First Uk Visitor Visa Out Of The Way...what Next?

[tariq]

Hello all

Haven't posted for a couple of months. GF has been here with me in London for the last 2 months on her first visit. Had a great time but she got a bit bored during the days whilst I was as work and I'm quite new to London and don't have family or close friends nearby. On the whole a success and we're ready to move on. She few back to LOS last night and I'm missing her

So..question time!

Visa was for six months which runs out in March07. I plan to go back out in April for a few weeks and hopefully she will come back with me for a longer visit than last time. What is the process for a second visit? Is it exactly the same as the first ? For the first visit it was recommended by your goodselves to only stay for a couple of months which we did but what about a second visit - any problems with going for the full 6 months?

If anyone has any knowledge on Thai divorce laws I'd appreciate it. My GF is still married but has been separated for 2.5 years. What is the process for divorce? If separeated for 2 years can she divorce him without his consent?

Thanks

Taz...

[Mahout Angrit]

Visa was for six months which runs out in March07. I plan to go back out in April for a few weeks and hopefully she will come back with me for a longer visit than last time. What is the process for a second visit? Is it exactly the same as the first ? For the first visit it was recommended by your goodselves to only stay for a couple of months which we did but what about a second visit - any problems with going for the full 6 months?

Exactly the same as the first but wait till she's been back in Thailand for at least 6 months, it'll be easier because you did what you said. You will probably get it without an interview (if you had one for the first one). You could certainly ask for longer next time round stating that you have been in Thailand to cement your relationship in the interim.

Anyway,what will you do to stop her getting bored if she stays even longer??

Edited December 4, 2006 by Mahout Angrit

[tariq]

Thanks Mahout

Well, although I want to know if we should/ could apply for the full six months we don't know if we will mainly for the boredom factor.. the cold weather didn't help either this time around and she wasn't able to go out exploring much. It was her first visit outside of LOS and so her confidence was pretty low but gained as she got out and about a bit more.

Has anyone else had problems with their other half getting a bit bored whilst they have been out at work? How have you overcome the problem? There's a limit to how many thai dvd's/ mags she can get thru. We did as much as we could in the evenings and weekends.

Taz...

[the scouser]

I don't see any harm in applying again in April, but I wouldn't go for the full 6-month hit. Instead, I'd again go for a 2-month visit.

As your girlfriend has already complied with the conditions of one visit, and providing you don't over egg it, there are few grounds upon which the visa officer can justify refusal.

Scouse.

[ling men]

Hi Taz

Glad your girls trip went well, my girl goes home tomorrow after 4 weeks in rainy Glasgow. Everything has gone well but she was happiest whenever she met up with other Thais, and I tried to make that happen as often as possible. There is Thai temple in Edinburgh and a few trips out there helped to keep the homesickness at bay. Also, I have a friend in London who has a Thai girlfriend and we had a great weekend visiting them.

During the week, when I’m at work, she claims she hasn’t got bored. She reads, watches TV, plays on the internet, phones home and has taken a few short walks on her own.

The biggest problem I would say has been the language barrier as this knocked her confidence a bit but meeting with other Thais always perked her back up. If you take your girl to the temple in Wimbledon a few times she will start to make friends and feel more at home.

[jgbc]

Hi all

My girlfriend suffered from boredom whilst I was at work too although she met lots of Thai friends it's not the same as being together for months in LOS.

Both visits where given for the full 6mths no problem although she stayed for 5mths and 4mths respectively.

Although she didn't overstay her visa I'm also thinking that they might ask why she didn't stay the full 6mths...needless worry maybe.

The last Tourist Visa we applied for she was refused as we apllied too soon...

This happened because after the first 5mth stay we applied again after 5mths and the lady at the UK Embassy made out it was ok as she'd spent the same amount of time back in LOS as she had out of it...Great we got another 6mths visa for her.

However, after the last visit of 4mths we went for another visa once she had been in LOS for almost 5mths...She was refused and told it doesn't matter how long you stay out of the country, she just can't apply for another visa until she's been in LOS for the full 6mths.

Seems we were just lucky with their cock up the last time or whoever issued it was just having a good day.

Anyway, now were hoping to get her a fiance visa so at least she can work as well, as this is all she kept on about when she was here before.

Best of luck guys

jgbc

[Mahout Angrit]

Anyway, now were hoping to get her a fiance visa so at least she can work as well, as this is all she kept on about when she was here before.

Dont want to spoil your enthusiasm but unfortunatlely she cannot work on a fiancee visa until she is actually married when she can apply for a NI number by virtue of the visa status change and a job offer.

Edited December 5, 2006 by Mahout Angrit

[jgbc]

Anyway, now were hoping to get her a fiance visa so at least she can work as well, as this is all she kept on about when she was here before.

Dont want to spoil your enthusiasm but unfortunatlely she cannot work on a fiancee visa until she is actually married when she can apply for a NI number by virtue of the visa status change and a job offer.

I had wondered about that and had actually been hoping that as the plan was to marry and settle she would be able to work...oh well...such is life but it'll get there. If she was from the EU she'd get benefits and free driving lessons i'm sure

I usually do my own reseach but as of yet, I don't recall seeing where it states that she won't be able to work until married.

