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 their UK settlement visa. 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 bride to live and reside with you in the UK so that you can live happily as husband and wife.
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 and affiliated with the Pattaya Expats club. 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 man and wife. 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.
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.
- Darren McGarry is the English speaking staff to deal with the sponsor and wehave Thai staff to deal with the partner, which is important to make sure that documents supplied to us are correct and complete.
- When the documents are received we collate and do the translations that are needed for the visa application.
- We book your Thai wife’s 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 set up the NHS portal account for your Thai partner so the new NHS surcharge can be paid.
What is included in our service
- We first start by advising the sponsor and the Thai applicant of the documents required on the telephone or by e-mail or fax making sure that both parties fully understand all the requirements.
- If you are not yet married we can organize a one day marriage service.
- We make sure your Thai wife has changed her passport into your surname. If this has not yet been done then we help obtain the new passport.
- 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 Thai 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 UKvisa on behalf of your Thai wife from the UK visa application center in Bangkok (VFS Global).
- When the decision has been made we collect the application, passport and UK visa on behalf of your Thai wife from the UK visa application center in Bangkok (VFS Global).
- Airport Concierge 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.
Financial Criteria set out of the FM Appendix
To obtain a UK Settlement visa there is a financial criteria which we have detailed on another section. These rules were introduced in July 2012 and are designed to prove to the British government that you can provide for your wife or her children financially. This includes being employed, or self employed, or living on pensions or savings – but it mainly comes down to being able to prove that you are earning 18,600 UK pounds before taxes, which is the income threshold set by the British Government. The income threshold is the biggest burden most people face with relation to this particular visa which is why professional help from Key Visa Company is paramount.
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
No visa, no professional fee. If you don’t get the visa we don’t get paid – No hassle, no heartbreak.
Ask us a question
Ray N.
04:06 01 Dec 23
If you are considering to get married to your thai partnerThen I recommend key visaIt was a stress free procedure thanks to kook who was very professional, and arranged everything for us in a very short time periodMany thanks Ray and kai
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.
J T.
07:55 15 Sep 22
Thanks to Darren and his team for renewing my retirement visa and re-entry permit! I got it back in ONE DAY! Awesome service. I highly recommend Key Visa and will definitely be using them again in the future!
Brenda B.
03:16 12 Sep 22
Friendly and efficient service ...
Nicholas D.
22:35 19 Aug 22
In difficult times they got the job done. UK passport renewal in 2022. My only gripe is my emails and phone calls went unanswered during the process. I was rude to the lady in the office. Sorry about that. When we asked for my (old) passport to be sent back on short notice for the 90 day renewal they sent it back immediately. Thanks guys. Sorry for the trouble
Steve H.
06:47 12 Aug 22
Darren and his staff are friendly, helpful and most of all very knowledgeable. If you need real and accurate advice then look no further.
สาวLA.ร้อยเอ็ด C.
05:33 05 Aug 22
Ian L.
04:53 08 Jul 22
Darren and his team are truly excellent offering an exemplary service. Was updated regularly as visa was processed and everything went smoothly. Darren took time to explain the process and was always available to answer questions. Highly recommended. Thank you
Wayne C
01:52 07 Jul 22
Great service from Darren and his Team, highly recommended! They get the job done courteously and professionally every time.
Chris H.
04:22 06 Jul 22
Passport renewal
Travelling O.
01:43 05 Jul 22
Good and quick service, reliable staff that can handle all visa issues within reason.
Jason M.
15:16 02 Jul 22
Great staff very helpful. Highly recommend Key Visa.
Nicholas W.
00:38 02 Jul 22
Key Visa fantastic helpful staff you want your loved ones to go home with you this is the place that will make it happen.
William F.
12:03 01 Jul 22
I received the answers I wanted. Quickly and easily
Brian C.
03:58 15 Jun 22
I have used Key Visa since moving to Thailand over 3 years ago. Darren quickly helped sort out my VISA, back then and arranged for me to open a Bank Account with Bangkok Bank which is invaluable and a must for any long term stay or ex pat. Also directed me to some one who helped me get Motorbike and Driving Licence. 3 years later and on this occasion I asked them to arrange a new 50 page UK passport along with renew VISA etc. Highly recommend Darren and his staff of front office ladies to get you sorted. Thanks
Tim F
07:59 01 Jun 22
A big thank you to Darren and the staff at Key Visa. I received prompt, courteous and professional communications and service for the annual renewal of my extention of stay and multiple reentry permit. I will be back once again this time next year. Great job!
David H.
01:04 31 May 22
T A.
06:30 27 May 22
Great staff and excellent service.Both polite and prompt.
H A
12:05 24 May 22
Professional and honest man, he extended my tourist visa in one day and at a reasonable price, definitely recommend this office.Hassan,
andy W.
03:21 24 May 22
well Darren it had been 2 years since i last saw you ,i would like to thank you and your staff for an excellent service for my visa. I can highly recommend key visa for all services and i have used them for many years .Dont go anywhere else use Key Visa
Jay R.
15:19 02 May 22
Experienced & knowledge about all things immigration and visas
John A.
07:11 20 Apr 22
Rang them to update my tourist visa from 30 day to 60 day. Was advised I needed my passport plus another passport photo. I dropped them in the office, 5 mins paperwork. Email received day later job done✔️ Took the aggro of doing it myself as a first time visitor.Staff very helpful, I'm more than happy to give Darren and his staff a 5 star review
paul C.
19:04 04 Apr 22
Very helpful and courteous.
Charles C.
07:22 28 Mar 22
Great place for expats to get visa applications completed in record time. They have great immigration contacts so you don't have to wait nearly as long as others do. Also this is only for expat visas. They don't do tourist visas.The only reason the didn't get 5 stars is because the employees are difficult to understand so I had to go in a few times instead of being able to handle things over the phone. The owner is a Brit so for English speakers he's usually always available for questions.
Thinka B.
05:27 12 Mar 22
Excellent and prompt service, very professional.
Linda G.
12:46 11 Mar 22
Key visa staff were really helpful and knew exactly what to do for my request.My application was handled efficiently and quickly and my passport returned very quickly with the stamps required.I would definitely recommend Darren and his staff if you need any visa or passport assistance.
John - C.
13:55 07 Mar 22
Excellent service from Darren and Key Visa. My only complaint was with The Thai Post office who managed to lose an EMS envelope with my passport in it. The passport was wrongly delivered to another town 20 miles away because the postal workers could not read English which was very clearly printed on the envelope. It took a whole day for my wife and the postman to track down the missing passport. Darren was very patient with me and my rantings and very supportive. I would advise anyone that has to deal with The ThaI Postal system to write their address in Thai. In the sticks very few people understand English.
Scott Y.
11:51 26 Feb 22
I have known Darren many years and he has helped me with a range of visa processes during my time in Thailand over the past 15 years. Professional, honest, hardworking and a pleasure to do business with. His staff are friendly and welcoming and they will assist you every step of the way. I recently lost my job and thus had my work permit cancelled and Darren assured me he could help and that's exactly what he did. A pleasure to know. If you need any help and advice with visas, give him a visit - you won't be disappointed. Cheers for your help and kindness!
Jura K.
08:03 24 Feb 22
Very good service. Thanks.
andrey tkachev T.
10:44 16 Jan 22
Very efficient and fast service . Despite the expected slowdown due to the New Year holidays and Covid, Darren and his team did everything possible to solve my problem in a timely manner. I will definitely come here again.
