UK Settlement Visa for Thai Spouse
One of the most common visa applications we deal with at Key Visa Company is to help our British clients with a UK settlement visa for their Thai wife or partner. We offer this as a full, start-to-finish service. The Key Visa team is with you every step of the way, From getting you and your Thai partner legally married if you’re not married already to applying for the visa that will allow your new wife to live and reside with you in the UK so that you can live happily as a married couple.
We take care of all online and paper application forms and associated letters and are completely hands-on from start to finish whilst constantly communicating to update local and overseas customers on the application progress so you can relax and leave it to us
An English owned and managed company with bilingual English / Thai staff who will help your Thai partner through the entire process with no hassle and full support from the beginning of the process right up until you receive your visa
We are a well respected company in Pattaya and throughout Thailand. Our team go above and beyond to offer simply the best visa service in Thailand with additional benefits not offered by any other company such as an airport concierge for solo travellers.
Key Visa Company’s role in this service is to help you and your Thai wife through the process of going from fiancées living apart to husband and wife living together in a hassle free and quickest way possible. When you decide to accept our assistance, you will be glad that you did. All we have done for you will be apparent when you talk to others who have tried to go it alone and made small, costly mistakes with the necessary documents or misunderstood the financial requirements.
What is a UK Settlement Visa?
A UK settlement visa allows you to live in the UK with your Thai partner as a couple. The foremost criteria for this visa is that you have been legally married in Thailand.
When the settlement visa is awarded to your Thai wife it is a 2 year and 9 month visa which can be extended while still in the UK at the UKVI, without your wife having to return to Thailand.
The extension given after the 2 years and 9 months is normally another 2 years and 3 months making the stay up to 5 years, this is to prove you are a genuine couple and still in an ongoing relationship.
The visa allows multiple entries so that your wife can return to Thailand on holiday and to visit family.
When all of the requirements have been met, then your wife will be able to apply for permanent leave to remain in the UK.
What can your wife legally do in the UK?
A UK Settlement visa allows your Thai wife to work legally, obtain a National Insurance number, be eligible for National health care, sign on with your local doctor and do pretty much all the same things as an English wife would be able to achieve.
Your Thai wife cannot claim Government benefits including job seekers allowance which is actually stated on the visa as, “no recourse to any public funds.” So as the UK sponsor, your job is to financially take care of your Thai wife for the duration of your lives together in the UK.
- Our English speaking team work with the sponsor to collate all of the required documents and our Thai team help the Thai citizen to prepare what to say to the immigration officers, we explain what is required for the English exams and help them to collate their required documents.
- When the documents are received we collate and do the translations that are needed for the visa application.
- We book your partners tuberculosis x-ray appointment and then take her for the x-ray.
- We accurately prepare the online application and organize the visa application fee.
- We take your wife to Bangkok to sit the English exam and then to the VFS centre to submit her visa application.
- We advise on the required documents and help you collate everything that you need.
What is included in our service
- We first start by advising the sponsor and the Thai applicant of the documents required making sure that both parties fully understand all the requirements.
- We have native English speaking staff to work with the foreigner and Thai staff to help the Thai partner.
- If you are not yet married we can organize a legal marriage service.
- We make sure your Thai wife has changed her passport into your surname if she wishes to do so. If this has not yet been done then we help obtain the new passport.
- We prepare your Thai partner for the English exam and take them to Bangkok to sit the English exam and submit their visa application.
- We write all associated letters for you and your Thai partner to ensure the necessary wording.
- We book the appointment to submit the visa application with your Thai partner in Bangkok and make sure your Thai wife is word perfect.
- We make sure that your partner says the correct information to the officers,which is important when submitting the visa application, as they submit a report.
- We then get an application tracking number and check the status of the application every day until the decision has been made.
- When the decision has been made we collect the application, passport and UK settlement visa on behalf of your wife from the UK visa application center in Bangkok (VFS Global).
- We then post the passport with the visa back to your wife at her home in Thailand.
