What type of visa to apply for

[Andy]

I have known my Thai wife since October 2005, and have visited her every couple of months since then. We had a Muslim wedding in April 2006 but are not registered. And applied for a tourist visa for her to visit the UK in June. This was refused 4 days before she was due to travel. We had provided everything i could think of, 6 months bank statements, 6 month payslips, phone records, e mails a letter from her employer and so on. She is a well educated woman, having studied at degree level in Australia. Has a good job for a english company out there and speaks perfect english. I ended up going back out there in June, during my time there, her parents signed over to her a plot of land in Bangkok and deposited a large amount of money into her bank account. We have now re-applied for a tourist visa for her, but hold out little hope of getting it. We would like to settle in the UK. Basically what im hoping for is some advice on the following.
If the tourist visa is successful, can we get married in the UK and a apply for a settlement visa from there, or does she need to go back to Thailand.
Can she apply for a settlement visa as fiancee or is it better for me to go back and for us to register and then apply for settlement visa as a wife.
Any help that be offered would be greatly received, as the embassy have been of little help in the matter

[mike]

suggest you go to thaivisa .com web site and im sure you will get all the info you need

[Ian]

I also suggest you get registered.
If not - the marriage is simply a traditional village one : not recognised by either the Thai or foreign governments.

[dave owen]

a "religious" wedding of any faith done in thailand does not count for a UK visa.You will have to marry in Ampur (town council) office,just like the registry office in UK.I dont know if you have tried a visa agency,some people think they are a rip off but they do know the ins and outs of the ordeal! They will even book your wedding and take you there in the taxi.I presume you got absolutely everything translated? I really would recommend an agent,bite the bullet and see one.When they tell you the price as always BARTER!!!! Good luck.ps I can put you in contact with a bona fide agent if you care to reply

[Robert]

Quite probably the reason you wife was rejected was that she applied for a tourist visa when in fact you should have applied for an immigrant visa. It appears that she did not have intentions of being a tourist. It may not have helped by indicating you were married as the embassy will realize that she may not return to her home country.
Recommend she apply for an immigrant visa.