Help - taking step children to UK on a Tourist Visa.

[henry123]

Dear Forum,

I will be taking my step children to the UK this summer and wanted to find out how to go about this as I am a bit clueless. I've tried to understand some of the forms (which now seem to be done online) but it's a bit confusing.

My wife has a British passport but her children do not. Is it correct that you can't apply for the visa until three months prior to travel? If so would it be wise to wait until the confirmed visa before booking flights? I am not sure how hard tourist visas are to get. legalities etc.

Can anyone advise on the documents I need to support the visa or anyone who has done this before explain the process to me a bit.

Many thanks

Henry.

[NativeSon360]

Have you logically considered paying a visit to The British Consulate (Citizen Services Office), then getting "the process" details from that source?

[highlander403]

Uk Visit Visa Basics if you read the pinned topic for a start then come back and ask any stuff you dont understand

[7by7]

To answer your specific questions;

All UK visas are valid from the day they are issued; unless the applicant asks for the start to be post dated, which it can be for up to three months.

If you do this, check the visas when received as they do sometimes miss this and mistakes cannot be rectified later.

However, whatever the start date, standard UK visit visas are valid for 6 months; so whether you ask for the start to be post dated or not depends on when you want to travel and how long you want to spend in the UK.

UKVI advise not buying tickets until the visa is issued; but it is up to you. Doing so or not will have no effect on the visa application.

[henry123]

Thank you for all your replies. So can I apply online now (as all applications are done online now if I am correct?). Also, I have tried to read some information today and was wondering if my children need the TB screening? Its great if I can apply now as I can get it all out the way.

Another issue I am worried about is I have not adopted my children yet, however, I will be travelling with their mother - will this matter.

Finallly, am I correct in saying you apply online and then you are given an appointment at the 'trendy office' for the visa in Bangkok. Or do you need to make an appointment first.

Thanks for all your help, guidance and support,

Henry

[davidmann]

if your wife has british passport why not get the children british passport ,as long as there under 18 ,that should be easy ,why did she not get them a british passport at the same time as hers ,mine did

[bigyin]

If they do not have British passports there is a potential issue about the natural father of the children. Do you have his permission to take the children out of Thailand? A visit to the local office to get a letter confirming your wife has been in sole care of the children would be a good first step. This is the first question that the staff will ask at The Trendy Building, 'Do you have the letter?'. This should, I think, be your number 1 concern. You apply online and at that time you make an appointment and then print off the appointment confirmation with the application itself.

[henry123]

if your wife has british passport why not get the children british passport ,as long as there under 18 ,that should be easy ,why did she not get them a british passport at the same time as hers ,mine did

I was unaware this was possible when applying for my wife. Can this still be done? She obtained her citizenship about 3 years ago now.

Yes, my wife has the Por Kor 14 which states she has sole custody.

[theoldgit]

Thank you for all your replies. So can I apply online now (as all applications are done online now if I am correct?). Also, I have tried to read some information today and was wondering if my children need the TB screening? Its great if I can apply now as I can get it all out the way.

As 7by7 says you can apply to have the visa post dated for up to three months, but in addition you cannot apply for a visa more than three months before the proposed date of travel, I assume they take the view that circumstances could change if you're allowed to apply too early.

Applicant can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK. We strongly advise you not to confirm your travel arrangements until you have received your visa.

In answer to you other point, there is no requirement for TB screening for those applying for a visit visa.

[7by7]

Yes, you complete the forms, one each, online and when you submit the forms and pay the fee online you make an appointment to attend the visa application centre.

Print out the forms, sign them and take them with the supporting evidence to the appointment, where their biometrics will also be taken. See How to apply.

As said, visitors do not need a TB certificate.

if your wife has british passport why not get the children british passport ,as long as there under 18 ,that should be easy ,why did she not get them a british passport at the same time as hers ,mine did

I was unaware this was possible when applying for my wife. Can this still be done? She obtained her citizenship about 3 years ago now.

Yes, my wife has the Por Kor 14 which states she has sole custody.

Her children, your step children, do not qualify for British citizenship merely because their mother is now British.

They could have applied for registration as British at the same time that their mother applied for naturalisation provided they met the requirements; which usually means, among other things, living in the UK with no time restriction on their stay, e.g. ILR.

If they do meet the requirements, they can apply for registration now; but as you are asking about UK visit visas for them I assume they do not live in the UK.

See Registration of a child in British citizenship basics for more

[Jonmarleesco]

Visitor's visa, not tourist. I've never heard of the three month requirement, but you need to ensure sufficient time for the process - I've normally, through several visa applications, allowed three to four weeks, so should have thought five to six adequate. One problem with visa first vs flights first, is that while the form advises you to not book flights until you have the visa(s) confirmed, it then goes on to ask for a flight number. Documents depend on sponsor details, but the requirements are fairly clearly laid out.

Why not download the latest PDF advisory, check the requirements, then come back to TV with questions?

[Jonmarleesco]

if your wife has british passport why not get the children british passport ,as long as there under 18 ,that should be easy ,why did she not get them a british passport at the same time as hers ,mine did

Er, she is, presumably, now Thai-British, her children Thai, not dual. Why should that render their applying for British citizenship easy?