Tougher than ever to take your Thai lady home.....

[eddysmit]

On 5/26/2017 at 5:24 PM, NanLaew said:

Thanks for the figures and link. I think that most of the noisiest complainants about UK immigration confuse the EU's Freedom of Movement act with refugee claims. The media doesn't help. For example, when they focused on the relatively few who broke into lorries at Calais or were otherwise caught in smuggling operations. Instead of headlining with "Kent police apprehended 5 illegal refugees outside Dover this morning" it should have been, "About 6000 migrants with absolutely no chance of seeing the white cliffs of Dover woke up still stuck in Calais this morning."

 

Back on topic; the current governments 'one-size fits all' approach to selective immigration is a bloody disgrace though.

You conveniently forget the illegal numbers in your estimations, and the figures for people arriving from outside the EU members countries are also far higher than you try to make out, one becomes six or seven family members following on that do not go into the audit until the following year.

[billd766]

On 26/05/2017 at 9:21 AM, Kwasaki said:

I would say it's always been a difficult task,  l don't see it being any harder than it is already if you are officially married.

 

When I married my Thai wife in the UK back in 2000 there no real financial restrictions or rules as such on her living with me in the UK.

 

However I was a contractor working offshore with no house in the UK (mine went in the divorce from my UK wife) so my Thai wife would have either been living with our friends in the UK or living back home in Thailand with her family and friends close by.

 

She preferred to do that so that is what decided to do.

 

If I was living in a decent country she would join me there. If I was out of or between jobs I would live with her in Thailand.

 

That suited both of us.

 

To be honest apart from seeimg my son, DIL and grandchildren, some old friends, the family graves and visiting places where  I used to serve in the RAF I have no desire to return to the UK to live.

[Thongkorn]

What about the Guys who bring their Thai wives to the Uk then abandoned them. I know of one who has a Thai wife thats just had a baby to him , He leaves her while he goes on his sex tourist jaunts to Thailand while his wife stays back in the UK , in Fact he has been back to Thailand more in their short time of their marriage then she has, So now the state has to support her with assistance, although not her fault, 

Edited May 28, 2017 by Thongkorn

[Tofer]

14 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

What about the Guys who bring their Thai wives to the Uk then abandoned them. I know of one who has a Thai wife thats just had a baby to him , He leaves her while he goes on his sex tourist jaunts to Thailand while his wife stays back in the UK , in Fact he has been back to Thailand more in their short time of their marriage then she has, So now the state has to support her with assistance, although not her fault, 

It's a cruel world. At least they get support from the state, what do Expats living in Thailand get when they are cleaned out? A begging bowl and a one way ticket out of here, when they can afford it, no right of residence etc.

[theoldgit]

On ‎26‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 4:01 PM, eppic said:

 

 

Actually, I am pretty sure this is not true -- I checked into it a couple of months ago.

I am American, my wife is a British citizen. She is currently not working, but raising our small child (British/American) and has only some investment income.

I believe I could settle with her in the UK if we wished, either based on my own income or my assets. At least that's how I read the rule. It would be quite a shock to find otherwise. (We will return to US or UK mostly for child educational purposes).

Not sure if this would change with the new rules as proposed.

 

 

I'm pretty sure that the post you're responding to is indeed true, if you're referring to any income from within the UK they can only be counted "Where an application relies on the earnings of the applicant, they must be in the UK with permission to work and their hours of work must not exceed any limit specified in their conditions of leave. Earnings from employment undertaken by the applicant when they did not have leave to enter or remain and permission to work (excluding those whose leave has expired within 28 days of the current application) cannot be included".

 

There have been numerous cases reported in the British press where the applicant has had the offer of a high paying job in the UK and because the sponsor hasn't met the financial requirements, the application was refused and in some cases when the applicant was already in the UK, was removed.

 

As I understand it, and I'm pretty sure I'm correct, your income cannot be counted, though joint assets and cash savings could be. 

 

This whole thing is a mess and defies logic, hopefully it will be addressed who ever takes over the reins next month.

 

 

Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement_August_2015.pdf

[bert bloggs]

On 5/26/2017 at 9:57 AM, oxo1947 said:

Oh yes just jump on the nearest airline & fly in........you might even be lucky and get an upgrade to business class..............

Dont be silly ,you must jump of the back of a lorry in Dover,you expect a little hardship .

[claffey]

On 5/26/2017 at 2:27 PM, MrBanks said:

I see nothing wrong with this, the current threshold is only £18,600 and rises if the spouse has non European children. In my opinion if a person wants to marry someone who is not a British citizen then that person needs to be aware of ALL his or her responsibilities including the financial aspects. Life is tough, if you are a pauper and fall in love with someone from a foreign country either go live there or get off your arse and earn more, don't bring your loved one to Britain and expect the tax payer to pay for their life and yours. In the event that for some physical or mental reason you cannot go and earn more, then I am sorry I refer you back to my statement "life is tough".

