UK Visas
Marriage visitor visa – what are they?
- you can apply if you want to get married in the UK or enter into a civil partnership
- you wish to give notice that you intend to marry
- you’re not intending to stay in the UK or settle after you are married
How long is this marriage visitor visa valid for?
You can stay in the UK for up to 6 – months – you can apply online
Documents you may wish to include with the application evidence
- prove that you intend to marry for example correspondence with the area registrar, or a confirmed booking.
- a decree absolute if you have been previously married, or a death certificate of your former partner.
Can I switch to a family visa?
No, you cannot switch categories – how to apply for a fiancee visa or proposed civil partner from outside the UK
Is a marriage overseas classed as being legally recognised in the UK – is a Thai marriage legal
What if I am already legally married – how do you apply as the partner or spouse
Further information – all about spousal visas
Where to apply – overseas UK visa application centres
You will need to submit the application at VFS – they will take your fingerprints and biometrics as part of the application process. In most cases, they will hold your passport until a decision is made about your visa application. The average processing time for a marriage visitor visa takes up to 15 working days to get a decision. If you want to find out more about a UK marriage visa, call us now on 0749326987, or contact us today.
You will need a family visa if you intend to live with a family member in the UK.
Family visas UK -Applying from overseas
You can apply for a visa to live with your family if they are
- your spouse or partner
- your fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner
- a dependant child
- a parent
- a relative who’ll provide long-term care for you
Family visas UK -applying as the partner or a spouse
They must be
- a British citizen
- be settled in the UK
- have indefinite leave to remain
You must both intend to live together permanently in the UK.
You may also need to meet the English language requirements before you apply.
You can find out more information if you are applying as a fiancee or proposed civil partner here.
How to apply if you are outside the UK then you must apply online here
If you are inside the UK then you can also apply online here
If you want to find out more about how to apply as a partner or spouse, call our immigration solicitors now on 0749326987, or contact us today.
To apply as a partner or spouse, you and your partner both need to be 18 years old or over.
You must also be able to prove one of the following:
- you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that is legally recognised in the UK
- you’ve both been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply for entry clearance ( unmarried partner visa)
You may also need to prove
That you have a good knowledge of English – A1 Language requirements
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you fall under the following exemptions
- You’re applying as a child
- you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative
- you’ve been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and you’re extending it as a partner or parent
- you’re over 65
- you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement
Further information – how can you meet the language requirements can be found here
How do you prove that you meet the language requirement
You can prove that you meet the requirements by taking an academic test at a government-approved test center
How do you prove that you meet the income requirements
You and your partner must have a minimum combined income of at least £18,600 a year if:
- you’re applying as a partner
- you want to settle in the UK (get ‘indefinite leave to remain’) within 5 years
You must prove you have extra money if you have children who:
If you need to prove extra money for your children, you’ll need to earn an extra:
- £3,800 for your first child
- £2,400 for each child you have after your first child
This is called the ‘minimum income requirement’ of the immigration rules – proof of income
How much it costs depends on where you apply
| Apply outside the UK | Apply in the UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost if joining your partner, parent or child | £1,523 | £1,033 |
| Cost for each dependant added to your application | £1,523 each person | £1,033 each person |
| Cost for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative | £3,250 | £1,033 |
Healthcare surcharge costs
You may also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your visa application.
You can find out more information if you are applying as a fiancee or proposed civil partner here.
If you want to find out more about how to apply as a partner or spouse, call us now on 0749326987, or contact us today.
How to apply for a UK fiancee or proposed civil partner visa from outside the UK.
- To apply as a partner, you and your partner both need to be 18 or over.
- You must also prove that you are both free to marry or enter into a civil partnership.
- You both plan to marry or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months.
You will also need to that you can meet the English language requirements – A1 English test requirements for UK visa applicants.
Your partner will also need to meet the financial requirements of the immigration rules – proof of income general guidance
The applicant will also be required to pass a TB test – Tuberculousus testing for visa applicants
What is a proposed civil partner?
A proposed civil partner is a person who wishes to legally register his / her partnership with another person of the same sex.
Current visa processing times?
If you apply from overseas then you must allow up to 90 -working days for the application to be processed.
What happens once we are married or have formed a civil partnership?
If you extend your family visa or switch to this visa you can stay in the UK for 30 months. After this period you can then apply for a further extension of your stay subject to meeting the requirements of that route.
How much it costs depends on how and where you apply
| Apply outside the UK | Apply in the UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost if joining your partner, parent or child | £1,523 paid in local currency | £1,033 |
| Cost for each dependant added to your application | £1,523 each person
paid in local currency |
£1,033 each person |
| Cost for an adult who needs to be looked after by a relative | £3,250 paid in local currency | £1,033 |
UK visa application fees from outside the UK – Fees
How to apply if you are not in the UK – apply online from outside the UK
What if you are in the UK – applying from within the UK
If you want to find out more about a UK marriage visa, call us now on 0749326987, or contact us today.