- If your wife will be travelling to the UK alone, we can provide an airport concierge service for solo travellers (extra charges apply)
Things that must be done before a UK Settlement Visa can be processed
A1 Test for UK Settlement Visa Applications
All applicants must pass the A1 English test called the Key English Test (KET) before considering applying for the visa without the test past you cannot apply for a UK Settlement visa – please click here for details. This English proficiency test is mainly about reading, speaking, listening and writing to a basic level and there are numerous you tube mock test available on the Internet. All applicants aged 18 years and over must pass this exam.
Tuberculosis X-Ray
This x-ray must be completed by all applicants including children under the age of 12 years old but there is no need to worry as part of our service the trained Key Visa staff will book the appointment and prepare the associated documents and take your Thai partner to Bangkok to undergo the x-ray and if the applicant passes which is normal then a certificate will be issued on the same day by the IOM.
What are the Financial Requirements for a UK Settlement Visa?
When you apply for a settlement visa for your partner or spouse, it’s usually necessary to demonstrate that your annual income is at least £29,000. This is known as the ‘minimum income requirement.
There are exceptions to this financial requirement if:
- Your partner receives certain disability or carer’s benefits.
- You initially applied as a partner before April 11, 2024, and are seeking to extend your visa. This also applies if your initial application was as a fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner.
The method of proving your income can vary depending on its source. Alternatively, you may be able to use savings to satisfy the income requirement.
Exemptions for Partners Receiving Disability or Carer’s Benefits
If you are receiving any of the following benefits, the minimum income requirement does not apply to you:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment or Guaranteed Income Payment under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement, or War Disablement Pension under the War Pensions Scheme
- Police Injury Pension
- Child Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
You must still prove that you and your family can adequately provide for your housing and living expenses without the need for additional public funds. This evaluation will consider both your income and housing costs.
It should now be noted that your Thai wife-partner has to enter the UK within 30 days of the visa being issued or risk having to apply again for a vignette visa this is a new ruling introduced towards the end of April 2015.
When the visa has been awarded the documents and passport can be collected at our office, or we can post them to your Thai wife’s home if they so wish. This will prevent any unwanted travel to Pattaya. We have 18 years experience in obtaining UK settlement visas with faultless accuracy, no hidden agenda and priceless experience so why go elsewhere.
For more information including all associated costs at very competitive rates please contact us at [email protected] or call our office in Thailand on 038 422 131 or ask us a question using the contact form below.
Key Visa really are the best , Friendly , polite, hardworking and they really want to get your visa for you . They got my wife her tourist visa at the first attempt , then they helped us to marry , then a settlement visa at the first attempt !! all hassle free and at a good fair price . I cant recommend then enough .
4 / 5 stars
Best company. The team is great. Reliable. Have used them many times and never had a issue 100% .I would not use any other company
5 / 5 stars
Thank you so much for obtaining Somyings spouse visa just in time for Xmas in the U.K.,
We appreciate all the hard work you have done for us and 2 previous tourist visas and our daughters U.K. Passport application whilst in Thailand.
We appreciate all the hard work you have done for us and 2 previous tourist visas and our daughters U.K. Passport application whilst in Thailand.
Brilliant, Key Visa does an excellent job, a friendly and good service, well worth using as they take all the worry and hassle out of it!
5 / 5 stars
18 years of visa experience, honesty and integrity for both our Thai national and expat clients.
Nationwide service across Thailand, no matter where you live in the country we can solve your visa problems
We make visa applications seamless, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Ask us a question
Ed L.
12:51 02 Apr 25
Said they would have my passport within 4 to 5 weeks had it in less than 4 weeks this was for a American passport
Timothy Daniel W.
01:16 16 Mar 25
Very helpful when I used them.
anthony D.
03:00 11 Mar 25
Got my dtv visa was a little delayed due to the time of year xmass was dealt with by Gemma who was very helpful and always quick to respond to any of my questions thanks.
