Uk Visitor Visa

[brian272727]

Thai friend wants to come to the UK for a holiday in August.

She is mid-way through an MBA at Ramkhamhaeng University, has savings, a car, a part share in a business and has travelled extensively outside of Thailand (over 15 times).

We have known each other a few months, but I believe that she could probably get a visa without my sponsorship.

My questions are as follows:

Do you reckon I should get involved in her application process(ie my sponsoring her)or just leave her to it?

If I need to sponsor her, what form do I fill in? SU07/01 ???

Do I need ORIGINAL copies of Home ownership, payslips etc?

Also as far as I can see, she fills in the form online, then makes an appointment to go and see VFS in BKK, where she presents her documents, they then make a decision, Is this correct?

Thanks in advance...

[chiang mai]

Thai friend wants to come to the UK for a holiday in August.

She is mid-way through an MBA at Ramkhamhaeng University, has savings, a car, a part share in a business and has travelled extensively outside of Thailand (over 15 times).

We have known each other a few months, but I believe that she could probably get a visa without my sponsorship.

My questions are as follows:

Do you reckon I should get involved in her application process(ie my sponsoring her)or just leave her to it?

If I need to sponsor her, what form do I fill in? SU07/01 ???

Do I need ORIGINAL copies of Home ownership, payslips etc?

Also as far as I can see, she fills in the form online, then makes an appointment to go and see VFS in BKK, where she presents her documents, they then make a decision, Is this correct?

Thanks in advance...

My ten cents: if she has traveled so extensively in the past without your assistance, why do you need to act as sponsor on this occasion? My instincts tell me that unless she is someone who forms a part of your future, I would be inclined to not get involved.

[thaicbr]

NO,.NO,NO. It is much easier if she does it herself, give advice but do not sponsor. ensure that she has about 40,000 baht for each week she is in the UK in the bank and do a detailed itinerary ( within her budget of course). Just returned from the UK with my girlfriend and this is how we got her visa. Your friend will need a letter from the Uni confirming she has paid the upcoming years fees. also confirm that the car is in her name not the families as is often the case. and they will need to see originals but will retain copies. Allan

[cuddleypete]

As she has travelled out off thailand many times i would not sponsor her ,let her do it her self it will be better.

pete

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Where will she stay ?

Hotels etc ?

[7by7]

If one is coming to the UK to visit a friend then that is what one should say on the application.

There are questions on the application about purpose of visit, where one will be staying etc. As TVE asks, how would she answer these questions?

Tell the truth. Although liars do sometimes get away with it, most are caught out by some inconsistancy the application. Result? A refusal. Attempting to obtain a visa by deception could also result in the applicant being banned from the UK for up to 10 years.

For how to apply etc. see UK Visa Application Centre

Edited May 15, 2009 by 7by7

[Godwin]

She woule be staying with me and while there is some romantic involvement its really too early to think about the future.

It is genuinely just a holiday, we would be taking in Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands etc

So what is the concensus? Too sponsor or not??

Cheers guys...

[7by7]

Yes, you should sponsor her and so write a letter supporting her application and describing your relationship and why you are offering her acommodation. Also say what the purpose of the trip is and where she intends to visit while here.

Edited May 17, 2009 by 7by7

[Godwin]

To clarify:

I would fill in form SU07/01, enclose a covering letter and a travel itinerary???

Do I need to enclose photo's etc to prove that we know each other??? Or is that surplus to requirements on this occasion?

Thanks

[7by7]

Form SU07/01 is an undertaking by someone sponsoring an applicant for permanent residence*, not a visit.

Yes, I would recommend a covering letter, and this is not really a girlfriend visiting boyfriend or family visit then I would also include amn itinery of some sort.

Photographs may help, they certainly wont hurt the application.

*Edit.

Before anyone asks, this is the final stage an asylum seeker would go through after s/he had completed at least five years in the UK with a resident permit. As far as I know, it is not applicable to settlement applicants, e.g. spouses, but I stand to be corrected.

