Can Anyone Give Me Some Good Advice!

[JayBpool]

Hi i am new to this site but have spent several days reading all the related threads.

I intend to take my girlfriend to England for several months after the new year but have several questions and all feedback will be very appriciated.

We met in June 2003 and have been living together in Bkk for 18 months now i have been back to England for for several months at atime but have been back in Bkk for 6 months now.

Any help with the questions below would be appreciated greatly as prevention is the best cure as they say so i want to make sure i do everything correctly when applying for the visa.

1) Proof of relationship

We met over 2 years ago now but for the 1st year i didn't have much intention of bringing her to England as i wanted to stay in thailand. The proof i have is only on both our passports when i did visa runs into Cambodia ( both our passports are stamped with the same day for leaving Thailand and entering into Cambodia and then returning) we have several stamps with the same dates in our passports.

Would this be seen as evidence we was together or at least support what we say?

I have photos of 2 years ago but again they cant prove we was together at the date the photos were taken.

We opened a Bkk bank joint account in July 2004 so this proves from this date i have known her (it hasn't been used for 6 months as i just use my English ATM but we still have the appication forms and letters confirming when it was opened and the bank book).

Since July 2004 i have sufficent evidence as we went to Vietnam last christmas and have stamps and visa's in our passports. and several other items. I dont feel this area will be a problem as we have enough over the last 18 months to show.

2) I rent a condo in Bkk and have done for 18 months but it is in my name only does this matter or is it irelivent?

3) I own a home in England so can show we have some where to stay, What do i need to have to prove i own a home ie: Copy deeds etc what info is sufficent.

4) She hasn't worked for 2 years as she helps me in the things i do here a little bit of sending clothing etc back to England (but i only have a tourist visa so cant really mention this on the Visa forms and i am sure you all understand we need to make a little cash out here) so i have said there is not much point her working as she would only get a few thousand baht a month better she just takes care of the home etc.

Main question here!!!!

5) since i have been in Bkk for a while now 18 months or so (with a 3 month visit back to england to close the bussines i had and buy a house in England for us to stay.

I have no record or wage slips to produce for any wages as i have not worked in England for 18 months now.

Would the visa section understand this or would it be a problem?

I have little money in my Bank account i just make enough to live on here in Bkk though i have had approx £2,000 go in and straight out per month for the last 12 months or so from Paypal etc (has paid my bills in England and in Bkk but no saving)

I have just sold my share of some offices i owned in England which will be in my bank account over the next month £25,000 so i will have money in my account to show i can support us back in the UK

So will the fact i have not worked and had no wage slips for 18 months be ok as i will have sufficent funds to show in my bank account.

If so am i best waiting for the funds to be in my bank account before we complete the visa application so it will be seen on the bank statement's or would it be best to apply now and put a note what is happening and i will take the bank statements confirming this once the sale has gone through.

Would the visa section see it as suspicious i have just had a large amount of money paid into my account just before we apply for the visa (as they may think i have borrowed it etc just to get the visa or am i just thinking to deeply).

I have set up a company but it is not trading as yet until i return to England so i have no books or accounts to show for this. Am i best not mentioning this as if needed i can get a letter from a friend who runs a company in England stateing i will have a job on my return to England it would be a white lie as i intend to work for myself or am i best not mentioning any of this?

Many thanks to all who have taken the time to read my thread, any other advice that i have not mentioned or thought of due to my circumstances would be appriciated

I am a sincere guy and just want to try and understand exactly where i stand and what i am best to say or not say as everyone i hope to try and complete the application right the first time!!!

Jay

[the scouser]

Jay,

The longevity of your relationship with your g/f does stand her in good stead when it comes to applying for a visa, but the one thing that would worry me if I were the visa officer, is, it appears that you are heading back to live in the UK permanently, therefore possibly taking your g/f with you. If you were able to show the visa officer that following your stay in the UK you would be returning to Thailand, then this would indicate that the chances are your g/f will, too.

With regard to your funds, don't worry about showing a large deposit, providing that you can documentarily account for it. Additionally, for a visit visa, you only need to show that you have enough money to take care of your g/f for the duration of the holiday. It's not necessary, per se, to have a job. Indeed, perversely, in your situation it might aid your g/f's application if you present yourself as not working in the UK because you will returning to Thailand at the end of the visit.

