@Greg **********

That's my point. They won't get MFA approval to marry as they are not free to marry.

@Jidel *****************

you need Thai government permission to marry. To get this you need a statement from the US embassy that you are not already married.

"Califorrnia" is also the name of multiple towns in the US, not just a state.

Bad planning.

@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.

@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.

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.

@Wannikea ********

obviously it's live now given the op has submitted it.

@Christopher *******

A German teaching English because he picked up a bit aged 14 is not a native speaker. There are certainly different levels of spoken English in India, with Hinglish emerging quite frequently, much like how American English can be a screwed up version.

@Christopher *******

A lot of TEFL teachers did not grow up speaking English. A lot of Indians grow up speaking English.