Wish to settle in the UK, looking for advice

[thairat]

I am presently living in Thailand and wish to settle in the UK

• I have a British passport since childhood, but never worked in the UK
• Ms degree from university in US
• I have a Thai wife with ms degree (thesis written in English) from Thamassart Univ.
• Married by Thai ceremony only about 7 years ago and know each other for an additional 3 years
• We have a child in primary school who was born in Thailand who has a British passport.
• I have relatives in the UK
• I receive no pension but have liquid assets to support living in UK for several years.
• I am about 60 years old.

It appears the are multiple hoops to jump, but is settlement for me and my family a viable option? If so where to start!

I am digesting this information now.

Appreciate any assistance.

kind regards

[theoldgit]

I've moved your question from the pinned topic and created your own thread, you probably wont get a response by asking on the pinned topic.

As a UK passport holder you can live in the UK at any time, it doesn't matter that you've never worked there, as your child has a UK passport he can also settle in the UK without the need for a visa.

Your degree and your relatives in the UK wouldn't come into the equation.

Your Thai ceremony isn't classed as a legal marriage, but providing you can provide evidence to satisfy the Entry Clearance Office, who is the decision maker, that you've been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for more than two years, which you seem able to do, she can apply for a settlement visa as your unmarried partner - or you could go to the local Amphur with the relevant documents and get married.

To sponsor your partner you would need to provide evidence that you have gross income of £18,600 pa, as your child has a UK passport the figure is not increased for him. You have suggested that you have no income but do have liquid assets, if you have no income whatsoever you would need to provide details of savings in excess of £62,500, this figure can be reduced if you do actually have some income, the details are in the attached document, Meeting the Financial Requirements.

A settlement visa is initially for 30 months after which your partner would need to apply for further leave to remain, the financial requirements need to be met at this stage as well. After a further 30 months she can apply for indefinite leave to remain, which can be the precursor to citizenship, she would need to meet the financial requirements at this stage as well.

Your wife would have to pay a NHS surcharge in addition to the visa application fee on her first application and again at the FLR stage, but not at the ILR stage, you and your child are not liable for that charge.

Your wife might have to demonstrate that she can speak English at a basic level though this requirement can be waived if her degree was taught or researched in English.

You might find this other pinned topic helpful UK settlement visa basics

Financial Requirement Guidance.pdf

[TCA]

Thread already below:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/914380-settlement-in-uk-with-thai-wife-and-child/

[theoldgit]

Thanks TCA, I didn't notice that.

I'll close this thread.