Uk Settlement Visa?

[tariq]

Evening all

My GF recently visited me on her first visitor visa and has since returned home as stated on the visa application. We've known each other for 2 years..

OK, we are considering getting married in April in LOS when I go back and then returning back to the UK together.

Although the recent trip for her was a sucessful trip and we had a lot of fun, it was a little tough for her at times as it was her first time outside of LOS away from her family and friends. She got a little bored during the days whilst I was at work.

If we get married and she comes back to the UK with me I don't think she could settle in straight away and she may need to do a few months here and a few months back home or if we could find a part-time job for her then perhaps six months here and six months in LOS would be do-able until she got used to living in the UK.

I've been looking at the UK Visa site and I beleive we need a settlement visa for her - is this right? Is this what we need and are my assumptions below correct?

A) We plan on getting married UK stylee in the UK. i.e. she is joining me as my fiancee.

A settlement visa allows her to get paid employment.

C) The visa is valid for 2 years at which point if we are still together and plan on staying together we can apply for her to stay permanently.

A couple of questions...

1) Malai is still married although she has been separated more than 2 years. Will the fact that she is married under Thai law prevent her from marrying under UK Law..apologies if that is a silly question but I honestly have no idea. Hopefully she'll be able to get her divorce sorted out by then in which case this may become irrelevant but just in case....

2) If the settlement visa is granted she will be able to pass freely between UK and LOS within the first 2 years?

Thanks for your help.

Taz...

[the scouser]

Tariq,

If you marry in Thailand in April, providing you do so at a district office (amphur), the marriage is lawful in both Thailand and the UK, so you then won't need to undergo a ceremony in the UK. Your wife-to-be will need to be divorced before she can legitimately marry again, either in Thailand or the UK. If you decide to marry in the UK, your girlfriend should apply for a fiancée visa. This is valid for 6 months and can be extended in-country once the nuptials have taken place. Whilst on a fiancée visa, your girlfriend could not work. If you marry in Thailand, you can apply for the 2-year spouse settlement visa. This costs the same as a fiancée visa and obviates one application to the Home Office, thereby saving you £335.00. The spouse settlement visa allows the holder to travel as often as they desire providing the relationship is still genuine and the other factors of the immigration rules continue to be met. However, if your girlfriend were to spend a large proportion of the 2 years outside of the UK, it is feasible that this might adversely effect the subsequent indefinite leave application.

Scouse.

[tariq]

Tariq,

This is valid for 6 months and can be extended in-country once the nuptials have taken place. Whilst on a fiancée visa, your girlfriend could not work. If you marry in Thailand, you can apply for the 2-year spouse settlement visa. Scouse.

Scouse thanks for the quick reply..

I'm a little confused though... I've seen this on the UK Visa website

"At first, you will be allowed to stay and work in the UK for two years. Near the end of this time, if you are still married and intend to continue living together, you can apply to stay permanently in the UK."

What does this wording relate to? IAt first I though it related to the fiancee visa but having re-read it, I've realised it doesn't. Does it relate to the 2 year spouse settlement visa you refer to and so she could find paid employment on that type of visa?

Thanks for the advice and help.

Cheers

Taz...

[the scouser]

Fiancée visa = 6 months and no employment.

Spouse visa = 2 years and can work.

Scouse.

[tariq]

Fiancée visa = 6 months and no employment.

Spouse visa = 2 years and can work.

Scouse.

Cheers mate...thanks for the clarification.

Taz...

[twizzian]

Hi

Can anyone tell me if its ok to write in my sponsor/ letter of relationship, regarding my wifes settlement visa, that I can safley state that I will register her with the Dentist and NHS etc when she arrives in the uk, as I have now heard that the Embassy are fearful of thai people coming here and using our free NHS service, and therefor could refuse an application on these grounds only.

My application is already submitted and now too late to change anything.

[the scouser]

Those arriving in the UK with a settlement visa are allowed to register for NHS treatment, so such an application can't be refused on those grounds.

Scouse.

[twizzian]

Thanks very much, for replying so quickly, thats a great relief to hear that

Cheers