theoldgit

Maybe l could also add my ha’penny worth, based on personal experience. l had a failed marriage in Thailand and obtained a divorce some years later via a Thai Court, retrieving my assets in the process. The divorce wasn’t registered in the UK, in fact I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have been possible anyway, maybe you could enlighten me as to which UK authorities you refer to. I met someone else and we’re in our 18th year together, as girlfriend and spouse, during which time she successfully applied for numerous visas to the UK, as my girlfriend when l was still married to the previous lass, and as my wife following our marriage, there was never a problem due to me still being married to someone else, for visit visas and ultimately, some years after our marriage, a settlement visa. For her settlement visa l, as her sponsor, submitted a copy of the court order in respect of my divorce along with a translation, her visa was issued without further question. So in my experience the lack of a divorce being registered in the UK, to whoever, didn’t make anny applications “non-starters”.

An American passport holder can visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180 day period, a visa is not required.

That’s what l used last year.

When leaving Thailand she should check in with her UK passport, otherwise they’ll be insisting on a UK Visa. Clear Thai Immigration using the passport she entered with, and present her UK Passport on arrival at the UK Border, she could even use an expired UK Passport at the UK Border. The advice to renew her UK Passport during her stay is sound, providing she has sufficient.

You have a multi entry visa, this allows you to stay for up to 90 days in a 180 day period, so you can enter again during the validity of your visa but must leave the Schengen Area by 6 March 2025. The Immigration Officer will still ask how long to intend to say and the purpose of your visit.

Well in theory yes, but as l pointed out earlier doing so may well, and in all probability would, lead to in depth questioning by the Border Force Officer on her return, who will need to be satisfied that she isn’t misusing her Entry Clearance as a visitor. It’s not common for genuine visitors to have holidays of 180 days, and certainly not back to back ones, there’s no such thing as “Visa runs”.

There’s no such rule as 180 days in a twelve month period, that’s a pretty common misconception, visits are calculated individually. Her visa actually allows 180 days per visit, though on each occasion visitors may be asked to prove that they’re a genuine visitor, and not using a visit visa to effectively live in the UK through “frequent and successive visits”, not many visitors visit that often. So she shouldn’t encounter any problems on return providing she can satisfy a Border Force Officer that she remains a genuine visitor.

Post flaming another member and making unsubstantiated allegations removed.

I’m fully aware that an agent is not a lawyer, but l stand by my view that a lawyer isn’t necessary in all but the most complex of cases, which the OP’s isn’t. Of course you are free to use a lawyer who may be expert in UK Immigration Law as well as other legal matters. I’m not sure which sort of “l can do” agent you are referring to, but the agent recommended by TonyM is registered with the UK Regulatory Authority, even though that isn’t a legal requirement in Thailand, and highly experienced, as l say, the choice is of course yours.

Really no need for a lawyer, if the OP and his partner needs some guidance during the process l would recommend enlisting the help of a qualified Immigration Agent, the agent recommended by TonyM is qualified and highly experienced.

Unhelpful posts and measured response removed.

The last figures l’ve read from Homeland Security indicated that less than 1.5% of those entering the US using a Visa or under the VWP fail to leave on the first or subsequent visits, l accept with the numbers visiting that is a lot, but is it excessive, l don’t know. The ICE staff l’ve had contact with over the years have told me that there is indeed checking, enforcement and detention of Immigration Offenders, with a lot of offenders being removed, l will concede that it’s been a few years since I’ve been in regular contact, but I’d be surprised if there were no checks carried out now.

Yes, I’m well aware that Consular Officials are required to start from the position that an applicant intends to stay in the US permanently, illegally, unless they could show strong ties to their home country. Maybe if the lady concerned could could have provided evidence that she owned a house on her land and had done so for in excess of thirty years which, along with her history of international travel, the decision maker may have issued the visa. It would seem that it wasn’t necessary to even read the supporting evidence before refusing the ladies application.

But neither do they have strong ties to the US that should give the Consular Officer concerns that they would stay in the US following the visit with their British partner. The British partner could not remain in the US either. There have been numerous reports of spouses and partners of US Citizens being refused visas, but this is the first time I’ve seen an example like this, though l assume there must have been some over the years.