Tourist Visa For Thai Gf Visiting Me In Europe

[FoolishBoy]

It never even occured to me that there would be any problem for my Thai gf getting a visa so she could visit me in Europe, but when I suggested it to her she said it would be problem.

It's not practical for me to visit her at the moment, we've only known each other for a year, and of course I'm already married. She has no property and no economic ties to her home, although she does have a young son who her mother looks after (he would not be travelling with her).

I was thinking of arranging to meet her in perhaps France or Spain, rather than the UK where I live, but if that makes things even more difficult then a tourist visa to the UK would be OK, as long as we could travel around Europe freely together.

Is this going to be virtually impossible to arrange? Is there any chance a visa could be obtained for travel in ten weeks time?

[doctormann]

It never even occured to me that there would be any problem for my Thai gf getting a visa so she could visit me in Europe, but when I suggested it to her she said it would be problem.

It's not practical for me to visit her at the moment, we've only known each other for a year, and of course I'm already married. She has no property and no economic ties to her home, although she does have a young son who her mother looks after (he would not be travelling with her).

I was thinking of arranging to meet her in perhaps France or Spain, rather than the UK where I live, but if that makes things even more difficult then a tourist visa to the UK would be OK, as long as we could travel around Europe freely together.

Is this going to be virtually impossible to arrange? Is there any chance a visa could be obtained for travel in ten weeks time?

Hi

There are some important things that you need to be aware of regarding visas:

If the GF wants to come to UK she will need a visitor's visa.

If she wants to go elsewhere in Europe she will need a Schengen visa

These visas are NOT interchangeable.

For the UK visa you will need to establish that:

You have an on-going relationship with the GF for maybe a year and you will have to prove this to the satisfaction of the ECO in the Bangkok UK Embassy. You are going to need photographs, copies of e-mails, letters, and anything else that can show that you have a proper relationship. I assume that you are currently in UK and she is in LoS? How much time have you actually spent with her?

You will need to establish that she has 'Sufficient Reason to Return' to LoS at the end of her visit. This can be tricky if she has no job, property or other assets that would act as sufficient inducement for her to return. The fact that she has a son in LoS would not be considered a reason to return, I'm afraid.

You will have to establish that, as sponsor, you are financially sound and are able to bear all of the expenses associated with her trip. This means providing bank statements, utility bills, credit card statements, etc. It would be useful if she had a Thai bank account and could show that she has access to, say, 50,000THB in her own right (so if you abandon her in UK she could get back to LoS) but, from what you say, this is not the case.

I have recently managed to get a visitor's visa to UK for my GF. We met all of the requirements but there was a considerable wadge of documentation that we had to provide. She has property and other assets, by the way, we both live in LoS and have been together for 15 months - and we can prove it.

I think that you may be struggling here but no doubt other contributors to this forum will give their opinions. For what it's worth, I believe that getting a Schengen visa is probably easier than getting a UK visa but, in your situation that may not be the case. The evidence that you would have to provide would be similar in either case. There is some guidance on requirements on the BKK Embassy web site (but it is only guidance) and you can get similar info. from any of the Schengen country web sites (You would apply to the Embassy of the country that you wanted her to visit).

As far as time scales are concerned, ten weeks should be enough but you need to start getting the documentation together straight away. If she doesn't already have a passport she will need to get one immediately (easy to do in BKK). By the way, proof that she has travelled previously outside of LoS, and returned, would be a good thing. Get her a passport and send her to Singapore, or somewhere else that she doesn't need a visa, for a couple of days.

I hope I haven't depressed you too much - getting a UK visa is not much fun but good luck!

DM

[FoolishBoy]

Firstly, thanks for your extremely thorough reply, much appreciated.

In answer to you questions:

We met briefly nearly year ago in Pattaya, and recently spent a whole week together in Malaysia. So an onging relationship would be difficult to demonstrate. Whether it could be considered a proper relationship is doubtful.

We do have email correspondence for some of this period and photographs from Malaysia.

I am currently in the UK and she is in the LoS.

She does have a Thai bank account and could possibly show a balance of that order, and has travelled regularly to Malaysia and Singapore in the past.

Your comment about her son representing no reason to return is a rather sad reflection on all concerned.

