Unmarried Thai Sister-In-Law And Her Baby

[7by7]

Anyone who has regularly read this forum will be well aware that over 90% of applicants in Bangkok are successful. Plus the rules definitely allow a first time visit applicant to ask for any period they wish, up to and including the full 10 years. Unless the ECO has a definite reason for not granting the term asked for, then that is what they will grant.

However, no matter what the term of the visa, a general or family visitor is only allowed a maximum of 6 months stay in the UK per visit and, conventionally, a maximum of 6 months out of any 12 in the UK (but see here).

I, too, am wondering how you overcame the hurdle of an infant being left in the UK by her mother for a further lengthy period at the end of the mother's 6 month stay. Perhaps you would be good enough to detail exactly how you explained this in the application? I am sure it will be of great interest to many members here.

TVE's appeal was successful, but that was for a husband and wife. I, personally, cannot see how or why the UKBA would allow an infant to be left in the UK as a visitor for well over the conventional period when her mother has returned to Thailand.

[fatpig]

I'm amazed you'll get away with this as the intention is surely not to visit (how can a stay of 11 months out of 12 be construed as a visit for a 2 year old?)

Anyway, all the best.

Get away infers we'll be breaking the law. Rather, 2 back to back 6 months visits is a convention not a rule. When my wife did it all I heard prior to the trip was tales of woe. When we got to the immigration desk, the ECO didnt even raise an eyebrow.

And now, yes, we have the TWO YEAR first time family visit visas - again, an impossibility according to the barstoool experts.

[fatpig]

However, no matter what the term of the visa, a general or family visitor is only allowed a maximum of 6 months stay in the UK per visit and, conventionally, a maximum of 6 months out of any 12 in the UK (but see here).

Well - I am no expert. I can only go on experiences of friends and family. My wife did 2 back to back rips, my bro's GF did and a mate's CLW arrrived 3 weeks ago after 6 weeks away (having sent 6 months here).

[fatpig]

I, too, am wondering how you overcame the hurdle of an infant being left in the UK by her mother for a further lengthy period at the end of the mother's 6 month stay. Perhaps you would be good enough to detail exactly how you explained this in the application? I am sure it will be of great interest to many members here.

If you re-read the posts you'll see that the intention was for both to enter, stay a few months and then go to Europe, both re-enter and then a few weeks later, the mother will leave and the nipper will stay the remaining part of the 6 month term (probably 5 months).

I'll let the board know if we are successful and they both get back in after our European trip.

[7by7]

I am not surprised the ECO didn't raise an eyebrow at the immigration desk; ECO's don't work at immigration desks.

Since passport checks and exit stamps were abolished some time ago as a cost saving measure (either by Major or Blair, can't remember which) it is extremely unlikely that an Immigration Officer at a port of entry would notice, for example, that another country's entry and exit stamp indicated that a visitor seeking entry had recently left the UK after a 6 month visit. But it is possible. If the IO does suspect that a visitor may be intending to spend more than 6 months out of 12 in the UK then the visitor will be questioned as to their intentions and if they fail to answer these questions satisfactorily be refuse entry.

Ever see a programme called UK Border Force? Exactly that scenario was played out when a Canadian girl was refused entry after spending 6 months in the UK with her boyfriend, going back to Canada and then trying to enter the UK as a visitor again 2 weeks later.

Up to individuals if they wish to risk this happening to them.

Yes, we know your sister-in-law got a two year visit visa for herself and her baby; there is no need to shout! As said, this is not unusual or special, especially for family visit visas. Many members here have obtained 10 year ones.

If you re-read the posts you'll see that the intention was for both to enter, stay a few months and then go to Europe, both re-enter and then a few weeks later, the mother will leave and the nipper will stay the remaining part of the 6 month term (probably 5 months).

What you said in your OP was

I want them to come and visit us in September for 3 - 6 months.............. what if my sister in law returns home after 6 months and the baby stays on for a further 6 months, is that possible?

Subsequent posts by you have confirmed this intention.

So when your sister-in-law completed the application forms, did she say that this was her intention when the form asks for the purpose and duration of the visit? If not, how did she get around the part of the declaration which says that the answers she has given are full and complete?

All the details of her application will be on record; checkable by any IO who wishes to do so. If when she returns to the UK after the trip to France an IO does query her intentions and this comes out, not only could she be refused entry back into the UK she could also face a 10 year ban under Para 320(7B ) of the immigration rules! (See also Para 320(7A) about disclosing all material facts.)

A big if, you may say, and an extreme reaction; but a possibility, even if only a remote one.

[fatpig]

I am not surprised the ECO didn't raise an eyebrow at the immigration desk; ECO's don't work at immigration desks.

Do you really need to be so pedantic to strengthen you point? As explained, I am not a professional! I am sorry, the 'immigration officer', the 'chap at the border' the 'immigration man' , as you like.

