Question re: presenting a UK visa application

[Lewis07]

I'm British with a Thai wife legally registered etc, and we're applying for a visiting visa to the UK for a 1 month holiday.

My question is about the way in which we present the application and supporting documentation. Assuming that we could satisfy the criteria, would it be detrimental to the application if it was apparent that the British husband had 'worded' the application form on behalf of the Thai applicant? Similarly for supporting documentation such as a letter/statement about reasons for her returning to Thailand at the end of the hoilday.

Is it best for her to write and explain things in her 'own words' which to sound realistic would be of a limited nature, or would it be more helpful for me to write more detailed and informative explanations on our behalf as a couple?

My wife's English writing skills are fairly basic, so I'm concerned the application would not be presented as well as it could be. She would be able to verify anything I write verbally in an interview... but it would be clear to a visa officer that her husband wrote the application on her behalf.

Any advice the experts have regarding this would be most appreciated.

Thanks chaps,

[wooloomooloo]

I did all my wife's applications and supporting docs for settlement through citizenship. She barely had to lift a finger, merely signed.

I really wouldn't worry about it as it's the same for thousands of couples.

Be more concerned about presenting a convincing reason to return.

[theoldgit]

It's your wife's application and it's her that has to satisfy the Entry Clearance Officer that her application is genuine, affordable and that on the balance of probability she will return home at the conclusion of her trip.

My partner has successfully applied for a number of visas over the years and, as wooloomoo says, like thousands of other couple I assist her with her application. In her covering letter she concludes with something along the lines of "Whilst this is my application, my written English is not too good, so theoldgit has assisted me with the drafting my application and this covering note".

It's important that she's aware of the contents of her application as there's an off chance, however remote, that the ECO could telephone her in case there's something they need clarification of.

[rasg]

Like the others have mentioned I did the same and wrote the sponsor letter and the GF's letter. All she did was sign it.

She had to do plenty though. Gathering information about parents etc, driving to the ampur to get copies of her divorce papers, getting translations done, TB test, language test etc etc.

Be sure she knows the main details of the application verbally. Immigration has access to all of the info when she comes to the UK and will probably ask quite a few questions. The first time my GF's came to the UK they spent 40 minutes questioning her. My full name. What I do for a living. Where I live. etc etc.

On all subsequent trips she has been stopped for no more than two minutes. The second trip, the only question was, how long had she spent in the UK in that year.

[laolover88]

If the paperwork is in order and all the documentation available all should be well. Plenty of Thais without farang husbands/boyfriends go to Europe every day. The central thing is to make it 100% clear, with evidence, that she will leave the UK and return to Thailand. Never mind who does the paperwork!

[Lewis07]

Thanks a lot chaps for taking the time to reply. Very helpful.

Cheers.