Hi,

My wife, son and I are going to the UK in December for our 2nd visit, the first being last year. My question is, when applying for the visa, will we need to get all the bumph and paperwork again that we needed for the first time? I remember when we first did it, we needed proof of funds, bank statements, pictures of my parents house where we were staying, copies of their bank statements, etc. Will we need all this again? We are legally married, have a 3 year old son, and my wife isn't working at the moment.

Yes, treat it as a new application and take nothing for granted.

There is always a danger when applying for subsequent visa people do in fact take things for granted and leave material facts out of the application and leave the ECO with no choice but to refuse Entry Clearance.

The fact that your wife has complied with a earlier visa will be taken into consideration.

OK thanks, time to dig the old photos out again then!

Its as already said a full application again.

Does it ever get to the stage where it becomes easier, i.e. if you go to the UK often enough?

Nothing is ever straight forward just provide the full list of documents required if you don't you could receive a refusal as a friend of mine did several years ago.

I cannot see you having any problems getting another visa but ensure you provide the correct documents in full as per the requirements.

Will do, thanks.

dantilley, your situation and chronology is virtually the same as ours.

The wife got a 6-month visa last year and we made 1 trip home with the infant. This year we applied and paid for a 1-year visa.

The submission was identical; all expired passports, bank statements, etc.. and a NEW letter from my dad saying he was putting us up again. I also got a new letter from the main agency I work through stressing that I will be returning to live in Thailand and work in SE Asia. This seemed important in the first application since as a young stay-at-home mum, she has to pretty much go where I go so what would be her incentive to return to Thailand? The lad having a UK passport could stay in Scotland forever.

She was issued a 2-year visa last month! The thought of NOT having to jump through the paperwork loops for Regent House for a couple of years is defo a buzz and worth the extra dosh spent.

Good luck and for (almost) 12000 baht, why doesn't she try for a 1-year and see if your better half's obviously impeccable priors is taken into consideration as well.

Good luck!

For my missus 2nd visa we didn't include 6 months of bank statements just the last few months which showed more than sufficient funds. Must confess I was a bit worried about this but a mate had done the same the month before & was ok. Also I covered myself with the closing line in the sponsor letter stating "Please contact me directly should you require any additional information, further proof of funds etc" giving work & personal contact details

The sponsor letter this time was longer than the 1st time as I tried to cover things in a chronological order since the time of the 1st visa application. All done in Word and made reference to the 1st visa application (included ref no.) her trip to UK, added photos into the Word letter, when we went back to Thai, what's happened since, future plans, more photos under each heading. A picture of the missus & me in front of Buck House under the appropriate heading speaks a 1000 words!

Other than that it was pretty much same as before but I think the key is timescale which is really only appropriate from the date of last visa application as they've already assessed & approved an earlier application so no need to restate though no harm I guess in enclosing a copy of your original 1st visa sponsor letter, though I didn't bother.

As I've said in a previous post it's about getting the ECO on your side, if in doubt put it in, make it easy to read & review. End of the day as with most forms it's a box ticking exercise, don't give the ECO an excuse to say NO!

Oh and yes my missus did get her 2nd visa, all done in about a week

Good luck

A picture of the missus & me in front of Buck House under the appropriate heading speaks a 1000 words!

I've got one with my gf and her mate...hopefully will be the same result!

RAZZ

Does it ever get to the stage where it becomes easier, i.e. if you go to the UK often enough?

No. Last year I sent a letter by post after my annual fracas with the Inefficient UK Embassy and the Corrupt Regent House. I suggested that there be a fast track for repeat applications. I am still awaiting a reply. I have just applied for a USA visa and whilst the service is equally abysmal and inefficient, at the end of it, my wife was given a visa valid for 10 years! (In the interests of saving on administration.) I had just decided this was my 1st and last trip to USA - now I'm revising my decision.

I don't see why repeat applicants should jump the queues, but there is a sort of fast track for regular visitors; it's called a long term visit visa, up to 10 years.

A long term visa is easily obtained if one can show that one has a reason for visiting the UK on a regular basis; such as being married to a British citizen. Especially if one has visited the UK before and complied with the conditions of that visa.

Mr Bell, by "the Corrupt Regent House" are alleging you corruption at the UKVAC? If so, this is a serious allegation, and not one to be made lightly on an internet forum; Thai libel laws mean that by making such an allegation you are laying both yourself and this website open to severe legal sanctions.

If you have evidence of corruption at the UKVAC, you should report it to the proper authorities immediately.