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Posted

Great site, and a great tool for all walks of life in BKK. I've recently returned to the UK having lived there for 2 years for professional study reasons, anyway like most I fell in love with the place and a lady and only until recently applied for a visa for a visit to the UK.#

My story and problem is a little different from most so I hope I can get some good advice. I'd been a single parent for 10 years raising my son from 6 - 17 years old, so I've not seen much career prospects along the way with commitments elsewhere so I thought I'd try catch up and dedicate 2 years on developing qualifications. I have passed 6 of the 7. The future looks a lot better, or it would had I not met and fell in love with a Thai lady. Now I cannot start work, or a future as a family, so I'm not sure what the best next step to take.

I met a girl who had previously started a family with an Englishman and had a daughter together, when we met their daughter was very young and she had already been told he had found someone else and that he wanted the baby. This wasn't accepted on face value, I watched and learned. We met 6 months later, and everything developed slowly over time. She was pretty honest and told me her daughter comes first, which I wouldn't except anything less from a mother and told me that the babies father wanted her back and he wanted her GO THE UK. Well having done the same for my son I understood, and accepted that. We said we would keep I touch and left it as friends. 1 month later I got the first call, and turned out to be nothing but a plan to get their baby. I needed to send monies over 3 months later to ensure she came home with their baby. I don't really want to discus other details but he didn't care for much except himself by the looks of things.

She arriving back to BKK we started living together, she'd work and I'd study, and it got better by the day odd cultural difference & the TRUST issue. Trust don't come easy in Thailand.. but now we are talking of starting a family and building a future together. We have known each other almost 2 years, lived together 6 months, travelled etc and we recently applied for a visa.. which was turned down because they thought sole purpose was to visit her daughter in the UK(daughter is now in the UK), and because I was in the UK at the time of application they refused without an interview, just an explanation.

I want to start building a career for a family, and in the UK I'd be able to achieve more, but the visa people have said I need go back to Thailand continue living together, and show further commitment. My head is all over the place at the moment as I'm home, spending time with my son, but cannot help my other side of the family in Thailand.

How can I achieve a life together in Thailand? Can I work Thailand as network engineer if married UK or Thailand? Or do I have a case for a future in the UK? I've read soon they will reinstate the 10 year visa for Thai gf/spouse.

I'd appreciate any help, or private messages of advice.

Regards

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Posted

To start, thanks for the reply. To clear things up I'm looking at a future for us both in the UK as either a civil partner of a spouse. I'm waiting on an email from the agency so will attach as and when received.

We both being in the UK is 1st choice depending on time scale, however if this is going to take some time I'd return back to Thailand, work if possible, and wait as it is processed.

Thanks

I'm sorry, but I can't work out what you are asking about.

If you want advise on her UK visit visa refusal, we need to see the actual refusal notice; removing any names.

I will say that UK visit visa applicants are almost never interviewed and your being in the UK when she applied will have made no difference.

If you are asking for advise on her coming to live in the UK with you, then read UK Settlement Visa Basics and then feel free to ask any further questions.

If you are asking about visas for you to live in Thailand, then you are in the wrong forum.

Posted (edited)

As already stated above we were and are living together, however I'm now back in the UK until decided on best method to progress.

Sorry, what is the point of the question.. ?

if you are not living together how are you in a civil partnership?

Edited by RoyEngland
Posted

Thailand is last resort, well second choice, I'm aiming to start a family within the UK but willing to stay in Thailand longer to ensure a civil or spouse visa I'm just not sure of the detail and how to achieve it. I've paid for advice and help, now I'm looking for second opinion. If needed I'll stay Thailand, but right now I'm looking to get information mainly on getting a civil partner/future spouse a visa for the UK having just failed. Not grasping at straws, just hoping to start developing a career at the same time as starting a family.

As for the rest of your input, all visa applications are different, and mine is pretty complicated. I've gave more detail than I'm happy doing on an internet forum. I'm hoping to communicate with someone who knows what he's talking about and discuss privately.

Thanks for your input, but it's not the input I'm looking for. I'm actually seeking people who can help and advise on obtaining a visa for the united kingdom.

To the OP ... nice story ... we never get stories such as yours asking about Australian Visas!

To be honest, Ive read your Opening Post 2 times now and still none the wiser.

The bit that is clear are your final questions.

How can I achieve a life together in Thailand?

This is a forum and not exactly life counseling.

Maybe better to try to rephrase and restate this part of your question and ask in the Family forum

Can I work Thailand as network engineer if married UK or Thailand?

Well, do you speak and write Thai? ... that widens your employment opportunities.

To Work in Thailand, you need a work permit and usually is proceeded by a job offer.