Ray N.
06:01 01 Mar 25
We both got married using key visa which was i very exciting and enjoyable experience but let tell you about my thai wife getting a visa to the UKAfter talking it through the many options we decided for a 6 months visa to the UKKook as always very professional and maticulios in the way she handled our visa and with her staff who I might say are very hard working and we recieved our visa and the dates we asked forWhich is fantastic news for my wife and IThank you Kook and her team 💜Ray and kaiI consider myself to be truthful in my reviews as I am on trip advisor.
Clive T.
03:11 17 Feb 25
Very good service and very helpful
Adam K.
06:58 27 Jan 25
Well what can I say about Key Visa Thailand and Kook. All I truly can say is a big huge massive (THANK YOU) especially to Kook as no way could me and my wife could not done my divorce and marriage and more importantly my wife new visa with out Kook and her help and time and understanding. I truly can not highly recommend Kook and Key Visa Thailand enough. This is definitely a full 100 per cent feedback from me and most definitely a full 5 Stars from me as well. Truly the number one best ever customer service and you truly will not be disappointed if you use Key Visa Thailand and Kook. Kook truly is a lovely kind caring understanding lady and she truly makes you feel welcome and very happy to give her time to you and talk to you and listen to you. Very very good hearted. We are definitely going to use Key Visa Thailand and Kook again in the future. THANK YOU for making me and my wife the happiest married couple ever and more importantly (THANK YOU) for making our number one dream come true. Once again we truly could not had done any of this with out Kook and Key Visa Thailand. Kind Regards Adam and Kanitthamon Keeling
Maurizio T.
08:25 24 Jan 25
Excellent agency I had my dtv visa without problems they took care of all the documents and the staff was super kind to always answer my questions and a special thanks to Mrs. GemmaI recommend +++++++Thank you keyvisa
Justin J.
02:49 09 Jan 25
Highly recommended. Made the process very straightforward and were very attentive answering all questions.
Florian B.
03:45 06 Jan 25
Ich habe mit Hilfe von Key Visa Thailand ein Retirement Visa bekommen. Die sehr freundlichen und hilfsbereiten Mitarbeiter, haben die Angelegenheit kompetent abgewickelt. Deswegen 5 Sterne und meine Empfehlung…
Russ J.
05:14 20 Nov 24
Amazing service. Renewed my UK passport today. Friendly and efficient staff. Would highly recommend Key Visa
Armani G.
18:35 06 Nov 24
This was the best visa service I have ever experience very fast I got my retirement Visa and bank account all the staff was very professional, I highly recommend this agency. You will never regret it thanks very much much to all the staff at the visa service. Your sincerely, ARMANI
negnirty
06:55 31 Oct 24
Timely and great service for extending my tourist visa. 15 minutes, a quick trip to immigrations for a photo. Passport was ready the next day.
Spencer S.
10:11 15 Oct 24
I have been using Key Visa for 15 years always a great service
gavin C.
15:51 23 Sep 24
Andrew M.
09:53 03 Sep 24
Received my new UK passport today. Great service from Key Visa who I thoroughly recommend. I had other quotes as much as 9000 bhts more than I paid for Key Visa… Thanks to all the staff that helped. Five Gold stars to all 😆
bahrc2c
06:44 20 Jun 24
Good service and fast
Steve G.
09:49 01 Jun 24
Have been getting info regarding child's 1st UK passport and also UK visa from Thailand.Very helpful,and as soon as I need to will be using them.Totally trustworthy.
bri P.
06:00 25 May 24
I would once again like to thank Ann and the staff at keyvisa for a great service. I have been using them since 2016 both for passport renewal and also for my annual visa. They are a very professional company and always willing to help. Many thanks and keep up the great work.
เป็ด ฤทธิรงค์ ส.
22:49 15 May 24
Geoffrey E.
