First Uk Visa

[baannambua]

Hi

Just trying to gain some accurate information about taking my long term Thai girlfriend back home to the UK for a holiday or visit. I met her over 4 1/2 years ago, I have lived in Thailand with her but also spent quite alot of time away working in the UK.

We did open a business on a thai island 3 days before the tsunami hit luckily the island we chose didn't have any damage from the tsunami but it certainly wasn't a good time to open,and business never really took off so 6 months later we closed it down. We were only renting the property so not too much harm done. We also have had a house built in the North East about 2 years ago and a minimart also located in the village all in my girlfriends name, aswell as the house and minimart she has a motobike and car in her name also,i'm not here bragging if it sounds that way, just trying to give as much information about us to make it clear for people reading about our situation.

She has two daughters to ex thai boyfriends and has not worked since I met her over 4 years ago. I have phone bills, dated photographs, hotel bills,plane tickets with dates aswell and alot of other things to show that I have been a frequent visitor to thailand and to show our strong relationship.

I was just wondering if I did take my girlfriend to the British embassy what kind of chances would we have? I would have no problems getting a written or verbal invitation off my parents and family asking her to visit UK. I do have accomadtion in UK but only rented unfortunatly. I know it's a long hard process to get her a visa but would just love to know what sort of chances we would have?

In the UK I work along side the forestry commsion and do alot of conservation work and have very steady work all year round. Thanks for any replies any advice given appreciated.

[Mahout Angrit]

Why the nightmare? use the search function in this forum on the words "tourist" and "visitor" and you will learn what to do and not to do from others experience. From what you say it looks pretty straightforward to me, come back and ask if you have specific questions

[baannambua]

I had just heard a few differant stories about British embassy being very unreasonable at times and it seemed they accept/deny people visas for not much of a reason.

I'll take your advice and look around.

[markr]

They will only reject you application if you give them reason to, so, make sure you don't!

It sounds as if, from what you say you will have no problem, do a search and then come back and ask specific questions if you get stuck.

Good luck

Mark

Edited July 23, 2007 by markr

[Captain Chaos]

"Reasons to return" are what the embassy staff will be looking for. Sounds like you can provide some, but you must put your documentation (and your appearance) together like you were applying for a job. Treat the whole process with the seriousness it deserves, engage your brain, and I know from my own experience it is not that traumatic (tedious, possibly, but traumatic, no)

Like already said, gather your thoughts a bit (hey, we're not going to do it all for you) but do come back with any specific problems.

Cheers, and good luck

CC

[baannambua]

Hi guys, sorry for any misunderstanding, i'm not expecting anybody to do anything for me or to do research for me, was just looking for some quick answers but I will have a read through the forums. I suppose I was just wondering if my case sounds strong enough or genuine enough to be granted a UK visa in the future.

I will have a good read about though, seems every story is differant so far.

Thanks

[the scouser]

From the details you've posted here, it certainly sounds strong enough.

Scouse.

[rogerchiangmai]

Hi guys, sorry for any misunderstanding, i'm not expecting anybody to do anything for me or to do research for me, was just looking for some quick answers but I will have a read through the forums. I suppose I was just wondering if my case sounds strong enough or genuine enough to be granted a UK visa in the future.

I will have a good read about though, seems every story is differant so far.

Thanks

Well I am not an authority as I am just going through the process but have picked up the basics.

1 Prepare well

- the embassy web site will guide you, they are pretty up front with what they want - some it will seem OTT from your perspective. They will expect you to provide everything that they ask for or have a good explanation.

2 Do the necessary paperwork

- everything prepared well and orderly, neat and referenced attachments seems to help the ease of application. Photocopies of everything, and have originals available - a new twist (not on the web site when I last looked) I noticed at the Visa Centre is that they are asking for originals of things like bank books but this not mandatory yet.

3 Be honest

If you are genuine and have a decent track record then you should be OK. You need to see it from their side, they just want to verify that you are telling the truth and that the evidence all stacks up.

4 Coach for interview

If you do need an interview reseach the questions likely - and coach as necessary to handle the situation, reasonable english is obviously a benefit and a decent knowledge of you and your familys obvious personal details.

Good luck.

Roger

Edited July 23, 2007 by rogerchiangmai

[baannambua]

Well i've had a good read of some other stories regarding visitor and settlement visa for UK. Feel sorry for some of these guys who really want to take their gf's home but get refused for minor reasons.

After reading I do have a few specific questions:

where do I start with the application, whats the first move??

It seems the touts outside the embassy are more hassle, maybe better to go at it alone?

Do I need to be in Thailand when my gf first applys for the visitor visa, or can I just advise/instruct her on the phone?

