Hi, a bit of background

My girlfriend and I are waiting for a decision on her third attempt for a visa and it will be 3 weeks ago tomorrow that she had her meeting at VFS.

Believing the UK would give a visa if supported by a UK citizen (yeah dumb i know) we originally applied for a 3 year visa as we wanted her to be able to return to the UK regularly with me when i move full time to Thailand (due to be in September). Unfortunately and completely my fault I was advised that the paperwork submitted for an Australian visa that she received to go to a wedding with me would count towards the new application and we didnt resupply it all, so were fairly refused.

Second try again for same length was refused as they said there wasnt enough evidence of relationship although we provided evidence of time together in Thailand and Aus (photos and travel docs), 10000+ facebook and skype messages as well as family and friends who met her in Aus (my cousin flew from NZ to meet her) providing written confirmation.

Also that there was not enough proof that I was financially supporting her - although the transfers into her account were the same as the ones out of mine! and that her annual salary of xyz was insufficient, although they asked for monthly figures.

This time I hope we have provided all the paperwork to fill these gaps and included more including a trip together to see her aunt in Hong Kong and have only applied for a short term visitor visa hoping she can come for a couple of weeks. I know it seems to make no difference to the application but we also have a flexible business class ticket that we have been moving since the refusal.

Is it usual to wait this long for decisions on reapplications?

Each application is considered on its own merits, so the fact you are reapplying after a refusal makes no difference, each application will go to the back of the queue, so I'm afraid it's a question of wait and see.

Indeed you're correct in your assumption that fact your girlfriends Australian visa application would have no bearing on an application for a UK Visa, especially as you say you didn't submit the evidence. However evidence that the visa was granted and that she went on the trip and returned on time might well have gone in her favour as would the trip to Hong Kong.

Whilst longer term visas are available to everyone, the UKVI do say that the applicant must prove that they have a need to travel over a longer period and demonstrate that they have travelled before, and at 30,000 a pop it's quite a gamble. If a visa is granted they could issue a visa for six months in which case there would be no refund of any of the fee, I'm assuming you've applied for another longer term visa.

I've taken the liberty of amending the title of the thread to reflect your actual question.

I was the same about worrying how long it was taking for my gf, considering they phoned her 9/10th June.

I requested an update 25/06/15 received emails 26/06/15 stated that the decision had been made.

Picked up passport today (visa declined). Looking at the paperwork the decision was made 19/06/15, took them a week to follow up. Can only presume they are currently very busy.

Reapply but don't be over ambitious. Go for a standard six month visa and cover all the points in the rejection letter.

The long term visas are really for those with particularly good reasons to fly back and forth on a regular basis over a prolonged period.

In time the visa length should increase as the pattern of travel justifies it!

Many long-term UK residents in Thailand get longer type visas for partners as a convenience.