Guemlum

150 pages of screenshots!

Yeah, cut back on that by about 145.

If all you have for her reason to return is her job and your desire not to adversely effect future applications, then that's all you can show. You can't prove the latter, just stress it in your sponsor's letter.

On the subject of the sponsor's letter, keep it short and to the point; two pages max.

I do believe that it is better to give the ECO too much than miss something vital; but you do seem to be going over the top. From what you say this is not her first application; did you really provide all this previously?

I've cut back on 148 pages so far so looking slimmer. Yep, its basically job and not wanting to jeopordise future applications. We have stressed that in mine and her covering letters.

This is her first application. I was once married to a Thai before. We had successful tourist and spouse applications in the past (1 off each) and honoured the rules and regs back then. Unfortunately, 5 years ago she passed away whilst residing in the UK. We were true to our words in her returning to Thailand, however it was not in the manor we expected. It has taking me 4 years since the loss of my wife to start dating again, and over the past year I have been able to do so with a very special lady. It is her that we are applying for a Tourst visa.

Guemlum

That's a great comparison...maybe it's just me but I like to include as much info as possible. I have probably over done it with the screen shot photos of video calls (probably 150 pages, so will cut back on that.

Item 10 is a tough one. She owns property on her parents land but the home is not shown on the Chanote.

We really cannot prove something we have not done yet. We both understand the problems that can arise of not returning to Thailand and have every intention of returning, especially as we plan to get married later in the year and do not want to jeopardise future applications. We have mentioned that in a few sections to our document.

Guemlum

That's a great comparison...maybe it's just me but I like to include as much info as possible. I have probably over done it with the screen shot photos of video calls (probably 150 pages, so will cut back on that.

Item 10 is a tough one. She owns property on her parents land but the home is not shown on the Chanote.

We really cannot prove something we have not done yet. We both understand the problems that can arise of not returning to Thailand and have every intention of returning, especially as we plan to get married later in the year and do not want to jeopardise future applications. We have mentioned that in a few sections to our document.

Guemlum

In fact 7by7, I've used your very helpful link "UK Visit Visa Basics" when compiling the document.

Hmmm, I am going to be sponsoring her visa application so I'm only including what I have done on past experiences. I've heard of instances where the ECO has rejected an application based on the strength of the relationship. I have included 1 years worth of video call screenshots using the application Tango (perhaps too much?). Heres a breakdown of how I have organised my documents, but it really does cover the basics...

Introduction letter

1. Our relationship history.(Includes a covering letter as well as Tango video screenshots).
   
2. Photos together, photos with my parents / her parents, and passport stamps/bookings/flights. (Exactly as it says)
   
3. About Mr Jo Bloggs. (Includes passport identification page, proof of address)
   
4. About Miss Jo Bloggs. (Includes passport indentification page, ID card, proof of address)
   
5. Details of where Miss Jo Bloggs will stay in the United Kingdom. (Address details, photos of property, deeds to property, utility bills, sponsoring letter from my parents)
   
6. My employment status. (Employer details and references, qualifications)
   
7. My income. (Payslips, end of year accounts 2012-2013)
   
8. Miss Jo Bloggs employment and finances. (Photos at work, qualifications, letter from employer, bank books)
   
9. Suplementary documents. (Letter from her parents, letter from her son)
   
10. Documents supplied by Miss Jo Bloggs supporting her return to Thailand.
    
11. Original documents for returning. (Exactly as it says)

Guemlum

Totally agree with you...I try to make the whole application as simple for ECO as possible. The folder I have combined so far totals 294 pages and climbing. Don't want to miss anything out.

When you say certified by "the translation bureau" I assume you mean the bureau of ones choice?

Whilst we are on the topic, do we also have to get birth certificates, and divorce certificate translated. They see these documents daily so they must recognise them. Never got them translated in the past.

Guemlum

The visa is for the UK.

When submitting my partners tourist visa application, we would like to include along with other documents, four very short letters which are written in Thai. One from my partner, one from her son, one from her parents, and one from her employer. Are these short letters required to be translated? I know that official documents need to be translated but I'm not sure about supporting letters. Thanks.

Guemlum

Thanks for sharing your concerns Kevin. Whilst being self employed with some of my contracts being lengthy, I don't believe it should be a problem. I was once married to a Thai but unfortunately she passed away 5 years ago whilst residing on a spouse visa in the UK. Being self employed back then wasn't an issue and I don't believe it to be now. Thanks for the reminder on the salary requirements...I'm all good on that one :-)

Thanks guys.

Guemlum

Morning all, my partner and I will be submitting a Tourist Visa application in January, and have a question relating to proof of pay.

I am self employed, and use the services of an Umbrella company in order to get paid. I can provide 6+ months of payslips but they are not concurrent as I have visited and spent time with my partner on 3 occasions within the past year.

They are spread over the duration of 2013 which incidentally would fall into tax year 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.

My average take home pay can vary between 1k to 1.5k per week and have a readily/available 26k in my current account, not including savings.

Is this going to be a problem? What is the crucial factor the embassy are going to be looking at if there is a shortfall on payslips?

Regards

Guemlum

Thankyou all, I have already outlined that we will not be jeopordising future applications in my opening letter.

Guemlum

The following information is part of the check list on the Home office Uk border agency website.

My question, is how does one prove you are not going to carry out the following?.

Off course we have no intention or does my partner have any intention of the below as we do not wish to jeopordise any future application.

You must also be able to show that, during your visit, you do not intend to:

• take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public;
• do a course of study, as long as this study is not the main reason for your visit (see the General visitors page for 'permitted study');
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership;
• carry out the activities of a business visitor, a sports visitor or an entertainer visitor; or receive private medical treatment.
  
  

Guemlum

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. Things have changed alot since 2007/2008.

Guemlum

I had a similar case back in 2009 when my wife was in hospital on "life support". The British embassy in Bangkok issued a visa immediately for her son to visit her in the UK within 24 hrs.

The Thai authorities were more interested in getting a hand written letter from my wife who was on life support... <deleted>!! and whether I was child trafficking or not.

Goes to show a little common sense makes all the differnece.

Guemlum

Hi all, I was wondering whether anyone has any experiences, good or bad, about booking online appointments via the VFS website for an appointment at Regent House, Bangkok. Are there any benefits?

I take it that you can still turn up without an appointment and just queue the old fashioned way?

Thanks

Guemlum

Small coverage in this mornings London Metro paper. Wonder if any other tabloids follow suit?.

Oops...will re-post unless moderator can move?

Sorry guys for not being clear in my OP. I'm applying for a tourist visa for my wife to visit the UK.

It has been a long time since I made a tourist visa application and was wondering whether requirements regarding supplied documents have changed/relaxed.

My question is whether scanned originals can be supplied when putting together an application. Other than supplying original passport, Thai ID card when applying, are scanned documents such as payslips, bank statements, official letters acceptable?

I come from England and my closest was NYC.

Have you requested a specific number? If so, and dependent on the number, it can take up to 1 year. When I purchased my bike from Honda, I requested the number 333. It took about 5 months to arrive, but when we recently changed that number we were issued the new plate and number the same day.

Hope they remembered to post on Bribespot.com

5 things Thai's shouldn't wear

1. Pyjamas when out shopping

2. Earmuffs when the temperature drops below 18c

3. Flip flops half the size of their feet (mainly aimed at the teenage men from "baan nok") who have only ever bought one pair in their lives and can't afford a new pair.

4. T-shirts with English profanities written on them

5. Stilletos with socks.