UK Visa for spouse

[SlyAnimal]

Hi,
I've got a mate who is from the UK, but has been living in Thailand for the past 6+ years with his wife + 2 children. Both of his children have UK passports (Well actually just 1, but the other can apply anytime and get it), however his wife only has a Thai passport but has been legally married to him for 5 or 6 years.

Times have gotten tough for my mate, and he's lost his job and is uncertain on whether he will be able to obtain another one. As a result , he's looking at returning to the UK, as he will no longer be able to support himself or his family in Thailand (And there isn't any government support here as there is in the UK).

He knows that he and his children could enter without any problems, but he wouldn't want to leave his wife behind. However, upon reading the UK Family visa requirements, it seemed like he would require an annual income of 18k or 25k pounds (I'm not sure if his kids count as dependents, since they're allowed to live in the UK independent of his wife?). He also needs a place to stay in to put on the application form.

He thinks it's very unlikely that he can get a job in the UK which meets the minimum income requirements, particularly if it's 25k. If it's 18k, he might be able to, but even then he's not sure, as he's older now (50s) and only previously had labouring jobs in the UK, usually contract work which likely wouldn't satisfy the requirements due to it's unpredictability.

His wife has previously visited the UK (With him), around 4 years ago on a 6 month tourist visa. She could likely get another one, if she did so, would it be easier to then apply for her spouse visa while already in the UK? Or are they better off just applying while living abroad?

He could likely get friends/family to offer to provide him with accommodation, and they could write a letter to that effect and sign any documents necessary. Would this potentially lower the income threshold for him?

If there any other route by which he could get a long term visa for his wife to live in the UK with their family? Being a legitimate couple with 2 children, I assume that it's possible, but obviously the income threshold will be a major obstacle.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, as my mate isn't very tech or visa savvy, and so I'm helping him out, but I'm more familiar with the NZ visa requirements (Which are much more relaxed).

Would his inability to meet the requirements of a Thai Non-Immigrant visa (Since he doesn't have 40k per month or 400k in the bank), along with the restrictions on border runs / tourist visas, be enough to qualify him for a "hardship" requirement to gain entry for his wife to the UK, since without a UK visa, they face the potential of being broken up as a family (Although in real terms, they can probably continue winging it, particularly as from what I gather, Savannakhet still doesn't require proof of financials for their multiple Os, even though technically they're meant to).

[beano2274]

she would have to return to Thailand to get the correct visa.

has your friend thought about working in Europe then using the Surinda Singh way to enter the UK after living together in Europe for a period of about 3months

[SlyAnimal]

No he hadn't thought of that, I've just done a quick read up on it (just wikipedia so far), and that seems like a possible option for him (Although with 2 kids, it might not be easy, particularly as they'd need to support themselves in Europe for 3 months, which would be expensive). Also do people have to be working in Europe? Or just living in Europe?

Either way I'll raise this with him, and see what he thinks.

Also please post any other suggestions or advice which you think may benefit him in this situation.

[beano2274]

you have to be working.

[wooloomooloo]

The financial (minimum income) requirement for partner visas

This is a good document for your friend to review.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

If your friend would like to contact us, we can give him a free assessment, and tell him his options. Our contact details can be found by clicking on our avatar, or from our website - http://www.thaivisa-express.com

His income requirement would be 18,600 GBP, as the British children don't come into the equation.