The evidence of contact which you have outlined should be sufficient, but make sure you point out in your covering letter to the visa officer that the endorsements in your passport and your g/f's, correspond.

Accommodation-wise, either a copy of the deeds or a letter from your solicitor confirming your ownership of the property should suffice.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[silomfan]

Hi i am new to this site but have spent several days reading all the related threads.

I intend to take my girlfriend to England for several months after the new year but have several questions and all feedback will be very appriciated.

We met in June 2003 and have been living together in Bkk for 18 months now i have been back to England for for several months at atime but have been back in Bkk  for 6 months now.

Any help with the questions below would be appreciated greatly as prevention is the best cure as they say so i want to make sure i do everything correctly when applying for the visa.

1) Proof of relationship

We met over 2 years ago now but for the 1st year i didn't have much intention of bringing her to England as i wanted to stay in thailand. The proof i have is only on both our passports when i did visa runs into Cambodia ( both our passports are stamped with the same day for leaving Thailand and entering into Cambodia and then returning) we have several stamps with the same dates in our passports.

Would this be seen as evidence we was together or at least support what we say?

I have photos of 2 years ago but again they cant prove we was together at the date the photos were taken.

We opened a Bkk bank joint account in July 2004 so this proves from this date i have known her (it hasn't been used for 6 months as i just use my English ATM but we still have the appication forms and letters confirming when it was opened and the bank book).

Since July 2004 i have sufficent evidence as we went to Vietnam last christmas and have stamps and visa's in our passports. and several other items. I dont feel this area will be a problem as we have enough over the last 18 months to show.

2) I rent a condo in Bkk and have done for 18 months but it is in my name only does this matter or is it irelivent?

3) I own a home in England so can show we have some where to stay, What do i need to have to prove i own a home ie: Copy deeds etc what info is sufficent.

4) She hasn't worked for 2 years as she helps me in the things i do here a little bit of sending clothing etc back to England (but i only have a tourist visa so cant really mention this on the Visa forms and i am sure you all understand we need to make a little cash out here) so i have said there is not much point her working as she would only get a few thousand baht a month better she just takes care of the home etc.

Main question here!!!!

5) since i have been in Bkk for a while now 18 months or so (with a 3 month visit back to england to close the bussines i had and buy a house in England for us to stay.

I have no record or wage slips to produce for any wages as i have not worked in  England for 18 months now.

Would the visa section understand this or would it be a problem?

I have little money in my Bank account i just make enough to live on here in Bkk though i have had approx £2,000 go in and straight out per month for the last 12 months or so from Paypal etc (has paid my bills in England and in Bkk but no saving)

I have just sold my share of some offices i owned in England which will be in my bank account over the next month £25,000 so i will have money in my account to show i can support us back in the UK

So will the fact i have not worked and had no wage slips for 18 months be ok as i will have sufficent funds to show in my bank account.

If so am i best waiting for the funds to be in my bank account before we complete the visa application so it will be seen on the bank statement's or would it be best to apply now and put a note what is happening and i will take the bank statements confirming this once the sale has gone through.

Would the visa section see it as suspicious i have just had a large amount of money paid into my account just before we apply for the visa (as they may think i have borrowed it etc just to get the visa or am i just thinking to deeply).

I have set up a company but it is not trading as yet until i return to England so i have no books or accounts to show for this. Am i best not mentioning this as if needed i can get a letter from a friend who runs a company in England stateing i will have a job on my return to England it would be a white lie as i intend to work for myself or am i best not mentioning any of this?

Many thanks to all who have taken the time to read my thread, any other advice that i have not mentioned or thought of due to my circumstances would be appriciated

I am a sincere guy and just want to try and understand exactly where i stand and what i am best to say or not say as everyone i hope to try and complete the application right the first time!!!

Jay

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Jay,

Although you will see my other posts under the Civil Partnership thread, in these days of equality i can put myself in your shoes and give you my opinion as to the answers to some of your questions. I have been in your situation several times over the past 10 years and from my experience, and recently of other friends i know , i can offer the following observations.

Firstly under what category are you planning to apply.? It sounds like you will be asking for a visitors visa . In this case i have to disagree with Scouse in that i think you will have several problems - sorry to spoil your day but its best to be honest here. The first problem is that visitors visas are normally supposed to be for a shortish time . There is a common belief that because your girlfriend will get 6 months stamped in her passport on arrival in the UK that this is seen as a normal period for someone to visit the UK. Wrong !!. You say "several months". That will be your first problem .. they won't like that much and it will start them looking closely at your application. Then the problems start.

