Visa4UK Family Visa Help!!

Hello!

I am attempting to start my visa application to join my husband in the UK to live and work. He is a UK citizen, I am American (obviously).

On the application website there are drop down menus to pick the application:
"Reason for Visit"
"Visa Type"
"Visa Sub Type"

I cannot for the life of me figure out what combo leads to the Family/Spouse Visa that is NOT the 6 month or less visitor visa....

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Annie

Welcome to the forum .

You need to select, for the visa category and type:

- Settlement
- Settlement
- Wife (or Husband)

The fact that it says 'reason for visit' suggests to me that you might be in an incorrect section of the website.

Just to confirm that you are on this site, and you have registered an account (and you have not gone through the 'new service'):
https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome

Feel free to ask any questions you like here . We do advise that you do not complete/submit the online application until you have gathered all your documents (and checked they are correct) and have also completed VAF4a  Appendix 2, which is the second half of the spousal visa application form.

Thanks so much for responding!

I am definitely on the right website =) I just double checked with the link you suggested..

I have no previous visa with the UK and I also have not lived in the UK yet-- does that change anything?

I have no previous visa with the UK and I also have not lived in the UK yet-- does that change anything?

No, that doesn’t change anything. The majority of people applying for a visa have no previous visas for the UK and have never lived in the UK before.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whoaaaah. Apologies if I am wrong but are you sure about that? I registered here as I saw this topic see - newcomer link: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse [nonactive] - see "When you can settle permanently".  It's enough of a stressful heartache going through this visa application process, let alone the emotional and financial stress of a failed application. Again, apologies if I am wrong.

I am currently applying for a visa for my wife in Thailand, to join me in the UK. My reading of the incredibly ambiguous process for applying for a UK visa is that as a spouse (husband/wife) you can apply for a settlement visa after you have been in the UK for 5 years. The 1st application being for a 'Family' visa which is granted for two and a half years. An extension is then applied for from within the UK before your visa expires, for another two and a half years. A settlement visa can be applied for after you've been in the UK for 5 years. Check out other websites, ask lots of questions of anyone and everyone, maybe even get legal advice, before you part with your money.

I have selected:

 Visit - Visit - family - Long term, valid up to 2 years. Good luck.

Whoaaaah. Apologies if I am wrong but are you sure about that? I registered here as I saw this topic see - https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse - see "When you can settle permanently".  It's enough of a stressful heartache going through this visa application process, let alone the emotional and financial stress of a failed application. Again, apologies if I am wrong.

I am currently applying for a visa for my wife in Thailand, to join me in the UK. My reading of the incredibly ambiguous process for applying for a UK visa is that as a spouse (husband/wife) you can apply for a settlement visa after you have been in the UK for 5 years. The 1st application being for a 'Family' visa which is granted for two and a half years. An extension is then applied for from within the UK before your visa expires, for another two and a half years. A settlement visa can be applied for after you've been in the UK for 5 years. Check out other websites, ask lots of questions of anyone and everyone, maybe even get legal advice, before you part with your money.

I have selected:

 Visit - Visit - family - Long term, valid up to 2 years. Good luck.

That is the wrong visa you applied for.

The visa you are referring to after 5 years is not the "settlement " visa but the ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) which can only be applied for after 5 years in the UK. 

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I have selected:

 Visit - Visit - family - Long term, valid up to 2 years. Good luck.

You've applied for a visitor visa, which does not lead to settlement. The process is as Ksand describes it above... and yes, we're sure, we've been doing this a long time .

I'd strongly suggest withdrawing your current application and making another for the correct visa. Even if your application is approved, it isn't the visa you need.

Whoaaaah. Apologies if I am wrong but are you sure about that?

Yes, I'm sure . I've been giving advice on spousal visas here for over 11 years now.

