Visa for Thai visiting UK for 1st time.....

[SunsetT]

Im hoping to bring my 49yr old Thai girlfriend of 11 years to the UK for a 3 month visit for the 1st time this Summer. Can anyone please provide contact info. for agents/travel agents who will issue flight tickets for her that can be cancelled if her visa application fails? PM me if preferred.

 

She does not work, has 2 sons; 14 and 23 yrs, rents a Thai home but owns 3 building plots of land. My financial sponsorship is more than adequate and she will stay with me in my owned UK home. What are her chances of getting the visa? Does anyone have 1st hand knowledge please of a Thai partner obtaining  such a visa when they do not have a job? Thank you.

 

Oh I nearly forgot that about 5 years ago she was successful, with my help, in getting a visa for a week's holiday in Australia. she didnt abscond, lol, so this might help.

 

Edited January 22, 2018 by SunsetT

[theoldgit]

The UKVI specifically advise against purchasing a non refundable flight ticket until a visa has been issued, and in any case they say that airline tickets should not submitted with an application.

For your girlfriends application to succeed she needs to satisfy the decision maker that her trip is genuine and affordable and that, on the balance of probabilties she will return home at the conclusion of her visit.

If you're paying for her trip then you will need to provide evidence that you can afford to do so, and why you are doing so, she will need to detail what her plans are for her three month holiday.
She will need to prove her strong ties to Thailand, she may have three plots of land, but do they provide her with an income, her two sons won't give her much of an edge, especially as one is an adult.
Yes, people do get visas when they don't have a job, but they do need to demonstrate that they're self sufficient in Thailand.

[MaprangHolmes]

4 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

The UKVI specifically advise against purchasing a non refundable flight ticket until a visa has been issued, and in any case they say that airline tickets should not submitted with an application.

For your girlfriends application to succeed she needs to satisfy the decision maker that her trip is genuine and affordable and that, on the balance of probabilties she will return home at the conclusion of her visit.

If you're paying for her trip then you will need to provide evidence that you can afford to do so, and why you are doing so, she will need to detail what her plans are for her three month holiday.
She will need to prove her strong ties to Thailand, she may have three plots of land, but do they provide her with an income, her two sons won't give her much of an edge, especially as one is an adult.
Yes, people do get visas when they don't have a job, but they do need to demonstrate that they're self sufficient in Thailand.

This part is not totally correct 

they do need to demonstrate that they're self sufficient in Thailand."

 

I have obtained 4 UK visit visas for my mother in law who has no employment, no house, or savings in Thailand and lives with her daughter. I have never had a problem with applying or obtaining visas for her.

 

[SunsetT]

1 hour ago, theoldgit said:

The UKVI specifically advise against purchasing a non refundable flight ticket until a visa has been issued, and in any case they say that airline tickets should not submitted with an application.

For your girlfriends application to succeed she needs to satisfy the decision maker that her trip is genuine and affordable and that, on the balance of probabilties she will return home at the conclusion of her visit.

If you're paying for her trip then you will need to provide evidence that you can afford to do so, and why you are doing so, she will need to detail what her plans are for her three month holiday.
She will need to prove her strong ties to Thailand, she may have three plots of land, but do they provide her with an income, her two sons won't give her much of an edge, especially as one is an adult.
Yes, people do get visas when they don't have a job, but they do need to demonstrate that they're self sufficient in Thailand.

She is self sufficient in that I support her totally financially.

[theoldgit]

She is self sufficient in that I support her totally financially.

In which case it’s even more important that she’s able to convince the Entry Clearance Officer that her life is centered here in Thailand and that she’s not intending to attempt to live with you in the UK, the person who is supporting her “totally financially”.

[Mark1972]

You should not have any issues providing you can show adequate funds. My ex wife who is Thai, travels all over the world on her Thai passport, the fact she has been so many places counts for alot. You say she has been to Australia and did not overstay, this will help a great deal. Having children in Thailand means she has something to go back for, not all about if she is in employment or not. l have had quite alot of experiences over the years with UK immigration and getting a British passport for my daughter, if you satisfy the requirements you won't have an issue. l think to some extent the British system gets alot of stick, but so many people are guilty of filling out applications wrongly and not meeting requirements. They are rigid on things like income if you want to settle here, no good earning a grand under the 18k and thinking they will do you a favour. l have a police record unfortunately for my stupid past and although they have been a little slow, especially with my daughter's passport, they have never refused me anything, because l read the forms and all the guidance notes. Also if you can prove you have been together 11 years, for example previous correspondence, they will know you are genuine and not bringing some girl you just met to work in the UK. 