Scouse is right when he says that your relationship is well established but if you are applying for a visitors visa that is not neccessarily good news. If she goes in and says she is visiting her boyfriend in the UK (or going with him to visit the UK -same difference ) the alarm bells will ring and Scouse is also right to say you make it sound like she just may not return to Thailand. That is how they will see it. All this business about how long you have or haven't been together is great for the settlement visa but totally irrelevant for the visitors visa.

Scouse is right to say you have enough evidence of accomodation and finance to qualify as a "sponser" (horrible word that isn't it?) and yes you would be best to wait until the £25000 is in your bank AND are able to show where it came from .

Now the bit about her not working for 2 years. MAJOR PROBLEM !!

Right lets be clear about a few things.

Firstly , you must be applying for the visitors visa right ? Cos i can't see any other one you could be talking about .

So, the requirements of the visitors visa are that you("you" means your girlfriend in this case) are going to visit the UK for purposes of tourism or staying with a friend.

1) MONEY :So what you need to show is that you have the money to go and stay in the UK for the time you state you are going for .The fact you get 6 months whatever length you tell them does NOT mean you can stay 6 months . You will be expected to stay for the time you tell them you will, and if you don't you will have breached immigration rules because you lied and you will probably never get another visa in the future! . If you are staying in a hotel , as a pure tourist would, you obviously have to show substantial funds. If you are staying with a friend then they will want to know who he or she is and thats where the questions start. They will soon establish this for what it is .. a boyfriend taking his girlfriend to stay in the UK. If you say she is staying for a few weeks maximun you will have an easier time than saying a few months . But to do that would be lying and you will have problems in the future.

2) INTENTION TO RETURN : This is a real problem for many people i know. You have to remember that the Embassy is not made up of nice people who will stop and have a chat in the Sukhumvit road coffee shop when they see you . They will already be ultra suspicious as soon as they realise you are taking your girlfriend to England. So they will look at intention to return. Now the one thing they do love to see is a hard working Thai who has had a (preferably) nice white collar job in the local bank for a few years since leaving college and is going for 2 weeks to the UK.. Unfortunately that applies to a tiny percentage of thais only . Your girlfriend hasn't worked for 2 years!!! I had a boyfriend who had gone straight from school to international college and studied for 2 years and graduated and wanted to go to the UK for 4 weeks and they refused (overturned later) becuase they believed he wouldn't come back. So what are they going to think about unemployed for 2 years ???

Jay, i think you've got major problems. You would think that in this modern age that people can be with who they choose to be with , even if that person is a foreign national. Unfortunately in the real world, and certainly in Bangkok, the Embassy are there to stop that very thing. this is not me being bitter about my continuing problems and those in the past -although i am of course very bitter- it is me telling you how it really is .

I hope i am proved wrong but i bet i'm not. Not from what you have said anyway.

If you or anyone else wants advise on how to present a proper application and all the evidence you need about visitors visas, students visas or settlement visas , please reply to this thread and i will try to help. You may e-mail me direct upon application and a 1000 baht fee !! Just joking !! you can e-mail me direct , just give your e-mail and i will answer.

As a last point of hope , i can tell you that despite my many problems with the British Embassy in Bangkok in the past, i have always got my friends their requested visias in the end and thats how i know how to fight them. My current fight i will win in the end but its always a long haul.

All the best

Silomfan

[JayBpool]

Hi Many thanks to the both of you for taking the time to write a reply and give me your opinions!!

Firstly i would like to say thank you scouse for your response and just quickly say that i would be returning to Bkk as we all know and as my home town is not to far from you Blackpool, that the Uk is not a place to stay with your girlfriend for ever if you have the options not to that is!! I would only be going to show her my home town and my family before we eventually marry as my family are all workers and my mum isn't the best traveler so she most proberly would not be here for the wedding so i would out of respect just like her to meet my family as also it would be difficult for my family to have the time of work and afford to travel for the wedding.

As us all i expect i would like to stay in thailand for the 8 months or so of the year while the weather was not good in the Uk and go back home for the 4 summer months to see the family etc.

I have a brother who can run the company we will be setting up as we run one together for 4 years up until a decided i wanted to stay in Thailand.

And secondly thank you Silomfan for your post giving me you opinion or warning signs as to my situation!!

