British goiverment Visa RANT

thaimite · June 10, 2014

Hi Guys

Sorry but I just have to get this off of my chest.

4 weeks ago I applied for a a short holiday visa for Mrs Thaimite my wife of more than 10 years to come with me to the UK for a family wedding. It would have been her first holiday there and my first trip home in 17 years. She has stayed with me in Hong Kong and Dubai whilst I was working there and those visas were a mere formality.

We filled out the online application and supplied all the information we could think they may need to show that we are indeed married and living together and do have funds for such a holiday. I also provided a copy of my yellow house book. and Thai Non immigrant O visa along with a letter explaining the reason for the visit and that it would be paid for out of my own funds as shown by the bank statements provided.

It should also be noted that while the British government claims to provide a link to a web page that describes required documentation to be submitted with the supplication, the site is vague and and seems mainly to describe papers needed when arriving in the UK AFTER getting the visa.

Following the application, we were then subjected to the expense of a trip from Ubon to Bangkok for a 10 minute interview which did not happen until 3 hours after the appointment time. Of course I was not allowed to attend the interview iun case I gave credence to my wife's application.

It appears from the rejection letter she received today that the main reason for rejection was that my bank statements did not have my name on them although my wife did have my bank book with her in the interview it was not looked at or noted. My mistake I forgot to provide a copy of the front page.

It appears to me that any visa request to the UK is is designed to fail unless you are able to second guess the questions they may desire to ask, and I am sure that given the chance I could have provided satisfactory information to answer any reasonable question, but the process ensures that this is not an option. Despite providing email addresses there is no attempt to ask for or clarify any questions they may have.

As a natural born British citizen I find it intolerable that I cannot take my legal and legitimate wife to my home country for a holiday, and I find the whole procedure to be racist and bigoted and is a despicable act by the British government to deprive spouses and families of UK citizens as weell as legitimate visitors chance to enter the UK legally.

There is of course to supply additional infomration along with the request for a review of the decision even with an additional fee. As per their letter the only possibility to appeal is on the grounds that the decision is illegal and although I could endure the expense and hassle of a 2nd application it would be without any reason to hope that it would be accepted and by the time the answer arrives the family wedding would be passed and the main reason for going lost.

Maybe I will try again in another 17 years, but I doubt it.

RANT OVER.

Thank you for listening

Jip99 · June 10, 2014

Somebody in your position should never have a problem.

Sounds like your application was tardy and your post suggests a bit of arrogance in the ease with which you expected to get the visa.

You should have sought the advice of friends or looked at the many threads on Thai Visa that cover exactly what is required.

It is no use bleating at the UK government, you are the only person to blame for not satisfying the criteria.

Time and time again members like the Old Git point out that each application has to be treated on its own merits and you need to tick all the boxes for the EO.

Pomthai · June 10, 2014

Somebody in your position should never have a problem.

Sounds like your application was tardy and your post suggests a bit of arrogance in the ease with which you expected to get the visa.

You should have sought the advice of friends or looked at the many threads on Thai Visa that cover exactly what is required.

It is no use bleating at the UK government, you are the only person to blame for not satisfying the criteria.

Time and time again members like the Old Git point out that each application has to be treated on its own merits and you need to tick all the boxes for the EO.

BS. Its not arrogant. I have been with my Thai partner for 14 years and married for 9 of those. As a UK citizen I also expect my wife to be able to get a visit visa also. This is not arrogance, its a basic human right. The OP is correctly complaining about the system or lack thereof for recourse or follow up.

I 100% agree with the OP.

thaimite · June 10, 2014

Somebody in your position should never have a problem.

Sounds like your application was tardy and your post suggests a bit of arrogance in the ease with which you expected to get the visa.

You should have sought the advice of friends or looked at the many threads on Thai Visa that cover exactly what is required.

It is no use bleating at the UK government, you are the only person to blame for not satisfying the criteria.

Time and time again members like the Old Git point out that each application has to be treated on its own merits and you need to tick all the boxes for the EO.

I admit that the oversite of my name on the bank statements was my fault but the covering letter did clearly state that was what was provided. I would hardly call that a tardy application.

