Marriage advice

Post by **Mulder51** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:43 am

Need some advice please,
would it be better to get married in Thailand and then apply for visa for wife to come back to U.K
or
Apply for Fiancee visa, then get married afterwards.

Would like to know the most successful route to the end product.

Many Thanks.

Post by **DawnHRD** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:47 am

See this ongoing thread

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/ap ... t6506.html

It may help a little.

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:16 am

Cost wise, it's a lot less expensive to get married in Thailand. The fiancee visa is over 500 pounds - 36,000 Baht and I'm pretty sure that once you're married in the UK, you'll have to pay approximately that again for a Settlement visa that lasts two years and then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. I think that can be done in the UK - the Settlement bit. If not, your wife will have to return to Thailand and do it from here. Perhaps someone else can clarify? If it's back in Thailand, the fee's 36,000 Baht again.
A lot will depend on how long you've known each other, whether you've been living together here in Thailand etc etc.
As Dawn says, take a look at that other thread and also The Embassy's web site. They've got pretty clear guidance on visas.
The one thing I'd emphasise is the The Embassy can get suspicious if you get married and then want your wife to come over on a Settlement visa straight away. They will look at the history of the relationship very closely.

Post by **Mulder51** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:18 pm

Have been doing a bit of research, however as i find with Thailand, most things are not that straight forward.
Was considering the best option, that's of course as long as i don't develop cold feet

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:21 pm

My advice would always be the Fiancee visa route. There are a couple of reasons:

1. I know too many people who have got married in Thailand, only to have their visa refused. You've then got the burden of being married to a wife you might only see for a couple of weeks a year.

2. The Fiancee visa gives your lady the chance to see if she can actually live in another country before committing you both to marriage - again, I've known several ladies who have got married in Thailand, come to the UK, and have not been able to settle.

Having said the above, I also know of many success stories where a marriage in Thailand has worked out. You have to consider the risks:

1. Could you bear being apart from your wife most of the year?

2. Would your financial situation allow you to support your estranged wife's life alone in Thailand if the visa was refused?

3. If the visa was refused, could you both remain faithful to each other? I don't know your age, but usually the Thai lady is young, and has needs.

4. How would you feel if your wife couldn't stand living in your country?

At the end of the day you have to make up your own mind regarding which way to go. Personally I went the Fiancee visa many years ago, and have never regretted it. All that we can do on this forum is pass on our experiences, and wish you the best of luck - whichever route you choose.

Post by **Mulder51** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:12 pm

Thanks BB, that is sound advice, and probably is the option i will take, all things being equal.

Post by **Mulder51** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:47 pm

Have just been on the embassy website, Â£500 does seem a bit steep for a visa especially as its not guaranteed. Me suspects the high cost is down to the fact you would not pay that kind of money unless the set up is genuine ?

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:38 pm

Mulder51 wrote:Have just been on the embassy website, Â£500 does seem a bit steep for a visa especially as its not guaranteed. Me suspects the high cost is down to the fact you would not pay that kind of money unless the set up is genuine ?

No.......................just another of Tony's stealth taxes.

Post by **Mulder51** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:04 am

Oh that make sense ! Would like to know the percentage of success rate for first application, appreciate its taken on circumstances etc. Don't suppose you know the figures BB or if i could find it on the big bad web ?

Post by **Big Boy** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:55 am

Sorry Mulder,

I've no idea what the success rate is. I was lucky, and got my wife's visa at the fist attempt. However, you can make your own luck by thoroughly researching what is required. The only advice I can give is be honest, do your homework and ensure that everything is in order before the submission is made. Prove to the Embassy that you do in fact have a genuine relationship, and make sure that you and your lady have your facts about each other as close as you can. Give your lady a professional looking portfolio to take to the embassy, containing everything they could possible ask for.

If you PM me with your e-mail address, I can send you some example interview questions in Thai and English (found them on another site a couple of days ago for a friend). These questions may not bear any similarity to what is asked, but it should be used to get you and your lady talking about the right things - believe me, if one word in her interview leaves any doubt in the interviewer's mind that you are not in a genuine relationship, he/she will have sufficient grounds to fail the application.

Post by **richard** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 5:01 am

very simple really

You need proof of the fact she needs to come back to Thailand

Money in a bank
Land
Kids
Copy of the family tree (can't remember the name)
Proof of long term relationship (2 years plus)
Speaks English or you speak Thai

Personally you also need to to be there to support her on the application. they won't want to talk with you but it helps

Dress code is a must

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:24 am

Mulder51 wrote:Oh that make sense ! Would like to know the percentage of success rate for first application, appreciate its taken on circumstances etc. Don't suppose you know the figures BB or if i could find it on the big bad web ?

I havn't got a source for this, but it's said that in 2004-5, The British Embassy in Bangkok received 35,648 applications for visit visas of which 31,029 were successful.
Ok, not fiancee visas, or even the overall total, but it does give give indication. Seems high to me bearing in mind the tales of woe you hear. But, there you go.

Post by **Mulder51** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:32 pm

Once again thanks to you all for your valuable advice, the success rate seems to be very good.
Do you have to make an appointment at the embassy or just turn up ?
BB will Barry Hayles still be playing for PAFC next season ???

Post by **richard** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:06 pm

Mulder1

Best bet is to phone or email them

Rules change very quickly over her even in the embassies

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:46 pm

Mulder51 wrote:Once again thanks to you all for your valuable advice, the success rate seems to be very good.
Do you have to make an appointment at the embassy or just turn up ?
BB will Barry Hayles still be playing for PAFC next season ???

I really suggest you read the British Embassy's website.
Can you just turn up? - no.
Will you be allowed into the interview with your missus - highly unlikely.
The interview, if granted at all, will be at whim of The Embassy.
If I were you, I'd make the application and then go with the flow.