Visitor Visa Hurdles

[Leslie1984]

Hi There,

Im 26 and my Thai girlfriend is 25, i would like for her to come to the UK ASAP for around 3 months, so am in the process of sorting out which visa and looking at all the information possible and have a few questions. Heres the facts first:

I have been coming to thailand back and forth as a backpacker and touring Thailand for the last 4 years, met my girlfriend on Facebook 7 months ago when she was working for kasikorn bank, shes never been a bar girl, shes just graduated from University which i attended and now she works for Toyota in their office.

Ok now for the questions:

1. Back in the UK i would just work for say 6 months save and come to Thailand, been doing that for the last 4 years, and looking at the visas i see that you would have to show (or is this not important) some sort of money or statements for the last few months showing how i can support her in the UK, but obviously i wouldnt have these statements as i have not been in the UK for the last 7 months. Do they take into account if my mother would help or not? or any letters from my mother saying we would stay at her house, food everything is free etc?

2. Is it easier if you are married to Thai girlfriend or this is not taken into account?

It all seems pretty biased and looks as if you have to be much older and stable or at least with loads of income to ever bring your girlfriend back, not for anyone young or in a situation i am in. We can show proof of our relationship etc but for all that will account for im not sure.

So does anyone have any information or experience being in same boat as me. I know they want to know the relationship is legit (which it is) she will be returning to Thailand (which she will) but all seems like it revolves around money even if my mother would on the phone or in a letter explain she would pay, is this a big hurdle and why, people are young and dont have the same amounts of money as everyone else but parents help in life, and im in a genuine relationship, this should be taken into account, is it or not really?

Whats the best route for me to go down now?

Thanks in advance.

[theoldgit]

Just one very quick point, well a couple really.

Age doesn't matter at all, if your mother is prepared to sponsor your girlfriends application then fine.

Your girlfriends biggest hurdle to overcome will be her reason to return, you say she has a job in Toyota's head office but she wants to go on a three month holiday, I think the ECO will really need some convincing that it's a genuine holiday.

Edit - being married will be no advantage.

[7by7]

When assessing the application the ECO will basically be asking four questions.

1) Is she a genuine visitor with a genuine reason for visiting the UK?

The reason for the visit is obviously to see you and develop your relationship. Explain the history of your relationship in your sponsor's letter and produce as much evidence as you can of the contact the two of you have had over the last 7 months. You should also supply a copy of the relevant pages of your passport to show that you did indeed visit her in Thailand and when.

2) Will she be adequately maintained during the visit without recourse to public funds?

The finance for the visit can come from her, you, a third party (e.g. your mum) or a combination of these. Whoever is providing an element of the finances should produce evidence of their ability to do so; bank statements, pay slips etc.

How much finance depends on the length of the visit and other factors, such as where she'll be staying. Obviously she will need more money if she's staying in a hotel than if she is staying with you or your family.

Explain your work/financial situation in your sponsor's letter.

3) Will she be adequately accommodated during her visit?

Whoever is offering her accommodation should write a letter of invitation, briefly describing the accommodation to show that there is at least one room for her exclusive use, although sharing with you will be fine. They should also provide evidence that they can offer this accommodation; proof of ownership if they own, such as a mortgage statement; a landlord's letter if they rent.

4) Will she return to Thailand, or at least leave the UK, when or before her visa expires?

She has a job, however most employees in Thailand only receive 2 to 3 weeks holiday each year. If Toyota are saying they will grant her 3 months holiday then she should obtain a letter from them confirming this and if possible saying why they are being so generous to an employee who has only recently joined them.

If the ECO is satisfied that she is a genuine visitor, that the relationship with you is genuine and has a future then they will probably also be satisfied that she and you would not want to jeopardise that future by her overstaying or otherwise breaching the conditions of her visit visa.

