Countries where I and my Thai civil partner can work

[loonytunes]

I am a UK citizen and have been living in Thailand with my Thai partner for 9 of the last 12 years, and we formed a civil partnership in the UK 4 years ago.

We are looking at moving to another country where we could both work. The whole point of the move is to earn and save more money. So what options do we have?

1. The obvious one is the UK, where we could go for a settlement visa for my partner. Am I right in thinking that the criteria remain as follows? – a gross income of 19,400, which reduces if you have savings between 16k-64k; a suitable place to stay, and proof of a genuine relationship. My partner has had 3 visitor visas for trips to the UK with me. One further question on the UK option – as I don’t currently earn 19,400 pa, would I need to work in the UK first for 6 or 12 months on the required salary level (minus a bit to allow for savings) before we could apply for my partner to join on a settlement visa? I think I am right in assuming the whole visa process takes 5 years before my partner would be granted settlement / PR.

2. Without going into details about the fields that we have worked in, are there any other countries (worldwide) where we could possibly both go and work? Or where Thais can possibly get working visas? Europe? Asia? China? Oman? Anywhere?

I have no idea whether 2. (above) is a viable option, but you never know if you don't ask. The important thing in all this is that we want to go somewhere where my Thai partner has the opportunity to work as well. Thanks, in advance for any info / suggestions.

[Tomtomtom69]

1. Don't know much about the UK immigration laws. Heck I haven't even visited there on holidays so can't help you there.

2. I don't see why there would be any restrictions on Thai nationals finding work in ANY country. Why would it be different for them compared to for you? The only things holding you back will be your qualifications and the visa/work permit rules in effect in the country you intend to go to. Naturally it will be easier to find work in a more developed country (for both of you) than in a developing country.

In ASEAN, I think being Thai could count against you in terms of finding work - westerners would be more in demand but this depends entirely on what skills/qualifications she has (note that AEC doesn't mean much). Also, a Thai is unlikely to be willing to move to a poorer country like Cambodia or Myanmar for work. Singapore and Malaysia yes, but that's about all in ASEAN. China? Yes and no. The language is going to be very difficult and again, being Thai there wouldn't be any great enthusiasm amongst local employers to hire you, unless it's as a Thai language teacher in Kunming or something where a sizeable number of Chinese study SE Asian languages in order to take part in the economic boom, which has led to many opportunities in tourism and as translators to assist Chinese FDI in SE Asian countries. Middle East might not be bad though, although it would be a bit of a culture shock.

[MobileContent]

The OP with his Mrs can work anywhere here in Asia or worldwide as long both have the qualifications needed (degrees). Without knowing any background all we can do is only guessing.

[Donutz]

As you are a UK citizen you could ofcourse take your wife to there (if you meet the requirements),but you could also move to any other European country (EU, EEA or CZ) and use your Freedom of Movements rights. Immigration rules would be far more relaxed then the British rules, basically comming down to "aslong as you are not an unreasonable burden to the state the non-European and European national can live and work in the EU/EEA/CZ".

If you wish to learn more you may wish to read information regarding EU/EEA rights

- Directive 2004/38/EC http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2004:158:0077:0123:en:PDF

- EU Home affairs on migration, visas etc. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/legal-migration/index_en.htm

- Possibly consider the Surinder Sigh (SS) route, return to the UK after living elsewhere in Europe for a while.

- While at it you may wish to take your spouse on a trip through Europe on a free visa (see the Schengen sticky).

[rgs2001uk]

The OP with his Mrs can work anywhere here in Asia or worldwide as long both have the qualifications needed (degrees). Without knowing any background all we can do is only guessing.

I can only assume you aint up to date on modern day PC New Speak.

The Middle East forget it.

[beano2274]

As Donutz has said try Europe, loads of opportunities as since you have a registered partnership then should be no issues with using your Freedom of Movement to get your partner a Residence Card, the only issue might be Brexit.

The Middle East is a no goer if in a partnership

[rgs2001uk]

No offence intended, what are you and your partners skills, qualifications, knwowledge and experience?

EG, what are you both qualified to do?

[Donutz]

No offence intended, what are you and your partners skills, qualifications, knwowledge and experience?

EG, what are you both qualified to do?

