Uk Visitor Visa For Mother In Law

[Marko2]

Dear All,

I currently live in the UK with my Thai wife (4 months into her settlement visa)

In July we would like her mother to visit us for a holiday (4 weeks). My Wife is going to return to BKK in mid May and then, if all goes to plan, return with her Mother in July.

My question is does anybody have experience of applying for a VV for their mother in law? And is a month a long enough time period in which to apply and receive a visa?

I will send my wife back to BKK with a letter of invite/sponsorship, copies of my wage slips, copy of my mortgage agreement and a completed visa application form. She will then take this and the mother in laws passport and copy of ownership of her house to the British embassy.

Do you know if mother in laws are generally granted visas?

Thanks a lot for any feedback

Marko

[the scouser]

Hi Marko,

A month is certainly enough time in which to make the application, but bear in mind that from 21 April, it will have to be lodged through the outsourcing partner and not at the embassy. I presume it is then going to take at least a couple of days before the embassy considers the papers and decides whether a visa can be granted or an interview is required.

There's no specific reason prohibiting mothers-in-law from visiting (cue the Les Dawson jokes), but the visa officer will still assess her circumstances in Thailand. Particular factors will be her age (the older she is, the better), whether she is married, whether her husband is travelling with her or staying in Thailand, and how she financially supports herself. In addition, if you and your wife have a child, this gives a specific purpose to the trip; i.e. to see a grandchild.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[Jersey_UK]

"from 21 April, it will have to be lodged through the outsourcing partner and not at the embassy"

I am guessing (hoping?!) that Chapter and verse will "appear" on this website about what (if anything) changes when this kicks in.

[GU22]

Click here.

[Marko2]

Hi Marko,

A month is certainly enough time in which to make the application, but bear in mind that from 21 April, it will have to be lodged through the outsourcing partner and not at the embassy. I presume it is then going to take at least a couple of days before the embassy considers the papers and decides whether a visa can be granted or an interview is required.

There's no specific reason prohibiting mothers-in-law from visiting (cue the Les Dawson jokes), but the visa officer will still assess her circumstances in Thailand. Particular factors will be her age (the older she is, the better), whether she is married, whether her husband is travelling with her or staying in Thailand, and how she financially supports herself. In addition, if you and your wife have a child, this gives a specific purpose to the trip; i.e. to see a grandchild.

Cheers,

Scouse.

Cheers Scouse,

She is in her 60's and is a retired teacher. She is divorced, but still on good terms with her ex (Classic Thai guy- thought it was Ok to get married twice without telling his 1st wife!).

Being an ex government worker she gets her pension- I guess not much but she doesn't seem to struggle for cash (may have a relatively health bank account)- in my letter I will state that I will meet all here expenses in the UK (backed up by my wage slips)

Although my wife is her only daughter, her brother and brother’s kids live with her. She has joint ownership of the house with her brother.

Also this will be her first trip abroad.

Bearing in mind the above do you think that is enough to satisfy the visa officer that she will come back to Thailand?

Thanks again.

Marko

[the scouser]

Hi Marko,

In the circumstances that you've described, your mother-in-law should have little difficulty getting the visa. She is retired, so is unlikely to hot foot it down to the local Thai restaurant for a bit work, and she receives an income in Thailand. With aged relatives, a concern of the visa officer is that they're going to seek to stay in the UK as a dependant of their son/daughter. However, in your mother-in-law's case, she has a son and grandchildren in Thailand to go back to.

All the best,

Scouse.

[Marko2]

Hi Marko,

In the circumstances that you've described, your mother-in-law should have little difficulty getting the visa. She is retired, so is unlikely to hot foot it down to the local Thai restaurant for a bit work, and she receives an income in Thailand. With aged relatives, a concern of the visa officer is that they're going to seek to stay in the UK as a dependant of their son/daughter. However, in your mother-in-law's case, she has a son and grandchildren in Thailand to go back to.

All the best,

Scouse.

Thanks Scouse,

I think my post above was a bit unclear- My Wife is her only child, hence my concern that the EO might think that since her daughter is in the UK, the Mother in law might want to stay in the UK too.

I guess it's not unusual for a mother to visit her only child in the UK, in terms of "reason to return to Thailand"- she has her pension, home and extended family- do you see that as being enough?

Cheers

Marko

[the scouser]

Hi Marko,

Obviously I can't give a conclusive answer as I'm not the one who'll be considering the application, but from the information you've posted here, I think she has a very good chance.

Scouse.

[GU22]

Remember that she doesn't have to prove beyond doubt that she will return to Thailand, merely show that on the balance of probabilities she will. From what you have said she should have no problem with this.

I agree with Scouse, I think she has a good chance.

[Marko2]

Remember that she doesn't have to prove beyond doubt that she will return to Thailand, merely show that on the balance of probabilities she will. From what you have said she should have no problem with this.

I agree with Scouse, I think she has a good chance.

Thanks GU22 and Scouse,

I allways take the view that you should fullfill the embassy requirements 110% (probabably making more work for myself) but as you say in this case the probability of her return will probably be enough.

I'll let you know how she gets on.

Cheers

[Mobi]

I used to live in the Uk with my Thai wife for a period of some 20 years.

During this time I applied for, and obtained visas for mother in Law, (many times), father in law (twice), wife of father in law (step mother) (twice), brother in law and his wife, old woman who was a close family friend, nephews, nieces and no doubt a few more who I can't recall right now.

The only problem I ever had was with the old woman, but after we re-submitted the forms with more explanation, she got the visa.

Even after my divorce, I obtained visas for the whole lot to go to my daughter's wedding in the UK.

Every time I just explained everything in a very detailed letter, made guarntees that they would return to Thailand (meaningless I might add), and attached copy bank statements which showed my monthly salary credits and that I was a person of reasonable financial standing.

I would say you will have no problems - but not sure what effect this outsourcing business is going have on the whole process.

Good luck

[Marko2]

I used to live in the Uk with my Thai wife for a period of some 20 years.

During this time I applied for, and obtained visas for mother in Law, (many times), father in law (twice), wife of father in law (step mother) (twice), brother in law and his wife, old woman who was a close family friend, nephews, nieces and no doubt a few more who I can't recall right now.

The only problem I ever had was with the old woman, but after we re-submitted the forms with more explanation, she got the visa.

Even after my divorce, I obtained visas for the whole lot to go to my daughter's wedding in the UK.

Every time I just explained everything in a very detailed letter, made guarntees that they would return to Thailand (meaningless I might add), and attached copy bank statements which showed my monthly salary credits and that I was a person of reasonable financial standing.

I would say you will have no problems - but not sure what effect this outsourcing business is going have on the whole process.

Good luck

Thanks Mobi,

I'll put plenty of effort into the covering letter.