Uk Visa Help! :)

[Gordy]

Hi, this site is really cool! I just discovered it tonight and learnt more in an hour or so than in the last month put together!!

I (Scottish UK passport holder, formally serarated & awaiting divorce) met my girlfriend in BKK online a few months ago and went out last month to visit. All went as perfectly as expected and am going out again next month for to meet her family etc! We are both keen for her to come her to stay with me so we can enjoy a "normal" relationship - maybe leading to marriage but who knows!

Ive looked through all the info and types of visas and am I correct in thinking? -

A) A Tourist Visa will probably suit our circumstances best for her to come and live with me for the purposes of our relationship (although she will also enroll in the college her to study English)?

Before 6 months is up we will have to apply for an extention (in the UK?) up to two years

C) If we are still unmarried/unregistered by 2 years then we will again have to apply for an indefinite extention?

D) The cost of each visa is about £300?

E)How does she go on holiday with me to say Spain - on her Thai passport?

F) Does she need anything else to work here?

Thanks a bundle in advance - your posts are really valuable & interesting.

[honest tom]

Im gonna keep a close eye on this thread, sounds a lot simpler than Ihave heard so far.

[vinny]

a ) A tourist visa will normally allow her to stay for up to six months without being able to work. If she wants to study then she should apply for a student visa. Students are allowed to work for a limited number of hours.

b ) See also 13.14 - Unmarried (i.e. opposite sex) and same-sex partners and how they qualify. In the UK, she would have to satisfy paragraph 295E of the immigration rules in order to qualify for a two year extension as an Unmarried partner. Working would be possible.

However, if you have only known her for a few months then she would not qualify.

c ) Just for future reference, after two years as an Unmarried partner, she may apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) under paragraph 295H of the immigration rules.

d ) See Fees and Service charge for applications in Thailand. For applications in the UK, see Information about charges.

e ) If she wants to go to Spain then she would have to apply for a Schengen visa. If she is staying long term in the UK, e.g. as a student, then she may be able to apply in the UK; else she should apply in Thailand.

f ) See also Work And Living In Uk and What Visa Can My Gf Get For Uk, plsssssss advise.

Edited November 28, 2006 by vinny

[GU22]

Following on from and expanding a little on Vinny's reply.

A tourist visa is for visits only! The maximum she can stay in the UK at any one time is 6 months. It cannot be extended in the UK and if she were to apply for a second one in Thailand then she would probably be refused if it meant she would be spending more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK.

The 2 year extension within 6 months applies to a fiance visa. This is issued for the express purpose of travelling the the UK to marry a UK resident. The marriage must take place within the 6 months and the holder can then apply for Further Leave to Remain which lasts 2 years. After that time they apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

For an unmarried partners visa you must have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for a minimum of two years. This could be in Thailand or the UK, provided she were in the UK legitimately (e.g. as a student).

To work here she needs the appropriate visa. She can't work on a visit visa. She can't work on a fiance visa until she has FLR. On a student visa she can work a maximum of 20 hours a week. She can work on an unmarried partners or a spouse visa, and of course if she has a work permit.

[Mahout Angrit]

Hi, this site is really cool! I just discovered it tonight and learnt more in an hour or so than in the last month put together!!

I (Scottish UK passport holder, formally serarated & awaiting divorce) met my girlfriend in BKK online a few months ago and went out last month to visit. All went as perfectly as expected and am going out again next month for to meet her family etc! We are both keen for her to come her to stay with me so we can enjoy a "normal" relationship - maybe leading to marriage but who knows!

Ive looked through all the info and types of visas and am I correct in thinking? -

A) A Tourist Visa will probably suit our circumstances best for her to come and live with me for the purposes of our relationship (although she will also enroll in the college her to study English)?

Before 6 months is up we will have to apply for an extention (in the UK?) up to two years

C) If we are still unmarried/unregistered by 2 years then we will again have to apply for an indefinite extention?

D) The cost of each visa is about £300?

E)How does she go on holiday with me to say Spain - on her Thai passport?

F) Does she need anything else to work here?

Thanks a bundle in advance - your posts are really valuable & interesting.

A tourist Visa will give her 6 months in the UK but work is prohibited so is access to public funds (medical etc) so any course she attends she (or you!) will have to pay for at the international students rate. A tourist visa is not extendable in UK as far as I know except in very exceptional circumstances.

If she applies for a student Visa she will need to show she is enrolled on a course and show evidence that the course is paid for. You should check the colleges for the cost as they can run into thousands if its a university course. A student visa is extendable provided she is enrolled on a course.

Remember when you apply a tourist visa is meant for a tourist and a student visa for a student not as a chance to try out your wedding prospects! watch what she says as she may have to attend an interview in the course of the application.

Embassies usually advise that Thai passport holders apply for all their visas to travel from within Thailand, if she is resident in UK she probably will be able to apply for the schengen visa in the UK but if she's a tourist maybe not, maybe someone else can comment on this.

Of course, if it really went well when you are in Bangkok you can apply for a fiancee visa which will give her six months in UK during which time you MUST get married.

Carry on looking around other threads and you will find exactly what you need to know.

[atlastaname]

Gordy , your innocence is almost charming. If only it were as you say. Read what everyone else has said , they are factually correct , and then realise in the real world its not quite as straightforward. Its all very well saying you have done this and that , you intend to do this and that, but what everyone always forgets to mention is that you not only have to have done it , but you must prove beyond all reasonable doubt and often beyond ANY doubt that you have . So for example living together for 2 years ...sounds easy but you have to prove it beyond doubt with documentation .Thats not quite so easy.

