Visa for Thai wife to UK family bereavment question

[jimbob333]

I live in Thailand on a Non immigrant O visa, married to a Thai national, Don't want to go into the in's and out's, but my mother in England isn't well,Over the next 12 months I will get the dreaded phone call she has passed away, My question is,when the worst happens, can my Thai wife get an emergency visa or can it be done in a day or two, I would possibly go back for one week for the funeral, I would like her to be there to support me, My concern is how quick can that be arranged in those circumstances or is it same as normal and becomes a no go,If I have proof of said bereavement? Would like some feedback as its something I knew would happen but never prepared myself for,I have a British passport by the way.

Cheers in advance

[ubonjoe]

Moved to the visas for other countries forum,

[theoldgit]

If your wife has visited the UK in the previous five years, she can apply for her application to be fast tracked, but that costs a tad over 5,000 Baht on top of the standard application fee.

You used to be able to contact VFS and plead your case for an early appointment, but it seems that you cannot now contact VFS or indeed the UKVI in the case of an emergency.

I cannot believe that they haven't put something in place for the circumstances you describe, I just don't know what they are.

Hopefully someone else may be able to advise.

[jimbob333]

Thanks

[Upnotover]

Even if she qualifies, the priority service takes 3-5 days processing, so add the time to get an appointment and return of the passport it will likely be more than a week. In your position I would apply right now for a 1 year visa, with a well worded explanation of your circumstances. The application ought to be easy enough, given that you live here together.

[jonnyscot]

I'm not advising you to throw away money to apply for a longer term visa, just that your circumstances may fit, if you've both been travelling to UK and had regular visas to UK, maybe worth considering applying for a 2 or 5 year visa, my wife applied for the 5 year last year and she used this very scenario as part of the contents of her letter as my mum wasn't in great health and my wife was quite close to her (we provided evidence of this) sadly and surprisingly it was my dad who passed away in march this year and at the time I was in flight to Nigeria to work, her visa meant I didn't have to be concerned about getting her over to UK she arrived the day after myself,,, in our situation we had I think 3 previous annual visa visits to UK which would I suppose have been taken into account, like I said maybe your situation is similar, worth a thought anyway.

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[jimbob333]

We had planned to go back for Christmas, it would be the first time she has been to the UK, anyone advise me on the how's to a one year Visa?

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[Upnotover]

We had planned to go back for Christmas, it would be the first time she has been to the UK, anyone advise me on the how's to a one year Visa?

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You and she both can write letters explaining the circumstances as to why you are applying now when you have the intention to travel much later. When you start the application you will have to fudge the intended date of travel as I think you cannot start an application earlier than 3 months of that date. The process of application is the same as for 6 months or any other period, only the price changes!

[jimbob333]

How much and what sort of timescale

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[theoldgit]

How much and what sort of timescale

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/308633/fees-table-06-04-14.pdf

[Upnotover]

Applications are mostly processed in 15 days. Costs are as below (from gov.uk), although not sure why they list 1 and 2 years at the same price.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for 6 months on a Family Visitor visa.

You can apply to extend your visa up to 6 months if it’s for less than 6 months.

Long-term visit visa

You can also apply for a long-term visit visa if you can prove you need to make repeat visits over a longer period.

You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit and your visa can last for 1, 2, 5 or 10 years.

Fees

It costs £83 to apply.

Long-term visit visa fees are:

• 1 year - £300
• 2 years - £300
• 5 years - £544
• 10 years - £737

[jimbob333]

Cheers

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[bobrussell]

Longer term visit visas are more expensive and without previous travel history and reasons to make repeated visits the general opinion is that you might be throwing money away as the Entry Clearance Officer is likely to issue a six month visa and there will be no refund of the extra money.

At £83 you may consider applying for a visit visa anyway and making it clear why you are doing so. You may need to travel at short notice.

My biggest concern would be the importance of being able to demonstrate reasons to return as this would be a 'just in case visa'.

It may be better to apply if and when but make it clear on the application that you are requesting rapid processing on compassionate grounds. Some posts here have suggested they are not heartless in this situation!