As you say it is a shame the Embassy look at things this way when i met my girlfriend she worked for the Village bakery store and started work at 5.30 in the morning until 3 p.m for 6,000 bht per month so i never saw to much of her so being what i thought was nice was say to her to pack in her job and just take care of the condo etc washing cleaning etc and help me what you can.

I know we all can comprehend the point in this but as you say the embassy may not look at it in this way.

I say i would like to stay for 6 months as its seems more worthwhile than a few weeks or 1 month as time goes so fast and i would like to see if she is ok with staying in the UK for a longer period rather than just a quick holiday!

It seems a shame that there is not a English person seconding the applications rather than just a Thai person as they may understand what is happening and have a different view on the situation as they can relate to us better.

But i do understand that the Thai's want to look after there own people and prevention is the best cure (but without going into the topic maybe stop them from seeing how things work in the western world) its hard to understand why we can travel anywhere and have the choice to do so but the Thais are repressed poss the wrong word but told where they can and can't go i feel this is due to them not really having or being given minds of there own,

But as you say if she was well educated etc she would proberly not have a problem as money and status seems to be what you need. But at the end of the day i came to Thailand 2 1/2 years ago with the view of it just being a holiday and here i am still stuck on the place! but i have the open mind to see its no problem to me where she comes from how much money she has as happiness is what counts and i am truly happy and want to just have the best life we can together for how ever long it lasts.

So getting back to the point

Am i best to maybe just apply for a 3 month visa the first time?

Or am i best waiting until we are married and then applying then for a 5-6 month visa? does the fact we are married make a big differance?

Regarding the Setlement Visa if you apply for this visa can she then travel to and from England and Thailand or would she need to stay in England. I am just looking for the best way to go forward as i need to be able to stay in England a few months a year and in Thailand the rest of the time, what would be the best way to do this?

Surely the Embassy must be able to understand we have familys and commitments in our home country and as we have a girlfriend or wife want to take them with us for several months a year.

If it is no problems i will contact you again when the time is more near and go through things with you again and give a more definite and in-depth view on our situation and hopefully you can help me with any points with our application.

And on a good note i have no problems in showing my appreciation with a gift of any sort for your troubles as all our time is valuable and anyone who does good should have good come to them.

Thank you both again as you have given me a good view on my situation and god bless the internet!!!!

Jay

[the scouser]

Hi Jay,

From what you've written, your girlfriend's best reason to return to Thailand is going to be you. With this in mind, you will have to satisfy the visa officer that you will be coming back, along with her. For example, if you are keeping on your condo whilst you're in the UK, then prove this to the visa officer. Furthermore, it might appear more reasonable to the visa officer if you present the two of you as staying in the UK for only 2-3 months rather than 6.

I wouldn't advise applying for a settlement visa unless it was your intention to live in the UK. If the visa officer perceived that your g/f was applying for it purely because it is more convenient than applying for a string of visit visas, it would be refused.

Mine's 400 Krong Thip!

Scouse.

[silomfan]

Hi Many thanks to the both of you for taking the time to write a reply and give me your opinions!!

Firstly i would like to say thank you scouse for your response and just quickly say that i would be returning to Bkk as we all know and as my home town is not to far from you Blackpool, that the Uk is not a place to stay with your girlfriend for ever if you have the options not to that is!! I would only be going to show her my home town and my family before we eventually marry as my family are all workers and my mum isn't the best traveler so she most proberly would not be here for the wedding so i would out of respect just like her to meet my family as also it would be difficult for my family to have the time of work and afford to travel for the wedding.

As us all i expect i would like to stay in thailand for the 8 months or so of the year while the weather was not good in the Uk and go back home for the 4 summer months to see the family etc.

I have a brother who can run the company we will be setting up as we run one together for 4 years up until a decided i wanted to stay in Thailand.

And secondly thank you Silomfan for your post giving me you opinion or warning signs as to my situation!!

As you say it is a shame the Embassy look at things this way when i met my girlfriend she worked for the Village bakery store and started work at 5.30 in the morning until 3 p.m for 6,000 bht per month so i never saw to much of her so being what i thought was nice was say to her to pack in her job and just take care of the condo etc washing cleaning etc and help me what you can.

I know we all can comprehend the point in this but as you say the embassy may not look at it in this way.

