26 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Not only that. I had similar when doing GF's 3rd (successful) UK Visit Visa Application last year - did it for 10yrs to avoid doing it every year. The VFS system said a document had a "virus" yet it was checked and scanned with different AV several times. In the end I converted it from PDF to JPG to get it accepted. Also, the upload size of 5MB is way too low in modern times. Scanning mulpiple A4 pages in colour and at a decent resolution can create much larger file sizes. I had to resize many pages using PDF Compression tools (PDF24) to get them below 5MB. The upload process is rather clunky too. On 1st application in 2023, I uploaded 47 files of supporting documents and had the acceptance printout listing all the files. About a week later, I got an email from UKVI asking to send ALL the files again as they said none were received! Would have thought they at least would have asked for the important required evidence in your case.

That is a nightmare and many guys would have given up but well done for your persistence .

I know I am going to get some opposition from this but to me the process to get a UK visa for your partner is a pain . Other Europeans don't seem to have the same pedantic application requirements .

42 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Not only that. I had similar when doing GF's 3rd (successful) UK Visit Visa Application last year - did it for 10yrs to avoid doing it every year. The VFS system said a document had a "virus" yet it was checked and scanned with different AV several times. In the end I converted it from PDF to JPG to get it accepted. Also, the upload size of 5MB is way too low in modern times. Scanning mulpiple A4 pages in colour and at a decent resolution can create much larger file sizes. I had to resize many pages using PDF Compression tools (PDF24) to get them below 5MB. The upload process is rather clunky too. On 1st application in 2023, I uploaded 47 files of supporting documents and had the acceptance printout listing all the files. About a week later, I got an email from UKVI asking to send ALL the files again as they said none were received! Would have thought they at least would have asked for the important required evidence in your case.

That was my disappointment.....I know it would have covered my mistake (and saved face)......I just felt/feel like they are looking for an excuse to give a refusal at times.

I also think that the current (remote) processing struggles to understand Thai lifestyle and culture....... I have seen ECOs question the lifestyle of 'average' Thais. On one occasion there was an inference that an applicant was a greater flight risk because they subsisted on £200 a month - and would therefore wish to stay long-term in the UK.

13 minutes ago, superal said:

That is a nightmare and many guys would have given up but well done for your persistence .

I know I am going to get some opposition from this but to me the process to get a UK visa for your partner is a pain . Other Europeans don't seem to have the same pedantic application requirements .

Can't argue with that.

Despite the guidelines contained in (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor), etc there is a sense that many decisions are judgemental; that is not appropriate these days.

The Schengen visa process/criteria is VERY prescriptive. The first one for my missus was for a 3 days visit to Rome. That is what we got (after satisfying the criteria) a visa for 3 days. They have precise requirements for meeting their criteria - and they are easy to follow.

Next one was for 2 months to incorporate two trips to separate European countries. I am really impressed that after a track record of applications they actually extend the validity period. This year my wife was granted a 5 year Schengen. Same price whether 3 days or 5 years.

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

That was my disappointment.....I know it would have covered my mistake (and saved face)......I just felt/feel like they are looking for an excuse to give a refusal at times.

I also think that the current (remote) processing struggles to understand Thai lifestyle and culture....... I have seen ECOs question the lifestyle of 'average' Thais. On one occasion there was an inference that an applicant was a greater flight risk because they subsisted on £200 a month - and would therefore wish to stay long-term in the UK.

In 2004, my then wife and I applied for her 19yr old niece to come to the UK for a visit. She was a university student. Her application was refused on the grounds that her grades weren't good enough and she owned no property. Back then it was possible to appeal. Did so and the application still refused. Went to immigration appelate hearing at Feltham. I stood in front of the judge and UK immigration lawyer and argued that not all 19yr olds do well at college and 19yr olds tend not to own property. The judge agreed and asked the UK immigration lawyer if anything else to add. Judge agreed with me and granted the visa. Seems UK immigration refuse visas for no good reason at times.

On 4/1/2026 at 9:23 PM, hotandsticky said:

Thank you ToG.

My error was inexcusable and I have no doubt the new application will be approved quickly.....if it doesn't, it must be a sign to hang up my boots! 😊

Just to complete this story.

Email just received confirming approval to the visa for this young lady.

9 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

Just to complete this story.

