Im exploring all avenues and would be grateful for any input.

Initially I would struggle to bring wife and two dependant stepkids to UK due to financial requirements. Possibilities are wife comes alone and two kids later or wife and one child come first second child later (kids could sty in our house in Thailand with aunt and cousin). This would give me (and wife) the opportunity to get a better paying job.

Assuming I continued to show their dependance on me and the wife, would there be a problem when trying to get them in in the future. The nightmare would be Iam settled with wife but cannot get one or both kids in.

You're spot on in identifying a potential issue, though what you suggest is very sensible it's not unheard of for UKVI decision makers to refuse applications where it's noted that a third party has been responsible for the children's care.

I suppose it would depend what period of separation you're talking about.

I would be inclined to mention your intentions in the original application, make sure your wife keeps an audit trail of her involvement with her children, including decision making and finances, whilst in the UK, and refer to the original application and the audit trail when you both in a position to bring the kids over.

My thoughts are not based on any experience.

You're spot on in identifying a potential issue, though what you suggest is very sensible it's not unheard of for UKVI decision makers to refuse applications where it's noted that a third party has been responsible for the children's care.

I suppose it would depend what period of separation you're talking about.

I would be inclined to mention your intentions in the original application, make sure your wife keeps an audit trail of her involvement with her children, including decision making and finances, whilst in the UK, and refer to the original application and the audit trail when you both in a position to bring the kids over.

My thoughts are not based on any experience.

Thanks. If this is the way we had to go we would keep a record of all financial money transfers for maintenance, school fees etc etc.

What would be the financial requirement necessary to bring kids over? Would it still be the same as before ie 18600 + 3800 + 2400? I understand wife's income (if any) could be used as she would be legally in the country. The period of separation would be I hope about 6 months to one year, no more

Geordie, if your self employed I think they need 3 years proof of income, might be wrong.

Saying that I did the same as yourself wife over first, then the kids a few years later, did not have any problems whatsoever.

Good luck and hope it all works out, it can be a right stress.

The issue with 'wife first, step kids later' is, as theoldgit hinted at, proving your wife has been exercising sole responsibility before the separation and throughout the separation.

The longer the separation, the harder that may be to do.

How old are the children? Once over 18 they will not be able to apply to join their mother in the UK as her children.

What would be the financial requirement necessary to bring kids over? Would it still be the same as before ie 18600 + 3800 + 2400? I understand wife's income (if any) could be used as she would be legally in the country. The period of separation would be I hope about 6 months to one year, no more

As I understand it; you are correct.

Geordie, if your self employed I think they need 3 years proof of income, might be wrong.

For self employed income it's either the last full financial year or an average of the last two full financial years.

That's for the UK; maybe different for the Isle of Man?

The issue with 'wife first, step kids later' is, as theoldgit hinted at, proving your wife has been exercising sole responsibility before the separation and throughout the separation.

The longer the separation, the harder that may be to do.

How old are the children? Once over 18 they will not be able to apply to join their mother in the UK as her children.

What would be the financial requirement necessary to bring kids over? Would it still be the same as before ie 18600 + 3800 + 2400? I understand wife's income (if any) could be used as she would be legally in the country. The period of separation would be I hope about 6 months to one year, no more

As I understand it; you are correct.

Thanks. Children 6 and 11 and I probably wont be self employed.