I say i  would like to stay for 6 months as its seems more worthwhile than a few weeks or 1 month as time goes so fast and i would like to see if she is ok with staying in the UK for a longer period rather than just a quick holiday!

It seems a shame that there is not a English person seconding the applications rather than just a Thai person as they may understand what is happening and have a different view on the situation as they can relate to us better.

But i do understand that the Thai's want to look after there own people and prevention is the best cure (but without going into the topic maybe stop them from seeing how things work in the western world) its hard to understand why we can travel anywhere and have the choice to do so but the Thais are repressed poss the wrong word but told where they can and can't go i feel this is due to them not really having or being given minds of there own,

But as you say if she was well educated etc she would proberly not have a problem as money and status seems to be what you need. But at the end of the day i came to Thailand 2 1/2 years ago with the view of it just being a holiday and here i am still stuck on the place! but i have the open mind to see its no problem to me where she comes from how much money she has as happiness is what counts and i am truly happy and want to just have the best life we can together for how ever long it lasts.

So getting back to the point

Am i best to maybe just apply for a 3 month visa the first time?

Or am i best waiting until we are married and then applying then for a 5-6 month visa? does the fact we are married make a big differance?

Regarding the Setlement Visa if you apply for this visa can she then travel to and from England and Thailand or would she need to stay in England. I am just looking for the best way to go forward as i need to be able to stay in England a few months a year and in Thailand the rest of the time, what would be the best way to do this?

Surely the Embassy must be able to understand we have familys and commitments in our home country and as we have a girlfriend or wife want to take them with us for several months a year.

If it is no problems i will contact you again when the time is more near and go through things with you again and give a more definite and in-depth view on our situation and hopefully you can help me with any points with our application.

And on a good note i have no problems in showing my appreciation with a gift of any sort for your troubles as all our time is valuable and anyone who does good should have good come to them.

Thank you both again as you have given me a good view on my situation and god bless the internet!!!!

Jay

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Jay,

Thanks for your kind words. I can't write very long today cos i got to go somewhere, but just to say that bit you wrote about its a shame the British Embassy has Thais there and its not all British staff ..NO..NO...NO..NO !! That's the problem ..it IS the British staff who are the nasty, sadistic , rude and unhelpful ones .. the Thais are genetrally the pushovers although i met one nasty one who still works there. There are 2 particularly nasty British ones there , can't mention names of course, and if you get them....look out !! Of course some are nice..its a real lottery and that the unfairness of it all . It shouldn't depend on the mood of the ECO on the day, it should be factual.. you either qualify or you don't . at least that would be fair . But its not like that hence the variety of posts on this forum, some happy and some sad .

The best advice i can give you and anyone else in your situation who is thinking that they may be looking long term (you mention the settlement visa) is to start gathering evidence of co-habitation and get as many things put in both names as you can ..bills etc (i don't mean your house and valuables !!) Keep all letters and dated envelopes you may send to each other and collect dated photos . If you think you can live together 2 years and just roll up to the Embassy with your application and have your settlement visa granted think again. The level of proof they require is very high. I have lived together for over 2 years with my b/friend and we had masses of documentation that proved this beyond doubt and they still refused the settlement visa because they said they didn't believe it . And thats the point.. they can just say that and no-one can do anything about it . They don't have to prove they are right , you have to prove they are wrong.My solicitor , who is a leading immigration lawyer in the UK, has said in her opinion what they have done is not just grossly unfair but possibly illegal and yet ... he is in Thailand still without any visa ! So get that documentation watertight . Your 2 years will not start to run until you start doing this and i think you will lose most of the time you have been together because you don't have enough of the right proof. You are a long way from a PROVEABLE 2 year "akin to marriage" relationship so for now you must get the visitors visa , or live with her inThailand ,if you can't get it , for the best part of the next 18 months or so (you are allowed to be apart but not for too long)

Please use this thead to update us Jay won't you , whether successful or not , as this is the only way we can gather info to help each other.

Oh..just to answer your question .. when you do get the settlement visa she is free to travel to and from the UK with as much freedom as we UK passport holders can . Then you can be truly happy ..

Best wishes from .....................

SILOMFAN

[JayBpool]

Hi thanks again to the both of you for your imput!!

Yes Scouse i think this time it i will apply for a 3 month Visa and then wait until the year after to apply for the 6 month one.