I am currently applying for a visa for my wife in Thailand, to join me in the UK. My reading of the incredibly ambiguous process for applying for a UK visa is that as a spouse (husband/wife) you can apply for a settlement visa after you have been in the UK for 5 years. The 1st application being for a 'Family' visa which is granted for two and a half years. An extension is then applied for from within the UK before your visa expires, for another two and a half years. A settlement visa can be applied for after you've been in the UK for 5 years. Check out other websites, ask lots of questions of anyone and everyone, maybe even get legal advice, before you part with your money.

You're mixing up 'Settlement' with a 'Settlement Visa'. They are two completely different things.

Settlement is Permanent Residence in the UK (also known as an ILR - Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK). It can only be applied for from inside the UK after spending 5 years in the UK on qualifying visas, such as a work visa or a settlement visa.

So, a 'settlement visa' is a family visa (fiance/spousal/child visa) that eventually leads to settlement in the UK.

You have to live in the UK for 5 years on Settlement visas in order to qualify to settle in the UK (apply for Permanent Residence).

So, what your wife needs to apply for is a 'Settlement visa as the spouse of a UK citizen', for which she needs to select:

Settlement -> Settlement -> Wife

Her visa journey will be:
1st Settlement visa = 33-month spousal visa applied for in Thailand (about £1500 plus £600 IHS surcharge)
2nd settlement visa = 30-month FLR(M) visa extension after 2.5 years in the UK
Settlement = ILR permanent residence visa after 5 years in the UK on settlement visas
Once she has ILR, she can apply for UK citizenship.

I have selected:

 Visit - Visit - family - Long term, valid up to 2 years. Good luck.

For a start, that is a visitor visa that does not allow her to live in the UK, and it does NOT allow her to qualify for settlement. It only allows short visits of up to 6 months at a time during a 2-year period.

Secondly, she can only qualify for it if:
- she has a long history of frequent, short visits to the UK
- she has a valid reason why she must visit the UK regularly, while still living in Thailand, for example, for business trips, conferences, or to visit a sick relative or biological child who lives in the UK

You must also prove:
- your wife has no intention of living in the UK
- she will not stay in the UK for more than 6 months at a time
- she has a job and a life to return to in Thailand that means she won't attempt to live in the UK

If she tries to apply for this visa it will be refused, because she does not qualify for it.

I have selected:

 Visit - Visit - family - Long term, valid up to 2 years. Good luck.

See here for the eligibility criteria for the visa you have selected:
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/eligibility

From that page:

Standard Visitor visa

Eligibility
You must always show that:
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
- you’re able to support yourself and any dependents for the duration of your trip
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey and any other costs relating to your visit
- you have proof of any business or other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules

If you’re applying for a long-term Standard Visitor visa
You must prove that:

- you’ll only ever need to come to the UK to visit, for example to go on holiday, see family or attend a meeting
- you plan to leave the UK at the end of each visit

You may be given a visa for a shorter period than requested if you don’t do this. You won’t get a refund of the application fee if you get a shorter visa or your application is refused.

Your visa may be cancelled and you may get a long-term ban on visiting if your travel history shows you’re repeatedly living in the UK for extended periods.

I registered here as I saw this topic see - https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse

In order to apply for a spousal visa for your wife so she can live with you in the UK, you'll need to follow the guidance in that link, since it talks you through all the criteria you need to meet to apply for the visa in Thailand.

You'll need to fill out 2 application forms:
- the online application (Settlement -> Settlement -> Wife) (generic form that is pretty much the same for all visa types)
- VAf4a Appendix 2 (second half of the application form, specific to how you meet the requirements for a spousal visa) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270484/VAF4A-Appendix2.pdf)

And meet the following requirements:

Financial Requirement:
- you earn at least £18,600 per year in the UK (and you'll need to provide original payslips, bank statements, a letter from your employer, your job contract and your latest P60)

Accommodation Requirement:
- you have evidence of suitable accommodation to live in with your wife after she has arrived in the UK (including permission from the homeowner/landlord)

Relationship Requirement:
You'll need to prove a genuine and subsisting relationship, by way of:
- marriage certificate
- photos together
- evidence of visits to see each other
- letters/cards sent to each other
- emails/Skype calls/messages showing regular contact between you

