Uk Family Visa Online Application

[josephinebloggs]

Hi, just quickly, not sure if i have done something wrong online or if i haven't.

I have applied online for my unmarried partner's family Visa, but the only option in a dropdown box was to submit the documents " In Person ".

I now have to get an appointment etc for her to go to the embassy of which she is majorly worrying about as she'd be on her own ( with my Daughter ) and isn't overly confident going to there basically on her own.

I was under the impression ( i may be wrong ) that everything was done online and we could just send our relevant documents to the embassy by post, get a decision then go to the embassy to physically get the Visa in the passport if the application is accepted ?

The reason i say that is that she's not based in BKK and to go back and forth isn't easy as the little one is in school etc and i'm in the UK currently.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Edited February 14, 2013 by josephinebloggs

[theoldgit]

Everything has to be lodged in person I'm afraid, biometric details are taken at this stage.

The passport, hopefully with visa inside, can be returned by courier.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[josephinebloggs]

Comprende..

Thanks Mr Git.

So just to clarify the process, we're done online then and printed off the application and will sort an appointment out soonest, she has to hand it in in person in BKK with her Thai Passport obviously and all supporting documentation on the pre determined appointment date and then we wait for an answer which will come via email i guess ?

Is there an interview process do you know when she's handing all of her stuff in ?

That's what she's a bit worried about more than anything.

& if so, any tips at all or is it just going through the motions with reagrds to our plans for the visit ?

[bobrussell]

There is no interview process at this stage (almost unheard of at any stage other than by phone). The appointment is with VFS who check the correct documentation is presented and fee paid. They will do the biometrics at the same time.

The only slight concern is that on occasions the staff seem to be interfering with the applications by giving unsound advice and not passing all the documentation to the embassy.

She should have nothing to worry about but don't let the VFS staff hand any documents back as not needed! It is better to present more than required than to find they need more!

Edited February 14, 2013 by bobrussell

[josephinebloggs]

Thanks very much Bob.

I was thinking to put individual small envelopes inside a bigger envelope all correctly marked and as long as the whole envelope goes with all inside it, there shouldn't be a problem.

I'll try my hardest to drum it into her not to listen to another Thai over me then ( the VFS people ), which will be easier said than done but there we go..

Thanks again Chaps.

[theoldgit]

Bob makes a good point there, also need to watch out for cowboy offices in the same building as VFS, they moved when VFS moved, their touts may try and guide applicants into their office to check the app, which will of course be wrong but can be put right for a price.

Just ensure they enter the office marked VFS with uniformed staff outside.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[josephinebloggs]

Thanks again Chaps.

So basically as i'll get everything right for her there is absolutely no need to go with anyone else except into the VFS offices themselves

VFS - Uniformed Staff, i'll repeat that 20 times to her on the morning of the appointment, thanks again Chaps..

[rawhod]

There is also a bank in the foyer of Regent house where she can get a cashier cheque to pay for the visa.

If you want a courier service for the return of the passport and documents, you can request it at the submission and pay the small fee in cash.

[josephinebloggs]

Thanks rawhod, can i not pay for the application my end ( from the UK ) online then ?

& if not, she'd need to do it that way as opposed to the 3,900 THB plus courier fee in cash to the VFS ?

[rawhod]

Thanks rawhod, can i not pay for the application my end ( from the UK ) online then ?

& if not, she'd need to do it that way as opposed to the 3,900 THB plus courier fee in cash to the VFS ?

So far, you can't pay on line...

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Can I just ask what visa she is applying for ? You say it's an "unmarried partner's family visa ". To qualify for a family visit visa if you are not married, then you have to have been living together in a relationship akin to a marriage for two years, but you say that you are in the UK. If you are not living together, then she will need to apply for a general visit visa.

[josephinebloggs]

Can I just ask what visa she is applying for ? You say it's an "unmarried partner's family visa ". To qualify for a family visit visa if you are not married, then you have to have been living together in a relationship akin to a marriage for two years, but you say that you are in the UK. If you are not living together, then she will need to apply for a general visit visa.

We have lived together for the least 8 years and have a 7 year old daughter together.

I was living in TH the whole time with both of them up until late 2012.

Surely I go for the Family Visa ?

[bobrussell]

Yes, clearly a family visa is appropriate!

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Can I just ask what visa she is applying for ? You say it's an "unmarried partner's family visa ". To qualify for a family visit visa if you are not married, then you have to have been living together in a relationship akin to a marriage for two years, but you say that you are in the UK. If you are not living together, then she will need to apply for a general visit visa.

We have lived together for the least 8 years and have a 7 year old daughter together.

I was living in TH the whole time with both of them up until late 2012.

Surely I go for the Family Visa ?

It's a fine point. Really, to qualify for a family visit visa you should be living together now, not some time ago. I agree with you that I think it should be a family visit, but the ECO will be the final arbiter. However, your partner must first get past VFS. They will tell her that she cannot submit a family visit visa application if you are not living with her in Thailand. They have no right to tell her that ( if they do, and I suspect that they will ). They will try to persuade your partner to complete a new application for a general visit visa ( at an extra cost). Your partner must insist that they accept the application as it is, and tell them that it is not up to them ( VFS) to decide whether it is a family visit application or not. This may help. It is an extract from an email from an Entry Clearance Manager to me on this subject. Feel free to print it for your partner to show to VFS. It may also clarify your own position as to whether you qualify for a family visit visa application or not :

"I am writing in response to your email dated 20^th August.

