Tourist Visa To The Uk For Gf

[tariq]

Hi

I've read some of the previous posts on this subject and I'd like some more info specifically relating to my circumstances.

I've known a thai girl for a little over a year now. She's a bar girl (no advice needed on "do I know what I'm doing"/ "never works" etc etc - thanks!)

I've been to visit her in LOS 3 times since we first met and have spent some great times travelling around. I've met her family and her 2 kids several times now.

We've been emailing, texting and calling each other for over a year.

I'm in full time employment in the UK, I have a fairly well paid job with no money problems.

We've been talking for some time now on a future together and we both think a stint in the UK for a few months would be the next stage. I understand a tourist visa is what she needs.

I'd like some info/ advice on what info we should have for her application and any pitfalls or things I should be careful off. I'm worried about the fact that she works in a bar and how that could affect her application although she does have a sister who owns a beauty salon who may be able to help but I'd prefer to keep it all above board just in case.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Taz...

[vinny]

See 10.2 Requirements for a visitor under the Rules,

Sponsors,

Visitors and

Gf Got Tourist Visa To Uk Today

Edited April 30, 2006 by vinny

[GU22]

The biggest problem that you may face is going to be 'reason to return.'

As she is a bar girl, the ECO is not going top believe that her job is going to call her home to Thailand.

Her children wont count as a reason either. The ECOs are well aware that many Thais leave their children with relatives in order to travel abroad for work.

Does she own property?

However, many Brits have obtained visit visas for their girlfriend, who happens to be a bar girl, simply because they have shown to the ECO that the relationship is genuine and so the reason for the visit is genuine. If the ECO feels that at some stage she will want to settle in the UK with you then s/he will also feel that she would not want to put that at risk by breaking the terms of a visit visa. Result: visa issued.

However, if the ECO has doubts about the relationship thens/he may feel that your g/f is merely using you to get a visa so she can continue her chosen profession in the UK. Result: visa refused.

So, provide as much evidence as you can of contact, your trips to Thailand and time spent with her etc. A covering letter from you outlining the reason for the visit at this time and your future plans should be included as well.

I'm worried about the fact that she works in a bar and how that could affect her application although she does have a sister who owns a beauty salon who may be able to help but I'd prefer to keep it all above board just in case.

I can see what you are hinting at. DON'T! The ECO will see through any attempt to conceal her past. Result: visa refused.

[tariq]

Thanks for the replies guys.. all seems fairly straight forward. Thanks too for the advice on not using the sister-in-law to help. I thought it was a bad idea too.

One thing I forgot to mention though is that she is not divorced yet although she has been separated form her husband for a couple of years now. Wil this affect the application?

Cheers

Taz...

[GU22]

Not for a visit. Obviously, though, she will need to sort this out if you are going to apply for settlement at some stage.

[vinny]

See also How Do Bargirls Get Visas?

[tariq]

Thanks for the info guys.. some useful stuff there.

I was talking to a guy in LOS a few days ago who said the BarGirl thing may present a problem depending on who's reviewing the visa aplication that day. He suggested it could be easier if she had another job at the time of her application as it would show a better reason for her to return when the visa expires.

He said he knew of a couple of guys who used to send money to them to take them out of the bar scene but didn't fully support them. They gave them some cash to help support them whilst they had another job.

My questions would be, and I appreciate this is probably dificult to answer...

1. If I were to FULLY support her to get her out of the bar scene what kind of monthly amounts should I expect to send?

2. If I were to HELP support her while she found another job what kind of monthly amounts should I expect to send to her?

Some info that may help you advise me on this...

She is originally from Kampaengpetch and would like to go back there.

She regularly sends money back to her parents who look after her 2 kids both under 10yrs of age so she would need to have enough money to continue to help support her parents and kids.

Her parents are farmers in Kampaengpetch and work the farm themselves.. they're both late 50's.

Before she split from her husband she and he used to sell food to local businesses so she may want to return to do this. She'd probably need to buy some form of transport. A car or scooter?

Any thoughts/ suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Taz...

[GU22]

1. If I were to FULLY support her to get her out of the bar scene what kind of monthly amounts should I expect to send?

2. If I were to HELP support her while she found another job what kind of monthly amounts should I expect to send to her?

It depends on what sort of lifestyle she wants.

My step-son has just finished university in Bangkok. While he was studying we were his sole support and we sent him £75 (approx 5000baht) a month. This covered his rent and normal living expenses with some left over for leisure activities. He was also able to put some aside for one off expenses.

Many Thais live on a lot less than this.

If the relationship is real and you are both serious about each other than it is natural that she would want to leave the bar, and that you should want her to do so. However, do not be tempted to lie about how you met on the visa application.