Hello There!

Im planing on returning to The UK in August with my wife and daughter who have both got thai passports and UK settlement visas... the later being bit of an epic and best of luck to all going through the process!!

Ive been offerd a spot of work in Germany, which after an initial 2 weeks in Uk im probaly going to travel there and take it up.

My Question is can i take my wife and Daughter with me, with there UK visas... does it allow them to travel around the european continent as well? or will i have to apply for German visas for them, which i dont expect would be easy seeing as im not German....

Thanks very much for any advice you can offer!!

Oh another one while im here... any recomdations for cheap flights back to the UK... Contacts etc..

Thanks Again!

I'm afraid that the UK is not fully signed up to the Schengen agreement, so they will need to apply to the German embassy for visas. Looking at the timescales I would suggest that they do so now, in Bangkok, and not leave it until they get to the UK. Schengen visas can take a lot more than 2 weeks to be processed.

N.B. The only country in Europe that they could travel to without a visa is Switzerland. Holders of UK visas of more than 6 months duration may visit Switzerland for a period of up to 3 months without a visa.

As direct relatives of a UK -EU National (you) the one good thing is that it aint too hard to get the visas to visit European states ...and they are FREE.

The old French Embassy was always a bit of a nightmare but then they introduced afternoon applications only for Business and Family Visa requests which was ..spot on.

Rather than hanging about outside with short timers from the rest of the world it was straight in ....

...Bon Jour...UK cit...Oiu..family visa...Oui....entre sil vous plait....merci....20 minutes later..Voila...

Now wifie got the red book so no need.....

Also believe now that you have to apply by post...no visits but check the individual web pages...donc ...good luck

As you would be going to work in Germany then your wife and daughter should qualify for the German equivalent of a family permit which is issued free. From my own dealings with the German embassy, I've found them efficient (what else would one expect ) although first applications had to be made in person which was a pain when travelling from Liverpool to London. If you know that you will definitely be going to Germany, then you might consider applying for the family permits at the embassy in Bangkok.

All the best,

Scouse.

Thanks very much for the input!

...Although they cant travel on there UK visa its not to much of a nightmare to get the required German visa, which is a weight off the mind...

Ill probaly apply for there visas in London as theyll be stayin in England for the first couple of weeks till i get established in Germany, and find some were to live other than the back of the car! ...

Thanks again

Neil

What nationality are you? If you are British, then your daughter may be able to get a British passport too. See Consular Birth Registration. You may also be able to apply for the German visa at one of their Consulates.