Uk Visa

[upcountryboy]

Hi All

I have been reading certain threads with great interest ( well done Pinball ) and appreciate that all cases are different. It prompts me to ask for advice due to my own ignorance about UK visas and of what my future plans are. Any advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I would like to obtain a visa for my girlfriend to go with me back to England. I want to see if she can cope with life and the weather in the UK.

Here's my situation...

I have lived and worked in Thailand for the past three and a half years and would like to return to the UK next February. Upon our return we will have to live with a relative ( for a couple of weeks ) until we rent a house after which I will either get a job or become self employed.

My main concerns at the moment are....

Proof of meeting.

I met her in September 2006 when she was with her friend. We have lived together since March 2007 and have an apartment rental contract with both our names on it, ( 9 months old ). Previously to this contract we were living in various hotels and apartments due to moving around with my job.

My girlfriend is divorced and has 2 children that are not living with her.

Finances.

I have a UK bank account with only a nominal sum in it just to keep the account open because of making my living in Thailand. However, there will be a sizeable amount of cash in it later this year from an investment.

Visa.

Which would have the most chance of success in my situation?

Any suggestions as to how I can strengthen my application for later this year?

I hope the above makes some sense.

Thank you in advance.

[buffcoat]

I am far from an expert on this but I believe the visa officer will be looking for three things

1/You know each other

2/You have the financial means to support yourselves whilst in the UK

3/ Your g/f will return to Thailand.

The rental document should satisfy 1/ and go a longway to 3/.

Reading your post indicates your life is in Thailand so again this should help with 3/.

Finances will be based on all your assets wherever they are not just your UK bank account. Your income and your g/f's in Thailand should count.

Succesful applications seem to benefit from as much info as possible being provided.

Best of luck with this and wait for the advice on here from the real experts

[the scouser]

Before your girlfriend applies for a visa, you've got to decide why she'll be going to the UK. Will she be visiting, or will it be for settlement? If the latter, you will have to have either been living together for two years or to be married. If the former, and you are going back to the UK for good, it will potentially be a struggle, as in those circumstances the visa officer might not accept that your g/f will leave the UK at the end of her trip.

Scouse.

[Mossfinn]

and would like to return to the UK next February.

Proof of meeting.

I met her in September 2006 when she was with her friend. We have lived together since March 2007 and have an apartment rental contract with both our names on it, ( 9 months old ). Previously to this contract we were living in various hotels and apartments due to moving around with my job.

Have you any old receipts that document your partner being with you at the Hotels at this time? Photos, e-mails, letters from you/ addressed to both of you/individually.

Sept 06 to Feb 09, that's a fairly substantial, documented time together anyway.

Finances.

I have a UK bank account with only a nominal sum in it just to keep the account open because of making my living in Thailand. However, there will be a sizeable amount of cash in it later this year from an investment.

Explain carefully this bank account and its usage, this Forum is littered with posts regarding a dormant B/A being taken as Gospel and refused for insufficient funds, also be wary of a large windfall at an opportune moment, explain it carefully in your covering letter.

Visa.

Which would have the most chance of success in my situation?

The one that suits your purpose, if it is a Visit, then a Visit Visa it is, if you wish to return to Settle, then A Settlement Visa is your Goal, remember if it is to Settle, your Partner needs no Reason to Return.

Moss

[upcountryboy]

Thanks for your replies they are very helpful. I just wondered if it may be possible to get a 6 months visa as an unmarried partner and then get the 2 years extension ( FLTR? ). This is simply because I don't want to be pressured into marriage within that 6 months time period ( if she doesn't like the UK ), also I want to avoid the scenario of having a wife living in another country. Yes, I know it sounds like I've got my doubts but I'm just being cautious.

Cheers all

[the scouser]

Yes, your girlfriend can apply for a settlement visa as your unmarried partner. This would be valid for two years from the off. She will have to show that you have been living together in a marriage-like relationship for at least two years, that you will have adequate maintenance and accommodation and that you intend to live together permanently.

Scouse.

[upcountryboy]

Thanks for your advice.

I will have to go to my previous abodes and ask if they can re-issue my previous receipts for rental accomodation ( because I had a clear out some time ago ) and this would provide me with a further 9 months at best but the receipts were issued in my name only when she was living with me, would this be acceptable proof? If they would re-issue should I ask them to put my girlfriend's name on them too?

Much appreciated

[the scouser]

If they will re-issue them, they should reflect what was written on the originals. However, you may ask them to write a note (providing it's true) to the effect that although the receipts are in your name, your girlfriend was known to them to be living there.

Scouse.

[upcountryboy]

Thanks Scouse for the advice,

Here in the town where I am I can get my previous landlord to re-issue and supply a note for 4 months residency. However, I might be out of luck in my previous dwelling as the receiptionist might not be there anymore ( I was there for 5 months with my girlfriend ), still it's better than nothing.

My girlfriend's mate knows we lived together and she helped us move out of there as well, would this count for anything or should I just let that one go?

Anyhow at the worst I could always wait a couple of months more if needed to prove cohabitation.

Cheers