Company Letter Your Opinions Please

[pazza]

Hi Guys,

My girlfriend and I have been together (mostly apart ) for three years since 2005), it is a serious relationship with marriage on the not to distant horizon, when I retire to Thailand hopefully inside 12 months.

I would like her to visit the UK for six months, meet my family (she has spoken to some of them on the phone) and friends and go to Blackpool etc.

Now these are my questions ???

She is working in a T-Shirt factory and will have done so for about one year by the time she applies for the visa, I know a letter from her company saying they will hold her position open for her will help but I am not sure if they would hold the position open for six months ( or visa staff will believe ).

In your opinion guys what would you think would be the outcome if we told a little white lie and got the letter for one month but she didn't go back till the sixth month (I will come back with her then and we can buy some land and start building a house ready for my retirement).

Also, obviously (I think)her income from the T-Shirt factory would not be enough to meet the financial requirements of the visa so would I be better sending her two thousand pounds to put in her account, or, sponsor (as I will anyway) her whole visit.

I know your advice will be good so I will thank you all in advance

Steve

BTW if it helps She is 27 and I am 54

[mariner29]

She is working in a T-Shirt factory and will have done so for about one year by the time she applies for the visa, I know a letter from her company saying they will hold her position open for her will help but I am not sure if they would hold the position open for six months ( or visa staff will believe ).

The eco will be looking for reason to return to her host country, a job/house/land/children and also the length of you're relationship will all be taken into account.

In your opinion guys what would you think would be the outcome if we told a little white lie and got the letter for one month but she didn't go back till the sixth month (I will come back with her then and we can buy some land and start building a house ready for my retirement.

I would not tell any lies no matter how small they maybe this could cause you various problems with future applications and may lead to a 10 year ban.

Also, obviously (I think)her income from the T-Shirt factory would not be enough to meet the financial requirements of the visa so would I be better sending her two thousand pounds to put in her account, or, sponsor (as I will anyway) her whole visit.

I would just sponsor the trip for her, i am sure other people will add their input.

Good luck

[pazza]

Thanks Mariner,

My girlfriend also has a child but I thought that having children didn't really count in the procedure.

I also agree that lying isn't good but the forms are so pedantic they do not seem to leave room for slight variations to the "norm".

For example (and the truth) I want her to come to the UK for a holiday for six months when she gets back to Thailand she will not have a job, this is not a problem because she will have enough to do sorting out the land and builders etc for when I retire (within six months), all true but, all no use as evidence in the eyes of the immigration officers.

Thanks again

Steve

[mariner29]

Any ties to her host country are all taken into consideration, also the strength of the relationship can be a big factor.

Good luck.

[Mossfinn]

My girlfriend and I have been together (mostly apart ) for three years since 2005)

Can you show evidence of an ongoing relationship, photos, e-mails, telecons?

She is working in a T-Shirt factory and will have done so for about one year by the time she applies for the visa, I know a letter from her company saying they will hold her position open for her will help but I am not sure if they would hold the position open for six months ( or visa staff will believe ).

Can she get any kind of letter? You haven't stated even a short vacation will be granted leave of absence,

( or visa staff will believe ).

Yes it is a long time.

In your opinion guys what would you think would be the outcome if we told a little white lie and got the letter for one month but she didn't go back till the sixth month

Also, obviously (I think)her income from the T-Shirt factory would not be enough to meet the financial requirements of the visa so would I be better sending her two thousand pounds to put in her account, or, sponsor (as I will anyway) her whole visit.

It is not a white lie, it is a lie. However, I requested a couple of months and received six months, I did not know that was the norm and so the then GF stayed 5+ months, I do not recommend this, it can seriously go against you in future applications.

Also, obviously (I think)her income from the T-Shirt factory would not be enough to meet the financial requirements of the visa so would I be better sending her two thousand pounds to put in her account, or, sponsor (as I will anyway) her whole visit.

Then she will need a sponsor and all that entails, I would suggest that bank-rolling her account just before application is rather obvious, so just provide evidence of your sponsorship.

