This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the steps for obtaining residency for my Thai girlfriend if we marry and move to the UK?

Apr 27, 2025
2 days ago
Harrys ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
If my relationship with my Thai gf becomes more serious, and I want to marry and return with her to live in the UK, is it possible to get her residency?

Do we have to prove the relationship?

Any advice? Just in case this happens.
9,101
views
18
likes
221
all likes
68
replies
1
images
37
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The process for obtaining residency for a Thai girlfriend involves applying for a Settlement Visa after marriage. You must provide evidence of a genuine relationship, meet financial requirements, ensure adequate accommodation, and your girlfriend will need to pass an English test as well as a TB test. This process can be lengthy, costly, and requires documentation such as photos and communication records. It's important to consider potential changes in regulations, as well as the emotional and financial implications of relocating to the UK.
Will *********
You will need o prove your income to be over a certain level.
Aaron **********
Only date ladys from 7 11 .
Vincent *******
if you get married. you show the marriage certificate to your embassy and she gets a visa . if it all looks legit. after that. anything can happen.
Darren ******
Don't do it.. they change once they meet other Thai girls who have been in UK longer and they want what they have and what their partners give them but don't realise it takes time to have those things.

Residency takes a long time and she will need to pass an English test now.

Her initial visa will be 6 months.. if she gets one.

U will need all info , emails , messenger chats , money sent to her via banking or WU. Also photos of U both , U with family.

But most of all , a reason to return.. a baby , or business here.

And she will need money in her bank.

It's more on her return , rather then on Ur financial status , although obv that counts.
Henrik *****
Ask in a group dedicated to UK visa rules, to get precise and updated knowlegde, not in a group specialised in Thai visa rules
Frankie *******
Put aside at least $30,000 baht for her monthly expenses if not she will find someone else n u become irrelevant
Luigi ***********
Good luck 👍
Vinay ********
I found that if they have ties to Thailand then it's possible. Such as property in their name, a business or land then it's easier. Best is a finace visa to see if she like the UK. Unlikely but it is possible but be prepared that her family will always be priority before you and any money they make will be returned there
Harrys ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vinay *******
thank you. I understand the family ties and would be prepared that I have to spend time in Thailand
Pe ********
Yes, yes and do your research as the rules change all the time...

My wife got citizenship in Nov after being here since Dec 2018... It's quite a long, costly process with language exams to pass, life in the UK exam and a total of 4 visas including an initial tourist for us... Good luck
Hua ************
why the hell would you want to return to the shitty uk, best thing i ever did was moving here to Thailand for much better life
Philip *******
Why on earth do you want to go back to the UK most of the population are trying leave.
Steve ********
I heard marriage brings out the worst in people.
Keith ************
If you think you might do this in the future, start documenting your relationship now. Make sure you have plenty of pictures of the two of you together and document when you see each other, or communicate with each other.
Andy ********
I've done this in New Zealand. It was quite easy and inexpensive. They like to get lots of lung x-rays. The whole path to Permanent Residency was only 3 years and the path to divorce 3 and a half.
Andy **********
If married, don't need loads of photos for visitor visa. My wife has a record from Malaysia. 2 applications, 2 visas granted, no issues. Simple one pager of invitation. Thai people like the idea of the uk, but the reality is a let down. My wife came over for 6 weeks last year in September/October. That made her mind up. Too cold and terrible food. A spouse visa is expensive. For the first 2.5 years, it's costing you £1500 in home office fees, not refundable, and £3000 in NHS fees. Plus you need a decent salary. Plus she has to go an English test in Thailand, and a medical examen, so another £500. After 2.5 years, rinse and repear. After 5 years, she can apply for indefinite leave to remain, the first step to a UK passport. But that's moot, because the current government is proposing to change that from 5 to 10 years. And by then, you will need a salary of £5000 per annum. She can get a job in the UK, but unless it's in the NHS or care home, she has to pay £1000 a year for the NHS on top of NI and tax. If you marry in Thailand, that's automatically recognised in the UK. It's advisable to get the certificate translated, but not essential. I suspect getting a UK marriage certificate recognised in Thailand is a faff. We're are content with visitor visas now. The UK has become too hostile.
Alex ********
I think u need to be earning 40k+ from this year
Jet ********
Yes
Phill ******
Be prepared to pay a lot of money to the uk government , have loads of evidence etc etc she be on what they call the 5 year route only after then she can apply for permanent residence or what they call leave to remain or there is the other side of the coin take her as far as France then put her on a dingy job done 😂
Sarah ******
@Phill *****
that is not even funny.
Darren ******
@Sarah *****
but it's true 🤣
Sarah ******
@Darren *****
oh gosh..not another without a brain cell.
Darren ******
@Sarah *****
sorry Ur without a brain cell , have U thought of re entering education
Sally *******
Is she a lot younger than you, is she looking for a rich, fat man with a weak heart... just ask yourself a few questions first...
Jacob *****
@Sally ******
it's beggars belief had naive some people are. Imaging actually believing someone 30 years younger than you is genuinely attracted to you.
Chris *********************
@Jacob ****
you no oil painting yourself, face like a hairy smacked arse
Jacob *****
@Chris ********************
that's nice. But at least I can find a woman within my own age range.
Jacob *****
@Chris ********************
enjoy getting ripped off
Sally *******
@Jacob ****
who is ripping who off?
Jacob *****
@Sally ******
Most of these crusty old men will end up getting ripped off one way or another if they're chasing girls 30+ years younger than them.
Sally *******
@Chris ********************
all these girls are being exploited by fat middle aged men, who are too repulsive for women in their own culture... it's disgusting to see. Don't take these young vulnerable girls away from their culture and family, then be surprised when all they want from you is money for their family..
Podge *********
My friend is married to a Thai girl she is at the uk citizenship stage after five years total cost £20.000 pounds not Thai baht so beware it is costly
Andy **********
@Podge ********
And the problem is the costs in 5 years might be even higher. Then they add 2 more visa requirements, and then you are looking at 10 years just to live together in a cold, wet miserable land where people hate your wife. It's not worth it.
Pe ********
@Andy *********
Not correct... You can apply for ILR Visa after 5 years and then citizenship thereafter so for us it was a total of just under 6 years to get UK citizenship last Nov 24
Andy **********
@Pe *******
Currently it is 5 years. The Conservative opposition has said they will extend the requirement to 10 years online with other residency requirements. The next general election will be no later than August 2029. The Conservatives are highly likely to form the next government, if in coalition with Reform. Policies like this will be top of the agenda, and likely strongly endorsed by Reform. For planning purposes, if you are starting this process, certainly if any visa isn't due to start until H2 this year, I would not make the assumption that the current arrangements will be in place in 5 years. Assume the cost to obtain ILR (including nhs surcharge , inflation adjustments) in the order of £30-40,000 as a result and budget accordingly. It's a changing world and any government is looking for the easy wins in this area.
Pe ********
@Andy *********
Ah I see what you mean now, yea in the future things will definitely change so I'm doubly delighted we got things done recently phew... What you say is an easy win for the next government and I think you may be correct re Tories/Reform.. Let's hope they do something serious about the migrants just crossing the channel to get in which has been a huge bug bear of mine having gone through the current proper procedure with my wife! Thanks for the input 👍🏻
Sally *******
@Podge ********
still a girl after 5 years

