Uk Visitors Visas

[Captain Chaos]

My wife is about to apply for her 5th UK Visitors Visa. She has had 3 * 6 month VVs, and 1 * 12 month VV. She has been to the UK 5 times in total (always with me). Last time we applied the VFS staff advised she could apply for a 12 month VV having had 3 of the short ones. Anyone know the guideline for the next level up - could she apply for a 24 month VV this time? We plan to visit the UK in June so want to get the application in pronto. Don't think it makes any difference to the guidelines but we live in Singapore and will apply via the VFS Singapore office.

Thanks,

CC

[KamnanT]

Perhaps one or more of the ex-ECOs on the forum could provide more specific guidance, but it appears the key criteria is past travel to the UK that complied with visa conditions. With your wife's history, I would have thought she could easily obtain a 2 or 5 year UK visitor visa. Assuming, of course, that you're willing to stump up the rather substantial application fees (THB 13,500 for 2 years and THB 24,800 for 5 years). The 10 year VV is the most cost-effective on a "per year" basis, a bargain at THB 35,800, but as with any visa application, if you apply and are rejected or if they issue you with a visa valid for a shorter term than you applied for, there is no refund of the difference. So in theory, you could hand over THB 35,800 and end up with a standard 6 month visitor visa.

But remember, this is NOT about money, it's about safeguarding the UK's borders from radicals, militants and those who would become a burden on the UK taxpayer.

[7by7]

The rules and guidelines apply worldwide, so living and applying in Singapore should make no difference. Except the fee will, of course, be payable in SGD, not Baht.

From VAT1.4 Visa validity - What period for a multiple entry visit visa?

"Applications for long term visit visas will be considered in the light of:

• Credible ongoing reason to visit. A successful applicant must demonstrate a frequent and sustained need to come to the UK, such as family links or an established business connection.
  
• Stability of personal circumstances. As far as possible applicants 'status should be unlikely to change significantly during the validity of the visa. The better able the applicant is to demonstrate stability over the long term the more it will support an application for a longer period of validity.
  
• Successful applicants will also need to demonstrate that they are able to support themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds, and demonstrate that they would intend to leave the UK at the end of each visit.
  
• Previous travel history as evidenced in a current valid passport, which might include travel to Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Schengen countries, Switzerland, or the USA in the same category as the application to the UK, for example, as a visitor. Holding a valid visa for any of the aforementioned countries, evidence they complied with conditions of entry, that applications for these countries were not refused nor were they removed from a country on their last trip, would all help to support the application."
  

So, although I am not an ex ECO, considering your circumstances and your wife's past travel history I can see no reason why she should not be issued a 5 (1022 SGD) or even 10 (1475 SGD) year visa. Although, as Kamnan T says, if she is issued a shorter term than applied for there will be no refund of the difference in fees.

Remember that no matter how long her visit visa is valid for she can only spend a maximum of 6 months in the UK per visit and, usually, a maximum of 6 months out of 12 in the UK.