Hello all i am new to this forum & would like to add i have found all information i have read so far extremely useful. I met a nice lady on my last visit to Thailand & we have had regular contact since via telephone conversations, sms & email. I would like to know how long u need to have known each other before you can realistically stand a chance of obtaining a visa. I go back to Thailand in September but i would also like to invite her to UK for a holiday too so we can get to know each other better & if things go well to see if maybe she would be able to adapt to living here in the future. If we initially apply for a visitor visa do we stand a better chance of obtaining a fiance visa in the future should the relationship develop to that stage?

I am in a good job here with a decent amount of savings but at present i live with parents. Would this be a stumbling block for a visa application? My thai girlfriend also has a good job but not a great deal of savings. I am willing to sponsor her visit so would my financial capability be sufficient for an application? Any advice anybody could give to me would be greatly appreciated.

I am not an expert but I think your biggest hurdle would be proving a proper relationship.

And showing that she intends to return to Thailand after her holiday.

Others will have a better idea than me what you need.

My girlfriends just about to have her appointment at the embassy for a tourist visa,i too live with my parents so i got them to write an invitation letter putting down the dates she would be arriving etc...........we put on the application for a 2 week holiday to make it look good,but they will hopefully stamp 6 months,plently of photos help of you both and your parents house,signed copies of your parents passports,copies of restaurant bills,hotels,plane tickets.....anything to show good contact between you both.Make a good cover letter for the embassy to see,my girlfriends hasn`t even got hers yet,i have just sent all my documents over via dhl,took me about a week to get everything prepared,having an all in 1 printer at home def helps!!!

Also proof that your parents actually do own the house. Utility bills etc.

Letter from your girlfriends employer , details of any land, house, cars, motorbikes. Kids if she has any. Anything that gives her a reason to return after her stay.

Her bank statements, your bank statements. Return flight tickets if you have them.

Thanks for all the good info guys much appreciated