Edited January 23, 2018 by Mark1972

[glasswort]

When I submitted my Thai wife's application for a first visit to he UK about twenty years ago I enclosed as much supporting documentation as I could find. Similar to the poster my wife did not work and was solely dependent on me. She did own quite a lot of land and copies of the chanotes were submitted with the application, along with all my financial details, copy of marriage certificate etc. etc. I took a chance and purchased the ticket before submitting the application and cannot recall whether the ticket was refundable or not. 

The visa was issued without any problems and each subsequent application has included less and less supporting documents.

[English Engineer]

My girl friend has obtained 2 six month tourist visa and now a 5 year uk visa. She does not work and we live togther and provide financial support. You have to satisfy the following critetia.

 

She will return to Thailand after the holday and has a reason to return.

 

She will be supported financially in the UK. You need to provide 6 months of bank statements.

 

She will not work paid or unpaid whilst in the UK.

 

Some sort of holiday can be helpful. This demonstrate it is an actual holiday.

 

I have always applied directly. In my opinion the agencies offer no advantage.

[laislica]

OK, our circumstances are different, we are married... but this may help you understand what to do to be successful.

 

5 years ago my Thai wife and I had moved to Spain using an EEA Family Visa and had applied for a Spanish residents ID for her.

I'm a Brit who retired to Spain many years before.

OK, we had a lot of hoops to jump but the job was done because we were able to convince the Spanish Immigration that Spain was her Center of Life.

This process took 6 months.....

However, just before she received the physical ID card, we applied for a General Visitor Visa for a two to three week visit to introduce her to family and friends.

I made the mistake of thinking that it was just routine and her application was refused.

 

In the application we gave five names/addresses/phone and email details of family/friends where we would stay.

Even my Nat Ins number, I pay UK taxes.

For the funds we put 5,000 quid and where it asked what would she do if she needed more, put from my husband.

We failed to say what my income was or savings, I assumed that they would just get everything from the tax man.....

WRONG, Remember that it is HER Application!

 

The IO's are often subcontractors and are overworked and have only a few minutes to decide if the visa should be granted or not.

The application MUST be very clear that she will not overstay and that she will have enough funds.

I wonder if you will get accident and health insurance for a 3 M trip?

 

I said there was 5,000 quid for the two to three week visit, that we may drive over or fly. I didn’t say I have two properties in Spain, I did say my wife had a 2,000,000 Baht property in Thailand They asked if an agent was used to complete the form I said No. They didn´t ask about Husbands income. They had my phone numbers, email too. The addresses of 4 family and friends we would stay with and phone numbers too. They made no contact with anyone! In Madrid I asked if we might talk to an officer regarding our application at the time we were there to give the Biometric Data. Request denied!

 

Their response to the application: (personal details removed):-

Your Application
You have applied for an entry clearance as a visitor to the United Kingdom for 2-3 weeks. I have considered your application against paragraph 41 of the Immigration Rules. You can read these Rules at: www.ukba.homeoffice.qov.uk/policvandlaw/immiqrationlaw/immiqrationrules/.
Guidance that explains the types of documents, in addition to the application form, which might give a visa applicant the best opportunity to show that their circumstances are as they have set out is available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.ukA/isitinqtheuk/visitors/documents.
In assessing your individual application, it has not been necessary to interview you. However I have taken account of:
the financial and employment information as declared by you on your application form your passport and travel history your family circumstances and
the supporting documents you provided.I have used all the information presented to determine if the Immigration Rules have been met. In reaching my decision, which has been made on the balance of probabilities, I note the following points:
The Decision
You have stated that you depend on your husband in Spain. However, you have provided no evidence regarding where you live or your husband’s financial situation. Therefore, I am not satisfied that you have, on the balance of probabilities, sufficiently strong economic ties to Spain to satisfy me that only a short stay is intended and that you intend to leave the UK on completion of your visit. 41 (ii)
You have provided no evidence of your source of income or financial situation or those of your husband. Therefore, I am not satisfied that you will maintain and accommodate yourself without recourse to employment or public funds or will, with any dependants, be maintained and/or accommodated adequately by relatives or friends who can demonstrate they are able and intend to do so, and are legally present in the United Kingdom, or will be at the time of their visit 41 (vi) or that you can meet the cost of the return or onward journey 41 (vii)
I have therefore refused your application because I am not satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that you meet all of the requirements of the relevant Paragraph of the United Kingdom Immigration Rules.
Your right of appeal is limited to the grounds referred to in section 84(1 )(c) of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (www.leqislation.gov.uk).
Entry Clearance Officer: NJ Date of refusal: 30/08/2013 Date sent to applicant:
How sent: via courier
If notice personally handed to you by an Entry Clearance Officer, please sign below: Applicant’s signature:
Date