Including airfare for my gf and visa applcation+process how much will this whole effort approximatly come to? I'm not expecting definitive answers to my questions, just any rough ideas people may have.

Thanks

[Mahout Angrit]

After reading I do have a few specific questions:

where do I start with the application, whats the first move??

It seems the touts outside the embassy are more hassle, maybe better to go at it alone?

Do I need to be in Thailand when my gf first applys for the visitor visa, or can I just advise/instruct her on the phone?

Including airfare for my gf and visa applcation+process how much will this whole effort approximatly come to? I'm not expecting definitive answers to my questions, just any rough ideas people may have.

To get a visit visa is simple, you need

1) to show between the visitor and the sponsor you have enough funds for the trip

2) to show that there is suitable and sufficient accomodation for her stay

3) to have a compelling reason for her to return to Thailand

Thats all.

Read Visitor visa Info (INF2) and Sponsors guide (INF3) and gather together everything you need to satisfy the requirements. Then search around the UK VAC site and complete VAF1 form. You will need you show evidence of her business, work, assets etc to show a reason to return to Thailand at the end of the visit. She will also have to be prepared to answer who will look after her children while she is away if she is called to interview.

You avoid touts by going direct to the UK Visa Application Centre at the address on their web site.

There is no need and no point in you being in Thailand when she applies, you can complete your sponsorship package and send it to her, You can even download the form and complete it just leaving her to sign it. You may have to guide her about what she needs to submit about herself and her assets.

The cost of a visit visa is B4536 and if she doesn't have a passport thats another B1000+. Airfares will vary depending on time of year she will travel, you can check 'Saveflights' in the banner at the top of this forum as a guide to price.

Edited July 23, 2007 by Mahout Angrit

[doctormann]

Well i've had a good read of some other stories regarding visitor and settlement visa for UK. Feel sorry for some of these guys who really want to take their gf's home but get refused for minor reasons.

After reading I do have a few specific questions:

where do I start with the application, whats the first move??

It seems the touts outside the embassy are more hassle, maybe better to go at it alone?

Do I need to be in Thailand when my gf first applys for the visitor visa, or can I just advise/instruct her on the phone?

Including airfare for my gf and visa applcation+process how much will this whole effort approximatly come to? I'm not expecting definitive answers to my questions, just any rough ideas people may have.

Thanks

You don't submit your application to the Embassy any more. Applications are now made at the UK Visa Outsource Centre, In Regent House, Rachadamri. When I was there with my wife, earlier this month, there were no touts.

Having said that, there are plently of Visa Agencies that will be delighted to take your money for actually doing very little. For a Visit Visa (and probably any other type) you absolutely do not need to use an agency. The application process is quite straightforward but is quite time consuming.

My advice, based on two successes, so far:-

* Allow yourself plenty of time to put together all of the evidence that you need to demonstrate your stable relationship, your financial situation as a sponsor (I presume that you will be paying for the trip), and some good reasons why your GF will return to LoS after the holiday.

* Fill in the VAF1 Application form to match 100% with the evidence. Do not be economical with the truth. If there are any areas that need additional explanation you can cover these in your Sponsor's Letter. The letter should include sections on the Applicant (GF), the Sponsor (You), your relationship to date, reasons for her return (most important to give solid reasons) and anything else that might be relevant.

* Assemble all of the evidence etc. in a neat and orderly way - I use a ringbinder with subdivisions for the various bits and pieces. Include photocopies of everything and, on the day, take along all of the original documents in a separate package.

Currently, you, as sponsor, will not be allowed into the actual application centre - your GF will have to go it alone. I have heard reports that sometimes sponsors are allowed in but this is not usual. Before she goes inside you will find that someone (not a tout, an official) will check through your documentation, just to make sure that there is nothing obvious missing. When she goes inside I don't think that she will be asked anything much. The centre is really only acting as a paper-shifting organisation - it's still the Embassy that makes the decision.

With luck, you will get her passport back in about 4 days - with a nice visa sticker inside. The Embassy will try to base its decision on the documentation that you provide. In rare cases the applicant may be asked to attend an interview (in your case, from what you have said, this would be very unlikely provided that you get the paperwork right) and the timescale for this would be about 6 weeks.

One more thing: in the interests of efficiency (!) the Application Centre does not accept cash for the application fee. You must purchase a banker's draft. Fortunately, this can be done at the bank that is in the same building - they will know exactly what you need.

There is a lot of very useful information on visa applications to be found on this forum. You should read it. Also there is info. to be had on the UK Embassy web site - will tell you quite a lot but is a bit vague about detailed requirements.

Anyway, go for it. I don't think that you will have any problems as you seem to have a very strong case.

Good luck

DM