Are there any countries, other than those neighbouring Thailand, for where it would be easy for her to get a tourist visa?

[doctormann]

Firstly, thanks for your extremely thorough reply, much appreciated.

In answer to you questions:

We met briefly nearly year ago in Pattaya, and recently spent a whole week together in Malaysia. So an onging relationship would be difficult to demonstrate. Whether it could be considered a proper relationship is doubtful.

We do have email correspondence for some of this period and photographs from Malaysia.

I am currently in the UK and she is in the LoS.

She does have a Thai bank account and could possibly show a balance of that order, and has travelled regularly to Malaysia and Singapore in the past.

Your comment about her son representing no reason to return is a rather sad reflection on all concerned.

Are there any countries, other than those neighbouring Thailand, for where it would be easy for her to get a tourist visa?

Hi again

We met briefly nearly year ago in Pattaya, and recently spent a whole week together in Malaysia. So an onging relationship would be difficult to demonstrate. Whether it could be considered a proper relationship is doubtful.

Yes, you could be on a bit of a sticky wicket here.

Your comment about her son representing no reason to return is a rather sad reflection on all concerned.

Isn't it just. The problem seems to be that, with the extended family system, it's quite usual for TGs to dump their kids on grandma and then disappear elsewhere, possibly abroad if they can wangle it, to earn a living and, possibly, send money back home for support. Maybe the TG will return home at some stage but maybe not.

Are there any countries, other than those neighbouring Thailand, for where it would be easy for her to get a tourist visa?

I believe that there are some. All of the ASEAN countries are OK, I think, either no visa or visa on arrival. Peru is also OK but a long, long way to go. There was a similar question on this forum just a few weeks ago so you could try doing a search. Otherwise Google for the info.

Cheeers

DM

[britmaveric]

Tourist Visa(s) are given on basis of reason to return to a person's home country and do they have incentive to do so. And from the reaction your lady gave there might be reason that she won't qualify, perhaps she has been denied on prior occasion? Also from your description sounds as if she doesnt have much reason for a visa officer to give her the benefit of the doubt.

[FoolishBoy]

OK - Thanks again for your replies. So, I've had a look at the Schengen visa application form, and it doesn't look too imposing.

I'm guessing that the fee is about £25, so pressumably there's nothing to loose in me filling in the application form for her, posting it to her with copies of our emails and photos so she can take it to whichever Schengen treaty embassy we chose.

Which leads to my next question, which country is most likely to accept the application? I'd rather it was a mediteranean coutry, possibly Spain or Greece, any thoughts? I understand now that we'd have the freedom to move around once she arrives (although not to the UK which is not a problem), but it will only be a two week trip at most, so we won't have much time.

Also, what is the best way for her to represent her employment situation? Although she has had various menial jobs in the past including working as a market stall vendor, more recently she has been "self-employed" in Pattaya.

Once again, your thoughts would be very welcome.

[doctormann]

OK - Thanks again for your replies. So, I've had a look at the Schengen visa application form, and it doesn't look too imposing.

I'm guessing that the fee is about £25, so pressumably there's nothing to loose in me filling in the application form for her, posting it to her with copies of our emails and photos so she can take it to whichever Schengen treaty embassy we chose.

Which leads to my next question, which country is most likely to accept the application? I'd rather it was a mediteranean coutry, possibly Spain or Greece, any thoughts? I understand now that we'd have the freedom to move around once she arrives (although not to the UK which is not a problem), but it will only be a two week trip at most, so we won't have much time.

Also, what is the best way for her to represent her employment situation? Although she has had various menial jobs in the past including working as a market stall vendor, more recently she has been "self-employed" in Pattaya.

Once again, your thoughts would be very welcome.

Hi again

I have an Italian friend who claims that getting the Schengen visa from the Italian Embassy is easy - he has done this for his TGF - but, of course, he is Italian and that might make a difference.

Be aware of one thing though - the Italian Embassy in BKK, in common with some others, I believe, now require you to make an appointment to lodge your visa application. You can't just turn up.

Just another thought - a lot of TGs seem to get Swiss visas with no trouble, but I'm not sure on what basis - maybe they go there to work. I don't think that Switz. is a Schengen country though and it's also a very expensive place to take a holiday.

