UK Tourist Visa for girlfriend or is it better as only friend.

[CaptainWindsock]

My girlfriend is planning on applying for a visa to visit the UK. However she has only been my girlfriend since last October and I only have proof of this from about last February. I will sponsor her for this trip and several questions arise.

Is it best to mention me only as a friend and not boyfriend? If I am only a friend do I still have to supply proof of this. And for how long do I need to be a friend.

Also she is in full time employment and will take unpaid holiday for this trip. If her employer won't play ball and says she has to leave the company and re apply when she gets back would this be a problem.

Any help will be appreciated so thanks in advance.

[7by7]

If you are sponsoring her then you need to show why; i.e. that there is a relationship. Whether you call this relationship 'girlfriend/boyfriend' or just 'friends' is up to you.

If her employer is willing to give her time off and hold her job open for her then obviously this is better than her leaving the job and hoping to get it back, or another one, on her return.

However, people do get visit visas when they have no job to return to after their visit.

If her employer is willing to give her the time off then they should write a letter confirming this and when she is due back to work; the entry clearance officer wont just take her word for it.

Someone from the entry clearance section may phone the employer to confirm the contents of this letter. If it is written in English they will expect to speak to the signatory in English and will doubt the letter's authenticity if that person cannot do so. If the letter is written in Thai they will be happy to speak to the signatory in Thai; though you should include an English translation with it in the application.

You may find UK visit visa basics helpful.

[newcomer01]

Just put this together for a friend of mine. Not in any order with the links. Hope it is of some help. Basically if you show proof of your funds and add a covering letter sating you will be responsible for all expenses should be enough. If she has a job and proof of funds in Thailand all the better. If you can go to the interview with her.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-as-general-visitor-form-vaf1a

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/255355/vaf1a.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-any-uk-visit-visa-using-vaf1-forms


Apply for visa online
https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

Apply for an account. ************************* must do first. ***********
https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/account/register

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/applicationcentre.html

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/thailand/

Apply online

https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa

https://visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk/y/thailand/usd/visit/general-visitors/all

Fees
It costs £83 to apply.

Long-term visit visa fees are:
1 year - £300
2 years - £300
5 years - £544
10 years - £737

3. Documents you must provide
When you apply you’ll need to provide:

a current passport or other valid travel identification
2 passport size colour photographs
evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, eg bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans - you shouldn’t pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa
You need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa.

You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh.

Read the guidance for a full list of documents you can provide.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

4. Apply
Apply outside the UK
You must apply online for a General Visitor visa. **********

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.

You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you’re in - check with your visa application centre.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-as-general-visitor-form-vaf1a

BANGKOK
Address
The Trendy Office Building , 28th Floor,
Sukhumbvit Soi 13, Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana,
Bangkok 10110

Opening hours:

Application submission - with a prior appointment:
Monday to Friday
08:30-15:00

Application submission – Prime time appointment (for an additional fee):
Saturday
08:30-12:00

Decision and document collection:
Monday to Friday
10:00-16:00
Saturday
08:30-12:00

Enquiries at the visa application centre:

Monday to Friday
08:30-16:00

User pay services

We offer a range of optional additional services to help you with your visa application. To use them, you will need to pay an extra fee in addition to the visa application fee.

Security information

For security reasons the following items will not be permitted inside the visa application centre or stored in the premises.

All battery operated or electronic gadgets such as cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3's, laptops, or portable music players.
All bags such as travel bags, back packs, briefcases, suitcases, leather, jute or cloth bags and zip folders. Only a plastic bag containing your application related papers is permitted.
Sealed envelopes or packages.
Any inflammable item such as matchboxes/ lighters/ fuel.
Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail filers.
Weapon or weapon like objects or explosive material of any kind.
This list is not finite. Other items may be prohibited based on security staff discretion.

The visa application centre is unable to store prohibited items. Applicants should make other arrangements to store their belongings before they enter the visa application centre.

Data Protection Act

The Data Protection Act prevents UK Visas and Immigration and VFS Global from providing information about an application to anybody other than the individual visa applicant or their authorised representative.

[7by7]

<snip>

Basically if you show proof of your funds and add a covering letter sating you will be responsible for all expenses should be enough.

Sorry; no, there's a bit more to it than that.

There are three criteria which need to be met:

• Genuine visitor with a genuine reason to visit
• Can afford the visit, using the applicant's funds, the sponsor's, a third party's or any combination of these. Whoever is contributing towards the costs should provide evidence of their ability to do so.The covering letter you mention is not enforceable under UK law and so will not, on it's own, be acceptable evidence that funds will be available. Hence the need to show a genuine relationship between the applicant and anyone who is helping with the funding and so a genuine reason for that person so doing.
• Will leave the UK at the end of the visit. A job, as you say, helps with this; but is not absolutely essential. If she has a job and proof of funds in Thailand all the better.

If you can go to the interview with her.

Visit visa applicants are not routinely interviewed, and in the very rare cases where they are this is usually done by phone. If she is called in for an interview, the OP will not be allowed to accompany her; though he could wait outside the embassy while she is inside.

Likewise, when she attends the VAC to hand in her application etc., only she will be allowed in; though the OP can go with her and wait outside.

[jimn]

Newcomer01 I know you mean well but please be sure of your facts before posting. It does end up miss leading people rather than helping. Also as 7by7 has said there is no interview for a General visa application. Vfs are an agent of the embassy and are there to accept the applicants documents and take biometrics before forwarding to the embassy where an ECO will make a decision. Pointless your friend going with her other than for moral support. He will not be allowed in with her.

[newcomer01]

After my suggestions, if he wants facts connect to the links to VFS Thailand and UK. All the following info is from their website.Check if you wish. It is always easier after she has got her first one. She now has to go in person for the application. I have attached the facts and links.

Misleading is is when you don't give access to the correct info. The hints were given to me by Brits who have done it recently.

Do you also mention applications are done online and an appointment is necessary and only the forms and documents will be used

Anyhow thanks for your input. We are supposed to be online to assist.

[jimn]

After my suggestions, if he wants facts connect to the links to VFS Thailand and UK. All the following info is from their website.Check if you wish. It is always easier after she has got her first one. She now has to go in person for the application. I have attached the facts and links.

Misleading is is when you don't give access to the correct info. The hints were given to me by Brits who have done it recently.

Do you also mention applications are done online and an appointment is necessary and only the forms and documents will be used

Anyhow thanks for your input. We are supposed to be online to assist.

Newcomer01 At no time did I say that you were not trying to help and yes I know that the links were from the website. 7by7 is as far as I know one of the experts on this site, he always spends a great deal of time in helping people, as you can see from his pinned topics. However if you post inaccuracies in the interests of all they must be pointed out. Deal in facts and not hints.

Applications have been done on line for some time now, all that has changed is the website and the VFS address. The applicant has to go in person that has not changed. You submit the form online, pay your money and make an appointment to submit the documents and biometrics.

I also don't know why you think its easier if she has got her first one. No it is not. Each application is treated on its own merits. Applicants who do not put the same effort and details into every application could end up disappointed, yes I made that mistake before, but not now.

Would welcome further discussion but not petty snipes, we are trying to help as you said.