Uk Visa application

[npetit1]

Hi

I am engaged to my Thai fiance who is a nurse since December. I have booked a flight for the two of us back to the UK for a holiday and this will be her first time. I am a falang ofcourse. I work and live in Bangkok. I have completed, paid etc for the visa application and we have an appointment with the agency on Wednesday. She is worried that her application will be turned down. I said as long as we show proof that she is returning and we work in Thailand with proof of return tickets and a good letter that should suffice. Yesterday she said they will only approve of the application if you pay them "under the table".

If this is true which I have no doubt..how much are we talking?? Since I have booked the tickets, holiday etc I don't want to trip up at the last minute. What other docs do I need beside the application form, tickets, passports, etc?

Thanks

[robertthebruce]

That's not true...

We applied last week, with all the relevant documentation, and we have just been granted the 6 month Tourist Visa.

What I will say is it's important you have all the correct documentation and proof..

All the best

[npetit1]

That's not true...

We applied last week, with all the relevant documentation, and we have just been granted the 6 month Tourist Visa.

What I will say is it's important you have all the correct documentation and proof..

All the best

thanks!

[brewsterbudgen]

As it's a British civil servant at the British Embassy, an ECO, who will decide whether she gets the visa or not, and you will never meet this person, any "under the table" payment will be a complete waste of money.

If you both have jobs in Thailand, her visa should be straightforward,

Slightly risky booking the tickets before she has the visa though!

[npetit1]

As it's a British civil servant at the British Embassy, an ECO, who will decide whether she gets the visa or not, and you will never meet this person, any "under the table" payment will be a complete waste of money.

If you both have jobs in Thailand, her visa should be straightforward,

Slightly risky booking the tickets before she has the visa though!

Yes but it was getting more expensive to book and she works 6 days a week so time was precious.

[jimn]

As it's a British civil servant at the British Embassy, an ECO, who will decide whether she gets the visa or not, and you will never meet this person, any "under the table" payment will be a complete waste of money.

If you both have jobs in Thailand, her visa should be straightforward,

Slightly risky booking the tickets before she has the visa though!

Yes but it was getting more expensive to book and she works 6 days a week so time was precious.

Totally agree with brewsterbudgen

Unlike most things in Thai society, an under the table payment to secure a UK visa especially via an agent, simply dosent exist. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar and a scammer. As long as your lady shows proof of your Relationship, financial capability to support herself in the UK or you can prove you can sponsor her, proof of where you will stay and a strong reason to return, then the chances are that she will be granted a General Visit Visa. As for booking your flight, the advice is not to book flights before the visa is granted. Nothing stopping you of course but it will be expensive not cheaper if she don't get the visa.

Best of luck

[jacksam]

What else did you include in application. For example when you met etc. If your living together house book with names etc.

Compelling reason to return (strangely) is very important criteria but its only one. Having said that she has a job ,she is travelling with you. She should be granted a visa

[The Fat Controller]

What "agency" do you mean ?

If you have done the standard online application and Wednesday is the day for submitting the printed copy and supporting documents at VFS Trendy Building then no further payments will be expected there, just be prepared for a bit of a wait, it took my wife over 2 hours to submit the paperwork and get her fingerprints taken.

I hope you have included a letter from her employers saying she has time off for her holiday and will be expected to return to work on XX/XX/XX , from personal experience, this document on headed notepaper and signed by her boss carries a lot of weight.

Hope you and your lady get to enjoy a holiday in the UK.

[7by7]

If your fiancé meets the requirements for the visa applied for and has shown in her application that she does so, then the visa will be issued.

The only payment required is the visa fee, which she or you should have paid when the online application was submitted and the appointment made.

Though there are services offered by VFS which are voluntary and for which an additional payment to them has to be made, whether or not she takes any of these will have absolutely no effect on the outcome of her application.

If someone at VFS is telling you that they can secure a UK visa if you pay them a bribe, then they are not only incorrect they are acting without the knowledge or approval of both VFS and UKVI!

If this is the case you must report them immediately to both VFS and UKVI.