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Last year we did successfully enter the UK at Heathrow.

We had a 12 hour layover and went to Immigration and explained everything.

My wife had been living with Spain as the Center of Life for 4 years so no problem.

 

Good luck.

 

 

 

 

[theoldgit]

29 minutes ago, laislica said:

The IO's are often subcontractors and are overworked and have only a few minutes to decide if the visa should be granted or not.

You make a number of very valid points in your post, but this quote isn't correct, apart from the bit that says they're overworked and only have a few minutes to make a decision.

All ECO's are directly employed by the UKVI, either from the UK or locally employed. The Visa Application Centre is contracted out, but the staff there play no part in the decision making process.

[laislica]

3 hours ago, theoldgit said:

You make a number of very valid points in your post, but this quote isn't correct, apart from the bit that says they're overworked and only have a few minutes to make a decision.

All ECO's are directly employed by the UKVI, either from the UK or locally employed. The Visa Application Centre is contracted out, but the staff there play no part in the decision making process.

Thanks for clarifying that.

 

Of course our application was made several years ago and the rules have been changed many times since then.

There is an interesting link:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules

 

But hey, My wife didn't want to stay, only visit for a few weeks, like the OP.

So what, in this list of lists, would apply?

Is it this link:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-part-1-leave-to-enter-or-stay-in-the-uk

 

There are so many lists and loops back to the start that it is very hard for an old fella like me (76) to understand it all and do it correctly.

 

The links in our refusal no longer exist (there's a spelling error [from scanning] anyway).

It would be very good if, between us we could state exactly which URL is currently correct.

Is the OP's partner a common-law-wife?

Would that be an advantage or a disadvantage?

[krabi local]

My GF had a Visa to UK with no problems.  The most important thing was to be 100% honest and not try to make things look better.

They wanted details of where she would stay and how she would pay for her general living in the U.K.  Also details of her health insurance that would cover any illness or injury in the U.K.  Finally they wanted details of why she would return to Thailand, having a Child, copy of Chanote and copy of blue house book.

 

Some of her friends took family photos, copies of green and blue books for scooters and cars, copies of receipts for rent, bills for TV etc etc etc.

all these extra things were totally poopooed by VTS much to their surprise.  They had been informed (from FB forums) they had to take at least 50 pages of evidence.

[SunsetT]

40 minutes ago, laislica said:

Thanks for clarifying that.

 

Of course our application was made several years ago and the rules have been changed many times since then.

There is an interesting link:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules

 

But hey, My wife didn't want to stay, only visit for a few weeks, like the OP.

So what, in this list of lists, would apply?

Is it this link:-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-part-1-leave-to-enter-or-stay-in-the-uk

 

There are so many lists and loops back to the start that it is very hard for an old fella like me (76) to understand it all and do it correctly.

 

The links in our refusal no longer exist (there's a spelling error [from scanning] anyway).

It would be very good if, between us we could state exactly which URL is currently correct.

Is the OP's partner a common-law-wife?

Would that be an advantage or a disadvantage?

I believe the criterion for application to enter as a common law wife is proof that u have been living together in Thailand for 2 years which we never have as I always return to the UK for the 6 'summer' months.

Edited January 23, 2018 by SunsetT

[theoldgit]

14 minutes ago, krabi local said:

My GF had a Visa to UK with no problems.  The most important thing was to be 100% honest and not try to make things look better.

They wanted details of where she would stay and how she would pay for her general living in the U.K.  Also details of her health insurance that would cover any illness or injury in the U.K.  Finally they wanted details of why she would return to Thailand, having a Child, copy of Chanote and copy of blue house book.

 

Some of her friends took family photos, copies of green and blue books for scooters and cars, copies of receipts for rent, bills for TV etc etc etc.

all these extra things were totally poopooed by VTS much to their surprise.  They had been informed (from FB forums) they had to take at least 50 pages of evidence.