Have you investigated the possibilities for your professional work in Thailand?

The work question is maybe better asked in the other Visa Forum here.

Or do I have a case for a future in the UK?

I've read soon they will reinstate the 10 year visa for Thai gf/spouse.

Answer to both questions posed above ... who knows ... future predicting

Roy, mate, I'm not having a go at you but ... if you are an engineer, that is a structured, concise profession.

Forums like this are similarly based. formulate your concise question ask it and the good folk here try and answer it.

Good Luck.

Posted

You seem now to be asking for advice about a Settlement Visa, in which case you should read the thread Settlement Basics, 7by7 has already provided the link.

Settlement is basically a tick box exercise, and you have to prove that you are able to provide for your partner/spouse, and in proving this you need to show evidence of an income in excess of GPB18,600 per year.

What sort of visa did your girlfriend apply for before, and what were the reason for refusal?

You seem to have confused people, including me, as you have also talked about living in Thailand.

This is a public forum where people share knowledge and experience, and as such giving advice by private message is not encouraged. If you feel you need advice tailored to your personal situation, then you might be better employing an agent.

  • Like 2
Posted

Before reading the advised web pages It wasn't clear to me what I was wanting as I wasn't sure what my options were that's why I started it pretty open, as I was open to suggestion. Open to suggestion..

I didn't say before but thanks 7by7, those pages where helpful.

We applied for a holiday visa, and it was rejected as they thought the purpose was for a visit was to see her daughter not holiday. We hoped to see her daughter if it was an option, but wasn't the purpose of the trip. Our agent suggested not to state our relationship was 2 years long as it involved reconciliation during that time with the babies father, which as a result made it look like a short term relationship. Now I'm not 100% as I didn't get to see the final submitted documents, but that's the way its coming across. I've asked for the letter be scanned and emailed so should know better soon.

Private message or not.. no offense but I'll accept advice either way.

You seem now to be asking for advice about a Settlement Visa, in which case you should read the thread Settlement Basics, 7by7 has already provided the link.

Settlement is basically a tick box exercise, and you have to prove that you are able to provide for your partner/spouse, and in proving this you need to show evidence of an income in excess of GPB18,600 per year.

What sort of visa did your girlfriend apply for before, and what were the reason for refusal?

You seem to have confused people, including me, as you have also talked about living in Thailand.

This is a public forum where people share knowledge and experience, and as such giving advice by private message is not encouraged. If you feel you need advice tailored to your personal situation, then you might be better employing an agent.

Posted

As others have said, your post is somewhat confusing. It would be good to see the refusal letter, to see what was applied for, and why the application was refused. You say that the application was refused because your girlfriend might have visited her daughter while in the UK. I would have thought that was actually a good reason for a visit to the UK.

Some points, and questions:

She cannot be your civil partner. Civil partnerships are for same - sex relationships.

How long ago did her daughter go to the UK ? Does she have contact with her daughter and, if so, can she prove that ?

You say that you used an agent. What have they told you ? Did they assist you with the visit visa application ?

If you are thinking about your girlfriend going to the UK as your fiancee, or even your wife if you marry in Thailand, do you meet the financial requirements of the immigration rules ? That is, basically, do you have an income of 18,600 GBP a year or more ?

Depending on the situation with her daughter in the UK, we might be able to help you. I am waiting for a reply from the UKV&I on a similar situation now.

Tony M

Posted

Yes, I should have a copy of the refusal letter soon. My girlfriend reunited with the baby father and visited the UK however returned January this year ahead of schedule, something I needed to finance. She does have contact via with her daughter via Skype and telephone. I think part of the problem was the application it self and being in a relationship within weeks of returning Thailand, however this had began 18 months previous so I'm not sure if that worked against us or not ?

Her Daughter visited the UK, returned this January, then returned to the UK 3 months ago and still resides there. What was suggested for assisting in the failed application was the purpose of the visa as they felt this looked more like a visit to see her daughter than a 1 month holiday. My/Her agent suggested that I go back to Thailand and continue living together for 4 months then try again.

Income wise, I do have pretty large savings however my income is from my owned property let which provides slightly below the income threshold.

Also correction, it is a Fiancé or spouse visa I'm looking for :/

And thanks for the input

As others have said, your post is somewhat confusing. It would be good to see the refusal letter, to see what was applied for, and why the application was refused. You say that the application was refused because your girlfriend might have visited her daughter while in the UK. I would have thought that was actually a good reason for a visit to the UK.

Some points, and questions:

She cannot be your civil partner. Civil partnerships are for same - sex relationships.

How long ago did her daughter go to the UK ? Does she have contact with her daughter and, if so, can she prove that ?

