My Thai wife would like to apply for a five year UK visitor visa. She previously had a three year visitor visa. However, her passport expires in July 2017 so I guess she will not be able to apply for a five year visa or even a three year visa. Am I correct?

My understanding is that she would be able to apply for a long term visa in the circumstances you describe.

In the event the visa was granted she would simply present the valid visa in the expired passport to UK Border staff and airline check-in staff. She could have the visa transferred to her new passport but that's not necessary and expensive.

Thinking your fears through to its logical conclusion, a Thai person would never be issued with a five or ten year visa.

I just had a look at the Border Agency website. I was mistaken. My wife's last visa was for 2 years. There are only 6 month, 2 year and 5 year visas available. Cost for the 5 year is $930! Two year $513. We may not risk the 5 year application.

A lot depends on how often you and your wife intend to visit the UK.

Current visit visa fees:

• Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) $142
• Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) $513
• Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) $930
• Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) $1260

So assuming you travel once a year, a two year one is not worth it as 2 x 6 month ones would cost less ($284); A five year one is also more expensive than 5 x 6 month ones ($710); but the 10 year one is cheaper.

But the fees do increase each year, so a five year one may save you money in the long run.

One other thing to bear in mind, though, is that if the ECO decides to issue a shorter term than that asked for there will be no refund of the difference in fees!

For us the cost is balanced against the hassle and stress my wife experiences dealing with the Border Agency. So even if she only goes every two years, a 5 or even 10 year visa is worth the extra $.

I would be interested to know if people concur with theoldgit's advice that a 5 year is not an option. Is it worth a throw of the dice?

I would be interested to know if people concur with theoldgit's advice that a 5 year is not an option. Is it worth a throw of the dice?

I think you misunderstood me, I didn't suggest that applying for a five year visa wasn't an option.

You were concerned that your wife could only be issued with a visa within the length of her passport expiry, I pointed out that I didn't think this was the case as she would simply travel with two passports, the new one and the expired one containing the visa. I went on to say that if your fears were founded then Thai people would never be issued with five or ten year visas, I could have added that I know Thai people with both.

It'll be a short rant and it hasn't gone unnoticed previously but fees in USD for a British visa irks me. Rant over.

I would be interested to know if people concur with theoldgit's advice that a 5 year is not an option. Is it worth a throw of the dice?

I think you misunderstood me, I didn't suggest that applying for a five year visa wasn't an option.

You were concerned that your wife could only be issued with a visa within the length of her passport expiry, I pointed out that I didn't think this was the case as she would simply travel with two passports, the new one and the expired one containing the visa. I went on to say that if your fears were founded then Thai people would never be issued with five or ten year visas, I could have added that I know Thai people with both.

Thank you for clarifying that.