UK Tourist Visa for my Thai GF - Help!

Post by **mrh79** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:33 pm

assuming my girlfriend gets her tourist visa, anyone know a good website for booking one way tickets or indeed return travel. As opposed to being scammed by the touts / agency in the same way you guy were!

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:00 pm

Not sure about websites, but don't book a one-way ticket!!! The airline check-in and UK Imm will want to see a return.

Post by **mrh79** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 12:43 am

will an open return ticket be ok ( ie to return within 6 months) or does it have to be a fixed date on the return tkt?

Post by **Roel** » Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:47 am

Open return is fine. Also any other outbound ticket will suffice.

Post by **Flannel** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:34 pm

I might be looking to bring my thai gf to england next year. How long do they need to show they have been working?? To help for visa?? and also, do they need to have a minimum amount of money in their account too?? Or can you show you have enough for them as their sponsor??

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:50 pm

Probably a strange question, but can you please confirm your nationality?

Before anybody can help, you need to say on what terms you intend bringing your girlfriend eg for a holiday, for marriage, etc. If marriage, will she be intending to reside in the UK, or will you both be returning to Thailand to live.

Post by **Flannel** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:59 pm

Yeah sorry, I am from Torquay in Devon. I am looking about bringing her over on a holiday visa?? is there aa such thing as a 6 month tourist visa?? It is not for any intention at this stage for settlement or marriage. What options are there?? I have phone records and e-mails for a year etc, all the correct paperwork for it. But would like to be advised on what would be the most succesful avenue go for. Possibly be looking at a fiancee visa?? Can you please help?? Thanks

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:42 pm

Another Janner

You will find a holiday visa a little harder, but it doesn't need to be impossible. Your biggest obstacle will be convincing them that your girlfriend will return to Thailand ie things they will look at include:

- Does she own her own property in Thailand? If yes, mega brownie points.

- Is she in regular employment? If yes, she will need a letter from her employer (preferably on headed notepaper) stating that she has been granted leave, and her job is being held open for her. It would also help for the employer to state what measures they are taking to cover her post during her absence.

- Family in Thailand. I've known some mothers of young children stating that they have to return to Thailand to care for their young children. I've also seen the Embassy turn it around saying if you need to care for your child, how can you leave him/her behind for so long.

Getting back to your original questions:

- The length of employment is not so important, its the type of job (definitely not bar girl), a letter on official paper with contact details (they're likely to phone to confirm) and that the job will be kept open.

- I've always stated that I will pay, and provide bank statements with a separate account showing more than enough to cover the holiday.

- She won't get 6 months at the first attempt. They used to limit first timers to 3 months or less. Others may have more up to date information on that.

I hope that helps. As you are in the UK, if you think it would help, I'd be more than happy to discuss on the phone. If you PM me your phone number, providing it's a landline (I don't pay for calls to landlines), I'll give you a call

Post by **caller** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:33 am

And if you are really thinking of a 'fiancee visa' then remember, you are expected to get married withing the period of the visa.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:38 am

To (possibly) correct what Big Boy has said above, as far as I am aware the British Embassy issues only 6 month visas for Thai people applying as 'visitors' (i.e. tourists) which is the normal route for girlfriends/wives, unless you are planning to marry and/or settle in the UK together. After one or two successful trips/visas there is an option to apply for longer ones that allow for frequent trips, I believe two year up to ten year visas, although there is probably a limit on the length of stay each time. I think my wife will be eligible to apply for one of these on our next trip, so will report back some time next year when we try. If anyone else has experience of this please post it on here.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:52 am

Just found this link http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/faqs.aspx and it has this information;

How long will my visa be valid for?
The period for which your visa is valid is always shown on the visa placed in your travel document. A standard visit visa is usually valid for 6 months, but we also issue visit visas that are valid for 1, 2 or 5 years. All visit visas can be used for an unlimited number of entries to the UK. You may stay a maximum of 6 months on each visit, or to the expiry date of the visa, whichever is shorter. If you are coming for another reason, the validity of the visa and how long you can stay can vary.

The visa will show the date from which it is valid. This is usually the date that it is issued. If you do not plan to travel immediately, you can ask for it to be post-dated for the start date to be deferred by up to three months. You must tell the visa officer this when you make your application.

From another part of the same site, the fees (in baht) list these among the possible visas;

Single, double and multiple visit, valid up to 6 months 3886
Longer term multiple entry (1 to 2 years) 12470
Longer term multiple entry (5 years) 23200
Longer term multiple entry (10 years) 29000

Interestingly if you want to visit once a year every year around the same time (the UK summer in our case!) only the 10 year one actually works out cheaper, although this is not adding in the cost (and hassle) of going to Bangkok twice to apply and collect along with putting together all the necessary paperwork every time; the 1 to 2 year one would only be worthwhile for someone making at least 2 trips a year though I would have thought.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:17 pm

Thanks for the correction Wanderlust. I know that whenever I've requested a 6 month visa (for a newbie visitor), in the past, they've never granted more than 3 months as an unwritten policy. This additional timespan is great news, and as I said

Others may have more up to date information on that.

Did it cost a donation to the tea fund, or did they issue the 6 months without any questions?

Post by **Wanderlust** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:54 pm

[British indignant mode] Tea fund? We don't do that sort of thing at the British Embassy I'll have you know![/British indignant mode]

Actually BB I am interested to know how long ago you were only offered a 3 month visa for the person/people you helped, as my first Thai wife was given a 6 month one 8 years ago, and we only needed 3-4 weeks stay. I was surprised at the time that she got a 6 month one but on reading more found that it was the standard issue then, as it is now. We're not talking at cross purposes here are we? (your tea money comment suggests we might be?)

Post by **Winkie** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:00 pm

[quote="Wanderlust"]To (possibly) correct what Big Boy has said above, as far as I am aware the British Embassy issues only 6 month visas for Thai people applying as 'visitors' (i.e. tourists) quote]

Ome of my Thia staff has just been granted a 6 month visa for a short visit to UK, but she also said that her friend, who also visited UK recently was only given a 3 month Visa.

Not sure what is right/wrong, and no interest to validate either, but thought I would add cooment as it may be important for some.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:03 pm

The teamoney comment was in jest as it seems flavour of the month elsewhere on the forum.

I think the last time I requested a visa was 3 to 4 years ago. On that occasion, even though they were travelling as a family, my daughter and grand daughter were granted 6 months and my son-in-law was granted 3 months.