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[durhamboy]

It was surprising and unhelpful when people were saying tens of thousands when i know its not.

Some of us are trying to be helpful, rubarb. Tens of thousands is no exaggeration and I did inform about ad hoc costs and detailed rough figures. You might be able to get the sums down slightly, but, I am quite serious. The overall costs are in excess of 20k. That is tens of thousands and I stand by my original statement that it's far more than 20k.

You can continue to rubbish my calculations but you'll never really understand until you've done it. The ad hoc costs come in big, and I mean big on top of visa costs.

You might be unfortunate and have to apply for multiple FLR applications due to unforeseen circumstances and then the costs bump up even more. Are you certain your future wife can pass LitUK test first time? Or some other unforeseen event doesn't cause you more financial misery.

Come back in five years and tell me that I am wrong if you continue down the settlement path.

I notice none of the regulars here have corrected me, only you. Think about it.

It really depends on what you regard as costs. Woolly, I note that you included substantial sums for holidays and sending money to in laws. These are not really visa costs.....more like lifestyle choices. The cost of a visa from SV to ILR is, as you stated, about £5k give or take excluding air fares.

[7by7]

To clarify; there is no actual rule, regulation or law which states that a visitor cannot spend more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK.

The only rule on the length of time a standard visitor can spend in the UK is that theycannot spend more than 6 months in the UK per visit.

However, to prevent people from using visit visas for de facto residence in the UK, there is a convention that a visitor should not spend more than 6 months out of 12 in the UK, and unless they can show an acceptable reason for so doing then any application or attempt to enter the UK as a visitor could be refused if it meant that they would do so.

Having spent 4 months in the UK, there is no reason why the OPs girlfriend could not immediately apply for another visit visa to enter the UK for a further two months as this would, obviously, mean less than 6 months in total in the UK in the last 12 months. But the ECO would, obviously, want to know why she needs to return to the UK as a visitor so soon.

If she wants to spend longer than that in the UK as a visitor I'd advise waiting for 6 months, not 12, before applying again. I.e. 6 months out of the UK then 6 months in.

As for a student visa; there are two types.

Short-term study visa; which allows up to 6 months in the UK (11 months if over 18 and studying English). Note the eligibility requirements.

Tier 4 (General) student visa; which will allow a longer period in the UK, dependent on the length of the course. Again, she would have to meet the eligibility requirements, including for this visa sufficient knowledge of English.

[rubarb]

Thank you 7by7 for the information

[wooloomooloo]

Not really humorous to those of us that have paid thousands of pounds in cash, blood, sweat and tears to get our loved ones here. You'll know what I mean when you've been through it.

You'll see what I mean by thousands if and when your girlfriend / wife applies for settlement. Ultimately it comes in at tens of thousands. You've a lot to learn.

It really depends on what you regard as costs. Woolly, I note that you included substantial sums for holidays and sending money to in laws. These are not really visa costs.....more like lifestyle choices. The cost of a visa from SV to ILR is, as you stated, about £5k give or take excluding air fares.

My original post, as detailed above, was explicit in that it did indeed cost me tens of thousands to bring my wife to the UK, from settlement to citizenship. I never mentioned tens of thousands for visas, did I? The OP immediately decided to misinterpret my unambiguous statement and you've decided to reinforce the misunderstanding of the OP.

My posts were to provide an example of what future expenses to expect and to not underestimate ad hoc and unforeseen future expenses. They really do add up even if you ignore holiday expenses. Notwithstanding, I can't deny my wife her semi-annual trips to see her folks for as long as I can afford it.

FLR extensions are also an unforeseen expense. We have heard of many Thai ladies who haven't qualified for KoLL in time and the costs involved are significant.

I stand by my original statement that anyone that brings a Thai wife to the UK can expect to settle tens of thousands for the experience from settlement through to citizenship. If one can pare it down by a few thousand, then good for them.

[beano2274]

A cheaper way if you have a job in another European country, I think for my wife so far it was a free visa for a Schengen Country, then 120 euros for her Permit to Reside in Germany, next step is going to the UK, and it is going to cost me nowhere near 500 GBP.

[durhamboy]

Not really humorous to those of us that have paid thousands of pounds in cash, blood, sweat and tears to get our loved ones here. You'll know what I mean when you've been through it.

You'll see what I mean by thousands if and when your girlfriend / wife applies for settlement. Ultimately it comes in at tens of thousands. You've a lot to learn.

It really depends on what you regard as costs. Woolly, I note that you included substantial sums for holidays and sending money to in laws. These are not really visa costs.....more like lifestyle choices. The cost of a visa from SV to ILR is, as you stated, about £5k give or take excluding air fares.

My original post, as detailed above, was explicit in that it did indeed cost me tens of thousands to bring my wife to the UK, from settlement to citizenship. I never mentioned tens of thousands for visas, did I? The OP immediately decided to misinterpret my unambiguous statement and you've decided to reinforce the misunderstanding of the OP.

My posts were to provide an example of what future expenses to expect and to not underestimate ad hoc and unforeseen future expenses. They really do add up even if you ignore holiday expenses. Notwithstanding, I can't deny my wife her semi-annual trips to see her folks for as long as I can afford it.

FLR extensions are also an unforeseen expense. We have heard of many Thai ladies who haven't qualified for KoLL in time and the costs involved are significant.

I stand by my original statement that anyone that brings a Thai wife to the UK can expect to settle tens of thousands for the experience from settlement through to citizenship. If one can pare it down by a few thousand, then good for them.