I don't think that their skills are of primairy concern. Most countries in the world don't accept immigrants unless they have something to offer such as highly valued skills, or a big bag of money. You won't get into western coutries if you don't have skills that the people there have themselves (you'd just be taken jobs from the people already there). If it's not skills or lots of money that you can offer, it may leave either family re-union (which often comes with various requirements aswell) and asylum applicantions, though that last one is rather drastic, no fun and the outcome very uncertain unless you are a genuine refugee flying from war or political prosecution.

Most realistic and easy option to me sounds to move to Europe for family re-union. If the OP and spouse are skilled workers they probably have the connections and networks to find them a nice country out of many that will beg them to fill up empty job positions there.

[rgs2001uk]

No offence intended, what are you and your partners skills, qualifications, knwowledge and experience?

EG, what are you both qualified to do?

I don't think that their skills are of primairy concern. Most countries in the world don't accept immigrants unless they have something to offer such as highly valued skills, or a big bag of money. You won't get into western coutries if you don't have skills that the people there have themselves (you'd just be taken jobs from the people already there). If it's not skills or lots of money that you can offer, it may leave either family re-union (which often comes with various requirements aswell) and asylum applicantions, though that last one is rather drastic, no fun and the outcome very uncertain unless you are a genuine refugee flying from war or political prosecution.

Most realistic and easy option to me sounds to move to Europe for family re-union. If the OP and spouse are skilled workers they probably have the connections and networks to find them a nice country out of many that will beg them to fill up empty job positions there.

The OP mentioned Oman, I dont know how long you worked for in the ME (me 15 years), if you aint got skills they need forget it, same as for other countries in the area, they have enough problems from their own unskilled locals.

As for the ME, unless the OP and his "partner" are married, forget it.

[theoldgit]

The UK income level is currently £18,600 not £19,400.

[loonytunes]

Sorry, due to a bereavement, I have only now had the chance to follow up on the responses to my initial post.

Firstly, thank you to Beano, Donutz, Tom69 for your valuable infor. and advice.

Just to clarify, civil partnership is a term used for same sex / gay registered partnerships . Once registered at a registry office, it essentially gives a same sex couple the same rights as those in traditional civil marriages. I fully appreciate that many people may be unaware of this term, although I don't see it as being PC as such. It gives a relationship a more formal / recognized status, which is important, for example, in relation to visa issues, especially in Europe. I could have used the term boyfriend, but it sounds a bit casual and doesn't tell anyone about the status of our relationship.

I really should have put a bit more detail in the OP as to work experience and qualifications of myself and my partner. I am an English (EFL) teacher, with a bachelor's degree (unrelated to English teaching), CELTA and an MA in TESOL, all from the UK. I have 9 years teaching experience, primarily in Thailand. My Thai partner has a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, and over 10 years experience working for an Embassy of another Asian country and as a front desk member of staff in a couple of hotels in Bangkok. He left Bangkok to set up a business in his home province, 5 years ago. However, the business is struggling. My partner has some excellent skills (skilled manual, such as building, plumbing, gardening, food prep. ; interior design) without having any formal qualifications to match those skills. His English is B2 / C1. (high intermediate).

Since my post, however, I've been offered a job in Spain. So, now I am looking at asking questions specifically relating to taking my partner to Europe and the process for getting him a working visa, and the prospects for a settlement visa there based on my partner's relationship with a UK citizen etc. I would also like to consider how living and working in Spain might affect our prospects of applying for a UK settlement in the future. Of course, as Beano has pointed out, we do need to wait for the outcome of the Brexit vote next month. For now, I am just looking for information based on the current EU position. Could my partner, initially come with me to Spain, and apply for a working visa, once in Spain?

I have a contact (who manages a restaurant chain) there, too, who is keen to employ my partner. It would be a great opportunity for my partner. However, at this point, I am really unsure as to what I need to be doing to try to get my partner there too.

I have also been applying for teaching positions in the middle east, but realize I couldn't take my partner. However, I wasn't entirely sure if there was any way my partner could apply for work independently. This seems very unlikely based on the economic situation in many Middle Eastern countries, like the Oman, and my partner's qualifications.

I really would appreciate if anyone could provide info. relating specifically to Spain and Europe for my partner's visa process, and timescales etc. I will read through the links Donutz has given.

