Uk Torist Visa "child Special Visitor"

[BeanThere]

Hi

This is my first post although like most newbie's I've browsed the forum for a while now. For a first post this is going to be a bit of a long one as to get the feedback I looking for I need to give a fair bit of background information.

I'm putting together an application for a tourist visa for the UK for a "child special visitor" for around 6 months and as things are getting complicated I'm looking for constructive opinions about the application.

The child in question is my wife's first cousin once removed (wife's mother's sister's granddaughter). Although this seems fairly distant relative the wife's mothers sisters daughter (applicants mother) grew up with the misses in there family home. Being the oldest of seven and with her mother struggling to look after her the wife's mother took her in and raised her as one of her own. The misses treats her more of a sister than a cousin and now is especially close to her daughter (the applicant).

Anyway the applicant will be just 16 and have taken her final exams at her current school. The plan will then be for her to take a year out visiting the misses and me for 6 months and working back in Thailand on the family food stall for the remaining 6 months before continuing with a business studies course at the local Commercial School at the beginning of the next school year.

Both parents and current teachers agree this would be a great opportunity for her and have written letters to this effect for the application.

The thing is the Commercial School won't take applicants this far ahead so there's no proof that she's going to do as she states in the application and working for the family business isn't in my opinion a very strong reason to return to Thailand. I'm not sure the fact she's a child visitor makes it easier of harder regarding reasons to return? Genuinely she will want to return to her parents and continue her study but how do you prove that?

As acting sponsors the misses and I are currently taking a 6 month break in Thailand in which we've spent a fair bit of time with the applicant and would be travelling to the UK with her. Not sure if we will be travelling back to Thailand with her of just dropping her of at Heathrow and getting one of the family to meet her at BKK. We've yet to confirm we can get the time off work later next year.

As sponsors below is a little bit of history about us that will be included in the application

The wife

Married to yours truly 10 years in June 1 daughter born April this year

Thai / British National (did the whole tourist/ settlement/ British passport thing a good few years ago)

Employed with a Bank with salary mid £20k for around seven years (on maternity leave at the minute hence the 6 months holiday in Thailand)

Co owner of our 3 bedroom house

Me

Married as stated above

British born

Employed with a Bank last 8 years salary around £30k (Bank offered 6 months leave to take our daughter to visit family whilst wife's was on maternity leave)

Co owner of our 3 bedroom house

I'm sure there's going to be a few suggestions as to why 6 months and why not go for a shorter trip. I'm a strong believer that 6 months will allow her to fully experience what's on offer and as someone who practices what he preaches I have a fair few stamps in my passport to show stays of 6 months stay in Thailand at one time. Also as she'll be taking time out from her education we should make the most of what's available. Also on a practical side it's not going to cost much more to stay 6 months as opposed to 3. Her accommodations free, flights won't be that much different and the cost of her upkeep will be negligible.

As to why take time out from her education at only 16. The reason behind this is simple, the wife and I are thinking of possibly relocating to Thailand on a more permanent basis in the next couple of years and have even started the process to build a house in phuket. If the wife's cousin doesn't come now the opportunity may not be there in the future.

As I said previously anyone with any experience or constructive comments would be greatly appreciated.

[7by7]

Explaining everything in your sponsors letter as you have done above is the first step, other than that I can offer no direct advice as my only experience of child visas is for settlement.

Have a read of VAT3 Special Visitor: Child visitors .

[mariner29]

It will also be a fantastic experience for the child.

Edited December 25, 2008 by mariner29

[BeanThere]

Thanks for the response.

I've submitted the application with all documents and have been told to bring the applicant to Bangkok for an interview in a month. Is there usually such a long waiting time for interviews?

I’ll post the results of whether the visa’s granted or not.