If it is a visa agency that has told you this, they are lying; have nothing further to do with them.

If you have not yet submitted the application, you may find UK visit visa basics helpful.

Edited October 21, 2014 by 7by7

[npetit1]

If your fiancé meets the requirements for the visa applied for and has shown in her application that she does so, then the visa will be issued.

The only payment required is the visa fee, which she or you should have paid when the online application was submitted and the appointment made.

Though there are services offered by VFS which are voluntary and for which an additional payment to them has to be made, whether or not she takes any of these will have absolutely no effect on the outcome of her application.

If someone at VFS is telling you that they can secure a UK visa if you pay them a bribe, then they are not only incorrect they are acting without the knowledge or approval of both VFS and UKVI!

If this is the case you must report them immediately to both VFS and UKVI.

If it is a visa agency that has told you this, they are lying; have nothing further to do with them.

If you have not yet submitted the application, you may find UK visit visa basics helpful.

Thanks for the valuable info!

Edited October 22, 2014 by theoldgit
Quote fixed

[npetit1]

If your fiancé meets the requirements for the visa applied for and has shown in her application that she does so, then the visa will be issued.

The only payment required is the visa fee, which she or you should have paid when the online application was submitted and the appointment made.

Though there are services offered by VFS which are voluntary and for which an additional payment to them has to be made, whether or not she takes any of these will have absolutely no effect on the outcome of her application.

If someone at VFS is telling you that they can secure a UK visa if you pay them a bribe, then they are not only incorrect they are acting without the knowledge or approval of both VFS and UKVI!

If this is the case you must report them immediately to both VFS and UKVI.

If it is a visa agency that has told you this, they are lying; have nothing further to do with them.

If you have not yet submitted the application, you may find UK visit visa basics helpful.

[npetit1]

Help!....my fiance received her reply from the visa agency. A refusal!...because the financial statement she produced was the wrong one and so was mine (it was a direct debit account, not savings) . Now I am able to produce the correct account and submit this, so

1. Would I have to redo a whole new application and pay for it.

2. Is there a contact number for the UK embassy so I can actually apeak with someone rather than a recorded message?

3. Our flights are booked for 22nd December so do i have enough time?#

4. I have heard they will also refuse on the grounds that there is no travel insurance?

Thanks!!

[The Fat Controller]

Sorry to hear about the refusal., answers below.

1. Yes, you cannot appeal a visit visa refusal

2. No

3. Probably

4. Not the case, I have never included any details of insurance, in fact it was purchased after the visa was granted.

[theoldgit]

Help!....my fiance received her reply from the visa agency. A refusal!...because the financial statement she produced was the wrong one and so was mine (it was a direct debit account, not savings) . Now I am able to produce the correct account and submit this, so

1. Would I have to redo a whole new application and pay for it.

2. Is there a contact number for the UK embassy so I can actually apeak with someone rather than a recorded message?

3. Our flights are booked for 22nd December so do i have enough time?#

4. I have heard they will also refuse on the grounds that there is no travel insurance?

Don't know what you mean by a direct debit account, current account maybe? She needs to provide evidence that the trip is affordable, how you do that is up to you, the evidence should prove that funds are readily available. I'm not aware of the wrong sort of account, but if there is then this is something your "agent" should have advised you of, what sort of visa did she apply for, I'm assuming that as you talk about a holiday it's a visit visa?

It would be helpful if you or your fiancé could post the refusal notice, of course editing out any personal details.

Whilst your agent should have advised you of the options available, I will answer your points.

1 - If she applied for a visit visa then there is no right of appeal so a fresh application would need to be made, and paid for. There is an outside chance that an agent who is an actual expert in the field, and I suspect yours isn't, could get the decision re-examined, but that would be a real long shot.

2 - No, there is no contact number within the UKVI, even emails take weeks to get a response.

3 - Cannot give you an honest answer on that, it depends how soon she can reapply, but whilst she's cutting it fine it could be done, all the reasons for the refusal would need to be addressed.

4 - No, there is no requirement for travel insurance for a UK Visa, only for Schengen, but clearly once she has a visa insurance would be advisable.

