I would like some advice on behalf of a Thai family who will be travelling to the UK in December for a seven day holiday (husband, wife two small children). The couple jointly own their own business. I have helped my Thai wife with the supporting documents for her UK tourist visa but she is employed. What documents will this couple require for their visa as they are self-employed.

As well as the usual evidence of their finances and details of where they will be staying and the reason for the visit (invitation from friends/family; tourists staying in hotels?) then they should provide details of any property that they own and their business, including what will happen to that business while they are away.

I understand the predicament as the forms are solely geared up for someone who works for another company with a fixed business premises, salary, business landline and business email etc.

Try to reverse engineer it. If their visit would cost £5000 then they will need to have quite a bit more than £5000 in their bank account and their income should be sufficient to show they can save £5000 and that it did not just magically appear in their bank last Thursday. As advised above, cover it all with a letter detailing the relevant points.