I will start the application once i have all the paperwork together if i start as soon as i can it won't be to much of a problem if it gets refused the first time as i can apply for it a second time because it would be best in alll reality to go to England April - May next year as the weather will start getting better making the visit more enjoyable. So if i start soon hopefuly by the start of the summer we will have the visa. If we return on time and stick to the visa rules it will put us in good stead for applying for the 6 month Visa the next year.

I will put all the utility bills in both our names as i rent the condo from a American lady who now stays in Taiwan, when i first rented the condo we never changed the bills into our names we just pay them as they arrive in the owners name.

I have the lease in my name and the only other thing that may prove anything is my girlfriend has UBC in her name so it at leat shows we have been at the same address for the last 18 months, again it may not be proof but its better than nothing which can go with the other proof of our relationship.

And if we have the 2 visit visa's over the next 2 years by that time we will have 2 years utility bills in both our names so if we do decided to go for the settlement visa we will have some evidence.

I do plan to keep the condo in Bkk while we go to England so i will present that as my reason for returning to Thailand after the visa has expired

Surley they should understand if someone wanted to go to the UK and not return they would just apply for a 1 month visa and not return. Why would i apply for a 6 month visa which is hard to get then not return? but they obviously think there own way so there's nothing you can do

One other thing is i am contemplating buying the condo of the owner as she stays in Taiwan now so again this will be evidence of me returning to Thaialnd, I am not to sure on your experiance of this i will post a thread on this matter in the homes section but maybe you will have an opinion

If i buy the condo i would only pay 400,000 depost have a contract drawn up that confirms this and i will then have the next 2 years to pay the remainder 2,600,000 once the balance has been paid she will then come and sign the condo over to me at the land registory office. But i am a little concerned as this is Thailand if the contract will be binding as she may try to sell the condo once i have paid the depoist as it will still be in her name. I guess it could go either way a bit of a gamble but if you have any opinion on this or the best way to do it i would be appreciated.

Getting back to the visa

If we marry what does this do to help both the vist and settlement visa?

We do plan to marry over the next few months eitherway (and not just for helping the visas but because we intend to stay together and had planned this months before we even decided to go for a visa) but it would be nice to know what this would mean in terms of applying for any visa's

At the end of the day my plans are to have a home in Thailand and i have a home in the UK so it would be good to stay in the uk for the summer months rent the house when we are in Thailand and maybe rent the condo while in England but i am not to bothered about the condo more about my home in the UK as it is empty at the moment and will be for the next 4 months i expect so in all reality i do at some stage need to rent the house to help with the mortgage. (i don't want to sell all my assets and come to thailand as many do and if all goes wrong return to England and have nothing) also when we have children i want them to have something once i or we are gone.

I say i would eventally apply for the settlement visa as yes it will save a lot of messing about but as you say it needs to be done in a way so they don't just think it is to save on applying for visit visa's.

You can't beat the system but if you know how it works its just a case of working around it to your benifit!!! I won't give in i will apply and apply until we get what we want as i know in the long run i will succeed regardless of what people say or what i have to do i understand myself and know what i want so its just a case of getting it and not being put off by what happens along the way, if it can be done i will do it.

As they say what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!!!

Which is why sites like this are so important as it gives others so much information and help i guess this site alone must of helped hundreds or thousands obtain visas which would of been refused if applying alone.

So thanks again and i will keep you informed of my progress i will atart the application at the end of the month once i have confirmation of where i got my funds from and all the paperwork together.

Many thanks

Jay

[silomfan]

Hi thanks again to the both of you for your imput!!

Yes Scouse i think this time it i will apply for a 3 month Visa and then wait until the year after to apply for the 6 month one.

I will start the application once i have all the paperwork together if i start as soon as i can it won't be to much of a problem if it gets refused the first time as i can apply for it a second time because it would be best in alll reality to go to England April - May next year as the weather will start getting better making the visit more enjoyable. So if i start soon hopefuly by the start of the summer we will have the visa. If we return on time and stick to the visa rules it will put us in good stead for applying for the 6 month Visa the next year.

I will put all the utility bills in both our names as i rent the condo from a American lady who now stays in Taiwan, when i first rented the condo we never changed the bills into our names we just pay them as they arrive in the owners name.

I have the lease in my name and the only other thing that may prove anything is my girlfriend has UBC in her name so it at leat shows we have been at the same address for the last 18 months, again it may not be proof but its better than nothing which can go with the other proof of our relationship.

