Hi everyone,

I've read and as I want to get everything just so, am checking so sorry as I'm sure this has been asked a million times. I want to bring my boyfirend over for a few months, he wants to come for 6 but I've been given the impression it looks better for a first time application if its for less than that? Also I'm self employed and do my own accounts, are bank statements showing my ready funds and a letter saying I am self employed enough, I'd rather not have to print out my accounts if I can help it., anyone have an experience of this?

He has a full time job in thailand at a muay thai camp (where we met) and his boss has agreed to provide backing etc for him and he owns a house there so that should be that side of it covered.

So I have:

passport with visa stamps phot copied

bank statements

rent agreement

council tax bill

proof of our relationship-huge stack of messages/phone records/photos

proof of my self employment

sponsors letter detailing our relationship etc...

he has:

bank statement

identity docs

employers letter

deeds

does that sound right? any tips apprciated

sorry for all my typos!!

If his intention is to stay for 6 months, then that is what he should say in the application.

Unless the Entry Clearance Officer has a very good reason for limiting the validity of the visa, it will be valid for 6 months any way.

He would not be breaking any rules were he to say in his application that he intended to stay for, say, 2 months and then stay the full 6. However, this could damage his credibility in any future applications unless he satisfactorily explained why he did so and how he was able to.

If you are financing the visit then your last 6 months bank statements should be provided. If you can provide some evidence of your income as well, such as your last SA statement, so much the better.

You should say in your sponsor's letter that you are self employed and so cannot provide pay slips.

Your list looks fine; except that there is no need for your council tax bill or rent agreement. However, you should say in your sponsor's letter that you rent, say how many rooms the property has and who else, if anyone, lives there. If you can get a letter from you landlord confirming that your boyfriend can stay there and that there is room for him, this will help.

You should also self certify each page of your photo copied passport; "I (full name) certify that this is a true copy of page (number) of passport (number). Signed and dated."

His documents should show that he has sufficient ties to Thailand to return after the visit. He has an employer's letter and deeds, presumably to show that he owns property. Anything else he can provide will help.

However, very few, if any, Thai employers will grant someone 6 months leave. His employer must make it clear that his job will definitely be there for him on his return.

It is highly likely that the ECO will phone the employer to confirm the contents of the letter. If it is written in English the ECO will want to speak to the signatory in English, and will doubt the letter's authenticity if they are unable to do so. If the letter is written in Thai, then they will be happy to speak to the signatory in Thai; but you should provide an English translation of it.

You may find UK visit visa basics helpful.

However

Hello...just thought Id say thank you to everyone... we got the visa no problems at all. Without the wealth of info on all these forums I doubt we would have suceeded. He comes on September 15!!!

Hello...just thought Id say thank you to everyone... we got the visa no problems at all. Without the wealth of info on all these forums I doubt we would have suceeded. He comes on September 15!!!

Well done, hope you both enjoy the UK

John