UK Spouse Visa Waiting Times and Success Rates.

[Globaleyes]

Dear All,

My wife just got her visa approved exactly one month after applying. Several of the Thai friends she made going through the same process got theirs even quicker - 15 days being the fastest.

Of the five of them, three of them (myself included) didn't use an agent, two did (at a cost of an extra 50000 baht).

Some observations.

I wonder if the new financial threshold has speeded things up - the evidence has to be there in black and white, and is not open to deliberation/discretion - therefore speeding up the decision?

Whilst some people (quite logically) say that the Thai person's current job is not a factor (for the financial requirement) I suspect that it might be in other ways, such as showing the person is of good repute, likely to find work in the UK etc etc. I don't think it will be harmful to include any information that could show the applicant in a good light.

The English Test seems to be fairly easy, albeit not cheap!

For every visa I've done (three) my cover 'letter' has been fairly lengthy, with every claim / assertion I made referenced to a numbered document in the appendix. Also, every possible discrepancy explained, with evidence if at all possible. This took a long time.

Prepare to hear the words "This is too difficul. They not want me to go, I not go!" at some point during the process....

They never checked with my employer about my finances etc!

[wooloomooloo]

The English Test seems to be fairly easy, albeit not cheap!

My friend's wife failed the A1 test seven times. I said to him why not put her through the revision course as you can't keep going on like this, so she sat the revision course, and, hey presto, she passes on the eighth attempt.

I don't know how she's going to cope with LitUK as she's more interested in working, which is fair enough, but that's not really conducive to the practicalities of passing LitUK. We can't live others lives for them.

[bobrussell]

There are several years before the LitUK needs to be taken so there is time for preparation. It is worth taking this seriously from day one!

Working in the UK is probably the best way to prepare for the test (unless it is in a Thai restaurant!) as it helps with conversation and confidence. It is worthwhile doing an English course. The hotel my wife works at, runs English courses for the non-English speakers - with rooms up to £1000 a night, they can afford to do so! Speaking anything other than English is frowned upon especially in front of the guests!

It amazes me how many grumble about the English language tests and LitUK. The requirements are well documented so efforts can be made to smooth the path to ILR.