I am disappointed to hear that you have cause to complain about xxxxxxxxxxxx's experience at the VFS visa application centre and I would like to offer my apologies for the embarrassment which this caused your client.

As you are aware there have been some recent changes to the Family visitor rules and staff at VFS have obviously misunderstood some of these changes. We are speaking to the Staff at VFS and will provide some refresher training on this area.

To clarify the changes in the rules and how they affect the community in Thailand, should a Thai national be travelling with her British husband (or Unmarried partner where the couple have been in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least the 2 years before the day the application is made and the relationship is genuine and subsisting) then they can apply as a Family visitor.

We have provided instructions to the visa application centre to accept applications even if the applicant does not qualify as a Family visitor and we will amend to the general visitor category once the application reaches the visa section at the British Embassy if it is clear that the applicant does not meet the Family visitor criteria."

Edited February 15, 2013 by ThaiVisaExpress

[josephinebloggs]

We have provided instructions to the visa application centre to accept applications even if the applicant does not qualify as a Family visitor and we will amend to the general visitor category once the application reaches the visa section at the British Embassy if it is clear that the applicant does not meet the Family visitor criteria."

Thanks for this TVE.

But i'm looking at this last section that i'm interested in the most.

Who's the we highlighted above ?

Is it you Guys at TVE ?

I don't personally see any reason why my partner wouldn't go for a Family Visa, the only way she wouldn't as per what you've written above is that she isn't actually travelling with me ( but she is traveling with a British National, our Daughter ), which doesn't really make any sense to me why she wouldn't qualify for the Family Visa, but of course my opinion matters not in this.

Would the fact that she is in fact travelling with our Daughter ( our Daughter has a Thai and British passport ) make a difference to anything ?

Edited February 16, 2013 by josephinebloggs

[ThaiVisaExpress]

The "we" is the UKBA at the British Embassy in Bangkok. They are stressing that they make the decision, not VFS.

As I said, it is a fine point, and one which the ECO will decide. To be pedantic, I guess, it is not a "family visa" but a "family visit visa", ie to visit family. According to the UKBA you are not family if you are not married to, or living with, your partner. Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger ! You could put an explanatory paragraph in your supporting letter if you feel it is necessary, but I would just go ahead and insist to VFS that they accept the application, and let the ECO decide. It won't make any difference to his decision on whether the application is successful or not, only on the appeal rights

The only difference between a family visit visa and a general visit visa is that the family visit visa has a right of appeal if the application is refused, so I hope your partner's application is not refused.

Edited February 16, 2013 by ThaiVisaExpress

[josephinebloggs]

Thanks for that.

But this is confusing me, on the information section for the family visit visa it clearly states that the visa should be applied for if you are coming to the UK to visit a list of relatives, including a civil partner, which would be me wouldn't it ?

You've confused me as I don't see how someone would necessarily be travelling with someone, like you said previously, if they are in fact coming to visit them ?

I understand that these are the rules, but am not sure how/why anyone could then visit someone in my situation as they could not be successful for the family visit Visa, because we have actually been separated as a family for the last x amount of months.

We want to reunite the family for a holiday, but if we don't live together we can't actually do that as per what you just wrote and that has confused me.

Apologies for spelling ( iPad ).

Edited February 17, 2013 by josephinebloggs

[7by7]

A family visit visa is when the applicant will be traveling to visit a qualifying family member who is in the UK.

However, to qualify as unmarried partners you need to have been living together for at least the previous two years.

Periods of separation are allowed, but from what you say it appears that you are now in the UK, she is in Thailand; so you aren't living together any more.

Having said that, what TVE is advising you, or rather your partner, to do is submit a family visit visa because he has been assured by the embassy in writing that if an applicant does so but doesn't qualify as a family member they will treat it as a general visit application.

As he said, staff at VFS have no right to advise someone that they are applying for the wrong visa, neither can they refuse to accept an application and forward it to the embassy.

But if you do not wish to submit a family visit application; don't . Submit a general visit one instead.

As said, the only difference between the two is that a family visit refusal can be appealed, a general visit refusal can't be.

Edited February 17, 2013 by 7by7

[josephinebloggs]

A family visit visa is when the applicant will be traveling to visit a qualifying family member who is in the UK.

However, to qualify as unmarried partners you need to have been living together for at least the previous two years.

Periods of separation are allowed, but from what you say it appears that you are now in the UK, she is in Thailand; so you aren't living together any more.

Ok great but unless I'm having a brain freeze, the way it's set out is a tad contradictory.

I am in the UK yes, hence the whole reason to apply for a Visa for my partner to come to visit me, IE Family and the Father of her Child and if that doesn't qualify as Family yet a step brother would for example, I'd be staggered.

