UK holiday visa

[timstocks666]

Is there a step by step guide anywhere to apply for a 6 month holiday for the girlfriend to the UK next year. I will be back in Thailand in January to make the application. I lived in Thailand for 15 years and we have been together 11 years. I have always returned alone due to financial reasons so never been on this side of a visa application before. Any help would be much appreciated. TIA.

[DMC1]

https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa

 

Follow the link as it’s all done online nowadays and you’ll have to create an account. Fairly straight forward after the first time but be prepared for the usual paperwork.

 

The most important details are your supporting evidence proving your relationship.

 

You will also submit all documentation at Trendy building in Bangkok. You can take your time with the online application form and you are able to save it and come back to it to make sure everything is correct.

[theoldgit]

Also have a read of the pinned topic at the top of this forum, as any specific questions you may have on this thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[7by7]

@timstocks666, there are basically three things your girlfriend needs to show:

1. she is a genuine visitor with a genuine reason to visit;
2. she will be adequately maintained and accommodated whilst in the UK without working or claiming any public funds;
3. she will leave the UK when or before her visa expires (reason to return).

For more details on this and other aspects see the pinned topic UK visit visa basics, as mentioned by theoldgit above, and the UKVI guidance at Standard Visitor visa.

 

1 hour ago, DMC1 said:

The most important details are your supporting evidence proving your relationship

Obviously important when visiting a UK resident friend or family member.

 

But in my opinion the most important thing for any UK visit visa applicant is satisfying the entry clearance officer that they will return home, or at least leave the UK, at the end of the visit.

 

1 hour ago, DMC1 said:

You will also submit all documentation at Trendy building in Bangkok.

Applicant's can choose to submit their documents, and have their biometrics taken, in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Though there is a fee for doing so in Chiang Mai. See the UKVAC website.

 

[timstocks666]

Thank you all. Just a few more. 1) Can I complete the online process from the UK as she is not very technical, doesn't have an e mail. Just send me copies and keep originals. 2) What would I need as proof of relationship. We have lived together for 10 years in Thailand but nothing as formal as a marriage. Friends on Facebook is weak. I sent her money when I returned to the UK last September. Can't think of much else other than references.

[rasg]

You are better off doing all of the paperwork and Internet application for her.

 

Does she have a job? That is one of the best reasons to return but if you can prove that you have lived together for that length of time you shouldn’t have a problem.

[timstocks666]

She works in a restaurant/bar but is paid cash in hand. We have lived in the same house for 10 years but no rent book or contract so how to prove to the embassy.

4 hours ago, rasg said:

You are better off doing all of the paperwork and Internet application for her.

 

Does she have a job? That is one of the best reasons to return but if you can prove that you have lived together for that length of time you shouldn’t have a problem.

[DMC1]

She works in a restaurant/bar but is paid cash in hand. We have lived in the same house for 10 years but no rent book or contract so how to prove to the embassy.

Use utility bills or any correspondence to both of you to show where you live - make sure they are recent at the time of application.

Get a letter from her boss with their contact details included or something along those lines.

[7by7]

16 hours ago, timstocks666 said:

1) Can I complete the online process from the UK as she is not very technical, doesn't have an e mail.

Yes.

 

But she will need to sign the hard copy of the application form and take it to the VAC with her supporting evidence when she attends to have her biometrics taken.

 

You will be asked to make an appointment for this during the online process.

 

16 hours ago, timstocks666 said:

2) What would I need as proof of relationship. We have lived together for 10 years in Thailand but nothing as formal as a marriage. Friends on Facebook is weak. I sent her money when I returned to the UK last September. Can't think of much else other than references.

 

 

9 hours ago, timstocks666 said:

We have lived in the same house for 10 years but no rent book or contract so how to prove to the embassy.

Letters and/or utility bills addressed to each of you or you both jointly at the same address during the period you lived together.

Copy of your passport covering the period you lived in Thailand showing your immigration status there.

Evidence of monies sent to her since you moved back to the UK.

Any evidence that you have of contact since you moved back; phone bills, Skype, Line or WattsApp logs etc.

 

9 hours ago, timstocks666 said:

She works in a restaurant/bar but is paid cash in hand.

As DMC1 says, get a letter from her boss, preferably on headed paper, confirming that she works there, how much holiday she has been granted, when she is expected back to work and that her job will be held open for her.

 

This letter can be in English or Thai. But the entry clearance section may phone the signatory to confirm the contents and if it is written in English will expect to talk to that person in English; they will have serious doubts about it's authenticity if that person is unable to do so. If it is written in Thai, they will be happy to speak to the signatory in Thai; but remember, like all documents in Thai, your girlfriend should include a certified English translation (see Visitor: supporting documents guide).