You say that you used an agent. What have they told you ? Did they assist you with the visit visa application ?

If you are thinking about your girlfriend going to the UK as your fiancee, or even your wife if you marry in Thailand, do you meet the financial requirements of the immigration rules ? That is, basically, do you have an income of 18,600 GBP a year or more ?

Depending on the situation with her daughter in the UK, we might be able to help you. I am waiting for a reply from the UKV&I on a similar situation now.

Tony M

Posted

Okay. I do need to see what the refusal notice says, as that could well influence the type of future application.

How old is the daughter ? You say she visited the UK, then came back to Thailand, then went to UK again. Who does she travel backwards and forwards with ?

When was the application refused ? Did you appeal ( there is no right of appeal as a family visitor any more, but you could/could have possibly appealed on human rights grounds). It might be a tenuous argument, but did your agent look into it ?

If you have rental income and savings, then you might meet the financial threshold.

If you want to contact Paul at the office here, he can give you a better idea of where you stand with this, and your options. Any initial consultation is free, of course.

Tony M

Posted

Given the OP's apparent inability to express concisely what he wishes to achieve his best course of action would be to secure the assistance of an agent. (There is an offer of a free initial consultation above)

Posted

Come to Thailand, marry this woman, show money in the bank to support her/yourself and apply for a Non O visa based on marriage, have a look at job opportunites, maybe you could teach English, then have her apply for a visa for your home country as your wife....

That is what I would do.

Hope this helps

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)

As already stated above we were and are living together, however I'm now back in the UK until decided on best method to progress.

Sorry, what is the point of the question.. ?

if you are not living together how are you in a civil partnership?

I think what the OP has said is:

He met a girl in Thailand who had a kid with another English guy. So they were "just good friends" for a bit.

The girl went to the UK on a v/v (family v/v or whatever?) to see the ex (current?) bf to deposit said kid.

He gave her some money to return to Thailand as mission accomplished/she had a row with the current/ex fella and she returned to Thailand with kid in tow. Although he then hasn't explained how the child then came to be back in the UK again? blink.png.pagespeed.ce.AQgCnSOpp_.png

He had previously lived with her for 6 months (not the two years required) so he thinks he can get an "unmarried partners visa" - which may be a bit difficult if she's just applied to visit another bloke and "maybe" said she was his gf...which may explain the recent refusal?

Also, he already stated above "we were and are living together, however I'm now back in the UK"...Err....so you are not living with her then as you are in two different countries.

Is this correct? Not sure as it took me about 4 attempts to read the goobledegook whistling.gif

RAZZ

Edited by RAZZELL
  • Like 2
Posted

Well, just a note....you can definitely work as a network engineer, depending on your experience and qualifications. I have met guys from all over working here in that capacity. Some guys are working for themselves (have to patch work together by yourself...a bit tougher) and other guys working for big companies in BKK and Chiangmai, etc. It depends on how much demand there is for what you do (inside the broad phrase "network engineering".) It needs to be something that not many Thais are doing.

It seems the easiest way is to find a job in the UK that already operates in SE Asia or Thailand and then get placed there with them. Still, if your skills are highly valued, you might be able to find something here directly.

Not saying it is easy, but there are some people doing this (and some on this forum, most likely).

Good luck with everything.

Posted

As already stated above we were and are living together, however I'm now back in the UK until decided on best method to progress.

Sorry, what is the point of the question.. ?

if you are not living together how are you in a civil partnership?

I think what the OP has said is:

He met a girl in Thailand who had a kid with another English guy.

The girl went to the UK on a v/v (family v/v or whatever?) to see the ex (current?) bf to deposit said kid.

He gave her some money to return to Thailand as mission accomplished/she had a row with the current/ex fella.

He had previously lived with her for 6 months (not the two years required) so he thinks he can get an "unmarried partners visa" - which may be a bit difficult if she's just applied to visit another bloke and "maybe" said she was his gf...which may explain the recent refusal?

Also, he already stated above "we were and are living together, however I'm now back in the UK"...Err....so you are not living with her then as you are in two different countries.

Is this correct? Not sure as it took me about 4 attempts to read the goobledegook whistling.gif

RAZZ

RAZZ ... next time I meet you (which will be the first time BTW) ... I'll buy you a beer ... drunk.gif ... I can interpret and rewrite meatboy's posts ... but this OP was a bridge too far, even for me.

Take a shout (round of beers) out of petty cash ... I'm good for it ... rolleyes.gif

.

laugh.pngthumbsup.gif

Just added a couple more sentences after reading it for the sixth time.