Edited May 17, 2009 by 7by7

[Godwin]

Thanks, so is there a form for me to fill in or just a covering letter?

Sorry for all the questions.

[7by7]

Just a covering letter, which she should include in her application with her other supporting documents.

[brian272727]

Thanks for your advice:

I will send her the following:

Covering letter

Trip itinerary

Photos of us together including photos of us in Malaysia

Phone records

Proof of my residence

She has prepared the following:

Letter from Uni stating she is a student etc

Old Passport with numerous stamps

New Passport with numerous stamps

Financial details including details of car ownership etc

One question, in terms of funding the trip, what will I say? She is paying her flights but I will invariably put my hand in my pocket when she is over here as is the gentlemanly thing to do, should I provide proof of my income?

[7by7]

Don't forget a copy of your passport; to prove you are legally resident in the UK and to show your trips to Thailand (and the matching stamps for Malaysia).

If you are offerring any help towards the cost of the trip then you should provide proof of your ability to do so. Better to provide something not required than to miss out something that is!

[brian272727]

Don't forget a copy of your passport; to prove you are legally resident in the UK and to show your trips to Thailand (and the matching stamps for Malaysia).

If you are offerring any help towards the cost of the trip then you should provide proof of your ability to do so. Better to provide something not required than to miss out something that is!

Great, thanks. Will do!

[brian272727]

First draft of my covering letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a covering letter to support xxxxxxxxx's Visa application for her proposed two week stay in the UK. I have also enclosed a full trip itinieary

I have known xxxxxxxxx for around 11 weeks and while there is a slight romantic interest this is not the primary reason for her visit to the UK. xxxxxxx, like me has a passion for travel and I was keen to offer her the opportunity to visit the UK while she has a mid-semester break from her studies at xxxxxx University.

In terms of relationship history; I met xxxxxxx whilst on a recent trip to Bangkok (March 2009), we met in the xxxxxxxxx in Bangkok where I had approached to her to ask for directions to a nearby mobile phone shop. We talked for a while and hit it off, exchanged numbers and met up the following evening for dinner. In my remaining 9 days in Thailand we spent a lot of time together, including me visiting her University and seeing the sights of Bangkok together. On my return to the UK we kept in contact with each other and 5 weeks later I was lucky enough to be able to return to Thailand for another 10 day holiday. In that time xxxxx and I spent the full 10 days together and also enjoyed a trip to Malaysia. We have since been in daily contact via phone, email and internet communications. May I add the relationship is still in its infancy and we have no plans for the future as regards being together. We do however; have plans to travel around SE Asia after her graduation in Dec 2009.

About me, I am 30, I currently work with xxxxxx as xxxxxxxxxx; my salary is £38781 per annum. I own my own property in xxxxxx and I am solvent enough to provide any financial assistance that xxxxxx may need when she holiday’s in the UK. I have enclosed my P60 as proof of salary as well as Utility Bills and other evidence.

Financially, I intend to pay for xxxxxxx’s return flight ticket and provide her with accommodation during her stay. xxxxxx will use her own spending money, although I can help her out if need be. xxxxxxx will reimburse me with the cost of the flight ticket after she graduates in December 2009 and finds gainful employment.

I have no doubt that xxxxxxx has every intention to return to Thailand when her two week holiday ends, she is 3/4 of the way through a two year xxxxx MBA at xxxxxxx University and will graduate in December, this alone assures me that she will return. In addition to this, xxxxxx part owns a business in Bangkok and owns a 2.5 year old car which is her pride and joy. xxxxx has also travelled extensively outside Thailand and has encountered no problems in returning or overstaying. She will provide full evidence of this.

Any comments would be appreciated...

Edited May 18, 2009 by brian272727

[thaicbr]

uummmmmmmmm this should be interesting. 7by7. question for you. If she is just visiting a friend not a boyfriend why does SAID FRIEND need to sponsor her.