 

And what happens to people who, for some reason cannot find work? Maybe they are disabled, uneducated (due to the failings of the UK education system), too old to work but have remarried etc etc etc. ????? Isn't it their right to be able to live in their home country with their own family??? Its a Human rights issue and a disgrace on the Conservative party that they are even considering this. Of course they represent the elite and wealthy who scoff, just like you, at the 'low' threshold of 18,600 pounds. Did you know that that threshold could also include lower and recently paid graduates in professional occupations? Another question for you. Some people are living abroad for many years and would find it difficult to find a job in the UK while being resident abroad. I know some people who were offered interviews face to face even though they lived here. Some British companies refuse to do Skype interviews. So some people cannot get a job before applying for a visa for their spouse. Therefore they cant return home..

 

I hope you or yours never end up in this position. Remember no one is fallible and anyone can become sick or jobless...

 

Your attitude is appalling and smacks of being a Conservative. They are doing such a great job aren't they?!!!

[claffey]

You are all forgetting that this is not just a financial issue. It is a human rights issue. Under EU Freedom of Movement laws every EU Citizen has the right to live with his family in his own country. Oh wait. You all voted to leave the EU!! Well just over half of you... The Conservatives need to be defeated or the UK will be in even deeper trouble than it is now. The Conservatives only care about themselves and maintaining the Elite. Remember it was Theresa May who brought in this law in the first place as Home Secretary. Her family are obviously all white,British and wealthy so she doesnt give a ### about anyone else...

[Thai Ron]

On 5/26/2017 at 8:49 AM, bert bloggs said:

Its always easy to hit the good immegrants , so they do it ,at the end of the day when the govt comes out and says "we have cut immegration " it looks good , but nobody asks "who were the ones you stopped"  invariably it was the ones that were no problem ,while the usual suspects just waltz in .

Can you define a "good" immigrant? Anyone vouched for by a white male??

 

I don't see any government being stupid enough to place the responsibility for determining whether or not someone is a good immigrant in the hands of the typical Brit in Thailand.

[GarryP]

4 minutes ago, claffey said:

You are all forgetting that this is not just a financial issue. It is a human rights issue. Under EU Freedom of Movement laws every EU Citizen has the right to live with his family in his own country. Oh wait. You all voted to leave the EU!! Well just over half of you... The Conservatives need to be defeated or the UK will be in even deeper trouble than it is now. The Conservatives only care about themselves and maintaining the Elite. Remember it was Theresa May who brought in this law in the first place as Home Secretary. Her family are obviously all white,British and wealthy so she doesnt give a ### about anyone else...

But if it is not a financial issue, are you okay with the state financing/subsidizing a pensioner living with his Thai wife ?  Hypothetically, (I am not entitled to a state pension), if I decided to return to the UK because of free health care and to bring my Thai wife with me despite having insufficient savings, that would be fine with you? It is my human right to live in the UK with my Thai wife? 

 

I think you need judge each case on its merits. One size does not fit all. 

[claffey]

1 minute ago, GarryP said:

But if it is not a financial issue, are you okay with the state financing/subsidizing a pensioner living with his Thai wife ?  Hypothetically, (I am not entitled to a state pension), if I decided to return to the UK because of free health care and to bring my Thai wife with me despite having insufficient savings, that would be fine with you? It is my human right to live in the UK with my Thai wife? 

 

I think you need judge each case on its merits. One size does not fit all. 

The nationality of the spouse should not be relevant. The fact is that its the spouse of a British citizen. Therefore, yes I would be OK with the state providing support for them. Especially if the British citizen has worked and paid tax in Britain during his lifetime. Someone who has worked all their lives should be able to spend his last years in Britain with his wife...

[GarryP]

11 minutes ago, claffey said:

The nationality of the spouse should not be relevant. The fact is that its the spouse of a British citizen. Therefore, yes I would be OK with the state providing support for them. Especially if the British citizen has worked and paid tax in Britain during his lifetime. Someone who has worked all their lives should be able to spend his last years in Britain with his wife...

So you would be happy with a retiree hooking up with a foreign woman on the internet, or while on holiday, marrying her and bringing her to live in the UK, even though his pension and savings are insufficient to support them both. You would have the state subsidize that relationship. What an altruistic fellow you are.  Like I said, you need to judge each case on its merits. 