10:17 11 Apr 24
Keyvisacompany wow ! After badly let down and costly by other company totally ripped off keyvisacompany had help me to get married and new visa for my wife who now stay with me in UK , keyvisacompany office in Pattaya are nice people speak good English with less hassle and patient they even take you by their car to Bangkok embassy and their lady waiting for you to access your need and return without having to worry what to do so thank you again for truthfully service as said on your web site Thank you 🙏
GB
04:16 09 Mar 24
Dolby D
10:51 04 Mar 24
The best place for anything visa related , dealt with them for a good few years now and cannot fault the service !! Truly exceptional company xx malc
K C
09:54 03 Mar 24
I've used this agent for the last 3 years. They can help you navigate the system.
Thomas J.
05:46 13 Feb 24
Absolut perfekt. Professionelle Beratung, Sachkundiges und sehr freundliches Personal. Schnelle und preiswerte Bearbeitung. Kann ich uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen.
Duane T.
05:51 06 Feb 24
Darren was so easy to work with and made everything simple to do for us this is the second time …
Ian M.
11:26 18 Jan 24
Dan Keeling (Farang D.
05:19 14 Jan 24
Neil S.
16:36 01 Jan 24
Christopher B.
07:21 19 Dec 23
Ray Z.
09:08 18 Dec 23
Key Visa is the best. I couldn't ask for better service in regard to renewing my U.S. Passport. Imagine an Embassy where they don't want their citizens appearing in person? Key Visa helped to alleviate a lot of stress and anxiety regarding this matter. I paid the fee, gave them the photos and some information....and they did the rest. My renewed passport was back in less than 6 weeks and now, all the stress is gone. I cannot thank Key Visa service enough. Nice staff as well. Ray Zimmerman U.S.A.
N L.
13:47 08 Dec 23
I have used this service for obtaining a second UK passport. Excellent service where I obtained my passport hassle free. Just doing the same again. Highly recommend you use. Darren sadly passed away and his wife continues the business. I was able to get my second British passport renewed with excellent service a few days ago.
Chris S.
04:03 23 Nov 23
Good visa agent. Ann is Thai but succeeded the business from her falang husband who recently passed to the best of my knowledge. She is efficient and knowledgeable and my visa process was less expensive than my experience in Phuket as well. I would recommend Key Visa to future Visa seekers.
Jeffrey W.
02:55 16 Nov 23
Super easy process. I got everything I needed done. It was taken care of quickly after the first session which included getting a Thai bank account and my O retirement visa. Very professional service
Anthony P.
04:45 11 Nov 23
This has been my "go to" visa/passport agency for the last 10 years. They have always been friendly and professional..........have never let me down. Recommended by me 100%.
garry B.
08:28 07 Nov 23
It took about 3 weeks for the UK to process my daughter's passport. We had to send better quality pictures and documents, which caused a slight delay beforhand, but overall, their service was excellent. I'm grateful to the Key Visa staff for their help in renewing my daughter's passport, and I would definitely use their services again.
Oi Y.
06:39 06 Nov 23
This is the 2nd time I have used Key Visa and the service they provide is fantastic the 1st was with Darren was just so good he told me every step of the process and what I needed to do and bring in with me he made sure I understood how and what would be the process of applying for my Visa to stay in Thailand. And with the passing of Darren his wife Ann has kept the business running which I am so grateful for as they in my opinion are the best service you can get. We have now engaged them to do a visa for my Thai partner for a visit to Australia to see and spend time with my Aussie family and see some of Australia as she so wants to see snow. Once again I thank you Ann and all her staff for their help and support
t4toph
11:39 16 Oct 23
Today was my worst nightmare .. dealing with a problem ... I can't commend enough how GREAT k Aun & the staff of Key Visa went above & beyond to help me .. I have used their service for several years & wouldn't hesitate to to use professional agents .. that guarantee their work ... I am eternally grateful.. best wishes ... toph ...
Alan J.
01:24 13 Oct 23
Non imm "O" extension quick efficient no hassles service.
Birol O.