[7by7]

I am a bit concerned.

In your OP you said

Yesterday she said they will only approve of the application if you pay them "under the table".

Now you say

Help!....my fiance received her reply from the visa agency. A refusal

reply from a visa agency, or from the UKVI at the embassy?

I am wondering if her application actually reached the embassy!

Did she attend the UK visa application centre personally to hand in her supporting documents and have her biometrics taken?

Has she received a written refusal notice from UKVI detailing exactly why she was refused?

I ask because I have heard of disreputable agents telling applicants that they have been refused and saying that they can fix the refusal for an additional fee when in fact the application hasn't even been submitted, or it has and the applicant has actually been issued with a visa!

If all is above board and the application was properly submitted and she has genuinely been refused then, as theoldgit says above, if you can post the actual refusal notice so we can see the ECOs reasons for refusing then we will be able to advise you better on how to overcome those reasons in her new application..

[dereko169]

Visa for a Thai woman.

I have a Thai girlfriend who wants to come to the UK for a holiday & nothing more, probably staying for 3 or 4 weeks.

If we ignore the fact that she knows me at all, what are the requirements for her to obtain a holiday visa ?

Thanks

[7by7]

Have a read of UK visit visa basics and then come back with any questions.

Though to avoid confusion, it may be better if you started your own topic to do so.

Why would she/you want to ignore the fact that she knows you?

[dereko169]

I am just looking at trying to simplify the whole thing if that is possible!

What if she is single & just wants to come to the Uk for a few weeks holiday?

[bobrussell]

Follow the steps and advice in the visit visa basics and apply.

Being single does not make any real difference if she can show she meets the requirements. Purpose of visit, affordability and reasons to return need to be clearly documented. Try to simplify things, take things for granted or just assume something will do and you head for a refusal.

The rules are pretty clear and the experiences of many, over a number of years has been condensed to a good guide in the pinned topics section. No short cuts available!

[dereko169]

thank you for your response.

That is the answer I expected.

I know there are lots of illegal immigrants in this country but it really spoils things for genuine tourists who wish to visit the UK from Thailand!

[7by7]

It is true that the activities of those entering, or trying to enter, the UK for a purpose other than stated and then remain illegally have made it harder for genuine applicants; no matter where they come from.

However, if your girlfriend shows in her application that she is a genuine visitor with a genuine reason to visit; that she can afford the visit and will be adequately accommodated whilst in the UK and that she will leave the UK at the end of her visit, before or when her visa expires, then she should be successful; as on average 95% of visit visa applicants in Thailand are.

But, if the purpose of her trip is to visit you, then this is what she should say in her application; especially if you are contributing to the cost of the visit and/or she will be staying with you.

Remember she will have to provide financial evidence, e.g. bank statements, to show she can afford the trip, and if this shows that you have sent her the money to help pay for it then the ECO will want to know where this money has come from and why. She will also have to provide evidence of where she will be staying whilst in the UK. If staying with you the ECO will want to know why you are offering the accommodation and what your relationship to her is.

If one of the purposes of her trip is to visit you but she doesn't say so in her application then she will be guilty of attempting to obtain a visa by deception and, if discovered, will not only be refused but also possibly banned from visiting the UK for up to 10 years.

Remember that immigration at her port of entry to the UK will have access to her application and may question her about the reasons for her visit. If her answers do not match what she said in the application she could be refused entry and put on the next flight back to Thailand and, again, possibly be banned from visiting the UK for up to 10 years.

She should tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in her application. There is no reason not to; many people in your position have successfully sponsored visit visas for their girl or boyfriends; not only from Thailand but everywhere else.

[npetit1]

Ok I have attached the GV51 refusal letter. Seems legit. I have asked my mother for an invitation letter to be signed and scanned back.(I drafted the letter). I will also be going to the bank to get a certified copy of my bank statement (100B) was what I was told for a copy.

I don't think there was anything else?

