Visa Help And Advice Required

[mazimus]

I have had the same g/f for about 3 years,she lives in Khon Kaen.I have been there many times,met her family,drank beer with her brothers ,had meals with the family etc etc.This year i would like to bring her to the Uk for a holiday but initial enquiries make it look like a minefield.I have tried to e-mail the British embassy in BKK,no reply.My g/f is convinced that the only way for her to get a visa to come here is through one of these agencies that will obviously charge a fortune.I would be humbly grateful for any advice,contact numbers, e-mail addresses etc.

I thought that a holiday visit visa for her would be rather straightforward but the more i look the more i am convinced it is going to be a bit more than that.

C"mon people PLEASE,we need your help,anything yous can offer will be greatly appreciated.

[the scouser]

Mazimus,

That you have known your girlfriend for 3 years will stand you in good stead, but the visa officer will expect to see evidence covering the entire period of your claimed relationship. Other factors will be what your girlfriend does workwise, what assets she has in Thailand, and whether you can maintain and accommodate her during her trip.

If you wish to use the services of an agent, make sure it is one that is skilled in UK immigration law, procedure and policy. You will get more sense out of a UK-based adviser than one in Thailand. You may choose to go to either a solicitor who specializes in immigration, or an OISC-registered immigration adviser.

All the best,

Scouse.

[GU22]

First, read through the following:-

Guidance - Visitors (INF 2)

Guidance - Sponsors (INF 3)

Chapter 10 - Visit entry requirements

For how to apply see:-

Visa Services

Social visit checklist

Basically you need to show that she can be supported and accommodated for the duration of the visit without recourse from public funds. Either from her own resources or with your help. Provide details of where she will be staying, with proof of ownership (e.g. mortgage statement) or letter from land lord granting permission for her to stay. Provide wage slips and bank statements to show the available finances. (See Chapter 9 – The maintenance and accommodation requirements)

You also need to show, and this can be the difficult one, that she is a genuine visitor who will leave the UK when, or before, her visa expires. If she works, proof of that together with a letter from her employer confirming her job will be kept open for her. If she owns land, then proof of that. Unfortunately, family and children are not considered to be a reason to return as many Thais work abroad and send money home.

However, the strongest reason for her to return is your relationship. Three years is a long time. Most of the horror stories one hears regarding visit visas come from people who have known their g/f for 3 days!

Provide evidence of the length of your relationship, as well as brief details of your future plans. For example, is this visit so she can get a taste of the UK before you marry each other and she applies for settlement? If so, say so.

Finally, my advice about agents is to avoid them. Many overcharge and even encourage applicants to tell lies on the application. No agent can 'guarantee' a visa, though many claim that they can. No agent will be able to tell you anything that you cannot find out here for free!

(These comments are mainly about agents in Thailand. Obviously registered advisors in the UK will always behave professionally.)

Edited February 12, 2007 by GU22

[Mahout Angrit]

Mazimus

You will get no better advice from any agent than you have been given in the above posts. Read all the links and you have everything you need to know. Make yourself a strong application, don't believe the horror stories.

There are difficulties, not least, you being in UK and your girlfriend being in Thailand without confidence. You can prepare a lot from UK, you can download the forms and complete them for her (just leaving her to sign). You will see that she can even apply from her home town by post. If you dont intend going to Thailand before the application you can courier all your documents by DHL to her for safety.

...and any questions, just come back and ask

[Mossfinn]

My g/f is convinced that the only way for her to get a visa to come here is through one of these agencies that will obviously charge a fortune.I would be humbly grateful for any advice,contact numbers, e-mail addresses etc.

As has been stated above, past posts have frequently related horror stories in regard to Agents, the list of mis-representation is long and sorry.

In my view the best way forward is to down load the relevant information, already linked above, and have a bash yourself, any queries, no matter how trivial or in many posters cases, the worry of being made to look foolish, is foolish in itself, just post them, there is a wealth of information willingly and freely given here.

If you feel you still want to go down the route of an agent, ensure it is an OISC registered representative, if you have difficulties finding one or even knowing how to source one, post again and as previously said, there will be further help in this regard, even I can help you in that direction.

Good Luck

Moss