What are the financial requirements for bringing a partner from Thailand to the UK on a visa?

Mar 11, 2024
9 months ago
Trying to get the wife over on a ‘partner visa’ to the UK…. We’ve gone through an agency based in korat where my Mrs is from and lives (I’m currently in the UK and she’s in Thailand). Sorted all the documents out no problem, now the agency has just decided to tell my wife that I’ve got to prove I have £62,000 in my bank for her to come over… I’ve already proved I earn more than 18k a year and was told that’s it but now all of a sudden I’ve got to have 62k in the bank.. any ideas, help and advice please? TIA!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is confused by conflicting information from their agency regarding UK visa requirements for their Thai wife. Despite having proven an annual income of over £18,000, the agency claims they now need to show £62,000 in savings as well. Other commenters suggest that the £62,000 requirement is either outdated or incorrect, as the current financial threshold for a UK partner visa is around £18,600, which is set to increase to £29,000 soon. Many recommend the poster reconsider using the agency, as their knowledge of UK immigration rules seems inadequate. They advise that the official UK government website should be consulted for accurate information and suggest considering a direct application without agency assistance.
Steve *******
Get over here and do it yourself
Steve *******
Get saving, but why take her as partner and not wife
Clifton ***************
I’ve been trying for 6years and gave up it’s now been ten years they have made it impossible especially if you’re retired and not earning and yet all these illegal imigrants are getting in enough said
Tim *********
who told you that?....
Tim *********
what what
Kim ****************
Mar *****
can you get her to france and over on a dinghy 🛶
Chris *********
@Mar ****
yea then we’ll get given a house and car money etc ?
Anthony ********
Not true. Have the agency told you or just your wife?
Daniel *******
Bullshit
Tim *********
I'd be looking for an agency in the UK, used to dealing with UK rules, regs and paperwork
Chris *********
@Tim ********
Tim,seems like a few of us looking for that mate ?
Cassius **********
Have you tried just going through the process yourself without an agent? That seems to make the most sense
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Chris *********
Guys how does this all affect pensioners ?
Henry *********
@Chris ********
I know. It's impossible for someone on a state pension to bring in a foreign wife unless they have £62,500 in savings.
Chris *********
@Henry ********
but pensioners don’t have anything like the same income Henry ? They’re usually retired people .
Henry *********
@Chris ********
Same rules for pensioners.
Kev *********
62k in the bank is BS. Call Key Visa Pattaya for advice. It may have changed but for partner visa you needed to be earning 18.6k or have 40k in the bank.
Will ************
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Will ************
Its £
*****
at present, any savings above £16k can count towards it. It will increase to just shy of £30k income soon
Alistair *********
62k in the bank will be because of the income shortfall. Nearly impossible for the average person to bring spouse on partner visa now, only if you are rich can you do it. Really not fair
John *********
The agency are mistaken, with regards to what they are asking it is an either or, my law, firm here in Thailand and back in the UK deal with UK, Visa and Immigration matters, the UK office is regulated by the solicitors regulatory authority.

We offer a free no obligation consultation with our Director of UK Immigration and Visa matters. Should you or any other interested parties feel the need for such a conference then please visit our website or send an email to the following. I hope this assists in someway.

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Phil ********
Total bollocks mate. Ive done plenty of UK visas for my Thai wife and a few for my mates Thai wives with a first time approval.

