Converting a C type visitor visa to a Family of a settled pe

[jtaylo80]

I am a British citizen I have been living with my partner for 2+ years in Thailand whilst working there for my company. I repatriated to the UK in November and my partner traveled here with me on a Visitors visa, to see if she would like it here before we made any bigger commitment. She likes it here so I want to know what we can do? I see from the UK-Gov visa website that it is possible to covert to a family of a settled person visa whilst in the UK. Nowhere in the online application process does it say that this is not possible, however I have heard that it is not...have the rules changed?. Does she need to return to Thailand and apply from there?
Either way is ok as I already bought the return ticket, it's just a lot easier if we can do it from here as I can be on hand to help..

any advice much appreciated.

thanks

[CR001]

It has not, for many years, been possible to switch to spouse visa (or any other visa) within the UK if you are here on a visitor visa. She must return home and apply there.

[secret.simon]

It is possible to switch to a "family of a settled person" visa if you are on a non-visitor visa/visa valid for longer than six months. So, if you are in the UK on a student Tier 4 visa and you want to switch to a family of a settled person visa, you can.

No switching allowed from a visitor visa to any visa leading to settlement. So, a visitor can not switch to any other status, such as being a student or the spouse of a settled person, etc.

[Wanderer]

I am a British citizen I have been living with my partner for 2+ years in Thailand whilst working there for my company. I repatriated to the UK in November and my partner traveled here with me on a Visitors visa, to see if she would like it here before we made any bigger commitment. She likes it here so I want to know what we can do? I see from the UK-Gov visa website that it is possible to covert to a family of a settled person visa whilst in the UK. Nowhere in the online application process does it say that this is not possible, however I have heard that it is not...have the rules changed?. Does she need to return to Thailand and apply from there?
Either way is ok as I already bought the return ticket, it's just a lot easier if we can do it from here as I can be on hand to help..

any advice much appreciated.

thanks

Technically it is possible, but only in the most extreme compassionate circumstances, like civil war, Tsunami, terminal illness, etc; so effectively for 99.99% of us it's not possible.

Needs to apply from Thailand, and if unmarried partner fair to say the terms are a LOT more stringent so have every base covered, leases, joint bills from utility companies etc, both divorced if previously married, leave no stone unturned.