00:30 15 Sep 23
Very knowledgeable and excellent customer service. Best visa agent ever.
Pou K.
14:08 05 Sep 23
Great Visa Company Located in Pattaya Thailand which offers reasonable prices and noteworthy services
Clive B.
06:23 25 Aug 23
UK passport renewed in just over 3 weeks, very professional staff, can’t thank them enough, highly recommended
Strawman C.
10:13 21 Aug 23
Excellent.
D S
14:09 18 Aug 23
Good and reliable service
David G.
06:52 01 Aug 23
Steve T.
04:30 30 Jul 23
Always excellent service for this retired American.
Stephen L.
04:22 27 Jul 23
Excellent service. I got my retirement visa here it was quick and painless.
J T.
13:29 21 Jul 23
So far so good. If you want to make some money in Thailand, don't open a bar, get into opening a visa consultant agency.However this agency has been good so far on a small matter l used them for.I definitely recommend them.
Michael M.
08:53 15 Jul 23
We have been trying for a long time to get an Australian tourist visa for our Thai friend. We applied in the past using an Australian immigration lawyer based in Australia and the application (which was expensive and time consuming) was rejected for lack of evidence (intention to return to Thailand etc). Second time round we used Gemma from Key Visa and were successful. Unlike our first agent/lawyer, Gemma examined our evidence in detail and gave suggestions as to where it could be improved. It's clearly beneficial to use an agent who is familiar with this specific visa stream (ie someone in Thailand familiar with getting Thai people into Australia) and the "no win, no professional fee" clearly incentivizes them to help as much as possible. As always in Thailand the service is not perfect and there are some communication gaps etc, but we are very happy with the outcome and would recommend these guys 100%.
gary K.
14:41 14 Jul 23
Andy W.
11:20 12 Jul 23
Once again i would like to thank the staff at keyvisa for there service .
The P.
06:10 06 Jul 23
Excellent, professional, trustable Agency. The best Visa Agency services I've been use in many years here in Thailand. A little issue... They told that my passport will back in 30 days. Actually 33 days..
Tim M.
14:53 27 Jun 23
Got my first retirement visa with these. Great service. Everything sorted by them.
Charles Robert H.
00:53 16 Jun 23
Very helpful. The place to go if you want solutions to your visa problems.
Robert P.
00:40 05 Jun 23
Very fast, simple smooth, efficient service.
Lewi L.
03:04 21 May 23
If you need assistance with any visa related this is the place in Pattaya.
Stephen A.
07:41 05 Mar 23
Key visa was the best. Sadly the owner, Darren, past away December 22.
danny W.
03:43 13 Feb 23
Absolutely fantastic service great staff totally stress free and professional services I highly recommend.
Bob C.
11:33 09 Feb 23
Dave C.
14:30 08 Feb 23
been using this company for years, great service.
Keith J.
04:01 26 Jan 23
Tom A.
23:04 21 Jan 23
kook A.
10:17 18 Jan 23
DAVID C.
06:47 17 Jan 23
Recently obtained a visa for myself and British passport for my partner..No hassle no immigration queueing. Great staff great service thank you Key Visa Thailand…..
Frank J.
10:43 01 Jan 23
Very helful and efficient.
Francisco M.
08:20 31 Dec 22
I went to key visa company for a consultation about marriage visa. it turned out they don't do that type of visa but there was another option and the lady was professional and courteous. but since my visa is not finalized I can't honestly give a full report on visa company.
tony L.
01:17 30 Dec 22
The service and support I received from Darren & his Team in relation to a recent Passport Application for my son was exemplary.The service & professional way in which they expedited the application & explained clearly each step of the process's involved, was faultless.All of which resulted in a speedy & positive result.Darren & TeamThank you very much & I wish you all,A Very Happy & Prosperous New Year 2023 ( post Covid)Tony
Kristijan C.
16:48 22 Dec 22
Great helpful staff
Sean T.
11:39 21 Dec 22
Job done, Thank you team and sorry to hear of the passing of Darren 🙏
Thomas K.
