UK Visit Visa

[spinner343]

My mother in law is currently in the UK on a tourist visa, she is planning on coming to the UK again next year, She came to the UK on the 15/03/24 and will leave on the 15/08/24 what would be the earlist date next year she would be able to come back to the UK. Thank you for any help.

[theoldgit]

She can apply to travel for any date, there’s no “time between visits” requirement for Standard Visit Visas for the UK, each application is treated on its own merit.

 

For each application your mother in law will need to satisfy the decision maker that she’s a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the conclusion of her holiday.

 

The ECO may wonder if regular three month holidays are genuine, though they are perfectly legal.

[spinner343]

29 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

She can apply to travel for any date, there’s no “time between visits” requirement for Standard Visit Visas for the UK, each application is treated on its own merit.

 

For each application your mother in law will need to satisfy the decision maker that she’s a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the conclusion of her holiday.

 

The ECO may wonder if regular three month holidays are genuine, though they are perfectly legal.

Thank you

[superal]

22 hours ago, theoldgit said:

She can apply to travel for any date, there’s no “time between visits” requirement for Standard Visit Visas for the UK, each application is treated on its own merit.

 

For each application your mother in law will need to satisfy the decision maker that she’s a genuine visitor who will leave the UK at the conclusion of her holiday.

 

The ECO may wonder if regular three month holidays are genuine, though they are perfectly legal.

Hi , we have had a similar conversation on this topic before . Can you please advise how to satisfy that a visitor can convince all concerned with the application , that they will leave the UK at the end of the permitted stay . I ask this because my lady was refused a tourist visa on the grounds that they believed she would not return to Thailand .

[theoldgit]

14 minutes ago, superal said:

Can you please advise how to satisfy that a visitor can convince all concerned with the application , that they will leave the UK at the end of the permitted stay . I ask this because my lady was refused a tourist visa on the grounds that they believed she would not return to Thailand .

There’s really no guarantee that an application will be approved, however genuine the applicant is, the decision maker (ECO) has to make a judgement call based on the evidence submitted by the applicant, they use the “balance of probabilities” and don’t always get it right, and of course there’s no right of appeal.

 

If the sponsor is located in the UK, l note you’re posting from Thailand, the ECO may take the view, rightly or wrongly, that the applicant may decide to remain with their partner in the UK, so they need to convince the decision maker that they have strong ties to Thailand.

 

I’m afraid there’s no magic formula, the applicant has to show that there life in Thailand is such that it’s unlikely that they would overstay and remain with their partner in the “promised land”.

 

ECO’s are not based in Thailand, they can be anywhere, that hasn’t made it any easier.

 

Applicants should specifically address the reasons for refusals in subsequent applications, also mention in a short covering letter.

 

Good luck

[jimn]

2 hours ago, theoldgit said:

There’s really no guarantee that an application will be approved, however genuine the applicant is, the decision maker (ECO) has to make a judgement call based on the evidence submitted by the applicant, they use the “balance of probabilities” and don’t always get it right, and of course there’s no right of appeal.

 

If the sponsor is located in the UK, l note you’re posting from Thailand, the ECO may take the view, rightly or wrongly, that the applicant may decide to remain with their partner in the UK, so they need to convince the decision maker that they have strong ties to Thailand.

 

I’m afraid there’s no magic formula, the applicant has to show that there life in Thailand is such that it’s unlikely that they would overstay and remain with their partner in the “promised land”.

 

ECO’s are not based in Thailand, they can be anywhere, that hasn’t made it any easier.

 

Applicants should specifically address the reasons for refusals in subsequent applications, also mention in a short covering letter.

 

Good luck

Whilst I respect your knowledge of the UK visa system I think you are misunderstanding the real question in this case. Whilst she can apply any time she will be limited to the dates she can enter the UK. On a Standard UK visit visa no one will be allowed to stay for more than 180 days (6 months) in a rolling 12 month period. So if the OP's MIL stays 15/3/24to 15/8/24 this is 5 months. This means that she can only stay for 1 more month before 15/3/25. I suggest if she wishes to come for 5 months again, the earliest she should apply is to arrive after this date.