Email just received confirming approval to the visa for this young lady.

Always good to have an update. Thanks for posting and for your patience with the anti-immigrant mob who love to sabotage informative threads like this.

21 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Always good to have an update. Thanks for posting and for your patience with the anti-immigrant mob who love to sabotage informative threads like this.

Thank you. This forum has been a great source of information and personal experiences over the 20 years that I have been here.

I can never understand why some people try to turn threads into a pi55ing contest. Sharing experiences (good and bad) is an invaluable way of learning. Things always change over time and something that we did 2 years ago, may have no relevance today. It is the first hand reports and experiences that keep us up to date with changes.

There are two main bodies that impact on a UK visa application. The first is VfS; whilst they are much improved, and empathetic, they are rapidly becoming irrelevant. Certainly no offence to them but apart from facilitating the provision of biometrics they now serve little purpose. Once biometrics can be provided online/locally the need to travel to Bangkok becomes unnecessary.

The other is UKVI.... and I don't know where to start with them. The typical curates egg. . Good in parts. IMO there is still too much subjectivity in decisions - despite a very comprehensive set of guidelines that they work to. Some decisions only lend creedance to the accusation that UKVI work to quotas or, worse, look for reasons to refuse. I also think that ECOs operating in multiple locations doesn't help the understanding of Thais/Thai culture. The simple, frugal lifestyle of a rural Thai often presents them with a challenge.

Personally, I prefer the unequivocal requirements for a Schengen visa - you know exactly what you need to do to achieve approval. I particularly like the fact that they now issue longer term visas after a suitable track record. I am happy that my wife now has a 5 year visa (for the same price as a 4 day visa!).

There really should be an easier way to obtain a 'holiday' visa - which is 100% different to a settlement visa or a visa where the applicant is spending 182 days in the UK. Unfortunately, such visa applications get wrapped up in the broader narrative of 'Immigration policy' where racism is rife and government policies have been ineffective.

2 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

Thank you. This forum has been a great source of information and personal experiences over the 20 years that I have been here.

I can never understand why some people try to turn threads into a pi55ing contest. Sharing experiences (good and bad) is an invaluable way of learning. Things always change over time and something that we did 2 years ago, may have no relevance today. It is the first hand reports and experiences that keep us up to date with changes.

There are two main bodies that impact on a UK visa application. The first is VfS; whilst they are much improved, and empathetic, they are rapidly becoming irrelevant. Certainly no offence to them but apart from facilitating the provision of biometrics they now serve little purpose. Once biometrics can be provided online/locally the need to travel to Bangkok becomes unnecessary.

The other is UKVI.... and I don't know where to start with them. The typical curates egg. . Good in parts. IMO there is still too much subjectivity in decisions - despite a very comprehensive set of guidelines that they work to. Some decisions only lend creedance to the accusation that UKVI work to quotas or, worse, look for reasons to refuse. I also think that ECOs operating in multiple locations doesn't help the understanding of Thais/Thai culture. The simple, frugal lifestyle of a rural Thai often presents them with a challenge.

Personally, I prefer the unequivocal requirements for a Schengen visa - you know exactly what you need to do to achieve approval. I particularly like the fact that they now issue longer term visas after a suitable track record. I am happy that my wife now has a 5 year visa (for the same price as a 4 day visa!).

There really should be an easier way to obtain a 'holiday' visa - which is 100% different to a settlement visa or a visa where the applicant is spending 182 days in the UK. Unfortunately, such visa applications get wrapped up in the broader narrative of 'Immigration policy' where racism is rife and government policies have been ineffective.

You said ---There really should be an easier way to obtain a 'holiday' visa . That is so true . I am not saying that visitors visas for Thai ladies being sponsored by their British partner should be automatically granted but It seems to me that sometimes the application is scrutinized to find if there is the slightest doubt that the applicant will not return to Thailand , despite the financially stable status of the indigenous UK sponsor and the holiday agenda/itinerary clearly shown plus the applicants ties and commitments to their Thai families .

It feels like it could be a quotas target for accepted and refusals when almost identical visa applications are made from 2 different individuals , with 1 granted and 1 refusal .