When you say "they wanted details of...." who do you mean as "they"?

The onus is on the applicant to satisfy the decsion maker that the trip is genuine, affordable and that, on the balance of probabilities, they will return home at the conclusion of their visit, and it's really up to the applicant to decide what evidence to supply convince the ECO that they meet the required standard, the applicant chooses what to submit, not VFS staff.
The UKVI do provide a list of suggested documents that the applicant may wish to submit, health insurance is specifically excluded, and always has been, things like photgraphs have never been encouraged, but many people chose to submit them, I did in years gone by, but now they are specifically excluded. Things like car and motorbike proof of ownership add nothing to the application and have been specifically excluded for some considerable time.
Social Media forums that advise applicants to supply at least fifty pages of so called evidence aren't really helpful, but even this forum isn't immune to that, as has been pointed out earlier, the ECO has a very short time to make a decision and if they have to wade through meaningless evidence, meaningful evidence could be missed and the application refused.
 

 

[laislica]

2 minutes ago, SunsetT said:

I believe the criterium for application to enter as a common law wife is proof that u have been living together in Thailand for 2 years which we never have as I always return to the UK for the 6 'summer' months.

OK.

My wife and I spend a minimum of 183 days in Spain every year.

Often more.

This is so we are both resident in Spain.

So when you say 6 months, specifically, more or less and in which country more, cos that's the country you are resident in.

 

I was hoping that 7 x 7 or Elviero or theoldgit could clarify my point.

 

When we took my wife's son to Spain a couple of years ago, he had a letter from the company he works for stating that he had xx days holiday and needed to be back at work on.... etc.

That was a real help of course and he applied for his own visa and therefore understood everything himself.

It's harder when the visitor is totally supported by another and there is no way to get such a letter.

 

 

[theoldgit]

35 minutes ago, SunsetT said:

I believe the criterion for application to enter as a common law wife is proof that u have been living together in Thailand for 2 years which we never have as I always return to the UK for the 6 'summer' months.

The term they use isn't common law wife, you have to satisfy the ECO that you're living together as unmarried couple in a subsisting relationship, you have been so for more than two years, it doesn't have to be in Thailand, but you do need to demonstrate that the relationship has subsisted for that period of time.

This only applies for those seeking settlement in the UK if they're not married, not for those visiting.

[theoldgit]

5 hours ago, English Engineer said:

My girl friend has obtained 2 six month tourist visa and now a 5 year uk visa. She does not work and we live togther and provide financial support. 

That's the subtle difference between you and the OP,  you live with your girlfriend as a couple here in Thailand and have been able to demonstrate the fact that you support her.
The OP lives overseas and sends money to Thailand for his girlfriend to live on, she wants to visit him for an extended holiday, the ECO will need to be satisfied that she will return at the conclusion of her holiday and not just stay on. 

[theoldgit]

Off topic post removed, please don't name Consular Staff.

[SunsetT]

1 hour ago, theoldgit said:

That's the subtle difference between you and the OP,  you live with your girlfriend as a couple here in Thailand and have been able to demonstrate the fact that you support her.
The OP lives overseas and sends money to Thailand for his girlfriend to live on, she wants to visit him for an extended holiday, the ECO will need to be satisfied that she will return at the conclusion of her holiday and not just stay on. 

I spend half the year alone in UK and half in Thailand with her, sometimes returning for a 7th month in Thailand mid summer. I like and wish to continue this routine of the last 11 years so the last thing I want is for her to remain in the UK with me. I hope stating this assists her application.

 

Edited January 23, 2018 by SunsetT

[theoldgit]

14 hours ago, SunsetT said:

I spend half the year alone in UK and half in Thailand with her, sometimes returning for a 7th month in Thailand mid summer. I like and wish to continue this routine of the last 11 years so the last thing I want is for her to remain in the UK with me. I hope stating this assists her application.

As I've said before, it's your girlfriend that needs to convince the ECO that she's merely intending to visit the UK for an extended holiday, and that she will return to her home in Thailand, where you will continue to support her remotely.

 

The ECO will need to be satisfied that she would not simply decide to stay on in the UK under the radar.

 

In answer to your earlier question, some applicants without employment, and in a similar position to yours, do succeed with their visa applications but some don't, it really depends how convincing your arguements are.

