Could My Maid Get A Visa For A Holiday To The Uk?

[sarahlou]

I'd like to pay for my maid to come to the UK for a 10 day holiday this summer. She's been working part-time for myself and a colleague for about 5 years in BKK. My colleague and I will be paying for the whole trip and are happy to act as sponsors or guarantors if that is necessary/helpful to the application.

I have heard so many stories of visa applications being refused that I'm a bit worried she may not be able to get a visa. I doubt she can provide any proof of income as we certainly don't give payslips and neither I am sure do the other foreigners she works for.

I wondered whether anyone had been through a similar application and had any advice as to the likelihood of the application being successful, or whether there is anything we should do to increase the chances of success? She is quite shy and her English is limited so I don't want to put her through the stress of an application, or get her hopes up, if there is no chance of it working out.

Thanks in advance.

[7by7]

Simple answer is; yes, she can get a visa.

She will need to show that she satisfies the criteria.

1) She is a genuine visitor with a genuine reason to visit.

You and any other sponsor should write a letter explaining your relationship with her and the reason for her visit at this time.

2) She will be adequately supported and accommodated during her visit.

She will need to show she has access to sufficient finances to pay for the visit. This money can come from her own resources, from those of a sponsor or sponsors or a mixture of both. Whoever is supplying any finance for the visit will need to show they have the necessary resources; their last 6 months pay slips and bank statements are recommended.

Whoever she will be staying with will need to provide details of the accommodation offered showing that there will be at least one room for her use; although sharing a bedroom with another person of the same sex is acceptable for visits. They should also show that they are in a position to offer this accommodation by providing proof of ownership, such as a copy mortgage statement or copy of the deeds, if they own or a letter from their landlord granting permission if they rent.

3) She will return to Thailand, or at least leave the UK, when or before her visa expires.

You may have difficulty with this one. As she is your employee in Thailand they may think that you are trying to get her into the UK to continue working for you. Remember that visit visa holders cannot work.

You should provide as much evidence as you can of her ties to Thailand. Letters from her other employers to say that she does work for them and they are granting her the necessary holiday, evidence of any property she may own. If she has family, this probably will not help as many Thais travel abroad to work and send money back to their families.

See Visitors (INF 2) and Sponsors (INF 3) for more.

For where and how she applies, see UK visa application centre.

[sarahlou]

Simple answer is; yes, she can get a visa.

She will need to show that she satisfies the criteria.

1) She is a genuine visitor with a genuine reason to visit.

You and any other sponsor should write a letter explaining your relationship with her and the reason for her visit at this time.

2) She will be adequately supported and accommodated during her visit.

She will need to show she has access to sufficient finances to pay for the visit. This money can come from her own resources, from those of a sponsor or sponsors or a mixture of both. Whoever is supplying any finance for the visit will need to show they have the necessary resources; their last 6 months pay slips and bank statements are recommended.

Whoever she will be staying with will need to provide details of the accommodation offered showing that there will be at least one room for her use; although sharing a bedroom with another person of the same sex is acceptable for visits. They should also show that they are in a position to offer this accommodation by providing proof of ownership, such as a copy mortgage statement or copy of the deeds, if they own or a letter from their landlord granting permission if they rent.

3) She will return to Thailand, or at least leave the UK, when or before her visa expires.

You may have difficulty with this one. As she is your employee in Thailand they may think that you are trying to get her into the UK to continue working for you. Remember that visit visa holders cannot work.

You should provide as much evidence as you can of her ties to Thailand. Letters from her other employers to say that she does work for them and they are granting her the necessary holiday, evidence of any property she may own. If she has family, this probably will not help as many Thais travel abroad to work and send money back to their families.

See Visitors (INF 2) and Sponsors (INF 3) for more.

For where and how she applies, see UK visa application centre.

Thanks so much for the information above. She will stay with me during the trip and it's no problem to provide home ownership and income details. Her family is based near Chiang Rai, and she and her sister support them by working in BKK. I'm not sure if she has any property or land in her name back home, but will check with her. Once again, thanks for taking the time to reply.

[Irene]

That is a nice gesture to say "thank you" to one's maid. Good luck!

[ThaiVisaExpress]

I cannot see this one being a straight forward application but good luck.

Do you have any proof that you employed the maid ?

Can you demonstrate you have maintained close contact with her etc ?

Does she have any assets or ties to her host country ?

Are you now living in the UK ?

Edited May 17, 2010 by ThaiVisaExpress

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

What a nice idea. You are very thoughtful, hope it all goes smoothly.