As Brian has said they are going to travel and sightsee so she is a tourist. I do love the way you preach on this forum about liars etc.............. any way have a good day

Brian please keep us all informed how it progresses. I would still suggest that your sponsoring the lady will only complicate things.

Allan

[thaicbr]

Brian. 1st i wish you the best with the application.

But i can't help feeling that your sponsoring the lady will only make it more difficult for her to get a visa as i have highlighted on your other post. And to be honest i really can not see this letter helping at all. you are saying that you will outlay 40,000baht plus but yet you are not an item........why. That will be the 1st thought that passes through the visa clerks head, why.

Allan

[ubonjoe]

Topics merged. There is no need to start a new topic for the same subject.

[brian272727]

i just want to be truthful, I like this girl in a romantic sense yet she lives 6500 miles away so it genuinely is in its infancy. I am not one to rush into something.

In terms of buying her ticket, well, I am a generous guy. I like her company and she looked after me when I was in BKK. I trust her that she will pay me back.

Perhaps if I talk up the relationship a bit more and say that if things go well that we plan to get engaged after she graduates??? Would that make more sense?

Essentially I don't want to come across as some lovesick sex tourist who wants to marry that first Thai girl that he meets.

[ubonjoe]

Derogatory post deleted

[7by7]

Brian, the letter looks fine to me, except that, given the relatively short time you have known each other, I would include a brief explanation of why you are lending her the cost of the air fare.

If she is funding part of the trip herself, then she will need to show previous bank statements/books. I still think that a sudden, unexplained influx of 50K into her bank will raise questions in the ECO's mind. I can see your concerns, again given the relatively short relationship, but if you are going to do this then you should explain why.

Don't 'talk up' the relationship, but saying what your hopes for the future wont hurt; such as 'We want to get to know each other better before making any commitments and she definitely wants to graduate before we make any firm plans for our future."

uummmmmmmmm this should be interesting. 7by7. question for you. If she is just visiting a friend not a boyfriend why does SAID FRIEND need to sponsor her.

Because said friend is providing accommodation and generally looking after her during her visit. 'Sponsor' does not just mean that one is paying for the trip!

If she were to apply as a general tourist, with no mention of Brian, then as I asked you before; there are questions on the application about purpose of visit, where one will be staying etc. As TVE asks, how would she answer these questions?

A question ignored by you up 'til now. So I ask you again, how can she truthfully answer these questions if no mention is made of Brian in the application?

[thaicbr]

7BY7. You stated "If she is funding part of the trip herself, then she will need to show previous bank statements/books"

All you need to show is a bank book with the last 6 months statements in side. sudden influx of money, most Thais have several accounts, also the money could come from the family.

I asked "If she is just visiting a friend not a boyfriend why does SAID FRIEND need to sponsor her."

So i thought i would look at the Border agency website http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/

and this is what i found.

How do I qualify to travel to the UK as a visitor?

In general, you must show that:

• you want to visit the UK for no more than six months;

• you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, and

• you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing help from public funds.

YOU ALSO STATED "If she were to apply as a general tourist, with no mention of Brian"

General visitors: Visiting family, friends or as a tourist

If you want to visit family or friends in the UK or to come as a tourist you should apply as a general visitor. To visit the UK in this capacity you must be able to show that:

• you intend to visit the UK for no more than six months;

• you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, and

• you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds.

•

What will I need to make my application?

You will need to make your application online or fill in the appropriate visitor visa application form:

Application forms - Visitors

Visitor form guidance notes

You will also need the following.

• Your passport or travel document.

• A recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself. This should be:

o taken against a light-coloured background

o clear and of good quality, and not framed or backed

o printed on normal photographic paper, and

o full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for cultural or religious reasons (but the face must not be covered).

• The visa application fee. This cannot be refunded, and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying.

