Getting your wife to England

[filch]

So, it's been a fun and crazy 15 years here. Now it's time to get the wife and daughter back home to England.

Daughter has dual citizenship, no worries there. But I'm sick and tired of reading the UK.GOV website regarding the rules regarding the missus visa. From what I understand, the 21,400 quid a year for spouse, no not spouse visa, it's a settlement visa! Is it a settlement visa?! 2.5 years pre 2012, 5 years, 10 years? post 2012! WTF. Just spell it out.

Ok, so I have the job in now in the UK making the right amount of money - with 6 months worth of proof.

Now make it absolutely and stupidly clear what is involved after Mrs. May. What is the 5 year versus the 10 year difference?

Also the latest changes to the NHS requirements and the healthcare surcharge. Your website speaks no English to a native English speaker. Links here and there. Get your shit together UK.GOV.

Damn. I'll just grab a flight and find out what the fuck is up. In the meantime, if you could calm my wife down that would be champion.

Cheers.

P.S. Advice from previous escapee's appreciated.

[Neverna]

There's a thread here with a very useful and detailed post with the info asked for. I tried to look for it yesterday but I couldn't find it. I expect it's still here though, just needs more time spent searching for it.




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[boloa]

There's a thread here with a very useful and detailed post with the info asked for. I tried to look for it yesterday but I couldn't find it. I expect it's still here though, just needs more time spend searching for it.

I think this is the most recent one

https://teakdoor.com/thai-visas-and-v...your-wife.html (Tips + tricks to help get your wife settled legally in the UK)

[Gazza]

Wouldn't this be better in the Visa forum? At least then it would be viewable to Guests and Newbies?
May get more responses.

[Chittychangchang]

You’ll need a ‘family of a settled person’ visa if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and you want to join, for 6 months or more, a partner or family member who’s living in the UK permanently.

You don’t need a ‘family of a settled person’ visa to visit your family for up to 6 months, but you should check if you need a Family Visitor visa.

Your family member can:

be a British citizen
have settled in the UK
have asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to:

join your partner (spouse, fiancé(e), civil or unmarried partner)
join your parent
come to look after your child
come to be looked after by family
Exceptions
You may need to apply in a different way if:

your partner is from the EEA
you’re inside the UK
you want to reunite with a partner or parent who has asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK
How long it takes
You should get a decision on your visa within 12 weeks. Check the guide to processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in your country.

Fees
Your situation Fee
Joining your partner or parent £1,195
Coming to look after your child £1,195
Adult who needs to be looked after by a relative £2,676
You may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you need to pay before you apply.

What you can and can’t do with your visa
You can use your ‘family of a settled person’ visa to:

work (you can’t work if you’ve got a visa to get married or to become civil partners)
study
You can’t get public funds for yourself and any dependants.

Extend your stay
You may be able to apply to extend your visa or settle in the UK permanently.

Eligibility
To apply for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa, you must be from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Your partner or family member must have one of the following:

British citizenship
settlement in the UK
asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK
You must also prove that:

you’re 18 or over, unless you’re applying as a child
your relationship to your family member is genuine and recognised in the UK, eg your marriage is legal in your country
you intend to continue living with your family member or partner in the UK after you apply (unless you’re a parent who has access to the child)
you and your family will have an adequate place to live in the UK
you have a good knowledge of English if you’re 18 or over - unless you’re applying as an adult dependent relative
Your application might be refused if, for example, you’ve:

got a criminal record in the UK or in another country
provided false or incomplete information to the Home Office
Read the full guidance on refusals.

Joining your partner
You must prove that you and your partner are 18 or over and in a genuine relationship.

You must be one of the following:

married or civil partners
living together in a relationship for 2 years
engaged to be married or to become civil partners
You must prove that any previous relationships you or your partner had are permanently broken down.

You must also meet the financial requirement of:

£18,600 per year if you’re applying only for yourself
£22,400 per year for you and one child
£2,400 per year for each additional child
Download ‘Annex FM 1.7: financial requirement’ (PDF, 478KB)

You won’t need to prove you have this money if you or your partner get certain disability benefits or Carer’s Allowance, but you’ll need to adequately accommodate and support yourselves and any dependants.

You’re engaged

You must prove that you plan to marry or become civil partners within 6 months of arriving in the UK.

You won’t be able to work during your engagement.

Bringing your children

Your children must be under 18.

You must name your children on your application, but you’ll need to apply for them separately.

Joining your parents
You must be under 18 and all of the following must apply:

you’ll be living with your parent or parents
you’re not married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life
you’ll be supported and accommodated adequately without using public funds, or you meet the financial requirement
Coming to look after your child
Your child must be under 18, living in the UK, and either a British citizen or settled in the UK.

