Contractor

Hi

Am now married and have had the legal bit done at the Amphur.

My wife has been to her local Amphur and changed the name on her ID card.

But what about her passport? I am told this takes 2 days to re-issue and time is tight as I want to get the visa application in ASAP. Can we submit documents to the Embassy with the passport in her maiden name - even though she has a new id card?

Thanks very much

Anybody know where in Chiang Mai one can sit the Speaking Listening (A1 basic ) test as required for a UK Settlement visa.

We have already tried the Center for Professional Assessment, Nawarat Building (as mentioned on the VFS website) and seemingly they do not offer the correct test and are pretty unhelpful with it.

Thanks

I have had a good read of many of the threads and have picked up some advice. Thanks to all who post helpful replies.

Any advice on below?

My brief circumstances:

I have known tgf for just over 2 years and we were engaged in January 2011. She is a 32 year old hairdresser / beauty therapist.  She visited UK for a few months in 2010. Over the last few years I have been in Thailand a lot (business visa) and own a condo where we both live when in Thailand. It is our intention to marry sometime later this year, and to live primarily in UK for a few years, before maybe returning to Thailand.

I understand that we have 3 options for a settlement visa:

1.    Unmarried partner – would prefer this (as it is time generous) but worry whether we could comfortably demonstrate that we have been together for 2 years "as a couple". There have been several long periods when I have been in Europe and tgf has been in Thailand. Also, apart from a couple of bank cards, there is not much yet in joint names. We have plenty of communication and photographic support, but I think stamps in my passport will prove a big problem. Any comment?

2.    Fiancée – As I am now back in UK for work, this looks most simple, but in the long run has more hurdles to clear and more fees to pay. Anyway, Tgf wants wedding at parent's house – I suppose we could have the formal bit in UK and the "ceremony" later in Thailand.

3.    Spouse – Obviously this would require my return to Thailand and a marriage there.

Questions:

If we apply for a spouse visa (after a certified Thai marriage and successful TB and English tests) will it damage our chances if I leave the Thailand whilst awaiting the outcome? I have heard waits of anything from a few days to "months" for this type of visa to be granted. If succesful, can spouse travel into UK on her own?

From obtaining the signed Affirmation to Marry from the Embassy to the granting of a succesful visa, what would be a reasonable time (assuming everything booked and ready to go)?

Any advice or mention of other options welcome. Thank you.