• Any supporting documents relevant to your application.

what supporting documents should I include with my application?

You should include all the documents you can to show that you qualify for entry to the UK as a visitor. If you do not, we may refuse your application.

As a guide, you should include:

• bank statements, payslips, or some other evidence to show that you can pay for the trip and that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependants without working or getting any help from public funds, and

• evidence that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit (for example, a letter from your employer).

If you are visiting family or friends you will need:

• a letter from your sponsor (the person you are visiting) explaining your relationship with them and the purpose of your visit, and

• a copy of the bio-data page (the page containing their photograph) of their UK passport or, if they are not a UK national, evidence of their immigration status in the United Kingdom.

If your sponsor will be supporting you during your visit, or paying for the cost of the visit, you will need:

• payslips, bank statements, or some other evidence to show that they have enough money to support you.

So yes I understood that a sponsor does not necessarily have to provide money for the trip, But they are sponsoring the applicant to the fact that they will not be a burden on the state in any way whatsoever. People doing this should remember that the visa is a 6 month multi entry visa. so what is stopping that visa holder entering again within the 6 months , but with out your knowledge. You are still their sponsor so IF any thing does happen YOU could get the bill.

And Yes given the facts that Brian has given NOW (which is a LOT different to his opening post). then if they are staying at his home and not travelling around the Uk staying in hotels then she does need to mention Him.

[brian272727]

I have amended the letter to provide the following information, I am trying to be TOTALLY honest without overplaying a relationship in its early stages.

I have known xxxxxxx for around x months and while there is a romantic interest between us this is not the ONLY reason for her visit to the UK; xxxxxxxx, like me has a passion for travel and I was keen to offer her the opportunity to visit the UK while she has a mid-semester break from her studies at university and enjoy the UK as a holiday destination as well as giving us the opportunity to get to know each other better.

And an addition:

In terms of future plans, well I would like to get to know her better and we plan to backpack around SE Asia after her graduation towards the end of 2009...

Re the flight ticket:

Financially, I intend to pay for half of xxxxxxxx’s return flight ticket and provide her with accommodation during her stay. xxxxxx will use her own spending money, although I can help her out if need be. xxxxxxx will reimburse me with the cost of the flight ticket after she graduates in 2009 and finds gainful employment.

I have since found out she has several thousand in savings and owns land in South Thailand so this will also be included in the covering letter as well as the application:

I have no doubt that xxxxxxxx has every intention to return to Thailand when her two week holiday ends, she is 3/4 of the way through a two year xxxxxxxxx MBA at xxxxxxxxxxx University and will graduate towards the end of the year, this alone assures me that she will return. In addition to this, xxxxxxxx part owns a business in Bangkok, owns land in South Thailand, is close to paying off the balance of a 2.5 year old car and has travelled extensively outside Thailand in the past. Financially I am aware that xxxxxx has reasonable savings which her held in her Thai Bank account and I have no doubt that she can afford this holiday.

I hope this now provides some more clairity, thoughts guys???

Edited May 20, 2009 by brian272727

[7by7]

Nice piece of back peddling, Thaicbr! See what you learn if you read the rules.

Couple of points, though.

A sudden influx of money into an account is cause for suspicion in the ECO's mind, if it is not explained. Explain it to the ECO's satisfaction and it is fine, e.g. sponsor sends money to buy ticket.

Case law has determined that a visit visa sponsor cannot be held legally responsible for the activities of the visitor they have sponsored. This is why a sponsors undertaking in a visit application is not worth the paper it is written on.

The expansion that Brian has since given help on the details, but nothing has substantially changed from his opening post. Your attempt to excuse your about face wont wash. You were wrong, be man enough to admit it.

Brian,

The amendments look fine.

[thaicbr]

"The expansion that Brian has since given help on the details, but nothing has substantially changed from his opening post. Your attempt to excuse your about face wont wash. You were wrong, be man enough to admit it."

