My wife has been to the uk 6 times in 7 years and had no visa issues at all. She is the mother of our two UK/Thai kids. We live in Bangkok but try to visit family in the UK every summer.

Is there a visa which alows multi-year entries and doesn't require the hassle of applying each time, but isn't as serious or expensive as a settlement visa?

I heard of one that lasts five years and allows multiple visits, but doesn't need all the crap that a settlement visa does. Is it true?

Thanks.

A long term (up to 10 years) visit visa should suit your requirements.

Have a read through these two threads:-

Uk 10 Year Visit Visa,

The Wife's 10 Year Uk Visit Visa

Apply using Form VAF1B and just tick the box for the term you want.

See here for the fees.

7b7 beat me too it again, now it's my turn to type faster.

Your wife could probably get a 5 or 10 year visa if she could prove she is a regular visitor, and in the circumstances you mention she would probably get one, in her position a settlement visa wouldn't be appropriate anyway.

Long term visas don't come cheap, 5 and 10 year visas cost 21,840B and 31,720B respectively, and you need to be aware if you apply for a long term visa and a shorter one is issued there is not refund of any of the application fee.

Cheers guys. I'll have a look.

Does anyone have an opinion or experience on whether they're likely to reduce a five-year application to a two-year visa due to the applicant's passport expiry date? I think my wife's has about four years left on it. Saying that, aren't all Thai passports 5-year max?

Thanks again.

You may apply for a 10 year one if required and if the passport expires you can get the visa transferred to a new passport.

Or carry two passports when you travel.