Can anyone help me here??

I seem to have all the relevant criteria and paperwork for my Thai g/f to visit England but one thing is bugging me. My g/f has a job in a pharmacy in bkk and is paid once a month, in cash, but even so, proving employment shouldn't be a problem. My paperwork is all in order re accomodation and funds etc. I'd like her to come over for 6 months but I'm concerned about her reason to return to Thailand. If she states her reason to return as 'returning to work', would the embassy decline on the basis that they don't think the job would be left open for 6 months? She does not own property in Thailand so her only other reason would be her parents...

I have been in touch with 'easyvisa' who are based in Pattaya and the guy there recommends applying for a fiance visa (via him) for a fee of 50,000 baht which he believes will be ready 2 months after application...anyone else used or heard of this company?

One last thing...if we manage to get the Visitor Visa and then marry in Thailand next year, is it simple enough to convert theis into a spouse visa or will we have to go through the same waiting game??

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Daniel,

Even with evidence of employment, it is possible that the visa officer may not accept that your g/f's employer would hold open her job for six months. However, the decision whether to grant a visit visa is not based on this alone, and the length and duration of your relationship will also be a factor which, given the right circumstances, may outweigh any perceived lack of incentive for her to return.

If it is a visit visa that your g/f wishes to seek, then apply for that and, likewise, if you intend to marry in the U.K., apply for a fiancée visa. If you want advice and assistance with your girlfriend's application in whichever category, you are far better instructing a representative in the U.K. The representative should be either an immigration solicitor or OISC-registered immigration adviser, and their fee will probably be less than the 50,000 baht quoted to you by the firm in Pattaya which, I would bet my bottom dollar, is not actually qualified to deal in such matters.

Indeed, that the person to whom you spoke is trying to persuade your g/f to apply for a fiancée visa in lieu of a visit visa is evidence enough that they don't have the competence to advise properly. Additionally, in my experience, these companies in Thailand don't do a lot for their fee and don't even accompany the application with a covering letter addressing the various legal issues.

If you do wish assistance, feel free to contact my firm by either PM or e-mail.

Scouse.

There is no "waiting game" for any visas, if you have a solid application and your g/f is not called for interview the decision should be made about 4 days after you make your application.

You dont mention the length of your relationship but asking for her to visit for 6 months for the first visit is expecting a bit much, in my opinion.

You should be concerned about her 'reason to return' as that is where most applications for visit visas fall down and your reasoning is correct.

A visit visa cannot be converted to a spouse visa you will have to make a new application.

If you, as advised, apply for a Fiancee visa you will be expected to marry in UK within the six month validity of the visa and to demonstrate the value of the advice given by 'easy visa' it will be also granted in 4 days if you make a solid application (they dont sound so 'easy' to me!)

There is plenty of advice on this forum just use the search function on the words 'tourist' or 'visitor' or 'fiancee' if that is what you choose to apply for.

Danielson,

I can only offer advice on reason for return.

This was what we said when my wife (then GF) applied for her initial tourist visa to Oz.

We had known each other 18 months at this stage.

Our main reason for her to return was that we were serious about our relationship.

We planned on her tourist visa to Oz, being the first of many, and all going well we would be getting married later and looking for a spouse Visa.

This was the only reason that we gave for her to return to Thailand.

A breach any of her Visa requirements would jeopardise our future plans.

We declared this on the application. It was successful.

I do not know your circumstances, so cannot comment on what may be your best argument.

Good Luck

AT

Daniel,

Even with evidence of employment, it is possible that the visa officer may not accept that your g/f's employer would hold open her job for six months. However, the decision whether to grant a visit visa is not based on this alone, and the length and duration of your relationship will also be a factor which, given the right circumstances, may outweigh any perceived lack of incentive for her to return.

If it is a visit visa that your g/f wishes to seek, then apply for that and, likewise, if you intend to marry in the U.K., apply for a fiancée visa. If you want advice and assistance with your girlfriend's application in whichever category, you are far better instructing a representative in the U.K. The representative should be either an immigration solicitor or OISC-registered immigration adviser, and their fee will probably be less than the 50,000 baht quoted to you by the firm in Pattaya which, I would bet my bottom dollar, is not actually qualified to deal in such matters.

Indeed, that the person to whom you spoke is trying to persuade your g/f to apply for a fiancée visa in lieu of a visit visa is evidence enough that they don't have the competence to advise properly. Additionally, in my experience, these companies in Thailand don't do a lot for their fee and don't even accompany the application with a covering letter addressing the various legal issues.

If you do wish assistance, feel free to contact my firm by either PM or e-mail.

Scouse.

Much appreciated (again) Scouse, I have just submitted an email enquiry to Davies Khan.