I was well aware of the British Government's attude to h9oliday visa applications from a Thai and did attempt to employ the services of an agent but despite writing to a few offering to use their services non replied.

At the end of the day it appears that the embassey looks for any excuse to deny an application and unless you can second guess all their questions you are screwed.

CharlieH · June 10, 2014

I really do sympathise and agree the rigmarole that one has to endure is ridiculous.

I believe that once married for 5 years, and you have lived in the country of your spouse for that time, she shoukdnt need a visa at all, as its clear the marriage etc is real, but thats maybe for another thread.

You can never give too much information in support of a visa app, it seems you were a little lax in some areas and ended in a negative response, you also have no idea what was actually asked and asnwered in the interview, which initself was a further chance.

Really sorry though, its very frustrating and clearly upsetting.

Why a tourist vis when a 'family' visit would have been more appropriate, just a thought.

Edited June 10, 2014 by CharlieH

brewsterbudgen · June 10, 2014

How come your bank statements didn't have your name on them? You really can't blame the EO for discounting them if it wasn't clear whose bank account they referred to.

Edit: I do sympathise with the gist of your post though!

Edited June 10, 2014 by brewsterbudgen

Jip99 · June 10, 2014

Somebody in your position should never have a problem.

Sounds like your application was tardy and your post suggests a bit of arrogance in the ease with which you expected to get the visa.

You should have sought the advice of friends or looked at the many threads on Thai Visa that cover exactly what is required.

It is no use bleating at the UK government, you are the only person to blame for not satisfying the criteria.

Time and time again members like the Old Git point out that each application has to be treated on its own merits and you need to tick all the boxes for the EO.

BS. Its not arrogant. I have been with my Thai partner for 14 years and married for 9 of those. As a UK citizen I also expect my wife to be able to get a visit visa also. This is not arrogance, its a basic human right. The OP is correctly complaining about the system or lack thereof for recourse or follow up.

I 100% agree with the OP.

Then you will have no problem getting a visa if you complete the application correctly - as i did with the 4 visa applications I have submitted.

Jip99 · June 10, 2014

Somebody in your position should never have a problem.

Sounds like your application was tardy and your post suggests a bit of arrogance in the ease with which you expected to get the visa.

You should have sought the advice of friends or looked at the many threads on Thai Visa that cover exactly what is required.

It is no use bleating at the UK government, you are the only person to blame for not satisfying the criteria.

Time and time again members like the Old Git point out that each application has to be treated on its own merits and you need to tick all the boxes for the EO.

I admit that the oversite of my name on the bank statements was my fault but the covering letter did clearly state that was what was provided. I would hardly call that a tardy application.

I was well aware of the British Government's attude to h9oliday visa applications from a Thai and did attempt to employ the services of an agent but despite writing to a few offering to use their services non replied.

At the end of the day it appears that the embassey looks for any excuse to deny an application and unless you can second guess all their questions you are screwed.

If your application had been properly completed you would have got the visa.

Simple as that because you EASILY qualify.

This is not about how difficult is to qualify it is just about the application.

In my experience they are not looking for reasons to decline - BUT, you have to satisfy their criteria.

If you were to make another application at any time I can almost guarantee you would make sure that it was 100% perfect.

chiang mai · June 10, 2014

I'm sorry that you had to go through that experience and I do understand your anger. But as others have already pointed out....there's no usefullness in my repeating those things but I would urge you to reapply, I'm certain you'll both have a great holiday.

wooloomooloo · June 10, 2014

When is the wedding, thaimite?

Jip99 · June 10, 2014

It will not help your mood to discover (as I did last week) that it is far easier for a European with a Thai wife to visit the UK than it is for a British citizen with a Thai wife to do so.

They can enter under EU citizen's rights rather than the usual immigration regulations.

mariner16 · June 10, 2014

In my experience over the last four years of visa applications for my wife, Australia (twice)and NZ - can't do enough to help, efficient service and 12 month multiple re-entry granted. in comparison UK (twice)- total negative attitude, did nothing to ease the way, grudging gave up a three month single entry visa each time. I should add I have UK/NZ dual nationality and children living in both countries plus a mother in Australia so all visas were for close family visits. The difference in attitude between UK and Australia/NZ is quite remarkable and I am at a lost to understand it.

thaimite · June 10, 2014

To all those who sympathiae, thank you, although I am not really looking for sympathy just a way to vent my anger.