BTW if it helps She is 27 and I am 54

Has no bearing.

Good Luck

Moss

[Mossfinn]

My girlfriend also has a child but I thought that having children didn't really count in the procedure.

How old is the child? And yes it will have a bearing.

I also agree that lying isn't good but the forms are so pedantic they do not seem to leave room for slight variations to the "norm".

It is not good and there is room for variation.

For example (and the truth) I want her to come to the UK for a holiday for six months when she gets back to Thailand she will not have a job, this is not a problem because she will have enough to do sorting out the land and builders etc for when I retire (within six months), all true but, all no use as evidence in the eyes of the immigration officers.

Reason to return does appear a little sketchy, but strong family ties helps, a job to return to ( I would suggest not a six month request ) land and other commitments.

Good Luck

Moss

[pazza]

My girlfriend also has a child but I thought that having children didn't really count in the procedure.

How old is the child? And yes it will have a bearing.

I also agree that lying isn't good but the forms are so pedantic they do not seem to leave room for slight variations to the "norm".

It is not good and there is room for variation.

For example (and the truth) I want her to come to the UK for a holiday for six months when she gets back to Thailand she will not have a job, this is not a problem because she will have enough to do sorting out the land and builders etc for when I retire (within six months), all true but, all no use as evidence in the eyes of the immigration officers.

Reason to return does appear a little sketchy, but strong family ties helps, a job to return to ( I would suggest not a six month request ) land and other commitments.

Good Luck

Moss

Hi Moss,

Sorry not sure what you mean here (( Can she get any kind of letter? You haven't stated even a short vacation will be granted leave of absence,))

In answer to your other questions

Her son is 6 years old and at the moment living with her parents.

I have photo,s (kings palace, at home with her family, on holiday in Lao visiting her dads family etc) taken over a three year period (but not dated.

A small number of emails starting 2006 to 2007 and a large number of phone bills (I have phoned her every day (thats every day) since 2005 ( the calls are 0844 so 1p per minute).

I hadn't planned on this visit but as time has gone on I thought it would be a good idea because when I retire in Thailand I don't really want to go back to the UK.

have her chances improved any

Thanks Steve

[Mossfinn]

Sorry not sure what you mean here (( Can she get any kind of letter? You haven't stated even a short vacation will be granted leave of absence,))

A letter from the company stating leave of absence and a guarantee of a job on her return, you have said a six month guarantee unlikely, but how about a shorter time period.

This will also lend for a better chance of approval from the embassy, as it is oft remarked on here that six month requests are not viewed favourably.

Her son is 6 years old and at the moment living with her parents.

Is she looking for a six month vacation without her son? They may view this suspiciously or a very good reason to return, I have no idea.

I have photo,s (kings palace, at home with her family, on holiday in Lao visiting her dads family etc) taken over a three year period (but not dated.

A small number of emails starting 2006 to 2007 and a large number of phone bills (I have phoned her every day (thats every day) since 2005 ( the calls are 0844 so 1p per minute).

Well, it shows evidence of a long standing relationship.

I believe the criteria you most have to fit are:

Reason to Return,

Enough funds to cover the trip without recourse to public funds, her or a sponsor,.

Suitable accommodation

An invitation from the family would be good

Good luck

Moss

[IMA_FARANG]

Hi Guys,

My girlfriend and I have been together (mostly apart ) for three years since 2005), it is a serious relationship with marriage on the not to distant horizon, when I retire to Thailand hopefully inside 12 months.

I would like her to visit the UK for six months, meet my family (she has spoken to some of them on the phone) and friends and go to Blackpool etc.

Now these are my questions ???

She is working in a T-Shirt factory and will have done so for about one year by the time she applies for the visa, I know a letter from her company saying they will hold her position open for her will help but I am not sure if they would hold the position open for six months ( or visa staff will believe ).

In your opinion guys what would you think would be the outcome if we told a little white lie and got the letter for one month but she didn't go back till the sixth month (I will come back with her then and we can buy some land and start building a house ready for my retirement).

