Visit Visa

[stevebow]

Hi All,

Has anyone any idea of a realistic timescale I should wait before submitting a 2nd Visit Visa application ( To the UK ) after my girlfriend returns to Thailand next week. Her first visa doesnt expire until April, but we have already assured the Embassy she would return to Thailand after 1 Month.

Do I have to wait for the first Visa to Expire?

On a 2nd application is she more likely to be allowed the full 6 Months?

Thanks in Advance

Steve

[the scouser]

Steve,

If you envisage your girlfriend returning to the UK before April, there's no point applying for a new visa when her current one will still be valid. However, should that occur, she may incur the wrath of the visa officer for daring to make two short visits to the UK during her visa's validity. It may be better in the long run to wait until the current visa is either just about to expire or just has expired.

Scouse.

[Mahout Angrit]

On a 2nd application is she more likely to be allowed the full 6 Months?

She can certainly ask for a lot longer, maybe ask for 4 months, but you know she shouldn't be staying longer than 6 months in any one year in UK on tourist visa.

I have sent you PM.

[atlastaname]

On a 2nd application is she more likely to be allowed the full 6 Months?

She can certainly ask for a lot longer, maybe ask for 4 months, but you know she shouldn't be staying longer than 6 months in any one year in UK on tourist visa.

I have sent you PM.

Yes thats true but i would go furthur in urging caution. She clearly only just scraped the visa first time around (thus the restriction they made of 1 month) , and do remember that the idea of a visit visa is just that ...to visit. Now she has to satisfy the reason to return criteria , and bearing in mind her only just getting permission for 1 month , i can't see how she could satisfy them she really intended to return after 6!! Of course there are ways of arguing the case (not wanting to jepodise future relationships etc) but you must be aware that it will be harder to get a second visit visa for SIX months , however conversely because she has abided by the terms of her first visa , she should find it easier to get a second visit visa for a short holiday (short being the operative word here..say 1 or 2 months). Ask for 6 months and they will suspect (rightly) that both your intentions are for her to live with you in the UK rather than just visit.

I don't know your work situation but you could spend time together in Thailand if its possible and then apply for a short visit visa after several months have gone by. That you would most likely get. Not the exact answer you wanted i know but i do have personal experience of your situation. In 1997 my previous partner was allowed a 1 month visit,(like yours) DID return exactly on time and re-applied after a couple of months for longer. Got refused (for reasons similar to those i outlined above) and with a huge effort i got it overturned ONLY because at the time the Embassy had a very nice and fair ECO called Mr Blake.

So you see, you need to approach this with more than usual care.

[Mahout Angrit]

She clearly only just scraped the visa first time around (thus the restriction they made of 1 month)

We do not know that, I believe that the OP sensibly only requested a visit of 1 month in her application as it would seem that a standard 6 month multi visa was issued. The OP hasn't said but i believe they are keeping to the promise made on the application form not following any specific conditions set them.

[atlastaname]

She clearly only just scraped the visa first time around (thus the restriction they made of 1 month)

We do not know that, I believe that the OP sensibly only requested a visit of 1 month in her application as it would seem that a standard 6 month multi visa was issued. The OP hasn't said but i believe they are keeping to the promise made on the application form not following any specific conditions set them.

Could be ... depends on how you interpret what the OP wrote. I guess he could clarify it , although i'm not sure that in either case it negates anything i said. He still needs to be careful

[stevebow]

Steve,

If you envisage your girlfriend returning to the UK before April, there's no point applying for a new visa when her current one will still be valid. However, should that occur, she may incur the wrath of the visa officer for daring to make two short visits to the UK during her visa's validity. It may be better in the long run to wait until the current visa is either just about to expire or just has expired.

Scouse.

What about if we apply for the settlement visa,before her tourist visa expires? As we told the embassy we wanted to make sure she could survive the English winter before doing the fiancee Visa. Do you think this would be more acceptable to the Embassy?

Thanks

Steve

[Mahout Angrit]

What about if we apply for the settlement visa,before her tourist visa expires? As we told the embassy we wanted to make sure she could survive the English winter before doing the fiancee Visa. Do you think this would be more acceptable to the Embassy?

As your girlfriend is over 18 I dont think she has qualifications to apply for settlement in her own right so you would need to be married to be able to apply for settlement. If you didn't want to marry in Thailand and apply directly for settlement then the correct way for you to get settlement would be to apply for the fiancee visa.

To get the fiancee visit you would need to demonstrate amongst other things that you have or are making preparations to marry during the six months validity of that visa and then once married you would change to a settlement visa and get 'Leave to remain' in UK. Quite a commitment as you say above you are not sure if she'll survive the winter!! If you are ready to commit yourselves then there is no reason why she shouldn't apply for the Fiancee visa soon after she returns but remember a fiancee visa is not just a longer visitors visa for people who are engaged.It is the precursor to permanant settlement in UK.

Otherwise I think your only option is to wait till the current visit visa is almost expired and apply for another and perhaps in the meantime get over to Thailand for another visit.

You should read the recent thread by JELLIS entitled 'a few questions about a fiancee visa' on this forum where the merits of those visas have been discussed and others (find them by searching on 'settlement') and come back if you have questions.

Edited January 5, 2007 by Mahout Angrit

[the scouser]

There's no prohibition on your girlfriend applying for a fiancée settlement visa prior to her visit visa expiring.

Scouse.