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What are the costs and processing times for a UK spouse visa for my Thai wife, and is it worth using an agent?

May 20, 2025
22 days ago
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've read that a spouse visa for uk is around £1900 for my thai wife and can take between 14-18 months, if they visa is unsuccessful do I lose the £1900 and have to pay again when applying next time. Is this information correct and does it take that amount of time any help and information would be appreciated. Also is it better using agents solicitors or doing yourself.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The cost of a UK spouse visa is around £1900, and it can take 14-18 months to process. If the application is unsuccessful, the fees are typically non-refundable, meaning you must pay again to reapply. Additionally, there is an NHS surcharge of around £1035 per year. Some users report variations in processing times based on documentation readiness, with some receiving decisions in just weeks. It is debated whether to use solicitors or handle the application independently, with some stating the application can be straightforward if all requirements are met.
Frankie *****
Shocking ! Govt making good $$ 🤣
Colin *********
Crap no where near the price £1000 no more
Tony *************
Do you really believe that the government wouldn’t take your £1900 after all we’re only here to be fleece of every penny we earn
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ************
yes we have one of the most corrupt governments on the planet.
Tony *************
@James *****
all governments anywhere in the world not just ours
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ************
I reckon ours is in the top 3
Harry ********
It’s designed to be expensive
Brendan ********
Just jump on one of the boats . It's free . And free accommodation.
Kenneth *******
I was in England for one month last June and it was my worst trip alive. Before covid and Brexit, SOHO in London was fun and filled with people. The small towns had its charm and everyone had a great spirit. But last year, England was awful. The vibe is gone and the prices have gone up too much. I would never take a Thai girl to England, she would get bored after 2 days.
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kenneth ******
I've actually said the same, so thats why we are going to do a holiday there first.
Kenneth *******
@James *****
that is a very expensive holiday
Gordon *******
£1900 for spouse visa + £3600 for NHS surcharge , A1 test , tb test need to be done 1st before submitting application these vary in price depending where you book the appointments , biometrics are included in the visa fees but some places also charge for this , we submitted my wife’s in January & got her passport back with travel visa at the end of march ,it should only be a 3 month turnaround.

If visa unsuccessful you don’t get any of the fees back and when you go to apply again you have to re pay everything
Richie *******
My mate just got the 2 year uk spouse visa for his wife it cost him £6,500
Richard ******
I am going back to 2009, I bought my Thai wife to the UK first I had to get her a visa for spouse, she had to put in a lot of effort, English life in the UK and so on, all added up, next permanent say in the UK visa then I got her UK passport now 2010 /11 total cost then £3500 so I’m sure it will cost a tidy chunk now, luckily she never failed or I would have lost the money and paid again and did all myself, but she will need to put in the effort as well, good luck
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard *****
thankyou my wife speaks good english, we are planning to do a holiday for her first, to see if she can cope with the cold weather, lol then go from there, I've had some great advise on this post and really appreciate the responses.
Peter ********
@James *****
my wife's been in the uk 20 years she still feels the cold, She come over in June 2005
Richard ******
@James *****
she will but be prepared to be the only couple walking down the street in 25 c with your wife wearing a coat woolly hat and scarf
Drew *******
Obviously things have changed when I applied for my wife just before COVID. With chest x-ray and further medical tests and the biometrics we applied in December and had the visa 1st week January. We had to pay the NHS Supplement as well. We downloaded all the information and forms we completed, then took everything to vso.
Robin *******
It did when I applied for my wife non refundable if unsuccessful. Don’t forget about the NHS surcharge as well that’s a lot of money
Pawel *******
We use solicitor in Bangkok. Cost
*****
baht
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pawel ******
wow not cheap did you have success
Pawel *******
@James *****
we not apply yet , she has English test this week , 2 weeks we have to waiting for results,

Then we can apply
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pawel ******
ok so english test first then you can apply. Ok thanks i got mixed information of site I read.
Lee ******
@James *****
@Smile ***************
(smilevisa.com) specialise in UK visas and are much more cost effective. Should take 2-3 months or can pay an extra £500 for 30 day premium service.
Pawel *******
You pay priority service £500 and they will do in 30 days
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pawel ******
ok thanks i didn't know that
Pawel *******
Joe **********
@James *****
£1000 now and it takes 24 hours not 30 days.
Pawel *******
@Joe *********
priority service is £500 ☺️
Joe **********
@Pawel ******
Ok have it your way!
Pawel *******
14 months ?
Bob **********
Yes 14 months is a good estimate
Ally ************
A friend of mine recently obtained a 10-yr Uk visa for his Thai wife.. allowing unlimited entries of up to 6 months stay each time.. and he told me he paid around £1,000 for it.. and it didn't take anything like 12+ months to process the application.. if all the correct documentation is prepared and ready to submit it should take several weeks rather than several months.. but of course, every situation is different and will have it's own peculiarities.. so timescales will potentially differ between applicants.. I'm considering doing something similar shortly.. no immediate plans to travel back to the Uk, but I'd rather have it in place ready for when it's needed 😉
Graham ******
@Ally ***********
I got my wife's 10 year standard visitor visa in 2023 for £860. Approved with no issues exempt the wait was longer than expected due to the flood of Ukranian appliications being processed.

I found it easy to do myself by going through the online application and making careful note of every requirement in every section then putting together an application letter ensuring that every requirement was included and had references to attached appendices which contained the documentation which addressed the requirements.
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ally ***********
thankyou we was looking into this also
Will ************
There is also a NHS surcharge of £1035 a year.
Travis *******
@Will ***********
random question from an American. Does that give them full access to your healthcare system?
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Will ***********
thankyou, is there charge for the test.
Andy **********
You have to pay again if you reaply
Henry *********
I don't think UK visa fees are ever refunded. A spouse visa is relatively straightforward, as long as you meet the financial requirements. Your wife will need to pass the English language test at a minimum of A1 level.
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henry ********
thankyou is the time frame correct of 14 months plus
Chris *********
@James *****
recommend this group
Chris *********
@James *****
ours took 3 months
Michael ********
Suggest go on UK goverment website they have all the info and its quote clear. Havent looked at it lately
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thankyou all for your advice and time much appreciated.
James ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
will do but was looking for advice of people that have actually done this, and if using agents solicitors was better and so. That's reason I have posted then I can see what route to take thankyou
Thehoodyguy *************
@James *****
My wife has been here 17 years and has ILR
Thehoodyguy *************
@James *****
my associate used a uk based solicitor five years ago for the application it cost approx £1000 in fees to the solicitor + visa fee and health surcharge + level 1 english test the spouse visa approved within 3 months as all other financial requirements were met his wife has been here Five years

It was much simpler and cheaper when I brought my own wife over 17 years ago but took 6 months of constant hounding immigration and appeals after the first refusal but had no issues since and i did that one myself
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