Hi,

I wish to take my Thai girlfriend back to uk so i have been looking at the requirements to get tourist visa for 6 months.

My only concern that could be a problem as far as i can see is my financial situation. I am self employed in the uk and earn approx 14-15k per year so have a reasonable income. I have an authorised bank overdraft of £1500 so although i have plenty of cash going in and out of my bank every month i am usually in my overdraft.

Would me having an overdraft and using affect the outcome of the visa decision ?

Thanks for any help

this visa thing is not easy :-)

Having an overdraft is not a problem; as long as it is authorised and being serviced to the bank's satisfaction.

You bank statements will show the money going in and out and so your income and available funds; but if you want to be sure then a letter from your bank confirming the above may help.

Having an overdraft is not a problem; as long as it is authorised and being serviced to the bank's satisfaction.

You bank statements will show the money going in and out and so your income and available funds; but if you want to be sure then a letter from your bank confirming the above may help.

As above...In the last year I've sponsored my gf for a V/V and Fiancee visa...Overdrawn the whole time (but a fair amount of money going in and out)

RAZZ

Edited April 26, 201115 yr by RAZZELL

Just one more query guys. I check my bank statements online so i do not have originals from the bank. If i print off statements from my online bank account is this ok ?

Thanks so much for the help

I am self employed in the uk and earn approx 14-15k per year so have a reasonable income

I think you may have some issues. 14K Gross for two people isn't reasonable, its poverty wages.

I am self employed in the uk and earn approx 14-15k per year so have a reasonable income

I think you may have some issues. 14K Gross for two people isn't reasonable, its poverty wages.

thanks for your help mr pig but are you just saying that i have a poor wage or do you actually know that this wage is not high enough to act as a sponsor ?

I am self employed in the uk and earn approx 14-15k per year so have a reasonable income

I think you may have some issues. 14K Gross for two people isn't reasonable, its poverty wages.

thanks for your help mr pig but are you just saying that i have a poor wage or do you actually know that this wage is not high enough to act as a sponsor ?

I think "fatpig" is trying to structure your expectations, the last figure for average weekly earnings published by the Office for National Statistics equates to an annual figure of £23,296, to be classed as being in poverty you need to be earning less than 60% of average earnings, but the fact of having kids and being single or married can alter that.

Now only you know what your lifestyle is and you will know if you can adequately support your girlfriend during her stay, but it's for you to convince the ECO it's affordable. I don't know if the ECO's have a template they work to, I suspect not.

Good luck, and well done for at least making a go of your business during a very difficult climate.

Edited April 26, 201115 yr by theoldgit

Just one more query guys. I check my bank statements online so i do not have originals from the bank. If i print off statements from my online bank account is this ok ?

ECOs are reluctant to accept computer printouts due to the ease with which they can be altered. If possible I'd recommend that you have them verified by your bank.

do you actually know that this wage is not high enough to act as a sponsor ?

There is no minimum amount of money required for a visitor; there are just too many variables. For example a visitor staying with friends or relatives will need far less than a visitor staying in hotels.

I assume your girlfriend will be staying with you. If so then all you really need, apart from the cost of her ticket, is enough for her food; not much really.

Remember, too, that the cost of the visit can be shared between the two of you, so if she has money in the bank then provide evidence of this, too.

The ECO will need convincing we had a client regularly over drawn and he the ECO refused him on the grounds he was -£2000 per month.

The ECO claimed he could not maintain himself let alone his partner, it was eventually over turned but take note.