First visa?

[Nurgz]

Hi guys im Josh. 

I've read some of the threads here and they have been very helpful.

Back ground: (try not to judge), I'm 27 I've been married for 6 years in a pretty crappy marriage. I went to Thailand and actually met my soulmate (unintentionally). When i returned from my trip i told my wife and we are currently are going through a divorce. I have been with my girlfriend now for 6 months. I am going to ask her to marry me. I have already been back and visited her family and friends and now i would like her to come and visit mine. My intentions for the future are to be married in the UK and for her to live here with me. But in the mean time i would like her just to come for a holiday to see if the culture (weather) is to her fancy, and so she can meet my family and friends. 

I am very weary about what to write in my Invitation letter. I don't want to seem deceitful but the truth may seem quite far-fetched as you can see. I've included my Job/income/accommodation/Visit intention (holiday). She has her own business as a fitness instructor, but you guessed it its all cash in hand. So not much evidence available. She has bank statements with money in her account. She has alot of family that she is very close to and a dog and a vehicle. I'm struggling on what other possible evidence i could gather that she plans to return to Thailand. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
A few more questions: 1. Is a photograph of my payslips and other evidence suitable enough or must it be scanned?
                                         2. Would a airline ticket to Thailand after her holiday be worth anything with regards to evidence that she plans to return to her home?
                                         3. How much of this information should i put into the letter, could any of it be perceived as damaging? 

                                         4. Should i mention i'm still married? Should i mention that we intend to marry in the future (2018) hopefully.     

[steve187]

that's a both feet in jump

[BritTim]

If she has a significant balance in her bank account, and can show a high average balance over, say, the last six months, forget about supporting her application yourself, and let her apply independently. If she can show that she has a real business (tax receipts are not the only way to do that) to return to, it will greatly improve her chances.

 

If you need to "sponsor" her application, as you have surmised, it needs to be done carefully. An interview becomes almost certain. Indicating an intention to marry (so she will not leave the UK) is a bad idea.

[Bountyhuntr]

As Brit said, but I doubt she pays tax.

 

I have judged you already and rightly so, what you have said is ridiculous, but the best of luck - you will need it.

Edited May 5, 2017 by Bountyhuntr

[jeab1980]

Dont listen to the dour souls on here if you mention falling in love they tend to come out in force to put you down and tell you all thai women are lower than a rattle snakes arse. They will all rip you off and apart from there wifes (who are whiter than white Not ex bargirls as they are very keen to point out constantly) (Nothing to hide there then!).  You do as you feel right sod what anyone else thinks, in the end they dont matter. Your first post will in the end be put down to spam or troll by the vast majority. You have to realise TV contributors are in the main a fickle bunch who i would say 80% of which have been gulible in the past and been burnt hence now its all Thai women are!!!!. So you do as you please and enjoy yourself.

Edited May 5, 2017 by jeab1980

[bobrussell]

Same visa requirements as everyone else. The ECO is not there to judge the applicant.

Reason for visit

Affordability of visit.

Reasons to return.

 

If she is going to pay then her finances will be studied closely. If you are paying then your finances have to be explained as well.

It is your relationship and not for people to judge here. Appropriate to make your present situation clear in a covering letter.

Read the pinned topic about visit visas and ask questions where you need to!

There are plenty of sensible and knowledgable people on her (plus the bitter/Trolls!)

[Nurgz]

Thanks for your input. And believe me when i say i am aware its ridiculous! But it is how it is. I want to tell them the full truth about my relationship situation. Someone mentioned that could be a bad idea that we intend to marry. I don't see how because i am still married at the moment. Meaning i couldn't possibly get married in the UK while i'm still married. I thought my cover letter was going to be quite simple but it seems its getting more complicated by the minute. I can prove without a doubt: My income/ my stable job (British Forces), Accommodation during her visit, i can cover her expenses.

 

I've spoken to her about proof of return and she is an Athlete for her country at represents it at the highest level, surely this is good evidence of her return?  Also she owns a vehicle, her income wont be usable unfortunately. 

