Student Visa For Thai Gf

[yosemitesam]

I am sorry to maybe repeat any topics or advice given before. After days and weeks of looking at various websites, esp this one, I have founds lots of great advice, but maybe need some more.

Basically, should (my thai gf) apply for a tourist or a student visa?

We have been together for 2 years and can probably prove some of it with photos, emails, hotel and credit card receipts and info from DTAC statements, etc. I am a teacher qualified in the UK, have a house (which I rent out and get a small income after expenses of about 120 pounds a month). I have been in Thailand for 5 years teaching at various places. I have savings at the moment of about 10,000 pounds.

Now, I am looking to go back to the UK for a short time (maybe up to a year) to get teaching work in schools in UK, then maybe apply for International schools back in BKK. Probably we will get married next summer (august) though no concrete plans yet, no monks booked or anything. We would get married in Thailand.

As I dont have a job in the UK yet, we will be staying with my parents for 2 or 3 months at first. A student visa would allow her to experince UK life and people more (one reason for the visit to the UK.) It would also allow her English to progress faster (now, not bad, but needs to work on writing and reading, as well and speaking). It would also give her the opportunity to earn money.

I would sponsor her, along with my cousin and maybe Aunt (who has met her twice on holiday here and have a new, small but legit. business buying clothing in BKK and selling in UK. A tourist visa would also allow her to study but she would return to Thailand with little or no money, as she cannot work.

If she gets a student via for 2 or three months ( we have found an affordable language school near my parents house on the DFEE register), she could, in theory, apply to extend it once I have found a job for the rest of the academic year (until July, when we would leave and get married in Thailand)

(Sorry to be very long winded, but I wanted to give as much info. as poss. to get the best advice and help from anyone willing)

My questions are ... This would be her first visit to UK (second anywhere, went to Hong Kong last month). What are the chances of a student visa for those 3 months? Do we tell them that she may like to stay for longer (legally, after applying for an extension)? What are the chances of an extension?

And...What evidence should we give of reason to return? She has no land, house or property. Now, she works in a hotel Not sure if the manager would give her a letter saying he will keep the job open. Even if he does, when applying for an extension, will they question that evidence? Her reason for returning are to improve her English so she can work in 5 star hotels. possibly in the corporate sales depts, where there is more money and opportunities. Is some research about need for English fluency, etc from hotel websites enough? She went for interviews at a couple of big hotels last years but not fluent enough in English so was rejected. No evidence of this, I dont think.

Pls help. Sorry to make u read so much. Just trying to cover as much info. as poss.

Edited April 15, 2007 by yosemitesam

[kev0184]

I am fairly new to this immigration nightmare, but here is the benifit of my experiance.

when my GF and i 1st thought of applying, i too thought of the student visa, it had some added benifits over the tourist visa, but once i looked into it, and went to the embassy and sat with a very helpful young lady who explained that is was going to be hard to get without detailed schooling records and a booked course in the Uk.

She also stated, a bit tongue in cheek to be honest, but with serious undertones, that a course to improve my GFs english skills was available in Los.

to that end i applied for and got a tourist visa valid for 6months, my lady had no job/house to return to either, but a full and complete application, using this site for all the references, got the visa on the 1st attempt.

one avenue i did not look at, but may aid you, is look at getting the fiance visa, as you say may get married next year, this could be a route to go along, i am sure other people will be able to advise you on this.

dont know how much help this will have been to yourself, but best of luck in your application

[yosemitesam]

Thanks for the help. As I understand it, for a fiance visa, you need to be married within 6 months (and have proof that this is your plan?)

As for English courses being available in the UK, I take your point. I presume the fact that immersion in the society / increased opportunities to use the language every day with different people in real situations (ie. in the UK) does not sway the ECO / interviewer too much?

[the scouser]

There's no reason why your girlfriend shouldn't apply for a student visa, but she is going to have to demonstrate that she is studying for the right motives and that it's not an expedient means of staying in the UK for a period longer than allowed by a visit visa. You appear to be aware of the requirements to be met by a student, and should your girlfriend get such a visa, the same requirements need to be fulfilled again in order to obtain and extension. She would additionally have to show that she attended her previous course and has progressed in her studies.

Whether she applies for either a visit or student visa, your girlfriend is going to have to demonstrate an intention to leave the UK and, to this end, she would normally be expected to provide evidence that her employment will be open to her on her return. Getting a letter from her employer will be a double-edged sword however, as if he states that the job will be kept open for a year, it is likely that the visa officer will not accept such a premise. In the circumstances, you are going to have to act as her reason to return by submitting evidence, if possible, that you intend to go back to Thailand at the completion of your work in the UK.

Alternatively, if you can manifest that you've been in a relationship akin to amrriage for 2 years, your girlfriend may apply for an unmarried partner's visa which would initially allow her to spend up to 2 years in the UK and work, too.

Scouse.