Does anyone know if giving a solicitors letter along with all other paperwork to the embassy for a visa application would make any difference to the outcome or could this only be done when appealing a wrong decision??

Depends very much what kind of visa and for which (other) country.

Only IMHO for USA it is OK and many people use this help.

For Schengen states and other Europeans would not make any difference, for an appeal yes, the solicitor would know a way, if s/he is worth the money.

You are not looking for a visa to an Asian country, so a bit off-topic, in Asia, the immigration people are friendlier if you show up yourself. As one officer in BKK-immigration office told me, "Somebody comes with a solicitor (he said lawyer) we feel there is something to hide".

Settlement visa for uk for my pregnant wife. She was granted a tourist visa earlier in the year. I would like her to have our baby in the uk.

Settlement visa for uk for my pregnant wife. She was granted a tourist visa earlier in the year. I would like her to have our baby in the uk.

and without a lawyer.

Yes she was granted the tourist visa on her own merits without a lawyer. What do you think Dr PatPong, is there any chance of them granting the settlement visa knowing she's pregnant?

A letter from your MP would be better I think.

A letter from your MP would be better I think.

Much better way to go. A labour MP and the heavier the better. As regards persuading them yourself, be cool, calm, collected, and polite in manner and dress and you'll do better than having a high priced lawyer on hand.

A Solicitors' letter isn't going to be any use for what you propose. You should only use one when you want to threaten action - such as when you want to appeal AFTER being refused. An MPs letter would be much better in your case as the good doctor and others have said. If the Embassy have given your good lady a tourist visa for the UK already and you have your paperwork in order (and a job to support her), then you should be okay with the settlement visa.

Does anyone know if giving a solicitors letter along with all other paperwork to the embassy for a visa application would make any difference to the outcome or could this only be done when appealing a wrong decision??

A reference letter from the Prime Minister might be better

Does anyone know if giving a solicitors letter along with all other paperwork to the embassy for a visa application would make any difference to the outcome or could this only be done when appealing a wrong decision??

A reference letter from the Prime Minister might be better

Tony Blair you mean ?

Does anyone know if giving a solicitors letter along with all other paperwork to the embassy for a visa application would make any difference to the outcome or could this only be done when appealing a wrong decision??

A reference letter from the Prime Minister might be better

Tony Blair you mean ?

Tony Blair,John Howard,Steve Irwin,Ali G... all probably more useful than a solicitor

A solicitor's letter is not necessary. If you intend to apply for a settlement visa then the fact that your wife is pregnant aids your case and once in the UK she can legally benefit from NHS treatment as the spouse of a British citizen. This does not apply if she enters on a tourist visa. However, I don't know how "far gone" your wife is but for a settlement visa she will be interviewed and there is currently a 75- day wait. Furthermore, airlines will decline to carry someone who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy. You would have to check with the relevant carrier.

Scouse.

Much better way to go. A labour MP and the heavier the better.

I don't know about better but heavier you can't get better than John "Fat bastard" Prescot lets hope his writing is better than his "English".

Good luck.

If it was your own solicitor(not sure if u meanThai or back home) then it could do no harm. I think a statement from an accountant would go alot further