I live in Thailand, while my Thai wife works for Emirates Airlines in Dubai and is likely to be there for another 5 years. She would like to visit the UK from time to time during her time off. Is the process for getting a 5 year multiple entry visa quite straightforward? I presume she can apply for it in Dubai.

Anyone been in similar circumstances?

Whilst there's no reason why an applicant cannot ask for a 5-yr multi as a first application, the embassy in Bangkok seems to have an aversion to issuing them to people without a proven track record. Consequently, if your wife has a residence permit for the UAE, I'd apply at the embassy in Dubai. She should get a letter from Emirates confirming her employment, with perhaps an additional paragraph saying that as cabin crew she will potentially be a frequent traveller to the UK and she doesn't want to have to regularly apply for single visit visas.

To my mind, if someone seeks a multi-entry visa this shows that their intentions are more genuine than someone who applies for a one-off single entry but heh-ho...........

Scouse.

Whilst there's no reason why an applicant cannot ask for a 5-yr multi as a first application, the embassy in Bangkok seems to have an aversion to issuing them to people without a proven track record. Consequently, if your wife has a residence permit for the UAE, I'd apply at the embassy in Dubai. She should get a letter from Emirates confirming her employment, with perhaps an additional paragraph saying that as cabin crew she will potentially be a frequent traveller to the UK and she doesn't want to have to regularly apply for single visit visas.

To my mind, if someone seeks a multi-entry visa this shows that their intentions are more genuine than someone who applies for a one-off single entry but heh-ho...........

Scouse.

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Fair advice, Scouser.

Showing my lack of knowledge here. What would it take for her to obtain a British passport? Would she have to be a resident in the UK?

It's a bloomin' pain in the backside. She can fly all over the place for work and yet it becomes a major hassle if she wants to go anywhere in her free time with me.

Good luck to Liverpool tonight BTW!

I'll be off to the pub in a few hours. Fingers crossed for a Scouse triumph...

Yes, in order to get naturalisation as a Brit there is a residency qualification unless, for example, you are in Thailand on U.K. government serice.

Scouse.