.

To those who state I did not fill out the application correctly, you did not see the application so therefore you have no justification for this claim. I believe it was filled out correctly and the only oversight was mine with the bank statements.

In my defense they were printed from the Kasikorn web site and I did not look at them too closely. My failing eyesight makes it hard for me to read the very small print and I sort of assumed that it would have all infomration there. My bad.

The wedding is the ffirst week of July.

At then end of the day my main complaint must be at the process that does not let me as the husband of the applicant and who is sponsoring her visa have any ability to be at the interview. I know I am by no means the first nor the last to fall foul of the British embassy in this regard. Just let my story be a warning for others.

krisb · June 10, 2014

Wow yet another unhappy customer from vfs UK side. There has been quite a few on here lately.

I really sympathise for all that effort to end up as denied.

Edit to say vfs use to let us sit in on the interviews.

Seems really unfair I suppose they stopped that

Edited June 10, 2014 by krisb

chiang mai · June 10, 2014

A major part of the problem OP is that there are so many people trying to scam the system that the ECO really doesn't know the good from the bad except on the basis of what is presented to them.

And whilst it would be nice and supportive to be with your partner during interview, the ECO really doesn't want to hear the stories that some might concoct on the spur of the moment, not to imply that you might do so but what other possible explanation can there be for a one to one interview, after all, the sponsor is not the visa applicant..

thaimite · June 10, 2014

A major part of the problem OP is that there are so many people trying to scam the system that the ECO really doesn't know the good from the bad except on the basis of what is presented to them.

And whilst it would be nice and supportive to be with your partner during interview, the ECO really doesn't want to hear the stories that some might concoct on the spur of the moment, not to imply that you might do so but what other possible explanation can there be for a one to one interview, after all, the sponsor is not the visa applicant..

What you are saying is that because so many people are guilty it is a waste of time allowing the defence a chance to speak?

All that is required to fix many of the problems is a simple email to the applicant stating that uness questions listed below can be answered to thier satisfaction with supporting evidence within the next x days then the visa will be refused.

wooloomooloo · June 10, 2014

The wedding is the ffirst week of July.

Enough time to swallow your pride and get another application in sharpish?

CharlieH · June 10, 2014

"What you are saying is that because so many people are guilty it is a waste of time allowing the defence a chance to speak?

All that is required to fix many of the problems is a simple email to the applicant stating that uness questions listed below can be answered to thier satisfaction with supporting evidence within the next x days then the visa will be refused"

Isnt that what happened at the interview and why it was possibly requested ?

Edited June 10, 2014 by CharlieH

Basil B · June 10, 2014

"It appears from the rejection letter she received today that the main reason for rejection was that my bank statements did not have my name on them although my wife did have my bank book with her in the interview it was not looked at or noted. My mistake I forgot to provide a copy of the front page."

VFS is an agency for receiving visa applications on behalf of the UKVI who are charged with receiving applications with accompanying documentation and taking "Biometrics", they are not allowed to give advice and AFAIK are not expected to check the documents.

Edit in:

If you need someone to check your application and supporting documents before submitting use a repeatable Visa Agent.

Edited June 10, 2014 by Basil B

chiang mai · June 10, 2014

A major part of the problem OP is that there are so many people trying to scam the system that the ECO really doesn't know the good from the bad except on the basis of what is presented to them.

And whilst it would be nice and supportive to be with your partner during interview, the ECO really doesn't want to hear the stories that some might concoct on the spur of the moment, not to imply that you might do so but what other possible explanation can there be for a one to one interview, after all, the sponsor is not the visa applicant..

What you are saying is that because so many people are guilty it is a waste of time allowing the defence a chance to speak?

All that is required to fix many of the problems is a simple email to the applicant stating that uness questions listed below can be answered to thier satisfaction with supporting evidence within the next x days then the visa will be refused.

I didn't say those things OP, I was just trying to balance the argument in the hope you'd appreciate their point of view.