14:21 13 Dec 22
Thank you for your reply, but there is no ringtone or pickup when ringing your office and none of my mails and messages have been answered.
Michael S.
15:42 10 Dec 22
I read today that Darren suddenly has passed away - far too early in his life.It's never too late to write a review and his services on his company - named Key Visa Co. - so I will use this review to say that I have always been satisfied helping me by his large knowledge about the visa system in Thailand.Every time I met him I was surpriced to noticed his honest and friendly commitment, and over the years I was always convinced that he was not only helpful but also indicated in his way of recognizing his customers. You could always count on him and I was never disappointed.It pains me that he has passed away at such an early age, but I believe that his customers will always remember him as a businessman who only wanted to give his customers the best possible experience and service.He will be missed!R.I.P. Darren.
C B
15:54 09 Dec 22
Seems to know about visas in Thailand
Peter W.
07:23 08 Dec 22
The Key visa team led by Darren have 18 years of experience navigating the visa minefield.I am just one of Darren’s satisfied clients.
Chris T
13:24 03 Dec 22
Fast and friendly
Ross C.
16:28 30 Nov 22
Fantastic company. Darren & his team couldn’t of been better! Polite, responsive, knowledgeable and most importantly they know what they’re doing & get the job done!! Very pleased with the entire process start to finish, me & my GF will be using the company for all of our visa needs moving forward! Thank you Darren & the team!!UK tourist visa application for Thai national.
Leo T.
09:53 25 Nov 22
Fantastic service
Christopher W.
08:01 25 Nov 22
key Visa has a proven track record. They have got me a retirement visa for years and renewed my passport without me having to go to Bangkok. They also got my daughter, born in Thailand, an English passport.Use Key Visa to sort out your retirement visa problems and for getting passports renewed or being obtained for citizens of dual nationalityExceptionally efficient
finlay S.
10:06 24 Nov 22
Had to renew my uk passport and chose key visa to deal with my application as I am up country in Chaiyaphum province.Great service from Darren and staff always quick and friendly replies to emails.Passport back in 11 weeks time it takes for uk to process.Collected by Key visa and posted by ems to me with old passport and letter to transfer visa stamps to new passport.Great service.
Michael H.
07:31 20 Nov 22
Michael “Mick” N.
11:05 19 Nov 22
Polsky E.
01:56 11 Nov 22
After attempting for 2 days to get a retirement visa myself with my Thai girlfriends help to no avail and being left totally frustrated I eventually gave up and contacted Darren. After consultation with Darren he calmly brought me back down to earth, reassuring me that the visa would be procured with little effort by myself. I left feeling very confident and reassured at what Darren had said. Yesterday I collected my passport with said visa for 15 months. Many thanks to Darren and team, Key Visa did a great job.
Bryan P.
02:53 06 Nov 22
Very pleased with the service I received here. Darren was very knowledgeable. Now my retirement Visa has been issued. I am delighted with Key Visa. Fantastic service. I am very grateful.
Tim M.
08:08 30 Oct 22
No wasting time
Martin William B.
09:43 27 Oct 22
Only go to the best !!!
Joe on the Go !
02:44 24 Oct 22
Maurice P.
10:51 21 Oct 22
Having had a difficult time renewing my UK passport I have to thank Key Visa service for their excellent help in difficult times in successfully getting my updated passport. Covid has played a big part in delays from the passport office along with increased demand and the Ukraine conflict but for those non UK residents this has caused many delays. Darren and his staff have been most helpful in ensuring this was completed as quickly as possible and I thoroughly recommend their service to anyone who are looking for this type of service. Many thanks for a five star service.
berny P.
06:23 20 Oct 22
Australian friend having problems with thai wife spouse visa, agency are being very helpful with a excellent customer service
Christopher B.
15:21 18 Oct 22
As always absolutely top class advise and speedy response - these guys have been looking after us for around twenty years and in my opinion the very best.