If you are going for a Schengen visa I wish you the best of luck. Make absolutely sure that you have the paperwork 100% in order. Read the application form carefully - in the 'official use only' section there is a little check box for the ECO to tick if the applicant has taken out travel insurance. So it looks like you may have to speculate on this before applying 'cos if the box doesn't get ticked she might get refused. Just one more hoop to jump!

Cheers

DM

[GU22]

So, a married man is looking to sponsor the bar girl he met last year and again more recently so, presumably, he can again indulge himself in her services.

And people wonder why genuine people find getting a visa so difficult!

[FoolishBoy]

If you are going for a Schengen visa I wish you the best of luck. Make absolutely sure that you have the paperwork 100% in order. Read the application form carefully - in the 'official use only' section there is a little check box for the ECO to tick if the applicant has taken out travel insurance. So it looks like you may have to speculate on this before applying 'cos if the box doesn't get ticked she might get refused. Just one more hoop to jump!

Cheers

DM

Thanks again, I did find the other thread listing travel insurance companies based in BKK, and was going to do exactly as you have just advised.

[FoolishBoy]

So, a married man is looking to sponsor the bar girl he met last year and again more recently so, presumably, he can again indulge himself in her services.

And people wonder why genuine people find getting a visa so difficult!

"Presumably" being the operative word, since you are being very presumptious. There has never been any commercial element to our relationship.

Also, are you saying that "genuine people" are more deserving of tourist visas than those people who are unfortunate enough to work in the sex industry?

[GU22]

By "genuine" I mean a couple that are in a definite long term relationship. How the couple met and what either of them did before is irrelevant.

However, from what you have posted, this is a case of a married man and his bit on the side. I wonder what the urgency is to get her into a European country, any European country.

If all you want is to continue your affair, then it would be a lot simpler, easier and cheaper for you to go to see her in Thailand.

If your marriage has broken down and you are contemplating divorce and then spending the rest of your life with this girl then you would be better served sorting out your divorce and then applying for a settlement visa for your girlfriend to join you in the UK.

But instead you seem desperate to get her to any European country as soon as possible, within 10 weeks you said. Why is that?

There is an obvious answer to that question, and any visa officer in any embassy is going to come to the same conclusion.

[FoolishBoy]

By "genuine" I mean a couple that are in a definite long term relationship. How the couple met and what either of them did before is irrelevant.

Surely the Fiancee Visa is intended to enable couples in long term relationships to live with each other, until such point at which they are married and can apply for Residence Permit and subsequently Indefinite Leave to Remain. But that is not what I'm discussing. This is a question about Tourist Visas. I've assumed that, in theory, anyone should be able to visit anywhere as a tourist on a 30, 60 or perhaps 90 day visa, unless they are in someway a threat to the county they wish to visit. My Thai gf would simply be a tourist, on holiday, it hadn't occurred to me that I might need to be her sponsor to improve the chances of a visa being granted. After all, I've never had to find a sponsor myself when visiting other countries, and the only time I had to provide evidence of suffencient funds was when applying for a 12 month working holiday visa. How can her wish to go on holiday to Europe harm those "genuine" people you mention from gaining settlement visas?

However, from what you have posted, this is a case of a married man and his bit on the side. I wonder what the urgency is to get her into a European country, any European country.

If all you want is to continue your affair, then it would be a lot simpler, easier and cheaper for you to go to see her in Thailand.

I agree, it would be easier and cheaper, but I really wanted to be able to go on holiday with her in Europe, especially as she told me previously that she wanted to travel to Europe one day.

If your marriage has broken down and you are contemplating divorce and then spending the rest of your life with this girl then you would be better served sorting out your divorce and then applying for a settlement visa for your girlfriend to join you in the UK.

It has not, and so this is not an option. In any case, it would seem a rash course of action to follow after knowing someone for such a brief period of time. Wouldn't it make more sense to visit each other on holiday a number of times first?

But instead you seem desperate to get her to any European country as soon as possible, within 10 weeks you said. Why is that?