Any links would be useful though

jgbc

[GU22]

Mahout Angrit us correct, holders of fiance visa cannot work until after the marriage and they have received the 2 year extension (Further Leave to Remain). The fiance visa will be endorsed "Employment Prohibited." See DSPs Chapter 13

13.2 - Immigration conditions upon entry to the United Kingdom

A person holding an entry clearance as a fiancé(e)/proposed civil partner will initially be admitted to the United Kingdom for 6 months, with a prohibition on employment until after marriage/civil partnership.........

You'll find it in the Immigration Rules Part 8: family members

Leave to enter as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner

291. A person seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom as a fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner may be admitted, with a prohibition on employment, for a period not exceeding 6 months to enable the marriage to take place provided a valid United Kingdom entry clearance for entry in this capacity is produced to the Immigration Officer on arrival.

However, if you were to marry in Thailand and she was granted a spouse visa then she could work immediately.

[jgbc]

Thanks GU22

I've read the links now and it's quite clear...It's not so much of a problem as I think we'll be wed within the first few mths...something quick and easy at the registrars...I'd much rather spend the money in thailand doing it the thai way in her village when we return.

Of course out of respect for her family and that the surroundings are so much more romantic...and maybe cos the beers a lot cheaper...

I assume it's all staight forward as in...once we're married and can produce the certificate she will use that to apply for a NI number...or is that just a bit too hopeful?

Anyway, she has yet to get the visa and I don't think it'll be a problem as she's been to UK twice before and they have a record of our history...

The one thing that might be a problem is that we haven't seen each other for 11mths because of work and me sorting out finances.

I wondered if they'd want to interview her because of it or could they possibly just give her a visa.

jgbc

[Mahout Angrit]

Any links would be useful though

Apart from what you have been given the link on the British Embassy web site is at

http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/F...065721614065#Q4

[Mahout Angrit]

I assume it's all staight forward as in...once we're married and can produce the certificate she will use that to apply for a NI number...or is that just a bit too hopeful?

Yes, its straight forward, once you have notified immigration that you have married you get the "Further leave to remain" stamps in her passport. With the passport and the job offer you go to the local DHSS office, apply for an NI number and she's away. As you say you normally do your research I'm sure you can find the details and locations they have a good web site.

Good luck, maybe GU22 will come back and answer your other questions about the application

[jgbc]

I assume it's all staight forward as in...once we're married and can produce the certificate she will use that to apply for a NI number...or is that just a bit too hopeful?

Yes, its straight forward, once you have notified immigration that you have married you get the "Further leave to remain" stamps in her passport. With the passport and the job offer you go to the local DHSS office, apply for an NI number and she's away. As you say you normally do your research I'm sure you can find the details and locations they have a good web site.

Good luck, maybe GU22 will come back and answer your other questions about the application

That's great Mahout

many thanks

jgbc

[scooty]

yo Tariq,

My Thai lady came to stay with me in the uk for 2 months in April and May this year. after about 3 weeks i had to go back to work and so my lady would stay home and yes she would go on the internet, listen to Thai music, exercise etc. She would then go to Tesos (lotus) as the Thais say.The best thing i did was to introduce her to other Thais living in my city and before long she was going to visit the other girls and they would sit and eat papaya salad (made with carrot)and yap all afternoon. soon she wasnt getting bored at all.

good luck

scoot

[tariq]

Thanks for the replies people..

Hmm... intorducing her to other Thai's in London. Well I knopw there are lots but unfortunatelyt I don't know any. I've only been on London for 2yrs.

We did go to the Thai temple in Wimbledon for Loy Kratong which was good but apart from that I wouldn't have a clue where to start?!

I did arrange a months membership at my local gym and she did go out wandering when it wasn't too cold. She's hooked on cookery programmes and travel programes on the TV now!!! And she did call her friends and family back in LOS every other day.

Any suggestions on how to meet other Thai's in London for when she visits next time?

Also, as explained earlier her current Visa runs out in March07. She returned to LOS a couple of days ago. When can we apply for another visitor visa? I'm a bit confused. I was hoping to bring her back with me in April07. Will that be possible?

By the way she put on 4 kilo's whilst she was here... I made a big mistake introducing her to English puddings and cheesecake. Mind you I put on about the same weight too.

[the scouser]

Also, as explained earlier her current Visa runs out in March07. She returned to LOS a couple of days ago. When can we apply for another visitor visa? I'm a bit confused. I was hoping to bring her back with me in April07. Will that be possible?

You don't have to wait for the current visa to expire before you apply for another, but you may just as well wait until you go over in April. As your girlfriend has already been to the UK, and complied with her conditions of stay, the process of obtaing a second visit visa should be painless.

Scouse.

[scooty]

Tariq, when i was with my lady in uk , sometimes i would just say hello to anybody who even looked Thai because i have learnt that most Thais will strike up a conversation with you. Also you can just take your lady to Thai restaurants , i found that the Thai owners are very friendly and love to chat with her, also they are always full of good information. My lady made a good Thai friend and this lady supplies many other Thais with thai cooking ingredients so she knows Lots of other Thais.You could even put an add in the paper and maybe arrange for the local Thais to meet up in a pub for a chat, or start some sort of club

good luck

scooty