Irish Visa For Thai Gf - Few Questions

[steveweaver99]

Hi people

Just a few questions, be great if you can help.

1. Will there be any issues for applying for an Irish visa for my Thai girlfriend even though I am not an Irish citizen. Im a UK citizen that has been made an offer for employment in Ireland.
   
2. Also does the rule apply (as does in the UK) that states that a visitor cannot spend more than 3 months (6 months UK) out of any 12 in Ireland (see question 3).
   
3. Can a tourist visa and student visa run consecutively (perhaps returning home and then re-applying for a student visa).
   
4. Student visas, does this have to be a recommended college or learning school or will any reputable one suffice.
   
5. What are the criteria for proof of Fiancee, so one can perhaps apply for a Fiancee visa.
   

I know alot of questions, but the information I have read was not clear.

Thanks guys/girls

Edited November 17, 2009 by steveweaver99

[owen01]

I will answer these as best I can

1. Will there be any issues for applying for an Irish visa for my Thai girlfriend even though I am not an Irish citizen. Im a UK citizen that has been made an offer for employment in Ireland.

Your ability to act as sponsor for your GFs trip to Ireland is questionable as you are not ordinarily resident in Ireland. She will probably need to apply as a tourist that is self-funded.

2. Also does the rule apply (as does in the UK) that states that a visitor cannot spend more than 3 months (6 months UK) out of any 12 in Ireland (see question 3).

No - simply that no single tourist visit can be longer than 3 months - I have done back to back visit visas for my GF (now my wife) - but obviously we returned to BKK in the meantime. After the first visa approval (which is done in Dublin) - subsequent approvals are very quick as they are processed in KL.

3. Can a tourist visa and student visa run consecutively (perhaps returning home and then re-applying for a student visa).

I suspect the fact that the visa application would be for a different class of visa would probably mean the second approval went to Dublin. It takes about 7 weeks for an application to be processed in Dublin (or at least it did 2 years ago).

4. Student visas, does this have to be a recommended college or learning school or will any reputable one suffice.

I believe there has been a massive clamp-down on this and the conditions are now quite stringent.

5. What are the criteria for proof of Fiancee, so one can perhaps apply for a Fiancee visa.

I think this is a US visa type - Irish visa types are Tourist, Business, Working, Student and Working Holiday

Best of luck

Owen01

Edited November 23, 2009 by owen01

[newbepat]

I will answer these as best I can

1. Will there be any issues for applying for an Irish visa for my Thai girlfriend even though I am not an Irish citizen. Im a UK citizen that has been made an offer for employment in Ireland.

Your ability to act as sponsor for your GFs trip to Ireland is questionable as you are not ordinarily resident in Ireland. She will probably need to apply as a tourist that is self-funded.

2. Also does the rule apply (as does in the UK) that states that a visitor cannot spend more than 3 months (6 months UK) out of any 12 in Ireland (see question 3).

No - simply that no single tourist visit can be longer than 3 months - I have done back to back visit visas for my GF (now my wife) - but obviously we returned to BKK in the meantime. After the first visa approval (which is done in Dublin) - subsequent approvals are very quick as they are processed in KL.

3. Can a tourist visa and student visa run consecutively (perhaps returning home and then re-applying for a student visa).

I suspect the fact that the visa application would be for a different class of visa would probably mean the second approval went to Dublin. It takes about 7 weeks for an application to be processed in Dublin (or at least it did 2 years ago).

4. Student visas, does this have to be a recommended college or learning school or will any reputable one suffice.

I believe there has been a massive clamp-down on this and the conditions are now quite stringent.

5. What are the criteria for proof of Fiancee, so one can perhaps apply for a Fiancee visa.

I think this is a US visa type - Irish visa types are Tourist, Business, Working, Student and Working Holiday

Best of luck

Owen01

I wish that guy luck trying for a visa for his thai g/f into Ireland i have tried twice in the last 6 months and was refused and I am Irish. I know my g/f for about 3 years now i have been to Thailand many times, they say not enough paper work, they think she won't return to Thailand, i even hired Key visa in Pattaya but they could not get Visa for us. i was hoping for her to visit Ireland for Christmas so sad

[ThaiVisaExpress]

We deal in applications for Southern Ireland in our Pattaya office should you require professional help.

[spongeman]

Owen01

I wish that guy luck trying for a visa for his thai g/f into Ireland i have tried twice in the last 6 months and was refused and I am Irish. I know my g/f for about 3 years now i have been to Thailand many times, they say not enough paper work, they think she won't return to Thailand, i even hired Key visa in Pattaya but they could not get Visa for us. i was hoping for her to visit Ireland for Christmas so sad

Did you give them a return plane ticket or evidence of same / your address or accomadation letter from parents / evidence of finances / job etc ?

If you did then somebody has done you wrong, as that should be enough for her.

[the scouser]

EEA citizens can't be treated less favourably than the indigenous population, so, that you are British living in Ireland does not hinder your ability to act as a sponsor.

Scouse.

[Mossfinn]

I wish that guy luck trying for a visa for his thai g/f into Ireland i have tried twice in the last 6 months and was refused and I am Irish. I know my g/f for about 3 years now i have been to Thailand many times, they say not enough paper work, they think she won't return to Thailand, i even hired Key visa in Pattaya but they could not get Visa for us. i was hoping for her to visit Ireland for Christmas so sad

Can you give us the wording of the refusal? Not enough evidence would have been supported by specific criteria.

Reason to return can be difficult if there are little quantifiable reason to return, but doable.

Not enough paperwork? What did you supply?

Perhaps the guys on here could help to fill in the gaps, but we need the specific refusal notice and what you supplied as evidence.

[spongeman]

Yeah hopefully we can help ye.

Edited November 27, 2009 by spongeman

[owen01]

EEA citizens can't be treated less favourably than the indigenous population, so, that you are British living in Ireland does not hinder your ability to act as a sponsor.

Scouse.

I think that not being resident in Ireland would restrict a individuals ability to invite someone to Ireland - no matter what the nationality.

On a general note - I was previously advised to provide "excessive" supporting documentation when applying for a visa - since qualification is essentially a box ticking exercise and you never know what combination of documentation will cause some of the more difficult boxes to get ticked (eg. proving you know each other, proving intention to return etc.). This advisc has served me well. I provided multiple Irish payslips, Irish bank statements, copies of all passport stamps since I started coming to Thailand, etc. etc. Plus the usual letters of application & guarantee using the text provided by the consulate)

Edited November 30, 2009 by owen01

[daveman]

EEA citizens can't be treated less favourably than the indigenous population, so, that you are British living in Ireland does not hinder your ability to act as a sponsor.

Scouse.

I think that not being resident in Ireland would restrict a individuals ability to invite someone to Ireland - no matter what the nationality.

On a general note - I was previously advised to provide "excessive" supporting documentation when applying for a visa - since qualification is essentially a box ticking exercise and you never know what combination of documentation will cause some of the more difficult boxes to get ticked (eg. proving you know each other, proving intention to return etc.). This advisc has served me well. I provided multiple Irish payslips, Irish bank statements, copies of all passport stamps since I started coming to Thailand, etc. etc. Plus the usual letters of application & guarantee using the text provided by the consulate)

It's very hard even for and Irish Citizen to get a visa for Thai GF. I thought I had given all paperwork and it took 7months including appeal for a refusal, they seem to change the rules to suit themselves. and as for phoning the department of Justice/Imegration, good luck trying to get through without them hanging up on you after 20 min on hold.

Edited December 10, 2009 by daveman