Hi everyone,

Sorry there are probably loads of posts like this but most the information I see seems to be about taking married partners to visit the UK, so I just wanted further clarification.

I want to visit the UK in September for my mums wedding, and I'd like to bring my Thai partner with me. We'll have been together for just short of 2 years at this point. I've looked at the visa options and general visitor seems to be the right one but I just wanted to make sure.. We'll both be funding the cost of this trip - we both have individual bank accounts and also a joint account (opened a few months ago as we were advised this would help with getting a visa). As he is not paying for this trip himself (we will need to combine our savings) is it still right to apply for general visitor? We would be staying with my family so I assume him applying for general visitor but including letter of invitation / proof of house ownership from my family, plus a letter from me showing evidence of relationship (joint rent statements since we moved in to our place inApril 2014, etc), plus letters from both our places of work saying we have been given time off and will be returning (I have Non B visa and work permit) will be okay?

Thanks for any advice!

...we both have individual bank accounts and also a joint account (opened a few months ago as we were advised this would help with getting a visa).

I hope you didn't pay for this advice.

As per the previous poster the advice that having a joint account will help an application is absolutely not correct, it makes no difference whatsoever.

Your partner needs to satisfy the ECO the trip is genuine, affordable and that, on the balance of probabilities the applicant will leave the UK at the conclusion of the visit.

If you are attending your mums wedding then that is certainly a good enough reason to go and it would be reasonable to go together.

You are living together in Thailand, you have a job here as does your partner, than in itself should be sufficient to satisfy the ECO of the reason to return. As you suggest give details of your accommodation in Thailand, I always provide copies of our lease, and details of your employment, with the letter you suggest, I would include a copy of your relevant visa and WP.

You are paying for the trip jointly, that's what couples do, just submit the evidence that you have sufficient funds.

I don't envisage any problem, but just make sure you have everything covered with supporting evidence and include a brief covering letter. outlining everything.

Thanks a lot for your help, appreciated!

Ok now I've got my documents together I'm working on the visa application - my partner isn't great at writing in English so we're working on it together.. should I be using the 'applying yourself' form or the 'applying for someone else' form? It is him who is applying for his own visa, but me who is typing it out.. Thanks again!

Yes, it's his application so he's applying for himself.

When my good lady has applied for her visas over the years I help her with her application and she wrote something in the covering letter along the lines of "Whilst this is my application, my written English is not too good, so theoldgit has assisted me with the preparation of the application and this covering note".

Brilliant, thankyou

Not so much of an old git I think!

I didn't even do that and succeeded with a visitor visa last year and settlement visa this year but there is certainly no harm in doing so as theoldgit proves. At all times it is the applicant's form whoever actually does the computer input. I think the ECO's are aware that the applicants get a lot of help with the application. I did my step daughter's as well and that was challenging to complete it as a 10 year old (or maybe not given my mental age).