Applying a UK Spouse Visa For Your Thai Spouse
You must have met a wonderful Thai woman during your first or second trip to Thailand. After falling in love, you tied the knot in the traditional, colorful Buddhist manner. You also registered your marriage with the local "amphoe", to make it legal. It was a thrilling and satisfying experience. Your amazing marriage in Thailand does not mean that you are free from marital woes and bliss. This is the beginning of other important decisions, or the finalization of the ones you have made. The settlement issue is one of these. Is it worth returning to the UK with your Thai spouse to settle down there, or staying in the Land of Smiles? Although the latter may seem more appealing, you cannot abandon your job in the UK to gamble on your family's future here. For now, it is more practical to bring your wife to the UK than to leave Thailand.
It is not as difficult to apply for a UK Spouse Visa for your Thai spouse than most people believe. Common misconception is that visas are granted within 24 hours of your marriage. It isn't as easy as that. It can be frustrating to go through the lengthy visa application process, especially if you do it yourself using information found online. To be able confidently go through the application, it is a good idea to learn the basics of visa application. A reputable visa agency can help you with your visa application. Here are some tips to help you with your UK Spouse visa application.
UK Spouse Visa Requirements
Two important requirements must be met by you and your Thai spouse to apply for a UK spouse visa. These are your marital status in the UK and your current marital relationship. To prove marital relationships, you will need the original marriage certificate. Translate the Thai version of your marriage certificate into English at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This would be applicable to all documents of your spouse in Thai. You can also show your photos taken during the engagement ceremony as well as during the wedding. To prove that you are in a long-term relationship with your spouse, you will need to provide evidence. Emails, letters, postcards etc., as well as money transfer receipts, phone bills, boarding passes to Thailand, and hotel reservations, are all evidence that you have an ongoing relationship with your spouse. Your relationship should have stood up to the test of time. Let's say a year. A letter detailing your relationship would be required. How did you meet, and how has your relationship developed.
To check for Tuberculosis in your Thai spouse, you will need to have IOM (or a medical check-up). To schedule her appointment, you will need to contact the IOM center. This service is subject to a fee not less than 2,000 Baht. To prove her law-abiding citizenship and have no criminal records, she would need to apply to the Royal Thai Police Bangkok for a police clearance. The process usually takes two weeks. You should be aware that both a medical certificate and a police clearance are valid for six months.
Another important requirement is to prove your financial stability in the UK. The UK government will want to verify your ability to support your future spouse's stay in the UK without having to resort to public funds. You will need to submit your most recent bank statements from the last six months, at least three pay slips, employment letter, House Title deed, or Mortgage Agreement, and photos of your home (include all rooms). Apart from the sponsorship letter, which confirms that you want to sponsor your wife's visit to the UK, this document is also required. Your support for your wife's stay in the UK should be reiterated in your sponsorship letter.
Process
The first step in a systematic approach to reviewing the UK Spouse visa application is to familiarize yourself with the requirements, costs and timeline. These pertinent issues will help you navigate the visa application process smoothly.
The first step is to gather the documents you need. You may need to replace any missing documents, such as the marriage certificate. If you are missing any important documents, such as a marriage certificate, it is a good idea to contact the appropriate government agency to have them replaced. This missing document should not cause your application to be denied.
Your spouse's Thai documents must be translated into English at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
After all necessary documents have been collected, the visa application will be submitted to VFS Thailand. For processing and evaluation of the visa, the agency will forward the application to VFS Thailand. The UK Spouse visa processing process has been extended to 3 months from the normal 2-3 days to a week. This is in contrast to the previous 2 to 3 days processing time. The processing time for interview requests will likely take longer. Once the visa decision has been made, the applicant will be notified.