 

My girlfriend, now wife, didn't work full time when she applied for her first visa, which was granted, but we were living together, since then she has had a second six month visa, a two year and currently has a five year visa.

 

When the processing of visas moves to India I suspect that applications such as yours will become more difficult, it's just an educated guess and I obviously don't know for sure, but the ECO's will not have the local knowledge of how relationships work here in Thailand.  

[brewsterbudgen]

As I've said before, it's your girlfriend that needs to convince the ECO that she's merely intending to visit the UK for an extended holiday, and that she will return to her home in Thailand, where you will continue to support her remotely.

 

The ECO will need to be satisfied that she would not simply decide to stay on in the UK under the radar.

 

In answer to your earlier question, some applicants without employment, and in a similar position to yours, do succeed with their visa applications but some don't, it really depends how convincing your arguements are.

 

My girlfriend, now wife, didn't work full time when she applied for her first visa, which was granted, but we were living together, since then she has had a second six month visa, a two year and currently has a five year visa.

 

When the processing of visas moves to India I suspect that applications such as yours will become more difficult, it's just an educated guess and I obviously don't know for sure, but the ECO's will not have the local knowledge of how relationships work here in Thailand.  

Tony M's post in the thread about the move to India is interesting, as it suggests some local UKVI staff will be retained in Bangkok and have some role in the visa issuing process. How much of a decision-making role it is remains to be seen.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

[laislica]

Now here's another idea, (but possibly daft).

In the commercial world, when a foreign company wants to make a bid for a government contract in another foreign country,

the country with the project sometimes required a Tender Bond which was returnable at the end of the tendering process.

This procedure was to ensure that the gov only got serious tenders.

The bond could be just that, a bond or cash and the value could be quite high.

(Actually cash gave an advantage because the gov holding the cash could deposit it and gain interest LOL)

Anyway, if you broke their stated rules, you forfeited your bond.

If you kept to the rules, your bond was returned.

Why can't we have something like that?

In a case like this, why can't the Brit offer his house as a bond and as long as his visitor checks out before the visa expires, the bond is returned?

 

or why can't he visit the Brit Emb with photos over the years and witnesses if deemed necessary, Brit or other and be allowed to convince the Emb that their intentions are true.

The emb could offer a certified letter to say, ok to issue a visa?

Why are we, the British Sponsor, treated like aliens?

 

I believe that it is totally wrong and discriminatory that our Thai g/f's and wives are treated this way, because they are from unscheduled territories!

If we were dealing with ladies (or gents) from an ex commonwealth country - no problem, they have rights.

Why do we, the Brit men and women NOT have the right to marry any woman in the world and have them treated as if she was a Brit?

 

I could go on but I'll stop now in the hope that this post is not regarded as off topic.

But, why don't we rise up and contact an MP?

Would there be enough of us to successfully force a petition through?

Is this the source of another thread - first a pole and then depending on the interest........

 

OP, why don't you write to your MP and explain the difficulties you and your lady are facing and ask for help from the MP?

 

[rasg]

7 hours ago, laislica said:

OP, why don't you write to your MP and explain the difficulties you and your lady are facing and ask for help from the MP?

Not much point as an MP has no sway at all over the decision making process. I agree that it's a good idea but I doubt it would make much difference.

 

7 hours ago, laislica said:

Would there be enough of us to successfully force a petition through?

I don't think you'd have the numbers necessary to force anything. When most journalists don't understand the rules themselves to write or talk about them what chance for the public unless they have been in the same situation?

 

[laislica]

1 hour ago, rasg said:

Not much point as an MP has no sway at all over the decision making process. I agree that it's a good idea but I doubt it would make much difference.

 

I don't think you'd have the numbers necessary to force anything. When most journalists don't understand the rules themselves to write or talk about them what chance for the public unless they have been in the same situation?

 

OK, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it.

Do others feel the same - Oh the idea might not work, so let's not try?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained......

Interesting that you think this:-  "Not much point as an MP has no sway at all over the decision making process."

Who does then?

What are they there for?

 

 

[rasg]

1 hour ago, laislica said:

OK, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it.

Do others feel the same - Oh the idea might not work, so let's not try?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained......

Interesting that you think this:-  "Not much point as an MP has no sway at all over the decision making process."

Who does then?

What are they there for?

The ECOs are the decision makers. An MP might speed things up a bit if a visa is taking a longer than it should but that's about it.

