Visit To Uk For Tgf

[doctormann]

There are a lot of posts on this forum concerning visits by Thai nationals to the UK and other countries. However, these always seem to be concerned with a Thai coming to visit someone who is based in the UK (or other country) who will act as their sponsor. My circumstances are slightly different and I could use some advice from someone who has done what I want to do.

I am a UK citizen but I am no longer resident, or domiciled, in the UK. I have no address there but do still maintain a bank account and pay taxes on my pension. I am currently resident in Thailand on a long stay 'retirement' visa.

I have known my TGF for 10 months. She is 37 years old and has never been associated with the entertainment industry (unless being a restaurant cook counts). She no longer works, except for looking after me. She has two sons, one of whom lives with us, and she owns land and property in central Thailand. She has previously travelled outside of Thailand but only to other ASEAN countries. For what it's worth, she also owns a motorcycle.

We may decide to marry at some time in the future but we have no intention of settling permanently in the UK - we will remain in Thailand. However, I want to take her to the UK next Spring so that she can visit my family and I also want to show her as much of the UK as we can reasonably fit in a 1-month visit. A side trip to Spain, where I have a sister, is also a possibility and I am aware that she will need a Schengen visa for this.

My main question concerns the UK visitor's visa application. I am obviously going to act as her sponsor for the visit but does the fact that I am not UK resident have any bearing on this? We can provide evidence of property ownership etc. but, as she has very little money of her own, it would be difficult to show that she has sufficient funds for the visit unless I can act as sponsor.

There are other difficulties with the VAF1 application form (downloaded from the UK Embassy Bangkok web site) in as much as they appear to require her to provide a complete itinerary for the visit (names and dates of all hotels). This is clearly not easy to do for a touring holiday so do they really need this info?

If anyone out there has any experience of what I want to do I would be appreciative of any advice, especially concerning the UK visitor visa application process. If anyone has any info. on applying for a Schengen visa (primarily for Spain) that would also be useful.

Thanks

DM

[the scouser]

Doctormann,

You do not need to be domiciled in the UK to act as your g/f's sponsor. Indeed, the fact that you are living in Thailand actually assists the application as it manifests the probability that your g/f will leave the UK at the end of her holiday; i.e. my g/f is dependent upon me. I live in Thailand. Therefore my g/f will accompany me back there.

Don't worry too much about the questions on the application form as some are very general in nature. In terms of the accommodation question, just write in the address at which you'll be staying and ask the occupant to write you a letter for the attention of the visa officer, in which it is stated that they are happy to put you and your g/f up for the duration of the visit.

You should show evidence of your ability to pay for the trip as well as proof of your relationship - photos, letters addressed to the same address etc. Also present a copy of your passport showing your Thailand immigration history and proof of your g/f's land ownership.

Based on the information you've provided, there is a good chance she will be issued the visa on the basis of the papers presented.

Scouse.

[GU22]

proof of your relationship - photos, letters addressed to the same address etc.

Doctormann, are you listed on the Tabian Bahn? If so, provide this as well. Also remember, all documents in Thai should be accompanied by a certified English translation.

If anyone has any info. on applying for a Schengen visa (primarily for Spain) that would also be useful.

You can use a valid Schengen visa to travel to any of the Schengen states, (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden) and should apply in Bangkok at the embassy of the country you intend to visit first. See Information for Thai citizens who want to travel to Spain.