Everything You Need To Know About Visa Options and Documents for Thai Spouses Immigrating to the UK
When applying for a UK visa, there are two options that you can choose from: fiancée or spouse. Between the two, the latter is highly recommended as this spares you from switching and then applying for another visa after the wedding.
Moreover, a fiancée visa will only be approved if you are engaged to an EU citizen who has a five-year residence permit. If your partner is British, there is a huge possibility that a fiancée visa will be refused. A spouse visa, on the other hand, gives you an opportunity to work in the UK upon your arrival once it is approved.
Keep in mind though, that you have to be legally married and that it is registered at the local Amphur (district office), because a Buddhist marriage ceremony alone is not qualified for a UK spouse visa. Aside from this, you also need to check your eligibility.
• A marriage visa of a 2-year probationary period will be granted if you have been together for less than four years. After two years, an indefinite leave to remain (UK permanent residence) is usually given, provided that you are still married.
• Permanent residence will be granted without the 2-year probationary period if you and your partner have been together for four years or more outside the UK.
• You and your partner must have personally met prior to your application. Proof that will establish a genuine ongoing relationship is required.
• Your spouse or partner must have a recent permit to stay which does not fall under tiers 1, 2, or 5 of the point-based system.
• You and your spouse must be 18 years old and above. For comprehensive information on eligibility concerns, visit the UK Border Agency.
If you are eligible and you meet the suitability, financial and English language requirement, you can then work to complete the essential documents. Know that you must submit or send all original copies of the following:
• Passport and 2 recent photographs
• Proof that you and your partner are of legal age
• Certificate of marriage or civil partnership
• Proof of a settled divorce or legal separation, if either of you was previously married or in a civil partnership.
• Evidence that you have adequate English-speaking ability (English language test result certificate or certificate of an English degree award)
• Proof that you and your partner have already met before the marriage (e.g. photos together, phone bills, money transfer receipts, letters, etc.)
• Evidence that you meet the financial requirement through your sponsor if you do not have enough savings of your own
In line with the last requirement, it is important that your partner must earn at least £22,400 and another £2,400 for every child that you wish to bring along. That is, if you have children.
However, a financial requirement is unnecessary or that you will be exempted from the rule if your partner or sponsor relies only on a carer’s or disability-related allowance. Still, he or she must provide evidence that he or she will be able to accommodate you and your needs despite not having access to public funds.
Once you have gathered all the required documents, you can now choose to apply online or offline. Either way, you would still need to complete and submit an online visa application form. Making an appointment to visit the visa application centre is done online as well. If you successfully get a date, you can then submit your documents and biometric information at the VFS visa application center in Bangkok.
Address: Regent House 1st Floor 183 Rajdamri Road Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
As for paying for your visa, you have three options to choose from:
• Any Bank of Ayudhya branches through a cashier cheque
• Any bank outside of Bangkok through a bank draft
• Any bank in Bangkok through a cashier cheque or bank draft
Regardless of the transaction you choose, the cheque or bank draft must be made payable to The British Embassy, Bangkok. Because it takes as long as three months for your visa application to be processed, you are highly advised not to finalize your travel plans until you are certain that you have been approved to visit the UK to be with your partner.
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