 

I’ll let you be the one to start a petition on httpw://petition.parliament.uk/help and I'll vote for it. It's a start. Only 99,999 votes to go for it to be debated in Parliament.

Edited January 24, 2018 by rasg

[theoldgit]

15 hours ago, laislica said:

OK, that's your opinion and you are entitled to it.

Do others feel the same - Oh the idea might not work, so let's not try?

Nothing ventured, nothing gained......

Interesting that you think this:-  "Not much point as an MP has no sway at all over the decision making process."

Who does then?

What are they there for?

As somebody who has responded to numerous MP's letters, as well as those from Ministers and indeed royalty, in the days before correspondance units, I can confirm that rasg's comment is spot on.

Some MP's may write a generic letter which will go to the correspondence unit, who will in turn draft a generic response for the Immigration Minister to sign, if your MP is a Minister then it might be signed off by the Home Secretary.
Most MP's will not become involved unless they are satisfied that there has been a clear breach of Immigration Rules, this sort of letter is very rare, I'm not sure that I've ever seen one.
In aswer to your question, Ministers decide on the policy, the Civil Servants put that policy into Acts, Operational Instructions or Guidlines and Operational Staff work to these, MP's have no sway over the decision making process.
As to what are they there for? good question. 

[laislica]

37 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

As somebody who has responded to numerous MP's letters, as well as those from Ministers and indeed royalty, in the days before correspondance units, I can confirm that rasg's comment is spot on.

Some MP's may write a generic letter which will go to the correspondence unit, who will in turn draft a generic response for the Immigration Minister to sign, if your MP is a Minister then it might be signed off by the Home Secretary.
Most MP's will not become involved unless they are satisfied that there has been a clear breach of Immigration Rules, this sort of letter is very rare, I'm not sure that I've ever seen one.
In aswer to your question, Ministers decide on the policy, the Civil Servants put that policy into Acts, Operational Instructions or Guidlines and Operational Staff work to these, MP's have no sway over the decision making process.
As to what are they there for? good question. 

 

Of course I understand it's a long shot, but if many people constantly send letters and they constantly have to send their draft letters,

perhaps, eventually they may decide to do something about it to stop themselves being pestered (lobbied) by us?

 

Clearly they respond to professional lobbying!

Our problem is that we are not organised.

Perhaps there are other forums who might consider a strategy like this?

 

So what if it didn't work before, why not keep trying?

Why accept defeat?

Shouldn't we have rights?

Sure, they shrug us off because we are a small group, but why stay quiet and insignificant?

Let's organise and create a stink!

 

As CJ said, We didn't get here by bending over and taking it!

 

I'm now 76 and only part time in Thailand and I shall probably spend even less time as the years roll on.

The task of getting organised should be on the shoulders of younger people/hust retired and have the time and energy to do this work.

Like a Union, there would necessarily be some monthly or annual subs to pay for professional advisors if necessary.

and, and, and.

I'm sure you know what I mean.

Now if I were 10 years younger, I'd be up for it.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[theoldgit]

Without wishing to drag this thread further off topic, if you recall it was started by a guy seeking advice about a visa for his partner, I'll give a final view why I think a bond based visa wouldn't work, at least without a massive investment in the actual procedure to run it.

If a bond system was introduced, somebody would need to operate it, that would be taking and holding the bond cash, checking the departure of the bond holder and returning the cash. At the moment there are no embarkation controls for those leaving the UK, Carriers do collect data for those leaving the UK but, IMHO, it would be a quantum leap to use this information to manage a bond system, and I suspect less then reliable.

For those with longer term visas, when would you envisage the bond being returned after five years, or after one successful visit? Of course depending on the size of the bond, some might think it's a small price to pay for entry into the UK and bypassing the settlement procedure.

As more than 90% of applicants are successful, most of whom comply with the terms of their visa, I suspect they wouldn't be best pleased if they were made to pay a bond on top of the visa fee if they wished to go on holiday to the UK.
OK, let's now get back to the actual question posed by the OP.   

[SunsetT]

Thank you all for your replies and valuable information.

[Jip99]

On 23/01/2018 at 2:58 PM, SunsetT said:

I believe the criterion for application to enter as a common law wife is proof that u have been living together in Thailand for 2 years which we never have as I always return to the UK for the 6 'summer' months.

 

 

That is totally incorrect.