[Bountyhuntr]

8 hours ago, Nurgz said:

Thanks for your input. And believe me when i say i am aware its ridiculous! But it is how it is. I want to tell them the full truth about my relationship situation. Someone mentioned that could be a bad idea that we intend to marry. I don't see how because i am still married at the moment. Meaning i couldn't possibly get married in the UK while i'm still married. I thought my cover letter was going to be quite simple but it seems its getting more complicated by the minute. I can prove without a doubt: My income/ my stable job (British Forces), Accommodation during her visit, i can cover her expenses.

 

I've spoken to her about proof of return and she is an Athlete for her country at represents it at the highest level, surely this is good evidence of her return?  Also she owns a vehicle, her income wont be usable unfortunately. 

@Above posters - My initial post was not from my bad experiences as I have not had any from the several years I've been here, but I am younger than the original poster and I haven't been living and working here blind for last several years.

 

But as you've had a long relationship before you obviously do know that you can't know someone in 6 months and the quote "nothing lasts forever" also comes to mind.  There's just so many noobies that get stung in Thailand so sorry for my first over-reaction.

 

Anyway, I don't think the dog or possibly the car is a valid reason to return (a kid is also not a valid reason, correct me if I am wrong), her business I expect would be the most valid point, although a fitness-instructor is a bit vague. Just view the threads on this forum in regards to obtaining a visa to the UK and all the comments; I found them great when I did the same as you're currently doing a year back.

 

Anyway, all the best dude

Edited May 6, 2017 by Bountyhuntr

[bobrussell]

Family, dog or car are all valid reasons to return however this must be interpreted in line with Thai culture. It is not unusual for a mother to work away from children therefore not as strong a reason to return as it might be for some.

 

The ECO works on a balance of probabilities rather than proof. Build up a picture of a settled life in Thailand and cover other requirements and there is no reason to expect rejection.

 

Intention to marry is irrelevant for anyone still married! It is a different relationship as an old one breaks down. Life!

 

Explain what is going on, honestly and thoroughly. Plenty of visit visas have been issued in such circumstances.

[7by7]

On ‎04‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 8:44 PM, Nurgz said:

1. Is a photograph of my payslips and other evidence suitable enough or must it be scanned?

Visitor: supporting documents guide says that all documents must be originals, not photocopies; although photocopies certified as correct by the issuer are also acceptable.

 

(Edit: note that most of the documents in that guide are suggestions, you do not have to provide them all!)

 

Anecdotal evidence suggest that photocopies have been accepted before; it's up to you.

 

On ‎04‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 8:44 PM, Nurgz said:

2. Would a airline ticket to Thailand after her holiday be worth anything with regards to evidence that she plans to return to her home?

UKVI's advice is to not book tickets until after the visa has been issued; so no.

 

If a person did intend to overstay a visit vis and remain in the UK indefinitely for some reason, losing the cost of the return part of their ticket would be a small price to pay.

 

On ‎04‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 8:44 PM, Nurgz said:

3. How much of this information should i put into the letter, could any of it be perceived as damaging?

Your sponsor's letter should be truthful. In it you should briefly outline the history of your relationship, the reasons for her visit to the UK at this time and her reasons to return to Thailand.

 

Unlike certain members here, the ECOs are not going to judge you or her; only whether or not her application, on the balance of probabilities, meets the criteria for a visit visa.

 

Which are:

• A genuine visitor with a genuine reason to visit
• The visit is affordable, from her own funds, yours, a third party or any combination of these. Whoever is contributing to the costs of the visit must provide evidence of their ability to do so and if a third party it's advisable to say why they are doing so.
• She will be adequately accommodated during her stay in the UK. Accommodation can be in a hotel or a private home. If a private home the householder should write a letter of invitation briefly describing the property and who else lives there to show that there is at least one room for her use; although the ECOs are not prudes, so sharing a room with you is fine.
• She will return home, or at least leave the UK, when or before her visa expires.

 

On ‎04‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 8:44 PM, Nurgz said:

4. Should i mention i'm still married? Should i mention that we intend to marry in the future (2018) hopefully.

Not really relevant to this application; but future intentions can help; especially if there is no concrete reason to return.

 

For example, saying that you both realise overstaying a visit visa will seriously effect any future settlement visa application she may make once you are divorced and free to marry her..

 

As well as the pinned topic mentioned by bobrussell, I suggest that you read UKVI's guidance.

Edited May 8, 2017 by 7by7