Money Worries!

[gazbenno]

Hi Guys,

My Thai girlfiend and i are engaged and plan to marry in the near future. We want to apply for a settlement visa for her in the uk but are unsure as to the best route to take. Should we apply for a fiance visa, Marriage visa Student visa?etc

I am also very worried about my bank statements as i have just started a new job and previous statements up until july 06 have not been good! Does anyone know how many statements the thai authorities ask for and how much income i have to show to prove that i can support her?

Hope someone can advise.

Thanks and keep up the good work, great website

Gaz

[the scouser]

Gaz,

The British embassy likes to see 6 consecutive months worth of bank statements plus 3-4 months worth of wage slips. However, the purpose is not to establish that you are rolling in it, but, rather, that you have sufficient funds to support your wife. Consequently, providing your salary is big enough to support the 2 of you, then this should pass the test. Indeed, if you are on a low income, you are allowed to claim Working Tax Credit in repsect of your wife once she's entered the UK on a spouse settlement visa.

In the long run, it's cheaper to marry in Thailand than apply for a fiancée visa and marry in the UK.

Scouse.

[vinny]

See also

Thai Embassy's Marriage Guidance

British Embassy's Marriage Guidance

Department of Local Administration's Marriage Registration

Spouses and 13.5 - Spouses/civil partners and how they qualify.

Edited July 16, 2006 by vinny

[gazbenno]

Cheers Scouse,

Thats a big help thanks, another quickie roughly what sort of income do they consider enough to provide for the both of us?, i'm earning £180.00 per wk from 1 job, £80.00 per week from another and i also get working tax credits to support my son another £150.00 per week there! Total £410.00

Does it look ok?

Thanks again

Gaz

PS are you red or blue?

Gaz,

The British embassy likes to see 6 consecutive months worth of bank statements plus 3-4 months worth of wage slips. However, the purpose is not to establish that you are rolling in it, but, rather, that you have sufficient funds to support your wife. Consequently, providing your salary is big enough to support the 2 of you, then this should pass the test. Indeed, if you are on a low income, you are allowed to claim Working Tax Credit in repsect of your wife once she's entered the UK on a spouse settlement visa.

In the long run, it's cheaper to marry in Thailand than apply for a fiancée visa and marry in the UK.

Scouse.

[the scouser]

Gaz,

There is no hard and fast figure: it really depends upon what your financial committments are.

£1700 per month sounds OK, but if your bills come to, for example, £1500, it's likely that the visa officer will come to the conclusion that the remaining £200 is insufficient to support you, your wife, and your son.

Cheers,

Scouse.

PS. I'm a red nose.

[GU22]

As Scouse says, there is no hard and fast minimum figure.

From Chapter 9 – The maintenance and accommodation requirements

9.3 - Maintenance: General requirements

There is no prescribed minimum figure for what represents sufficient maintenance. Appeals Tribunals and the higher courts have consistently upheld the principle that the appropriate level of maintenance without recourse to public funds varies widely from case to case.

However, as a general guide; if after paying rent/mortgage etc. and servicing any debts you have left more than the basic income support for a couple (about £90 per week) then you should be ok.