[claffey]

2 minutes ago, GarryP said:

So you would be happy with a retiree hooking up with a foreign woman on the internet, or while on holiday, marrying her and bringing her to live in the UK, even though his pension and savings are insufficient to support them both. You would have the state subsidize that relationship. What an altruistic fellow you are.  Like I said, you need to judge each case on its merits. 

No. I agree every case should be on a case by case basis. Obviously a proper relationship needs to be approved by the consulate or embassy. We were discussing the financial implications of the threshold. I was not talking about online relationships or Human trafficking but true relationships. 

 

I'm not altruistic. The laws of the EU state that every citizen has the right to live with their families. Britain arrogantly ignored this law and applied unfair restrictions on the Non EU spouses of British citizens. Many families with children have been broken up because of this ruling. One lady's Japanese husband had to leave the UK while she was due to give birth to their child. The Japanese man had a good salary but it didn't count as its the British citizens salary that does. He was contributing to society and his family were punished and separated because of the racist policies of May and her conservatives cronies. 

 

The restrictions are quite clearly unfair as stated by the Supreme Court. May is going to back them even more unfair even after the judiciary said they were unfair. 

 

I hope this ruling doesn't effect you or your family some day...

[GarryP]

1 hour ago, claffey said:

No. I agree every case should be on a case by case basis. Obviously a proper relationship needs to be approved by the consulate or embassy. We were discussing the financial implications of the threshold. I was not talking about online relationships or Human trafficking but true relationships. 

 

I'm not altruistic. The laws of the EU state that every citizen has the right to live with their families. Britain arrogantly ignored this law and applied unfair restrictions on the Non EU spouses of British citizens. Many families with children have been broken up because of this ruling. One lady's Japanese husband had to leave the UK while she was due to give birth to their child. The Japanese man had a good salary but it didn't count as its the British citizens salary that does. He was contributing to society and his family were punished and separated because of the racist policies of May and her conservatives cronies. 

 

The restrictions are quite clearly unfair as stated by the Supreme Court. May is going to back them even more unfair even after the judiciary said they were unfair. 

 

I hope this ruling doesn't effect you or your family some day...

Got you. I think I we were speaking at cross purposes.  The example you have provided, shows that the system is screwed up. Not sure it was intentionally racist though. 

 

Luckily, these laws will not impact me as I will continue to live in Thailand until it is time for the long sleep.  

[Bangkok Barry]

6 hours ago, theoldgit said:

 

This whole thing is a mess and defies logic, hopefully it will be addressed who ever takes over the reins next month.

 

 

Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement_August_2015.pdf

 

Nothing will change as there are no votes in it.

[Thongkorn]

8 hours ago, Tofer said:

It's a cruel world. At least they get support from the state, what do Expats living in Thailand get when they are cleaned out? A begging bowl and a one way ticket out of here, when they can afford it, no right of residence etc.

Yes and the British public pick  up the bill. The diffrence is the Girls think they are coming to a better life, but Ex pats choose to live their life style,

Edited May 29, 2017 by Thongkorn

[sammieuk1]

On ‎26‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 2:27 PM, MrBanks said:

I see nothing wrong with this, the current threshold is only £18,600 and rises if the spouse has non European children. In my opinion if a person wants to marry someone who is not a British citizen then that person needs to be aware of ALL his or her responsibilities including the financial aspects. Life is tough, if you are a pauper and fall in love with someone from a foreign country either go live there or get off your arse and earn more, don't bring your loved one to Britain and expect the tax payer to pay for their life and yours. In the event that for some physical or mental reason you cannot go and earn more, then I am sorry I refer you back to my statement "life is tough".

 

Ok for you HiSo.

[Tofer]

5 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

Yes and the British public pick  up the bill. The diffrence is the Girls think they are coming to a better life, but Ex pats choose to live their life style,

Thai girl marries British man, goes to UK. British man marries Thai girl, goes to Thailand. What's the difference? We all choose our own lifestyles, unless they've been trafficked.

 

My wife spent 22 years in UK with me. I'm not that chauvinistic to expect everything is done on my terms. Promised to retire in Thailand which is where her roots and family are, not altogether altruistic as I love Thailand also. But I can guarantee, under whatever circumstances, Thailand will never pick up the bill.

[robblok]

So you would be happy with a retiree hooking up with a foreign woman on the internet, or while on holiday, marrying her and bringing her to live in the UK, even though his pension and savings are insufficient to support them both. You would have the state subsidize that relationship. What an altruistic fellow you are.  Like I said, you need to judge each case on its merits. 

People are often altruistic if they are not paying for it. He wants the state to pay for it. But if it was said he would have to pay an extra 1000 gbp tax for it he might not want it.

Its so easy to spend others money socialists are real good at it. Its all ok until the taxes get too high and working is no longer profitable.