And if we have the 2 visit visa's over the next 2 years by that time we will have 2 years utility bills in both our names so if we do decided to go for the settlement visa we will have some evidence.

I do plan to keep the condo in Bkk while we go to England so i will present that as my reason for returning to Thailand after the visa has expired

Surley they should understand if someone wanted to go to the UK and not return they would just apply for a 1 month visa and not return. Why would i apply for a 6 month visa which is hard to get then not return? but they obviously think there own way so there's nothing you can do

One other thing is i am contemplating buying the condo of the owner as she stays in Taiwan now so again this will be evidence of me returning to Thaialnd, I am not to sure on your experiance of this i will post a thread on this matter in the homes section but maybe you will have an opinion

If i buy the condo i would only pay 400,000 depost have a contract drawn up that confirms this and i will then have the next 2 years to pay the remainder 2,600,000 once the balance has been paid she will then come and sign the condo over to me at the land registory office. But i am a little concerned as this is Thailand if the contract will be binding as she may try to sell the condo once i have paid the depoist as it will still be in her name. I guess it could go either way a bit of a gamble but if you have any opinion on this or the best way to do it i would be appreciated.

Getting back to the visa

If we marry what does this do to help both the vist and settlement visa?

We do plan to marry over the next few months eitherway (and not just for helping the visas but because we intend to stay together and had planned this months before we even decided to go for a visa) but it would be nice to know what this would mean in terms of applying for any visa's

At the end of the day my plans are to have a home in Thailand and i have a home in the UK so it would be good to stay in the uk for the summer months rent the house when we are in Thailand and maybe rent the condo while in England but i am not to bothered about the condo more about my home in the UK as it is empty at the moment and will be for the next 4 months i expect so in all reality i do at some stage need to rent the house to help with the mortgage. (i don't want to sell all my assets and come to thailand as many do and if all goes wrong return to England and have nothing) also when we have children i want them to have something once i or we are gone.

I say i would eventally apply for the settlement visa as yes it will save a lot of messing about but as you say it needs to be done in a way so they don't just think it is to save on applying for visit visa's.

You can't beat the system but if you know how it works its just a case of working around it to your benifit!!! I won't give in i will apply and apply until we get what we want as i know in the long run i will succeed regardless of what people say or what i have to do i understand myself and know what i want so its just a case of getting it and not being put off by what happens along the way, if it can be done i will do it.

As they say what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!!!

Which is why sites like this are so important as it gives others so much information and help i guess this site alone must of helped hundreds or thousands obtain visas which would of been refused if applying alone.

So thanks again and i will keep you informed of my progress i will atart the application at the end of the month once i have confirmation of where i got my funds from and all the paperwork together.

Many thanks

Jay

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello again Jay,

Well good luck with your application. A last word of advice .. don't apply for the settlement visa yet cos you won't get it . period. And when you say in your opening lines that it doesn't matter if its refused the first time cos you can apply again in the spring when its more convenient to go to the Uk anyway , you are wrong. IT DOES MATTER if its refused this time because that will form part of your record and the next time you apply those lovely friendly ECO's at the British Embassy will see that and look very closely at your second application and if you can't address the reasons they refused the first time then they will simply refuse again. Nightmare isn't it ........

Good Luck and let us know . You may be lucky and get one of the nice ECO's .. i did hear a runour there are some

SILOMFAN

[walg]

ONE IMPORTANT THING YOU MUST DO.

write a good covering letter with your application. If you cant prove relationship 100% of the time you have been with her then explain why. Basically anything where you think you may fall slightly short then explain. DONT LIE. just omit the truth where needs be. I also added at the end that i felt it was my right as a tax paying UK citizen to have my girlfriend visit me in my own country. after all i was able to enjoy her culture and her family. I said she should be allowed the same rights.

i dont know if this helped at all but we all know its true with regards a genuine application. it wont hurt to try it though.

as a subcoment, I think its disgusting that we cant just fly our girlfirends too and fro with the ease we can. until i went through it myself i always thought that being english meant i was free. oh i was so wrong! i could rant on about this for ever!!!!!

anyway my gf is going home after her 6 months in london and 90% went really well. so well in fact that she wants to come back in january. this time i am going to enrol her in a part time english school and then she can work in the kitchen of her friends restaurant part time and allieve me some financial burdon and get me some free food each night.

GOOD LUCK.