Unused UK Settlement Visas and Broken Relationships

In the unfortunate event wherein a UK settlement visa (i.e UK fiancee visa Thailand and UK spouse visa Thailand) has been issued and the relationship comes to its bitter requiem, the Thai beneficiary can no longer use the travel permission to enter the United Kingdom. Using the visa is an evident violation of immigration law. The consequences of such act may result to deportation and a permanent ban in entering the said country.

The rationale

During settlement visa applications, the UK sponsor guarantees the government of taking full responsibility of the beneficiary’s expenses, accommodation and visa provisions. He makes an assurance that his Thai partner shall not in any way rely on public funds for support, shall have enough space to live in and shall not threaten the country’s overall security. Thus, during relationship breakdowns, such assurance is automatically lost. Using the visa, most especially for the purpose of visiting another UK citizen, is a major offense. Even if the visa is used merely for visiting and not for settlement, still, it is not permitted. The problem becomes more complicated if the visa is used for permanent residency and staying with a different sponsor. This is clearly immigration fraud.

UK’s Border Agency has a record of those who have been approved of a visa. They constantly check if these people have actually used their travel permission. If they enter using the said visa, authorities will also know because there are immigration officers in the airport that shall notify the said agency.

The solution

The best approach to this situation is to have the visa cancelled. The reason behind the cancellation should be directly explained. At any rate, this will not affect future applications. This could actually strengthen a new application made since it shall show that the applicant strictly observes all of the immigration rules and policies.

This article was provided by Siam Legal, an international law firm with offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, and Samui. Siam Legal publishes guides to acquiring a UK visa for Thai fiancee on its website.

Siam Legal International
Interchange 21 Building, 23rd Floor, 399 Sukhumvit Road
North Klongtoey, Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 662 259-8100

Having sadly just gone through divorce I would also add that it is the UK persons requirement to inform the UK Border Agency that the marriage has ended. If you fail to disclose this information and your ex trav els to the UK you will be prosecuted!! Take the warning!