Visa To Uk For Laotian Gf From Thailand In 2 Weeks?

[manchesterlalala]

Dear all,

I am a UK national who has been living in LoS for two years now, working as a

teacher. Over the last 15 months I have been together with my Laotian

girlfriend here. Very recently, my school told me that I was surplus to

requirements and am having to go back to the UK in a couple of weeks.

Obviously, I am now looking into how I could arrange to get my girlfriend a

visa to come with me to the UK. I’m told it’s unlikely she’d be able to stay

indefinitely, but even to come for a couple of months would be great.

My investigations so far have told me that there is no British Embassy in Laos

and that all visa applications are channelled through the British Embassy in

Bangkok. When I phoned the office they had a recorded voice message telling me

that they don’t do consultation over the telephone. I presume it’s either go to

the Embassy and make an appointment or the same thing via an agent.

I am realistic and know that – even in a

perfect situation - this is never going to be done in two weeks, and I’m

resigned to leaving her in a fortnight. But this is just so I know for the

future and am aware of the requirements.

My situation is also rather imperfect given

another dynamic to the situation: although having now lived together for

fifteen months in Thailand my girlfriend is an illegal – no passport or visa!

My questions are to anyone who has been in

a similar position to mine: How did you go about it? What were the costs

involved? Roughly how long did all this take?

Please, I would greatly appreciate any help

from people who have been in a similar situation. All helpful, serious

comments are very welcome indeed.

p.s. I searched on the boards for any similar

posts, but couldn’t find any - apologies if there have been, and links would be

greatly appreciated.

[Eff1n2ret]

"My situation is also rather imperfect given

another dynamic to the situation: although having now lived together for

fifteen months in Thailand my girlfriend is an illegal – no passport or visa!"

Very sorry to say this, but that single fact looks like an absolute killer of any UK visa application.

Illegal presence in one country pretty much suggests to any visa officer that the applicant is likely to become the same in the other country, and for a visit visa that would be curtains. For a settlement visa the bar would be set much higher to prove that the marriage/engagement is not regarded by the applicant as a means of emigrating.

As you say, the best advice is likely to come from anyone who has succeeded in a similar situation.

[manchesterlalala]

EFF1n2ret,

thanks for your post.

"Very sorry to say this, but that single fact looks like an absolute killer of any UK visa application.

Illegal presence in one country pretty much suggests to any visa officer that the applicant is likely to become the same in the other country, and for a visit visa that would be curtains."

This was my gut feeling.

I hear there are interviews and myriad questions regarding applicants' relationships. Clearly, our case will fall like a lead balloon when we say how long we've known each other, and they then ask where we met and see neither a Lao visa in my passport or a Thai one in hers!

Here's hoping someone found a way through this. And, if you're out there, please spill the beans...

[wasabi]

You may be able to process some type of visa if you do so entirely out of Laos. She will be refused service at the Thai embassy for any type of visa unless she fixes her illegal status so she would have to return to Laos to complete the processing. I don't know what the repercussions of this would be but I am willing to bet the longer she avoids being in proper visa status the worse it will be in the end.

If you were to process a visa entirely in Laos I don't believe anything about her illegal stay in Thailand would surface and contrary to what has been stated I don't think the UK would have a way to find out unless it somehow got on her Laos police record. But I am far from an expert and a lawyer may be in order, in your case.

Edited March 30, 2009 by wasabi

[7by7]

I don't believe anything about her illegal stay in Thailand would surface and contrary to what has been stated I don't think the UK would have a way to find out unless it somehow got on her Laos police record.

As the OP says

our case will fall like a lead balloon when we say how long we've known each other, and they then ask where we met and see neither a Lao visa in my passport or a Thai one in hers!

Manchesterlalala,

obviously she needs to regularise her status by returning to Laos and getting a passport.

When the time comes for her to apply then I would recommend being totally open about her past and her illegal status in Thailand.

If she is, and expresses her contrition, then there is every chance that the British ECO will be lenient with her and grant her a visa; though I agree that she would probably stand a better chance of a settlement visa rather then a visit.

If she tries to hide it and is found out, then not only would this application be refused but she could also face a ban of up to 10 years from the UK.

However, it is a decision for the two of you.

If you do decide to obtain professional help, remember that there are many 'advisers' in Thailand who will take your money, assure you of their expertise and even offer you a 'no visa, no fee' service. Most of them, especially those run by Brits, are lying cheats who are mere form fillers and will not be able to deal with even a minor complication, let alone something of this nature.

Wont stop them taking large amounts of money from you, though.

Make sure that you see an adviser who is qualified, regulated and registered in the UK and appears on the OISC register of advisers, such as some of the sponsors of this forum.

[thaicbr]

Manchesterlalala.

Just get another job teaching. schools start again in May. just get a tourist visa in Laos in between times (i presume you had a work permit etc)

Allan

[mrbojangles]

Instead of starting another thread. Can i ask a question on a similar topic.

My mate has been seeing a girl from Laos, for about 3 years. She lives and studies in Bangkok and her visas are all in order (he is here in Saudi). He is looking at getting married next year and hasn't got a clue what to do about her visa to try and get her to Saudi. As he believes there isn't a Brit Embassy there and so doubts there is a Saudi one either.

Does anybody know if the Saudi Embassy in Bangkok would be able to process her application?

Any other info would also be grateful

[mariner29]

On the Laos visa issue we have had the same scenario in our Pattaya branch . The applicant has a passport etc stamps in/out are all in order she has spent a considearable time in Bangkok but no work permit. I will let you know the outcome of the case in question.

She is adamant after explaining our doubts that she wants the tourist visa application forwarding to UK/Vac .