Visa PRoblem

[andy]

Hoping someone can help on a visa problem?
My friend has been trying to get his Thai wife a UK residency visa; however, the only part she's having a problem with is the English exam (she's failed it twice, everything else has gone through ok).  Also, she is doing this application through a visa company; however, the visa company is not much use, as all they seem to want is more and more money.
So the question is (actually two questions), does anyone know how many times you can resit the English test or if there's a time limit on the visa application?
Thank you.

[Gerry]

Hoping someone can help on a visa problem?
My friend has been trying to get his Thai wife a UK residency visa; however, the only part she's having a problem with is the English exam (she's failed it twice, everything else has gone through ok).  Also, she is doing this application through a visa company; however, the visa company is not much use, as all they seem to want is more and more money.
So the question is (actually two questions), does anyone know how many times you can resit the English test or if there's a time limit on the visa application?
Thank you.

Visa companies don't seem to help much. Everyone I know that's applied for a UK visa did it DIY. There is no reason they should be asking for more money for a failed English test. Ditch them.

I've never heard of a failed English test. They are easy for A1 level. Very simple English. I don't recall there being a maximum number of retakes. If she really can't pass, she's going to have great difficulty in UK.

[andy]

Hi Gerry.

Thank you for reply and I agree 100% with you in regards to visa shops / agencies.

Anyway we found out the visa application is open for 2 years, so I just hope my friend's wife can learn some English; I thought her English was OK, as it's better than 99% of the Thai English teachers in Thailand (and that includes the fake farang English teachers, which are now everywhere).  She can retake the English test as many times as she likes, I suppose it just depends how deep my friend's pockets are or until he gets fed up of coughing up good money after bad.

[Gerry]

I don't understand "application is open for two years". Is that the agent that said that?

At what stage is the application? Has your friend paid the application fee? The IHS supplement payment?

If not, just tell the agency to do one. Wait for the lady to pass the test, and start again. The test certificate is good for at least a year, maybe two, I can't remember.