Do it yourself. They're not that difficult.
Kim ****************
It's disgusting that genuine people struggle to get in the uk ,and yet the illegals are housed given money food clothes ect the government are so corrupt, government must have shares in the boats
Mark ********
@Andy *********
One you have no idea how these people voted. You are obviously biased and talking total and utter tosh. Simply returning all asylum seekers that didn't claim it in the first available country as the law states would rid us of a huge amount of the problem. unlikely you can see reality as you are probably busy preparing welcome packs for them and standing on the beach waiting to hand them out...
Kim ****************
@Andy *********
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣omg
Andy **********
@Kim ***************
Don't think I am. Voters only care about numbers. Government goes for low hanging fruit. The politics around refugees is a nonsense. Illegal refugees are not helped by the government because they are in the black economy. You spout a load of nonsense about the government helping illegal migrants because they are corrupt. No illegal migrant is fed by the government, housed by the government, clothed or given money. Normally people have to be found guilty of an offence through evidence, but instead as a migrant, you have to prove innocence. Perverse law indeed. The government policies you attack are because voters are anti refugee. They are not coming to the UK because it's great (the uk is a terrible country) but because life is so terrible for them back home, largely because of what the British and others have done. You probably don't realize the treaty with Rwanda entitles Rwanda to send to the UK uncapped numbers of asylum seekers. Lunatic policy, but it works when you think migrants are the root of all evil. It's what you voted for.
Kim ****************
@Andy *********
I think you're totally missing the point 🙄
Andy **********
@Kim ***************
To reduce immigration by cracking down on "illegal migrants" costs money; ultimately, for the UK, you will have to militarise the coastline, put border guards on beach patrol duties, questioning bathers, handing out leaflets asking them to report kids in inflatable dinghies on the beach.....Building housing faciities, work camps. Then you find there is less spent on the army, NHS, police, potholes, dole. But, you can achieve the same reduction, more or less, by essentially making 90% of overseas marriages illegal, and it will not only cost the government nothing, but also be a handy revenue stream by charging people fairly outrageous sums to fill in a form and access the NHS even if they are paying taxes like everyone else. So British man is on £29k a year. Now he's got to find £1846, non-refundable, for the visa fee. £1000 extra if you want a fast decision because you are dying or something, also non-refundable. Then 2.5 years of NHS surcharge up front at about £1000 a year, about the same as a typical Bupa package. Holiday visa fee is about £115, and the Home Office ought to be a rigorous with those applications as any other. Yet, now the paperwork is more than 10x as much?????? But this is the policy you've voted for, so not sure why you are complaining. And the illegals you moan about are often turning up dead in the back of a Northern Irish biscuit lorry, if you remember the young Vietnamese people. Fact is, >80% of those arriving on boats are genuine refugees, who were told that the British, when we ruled their countries, were kind, charitable, fair and decent people, who welcomed 200,000 Belgians who arrived in 24 hours in WW1, admitted thousands of Kinder children without question in WW2, welcomed Ugandan asians threatened with genocide in the 1970s. Unfortunately, they were told a lie, as in the 21st century, the British are now mean minded.
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Arch *********
Don't bother 🤣🤣
Paul *******
Ok so is this a visitor visa or a Spouse Visa?

If it's a visitor visa then the main things they're looking for is that your wife has enough money and a reason to return to Thailand after the visit.

If it's a spousal visa then, they are only really interested in your income. The income threshold is currently £18,600 but it's increasing to £29,000 on 11 April 2024. So you need to apply asap if you want the lower amount.

In my opinion it's really not worth using an agent for a UK visa, while agents in Thailand have let say "special relationships" with immigration officials they don't have any with the people that do UK visas. The other thing I would say having worked with the Home office for years is that the people that work on UK visas are looking for any excuse to decline them, even very minor mistakes can mean your visa is declined so double check everything before you apply.
Paul *******
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
thanks for the advice mate, if it fails this time, I’ll be doing it myself the next time for sure!
Neil ********
Sorry to hear this when this useless government lets in illegal immigrants every day!

Wish you good luck 👍 and a successful outcome
Christopher *************
There has to be clear evidence of a relationship, ie marriage certificate and pictures over a period of time. Evidence that she will return to Thailand, ie job, children, property. You must have an income of GBP18.6K and a verified Bank Balance of GBP5K for a 6month visa. Clearly establish a reason for the visit. ie, tourism, family visit, or leisure. Get rid of the agent and do it yourself.
Jon *******
Contact
@Paul *******
he will sort the visa no problem aslong as everything is in order
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jon ******
IFF it fails this time, I’m definitely dropping him a message for round 2! Cheers mate👍🏻
Jon *******
@Billy *****************
aslong as you got the relevant paperwork everything gets made with paul 👍🏻 no 1 in Thailand 😁
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jon ******
I know of Paul, I was going to go with him but the agency we’ve gone with is the same agency that sorted mine and the Mrs marriage out in bkk last year. Wish I’d of gone with him regarding the visa now from day one.
Neal *******
This is no help but your post proves that it is difficult for Thai people to get into the countries of their spouses.
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neal ******
I agree. Nightmare!
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Turns out the agency we’re going with made a boo boo, the information they gave us was wrong and I don’t need proof I’ve got 62k in my bank.. honestly pulling my hair out with all this, my Mrs is going to Bangkok this Friday to present all the documentation to the embassy so fingers crossed we get the visa, but next time I’m steering clear of this agency, been nothing but a nightmare! Thanks all for the comments, muchly appreciated!
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henry ********
cheers mate🤞
Henry *********
@Billy *****************
Nice one 👏 Good luck with the rest of the process.
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Henry ********
yes she passed that last month
Henry *********
@Billy *****************
Does she have the English test Pass yet?
Bill **************
As a UK citizen living in Thailand with a Thai partner I find it sickening that the UK government imposes strict restrictions like this while doing next to nothing to stop illegal immigration.
Bill **************
@Martin **********
...The Reform Party are the only ones pledging to stop illegal immigration....
Martin ***********
Or pay hard earned state pension to retirees in Thailand. Next elections vote for whoever will remove migrants. Yesterdays paper says UK gov offering migrants £3000 each to be removed ! State funds could be better spent on elderly folks, veterans etc
Andy *******
Its the same up here in and around Manchester