[theoldgit]

1 hour ago, jimn said:

Whilst I respect your knowledge of the UK visa system I think you are misunderstanding the real question in this case. Whilst she can apply any time she will be limited to the dates she can enter the UK. On a Standard UK visit visa no one will be allowed to stay for more than 180 days (6 months) in a rolling 12 month period. So if the OP's MIL stays 15/3/24to 15/8/24 this is 5 months. This means that she can only stay for 1 more month before 15/3/25. I suggest if she wishes to come for 5 months again, the earliest she should apply is to arrive after this date.

 

This is not correct, there's no such rule, it's a pretty common mistake by posters.

 

Whilst the Guidance to UKBA Decision Makers advises them that they must be satisfied that applicants aren't attempting to make the UK their home through "frequent and successive visits", and outlines the checks they should make, the guidance specifically reminds decision makers that "There is no specified maximum period, which an individual can spend in the UK in any period, such as ‘6 months in 12 months’ (as long as each visit does not exceed the maximum period for that visit, normally 6 months). However, if it is clear from an applicant’s travel history that they are seeking to remain in the UK for extended periods or making the UK their home you should refuse their application".

 

You may find the attached Guidance to Staff helpful Visit guidance

 

[jimn]

On 5/30/2024 at 10:46 AM, theoldgit said:

 

This is not correct, there's no such rule, it's a pretty common mistake by posters.

 

Whilst the Guidance to UKBA Decision Makers advises them that they must be satisfied that applicants aren't attempting to make the UK their home through "frequent and successive visits", and outlines the checks they should make, the guidance specifically reminds decision makers that "There is no specified maximum period, which an individual can spend in the UK in any period, such as ‘6 months in 12 months’ (as long as each visit does not exceed the maximum period for that visit, normally 6 months). However, if it is clear from an applicant’s travel history that they are seeking to remain in the UK for extended periods or making the UK their home you should refuse their application".

 

You may find the attached Guidance to Staff helpful Visit guidance

 

It may be a myth but it is reason why some people are refused visa's so soon after returning from a previous visit. My wife now has a 10 year visa so it's not an issue to stay 5 months. But going back a few years she visited for 4 months Sept to Jan. Applied for a new visa to visit from May to September and it was refused on the grounds that she would be spending too much time in the UK in a 12 month period. Re Appied 2 months later and it was granted. Granted this was a few years ago but I very much doubt if a new visa would be granted unless a period has elapsed before the new application.

[theoldgit]

@jimnl note your experience of a few years ago, but the fact remains that there is no such rule in the UKVI guidelines, the guidelines l posted the link to are very clear.

That said ECO’s will always make a judgement call based on each applicants personal circumstances, based on their travel history and their life in their home country, amongst other things.

[superal]

19 hours ago, theoldgit said:

@jimnl note your experience of a few years ago, but the fact remains that there is no such rule in the UKVI guidelines, the guidelines l posted the link to are very clear.

That said ECO’s will always make a judgement call based on each applicants personal circumstances, based on their travel history and their life in their home country, amongst other things.

Fact , many Thai ladies are successful with their UK visa applications . Many of these ladies have no reliable employment , employer or income ( maybe false employment claims on the application ? ) . Many are working in bars with little or no collateral or savings. 

I have heard that some use an agent who guarantees a visa if paying the agent a fairly high fee . 

My case , my lady has her own business , own house and large restaurant . Money in the bank , employs up to 7 Thais . Takes care of parents . Visa refused on the grounds that they thought she would not return to Thailand . I stood as sponsor which I have been told may suggest that she would like to stay in the UK and an application to purely take part in an organized tour would / may be successful . Do you agree ?

