Visa Problem For Thai Girlfriend

[crunchy24]

Hi all,

I am really struggling in getting my girlfriend a tourist visa to the UK.

We have known each other since April 2008 in which i travelled back and fourth 3 times and i have recently returned since spending 8 months together. I returned in May.

We have now tried for a visa 3 times and been refused on silly reasons and even though we keep amending the refusal points they keep coming back with diffrent points of refusal. I am also using an visa office.

Since returning back to the uk ive sent my girlfriend money, i have given alot of communication documents such as phone bills and emails, pictures etc, and all the other documents which i have been told be the visa office to give, and we have given everything stated in "paragraph 41" and more, we also rent a room which both our names are on the reciepts each month. I also have around 9 grand in my bank, ive given all documents of my parents and of there house.

The office im using cant understand why we are still getting refused. We have just recently submitted again and should find out the begginning of next week, if we get refused again should i try for a tourist visa again or go for a fiancee visa as some people have advised me to do so.

I just cant understand why we are struggling, its only a tourist visa!

Im returning back to thailand on the 26th in the hope that we get the visa this time then we can travel back together.

Im just not sure what to do if we get refused again.

Id be very grateful for your views and advice.

[Mercury]

Dump this clown of an agent. You don't need one.

[riceboy66]

Hi

I have read your post but you haven't told us the refusal points. I suggest you go for a fiancee visa as its for your girlfriend and save your money.

Its very difficult to get a tourist visa for your girlfriend because the embassy needs proof that she will return to Thailand, eg. for her job if she has one?

[seaneee]

One option is to marry her when you get to Thailand, and then apply for a family visit visa. At least if they refuse you then you will have the right of appeal and from what i see the ECO often back down and issue visas a few days before the tribunal hearing.

The problem with applying for the fiance visa is that you have already said that you only want a holiday, so i believe it would give the ECO an even bigger reason to fail you.

Your best bet would be to post the full refusal here(obviously removing names etc) and then im sure you will get some real top advice from the knowledgeable members on how to proceed. You dont need a visa company to do the application for you. Do it yourself--- easier and cheaper.

My wife was refused twice on really petty stuff for a tourist visa and they found more stuff in the second refusal that wasnt mentioned in the first refusal. Seemed to me like the ECO moved the goalposts so we appealed. Bottom line was the visa was issued 3 days before the appeal hearing around 16 weeks after the appeal was submitted.

I know how u feel mate, but stick with it, and you will get some top advice here.

[theoldgit]

I agree with other posters that it would be helpful if you could post the actual reasons for the refusal as it would enable people to advise you, but of course all of this is academic if the current application is successful.

Your story highlights the dangers of using the dangers of using cowboy agents, if they cannot understand the reasons for the refusals that does not indicate that they know what they are talking about, but I could be wrong. Whilst I usually recommend the use of OISC registerd agents, just because an agent isn't registered that doesn't make them cowboys, there are some highly qualified people working for some agencies who haven't registered with OISC as there is not requirement to do so in Thailand, are you prepared to say which agent you have used?

Don't forget that proof of your relationship and affordability of the trip are only half of the battle, a provable reason to return is probably the biggest hurdle to overcome and probably carries more weight than the former, I assume your agent has indicated this to you though you haven't mentioned it in your post.

I agree with others that a Fiancee Visa is not appropriate, your girlfriend should apply for the visa appropriate for her needs not for one that might be easier.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Dump this clown of an agent. You don't need one.

Who said its the agents fault if the Eco keeps moving the goal posts there is little you can do but go back and address each issue.

[alant]

sorry to about your problems, but i am afraid it happens and i for 1 have problems working out why. there are a number of posts on TV about refusals with similar reasons as if they come out of a list of standard letters. as you have been doing this for a while have you appealed? you have not indicated the reasons why you have been refused but if you feel you have them covered appeal.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

A tourist visa has no right of appeal as he is not married you may ask for a review bit the ECM will probably say address the Eco concerns and they may issue a visa.If at each application they give new concerns about a case you then have to apply again covering these, this does sometimes happen there is little you can do except persevere with the case.

[theoldgit]

We don't know for sure that the ECO is moving the goal posts, the OP does say the ECO is making silly refusal points and that they keep coming with different refusal points, but until we know the actual reasons for the refusal it is difficult to ascertain the root problem of the refusal.

It does seem strange that the agent doesn't understand the reason for the refusal, presumably having assisted with the application and had the benefit of seeing the refusal notice.

[Thongkorn]

Dump this clown of an agent. You don't need one.

Correct, just do your home work , Many people have got a tourist visa and settlement visa first time, without an agent , as for refusal for photographs shorely you can take some more , just make certain that she is not wearing the same cloths , Ask what you have been refused a visa for , you should have had the reason when you picked your visa docs up , maybe reason to return is the big problem ,