Tourist or Settlement Visa to UK?

[bobbymack]

Dear all

We in a dilemma as to which visa to apply for.

The circumstances are that I am a UK citizen and have been working here in Thailand for the past 3 years and wish to return to England to re-settle and work there again. I have known my Thai girlfriend for 3 years and she has been living with me (as common-law wife) for 2 and a half years here in Thailand. (have letter from landlord as evidence). Although I do not have job yet arranged in UK, I can show savings of more than the £62,500, which I understand is required to show funds without a job.

My predicament is that I don't want to pay the near £1000 for 2 year settlement visa and go through all the other complications such as English test and TB test, if it will likely be refused.

However, if we apply for the 6 month tourist visa the conditions are different because we have to show reasons to return to Thailand. Of course, the intention in reality is that we return to the UK so that I can get a job and she stays as my 'wife' and we live together as we have been doing for the past 2 and half years here in Thailand.

What are peoples views on this? My feeling is that Is it best to go for the tourist visa initially and write in the statement that the intention is to see how we like being in England for 6 months and then return to Thailand after this time to then apply for a Settlement visa? Or to just apply for the Settlement visa first on the basis of our more than 2 years living together as partners?

[bobrussell]

If you meet the financial requirement and provide all the documentation specified then there is no reason why a settlement application should be refused.

What you need to present is listed on the application form and the pinned settlement thread gives a lot more advice.

You must provide what is demanded, in the form that is required so original bank statements should be original (as an example). The Entry Clearance Officer has little leeway so missing paperwork can lead to refusal.

If you are worried then it might be worth chatting with a reputable agent.

If you can provide adequate evidence that you have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage then you do not need to be married. Post addressed to both at the same address, photos over the period and land/property rental agreements etc will all help.

If you try to go for a visit visa it is possible that reasons to return may be a struggle.

[rasg]

I wouldn't bother with an agent at all. There are plenty of people on this forum who will help.

If you can prove that you have been living together as husband and wife for the two years the settlement visa is probably the best option.

The visit visa is meant for exactly that and helping the GF get two visit visas last year and a Settlement visa this year I found the Settlement visa easier to get than the VV as you don't have to prove any reason to return. In my situation as I am self employed that was the hardest part for us and I had my accountant prepare the documents. I didn’t have any of my bank statements etc validated for the VV but had my bank stamp and date the first page of each month that was stapled together without a problem. I printed out online statements and in each case they were accepted.

We had no problems with any of the three visas but if you ask for six months on a tourist visa because you want to live as man and wife for that time I have a feeling they won’t like it. Does your GF' have a job to go back to as part of her reason to return which you have to prove for a visit visa?

[bobbymack]

Thanks guys. No lease agreement, just my landlords letter and can get my ex-employer to confirm the same. Could make up a lease agreement but then why as it is a fake. Most people I know don't have lease agreements on rents and even when they do, the girlfriend is not mentioned on it. have photos obviously and can show our holidays outside Thailand with corresponding entries in both out passports over the period.

[bobrussell]

I would agree that an agent is not a requirement but a good one will point out weaknesses and guide you in how you can best show a relationship qualifies.

I also agree that very good advice can be found here but a lot is being invested in a settlement visa so some may prefer to have one to one advice.

My wife had many visit visas, settlement and naturalisation, all without an agent but if someone is not confident then dealing with someone such as the forum sponsor might give peace of mind.