2 minutes ago, superal said:

You said ---There really should be an easier way to obtain a 'holiday' visa . That is so true . I am not saying that visitors visas for Thai ladies being sponsored by their British partner should be automatically granted but It seems to me that sometimes the application is scrutinized to find if there is the slightest doubt that the applicant will not return to Thailand , despite the financially stable status of the indigenous UK sponsor and the holiday agenda/itinerary clearly shown plus the applicants ties and commitments to their Thai families .

It feels like it could be a quotas target for accepted and refusals when almost identical visa applications are made from 2 different individuals , with 1 granted and 1 refusal .

This is where the Schengen system is more consistent - and fairer.

Not playing the racist card here, but Isaan girls who met their British partners in a bar in Pattaya still do not arrive in the UK by dinghy. They are often accompanied by their partner - who has satisfied relationship/financial criteria as a sponsor.

Why issue a 6 month visitor visa for a 3 week holiday.

2 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

There really should be an easier way to obtain a 'holiday' visa

During my years in immigration enforcement Thai nationals didn't present a great problem. There weren't many cases, and the essential point is that when suspected illegals or overstayers came to light, there was no problem about removing them. Unlike many countries, Thailand takes responsibility for its own nationals and doesn't place obstructions in the way of sending them back, such as requiring them to have a passport, and then declining to issue one on the grounds that their identity can't be verified. China and India were the worst in that regard, but Vietnam? Like Thailand they have a unique language so there could be no doubt about nationality, but getting them documented was a real pain, which is why there are so many of the blighters infesting nail bars and cannabis farms. All that was required to remove a Thai was a single sheet containing whatever name and address in Thailand the offender chose to give me and my official stamp. I was working in the days before fingerprinting for visas, so maybe dealing with some of these countries is easier now. I expect there are a few cases, but I never heard of a Thai claiming asylum.

So I agree with you, there ought to be a more pragmatic system applied to countries which don't cause the UK many problems.

51 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

This is where the Schengen system is more consistent - and fairer.

Not playing the racist card here, but Isaan girls who met their British partners in a bar in Pattaya still do not arrive in the UK by dinghy. They are often accompanied by their partner - who has satisfied relationship/financial criteria as a sponsor.

Why issue a 6 month visitor visa for a 3 week holiday.

Good point . Do you think that the visa will be refused if the Thai lady has small money in her bank account ? This despite her sponsoring partner satisfies his financial requirements .

I know of some of my Thai family single women with good jobs , fair amount of money in their bank , have had no problems getting a UK visitors visa and the applications were made without agents or sponsors .

I have been involved in 70+ visa applications and I think only 2 were on the strength of the applicants own finances. I have stopped several sponsors who wanted to ‘pad’ the applicants bank account for the application……a big no, no with UKVI .

Ironically, that is exactly what happens with Schengen visa applications where bank certification/statements are required to evidence compliance with the daily monetary requirements. A few years ago we went to Spain for 2 months and I had to inject something like 160,000 Baht to satisfy the €70 per day requirement. This was despite evidencing paid for flights and accommodation.

On 3/26/2026 at 8:34 AM, hotandsticky said:

Yes, this is a gripe but it is also a heads up about what can happen with UKVI.

In 15 years of being involved with UK Visa applications today's refusal was the worst I have seen.

I don't submit applications unless I am confident that they meet UKVI laid down requires.

This one was for a university student in Bangkok who wishes to visit her mother and step father during the summer holidays.

The application meets criteria in every respect.

The refusal stated:-

"You state that you are a student. However, no documents have been provided that demonstrate you are currently enrolled in ongoing studies. I am therefore not satisfied that your personal circumstances are as declared. This leads me to doubt the credibility of your application and therefore your intentions on travelling to the UK."

That is complete nonsense, an enrollment certificate and course details were part of the supporting documents submitted.

That's it. No appeal, no ability to question the decision - the applicant has to resubmit and pay another UKVI fee.

Rant over...... but be warned, this is what can happen with UKVI - who have not got better over the years.

Mine was worse in some respects.

Applied for a UK visitors visa every year for about five years for the wife..........always granted.

Thought this is ridiculous why not get a five year one and save the hassle.

Received a letter saying my wife qualified for the five year visa, but it was felt that it was not appropriate to issue one at the present time...........no reason given......no right of appeal......no return of funds (I think about £750)......that was it.

At the time she was even working for a British company and had a NI number.

