Scaremongery Or Reality ?

[timtickles]

I have been looking into the feasibility of a visitors visa for my thai friend to bring her for a holiday to England, a trip lasting approx 6-8 weeks.

Is it really as difficult a s it appears to be for some people bearing in mind that I intend to sponsor her and I have a very good job?

There is however an other issue to bring up... she works in a bar.

Does that automatically result in a declined visa application. Would it be better to lie about her job or come clean? Im a true believer that honesty is the best policy but if it means an instant decline then what should we do. A good point to bring up though is that she has a 4 year old daughter and therefore has good reason to return.

Essentially what I want to know is will a bar girl be granted a visa?

I hope that someone out there can shed light or hope.

[BIG SPUDS]

speaking from personal experience only, it is hard and difficult you basically have to have solid evidence to show she will return. I was in the same situation as you a year a go and desperately wanted the same as you, we tried 2 times for vvisa, and was refused on stupid reasons (in my eyes), i did not know each other long enough (a couple of days short of 6 months), i never supplied a page of my of my passport (it seemed to me as though they were just looking for a reason to decline her).

I would say unless she owns land, business or is rich, visitors visa is not an option.

However some people in your situation have been lucky and visas were granted, but its the few that get this luck, (interviewer must have got laid the night before).

Go for it, you dont know till you try, just dont get your hopes up and expect the worse.

"just my 2 pennies worth"

For me well, im still with the GF and we gave up on the visitors visa, and are waiting for the 28th of March for her interview for a settlement visa.

[timtickles]

Thanks Big Spuds

I am going back to Thailand in a few weeks and we are going to the embassy to submit the application together. I am getting together all the necessary paperwork at the moment. Were you with your g/f when she put her application in?

Im assuming that us going together will help her. Oh, and dressing for the occasion etc always helps I believe.

Ant further advice on the career ie whether to be honest or not? Anyone??

Its all a bit hit and miss...

[BIG SPUDS]

be completeley honest, if they catch you out in any way its all over.

Make sure you have copies of every thing.

Emails, photos, reciepts, wage slips bank statements a letter from your boss (if you are sponsor) where you are staying how you are getting there, when. Travel iternary. What time you will be wiping your arse!!! the lot, sorry to be crude but include absoulutely everything to do with your GF and you staying together since you met. and your financial situation.dont give them a reason to say you forgot something,

no i wasnt with her, couldnt be there. and wont be in march. however are trying to speak with embassy now on changing her date to coincide with me going over on the 26th of feb

[Jockstar]

Lets say if you were working in Los without a work permit. Should you tell them? I think its best to be honest. But if you're working illegally is this a good start. Or dont they care?

[darrengale]

Having a child is not looked at as a reason to return. I was in same boat as you and got visa at 2nd attempt last year.Told embassy we met in restaraunt and my girlfriend worked on family farm, not really a solid job or an original first meet !

However put solid case together with regards length of time together, plenty of proof. Also show you are solid financially, wage slips, bank and savings accounts etc Also good if your girlfriend can show savings in a thai bank, mine had 150000 bhat, so dosent have to be a fortune. She must know everything about you at the interview they asked my g/f what was my date of birth, where we met, what was my adress in england etc

It is hard but it is not impossible but you must give the embassy as much info as possible. We were refused the first time because we were only together 6 months.

All the best and you have luck of the draw.

[GU22]

The prime stumbling block is her reason to return. I have known bar girls get visit visas, but I have also known them to be refused. Best advice is to give it a go and see.

But do not be tempted to lie!!!!!

The ECOs aren't stupid, they know that many Falang meet their Thai girlfriends in a bar. They are not their to pass moral judgements.

But if they catch you in a lie, then it's goodbye to any chance of a visa, certainly for now and possibly in the future.

[Lawnmower]

Make sure you make or help your girlfriend to make a really good package of information. Include everything and ensure it is logical and well presented.

Up to you on the lying. I know a few people who have done this and got to England with no problem. They simply got a friend to say and write that they were working for their company/business and ensured there was money flowing into the bank accounts to look like a monthly wage. None of the people were ever contacted.

If all the information is there, there really is no reason for them not to give you one.