MickyMoo

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to me. You’re obviously well researched and knowledgeable yourself, so I appreciate the advice.

Now I’m not trying to play with words here, because I’m seeking real advice rather than a validation of what I want to hear; I do feel however that this is a genuine visit (albeit extended) with a genuine intention to return if she doesn’t like it here....or indeed doesn’t like me ????. If we decide to go further, then we’ll apply for the necessary visas when the time comes.

I understand the point you are making regards returning for her employment and here indeed, I would admit to a certain degree of licence with my words and our intent. Technically at the time of making the application, she is returning after the initial 3 weeks visit and is returning to her job. But that is a circumstance that would change during the visa validity period and that change is a risk that I am finding it difficult to quantify in terms of subsequent visits on the same visa.

Why do you think that a 2 year visit visa route would be unfeasible? Definitely not saying you’re wrong, but just that I didn’t come across anything yet that specifically told me this. The circumstances would essentially boil down to the fact that we have an ongoing relationship.

I live and work in the UK and I met a woman in Thailand over 2 years ago. We plan to marry in future, but we want to spend some time living together to check compatibility and whether she is happy living in the UK etc. We've met many times before in Thailand and other Asian Countries and she has also been to the UK for 2 weeks in July 2018 on a 6 month visitor visa that we didn't have any trouble at all with.

The plan is for her to come to stay with me for a while, ideally as long as possible before we decide to take the plunge and I'm wondering what is the best route to take.

She is a civil servant and is limited to the amount of leave she can take - maybe 3 weeks max. For her to come here for any extended period, she would have to resign.

I've read the Home Office Visit guideline/policy document carefully and I know that there are a few pitfalls in trying to use a Visit Visa to effectively live in the UK.

My thinking is that she could apply for a 2 year visitor visa with an initial travel period of 3 weeks. If she's happy enough to proceed, then she would return to Thailand, take a month or two to get all of her affairs in order including resigning from her job, and then return to the UK, staying for maybe 6 months and take it from there regards marriage. I'm able to maintain her through this time, that's not a problem. She doesn't need to work or break any rules. There is the worry that, upon return the second time, her material circumstances would have changed in that she then doesn't have a job to return to. I'm guessing there is a risk that, if questioned too closely by an ECO, that could end with entry refusal.

Is anyone able to help quantify the various risks in this plan or point out the flaws? Can anyone think of a better plan?