Well Brian did not mention at all in his opening post that the person was staying with him. He only said she was visiting the UK.

SO no I DON'T. And yes they did substantially change.

"A sudden influx of money into an account is cause for suspicion in the ECO's mind"

Do you know this to be fact or just what you think. 2 very different things. From my experience it does not matter so much as long as the applicant is working and there is sufficient funds in the account. see ' you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds.' from the website.

"Case law has determined that a visit visa sponsor cannot be held legally responsible for the activities of the visitor they have sponsored. "

Where do you get your facts. do you have links to this on the internet?

"This is why a sponsors undertaking in a visit application is not worth the paper it is written on."

In that case why bother doing it?

7BY7. i think we should stop this bickering. You do add some very valid points and help people on this forum. but it is JUST your experience. i would suggest that other people also have experience, and you do have a habit of being rather aggressive in your opinions. as in 'I'm right, your wrong'. Any way

[brian272727]

Quick follow up question:

Financially, I intend to pay for half of xxxxxxx’s return flight ticket and provide her with accommodation during her stay. xxxxxxxx will use her own spending money, although I can help her out if need be. xxxxxxx will reimburse me with the cost of the flight ticket after she graduates in 2009 and finds gainful employment

I included my wage slips and P60 showing I earn 40k a year but did not include my bank statements as basically all my money goes on quarterly trips abroad and I don't have any savings.

As my Thai 'gf' is paying her own spending money and I have stated this above, is this a major issue? She has 150,000 baht in savings and will show this to the Embassy.

I HAVE included original copies of home ownership, utilty bills, P60, wage slips, photo's, call records, flight stubbs, passport details, covering letter and itinerary.

Thoughts?

Edited May 21, 2009 by brian272727

[thaicbr]

I will state again. especially as you have just informed us that the lady in question has ALL the necessary things to apply herself without you being a financial sponsor. WHY? edit also just spotted that she has land in her name as well.........jeeeze

I still say that she should apply for the visa in her own right. it will be much easier. And you have already stated that you intend to do some lengthy sightseeing in the UK. so i presume that you will be staying in hotels at some point if not for at least half of the holiday.

It is bending the truth BUT why should you have to sponsor a friend just because they are coming to see you and the UK ESPECIALLY AS

"This is why a sponsors undertaking in a visit application is not worth the paper it is written on." source 7by7

As long as you are following the spirit of the law eg.THE APPLICANT ' you have enough money to support yourself and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds. And you intend to return to your home country.' source UK government. Then i do not see a problem.

If on the other hand you believe that things will go amazingly well and she may become the Mrs Brian (living in the UK) then follow 7by7's advice. but do not provide any financial assistance (on paper) she has the money in her own right. therefore you are only a sponsor for accommodation (see the link to UK Gov website on previous post) IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A LOT EASIER. especially if you reword the letter to take out romantic involvement. you are just friends with similar interests and not so far off on age either (she's 23 and your 30) right.

Allan

Edited May 21, 2009 by thaicbr

[7by7]

I have to agree with Thaicbr on one point, if she has sufficient funds of her own then there is no need for you to provide any funding nor show your finances.

However, do not listen when he tells you to 'bend the trutrh.' That way leads to disaster. (see here for more of my thoughts on this)

Thaicbr,

Brian asked in his OP if he should sponser her, though I grant that he did not say that she would be staying with him.

I know that a sudden, unexplained (as I said but you omitted) influx of money into an applicant's account causes suspicions in the ECO's mind because I have seen refusal notices that say so!

My statement about case law comes from a highly qualified and experienced lawyer. He has posted often on this point on Thailand-UK. There is no requirement in the immigration rules for someone sponsoring a visit visa to make any undertaking; if they were to do so such an undertaking would not be legally enforceable and so would be ignored by the ECO.

Why bother doing it? My advice is; don't bother!

If you stop advising people to lie then I will stop advising people to ignore your advice and saying why.