...wtf...
Tin **********
Pay thai bf sin sod
Jesper *******
You will have to find out what are the requirements of getting a residency for a foreigner in your home country....I think the best bet is to get married and now you have to decide where to register your marriage is it better to do it in the UK or Thailand...
Mike *******
best thing to do is stick her in a dinghy in calais
Jacob *****
@Mike ******
second this, at least you'll get a free house and dental care out of it
Steve ******
You must prove shes 100% a woman.
Henry *********
She will need a Settlement visa. You will need to meet the financial requirements, provide acceptable accommodation for her and prove the relationship is genuine. She will need to pass a UKVI English test at minimum A1 level and have a TB certificate. It's a fairly lengthy and expensive process, and that's just for the initial visa. For Leave to Remain and finally UK citizenship there a more tests and more costs.
Dave **********
@Henry ********
but if you're a single teenage Muslim male, can't speak word of English, destroyed your ID. You'll be welcomed with open arms. It's a disgrace
Mohit **********************
What’s the age difference between the both of you? If it’s more than 50 then no. 😂
Harrys ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Andy ************
@Harrys ***********
Sadly the UK government will not look favourably on this arrangement, as many younger women simply use the foreigner to get access to another country, and then they shoot through, but the UK is left having to provide for them. It might work but expect a long drawn-out battle!
Jacob *****
@Harrys ***********
30 year age gap and you don't for one minute think she's going to do a runner the moment she gets over here? I hate being pessimistic about these but c'mon man wake up!! Find someone closer to your own age bracket if you're actually looking for a genuine relationship.
Chris *********************
@Jacob ****
load of crap, 29 years difference between me and my wife happily married 14 years 2 daughters. Nice home in Thailand and uk.my wife has been to the uk numerous times.i think this could have happened to you. Or you been here for a holiday and listened to the bull shit.
David *******
You probably have to get her Thai boyfriend to agree first. 😂😂
Tony ******
@David ******
My wife is Thai I am from UK. For a visitor/holiday the biggest thing to show is a reason to return, as in a job/property? As we were married I had to show I was earning £
*****
+ and could look after her without relying on the government,Don’t know what the amount is now as mine was 12 years ago. Pay up front for access to medical care, I think that wat first 2 & a half years then same again for 2nd 2 & a half. Bit of a ball ache but worth it for us as I couldn’t retire to Thailand. Will be making the move in 12 months so,,,, all the very best to you m8. If I was able I’d have given the UK a wide berth but it’s worked out well. She got a job ok & passed driving test so not ALL hard going 😎🙏🙏
Harrys ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was hoping for some constructive comments.....
Mats **********
@Harrys ***********
and that's what you get.
Webb ********
@Harrys ***********
good luck with that one ☝️ my advice is continue the relationship keeping and compiling some evidence of it. Cash transactions emails phone calls and one day magic may or may not happen. Fiancé visa may be appropriate for you! 🙏
David *******
@Harrys ***********
this may be more constructive than you realize 😊
Robin *********
@David ******
and her brothers
Mats **********
@David ******
you mean her husband
Rowan *********
@Mats *********
no, no you’re mistaken, they’re just her “Brothers” 😆
Abey *********
You need to prove you have the financial means to support her.
David *********
only if she owns 25 buffalo
Egger *********
@David ********
that are not sick ?
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else