Uk Visa Advice For Thai National

[loki00]

Hi,

Need some advice....I wanted my Thai girlfriend (who i have been with for 3 years now) to come stay with me sometime after xmas in London. I want her to stay for 3 weeks. Im willing to pay for air fares, take care of all her financial needs, i have no problem with this. Unfortunately i dont have my own place at the moment, but i intend to rent an apartment in London for the whole 3 weeks. Just wanted to know what kind of visa she should apply for and where she would apply for it? (im guessing the British Embassy in Bangkok). And also what documentation she will need?

Surely it cant be that hard to qualify for a visa for a Thai national to be able to stay in Uk for 3 weeks??!!! not with the Uk's open door policy on immigration? Or are the immigration board just racist towards Thais? Sorry, rant over!

Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to offer.........

[ling men]

Its a vistor visa she will want to apply for.

The British embassy is on wireless road but you have to apply here

The UK Visa Application Centre

2nd Floor, Regent House

183 Rajdamri Road

Lumpini, Pathumwan

Bangkok 10330

There have been loads of similar topics and all the advice left on them is well worth taking note of. Check this one out for start "Please Help Me,can I Bring My Thai Love To The Uk" it has some good links on it as well.

A big problem is not having your own place. You say you are going to rent an apartment in London for the duration of her stay. If you could get something orginised and show some paper work (an order or quotation) I'm sure that will help show she will have somewhere to stay for her stay. A bit of paper as proof will go a long way

You haven't said anything about her circumstances, reason to return is the biggest stumbling block and you should give this some thought as well.

Also, there are some real experts on this forum and, the more information about your and your g/f's application, the more they will be able to help you.

Best of luck

[atlastaname]

First of all understand that this myth that the UK is a pushover to get into is just that .. a myth. Its a story the newspapers like to roll out in a provocative way because it inflames a large percentage of the population (not me i add .. i couldn't care less how many come here ..doesn't affect me at all) who just read headlines and are unable or unwiling to think for themselves. Its true that if you are from the EU countries then you can get here easily , but for those outside the EU (not talking about asylum seekers here) its not so easy , although for citizens of countries like the USA, Japan etc there are visas on arrival.

For countries like Thailand , which is what you are talking about , then all applicants need a visa. And whilst its not that dificult , it is far from easy. Especially in your case. From reading your post am i right in thinking you are living together in Thailand? and have been for the 3 years? If so then that will help you . So you are thin king of continuing to live in Thailand are you ? and the 3 weeks visit is just that for both of you ? In which case YOU are her reason to return , because you both intend living in Thailand. You will need to show proof of finances, 6 months bank statements , proof that you have the accomodation in the UK already lined up and paid for and with all neccessary permissions from the landlord that you can BOTH stay there. And then present your case to the BE in Bangers. Can't see why that would be refused although its not the normal scenario. You will need to show proof that you have been living together in Thailand for the last 3 years , and that wherever you have been staying is still yours after the holiday , booked and paid for in whatever way has been normal in the past.

I have jumped to a few conclusions in the above post , but you only provided a few details , so if i am wrong DO give us more detail so we are fully in the picture. Do you work in Thailand ? Legally ?

I think we need more info ....

[atlastaname]

OK ling men was writing at the same time as me and he seems to read your post ( correctly?) as if you are in the UK and she is in Thailand. (cos he's talking about reason to return and if you were in Thailand then you are that reason)

So if thats the case then i am confused. If you are in the UK and are having a long-distance relationship then where have you been staying .? Why would you need to rent a place for 3 weeks , when you are already here?

What does your g/f do for a living ? any job or property ?

[paully]

Hi,

Need some advice....I wanted my Thai girlfriend (who i have been with for 3 years now) to come stay with me sometime after xmas in London. I want her to stay for 3 weeks. Im willing to pay for air fares, take care of all her financial needs, i have no problem with this. Unfortunately i dont have my own place at the moment, but i intend to rent an apartment in London for the whole 3 weeks. Just wanted to know what kind of visa she should apply for and where she would apply for it? (im guessing the British Embassy in Bangkok). And also what documentation she will need?

Surely it cant be that hard to qualify for a visa for a Thai national to be able to stay in Uk for 3 weeks??!!! not with the Uk's open door policy on immigration? Or are the immigration board just racist towards Thais? Sorry, rant over!

Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to offer.........

As already stated, she'll need to show a tenancy agreement or documentation covering where she will stay in the UK, even for a visitor's visa, as well as evidence of money. It should be said that it isn't just the UK who require documentary evidence of such things: if she were to apply for a short-term Schengen visa (which covers short visits to most other European Union countries) she'd have to show similar stuff.

[GU22]

loki00,

The basic criteria for a visit visa are:-

1) Is it a genuine visit for a the purpose stated by the applicant?

2) Will the applicant leave the UK when, or before, the visa expires?

3) Will the applicant have suitable accommodation for the duration of the visit, without recourse to public funds?

4) Can the applicant afford to fund the visit, from their own resources or with the help of a sponsor, without recourse to public funds.

Provided she can show that, on the balance of probabilities, she can meet these criteria then she will get the visa. Not that hard, really.

From what you have said, I assume that nos. 1,2 & 4 wont be too difficult to show, but I am confused when you say

Unfortunately i dont have my own place at the moment, but i intend to rent an apartment in London for the whole 3 weeks.

Are you living in the UK, Thailand or elsewhere?

If the UK, where do you live now and why can't she stay with you? All you would need is a mortgage statement or copy of the deeds if you own; or a copy of the tenancy agreement and a letter from your landlord confirming she can stay if you rent.

If in Thailand or elsewhere then a copy of the tenancy agreement for the flat you intend to rent and a landlords letter confirming you can both stay there. Alternatively, a confirmed hotel booking.

For more information see:-

DSPs Chapter 10 - Visit entry requirements

Guidance - General information for Visitors Visa Applications

Guidance for Visitors Visa Applications

Guidance - Sponsors (INF 3)

For how and where to apply, and the fees, see:-

UK Visa Application Centre.

Social Visit Checklist.