UK marriage VISA UK Visa for Thai Spouse

Free Legal Guide

The  UK   Spouse   Visa   /   Civil   Partner   Visa   is  given   initially   for   a   two-­‐year   probationary  period  and  can   lead   to   Indefinite  Leave   to  Remain   (ILR)   and   British   nationality.   If  however,   the   couple  has   been  married   or  has  been  in  a  civil  partnership  for    at  least  four  years  and  have  been  living  together  outside  of  the  UK  during  that  time,  an  application  for  ILR  can  be  made  immediately.    Whilst  submitting  the  UK  visa  application,  applicants  for  a  Spouse/  Civil  Partner  Visa  must  demonstrate  that  they  are  legally  married  to,  or  in  a  Civil  Partnership  with  a  partner  who  is   a   British   National   or   permanent   resident.   This   person   must   be   their   genuine  spouse/partner  and  the  couple  must  intend  to  live  together  in  the  UK.  To   obtain   a   Spouse   /   Civil   Partner   Visa   it   is   necessary   for   you   to   fulfill   the   basic  

prerequisites   set   out   by   the   UK   Immigration   Authorities.   Regardless   of   whether   the  application   is  made   in   the  UK,   abroad,   or   if   you   are   applying   for   an   extension   (where  applicable),  the  main  requirements  are  similar.    

If  you  have  been  together  for  less  than  four  years  you  are  granted  a  marriage  visa  for  a  probationary  period  of  two  years.  If  you  are  still  married  and  living  together  at  the  end  of  two  years  in  the  UK  permanent  residence  (properly  known  as  indefinite  leave  to  remain)  will  usually  be  granted.    

 

What are the Requirements?

           

If  you  have  been  together  for  four  years  or  more  outside  the  UK  you  will  be  granted  indefinite  leave  to  remain  (permanent  residence)  in  the  UK  without  having  to  live  in  the  UK  for  two  years.    

The  UK  citizen  or  permanent  resident  must  have  actually  met  their  non-­‐UK  spouse.  This  is  to  prevent  a  situation  that  occurs  sometimes  in  arranged  marriages  where  the  husband  and  wife  have  never  met.  You  have  to  present  pieces  of  evidence  to  establish  your  genuine  on-­‐going  relationship  i.e.  photos  together,  correspondence  exchanges,  money  transfer  receipts,  phone  bills,  among  others.  

     To  qualify  for  an  Entry  Clearance  or  Further  Leave  to  Remain  application  as  a  Spouse  /  Civil  Partner  for  a  2  year  probationary  period  there  are  basic  requirements  that  must  be  at  least  18  years  old,  have  met  and  be  legally  married  OR  have  undergone  a  civil  partnership  registration.  You  will  also  need  to  prove  that  your  relationship  is  of  a  genuine  and  continuing  nature.  

   

Settlement Visa Process Overview (inside Thailand)

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A  UK  Settlement  visa  such  as  the  Spouse  Visa  can  be  applied  for  in  Thailand.  The  British  Embassy  Bangkok  is  in  partnership  with  VFS  (Thailand)  also  known  as  the  UK  Visa  Application  Centre.  Your  partner’s  application  should  be  submitted  at  the  VFS  office  that  in  turn  forwards  it  to  the  British  Embassy  for  assessment.      The  Visa  Section  of  the  British  Embassy  is  governed  by  UK  Border  Agency  (or  UKBA).  UKBA  is  an  agency  of  the  UK’s  Home  Office.    The  processing  time  for  Settlement  applications  varies  depending  on  the  number  of  applications  currently  being  received.  The  time  taken  to  process  your  partner’s  application  will  depend  on  whether  it  is  deemed  straightforward.  British  Embassies,  High  Commissions  or  Consulates  Visa  Sections  are  obliged  to  process  all  Settlement  applications  within  3  months  from  the  date  of  submission.    

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Your  partner  will  be  notified  once  the  result  of  his  or  her  application  is  ready  for  collection.  Their  passport  will  be  returned  endorsed  with  a  visa  if  the  application  is  successful.  If  the  visa  is  refused,  a  letter  explaining  the  reasons  of  the  refusal  is  given  together  with  the  passport.    A  Settlement  entry  clearance  is  issued  with  a  multiple  entry  endorsement,  which  means  that  your  partner  will  be  able  to  enter  and  leave  the  UK  without  restriction.    

   

       

How  Can  Siam  Legal  Help?  

(Our  service  does  not  include  embassy  or  government  fees)    

We  provide  you  with:  

 

Full  review  of  your  sponsor’s  financial  history  and  your  

personal  documents  

Consultation  and  confirmation  what  type  of  visa  is  

appropriate  for  your  circumstances.  

Comprehensive  checklist  of  required  documents  for  the  

applicant  and  the  sponsor  (if  any)  

Thorough  preparation  of  your  visa  application  

Submission  of  your  visa  application  to  the  proper  

government  agencies  

Careful  arrangement  of  all  correspondence  with  

government  agencies  

Expert  advice  on  how  to  handle  the  consular  interview  

Unlimited  assistance  over  the  phone  with  our  Visa  

specialists  

CONTACT  US  

Siam Legal (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Interchange 21 Building., 23rd Floor., 399 Sukhumvit Road, North

Klongtoey,Wattana, Bangkok 10110

UK 0207 101 9301

Tel : 02-259-8100

International Dialing : 662-259-8100

Fax : 02-259-8025

info@siam-legal.com

www.siam-legal.com

Business Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Closed on Saturday and

Sunday

 

Siam  Legal  is  Thailand’s  Largest  Legal  Service  Network  with  offices  in  Bangkok,  Pattaya,  Phuket,  Chiang  Mai,  Hua  Hin,  and  

Samui.    

Our  UK  Visa  team  has  a  proven  success  record  in  all  

types  of  UK  Visa  Application  for  Thai