All applicants will need the following documents to apply for a UK visitors visa in Thailand.
- A valid passport. Your passport or travel document, which must be valid, in good condition, and
has at least one blank page. - All previous passports.
- Evidence of family that will remain in Thailand whilst you travel to the UK.
- Evidence of assets & ties to Thailand – property, employment, land, these are examples.
- A completed visa application form
- Evidence of funds – available to you, and which are clearly accessible by you.
- Evidence of support you will receive from your sponsor including details of
what support is being provided and how ( if applicable). - Evidence of the relationship, if any, between you and your sponsor.
- Evidence that your sponsor is not, or will not be, in breach of UK immigration
laws at the time of your visit. - Any previous refusals of entry clearance
- Evidence of previous immigration history if any.
- All documents must be translated into English if in a foreign language.
You’ll also need to provide the following information:
- The dates that you’re planning to travel to the UK
- Details of where you’ll be staying in the UK during your visit
- How much you think your trip will cost you personally
- Your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
- Your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
- How much you earn in a year (if you have an income)
- Your children’s documents if applicable
- Evidence of a personal relationship between you & the sponsor.
Further information – How to apply Visa application UK eligibility requirements.
You can find further information about how to apply for a UK family visit visa application.
If you wish to apply for a UK visa and would like more information about the visa process at Thai Visa Express, we can help.
You can contact us on,07493269875, or email us at: info@thaivisaexpress.com.
If you left the UK and have valid leave before 17 March 2020, & have been unable to return to the UK due to the travel restrictions and these relate to covid – 19, you should complete the online form. A UK/VI case worker will then assess your case to see if you are eligible under the covid concession scheme.
If you’ve been outside the UK for over 2 years and due to covid 19 travel restrictions your indefinite leave has lapsed ?
Your Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR) or Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK (ILE) will lapse if you have not returned to the UK for over 2 years. If your leave to remain expired after January 24 2020, and you have been unable to return due to covid -19 restrictions then you may be eligible to apply using the returning resident route visa route . You must complete this form – returning residents visa.
Want to find out more about covid then contact us today.
5 – year partner visa route
- Entered the UK as a fiancé(e) or a proposed civil partner, and who married and entered into a civil partnership in the UK. And they are now applying to remain in the UK as the spouse or a civil partner.
- Entered the UK as a spouse or partner, and were issued a 2.5 year visa on arrival, the applicant can then extend the visa after 2.5 years, subject to the applicant meeting the relationship requirements, and the financial requirements.
10 – year partner visa route – this is relevant to applicants who are in the UK
- Entered as a tourist
- On a short term visa ( valid for 6 months or less)
- Or an illegal immigrant ( a person with no valid visa)
- On the 5 -year route, but they cannot meet the requirement’s of appendix FM at the time of the extension.
This maybe because for example they cannot return to their country of residence to submit an application.
Visa Validity
If you are either on the 10 year route , or the 5 year route the visa is valid for 2.5 years . You would then need to apply for an extension of stay also known as FLR. If for example you are on the 5-year route you would be eligible to apply ( 1 time if on the 5-year route), however, if you are on the 10 -year route then you must extend a further 3 times before you are eligible to apply for permanent residence ( indefinite leave to remain).
How about switching to the 5 – year route ?
If are currently on the 10 year partner route and your circumstances change for example ,you are now able to meet all the requirements of Appendix FM, then you can apply to switch to the 5 year visa route. You can in fact do this straight away ,and you do not have to wait until your current UK visa expires. But, anytime spent in the UK on the 10 -year route cannot be carried forward, therefore, it cannot be counted towards your qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. This means that, the clock resets and you must now complete the full 5 years on the 5 year route to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
If you need assistance with applying for an extension of stay at Thai Visa Express, we can offer you professional and up to date advice. You can call us on 07493269875 or, email us on: info@thaivisaexpress.com or alternatively contact us via our website.
h3>UK standard visitors visa
To meet the eligibility requirements you must demonstrate that you will leave the UK after the proposed visit.
- you’ll depart the UK at the end of your visit
- you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or settle in the UK.
- you’re able to support yourself during your trip (show you have the funds to pay for the visit)
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (pay for your flight home)
- you have proof of any business or other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules
What is a UK tourist visa – how does this visa work?