Not as soon as possible, but rather in ten weeks time, simply because it fits in with my other commitments. Any European country not because I don't care, but because I want to maximise the chances of the visa being granted, naturally we do have a preference. I would certainly not consider myself desperate, but I will be very disappointed if I can't help her do something I take for granted: being able to visit someone in another country.

There is an obvious answer to that question, and any visa officer in any embassy is going to come to the same conclusion.

Obvious to you perhaps, but either I am too naïve or too dim to see what you are getting at.

[the scouser]

So what if FB wants a bit of fun with his whoopsie? Providing that his girlfriend can convince the visa officer of the relevant embassy that she intends to leave the country at the end of the holiday, it doesn't matter a jot. It's him that has to come to terms with his conscience.

Scouse.

[GU22]

Scouse,

You are, of course, correct. The morals of the OP and the fact that he is deceiving his wife, and possibly his girlfriend as well, is purely a matter for him and any vestige of conscience he may have.

Maybe his wife is aware of his extra-curricular activities and has no objections.

Maybe his girlfriend knows that she is just a bit of fun for him and the "relationship" is going nowhere.

Or maybe they are both being deceived by him.

There is also the other conclusion I referred to before, and he is keen to bring her to Europe for professional reasons.

All academic, anyway, as the chances of her getting a visa if they tell the truth are zero, and the chances of them being caught if they lie are almost certain.

[FoolishBoy]

Scouse,

You are, of course, correct. The morals of the OP and the fact that he is deceiving his wife, and possibly his girlfriend as well, is purely a matter for him and any vestige of conscience he may have.

Maybe his wife is aware of his extra-curricular activities and has no objections.

Maybe his girlfriend knows that she is just a bit of fun for him and the "relationship" is going nowhere.

Or maybe they are both being deceived by him.

There is also the other conclusion I referred to before, and he is keen to bring her to Europe for professional reasons.

All academic, anyway, as the chances of her getting a visa if they tell the truth are zero, and the chances of them being caught if they lie are almost certain.

I'm sorry, I got confused. I thought this was a forum about Visas, rather than the immorality of infidelity.

By the way, any reason why you have chosen to ignore every point I made in response to your previous post?

[GU22]

I'm sorry, I got confused. I thought this was a forum about Visas, rather than the immorality of infidelity.

It is, and many posters her are seeking advice on a visit visa for their partner, with whom they are in a genuine relationship, before they take the final step of deciding whether to make a lifelong commitment. To be able to do this they have to show to the ECO's satisfaction that their partner will return after the visit and failing any concrete reason, such as a job, then this hangs on whether the ECO believes the relationship to be genuine or not. The activities of people like you makes showing this a lot harder for genuine couples.

By the way, any reason why you have chosen to ignore every point I made in response to your previous post?

I haven't, I addressed them. If you know someone who thinks with his big head rather than his little one then they may be able to explain it to you.

End of story, as far as I am concerned. Apart from anything else; I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

[FoolishBoy]

If you know someone who thinks with his big head rather than his little one then they may be able to explain it to you.

End of story, as far as I am concerned. Apart from anything else; I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

Thank you for your holier than thou contributions, I'm sure they've been of great interest to all those who have been following this thread.

[ratchabuild]

I'm sorry, I got confused. I thought this was a forum about Visas, rather than the immorality of infidelity.

It is, and many posters her are seeking advice on a visit visa for their partner, with whom they are in a genuine relationship, before they take the final step of deciding whether to make a lifelong commitment. To be able to do this they have to show to the ECO's satisfaction that their partner will return after the visit and failing any concrete reason, such as a job, then this hangs on whether the ECO believes the relationship to be genuine or not. The activities of people like you makes showing this a lot harder for genuine couples.

By the way, any reason why you have chosen to ignore every point I made in response to your previous post?

I haven't, I addressed them. If you know someone who thinks with his big head rather than his little one then they may be able to explain it to you.

End of story, as far as I am concerned. Apart from anything else; I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

If someone asks advice give it or not. Don't use it as an excuse to moralise and sermonise. People in glass houses etc etc., everyones circumstances are different and in jumping to negative conclusions without a jot of empathy or understanding show you are only interested in cheap shots like your throwaway remark about wits. If you have expertise and experience to offer don't misuse it. The guy asked a question, you tried to ridicule him. You just demean yourself.