You must prove that either:

you’re the only parent of the child and you’re the only person who’s responsible for them (you have ‘sole responsibility’)
your child lives permanently with another parent or carer who’s British or settled in the UK and not your partner, and you want to help raise them (you’ll need to prove you have access to your child in person, either agreed with the other parent or carer, or by a court order)
You must also:

prove you’re taking an active role in the child’s upbringing
be able to support and accommodate yourself without claiming public funds
If you’re the partner of the child’s parent you must apply to join as a partner.

Coming to be cared for - you’re an adult dependent relative
You must be dependent on a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter who is living permanently in the UK.

You must prove that:

you need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or your age
the care you need is not available or affordable in the country you live in
the person you’ll be joining in the UK will be able to support, accommodate and care for you without claiming public funds for at least 5 years
you’re 18 or over

https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk/eligibility

It's all in the link above, although it's very different now to 12 years ago when i went through the process.

All the best

CCC

[Loy Toy]

Hey Filch, long time no see.

I am happy to see you have settled down and have a family in tow and looking to build your life together.

I also hope that this thing can get settled quickly and does not disrupt your daughter's education.

All the very best mate.

[adzt1]

the visa you need is FLR (M) 5 year (income proof) 0r 10 year ( no proof),

cost abt £1200 , NHS surcharge abt £600

all the same paperwork needed as a tourist visa but looking at the sponsor a little more, so you will need 6 months payslips with bank statements that are branch STAMPED , letter from employer etc

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...R_M__04-16.pdf


You have to fill out the application form at UK visa and immigration then fill out the APPENDIX that goes with it . Downloaded from a different address ????

and yes its not all on the same page nor even the same site ,
and no there is not even a checklist provided ,

dont miss anything as it will get refused and the money has gone ,
they will refund the NHS charge but not the visa ,

can take 1 week to 12

[adzt1]

the link is here , there seems to be two sites ( both .gov)

I found this one easier

https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome

than this one

https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa

[Neverna]

the visa you need is FLR (M) 5 year (income proof) 0r 10 year ( no proof),

Surely not. FLR is Further Leave to Remain (application for an extension of stay in the UK). The OP is looking for a visa for his wife to enter the country.

Now it's time to get the wife and daughter back home to England.

[adzt1]

Whoops ,, that was the second half ,,
This one
https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk/overview

or a tourist visa , £80 per year , max stay 6 months back to back ( will need a Shengen visa to fill the gap)

[Conche]

( will need a Shengen visa to fill the gap)

Shengan visa ?? whats Shengan got to do with the UK ?

[Conche]

So, it's been a fun and crazy 15 years here. Now it's time to get the wife and daughter back home to England.

I think the guy is after PERMANANT LEAVE TO REMAIN for his wife not any form of visitor arrangement .

Unfortunately there is NO shortcut to permanant residency here , you will have to go through each part bit by bit .

There is currently only one task harder in the UK and that is getting a journey on any Southern Rail train

[somtamslap]

There is currently only one task harder in the UK and that is getting a journey on any Southern Rail train

And now a bloody sinkhole has opened between East Croydon and London Bridge.

How convenient.

Break the application down into very small and manageable chunks.

Filch, has the mrs done her English and TB tests yet?

These are the most time consuming components of the entire process, so are worth addressing asap.

[Conche]

And now a bloody sinkhole has opened between East Croydon and London Bridge.

Brighton station is also now closed today at the other end of the line

[Chittychangchang]

The English tests are a big obstacle for many Thais coming to the UK.

Knowledge of English
You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you’re applying in a 10-year route.

You can prove your knowledge of English by either:

passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening
having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree
You may be able to meet the English language requirement in other ways – check the guidance for the Partner (2-year and 5-year routes) or the guidance for other routes.

Thailand's Authorized BULATS Agent

65/35 Chamnan Phenjati Bldg., 2nd Floor
Rama 9 Road, Huay Kwang, Bangkok 10310
Tel: 02-245-3632
http://www.vantage-siam.com

Documents you must provide
You need to provide documents for you and any ‘dependants’ (partner or children) who are applying with you.

You must provide:

a current passport or other valid travel ID
previous passports
2 passport size colour photographs
proof of your partner or child’s British citizenship or immigration status in the UK
proof of your relationship to your partner or child
any other documents that prove you meet the eligibility requirements
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Read your application form for a list of the documents you need to provide.

Make a list and chip away at it, you'll get there.

[PAG]

( will need a Shengen visa to fill the gap)

Shengan visa ?? whats Shengan got to do with the UK ?

I believe he means the requirement to leave the UK between the 2 six month halves of the one year visa. Hence a Shengen visa required to enter the surrounding EU.