Thanks again to Donutz, Beano and all for your comments, and please add anything else, in light of this post.

[tomwct]

What's a Civil Partnership?

[theoldgit]

What's a Civil Partnership?

The previous poster has explained what the term means in his third paragraph.

[Donutz]

If you are going to move to Spain with your partner he would be eligable to get a residence status based on him being a family member of a (non Spanish) EU/EEA national living in Spain. There are two options to move to Spain:

1) Your partner gets a free short term (type C) visa and the two of you registrated with the authorities once you find an apartment etc. to live in. Details on the visa procedure can be found on the EU Home Affairs pages:

- http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/index_en.htm --> "Operational instructions for the application of the Visa Code are further specified in the Handbook for the processing of visa applications and the modification of issued visas" is a PDF file with a dedicated chapter on free visas for family members of EU/EEA nationals

- A brief summary on the procedures: http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/non-eu-family/index_en.htm

2) He applies for a type D visa, starting the immigration procedure from Thailand. I'm not sure how the Spanish embassy and authorities handle such applications though. Best start would be the embassy (or VFS) website.

The Spanish are known for asking too many documents though, such as insisting that the couples also registrated their marriage/partnership in the country of the EU national. As you can conclude from reading the actual Directive (see my earlier post) there are no such requirements! The legal requirements are very simply, basically comming down to both having to ID yourselves, proof that there is a legal marriage/partnership, that the non-EU national will join/accommpany the EU national and that if you stay longer then 3 months (=immigration), you will not be an onreasonable burden to the state.

The EU webpage also has some info on this working in other memberstates:

- http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/worker-pensioner/index_en.htm

But I do not know the exact procedures and the Spanish may ask for more then they legally should. Usually complying with silly requests has the fastest results, but knowing your rights won't do you any harm incase you are being played with (due to incompetence or other reasons). There have been a few topics on moving or visiting Spain in this forum. Searching for them may bring up topics with some useful iinformation from people who moved from TH to ES.

[Donutz]

Some links to previous topics regarding moving/traveling to Spain, just so you know what should be smooth sailing in theory, may not always be the case:

- http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/861040-spanish-embassy-demands-schengen-visa-fee-from-spouse-of-eu-citizen/

- http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/851068-residency-in-spain-prior-to-using-surinder-singh-route-to-uk (SS route via Spain but skipping the bit on returning to the UK, the parts on Spain might be useful).

And as I said, you could either apply for residency from Thailand (beforehand) or do this after arrival on a short term visa. Both should work, and I've seen both couples and immigrations advocating either option over the other. Gather some info and see if you can decide which route looks like the best approach to you.

Edited May 15, 2016 by Donutz

[loonytunes]

Thanks Donutz for your very clear and thorough explanation of the alternatives regarding my partner's visa application, and for the links to previous threads, which also cover the SS route for a possible UK move later.

This really gives me some direction and clarity as regards the process. Just have to keep in mind next month's Brexit poll. Thanks a million!

[loonytunes]

Hi Donutz and all, following the Brexit vote to leave the EU, I am at a complete loss as to understanding the short-term implications. I have been offered a job in Spain in September. I will only go if I can take my long-term Thai partner (we have a civil partnership) with the view to my partner eventually being able to work as well. We haven't started anything yet regarding my partner's visa. I was intending to take him to Spain, initially on a type C visa. As I understand, it will be at least 2 years before the UK officially leaves the EU, and we don't at this point know the exact terms of the separation. Am I right in thinking, that at least in the short term (for the next two years) my partner and I can both go and work in Spain? In other words, the criteria for my partner's Spanish longer-term visa (type D?) is likely to remain as before the outcome of the referendum?

The advice and info. that I have got so far from this thread has been invaluable. Thanks.

[beano2274]

until Article 50 is invoked nothing will happen, then the UK will have to talk to the EU Countries about such things as Freedom of Movement etc. so for now just go for it. Remember that changes would not happen overnight

I have the issue that my wife could get permanent residency of German in 2 years time, but just after the two year cut off period after Article 50, so it is something we are also keeping an ear to the ground about at the moment.

Edited June 24, 2016 by beano2274

[loonytunes]

Thanks Beano

And i hope things work out for you with your wife's permanent residency.