[Tony M]

Without knowing the full background to the previous application, and the reasons for refusal, then it is difficult to give advice. If you can post the refusal notice, redacting all personal details, then we may be able to give some advice based on the reasons for refusal.  Or you can message it to me privately, and I will help if I can.

 

Making an application based on joining a tour group might be seen as an attempt to "get around" the previous refusal. Personally, and it's my opinion only, that's not a good idea.

[theoldgit]

6 hours ago, superal said:

Fact , many Thai ladies are successful with their UK visa applications . Many of these ladies have no reliable employment , employer or income ( maybe false employment claims on the application ? ) . Many are working in bars with little or no collateral or savings. 

I have heard that some use an agent who guarantees a visa if paying the agent a fairly high fee . 

My case , my lady has her own business , own house and large restaurant . Money in the bank , employs up to 7 Thais . Takes care of parents . Visa refused on the grounds that they thought she would not return to Thailand . I stood as sponsor which I have been told may suggest that she would like to stay in the UK and an application to purely take part in an organized tour would / may be successful . Do you agree ?

Certainly many Thai ladies are successful with their applications for various categories of UK visas, l have no idea if many of these have no credible ties to their home country or have falsified evidence, I’ll have to take your word for that, but no doubt you can substantiate your claim.

I’m certainly not aware of any reputable agent who would guarantee a visa for a fairly high fee, l think you’ve been misinformed, given applications are processed remotely, the claim isn’t really credible.

Regarding your specific issue, it’s difficult to give a view without knowing the full facts, including the actual reason for the refusal, but l would add the suggestion of joining a tour group and simply remaining in the UK isn’t a good idea, it would give her many problems.

[rasg]

16 hours ago, superal said:

Fact , many Thai ladies are successful with their UK visa applications . Many of these ladies have no reliable employment , employer or income ( maybe false employment claims on the application ? ) . Many are working in bars with little or no collateral or savings. 

I have heard that some use an agent who guarantees a visa if paying the agent a fairly high fee . 

My case , my lady has her own business , own house and large restaurant . Money in the bank , employs up to 7 Thais . Takes care of parents . Visa refused on the grounds that they thought she would not return to Thailand . I stood as sponsor which I have been told may suggest that she would like to stay in the UK and an application to purely take part in an organized tour would / may be successful . Do you agree ?

 

I would be interested in the reason for refusal too knowing how thin the reasons my wife gave in 2015 to get three successful visit visas in succession before we decided to get married and went for a settlement (marriage) visa.

 

I would be also be really interested in seeing the actual application and covering letter.

[superal]

8 hours ago, rasg said:

 

I would be interested in the reason for refusal too knowing how thin the reasons my wife gave in 2015 to get three successful visit visas in succession before we decided to get married and went for a settlement (marriage) visa.

 

I would be also be really interested in seeing the actual application and covering letter.

Sorry but I that is no longer available , some time ago , about 9 years ago

[Sheryl]

On 5/30/2024 at 11:53 AM, superal said:

Hi , we have had a similar conversation on this topic before . Can you please advise how to satisfy that a visitor can convince all concerned with the application , that they will leave the UK at the end of the permitted stay . I ask this because my lady was refused a tourist visa on the grounds that they believed she would not return to Thailand .

I recently went through this process for a Cambodian woman going to US to visit her daughter. (She got the visa).

 

Points we included and stressed in her application:

 

- close family members not accompanying her and remaining behind In Cambodia (in her case, husband and 2 sons)

-property owned in Cambodia

-history of travel to other countries, always returning within visa validity (in her case travel was only to Thailand and once to Singapore, but I think still helped).

 

She was elderly and nto employed so we could nto include a job, but having a job would also help

 

If none of the above able to your GF then it will indeed be difficult. Also, I think the index of suspicion is higher  for younger people.

 

Besides these things meant to prove intent to return, we also provided abundant and I think convincing proof of the reason for the trip and relationship to the sponsors (as she was not paying for it herself).

