hi guys

i have decided to bring my good lady for a visit to the uk, nothing complicated just 5/6 months staying at my home in the uk,its a chance for her to meet my children + grand kids and family,before i retire to issan next year.

i thought after going through the posts/info on uk tourist/visit visa's i had a rough idea of what was required,my only

dilemma was whether my skinny pension would be deemed enough to cover a six month stay or should i get my daughter to sponsor my lady?

that was until i got a call from a fellow farang in issan(i'm currently in the uk)i mentioned the sponsorship

thing and asked what he had done the year before when he visited the uk with his wife,and he said no you don't need

to do anything?she just applies for the visa and you get it!!!he is a bit older than me but not noticeably senile,but he insisted no sponsor or guarantee was given.

as this is contrary to most posts on this subject if someone can clarify the conditions for a uk visit/tourist six month visa it will be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance

Unless your gf can support herself financially for 5-6 months in the UK, she's need's a sponsor.

RAZZ

Your friend lives in Thailand with his wife, easier for him no sponsor really required as he would be fitting the bill, as they are married.

If this is your GF then you will need to sponsor her, or she must have enough money to cover staying in the UK for that period of time. If you sponsor you need proof you are English, proof of adequate accommodation, bank statements to show you have the funds, and an invitation letter.

Read about it all on the Border Agency website,.

Your good lady's biggest hurdle is going to convince the ECO that she is a genuine visitor and is likely to return home at the end of her trip.

She will need to show strong ties to her home country, employment, business, studies or other such ties, very difficult is she planning a five or six month holiday.

My (now) wife didn't have a problem at any point with long visits. I wrote sponsor letters confirming that she was a housewife and supported by me. I provided evidence from bank statements that this was the case.

Employment or study are not necessary but a full explanation is!

As above the biggest hurdle by far is reason to return. If she has property in her name this goes a long way as far as the ECO is concerned. Evidence of the relationship and an indication of future (retirement) plans may enable the ECO to get a full picture of the situation and may smooth the wheels! This is where a proper sponsor letter comes into its own.

I have never had any indication that the ECO's are obstructive or difficult if they have the right information. My grumbles have always been around delays and inefficiencies which to be fair they probably have little control over!