65/213 Chamnan Phenjati Building, 25th Floor, Rama 9 Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok. 10310

But that was August 2011, so may not be up to date.

Even though the language requirement is just for speaking and listening, most, I think all, approved English test providers in Thailand insist on candidates taking, and paying for, the full test including reading and writing. You will not get a certificate unless you pass all 4 elements.

However, the embassy has confirmed that as long as the applicant has a test report showing that they scored the equivalent of A1 or better in speaking and listening then it does not matter what they scored in the reading and writing elements. Even if they failed these and so did not receive a test pass certificate.

The standard, A1, is very basic. If your fiancée can hold a conversation in English with you then she should be more than capable of passing.

However, both TOIEC and BULATS are geared towards business users, so the questions she will be asked will be business and office orientated. Not sure about Pearson, but suspect the word 'Professional' in their name indicates that they are the same.

Edited September 5, 2013 by 7by7

[nickmuay]

Ok so I guess it's best she calls them and tells them why she needs A1 and go from there. One more thing, any idea how long after the fiancee visa application is submitted that she would get an answer? Tourist was about two weeks.

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[7by7]

UK Visas & Immigration (formally UK Border Agency) say that settlement applicants should allow three months for their application to be processed; though in some cases it may take longer.

The actual processing time depends mainly on demand; not just for settlement visas but the demand for all types of visa at the time.

Here are the latest published figures, which for Bangkok show that 100% of settlement visas decided in June 2013 were processed within 60 working days.

With regard to preparing her application, you may find UK Settlement Visa Basics helpful.

[Rob180]

Hi, my fiancee sat the English Test a week ago in Vantage Siam. She speaks reasonably good English but found this test difficult. However as many parts of it are not even required by the UKBA it's perhaps not too much to worry about. The results are sent out about 10 days after the test so we should hear soon.

[nickmuay]

Ok thanks, let me know how she gets on. Nick

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[Rob180]

Hi Nick, my fiancee passed the speaking but failed the listening. I find that absolutely unbelievable as she's been speaking to me almost daily for 5 months. They've now sent me information for their prep course which is 19 hours of training and another £300. You have to laugh, I really find it beyond belief.

[Rob180]

Just to clarify, the £300 I quoted above includes the TEST FEE and the 3 days Preparation Course, so it's actually not too bad. Unless you're certain your girl's English is good enough in both speaking and listening I suspect just booking the Prep Course and Test will work out cheaper!

Edited September 11, 2013 by Rob180

[nickmuay]

Ok thanks for the update. She's doing it on the 21st so I've got my fingers crossed.

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[Rob180]

Ok thanks for the update. She's doing it on the 21st so I've got my fingers crossed.

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Hi,is she doing the preparation course or just sitting the test?

[10120]

Is it possible to get her a tourist visa and get it done in London? That's ewhat we did. At Trinity College next to Kings X. Cheap, efficient and easy. Aplogies if post no help.

[nickmuay]

She's just doing the test, so we'll see how it goes 55

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[nickmuay]

Was you then able to apply for fiancee visa while she was still here ? If my gf could come here on a tourist visa then apply for fiancee without going back to Thailand that would be easier. Nick

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[Rob180]

Hi Nick, did your g/f pass the English test? My wife passed at A2 after doing the Prep Course.

I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure Thai citizens can only apply for a fiancee or spouse visa from Thailand. It can't be done from the UK.

If you're hoping to marry in the next few months, you would be far better doing it in Thailand for many reasons.

Edited October 29, 2013 by Rob180

[7by7]

Rob is correct; visit visas cannot be converted to settlement in the UK.; regardless of the visa holder's nationality.

She will have to return home to Thailand to apply for settlement.

[SirPaul]

Is there a time gap from having a tourist visa to applying for a settlement visa or can you do the application as soon as the tourist visa expires? Can you apply if the tourist visa has not yet expired?

I was thinking that you may have to wait 6 months after the tourist visa expires before you can apply for a settlement visa

[theoldgit]

Is there a time gap from having a tourist visa to applying for a settlement visa or can you do the application as soon as the tourist visa expires? Can you apply if the tourist visa has not yet expired?

I was thinking that you may have to wait 6 months after the tourist visa expires before you can apply for a settlement visa.

There is no "waiting time" you can apply even if a visit visa hasn't expired, if you think about it a person with a five or ten year visit visa wouldn't be expected to wait that length of time before applying for a different category of visa.