And you know, sending emails that say something or other is about as useful as nothing, those emails could be from absolutely anyone, I revert to the scamming brigade, you know who you are!

iancnx · June 10, 2014

You can slice it up any way you want. It is an absolute disgrace that a Brit cannot routinely take his wife (of many years) in and out of his home country, as he pleases. The official that rejected this application is nothing more than a complete git! He/she could have easily, and SHOULD have clarified the omission. An absolute disgrace!

chiang mai · June 10, 2014

True, but more importantly, nice avatar!

CharlieH · June 10, 2014

You can slice it up any way you want. It is an absolute disgrace that a Brit cannot routinely take his wife (of many years) in and out of his home country, as he pleases. The official that rejected this application is nothing more than a complete git! He/she could have easily, and SHOULD have clarified the omission. An absolute disgrace!

How do you know they didnt at the interview ? They called the interview as something wasnt right or they wouldnt have called for it. Whatever happened or didnt happen in that interview completed the decision, IMHO.

Basil B · June 10, 2014

Lot of talk about "interview", there is normally no interview by UKVI.

AFAIK the appointment at VFS is to submit the application and take biometrics, ONLY, this is not a interview and nothing of any conversation is passed on to UKVI.

sandyf · June 10, 2014

The OP has some valid points. A while back the guidelines were fairly specific in what information was required but it was altered and now they effectively say to submit what you think necessary.

The other point , and the one that really niggles is in fact the application process. The application is there for anyone travelling to UK from Thailand and everyone is treated the same, a bit over the top when it comes to the spouse of a UK national.

Look at the Schengen visa, the application is 4 pages as opposed to 9 pages for the UK. If the Schengen applicant is the spouse and they are travelling together, you only have to answer about 30 percent of the application. About all that is required is marriage certificate, return air ticket and an itinerary. There is no need for bank statements or travel insurance and the visa is free.

It is something that the UK Border Agency really need to address.

thaimite · June 10, 2014

"It appears from the rejection letter she received today that the main reason for rejection was that my bank statements did not have my name on them although my wife did have my bank book with her in the interview it was not looked at or noted. My mistake I forgot to provide a copy of the front page."

VFS is an agency for receiving visa applications on behalf of the UKVI who are charged with receiving applications with accompanying documentation and taking "Biometrics", they are not allowed to give advice and AFAIK are not expected to check the documents.

Edit in:

If you need someone to check your application and supporting documents before submitting use a repeatable Visa Agent.

As stated. I did initially try to employ the services of a visa agent but although emails were sent to a few asking if they would be wiling to help, non replied. At the time of the initial form filling exercise I was employed overseas and it would have been a good help.

If the VFS is only a form receiving agency then what is the point of making the applicant wait 3 hours beyond the application time for an interview?

thaimite · June 10, 2014

A major part of the problem OP is that there are so many people trying to scam the system that the ECO really doesn't know the good from the bad except on the basis of what is presented to them.

And whilst it would be nice and supportive to be with your partner during interview, the ECO really doesn't want to hear the stories that some might concoct on the spur of the moment, not to imply that you might do so but what other possible explanation can there be for a one to one interview, after all, the sponsor is not the visa applicant..

What you are saying is that because so many people are guilty it is a waste of time allowing the defence a chance to speak?

All that is required to fix many of the problems is a simple email to the applicant stating that uness questions listed below can be answered to thier satisfaction with supporting evidence within the next x days then the visa will be refused.

I didn't say those things OP, I was just trying to balance the argument in the hope you'd appreciate their point of view.

And you know, sending emails that say something or other is about as useful as nothing, those emails could be from absolutely anyone, I revert to the scamming brigade, you know who you are!

Sorry if I misinterpreted your comment, but either way it does nothing to balance the argument.

AS a to my comment the point was they could if they so wished ask for additional evidence or clarification to be provided at a second interview if necessary. As others have pointed out, wives of residents of other countries are not treated this badly/

sandyf · June 10, 2014

It will not help your mood to discover (as I did last week) that it is far easier for a European with a Thai wife to visit the UK than it is for a British citizen with a Thai wife to do so.

They can enter under EU citizen's rights rather than the usual immigration regulations.

You are quite right. The right to free movement does not apply in your home country.

chiang mai · June 10, 2014