Lets tax the high incomes and soon nobody studies or takes a hard job as the extra pay gets taxed too much.

I get it why there tax.. just feel it should not be too high so restrictions on welfare are needed.

[elliss]

On 5/26/2017 at 2:27 PM, MrBanks said:

I see nothing wrong with this, the current threshold is only £18,600 and rises if the spouse has non European children. In my opinion if a person wants to marry someone who is not a British citizen then that person needs to be aware of ALL his or her responsibilities including the financial aspects. Life is tough, if you are a pauper and fall in love with someone from a foreign country either go live there or get off your arse and earn more, don't bring your loved one to Britain and expect the tax payer to pay for their life and yours. In the event that for some physical or mental reason you cannot go and earn more, then I am sorry I refer you back to my statement "life is tough".

 

     Only £18.600 ,  small change ,  for the  average  ex working class ,  Alien/ farlang .

       I just have to cut back , and stay in with her , one night a mounth . Omg .

[Scooby and Puppy]

The government doesn't want it to be like that, but their hands are tied by EU rules on immigration... when we are out, then things can change, but don't hold your breath on that happening soon.

[robblok]

The government doesn't want it to be like that, but their hands are tied by EU rules on immigration... when we are out, then things can change, but don't hold your breath on that happening soon.

They went out of the EU for tougher immigration laws... so do you really think they will make it easier ?

[DLang]

On 5/26/2017 at 3:25 AM, SunsetT said:

New proposals from the Conservative Govt. will make it even tougher to take your Thai lady to live the UK with you......if they win the upcoming election.

 

Meet and seduce an educated Thai girl that is already there. There are plenty of Thai university students studying in UK universities.  

[Thongkorn]

9 hours ago, DLang said:

 

Meet and seduce an educated Thai girl that is already there. There are plenty of Thai university students studying in UK universities.  

An educated Thai women would not want to marry a falang, its below them

[eppic]

On 5/29/2017 at 8:18 AM, theoldgit said:

 

I'm pretty sure that the post you're responding to is indeed true, if you're referring to any income from within the UK they can only be counted "Where an application relies on the earnings of the applicant, they must be in the UK with permission to work and their hours of work must not exceed any limit specified in their conditions of leave. Earnings from employment undertaken by the applicant when they did not have leave to enter or remain and permission to work (excluding those whose leave has expired within 28 days of the current application) cannot be included".

 

There have been numerous cases reported in the British press where the applicant has had the offer of a high paying job in the UK and because the sponsor hasn't met the financial requirements, the application was refused and in some cases when the applicant was already in the UK, was removed.

 

As I understand it, and I'm pretty sure I'm correct, your income cannot be counted, though joint assets and cash savings could be. 

 

This whole thing is a mess and defies logic, hopefully it will be addressed who ever takes over the reins next month.

 

 

Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement_August_2015.pdf

I was going by memory and was quite certain that in m case, we would (or should) not have an issue.

 

I believe your interpretation is correct for earned income -- it appears this must be sourced in the UK for applicant and/or sponsor.

 

However, there is also an asset test that can be met with savings/investment accounts and it clearly states that these accounts may be held in other countries -- they can be joint or in applicant or sponsors' name, but need to have been above the minimum level for at least six months.

 

Alternatively, a combination method can be used with assets and investment income, and it appears (not completely clear) that the investment income could also come from outside the UK.

 

In any case, upon re-reading the actual rule (sections 6 and 7), I am still confident that we could easily qualify in our own situation, as could most any "Thai millionaire" or even a couple with equivalent of GBP62.5k in savings, which is the specific example to which I was responding.

 

I realize this wouldn't help many or most people, and the rule that earned income must be from within the UK seems especially egregious.

 

Following link for publication of May 2016:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/525708/Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement.pdf

Edited May 30, 2017 by eppic
add date

[elliss]

On 5/29/2017 at 2:50 PM, Thongkorn said:

Yes and the British public pick  up the bill. The diffrence is the Girls think they are coming to a better life, but Ex pats choose to live their life style,

         Ex pats , chose to the the UK , Live  with it,  in LOS.

Edited May 30, 2017 by elliss

[Tofer]

11 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

An educated Thai women would not want to marry a falang, its below them

Wow - Racist or what!

 

Didn't Princess Ubolratana marry a farang?

[DLang]

13 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

An educated Thai women would not want to marry a falang, its below them

For you maybe.

 

You might be unaware that the ex-King's daughter married a 'falang' from Denmark.

[NanLaew]

13 hours ago, Thongkorn said:

An educated Thai women would not want to marry a falang, its below them

... but surely only if she's on top.

[AlexRich]

As you are more likely to suffer a harsh divorce settlement in the UK, it may in fact be a saving grace for some.