See here for more information:

Financial requirements:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/636618/Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement_Final.pdf

Evidence specifications (document formats)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidence

Supporting documents guidance:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270197/sup-docs-settlement.pdf

Ahh, OK my apologies, the process is a ridiculously overcomplicated, emotionally draining experience, the terminology used on used on the Visa4UK site does not align to that used on the government website. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that the process is deliberately setup for people to fail, or make money. There was an article recently exposing the actual cost of processing a UK visa application at about £380, compared to the cost of applying which is between £900+ and as you've stated £1500plus.

Good luck to Annie, I'm off to lick my wounds , and reassess my wife's visa application. Thanks.

ksand24, sorry for questioning you my friend, and thanks again.

ksand24, sorry for questioning you my friend, and thanks again.

Thanks - I appreciate that .

Ahh, OK my apologies, the process is a ridiculously overcomplicated, emotionally draining experience, the terminology used on used on the Visa4UK site does not align to that used on the government website. Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that the process is deliberately setup for people to fail, or make money. There was an article recently exposing the actual cost of processing a UK visa application at about £380, compared to the cost of applying which is between £900+ and as you've stated £1500plus.

Oh, I'm sure it's deliberately vague and expensive! If you're not familiar with the process, it can be very confusing and I think that's how they like it.

That's why we try to help as much as we can here on the forum, because we know how ambiguous the website is and how misleading it can be (it used to be much clearer a few years ago but each time they update it, the information gets more vague and confusing).

Good luck to Annie, I'm off to lick my wounds , and reassess my wife's visa application. Thanks.

Please feel free to ask any questions you have here . Although we mainly focus on applications made in the US (which has a different application process to Thailand), the application forms and documents required are the same.

The documents required for a spousal visa are very specific and have to meet UKVI's formatting requirements exactly, or the visa can be refused (for example, if you are even just 1 day or £1 short of meeting the income requirements, the visa will be refused).

So, don't rush into anything. You'll want to research the visa requirements and documents needed thoroughly first, before you even start the online application, and you should not submit the online application until your wife is completely ready to apply for the visa and you are ready to submit all the documents to UKVI for processing.

My general timeline for preparing for the visa is:

1) Research the visa requirements and documents needed

2) Gather all the documents. Check and double-check you have everything you need to meet all of the requirements, making sure everything is in date and meets the formatting requirements

3) Print and fill out VAF4a Appendix 2 - this is the second half of the application form and contains all the questions relevant to applying for a spousal visa.

4) Start to complete the online application (which is generic information about you and doesn't actually ask any questions about how you qualify for the visa), but do not submit it until you are completely ready to submit all the documents to Sheffield for processing.

5) When ready to submit everything, submit the online application. You will be prompted to pay for the visa, pay the IHS surcharge and book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre

This is where the process deviates from applying in the US, so you'll have to look into the process for applying in Thailand specifically:
https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/how_to_apply.html

The whole visa thing is confusing and can overwhelm you.  All I can say is that the step by step guide above is fantastic.  The advice to check any specifics needed when applying from Singapore should not be overlooked.

The advice from people on this forum has gotten MANY people through the whole process.  If in doubt, go with what you are advised on this forum.  They know! 

The whole visa thing is confusing and can overwhelm you.  All I can say is that the step by step guide above is fantastic.

Thank you so much, Ksand and Vespa lady , you've probably just saved my wife and myself of a lot of heartache, not to mention a lot of money.

I appreciate that the process is different between the US and Thailand - language exam, TB scan, translation of documents (and probably lots more) - but one question if I may - does the 3rd section headed "Spouse / Partner" require my (Spouse/ Sponsor) details as her husband, or a repeat of my wife's (the applicant) from the earlier section headed "Personal Details"?

newcomer link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156373590072318&set=a.10151077767352318.446453.518642317&type=3&theater [nonactive]