You are both looking to live together and you are not going to find that easy . Unless you are prepared to up sticks and go and live in Thailand for the bulk of the time , you had better start with a tourist visa but understand thats for a visit only , for a short time , a month or two max is the most you are likely to get (if you get it at all).A student visa is also possible but remember that is for her studying not to be used as a way of staying together. She will have to complete the course otherwise big problems in the future. I think you should read all the similar threads on this forum for the last couple of weeks , there are many , and it will open your eyes to what its like in reality.

Its certainly very possible she will get a visa , but lately we have had several refusals reported. So you must do your homework first. Certainly if you put in an application based on your original post and stating those as your intentions she WOULD get refused . No doubt at all.

If your relationship goes well , i think in your individual case the best visa to apply for is the fiancee one . But you need to have a credible relationship and i'm not sure you have quite built that up yet. Spend a bit more time with her in Thailand , as you plan anyway , and then apply. Its your best bet IF that is what you both want .

[ling men]

As already said, visas for Thais to come to UK are not easy but not impossible. Read through some of the previous posts that are relevant, you will get an idea of the documentation required (there is a lot even for a visit visa).

It will be a long process so try to be patient. I would recommend getting her over for a short visit first, a fiancé visa would require you to be divorced, it will be easier to get the visa and, most importantly, it will give her a chance to see if she likes life in the UK.

Another little bit of advice, unless her English is already excellent, make her get some English lessons. (especially if you live in Scotland, like me)

Best of luck.

[GU22]

but you must prove beyond all reasonable doubt and often beyond ANY doubt that you have . So for example living together for 2 years ...sounds easy but you have to prove it beyond doubt with documentation .Thats not quite so easy.

Sorry if I come across as a pedant; but the level of proof required under the Immigration Rules is "on the balance of probabilities" not the more difficult "beyond reasonable doubt."

Certainly, though, the more documentary evidence you have to prove your case the better.

Gordy,

as well as reading the archives here, have a read of the various guidance notes and the information on the visa application centre website. The Diplomatic Service Procedures - Entry clearance Volume 1 - General instructions also provide excellent information on what is required for each type of visa and what an Entry Clearance Officer is looking for.

[Gordy]

Hey guys thanks for your prompt and interesting posts!!

I'll look through those links etc, but have seen/read most already. And as for "at last a name" - yeah mayb my innocent appearance helped generate a good response - so thanks - haha! Anyway I do think honesty is a good policy, probably for this game too - a bit like using my own name!!!

Anyway the posts were leaning me towards a student visa, but my girlfriends experience of that is the visa office say why study in UK - weve got a good university here - refused! (Shes got a BA at BKK). So tourist/visit visa probably still a good starting point although she wants to do some part time work too... can a work permit not cover that?

[the scouser]

On a student visa she could legitimately work upto 20 hours per week during term time (40 during holidays). On a visit visa no employment, paid or unpaid, is allowed. A work permit is issued for a specific job for which indigenous labour is difficult to find, or the job itself is specialised, or both. A basic requirement to get a work permit is that the prospective employee has either a degree or 3 years' experience in the chosen profession to GNVQ standard.

Scouse.

[atlastaname]

but you must prove beyond all reasonable doubt and often beyond ANY doubt that you have . So for example living together for 2 years ...sounds easy but you have to prove it beyond doubt with documentation .Thats not quite so easy.

Sorry if I come across as a pedant; but the level of proof required under the Immigration Rules is "on the balance of probabilities" not the more difficult "beyond reasonable doubt."

Certainly, though, the more documentary evidence you have to prove your case the better.

Gordy,

as well as reading the archives here, have a read of the various guidance notes and the information on the visa application centre website. The Diplomatic Service Procedures - Entry clearance Volume 1 - General instructions also provide excellent information on what is required for each type of visa and what an Entry Clearance Officer is looking for.

Yes of course i DO know what the official line is on the burdon of proof. What i was doing , as i always try to do, is to explain what it is like in the real world. Most people here give great factual advice but we all know that in reality you often have to go that bit furthur. As the balance of probabilities is dependant on how the ECO sees it on the day , my advice was and is that you should submit your application with documentation that proves it either beyond reasonable doubt or , where possible , beyond any doubt. That way you better cover yourself in the event that the ECO is looking to maybe refuse it . It could just swing a marginal application in the applicants favour.

[the gent]

Oh dear, much as I am reluctant to play the role it seems witchfinder general may yet fall to be my lot........

This OP is dubious to say the least and falls within the ambit of previous spurious posts by that poseur Fracair and the other prat posturing as a reformed bisexual transgendering divorcee both of whom reeled in the usual suspects with tedious predictability.

Still, what does it matter? I only mention it now if only to save blushes later and the as yet unexpressed ' I told you so ' .

Gracious apologies from GU22 are still awaited but I suspect he/she would rather chew ground glass first?

Always the gent, eh what?

[GU22]

Apologies?

OK, here goes:-

The Gent, I am sorry that you are a self righteous, conceited pratt.

How's that?

[markr]

Gent,You seem to be looking for exactly the same as that poseur fraciar and the other prat

A RESPONSE! Why waste your time slating others for seeking attention when thats obviously what you are looking for yourself!

No one to talk to eh what? Some people genuinely need help, you must have of course have never been in that position, what with your astounding intellect and all!!

Mark

Edited November 30, 2006 by markreed

[ling men]

Good to see the old gent with another thoughtful and compassionate post. Have you ever thought about a career as a diplomat?

I must admit I was a bit suspicious with “Scottish UK passport holder” there’s no such thing. My suspicions were heightened when he said “the cost of each visa is about £300”. Any normal Scotsman would have followed that up with “How do I get a discount”.

Having said that, you have to give Gordy the benefit of the doubt. Even if he is a troll the advice given might be a help to someone else.

Is there anything in the ThaiVisa software stopping someone from having multiple account from one computer?