Documents you may wish to provide with your application
- details of your travel history for the past 10 years
- your employer’s address and telephone number
- your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
- the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
- the name, address, and passport number of any family members, or friends you have in the UK
To find out more about how to apply for a UK visitors visa in Thailand
What are your professional fees – legal fees
If you would like more information, call us on44 (0) 20 8133 8059, email us at: info@thaivisaexpress.com, or alternatively contact us via our website
Applications from inside the UK -information provided from the .gov.uk website
| Fees category | Current Fee | New fee from 31 January 2021 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor Extension – main applicant and dependants | £993 | £993 | £0 |
| Leave to enter for persons in the UK who are liable to immigration detention | £1,033 | £1,033 | £0 |
| Leave to remain – Other | £1,033 | £1,033 | £0 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months | n/a | £180 | n/a |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 5 years | n/a | £250 | n/a |
| Retired person of independent means | £1,949 | £1,949 | £0 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £704 | £704 | £0 |
| Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid | £25 | £25 | £0 |
| Indefinite leave to remain – main applicants and dependants | £2,389 | £2,389 | £0 |
| Biometric enrolment | £19.20 | £19.20 | £0 |
| Transfer of Conditions (TOC) or Application for a document confirming identity and immigration or nationality status – limited leave to remain | £161 | £161 | £0 |
| TOC or Application for a document confirming identity and immigration or nationality status – indefinite leave to remain | £229 | £229 | £0 |
| Replacement Biometric residence card (issued under the EU Settlement Scheme) | £56 | £56 | £0 |
| Replacement Biometric residence permit (BRP) / replacement BRP | £56 | £56 | £0 |
| Certificate of travel – adult | £280 | £280 | £0 |
| Certificate of travel – child | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Convention travel document – adult | £75 | £75 | £0 |
| Convention travel document – child | £49 | £49 | £0 |
| European residence document (registration certificate, document certifying permanent residence, residence card, accession resident card, derivative residence card, permanent residence card) | £65 | £65 | £0 |
| Administrative review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | £50 | £0 |
| Fees category | Current Fee | New fee from 31 January 2021 | Fee Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visit visa < 6 months | £95 | £95 | £0 |
| Visit visa < 2 years [footnote 1] | £361 | £361 | £0 |
| Visit visa < 5 years | £655 | £655 | £0 |
| Visit visa <10 years | £822 | £822 | £0 |
| Visiting academic – more than 6 months but no more than 12 months | £190 | £190 | £0 |
| Private medical treatment visa – more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £190 | £190 | £0 |
| Transit visa – (direct airside transit) | £35 | £35 | £0 |
| Transit visit visa (landside transit) | £64 | £64 | £0 |
| Visa for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft | £64 | £64 | £0 |
| Electronic Visa Waiver | £30 | £30 | £0 |
| Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Certificate of entitlement – (right of abode) | £388 | £388 | £0 |
| Transfer of Conditions (Vignette transfer) | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Short term student studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £186 | £186 | £0 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £610 | £610 | £0 |
| Other visa | £516 | £516 | £0 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months | n/a | £180 | n/a |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 5 years | n/a | £250 | n/a |
| Route to Settlement | £1,523 | £1,523 | £0 |
| Route to Settlement – other dependant relative | £3,250 | £3,250 | £0 |
| Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative | £388 | £388 | £0 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of a member of the armed forces under Appendix Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules. | £2,389 | £2,389 | £0 |
| Call out/ out of hours fee (per hour/part hour) – service of consular officers | £142 | £142 | £0 |
| Receiving, preparing and forwarding documents – consular functions | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid | £25 | £25 | £0 |
How long is a visa valid for ?
You can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa that lasts these last for 2,5 and 10 years duration. You can generally stay for a maximum of 6 months.
Is UK standard visa multiple entry?
Yes, all UK visas are multiple entry.
Getting a visa decision ?
Once you have applied which must be done online. you will usually get a decision within 15 working days.
What are the visa application fees
UK Visa application FEES – from inside the UK
UK Visa processing times – general guidance.
Talk to Us!
If you need any UK Immigration advise help please contact us.. Our Thai speaking staff can offer you helpful and friendly advice if you find yourself in this predicament. So, if you would like more information, call us on +66 (0)80 102 2328, +66 (0) 38 420 313 or +44 (0) 20 8133 8059, email us on: info@thaivisaexpress.com or contact us via our website.
A UK visitors visa which is commonly known as a standard visitors visa is a visa that allows the holder to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. The visa is for those applicants who wish to enter the UK for the purposes of Tourism or perhaps to visit a family member.
You can come to the UK as a Standard Visitor:
- for tourism, for example on a holiday or to see your family and friends
- for certain business activities, for example, attending a meeting
- to do a short course of study
- to take part in research or an exchange program as an academic
- for medical reasons, for example, to receive private medical treatment
You may not have to apply for a visa. What you need to do depends on your nationality and what you plan to do in the UK.
To see if you qualify for a general visitors visa – UK Visitors Visa