Also, obviously (I think)her income from the T-Shirt factory would not be enough to meet the financial requirements of the visa so would I be better sending her two thousand pounds to put in her account, or, sponsor (as I will anyway) her whole visit.

I know your advice will be good so I will thank you all in advance

Steve

BTW if it helps She is 27 and I am 54

I am not sure about the U.K. visa requirements as I am American. But the one thing I would say is under no circumsatnces tell a "little white lie".

Give them the complete truth, and if you can support her financially on her trip , and she has ties in Thailand that mean she is likely to return, stress that.

If you are caught telling that little white lie, they can refuse the visa, and you will have a very hard time trying to get them to even consider another visa request for her.

Once again, never under any circumstances try to tell a little white lie.

Your statement is a legal document and it must be truthful to the best of your knowledge.

[mariner29]

I think we have just about covered everything for you.

[pazza]

I think we have just about covered everything for you.

Yes I think I have seen the light and I thank all you fine gentlemen for your help.

Thanks guys.

Steve

[davidxl]

My girlfriend has just gone back after 6 months in Blackpool. We declared that she was staying 6 months upfront on the form too, she didn't have a letter offering her a job or re-employemnt when she returned and she has no assets in Thailand. Visa application was turned around and issueed in 36 hours. My advice... (1) tell the truth about your relationship/situation and tell it in detail, how you met, what has happened so far, why is she coming here, what will she do here in the 6 months, then what are your plans beyond that and have you any evidence to support this, eg enquiry documents about land purchase etc... (2) plenty of evidence that you have a solid long lasting relationship eg plenty of photos in different places, money transfers, itemised phone records, letters, emails etc... (3) State that you will sponsor her visit financially in full and supply plenty of evidence that you can comfortably support her while she is here, ie bank records, payslips, savings statements. Don't say anything about her getting a job, doing voluntary work or any type of college course. Always use original documents where possible, they have a lot more credibility than copies as forgeries, photoshopping etc... are common, but they are better at detecting dodgy docs than you might expect

NB: Even if you say that she will only be here for 3 weeks, any visitor visa issued will still be for 6 months (though govt is think of reducing this to 3 months) so she could get away with it without it being an overstay, however, why she stayed longer could well be a question asked in any future visa application, so I would have a decent answer ready.

Basically they want to be confident that she will go back when the visa ends ie not overstay becuase she has no reason to go back or do a runner and dissappear which does happen with scams where the relationship is fairly artificial, also that she will not run out of money and so be a problem for the government to sort out that will involve supporting her with taxpayers money and/or paying her airfare back to Thailand.

Just my individual experience/opinion, hope it helps, good luck

[pazza]

Thanks davidxl

Really, the main reason for the six month holiday is because I will be seeing my G/F (in Thailand) in April (for at least a month, then we can go back to the UK together).

Also I think my employer will be more inclined to give me another month off after six months than after one month (and I can bring her back).

She is not thick so I will give her clear instructions for her return journey home, so I think we will opt for the one month visa. (just in case)

I also read somewhere that if she had a return ticket to Thailand this also would suffice as evidence of return back to Thailand, Is this not a little presumptuous (and costly) if they say no to the visa ??

Steve

[mariner29]

A return ticket is not evidence she will return to her host country. The eco will be looking at all the evidence you have submitted with the application, the eco will then decide on the balance of probabilities will she return.

Good luck.

[davidxl]

I wouldn't buy a return ticket until I knew visa was ok, especially a cheaper one that couldn't be easily and cheaply have it's dates amended unless I was a very rich man. If you have purchased a ticket already then no harm including it in the application though IMO, but wouldn't add much in the way of evidence.

If, even after reading all the relevant posts in this forum and other websites that give advice you really are feeling unconfident about making an application on your own, it's important to you to get it first time and you are willing and comfortably able to pay the fees then an option available to you is to engage a visa agent such as the sponsors of this forum listed above, Davies Khan or Thai Visa Express, Integrity Legal

BTW I have no personal experience or connection whatsoever with any visa agents or thaivisa.com so am not able to recommend or criticise any particular one

Edited October 25, 2008 by davidxl