If any one can give me advice on the following it would be much appreciated.I

will marry my fiance on dec 2 in Blackpool U.K. We fly to Thailand on 31 dec

for 3 weeks and would hope to bring her 9 year old daughter back with us. I know

it wont be plain sailing so if anyone could give any advice i.e. forms, phones

no.s which dept.etc i would be very grateful.One other problem is the father of

the child (whos not been seen for years) has just reared his head and it is

obvious what he wants. I am far from being rich so any tips would be greatly

appreciated. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. Steve (Blue Moon Kipper)

See also Juvenile Visa, to the UK and related links.

I don't wish to disrupt your plans, but what visa does your girlfriend currently have? If it's a fiancée visa, failure to extend it prior to leaving for Thailand will mean that she must then apply for another visa at the embassy in Bangkok in order to enable her to return. You may be able to do this in person at the Home Office Public Enquiry Office in Liverpool, but the cost is £500.00 for the same-day service.

Scouse.

If it's a fiancée visa, failure to extend it prior to leaving for Thailand will mean that she must then apply for another visa at the embassy in Bangkok in order to enable her to return.

Are you sure, Scouse?

As far as I'm aware there is no compulsion for the holder of a fiance visa to apply for FLR immediately after the marriage, simply that they must do so before the fiance visa expires. Also, fiance visas are multi entry, are they not?. If so, then surely she can take this trip and apply for FLR upon her return? Provided the fiance visa doesn't expire in the mean time, of course.

Once the marriage has occurred, the original purpose of the fiancée visa has been removed. Therefore, should someone seek entry on a fiancée visa when already married, they could be refused leave to enter. Even worse, a switched on check-in agent might even deny boarding for the flight back to the UK.

It's actually quite a common occurrence and when I were a lad it was common for the spouse visa requirement to be waived where refusal would be punitive. However, I don't know how the Immigration Service approaches such matters now, especially as the IOs have lost so much of their discretion.

Ultimately, I'd rather play it safe and get the extension prior to departure, although as the OP is already going to Thailand, it would at least be cheaper for his wife to apply for a spouse visa at the embassy in Bangkok (£260.00) than to seek an in-country extension (£335.00/£500.00).

Scouse.

I see what you're saying, but it does seem a bit harsh. Surely it is not unreasonable for a couple to want to take a honeymoon outside the UK without having to wait until the non British spouse has FLR!

But roolz is roolz!

Good point on the cost of a spouse visa vs FLR!