Hi,

I want to travel with my Thai Mrs to the UK regularly (usually at fairly short notice due to work). I don't have the time to mess around getting 6 months bank statements etc. (anyone who has done a UK visit visa knows what a humungous amount of paperwork you need), so the only alternative is to spend a few years living back in the UK on a settlement visa and get a passport I guess (huge pain cos I don't want to stay there full time and there is the life in UK test etc). Anyway, is there not a long term visit visa or any other option we can use? I have searched but find varying opinions and would appreciate first hand info, cheers.

We have a house over there and are currently building one here so being able to bounce between the two countries will be ideal for us.

Your wife could apply for a multiple entry visit visa of either 2 or 5 years' duration. She can still only enter the UK for a maximum of six months in any one visit, but she wouldn't need to apply for a visa every time she wishes to accompany you.

Scouse.

Cheers Scouse, we have visited once for a holiday on a 6 monther but only stayed 5 weeks, is there any special requirement to get a 5 year multiple or just a case of paying the money? I don't want to go through the hassle of paying and compiling the paperwork if they just decide to issue another 6 monther. Cheers.

It's pretty much at the visa officer's discretion. They generally like to see a positive immigration history with 2/3 visits already under the belt. However, you can make your case in a covering letter, just as you've explained in this thread.

Scouse.

Roger that mate, cheers.