You dare not do anything for fear of upsetting their poor useless souls

And I toned that down so as not to upset a narrow minded Fbook as well
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ******
I’m just glad I’m born, bred and still live in a little village 2 hours north of London, it’s an absolute cesspit down there now.
Andy *******
@Bill *************
Well said, that’s my opinion also. Way too many Muslims, Hindu, Africans, Pakistanis here now, all bleeding the country dry with aid payments

We urgently need a revolution in the UK, remove these useless fat cat politicians and our well outdated unwanted royal family as well

Get this country back to basics where fair play for white UK citizens of long standing residence is recognised
Robert *********
@Bill *************
Same issue in the USA
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill *************
mate don’t get me started on that! I’m gritting my teeth every time I think about it!
Paul *********
I’m going through this process at the moment and there has been no requirement to prove I have 62k in the bank. Just need to prove income is above the current threshold. The rest is proof of relationship and living arrangements. We are not using an agent but my wife is a member of a Thai Facebook group that give each other advice and experience of the process.
Carlos *********
Anything should do? Show them a retirement account
JJ ******
Sorry just wondering isn’t better just

For your wife to get a tourist visa to the uk fly over and then marry you and then she can just overstayed until the marriage papers are clear and all done that’s how some people here in the us
David ***********
I used a korat agency, their Buriram branch, because my partner wanted to deal with local people. We didn't get the visa. Afterwards I checked the UK requirements and it was clear the agency made basic mistakes and didn't know the UK requirements. For example, i gave them salary slips, it should have been a bank statement - I didn't know before. If you find a good agent I would like to know.
John *******
In the future it will be very difficult to bring a partner into the UK from anywhere in the world unless you have a substantial income and savings I am afraid to say 🤠🙏
Shaun ********
If you need advice I use a company in the uk she's very helpful and has done all the visas for my wife and she can tell u what u need to know inbox me and I will give u her number 👍
David ***********
@Shaun *******
I would appreciate details of the UK company please.
Michael *******
@Shaun *******
nothing come through pal. E mail
********************
Shaun ********
@Michael ******
I've sent u a message in messenger 👍
Michael *******
@Shaun *******
details would be appreciated please👍
Peter **********
If it’s a 6 month visitor visa , my wife and I have done this several times over the last 10 years, you only have to prove you can support her whilst she’s in UK

If it’s long stay there is an earnings level you must achieve before they will grant it
Henry *********
The £62,500 is for meeting the requirements through savings. If you meet the current salary requirement (£18,900) you don't need to show savings.
John ********
Your biggest problem is for your wife to provide the evidence that she's going to come back to Thailand ie she has a job and money in Thailand and maybe a family members to come back to or a home that she owns

If she does not have any of them then she will not be coming to England, no matter how much money you have in your account
Kev *********
@John *******
if she's going in a partner visa and intends settlement there is no requirement for reason to return to Thailand. Suitable accomodation however does need evidence.
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
she meets all them requirements so that’s ok
John ********
@Henry ********
ho right so sorry I didn't release that 🤔
Henry *********
@John *******
Not for a Settlement Visa.
David *******
Your agent dosnt know or understand the IK process

Before paying them 1 penny leave them and find one who does

You can actually follow and do as UK border agency site tells you

As far as I know the new amount you are required to earn is £36,000

However that has been reduced down to £28,000

You don’t require to show £62,000 where on earth did that come from if agent told you dump him quick

As I said do it yourself I did

Have loads and loads of photos together marriage shots etc

You need show proof where she will live with you photos address time stayed there etc etc

Your NI. Etc

Everything you need is on the UK sure someone before me posted you the UK link

Follow it step by step

Good luck
Dan ********
@Billy *****************
it's a large jump, but I'm guessing UK immigration figured that at the lower end incomes, the girls disappear into the suburbs of Grimsby or Sheffield, never seen again, they got nothing to lose. The girls who's fellas on £36K+ incomes, aren't so willing to risk everything and they don't disappear and the fella sees them back onto the plane with promises of whatever makes them think its worth not doing a runner to go work in a fish and chip shop..
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
it is rather ridiculous though to be fair putting it up that much!
Dan ********
@Billy *****************
lol, OK, so we're not too far off. I read this only third hand from a thai visa group, maybe last night.
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
I read it was 29k in April then up again in early 2025
Dan ********
@David ******
increasing to £34K in April, and then allegedly £38K by year end..