Haven't even attempted the first few paras about his son and work rolleyes.gif.pagespeed.ce.hZ59UWKk-s.gif

RAZZ

  • Like 1
Posted

Come to Thailand, marry this woman, show money in the bank to support her/yourself and apply for a Non O visa based on marriage, have a look at job opportunites, maybe you could teach English, then have her apply for a visa for your home country as your wife....

That is what I would do.

Hope this helps

THAT'S IS THE RIGHT ANSWER! If you love this woman, come to Thailand, get married, open a bank account, and apply for a marriage visa showing your income and your savings. If you cannot meet the income, take a few months to get a English teacher certification and look for a teaching job. You will get a teaching job, somewhere in Thailand for sure, and you will get a work permit. With time you may even get a job in your profession. After getting married and established here you and your wife can start the fight to get her daughter back or to move to your country.

Posted (edited)

Yes, I know a guy who started his own company, however he also brought a lot of experience. I'm a newly acquired CCNP/CCIE cisco engineer and there's plenty of work, but getting it in Thailand is another matter.

Teaching I.T might be an option.

Well, just a note....you can definitely work as a network engineer, depending on your experience and qualifications. I have met guys from all over working here in that capacity. Some guys are working for themselves (have to patch work together by yourself...a bit tougher) and other guys working for big companies in BKK and Chiangmai, etc. It depends on how much demand there is for what you do (inside the broad phrase "network engineering".) It needs to be something that not many Thais are doing.

It seems the easiest way is to find a job in the UK that already operates in SE Asia or Thailand and then get placed there with them. Still, if your skills are highly valued, you might be able to find something here directly.

Not saying it is easy, but there are some people doing this (and some on this forum, most likely).

Good luck with everything.

Edited by RoyEngland
Posted

Thanks for the post. Very helpful.

Come to Thailand, marry this woman, show money in the bank to support her/yourself and apply for a Non O visa based on marriage, have a look at job opportunites, maybe you could teach English, then have her apply for a visa for your home country as your wife....

That is what I would do.

Hope this helps

THAT'S IS THE RIGHT ANSWER! If you love this woman, come to Thailand, get married, open a bank account, and apply for a marriage visa showing your income and your savings. If you cannot meet the income, take a few months to get a English teacher certification and look for a teaching job. You will get a teaching job, somewhere in Thailand for sure, and you will get a work permit. With time you may even get a job in your profession. After getting married and established here you and your wife can start the fight to get her daughter back or to move to your country.

Posted

Nope, nothing like that.. but thanks for your time for trying. ;)

As already stated above we were and are living together, however I'm now back in the UK until decided on best method to progress.

Sorry, what is the point of the question.. ?

if you are not living together how are you in a civil partnership?

I think what the OP has said is:

He met a girl in Thailand who had a kid with another English guy. So they were "just good friends" for a bit.

The girl went to the UK on a v/v (family v/v or whatever?) to see the ex (current?) bf to deposit said kid.

He gave her some money to return to Thailand as mission accomplished/she had a row with the current/ex fella and she returned to Thailand with kid in tow. Although he then hasn't explained how the child then came to be back in the UK again? blink.png.pagespeed.ce.AQgCnSOpp_.png

He had previously lived with her for 6 months (not the two years required) so he thinks he can get an "unmarried partners visa" - which may be a bit difficult if she's just applied to visit another bloke and "maybe" said she was his gf...which may explain the recent refusal?

Also, he already stated above "we were and are living together, however I'm now back in the UK"...Err....so you are not living with her then as you are in two different countries.

Is this correct? Not sure as it took me about 4 attempts to read the goobledegook whistling.gif

RAZZ

Posted (edited)

OP, please confirm:

Are you asking about a UK visa for her?

Or

Are you asking about a Thai visa for you?

Edited by 7by7
Posted

What is up with some people. Not interested in negative feedback. If your genuinely interested and want to help, please do but if not please move on.

Posted (edited)

Her a UK visa, and should that require I come back to Thailand then I'll need to understand how to achieve work and obtain a THAI working visa(which is another section of this site I know wink.png), however if this is a stretch to far and work is hard to come by then I should look into the teaching jobs like someone has already mentioned. If I'm not required to come back to Thailand I can crack on and start applying for work in the UK and not waste anymore time and build towards it.

What I want is to build towards getting her a visa in the UK, by either MYSELF working in the UK, or working in Thailand but working as a network engineer.

However there has been some already helpful posts, that are actually helping me clarify what I need to do, and discover what my options for either staying UK or returning Thailand.

So does that mean both!?

OP, please confirm:

Are you asking about a UK visa for her?

Or

Are you asking about a Thai visa for you?

Edited by RoyEngland

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