So as well as briefly outlining the history of your relationship in your sponsor's letter you should also say why she is visiting at this time, why she intends to stay for 3 months and what your future plans are together. Confirm that you understand she cannot convert her visit visa to settlement in the UK and that you are both aware she must leave when it expires. Confirm that you are both aware that breaching any of the conditions of her visit visa could have serious consequences should she later wish to apply for settlement to be with you permanently in the UK.

[brewsterbudgen]

When assessing the application the ECO will basically be asking four questions.

1) Is she a genuine visitor with a genuine reason for visiting the UK?

The reason for the visit is obviously to see you and develop your relationship. Explain the history of your relationship in your sponsor's letter and produce as much evidence as you can of the contact the two of you have had over the last 7 months. You should also supply a copy of the relevant pages of your passport to show that you did indeed visit her in Thailand and when.

2) Will she be adequately maintained during the visit without recourse to public funds?

The finance for the visit can come from her, you, a third party (e.g. your mum) or a combination of these. Whoever is providing an element of the finances should produce evidence of their ability to do so; bank statements, pay slips etc.

How much finance depends on the length of the visit and other factors, such as where she'll be staying. Obviously she will need more money if she's staying in a hotel than if she is staying with you or your family.

Explain your work/financial situation in your sponsor's letter.

3) Will she be adequately accommodated during her visit?

Whoever is offering her accommodation should write a letter of invitation, briefly describing the accommodation to show that there is at least one room for her exclusive use, although sharing with you will be fine. They should also provide evidence that they can offer this accommodation; proof of ownership if they own, such as a mortgage statement; a landlord's letter if they rent.

4) Will she return to Thailand, or at least leave the UK, when or before her visa expires?

She has a job, however most employees in Thailand only receive 2 to 3 weeks holiday each year. If Toyota are saying they will grant her 3 months holiday then she should obtain a letter from them confirming this and if possible saying why they are being so generous to an employee who has only recently joined them.

If the ECO is satisfied that she is a genuine visitor, that the relationship with you is genuine and has a future then they will probably also be satisfied that she and you would not want to jeopardise that future by her overstaying or otherwise breaching the conditions of her visit visa.

So as well as briefly outlining the history of your relationship in your sponsor's letter you should also say why she is visiting at this time, why she intends to stay for 3 months and what your future plans are together. Confirm that you understand she cannot convert her visit visa to settlement in the UK and that you are both aware she must leave when it expires. Confirm that you are both aware that breaching any of the conditions of her visit visa could have serious consequences should she later wish to apply for settlement to be with you permanently in the UK.

Fantastic, coherently presented advice. Should be pinned.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

All information is available here: VISIT VISA

[Leslie1984]

Thanks for the great advice 7 and for the other replies everybody.

Thailand must have a bad rep for it to be so difficult, i real everywhere peoples girlfriends being declined :S

Thanks again.

[7by7]

It is not difficult, it's just a matter of providing the evidence to show that your visitor qualifies.

In 2008/09, 91% of general visitor applicants in Bangkok were successful (Source, page 52)

From reading their posts, I would say that most people who post on forums such as this about how difficult obtaining a UK visa is have either:

a) Never applied,

b ) Applied but didn't qualify, or, more common, did qualify but failed to show that they did.

[Thongkorn]

The minimum visa is 6 months anyway, even if you asked for what ever you would get 6 months , correct me if i am wrong.

[VisasPlus]

The minimum visa is 6 months anyway, even if you asked for what ever you would get 6 months , correct me if i am wrong.

You're wrong. The minimum visit visa is actually whatever the ECO wants to give up to 6 months, after receiving approval from an Entry Clearance Manager. The norm is 6 months.

[bobrussell]

It is not generally that difficult to get visit visas but it is easy to get the applications wrong and then be refused. Getting the paperwork and proof together in a way that is accepted by an ECO is where it can be tricky.

Incomplete applications are the biggest issue for posters failing to get visas first time.

[crazydrummerpauly]

All information is available here: VISIT VISA

[/quote

It is not. Which is why TV is so bursting with detailed extra advice and anecdotal fine-print.