17 minutes ago, MIke B Bad said:

Mine was worse in some respects.

Applied for a UK visitors visa every year for about five years for the wife..........always granted.

Thought this is ridiculous why not get a five year one and save the hassle.

Received a letter saying my wife qualified for the five year visa, but it was felt that it was not appropriate to issue one at the present time...........no reason given......no right of appeal......no return of funds (I think about £750)......that was it.

At the time she was even working for a British company and had a NI number.

Definitely one for the complaint route.

The stated reason is inappropriate and (if there was a policy reason not to issue at that time a full refund should have been made.

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

I have been involved in 70+ visa applications and I think only 2 were on the strength of the applicants own finances. I have stopped several sponsors who wanted to ‘pad’ the applicants bank account for the application……a big no, no with UKVI .

Ironically, that is exactly what happens with Schengen visa applications where bank certification/statements are required to evidence compliance with the daily monetary requirements. A few years ago we went to Spain for 2 months and I had to inject something like 160,000 Baht to satisfy the €70 per day requirement. This was despite evidencing paid for flights and accommodation.

A pal of mine put 1 million baht in his new wife's bank about 4 months before the visa application was made which was granted .

50 minutes ago, superal said:

A pal of mine put 1 million baht in his new wife's bank about 4 months before the visa application was made which was granted .

More evidence of the inconsistency where finance is concerned. IMO that is OK if he was open about it, say, being a gift - or him prepaying her holiday expenses. He would presumably have submitted a sponsor letter - even if just by way of invitation to here. Prepaying her in that manner avoids the necessity of him supplying documentary evidence of his financial status.

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

More evidence of the inconsistency where finance is concerned. IMO that is OK if he was open about it, say, being a gift - or him prepaying her holiday expenses. He would presumably have submitted a sponsor letter - even if just by way of invitation to here. Prepaying her in that manner avoids the necessity of him supplying documentary evidence of his financial status.

Interesting . However his income meets the Thai retirement visa rules but making a large deposit in her account well in advance of the UK visa application was good planning ?

3 minutes ago, superal said:

Interesting . However his income meets the Thai retirement visa rules but making a large deposit in her account well in advance of the UK visa application was good planning ?

It was.....but that is only part of the story and I would be reluctant to recommend that course of action, unless the circumstances warrant it. For example, a girl earning 2,000 Baht pw suddenly gets 1m Baht in her account ....that is surely going to raise the eyebrows of an ECO. They do seem to focus on how the applicant maintains their lifestyle (or is supported) and any inconsistencies are a red flag.

However, coupled with a suitable explanation from the husband/sponsor I see no issues.

Not to be pedantic but the Thai retirement visa rules are largely irrelevant.....evidencing sufficient funds for the trip is.....So, he might have minimal income but, say, £50,000 in the bank. On one occasion I used the minimum income requirement for a uk settlement visa as evidence that the sponsor could support the cost his GF's visit.

Off topic posts removed.

30 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Somebody else raised the subject. If you don't like it the the correct thing is to report it. If off topic isn't allowed the 80% of what is written here wouldn't be allowed. The subject is visa refusal. Exploring other ways of entering the country seems to fit the subject line.

You could save everyone a lot of time, including yourself, if you tried to remain on topic. Your "suggestion" didn't in any way, address the topic which is avoiding refusal of a pathway to legal UK immigration.

Just because someone else started posting irrelevant and unhelpful opinions isn't an excuse for the like-minded to chime in.

Some unhelpful posts and replies of a trolling nature have been removed.

On 4/1/2026 at 12:05 PM, hotandsticky said:

the upload of the university enrollment certificate had been rejected because it had a virus.

Had this certificate been uploaded as a PDF? If so, I gather that viruses can prove problematical in the case of PDF's, which is the main reason why we're not permitted to attach them to AN posts, for instance.

And neither were we allowed to submit PDF's in support of applications for the Thailand Pass needed in order to re-enter the country at the back end of the pandemic, for presumably the same reason.

I do, however, find it amazing (but perhaps not surprising) that UKVI don't apparently actively discourage the submission of PDF's in support of visa applications given the virus risk. Furthermore, PDF's tend, I gather, to be generally rather more memory-intensive than their PNG and JPG counterparts!

Edited May 6May 6 by OJAS