 

I am unsure of your position, though. Do you still live in Thailand and are in the UK for a holiday, or have you moved back indefinitely?

 

If you've moved back indefinitely then the biggest problem is that you lived together in Thailand for 10 years, you have now moved back to the UK but she only wants to visit, not live here with you.

 

You need to explain the reasons for this in your sponsor's letter.

 

Is it because you actually do want to live in the UK together, but do not at this time meet the financial requirement for family settlement? Many couples have been in your position. The British partner returns to the UK to find work which pays at least £18,500 p.a., then 6 months after starting work the foreign partner can apply for settlement to join them.

 

Meanwhile, the foreign partner applies for a visit visa so they can spend as much time as possible, ideally the full 6 months of the visa, together in the UK during this period.

 

If this is what you and your girlfriend are doing, then make it clear that you both realise she must leave the UK at the end of her visit and apply for settlement in Thailand; a standard visit visa cannot be converted to settlement inside the UK.

 

Obviously, if the intention is that she spends the full 6 months in the UK before returning to Thailand to apply for settlement as your unmarried partner, then any letter from her current boss as above will only confuse matters!

 

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2017 by 7by7
Addendum

[timstocks666]

Ok thanks I am starting to get a much better picture thank you all. My situation is basically I shut my business 18 months ago in Thailand. I now work 4 months and 4 months in the UK with extended holiday's between per year. You will understand that after 10 years permanently together it is difficult. What I am trying to achieve is 6 months in UK together. 3 months alone in UK and then 3 months in Thailand together. It's costly with 2 extended holiday's as I am self employed. I will make this clear as part of the application. Would supporting evidence from my landlady help along with evidence from her work. She works for family so they will be helpful and the landlady will help. We have been good payers for 10 years.

[7by7]

On ‎22‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 2:08 PM, timstocks666 said:

What I am trying to achieve is 6 months in UK together. 3 months alone in UK and then 3 months in Thailand together

 

Ok, so UK settlement is not what you are looking for,

 

Whilst the standard term of a UK visit visa is 6 months, longer terms, up to 10 years, are available for those who can show a regular need to visit the UK; subject to the holder spending a maximum of 6 months in the UK per visit and, usually, no more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK. A 10 year visa works out cheaper than 10 by 6 months ones; especially when one takes the annual fees increase into account!

 

See "Long-term visit visas (multiple entry)" on page 33 of this guidance to Home Office staff.

 

However, I recommend applying for the standard 6 months to begin with so she can build up a record of compliance before going for a longer term. There is no refund of the difference in fees if the ECO decides to issue a shorter term than that asked for.

 

You also want to ensure that the ECO, and UK Border Force on her arrival in the UK, are satisfied that she is just visiting and will not be using visits for de facto UK residence. See "Frequent or successive visits: how to assess if an applicant is making the UK their main home or place of work" on page 16 of that guidance.

 

On ‎22‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 2:08 PM, timstocks666 said:

Would supporting evidence from my landlady help along with evidence from her work.

Possibly; certainly wouldn't hurt. Though some form of formal tenancy agreement from when you both first moved in and naming you both would be better.

[timstocks666]

Thanks again. How long will it take from online application to interview. Also when the online is submitted I can see it can be amended. At what point does this stop. Can it be changed right up to the interview or does it stop once the date is given.

[DMC1]

Thanks again. How long will it take from online application to interview. Also when the online is submitted I can see it can be amended. At what point does this stop. Can it be changed right up to the interview or does it stop once the date is given.

You can correct a mistake in pen after you have submitted the form. My Mrs made a mistake on one of her forms about 3 years ago, after we’d already submitted and printed it out. We made the correction in pen and then my Mrs undersigned it, no problems.

When you submit the online form, this is when you select the date for your application documents to be submitted at the centre. We normally allow ourselves 10 days for this so we can get together our updated utility bills, bank statements, supporting letters etc.

[7by7]

11 hours ago, timstocks666 said:

How long will it take from online application to interview.

 The appointment is not for an interview, it is to submit the signed hard copy of the form and supporting documents and have biometrics taken.

 

VFS, the company who manage the UK visa application centre, are merely handling agents; they do not interview applicants and play absolutely no part in the decision making process.

 

Face to face interviews are very rare these days; if the entry clearance officer decides that s/he needs to interview your partner, or anyone supporting the application such as her employer,  this will almost certainly be done over the phone.