[fatpig]

Since passport checks and exit stamps were abolished some time ago as a cost saving measure (either by Major or Blair, can't remember which) it is extremely unlikely that an Immigration Officer at a port of entry would notice, for example, that another country's entry and exit stamp indicated that a visitor seeking entry had recently left the UK after a 6 month visit. But it is possible.

Surely it is computerised and entrry exit dates appears on their screen? If not, then noone need worry about the 6 month convention, no?

[fatpig]

If the IO does suspect that a visitor may be intending to spend more than 6 months out of 12 in the UK then the visitor will be questioned as to their intentions and if they fail to answer these questions satisfactorily be refuse entry.

They did ask a question (without even looking up) Are you staying in x? Ans: yes and for maybe 4-5 months until my husband returns to THailand with me.

[fatpig]

Ever see a programme called UK Border Force? Exactly that scenario was played out when a Canadian girl was refused entry after spending 6 months in the UK with her boyfriend, going back to Canada and then trying to enter the UK as a visitor again 2 weeks later.

Up to individuals if they wish to risk this happening to them.

Perhpas they assumed an intention to marry? We've been married many many years. And, as we know its a convention. There are of course as many people who have as you can describe those that haven't. And no, I havent seen that TV program. Ive not owned a TV for 12 years.

[fatpig]

Yes, we know your sister-in-law got a two year visit visa for herself and her baby; there is no need to shout!

We?

I fear it is you becoming, irrate 7by7.

[fatpig]

You seem to dislike my assessment of your chances of success, perhaps those of someone who is not only a professional adviser/agent but also an ex ECO will be more to your liking

Yes, we know your sister-in-law got a two year visit visa for herself and her baby; there is no need to shout! As said, this is not unusual or special, especially for family visit visas

Why the change of heart? Why the reaction to my news? Is it because you said I would need buckets of luck. Im lucky. Get over it.

[fatpig]

So when your sister-in-law completed the application forms, did she say that this was her intention when the form asks for the purpose and duration of the visit? If not, how did she get around the part of the declaration which says that the answers she has given are full and complete?

On Her application she stated the truth, she intended to enter, stay x months, visit France and perhaps Holland and then to return again for x period and then depart.

Would you like a copy of the application and visa? Would this help?

[fatpig]

A big if, you may say, and an extreme reaction; but a possibility, even if only a remote one.

Ah yes, another pusher of the tales of woe that drive so many people to sit, biting their nails whilst awaiting loved ones visas.

An extreme reaction? Quite.

And perhaps less possible that my wife not getting in for the 2nd 6 month stay on the back of the first.

:jap:

[7by7]

I said that she would be lucky, and if she told the absolute truth in her application as you first described it and was successful, then she did receive buckets loads of luck.

My remarks about long term visit visas were general.

By 'we' I referred, of course, to the members of Thai Visa.

Showing me the application would be difficult, as surely she no longer has it. Difficult to get a visa without handing the application in!

People need to be aware of all the facts. If you look through this forums archives you will see that I tell it as I see it; and am often very positive about a persons chances where others are not.

Passport checks, computerised or otherwise, are very rarely carried out on persons leaving the UK; at most a quick glance and no exit stamp. Surely you must have noticed this on your frequent depatures from the UK with your wife!

Sorry if I have dealt with your points out of the order in which you made them; but your habit of starting a new post for nearly every sentence does make it difficult to keep things in the correct order when replying. (Why do you do that?)

I'm sorry, but the final sentence of your last post makes no sense. Are you perchance dyslexic? If so, you have my sympathy and understanding.

[fatpig2]

Morning room

An update on this situation.

We all went to Holland for 3 days and returned to the UK via Luton airport. At the airport we were questioned as to where we had been and how long the 2nd trip to the UK would be for. My answer was 'not sure yet, we are thinking of maybe a month for (name) and a bit longer for this little ......' at that point the immigration chapess cut me short and said, 'well have a safe trip home, bye bye cuty' (as she waved to my neice!!!!

Anothe rmistake on their part, maybe? Just as when my wife did 2 back to back 6 month trips to the UK on a tourist visa? Who knows but my own take on it is that the immigration has got better things to do with all the foreign criminals and leaches than to fuc_k with a resonably faaluent, genuine family.

Anyway, I dropped my sister-in-law at Heathrow yesterday, she went through immigration and was waved off by me, her sis and her daughter. No questions, no nothing, actually. They just checked her passport and off she went.

My little niece is now playing in the garden with the dog and we'll be taking her home in 3 months when her Mum is in work and set up.

I think the takeaway point here is that people just need to relax and have a little positiity and perhaps not listen to the barstool professionals, or, just take the opinions of others (and mine too) with a little salt.