Student Visa For Thai Gf

[stevenh]

Hi

I am looking for some advice on the subject of student visas. I am currently having some problems with my Thai girlfriend (different post!) and it is making me think of going through the following process quicker if we manage to sort out our problem and decide that we have a future (different story - so apologies and I digress).

My girlfriend has recently stayed in England on a tourist visa and we were looking for a way in which she would be able to understand more about British life and help with an income. When she came I realised I am not as stable with money as I thought I was. I'm sure many people realise the expense of a dependent girlfriend.

We discussed ways that she would be able to work if she came here and the only viable option would be coming on a student visa to learn English (which she is very happy and wants to do) and that by doing 15 hours a week in school she would be able to work. It benefits us as 1) we will be together for a lengthy period of time 2) she will improve her English, 3) if she can work she will know more about english life and if she would be happy working here and 4) we will have a second income which will help no end. If this worked out then marriage would be considered if I was sure she could live here happily.

I know I would have to find a recognised english teaching school and pay for this and show I can support her. Please can people advise me if she would be able to work? If the authorities would look at this as a means of her working rather than studying (the truthful intention is both) ? What the likelihood of getting this type of visa is? Would we be able to put in the visa application that she will be partially supporting herself through any earnings while she studied? etc

Any advice would be helpful and appreciated.

Kind regards

Steven

[vinny]

See also Chapter 12 - Entry for studies, in particular:

12.4 - Students and how they qualify

12.22 - Employment during periods of study

12.24 - Evidence of ability to fund accommodation

ANNEX 12.2 TYPES OF EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT

etc.

[cleggit]

I have a friend who is planning a similar course of action to yourself. They will be applying for the student visa in around a month. From what i understand the biggest problem, for them anyway, will be his girlfriend's reason to return to Thailand - which has to be demonstrated in the same way it does for a tourist visa. They plan to get round this by creating a full study plan culminating in her studying a Masters degree once she gets the required IELTS score.

There is also the possibility the embassy may not believe your gf is genuinely going to study as they are aware of the relationship between the two of you and may feel she is using it as a way to stay in the UK with yourself.

Despite this they are going to give it and try and see what happens - I am sure there are people on here who have done this before or who can give you a fuller answer than i can.

Best of luck......

[Mahout Angrit]

I am looking for some advice on the subject of student visas.

First of all I suggest you check the cost of the course (as you say you are struggling a bit with money) International student rates apply to courses attended by non residents and can be quite expensive. Your gf will be allowed to work upto 20 hours a weeks to help support her own expenses but MUST attend the course. The course will have to be paid for before you apply for the visa.

[the scouser]

And she can't use work in the UK as a means of demonstrating her ability to pay for the course: she will have to show that she can otherwise pay for her upkeep and fees (or have it paid for her) without relying upon getting a job.

Scouse.

[gino12]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help me out with soem advice. My girl friend came to visit me on a tourist visa and while she was here she found a full time english course that meets all the requirements of the student visa (full time, approved school, mlore than 15 hours a week) she is also in the process of obtaining a conditional offer from Manchester university for a psot graduate course that is conditional of a high IELTS exam score and hence why she has the full time enhglish course booked before hand.

Now, we have willhave offer letters from both the english school and the uni for the post grad course, I am writing a sponsorhsip letter and have sufficent funds to fund the whole course, fees, (will be paid up frint before visa application) and can provide accommodation and living expenses and have full bank and employmnet records to show financail ability.

I am just concerned that they may question the application because it isw her boyfriend that is sponsoring the her studies. DO you think this will be an issue?

Any help is much appreciated,

Gino

[the scouser]

Having just replied, I lost my internet connection and, as a consequence, my post. Here's a brief synopsis:-

It will always be a concern of the visa officer that a prospective student does not intend to leave the U.K. at the end of his/her studies when s/he is romantically involved with a U.K.-resident sponsor. However, your girlfriend should be able to demonstrate the educational advantages of a post-grad. course and the increased opportunities this will give her in Thailand.

Scouse.

[gino12]

Scouse,

Thanks for yor reply. As it turns out I am a scouser too!

I agree that we should be able to show the benefits to my girlfriend from completeing the maters in the UK, which should give weight to the real student theme and the reaqson to return to Thaialnd afterwards. Iam just worried that they will question my sponsorship, as in what if we split up?

I am going to be upfront and honest that I am happy to fund the entire visist etc and we should have a pretty extensive appication with regards to documentataion etc. Do you think that wil be enough? and have you got any other advice on what we should do, any tips etc, I have read pretty extensively the visa website and guidance notes for students etc

Cheer

Gino

[the scouser]

As it turns out I am a scouser too

And you're sending the poor woman to Manchester University

The visa decision has to be made on the basis of the facts as they pertain at the time of application, the visa officer can't start hypothesizing about what may or may not happen in terms of your relationship. Dodgy students whose sole aim is to secure status in the UK do not follow post-graduate courses. Make sure you cover your relationship, romantic intentions, and your girlfriend's career intentions in an accompanying letter.

Scouse.

[gino12]

Scouse,

I know how can i send her to manchester university........!! I moved over to the dark side from liverpool a coupel of years ago now...

When you say our romantic intentions just say we are together etc and not go on about future marriage etc?

Thanks again mate

Edited by Scouse lest the Mancunians complain.

[the scouser]

Address the issues and acknowledge that you are in a relationship, but add that your girlfriend is studying the course for the benefit of her long-term prospects rather than your being together: a serendipitous consequence of her studies, not the prime motivation behind them.

Cheers,

Scouse.