Escorting A Few Thai Kids To Uk - Any Chance At All Of Securing Visas?

[rixalex]

A mother of a teenaged Thai boy has asked whether i would be prepared to escort / chaperone her child, and possibly a couple of others, on a short 3 or 4 week visit to the UK - my home country, in the half term break, just to give them a bit of English language exposure and some traveling experience. I travel back and forth quite a bit as it is, and feasibly i could have a few tag along and could sort out accommodation and travel for them. I know the family and the kid pretty well, and they are good people, not short of a bob or two, and it would be good to help them.... and help myself in the process as i would get a free holiday out of it!

Everyone is a winner! Or are they? My first thought was about how on earth would they get visas. Going to look pretty suspicious an older man with a few young boys in tow. So not even worth thinking about, no way possible... right?

[7by7]

From Can you come to the UK as a child visitor?

To come to the UK as a child visitor, you must be able to show that:
you are under 18 years old;
you intend to visit the UK for no more than 6 months (or 12 months if you will be accompanying an academic visitor);
you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit;
you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds, or you will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends;
suitable arrangements have been made for your travel to, and your reception and care in, the UK - and, if a foster carer or relative (not a parent or guardian) will be responsible for your care, the arrangements must meet the requirements set out in our guidance;
you have a parent or guardian in your home country who is responsible for your care, and you can provide their address, their landline phone number; and
confirmation that they consent to the arrangements for your travel to, and reception and care in, the UK;
you can meet the cost of the return or onward journey; and
you are not in transit to a country outside the 'Common Travel Area' (Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands). See the Visitor in transit section if you want to pass through the UK on your way to another country.

See Child visitors for more details and how to apply.

[rixalex]

Thanks for that 7by7. Sounds quite doable then.

P.S. appreciate one can put together an application oneself, but as these are not my kids, wondering about whether an agency might relieve me of the burden... can anyone recommend an agent and suggest what sort of fees would be reasonable?

Edited April 21, 2013 by rixalex

[7by7]

The only agent in Thailand which I have confidence in recommending is Thai Visa Express.

I also know a couple who you should definitely avoid; but unfortunately Thai defamation laws and hence the forum rules mean I can't name them in the open forum.

Edited April 21, 2013 by 7by7

[rixalex]

The only agent in Thailand which I have confidence in recommending is Thai Visa Express.

I also know a couple who you should definitely avoid; but unfortunately Thai defamation laws and hence the forum rules mean I can't name them in the open forum.

Thanks again. Appreciated.