Bit of background for you first.

I'm 28, sold my business in Jan08 and went to Thailand for an extended break. Met my girlfriend (22) in Chiang Mai shortly after arriving. We moved in together shortly after and have been living together until Feb09 (except for two 1mth trips back to UK and USA) when I returned to England for a family wedding.

I'm due to start work again shortly and am living in a house owned by my mum rent free (my own property is let out long term). My mum is fairly well off and would act as financial sponsor if needed.

My girl is still obviously in CM and working in a karaoke. She supports herself and lives with her sister and brother in law, who are a teacher and hotel porter. I don't send her money, so she doesn't have loads in the bank, but would obviously do so for visa costs/travel to BKK and plane ticket to UK.

What I need to know is:

Can she obtain a visa on her own in Thailand? I could do without having to go back.

What paperwork would she need to supply?

Is there anything I can do from my end which would make the application run smoother?

Anything that I'm missing?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this and any pointers would be greatly appreciated

Kips

Bit of background for you first.

I'm 28, sold my business in Jan08 and went to Thailand for an extended break. Met my girlfriend (22) in Chiang Mai shortly after arriving. We moved in together shortly after and have been living together until Feb09 (except for two 1mth trips back to UK and USA) when I returned to England for a family wedding.

I'm due to start work again shortly and am living in a house owned by my mum rent free (my own property is let out long term). My mum is fairly well off and would act as financial sponsor if needed.

My girl is still obviously in CM and working in a karaoke. She supports herself and lives with her sister and brother in law, who are a teacher and hotel porter. I don't send her money, so she doesn't have loads in the bank, but would obviously do so for visa costs/travel to BKK and plane ticket to UK.

What I need to know is:

Can she obtain a visa on her own in Thailand? I could do without having to go back.

What paperwork would she need to supply?

Is there anything I can do from my end which would make the application run smoother?

Anything that I'm missing?

Many thanks for taking the time to read this and any pointers would be greatly appreciated

Kips

What kind of visa do you want, what are your long term intentions, who will be her sponsor, have you got documentation proving the relationship

Ideally I would like to get her a settlement visa, we plan to marry later this year. Although I would settle for a 6mth tourist visa to start with, see how she likes England. Would this be a lot easier to obtain?

Regarding documentation proving the relationship. I have pictures of us together all around Thailand. Receipts of places we have stayed both in Chiang Mai long term and holidaying around. Although these are all in my name. I have my mobile phone records from the two periods I was out of Thailand showing calls from her to me daily. Anything else relationship proving wise you can think of?

Thanks for the reply,

Kips