UK visa advice please

[AL Bangkok]

Hi all,

 

My wife and I have been married for close to two years now, and we are looking to take a short holiday back to the UK this coming Christmas for two weeks. As I said, we have been married for two years and were dating five years prior to getting married. My wife has stable employment and earns around 30k Baht per month. By the time we apply for the visa, she'll also have close to 80k Baht in her savings account.

 

The question I have is regarding me really. I used to teach in Bangkok for close over four years. In that time, I obviously had a work permit and monthly payslips. However, since leaving the education sector (18 months ago), I have been working as a freelance writer from my condo. I have read the guidance instructions and I am a little concerned regarding my financial situation. Firstly, I have 10,000 GBP in my UK bank account (a saving's account) and I also have savings in my Thai account too. However, due to working freelance, I obviously do not collect payslips and, since I am unable to obtain a work permit here for my kind of work, tax is also not paid too. Don't get me wrong, I want nothing more than to pay tax and receive a legal work permit, but as far as I am aware this is not possible. Anyway, If I use my Thai account balance (over 500k baht), will the UK embassy, or whoever checks the visa applications, question my income, and by extension, likely reject our visa application?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers.

[CharlieH]

Bank statements are usually sufficient, you are going for two weeks and presumably "tourist" visa, in which case you are over-thinking it a little in my opinion.

 

Is there sufficient funds to cover the 2 week trip ? if yes, show it, end of story.

[AL Bangkok]

Thanks for the prompt reply C,

 

So basically I can show either my UK savings account or my Thai account, regardless of tax issues here in Thailand? You may be right in that I am over-thinking this. After reading a ton of rejection stories, I just want to be as prepared as possible. Also another concern which I forgot to add in my initial post was that the UK embassy may think I am trying to move to the UK with my wife rather than returning as I, according to my current financial situation in Thailand, am not working. My wife, however, does have a job to return to.

 

Thanks

[CharlieH]

The main issue there is your wife and her "reason to return" which is the main or certainly one stumbling point, adequate reason to return. She has a job, a salary, presumably a letter from her employer giving/stating she has X amount of time off work etc. 

 

Another approach you could take is DONT go "tourist" go the visit family route, you are escorting her to visit family, family visit is a lot easier (generally) and it is Christmas.

Where have you stated you are going to be staying during that 2 weeks ? 

[AL Bangkok]

Yes my wife has all of those things regarding her employment. We also looked at the 'visit family' visa, and will be staying at my Mother's house, which she owns. Yes, the duration of our stay is for 2 weeks.

 

I read somewhere, however, that I would need to show my Mother's bank statement which is currently not healthy. I can, as I said above though, use my accounts to prove funds to support.

 

Thanks for your advice so far, very helpful.

[Upnotover]

You do not need to show your Mother's finances, just a letter from her confirming the availability of the accommodation will be sufficient.

[CharlieH]

Staying at your Mother's, just show a utility bill if you can to show it is her home, and a supporting note from her wouldnt hurt. You have sufficient funds to show for the trip, so 2 weeks at "home" to see Mum at Christmas is perfectly realistic etc. Just make sure your covering/supporting letter to your wife's application states that. You will be travelling together and returning together. 

 

[theoldgit]

7 hours ago, AL Bangkok said:

Yes my wife has all of those things regarding her employment. We also looked at the 'visit family' visa, and will be staying at my Mother's house, which she owns. Yes, the duration of our stay is for 2 weeks.

 

You're probably aware that there's no longer such a thing as a family visit visa, that was abolished a year or so ago, shortly after the right of appeal for family visits was done away with. Your wife will need to apply for a Standard Visit Visa, but of course say that the purpose of the visit is to visit family.

As has been pointed out the main hurdle for applications is the "reasons to return", but with evidence of her employment and details of your life together here in Thailand that should satisfy the ECO that, on the balance of probabilities she will return at the conclusion of her visit. A letter from her employer should suffice, if it's written in English and the ECO decides to call the employer, unlikely, then they will expect to converse in English. Provide details of your Immigration status here as well as details of your living arrangements.

As to an offer of accommodation from your mother, a simple letter offer will be enough, as she's not offering financial support then, as has been said, details of her finances are not needed. All she needs to do is briefly describe the accommodation available, I wouldn't really be too bothered about the utility bill, it doesn't add much to the application.

As to your finances, all you need to do is satisfy the ECO that you have sufficient funds for the trip, whilst the local UKVI staff aren't in cahoots with the Thai revenue teams, I would add a line in your covering letter explaining the source of your income, you have more than enough for the trip.

 

[AL Bangkok]

Thanks a lot for all your replies guys.... Helped tons.

 

 

[7by7]

On the financial front, finances for the visit can come from

• the applicant (your wife),
• the sponsor (you),
• a third party, or
• any combination of these.

Anyone who is contributing to the costs of the visit needs to provide evidence of their ability to do so, usually bank statements. If a third party they should also provide a brief letter saying why they are so doing.

 

There is no fixed amount of finances required; it is too variable from applicant to applicant. For example, a couple staying with friends or family need less than a couple staying in hotels.

 

From what you say, you have enough on your own; add your wife's income then even more so.

[AL Bangkok]

Thanks,

 

All the replies have definitely helped calm my nerves. Not getting a visa to go home for Xmas would be a complete disaster!

[Wezoworld]

The most important thing you need to prove is your intention to leave the UK at the end of your holiday. 

 

I would also not mention anything about freelancing here, as it constitutes work, for which you do not have a work permit so this would not go in your favour. 

 

To give you some background, my wife has just had a 2 week visit visa denied. She has her own company employing more than 20 people, has more than sufficient funds to support herself for the trip, provided all the information required for the visa and was still denied.

 

I am on a Non-O marriage visa, do not work, did not sponsor her (as she doesn't need it) and on that basis they decided my circumstances were 'unclear' so denied her on the basis that they don't think she will leave the UK at the end of her trip (even though she has her own company.... provided all the documents relating to her company... tax information... personal tax information... etc etc.)

[7by7]

Whilst it is your wife's application and she has to show she meets the requirements of the rules, you do need to show your immigration status and circumstances in Thailand as this can strengthen your wife's reason to return.

 

If the ECO believes that you are not a Thai resident then they may also believe that you are returning to the UK to take up residence and your wife intends to use a visit visa to by pass the settlement rules so she can enter the UK and then remain illegally with you. On the other hand, if they believe you are settled in Thailand and so will return then they will belive she will return with you.

 

Individual refusals like that above are impossible to comment upon without knowing exactly what the refusal notice said; so don't let that discourage you. However, he says his circumstances were 'unclear' in the application. Make sure you explain yours fully.

[AL Bangkok]

Wezoworld,

 

Thanks for you post mate. It is much appreciated. Also thanks 7by7.

 

My situation is the same as yours it seems. I too am on a non-o marriage visa. 

 

This is all the proof my wife and I have:

 

I have been in Thailand for 7 years. We have been to Singapore and Hongkong together and can show proof via photos and passport stamps. My thinking behind this is we RETURNED, and did not violate visa laws.

 

. Plan to get married in October next year here which family from the UK will be attending (nothing booked yet), but have several emails with different hotels regarding the function.

. My Father also lives here. He is on a retirement visa.

. My Sister is coming here for a short trip in April next year. By the time we apply, I will have proof of this via flight ticket.

. My wife's employment. A letter from her work place will accompany the visa application.

. My rental agreement which we have a down payment of around 30,000 baht.

 

I am still in two minds as to whether to tell the ECO about my current employment or not, as I do not want to give them the impression that I will be trying to stay in the UK (as I have no intention to do this).