Hi, I was wondering if somebody could just clarify something for me about which form i need to fill in for UK Visit visa.

My Thai boyfriend and I have been together for about 4 and a half years. He has had 2 previous visit visas to the UK with me, one in 2007 and one in 2008. In 2009 I went home to work for 3 and a half months alone. Previously, we have always filled in VAF1A form as we are visiting and staying with my mother.

I am just a little confused as to weather I should now be filling in a VAF1B form. We are not married but, as I have said on the form, he is my unmarried partner. So basically,my question is does him being my unmarried partner make this a family visit instead?! Does my mother count as family to him now, or is it still just to 'visit friends'.

I have already filled in the VAF1A form. I have read the 'definition of a family member' on the guidance and it mentions unmarried partner is family but what about the unmarried partners family??

Would it be a problem if I went ahead and handed in the completed VAF1A if this is the case? I would not want him to be refused on a technicality, but would prefer not to have to fill out another form!

Thanks in advance for any help!

If you can show that you have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least the last 2 years then he wold be classed as your unmarried partner. So your family would count as his family for this purpose. In which case he could use VAF1B, which is for family visits.

However, he could also use VAF1A, the general visitor/tourist form. Doing so will not mean he would be refused on a technicality for using the wrong form.

The only difference is that a refusal of a family visit application can be appealed, whilst the refusal of a general visit/tourist application cannot.

As he has had two previous visas to visit the UK with you in the last three years, and presumably complied with the conditions, then I cannot see any problem whichever form he uses; unless there has been a significant change in circumstances since his last application.

I have known a married couple use the VAF 1 A and got refused and they have still classed it as a family visit visa.

They have entered my office with the appeal form.