Hi everyone. I'm British and currently living and working in the UK, living with parents. I'm helping my Thai wife with her visit visa application, currently still gathering all the paper work before I start the process. My wife owns a large house on a large piece of land which she also owns of significant value however her income is very low but regular, runs a hair salon. Would this satisfy the ECO as a reason for return?

The reason for her visit to the UK is to visit me and the rest of my family. We have been married for nearly 5 years. My current financial situation won't satisfy the ECO I believe so would it be best to leave myself out of the sponsor part all together? My parents/grandparents finances look ok for sponsor so I'm thinking of providing their details instead.

Basically my wife is saying to the ECO she is visiting her husband in the UK and staying at his parents who are also sponsoring the trip.

Just a bit stuck on what's best to show and what the ECO might make of it all really.

Any help with this is much appreciated.

If your wife owns property and can prove so, then she should say so in her covering letter.

There is no need for her to prove that she has a massive income in Thailand, if you or your parents/grandparents are sponsoring her then say so and provide the evidence.

How long is her intended visit, if it's of a reasonable length it really shouldn't be an issue, though she might want to mention who his taking care of her business during her holiday.

Clearly the ECO will wonder why a married woman wants to holiday with her husband rather than settle, then point out that she cannot meet the criteria at the moment, and that she doesn't intend to jeopardise any future plans by overstaying.

It's worth mentioning that the ECO has no discretion regarding the income level for a settlement visa, it's a tick box exercise, if you meet the income level she will get a visa, if you don't she wont.

Please feel free to come back if you have any further questions.

As theoldgit says, the financial requirement for settlement is strictly laid down by Parliament; and is either met or it isn't.

However, the financial requirement for a visit visa is different.

All that is needed is that the trip be affordable.

Finances for the trip can come from the applicant, the sponsor, a third party or any combination of these. Whoever is contributing to the costs will need to provide evidence that they can afford to do so.

You may find UK visit visa basics helpful.

Great, thanks again people [emoji106]