Woolly, imho this thread degenerated into a pissing contest between you and the OP because it was not clear exactly what each of you was talking about. In the first post where you mentioned "tens of thousands" you did not say it is just for visas but equally in that post you did not say a substantial amount is for annual holidays and money for in laws.

The OP admitted to not knowing much about visas. You have some knowledge of what it entails and your advice could have been a lot more friendly and a lot less patronising. In short you should have explained yourself better at the outset so the OP and everyone else reading this could compare apples with apples.

[wooloomooloo]

I'm trying to assist the OP, not hinder him. If he chooses to ignore my input, then fine.

I get the feeling you haven't experienced a settlement visa through to citizenship for a spouse and are therefore limited in knowledge on the subject, durhamboy.

Though, It might be helpful to others who are considering the broader picture.

[Paul888]

I'm trying to assist the OP, not hinder him. If he chooses to ignore my input, then fine.

I get the feeling you haven't experienced a settlement visa through to citizenship for a spouse and are therefore limited in knowledge on the subject, durhamboy.

Though, It might be helpful to others who are considering the broader picture.

Your posts in this thread are the opposite of helpful. "Tens of thousands" is a ridiculous statement and only scares people.

7by7 has listed the costs very clearly. Adding in holiday costs and what you send your wife's family is immaterial.

[durhamboy]

I'm trying to assist the OP, not hinder him. If he chooses to ignore my input, then fine.

I get the feeling you haven't experienced a settlement visa through to citizenship for a spouse and are therefore limited in knowledge on the subject, durhamboy.

Though, It might be helpful to others who are considering the broader picture.

Your "feeling" is wrong. I have done the whole thing although quite what that has to do with this topic is not clear to me. I am not disputing your figures. Tens of thousands is probably correct when you include a lifetime of annual holidays and funding of in-laws. What I don't like is that firstly you didn't initially explain your figures and, secondly, I don't think the OP is interested in your holidays or family remittances.

[jacksam]

There is another thread running about experiences about settlement visa to UK . Sounds like horror story. One successful one ended up spending over 10k and that was just the process. Nothing about support and trips during process.

[wooloomooloo]

One successful one ended up spending over 10k and that was just the process. Nothing about support and trips during process.

My credit card bill just to kit out my wife with clothes on her first month in the UK in November 2010 was £1,500 and that was her's alone. The second month's credit card bill was much the same. It really does numb the brain, the amounts involved.

[wooloomooloo]

Your posts in this thread are the opposite of helpful. "Tens of thousands" is a ridiculous statement and only scares people.

7by7 has listed the costs very clearly. Adding in holiday costs and what you send your wife's family is immaterial.

Please accept my apologies, Paul. I didn't mean to scare you.

But, do consider that future wives will always want to return home on occasion. It does cost money and will do for the duration of marriage. Family costings back in Thailand are also a regular feature of marriage to a Thai and are therefore also a consideration. It goes with the territory and certainly not a taboo subject.

Further, this information may be of benefit to others perusing this thread when considering moving their spouses, and possibly children, to their native countries. You're not the only subscriber to this forum.

[Paul888]

Your posts in this thread are the opposite of helpful. "Tens of thousands" is a ridiculous statement and only scares people.

7by7 has listed the costs very clearly. Adding in holiday costs and what you send your wife's family is immaterial.

Please accept my apologies, Paul. I didn't mean to scare you.

But, do consider that future wives will always want to return home on occasion. It does cost money and will do for the duration of marriage. Family costings back in Thailand are also a regular feature of marriage to a Thai and are therefore also a consideration. It goes with the territory and certainly not a taboo subject.

Further, this information may be of benefit to others perusing this thread when considering moving their spouses, and possibly children, to their native countries. You're not the only subscriber to this forum.

They will probably need food and a car also but like your other examples, absolutely nothing to do with the visa cost.

[wooloomooloo]

They will probably need food and a car also ...

Don't get me started on a car. My wife has had over seventy hours of driving lessons and still not passed her UK driving test. Add that on to the total.

[7by7]

With respect, wooloomoo, surely what is important in the context of this topic, indeed this forum, is the money that one must pay; that is visa and LTR fees, NHS surcharge, TB cert, English tests and LitUK test.

The rest is optional. One may choose, even desire, regular trips back to Thailand, driving lessons, a wardrobe full of new clothes etc.; but none of these things are required in order to obtain UK residency.

Indeed, many of those costs will be very similar if one marries a Brit!

[wooloomooloo]

No doubt, 7by7, and respectfully received.

The fees are what they are, and liable to expand due to unforeseen circumstances anytime soon.

[vulcan903]

My Thai GF has now returned to TH after visit on a 6 month visit visa. Can anyone here confirm that she cannot apply for a fiance visa now for 6 months. We are going for it next year. Found a fab place in the UK to get married.

[7by7]

A fiance visa is a type of settlement visa.

The 'maximum of 6 months out of any 12' convention applies to visits.

So a fiance visa application would not come under this and there is no reason why someone could not apply for settlement immediately upon their return to Thailand from a 6 months UK visit.

[vulcan903]

A fiance visa is a type of settlement visa.

The 'maximum of 6 months out of any 12' convention applies to visits.

So a fiance visa application would not come under this and there is no reason why someone could not apply for settlement immediately upon their return to Thailand from a 6 months UK visit.

Thanks for the clarification. I better get my skates on then!