.
Ian *****
Sounds dubious to me. I applied several times for my partner, not even wife, and always do it direct with Embassy & VFS do the interview and she goes alone And never been asked for 62k deposit proof, although my bank statements are included . May be too late but look at doing it direct....as long as wife can speak English at VFS, and evidences a reason to return to Thailand you have full control
Christopher *************
Being strung along, are you sure she is not in on it?
Jeffrey ************
That's the agency, not vfs....
Steve **********
@Jeffrey ***********
get new agent, of have her ro it.
Gary *********
I’m sure there’s more experienced people who’ll comment, but £62k ?? I completed the process last year and had no issues. I certainly can’t prove that figure. At the moment it’s around £18k but I understand that figure is going up.

Just looked again and I’d only applied for a tourist visa, so the visa your applying for maybe more ?

Not many earn £62k in the uk so that figure seems high ??
Andy *******
Hi Gary. I have retired to Thailand now so it would be a case of us both visiting for a limited time, as it were.
Gary *********
@Andy ******
if you wanted to take the gf to the uk for a couple of weeks, a tourist visa is what you need. I understand the required salary is going up from 18k to 28k.

The usual evidence, phone chats, photos, evidence that’s she’ll return, such as land, kids, a job.

They basically need to see you can support her and she’ll return to thailand.
Andy *******
Hi Gary. So if i wanted to take my GF back to the UK to visit the family, do those rules still apply if we were only there for a couple of weeks? Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question, this is all new for me.
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andrew *******
yeah that’s how I see it now I’ve read into it
Andrew ********
@Billy *****************
the way I see it it’s £18,000 salary or if you’re not working then it’s £62,000 savings not both
Karim ***************
@Billy *****************
it’s usually one or the other, Billy. Who is telling you this, home office or an agent? I know it’s due to double of the yearly earnings side but, it shouldn’t have yet. The whole process is a bit of a racket. Using an agent will help your cause. In the space of 3 months, I had 2 refusals, doing it myself and then a pass, using the agent. But I used all the same information on all 3 attempts. The decision makers are outsourced to India… The agents know what those Qunts are looking for 🤷‍♂️ Someone on here should be able to recommend a good agent for the location you are… I take it Pattaya. I heard there was a good agent on soi 6… not joking 🤣🤣🤣
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ********
cheers pal👍🏻
Gary *********
@Billy *****************
good luck mate. I’d applied for the tourist visa, no issues, but as we know, it’s only £18k needed to to meet the criteria. The visa you’re applying for different.

I’m sure more experienced lads can give better advice.
Billy ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gary ********
I had to prove I earnt £18k per year which wasn’t a problem but now they’re saying I’ve also got to have £62k in my bank to prove ‘I can take care of her’ when she’s here
Darren ***********
Watching
Michael ********
Didnt think it was changing till later in year but yes its gone up drastically
Al *******
@Henry ********
👌 cool. Thanks.
Henry *********
@Al ******
One or the other. Savings can be used to top up the salary too.
Al *******
@Henry ********
one or the other criteria or both are required?
Ant ******
@Michael *******
I know it's due to go up but haven't heard anything yet about the money in the bank method increasing.
Michael ********
Henry *********
@Michael *******
Those are the current financial requirements- £18,900 for salary or £62,500 for savings. The increase hasn't been applied yet.
Chomchanok **********
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If I were you I would reconsider the agency as clearly that they are not a UK visa specialist.
Chomchanok **********
@Andy *******
The 1st one is "สะใภ้อังกฤษ UK "

and the 2nd one is " UK Visa "

They are very useful groups 😊
Andy ********
@Chomchanok *********
which UK visa group is this please?
Chomchanok **********
Your wife/partner may need to join the UK visa group then she can post any questions on there. I have done all visas including the UK passport myself (obviously with my husband's support) we just followed the instructions/information on the Home Office website.
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