[adzt1]

( will need a Shengen visa to fill the gap)

Shengan visa ?? whats Shengan got to do with the UK ?

I believe he means the requirement to leave the UK between the 2 six month halves of the one year visa. Hence a Shengen visa required to enter the surrounding EU.

Correct ,
applying for Leave to Enter is expensive / takes 5 years / a few tests and quite a bit of proof plus you must stay in the UK for 75% of the time,

We was not sure what we wanted to do at first so used the tourist visa as it gave us a chance to experience the UK without any commitment and complete the English test ,

Apply for 2yr tourist visa (2yr for the price of 1) then apply for a Shengen visa that starts in 3 months and valid for 6 from start date,

Fly to UK 6 months /short break in europe then another 6 months in UK then fly to BKK to obtain another Shengen visa etc.

You will be questioned at the UK boarders /council tax etc but be sure to deny you are LIVING in the UK

A lot of messing about but it fitted in with our lifestyle / gave me a chance to find work and get 6 months payslips and gave my wife a chance to breeze through any English test

I either of those two routes don't seem good you can always try the Surinder Singh route
https://www.freemovement.org.uk/suri...gration-route/

[adzt1]

Also to obtain a Shengen visa your marriage cert (if Thai) will need to be "Apostilled" or "Legalized"

Many hoops to jump through!

[Neverna]

applying for Leave to Enter is expensive / takes 5 years / a few tests and quite a bit of proof plus you must stay in the UK for 75% of the time,

You are confused again. Leave to enter is the initial visa to enter the country.

Apply for 2yr tourist visa (2yr for the price of 1) then apply for a Shengen visa that starts in 3 months and valid for 6 from start date,

Fly to UK 6 months /short break in europe then another 6 months in UK then fly to BKK to obtain another Shengen visa etc.

You will be questioned at the UK boarders /council tax etc but be sure to deny you are LIVING in the UK

What a foolish thing to suggest. That could ruin her chance of being allowed into the UK and perhaps even later getting a settlement visa.

[adzt1]

^ done that for the last 3 years , staying in the UK for 6 months is different from living in the UK for 6 months ,
The immigration officer always asks "are you intending to live in the UK?" answer is "NO we are staying in the UK", No lies no Fibs just watch your words!

If the OP can show proof of income from pensions etc he can apply for the Leave to Enter but if not he must leave his family in Thailand whilst he finds work and completes at least 6 months PAYE work.

Something I did not want to do without my Family

^ Leave to enter is a 30 day pass to get into the UK with a married spouse , you then have 10 days to collect your biometric UK resident Permit, that PERMIT is valid for 2 years and 9 months (cost 1200 plus NHS surcharge at 600 ) , you need all normal visa papers plus financial /TB and spoken English for 6 minutes

[CaptainNemo]

It all seems so complicated...
I knew it was tougher, but I thought it was just a matter of if you're a median earner, with a house and a stable non-shady past... for both the foreign applicant and the hosting spouse. All this business about "staying" and "tourist visas" seems odd.
I appreciate this is not a popular view, but I do wonder why people form relationships with foreigners who are likely to have an uphill struggle joining them in their country. Not suggesting that it's the best they can get, but that it's not really thinking it all through and setting yourself up for stress and expense.
I would have thought in terms of planning a life together, you would aim for a pool of partners who might be able to get into the country on a work visa, because life in the UK is not cheap, and they probably will need to work; Thais can get very isolated if they don't break out of the mental moo-baan, and build friendships and work-related relationships. It's no good them just joining the local Thai coven.
On the other hand, I do find it odd that someone who has a long-standing marriage, of 15 years, with a dual national child would have anything to worry about... the child's rights to a parent should be enough. I wonder, is the child turning 16 got something to do with returning to the UK? Not just for their further/higher ed, but to get in before the child-parent case weakens?

[Bobcock]

Jesus, it has all changed.......

My wife and I did a 6 month stay, followed by another 6 month stay at the end of which we got married. We then got a lawyer to submit a leave to remain application which gave her one year and at the end of that submitted a permanent leave to remain application without a lawyer. That was meant to take 3 months to approve and yet was returned within a week. It seemed to swing on a reference letter from the Lord Mayor of London. Bullshit I know but it worked and I didn't give a shit. Five years later she applied for citizenship although we were told afterwards it could have been three as the law changed and we didn't know.

It was all easy peasy......

My advice.... Get a time machine and go back to 1992

[somtamslap]

My advice.... Get a time machine and go back to 1992

That's, errr... that's fantastic advice, Bob.

Actually, no. That's rubbish advice, Bob.

[Iceman123]

^
Not a bad idea Bobcock. Will your wife be able to leave the her cot to join you?

[Bobcock]

If I married her in 1992 then I suspect she was old enough at that time.....