Uk Tourist Visa Question

[preeh]

Hi,

I'm hoping to get a 6 month UK tourist visa for my Thai girlfriend in September and I was hoping someone could give me some advice.

I've known my girlfriend for 2 1/2 years now and we've been living together in Bangkok for almost 2 years now. I have been working in Bangkok during this time. We successfully got a tourist visa in May 2009, for a three week visit. However, in September we want to apply for the same visa but I would like her to stay for the whole 6 months. We have no problem with anything except the 'proof of return to Thailand' stuff. As it will be a 6 month visit, any letter from her employer is probably out of the question. Also, we are living together in an apartment with a joint rental agreement, which will expire in September when we intend to go to England. This means she will have no proof of accommodation in Thailand either. Is this a major problem? I know the fact that she already has had a successful application and returned within the time we stated will help. I also think the strength of our relationship is easy to prove. Also, she has worked with her present company for over 3 years.

Our long term plan would be to come back to Thailand together after 6 months, get engaged, then go back to England on a fiance/marriage visa.

If anyone has any experience of a similar situation or could give me advice about whether this will be difficult or not it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete

[sumrit]

My wife has had three visit visas over the last few years (we stayed for 3, 2 and one month respectively). She had no job, no property and just a few thousand baht in the bank. We used that fact that I lived in Thailand and would be returning there as her 'reason to return'. All the visas were issued within a couple of days without any questions whatsoever.

'Our long term plan would be to come back to Thailand together after 6 months, get engaged, then go back to England on a fiance/marriage visa.'

If the Embassy suspect this is your plan though they might refuse, asking what is the point of going all the way back to Thailand just to get engaged, and suggesting you should be applying for a fiance settlement visa now.

Edited February 25, 2010 by sumrit

[7by7]

No job in Thailand, no accommodation in Thailand, a 6 month visit and then apply for settlement. The first question any ECO is going to ask is;

Why visit for 6 months, then return to Thailand and apply for settlement? Why not apply for settlement straight away?

You need to ensure that any visit application answers this question.

From what you say, you have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least 2 years, therefore, if you can prove this, your girlfriend could apply for settlement as your unmarried partner; this is effectively the same as a spouse visa, i.e. 27 months and can apply for ILR after 24 months, and so would be cheaper than following the fiance visa route. It would not, of course, stop you from marrying at some later date.

If you do decide to have a visit first then you will need to convince the ECO that she will return to Thailand to apply for settlement and not simply remain (illegally) in the UK. Difficult to do, I think, as you will both have effectively broken all ties to Thailand.

[preeh]

Thanks for the quick replys.

I have heard of this unmarried partner visa before, and we are also considering that. Again, I'm not sure we would have enough proof of the fact that we've lived together for two years. By November this year, we will have joint rental agreements for two years (Two consecutive one year contracts). However, I've heard that you need at least three pieces of evidence, such as bills to the address and joint bank accounts. We don't have these. Our bills are addressed to the owner of our apartment and we don't have a joint bank account. Am I right in thinking our joint rental agreements will not be considered as enough proof? Does anyone have any experience of applying for the unmarried partners visa?

As regards to the getting the tourist visa, I'm actually sure my girlfriend could obtain a letter from her employer saying she will be given a 6 month holiday, but will the ECO be suspisciuos of someone being given such a long holiday? I have a feeling they would be.

[7by7]

As most Thais only get 2 to 3 weeks holiday a year, then yes the ECO will be suspicious. Especially as you say your intention is to return to Thailand and apply for settlement immediately after the visit. In those circumstances, why would any employer grant someone long term leave?

From Unmarried and same sex partners

SET5.13 What types of evidence might demonstrate living together and a relationship akin to marriage/civil partnership?

The applicant should provide at least three pieces of evidence of joint commitment. All must have been held for a minimum of 2 years, prior to the application:

Joint commitments, (such as joint bank accounts, investments, rent agreements, mortgage, life insurance policy naming the other partner as beneficiary etc);

Birth certificates or records of any children of the relationship, showing both partners as parents;

Any official correspondence linking both partners to the same address e.g. Council Tax, utility bills, Doctors records; • Any other evidence that adequately demonstrates the couple's long-term commitment to each other.

[preeh]

She has a good relationship with her employer and would be able to get a letter saying she will come back to work in six months. I guess if it was detrimental to the application, I wouldn't mention about going back to in order to get a settlement visa. You seem to have a lot of information about all this 7by7. Can I ask how you know so much? I appreciate your helpfulness.

[preeh]

Also, can anyone shed any light on the 'Any other evidence that adequately demonstrates the couple's long-term commitment to each other.' part? Does this only mean official documentation, or can it include things such as letters, emails, letters, photos etc.?

[7by7]

She has a good relationship with her employer and would be able to get a letter saying she will come back to work in six months.

I don't doubt this; but I do doubt that the ECO will believe it!

I guess if it was detrimental to the application, I wouldn't mention about going back to in order to get a settlement visa.

You should tell the truth in any visa application, and this includes your future intentions. Simply explain why she does not want to apply for settlement now but wants to visit for 6 months before returning to Thailand to then apply for settlement.

Also, can anyone shed any light on the 'Any other evidence that adequately demonstrates the couple's long-term commitment to each other.' part? Does this only mean official documentation, or can it include things such as letters, emails, letters, photos etc.?

A combination of both.

You seem to have a lot of information about all this 7by7. Can I ask how you know so much?

A combination of 10 years of applying for various visas, reading information on forums such as this and, mainly, reading the various official UK government sites and publications.