Based on that, of course we are not living together any more, if we were there would be no particular need for a visit to see me.

As we have been living together for 95% of the time for the past 8 years, I'd like to think common sense would prevail here and I hope that the Embassy aren't in the habit of keeping families separated as if it doesn't get accepted, I'd highly likely not be able to see my partner or our Daughter who will be accompanying her, for God knows how long which isn't good at all.

And seeing as we aren't up to any kind of skullduggery, all will hopefully be good.

Thanks for your help Guys/Girls.

[7by7]

Rules are rules, I'm afraid.

Unmarried partners only qualify as family if they have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for the previous two years.

As you first started asking about a visit visa for her 16 months ago, it seems that you have not been.

Of course, had you married then as your wife she would qualify as family.

[beano2274]

There is not much difference in the application or the paperwork required, so if you feel that you do not qualify for a family visa, as you are not living together, then apply for a visitors visa, the rest of the paperwork is just about the same, the only difference being you can not appeal.

The rules are there laid out for everyone, and if you have not been living together for the last 2 years then you are not in a partnership akin to marriage.

But like others have stated it is upto the ECO and their interpretation.

[josephinebloggs]

Unmarried partners only qualify as family if they have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for the previous two years.

As you first started asking about a visit visa for her 16 months ago, it seems that you have not been.

Thanks but as a Mod, you'd probably be better off NOT assuming things about people's lives when you know nothing about them.

I have been living with her for 7.5 out of the past 8 years, the last 6 months being the .5.

Edited February 20, 2013 by josephinebloggs

[7by7]

I am not a Mod. Even if I were I can only make 'assumptions' based upon what you post. As you first asked about her visiting you in the UK 16 months ago it does seem that you have been living in the UK for all of that time.

But if you say you haven't...................

This is the third topic you have started in the last 16 months to ask exaxctly the same questions, and you have been given exactly the same answers each time. Will she actually be visiting the UK this time; or can we expect to see a fourth topic on this from you in a few months time?

[beano2274]

Unmarried partners only qualify as family if they have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for the previous two years.

As you first started asking about a visit visa for her 16 months ago, it seems that you have not been.

Thanks but as a Mod, you'd probably be better off NOT assuming things about people's lives when you know nothing about them.

I have been living with her for 7.5 out of the past 8 years, the last 6 months being the .5.

Who is assuming anything? You have clearly stated that you have not been together since late 2012, about 6 months, so this is not as an unmarried partner.

Did you know that anyone can look at your previous posts, they just click on your name and can see the posts and topics you have started, I think the topics is about the last five only. So a record of all of these are they for all and sundry to see and read.

[josephinebloggs]

Ok, we got it, hooray.

Submitted on April 2nd, received on May 18th.

Some little obstacles on the way and a couple of things i wasn't personally too happy with at all but the main objective was accomplished.

• Submitted all Docs April 2nd. Docs included all Applicants details including Car Papers ( front page only translated ) that we pay every month, letter from employer, bank statements, 3 invitations from myself ( unmarried partner living in England ), my Sister whom she will be staying with and my Mum ( the little one's Grandmother ) plus everything else listed on the Docs help sheet via the Embassy website.
• 3 weeks later saw phone calls with Embassy Officer asking for more docs, some duplicate, including letter from Daughters school, letter from my employer in the UK ( i'm self employed ), proof that i send x amount of money to Thailand each month ( couldn't prove that as i visit and give cash so resubmitted bank statements ), pictures and proof of who lives at the house she's staying in ( my Sisters ) so we got a copy of the House deeds proving ownership. This part of the application was soured by the phone conversations with an officer that in my opinion was absurd and completely outrageous but i'm not going to go into it publicly for obvious reasons.
• Extra documentation got and sent via email within 48 hours but didn't receive any confirmation except my own read receipt on my email set up.
• 2 weeks later still no news so i sent an email, reply suggested that no documents had been received ( convinced previous conversation with applicant and officer played a part ) and to " re send them " which i did.
• A week later still nothing so another email asking for confirmation that docs were received, to which a " Yes " came back and pushing me to use the Tracking facility on the website which never changed from day one to the day we received the passport and visa back.
• A further week we get an email saying decision has been made, but they can't tell us what it is.
• 2 days later we receive the passport back with the visa in it.

A couple of things that didn't sit well with me was that i used a total of 7 different email addresses in contact with these people, that isn't a good thing and how the average Thai is meant to go through this process and keep track, i'll never know unless of course they don't say a word and have 5m in their bank, which would then of course not see any problems.

The conversations with the embassy officer left a very sour taste considering the officer is representing the UK, yet of another nationality and a culture that to me is sometimes extremely rude, condescending and is not something i believe anyone should have to be subjected to, especially when they haven't done anything wrong, broke any laws and is expecting a civilized level of service.

I couldn't have the conversations of course as i'm not the applicant but they left the applicant genuinely upset after what was said and i was pretty helpless to do anything about it as the officer point blank refused to speak to me to even confirm extra documentation etc.

But, so what, i don't care, it says more about the person in question than it does us and we are going to have a great summer and a great holiday.

Rule Britannia