G/f And Our Children -visitor Visa To Uk?

[50cruff]

Can anyone shine some light on the best way or spin forward please. I I am presently relocating in an orderly manner, to join my Thai family and have set a target of 2 years to make the transition. I have transferable skills and could be up and running with my own company in a matter of weeks, but my business interests are wide and varied in the UK and I figure it will take the best of 2 years to disentangle from the UK.I want to be able to take the G/F and our two children on periodic visits to the UK.

Here is some background of previous attempts and Incidents:

Our situation is we have been together, unmarried, since Feb 2000 and our son was born in Jan 2001 in Thailand. We have a 12 year old daughter , from her previous relationship. Both Children are in school in bangkok. She is a stay at home Mother. I work UK and travel very often.We jointly own a Condo and Car. She has a large and close family in thailand , and a parent to care for.

We made a settlement enquiry in 2002, filled in the forms , discussed but did not pay a fee, because about a 6 weeks before the interview, I learned my UK wife had decided to contest the quickie divorce we had previousley agreed to do. I thought it best to inform the embassy, and was told that they were sorry about the circumstances but in all probability from the evidence we would get our settlement visa, and to re-apply later. I asked about a visitor visa, but told that was not as likely as the settlement visa in forthcoming.They were nice enough not to charge me a fee, however. That was in 2002.

Now in 2005, I have gotton as far with my UK wife as to have gotton a Legal Deed of Separation between our Solicitors signed, and the last of the property matters agreed and sorted out. No divorce lodged inthe court just yet, but that looks like it could happen in the Summer of this year. My G/F and i are not contemplating marriage, and after 5 years together are quite comfortable together. We wish to be able to visit my family during Thai School Holidays. Those add up to about 4 months of the year in the UK, where I will still have some ties in business and property , and thats about 3-4 flights a year for us.

One incident was last year when my firm invited a potential good business contact from China who I met in Bangkok, to visit us in the UK to discuss business and see our operation. They refused this person, who happened to be a woman her tourist application, and mentionesd in her refusal letter to her in China that I was involved with a Thai person, and had filed a settlement application in 2002.I was flabberghasted because all I did was get the Chaiman of the Company to make the invitation, and now this chinese persons name is on my file in bangkok! Well, it pays to be more careful. I don't know if this will affect my chance of securing visitors visas for my G/F and two Children.

i haven't glossed over anything really, and wonder what advice your readers may have. I would be most grateful for your comments, even the crude ones!

50Cruffty

[the scouser]

It is possible that the embassy has you earmarked as a serial sponsor but a visit application should stand a better chance of success where your family is concerned.

The visa officer's nagging doubt will be that you're trying to get your family in to the UK on visit visas when settlement is intended. Therefore, in order to counteract this you will have to provide as much evidence as possible to show that they have good reason to return to Thailand at the end of their holiday. You should also write a covering letter which explains why the settlement application was not pursued in 2002 and that you are in the process of finalising your business affairs in the UK with a view to moving to Thailand. You will also need to show that you can financially take care of them during the visit and that you have ample accommodation.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[50cruff]

Dear Scouser

Many thanks Scouser for the information, and I will prepare for the Visitor Applications with your advice in mind. Two last questions scoucer and I think I;m done:

1. Timing when to apply for Visitors Visas for the family is a consideration.My marital status is Legal Deed of Separation, so would you say the Visa officer, all other questions resolved, will require me to be Legally Divorced which will be I expect by the end of the summer. With all the necessary proof from my Solicitor on my current marital status, would the ECO insist I wait.

2.How is it best to Clear up the Chinese Applicant situation? I first thought an E-mail from the Chairman and myself, to the ECO officer who handled her case with a clear explanation. But since this will go on my Records, what do you think I can add to the email I am going to send to the Chinese.Can or should I take the oppertunity to update them on my future plans in Thailand, or should I put them on notice that its unacceptable etc etc. In other words , some advice on how or how not to respond to the Chinese ECO , so that what I write will almost certainley go into my records in Bangkok.

3. We would still love to have the Chinese over. Last year only, I sent a letter of invitation and passport Picture, to a Male Business Friend living who is Thai national living in Bangkok, and he attached it to application, and they gave him a Visitor Visa for 6 moths, and he stayed a month with us before going home.

Would you say could help to strenthen my argument for the Chinese ECO and my own future applications for my Thai family.

Many thanks Scouser for sharing your apparent wisdom on these matters with all of us.

[the scouser]

50cruff,

The fact that you're not yet divorced is not really an issue in terms of getting your family visit visas. Indeed, if anything, it would assist the application as you would then not be in a position to marry in the UK, although this is now outlawed itself whilst present on a visit. You just have to convince the visa officer that your g/f and your children will return to Thailand at the end of their holidays. The fact that you've been in a relationship with your g/f for 5 years should augur well, as should your ownership of a car and condo in Thailand.

To be honest, I'd leave the Chinese aspect out of the equation for the moment. It could well be that that refusal will have no bearing upon your family's applications. Proverbially, I'd cross that bridge when I come to it.

Best of luck,

Scouse.

[50cruff]

Dear Scoucer

Thank you fpr your guidance in this matter.

Kind Regards