 

Unfortunately  a UK sponsor who is husband or boyfriend will work against the applicant as they immediately suspect she is trying to settle in UK and bypass the normal processes for a spousal/fiancee visa.  If you are UK citizen but live in Thailand, making it plan you do not live in UK, are settled in Thailand, and intend yourself to remain in Thailand may help. I would include that in the narrative and also attack relevant proofs (e.g. Thai retirement visa, rental contarct etc).

 

 

 

[superal]

21 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I recently went through this process for a Cambodian woman going to US to visit her daughter. (She got the visa).

 

Points we included and stressed in her application:

 

- close family members not accompanying her and remaining behind In Cambodia (in her case, husband and 2 sons)

-property owned in Cambodia

-history of travel to other countries, always returning within visa validity (in her case travel was only to Thailand and once to Singapore, but I think still helped).

 

She was elderly and nto employed so we could nto include a job, but having a job would also help

 

If none of the above able to your GF then it will indeed be difficult. Also, I think the index of suspicion is higher  for younger people.

 

Besides these things meant to prove intent to return, we also provided abundant and I think convincing proof of the reason for the trip and relationship to the sponsors (as she was not paying for it herself).

 

Unfortunately  a UK sponsor who is husband or boyfriend will work against the applicant as they immediately suspect she is trying to settle in UK and bypass the normal processes for a spousal/fiancee visa.  If you are UK citizen but live in Thailand, making it plan you do not live in UK, are settled in Thailand, and intend yourself to remain in Thailand may help. I would include that in the narrative and also attack relevant proofs (e.g. Thai retirement visa, rental contarct etc).

 

 

 

Above in bold print is to me a strong reason for being denied a visa . However  for a Thai lady to visit the UK alone would be a bit strange . Thai tourists to the UK are often part of an organized escorted company tour . 

My ladies previous application stated that she owned her house and large restaurant ,plus took care of her elderly parents . My lady was 48 years old when applying for the visa . I wrote the covering letter for the application stating that I would sponsor her , house her and guarantee she would return to Thailand at the end of the visa . However the visa was refused , reason was they did not believe she would return to Thailand . Maybe that having my own UK property and she would be staying there with me , sounded alarm bells .

[theoldgit]

3 hours ago, superal said:

Above in bold print is to me a strong reason for being denied a visa . However  for a Thai lady to visit the UK alone would be a bit strange . Thai tourists to the UK are often part of an organized escorted company tour . 

My ladies previous application stated that she owned her house and large restaurant ,plus took care of her elderly parents . My lady was 48 years old when applying for the visa . I wrote the covering letter for the application stating that I would sponsor her , house her and guarantee she would return to Thailand at the end of the visa . However the visa was refused , reason was they did not believe she would return to Thailand . Maybe that having my own UK property and she would be staying there with me , sounded alarm bells .

Sheryl is spot on when she says that having a UK sponsor could be detrimental to the applicant, as the ECO may assume, rightly or wrongly, that the applicant intends to stay in the UK with their sponsor and bypass the Settlement process, most people understand the dangers of that approach.

 

Many Thai ladies visit with their sponsors who live in Thailand, either as a spouse or long term partners, it’s unlikely, though not impossible, would be using the Visit Visa route to uproot and both settle in the UK.

 

The applicants who sometimes face problems are those who live in Thailand with their spouse, partner or sponsor living in the UK, who sometimes support their partners in Thailand. The ECO may reach the conclusion, again rightly or wrongly, that the applicant intends to stay in the UK with their benefactor, it’s these that face problems, you’re fully aware.

 

l have to admit that l have never encountered groups of Thai tourists in the UK, especially unaccompanied ladies, I’m sure there probably are some though, it’s not a easy route to remain as an overstayer and subsequently be removed and face a lengthy ban from applying from even applying for a visa.

 

l understand that applicants from Thailand with sponsors or spouses in the US face similar problems, probably more so.