Edited November 17, 2014 by theoldgit
Attachment removed, too many personal details

[theoldgit]

I've had to removed the copy of the letter as contains personal details, the application reference, your name, and your girlfriends name is still quite visible through the black mark. Feel free to repost if you can properly redact.

I have to say the decision seemed sound, and you seem to agree.

Seems to me that the refusal was based on lack of affordability, rather than the type of account. You account showed a closing balance of 500 Baht and your girlfriends account 32 Baht, clearly not enough to support you on holiday.

You need to provide proof of sufficient funds in either your account, your girlfriends account or both, and the source of those funds.

If either of you are working, you said your wife is a nurse, you need to submit evidence of that employment and confirmation that the short holiday is approved and the job is available on the her return from holiday.

If you live together in Thailand, you should provide evidence, if you have ties to Thailand you should also provide evidence of that, work, retirement, whatever.

You mentioned that you used and agent, you also indicated that your agent indicated that "cash under the table" would probably secure a visa, this agent also seems to have been satisfied that evidence of combined savings of 532 would have been sufficient and that evidence of accommodation in the UK would not be required, I sincerely hope you didn't have to pay this agent a fee.

So you need to get the evidence together for affordability, evidence of your girlfriends employment, evidence of your joint ties and the proof of accommodation in the UK, which you seem to have in hand.

Feel free to repost the refusal, when properly edited.

[npetit1]

Ok, well like i said the wrong financial information was given. My partner refers to an agency but she means the Immigration office in Sukhumvit. There was no third party agency involved. Well looks like a final attempt to get the visa. If this fails again i've given up all hope!

[theoldgit]

Ok, well like i said the wrong financial information was given. My partner refers to an agency but she means the Immigration office in Sukhumvit. There was no third party agency involved. Well looks like a final attempt to get the visa. If this fails again i've given up all hope!

If you're referring to the VFS Application Centre in the Trendy building, then they don't give advice, or at least shouldn't, their job is only to receive the hard copy of the application and supporting documents and forward them to the UKVI for processing.

Certainly they wouldn't have queried the amounts in the bank statements as being insufficient to satisfy the ECO that there were sufficient funds available, or that you had the wrong type of account.

If your girlfriend is going to reapply then she needs to address the reasons for the refusal.

[wooloomooloo]

Yes but it was getting more expensive to book and she works 6 days a week so time was precious.

Have you looked into getting your money back for the flights (little chance of that, though) or shifting the dates forward? There's absolutely zero chance of obtaining a visa prior to 22 December, is there?

[npetit1]

If I make an appointment with the VFS building for next week. All being well we should, with the right documents get an acceptance before the 21st December, but it will be cutting it fine though?

[wooloomooloo]

Actually, I do apologise, npetit1, for some strange reason I was thinking 22 November. Yes, there is more than enough time I should imagine. Good luck.

[theoldgit]

If I make an appointment with the VFS building for next week. All being well we should, with the right documents get an acceptance before the 21st December, but it will be cutting it fine though?

You're really cutting it fine, assuming that you can lodge the application the middle of next week and taking into account the section will be closed for the Kings birthday, fifteen working days will take you until probably the 18th, and then the pack has got to get from the Visa Section back to Trendy. I'm not saying it cannot be done, but really cutting it fine.

I'd be more concerned over satisfying the ECO of affordability and reasons to return. You have spoken about ensuring the bank statements have been properly certified whilst the refusal you posted seemed to focus and the actual lack of funds, I'm hoping you have more than the ECO mentioned as that seemed to be their main concern.

You've mentioned the fact that your mother will confirm the details of accommodation available, but have said nothing regarding your wife's ties to Thailand, ie her job, and your ties.

[npetit1]

Actually I did produce a copy of my contract of employment here and her wageslips and the fact that we are enagaged to be married. The bank books we produced were the ones that I used to open the accounts initially and not my current balance. The bank has now updated my passbook with the current balance. So I am wondering if I still require bank statements? I have the letter of invitation, the correct bank balance information, proof of my mother's address and her financial status. I cannot think what other information they will require. I will ofcourse enclose return tickets and a covering letter stating my position here.