Visa for the UK
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Guess
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Visa for the UK
I have a friend who wishes to take his Thai girlfriend back to the UK. Can anybody who has done this please let me know how to go about it. Everybody I know who livingb with a Thai lady id married and I have heard dome horror stories regaring agencies.
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I intended to go down this route but then short of the other half claiming to have lost her passport en route and claiming asylum at the other end (a serious contender), I gave it up as a non-starter!
Others might have better experiences, but not a lot depends on the sponsor, its more to do with what guarentees the lady can provide that she is genuine and will return to LOS?
I know its taboo, but there is another site that has a lot of information or even the one below, which hopefully can be mentioned and linked to?
http://thailand-uk.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/74010002
They don't stop links to this forum, so hopefully, it will be okay?
Others might have better experiences, but not a lot depends on the sponsor, its more to do with what guarentees the lady can provide that she is genuine and will return to LOS?
I know its taboo, but there is another site that has a lot of information or even the one below, which hopefully can be mentioned and linked to?
http://thailand-uk.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/74010002
They don't stop links to this forum, so hopefully, it will be okay?
Talk is cheap
This visa situation is not impossible, depending on the circumstances. I've been through it before. The ECO will look at two main things. Firstly, that the applicant will not be a burden on the state - they have sufficient funds to support themself whilst in the UK (or the sponsor has) and they have accommodation. This, quite often isn't too difficult to prove. If there's a good reason why they're visiting at that time, state it - family wedding, anniversary etc. If your friend is sponsoring the visit, he must show he is financially able to do so. Normally 6 mths bank statements and salary slips will be sufficient from this point of view. If he owns property, evidence of this is helpful. If it's rented accommodation, then a letter from the landlord confirming that the sponsor lives there and allowing the g/f to stay there would be useful.
Secondly and here it can get difficult, is that the applicant must satisy the ECO that they have sufficient reason to return to Thailand. It is solely the applicant that must satisfy this. The ECO may take into account the sponsor's situation, but it won't necessarily count for much.
If the applicant has a job, money and/or land then this may be enough. If a job, then a letter from the employer stating that the job is still there for her on her return will be very helpful. Copies of her bank statements etc should be submitted as well.
Proof of how serious the relationship is should be supplied - ie how long they have known each other, with telephone bills, emails, letters, photos etc to back this up. How many times the boyfriend has been over here to see her - relevant stamps in his passport, together with documentary proof that they were together when he did so.
And on and on and on. The two key areas have been mentioned above. The more evidence that is submitted, in a clear and logical way, will make it easier for the ECO to make a decision.
On a positive note, The Embassy is not as harsh as they were 12 odd years ago when my ex was applying and there are plenty of Thai ladies who get a 6 mth Visit Visa in these circumstances. If your friend tries to approach the situation from the ECO's perspective, it will probably help. Ie, there have been too many visas granted to Thais in a situation where the relationship is at best tenuous and the applicant has disappeared into the black economy on their arrival in the UK.
Take a look at The Embassy's web site. There's heaps of useful information about the process on it. NOTE : applications are no longer made at The Embassy, but at an outsourcing centre - details on the website. The ECO will try to make a decision quickly. An interview with the applicant may be necessary if the ECO needs to clear up any "holes" in the application and supporting documentation.
If your friend decides to use an agency, make sure it's reputable
and knows what it's doing. There are plenty of fly-by-night operators who havn't got a clue and will even advise the applicant to "be economical with the truth". Don't do that, the ECO will be experienced in spotting untruths and if one is told, you can forget the visa immediately. As long as your friends are confident in compiling a comprehensive dossier on their relationship and circumstances, the need for an agency becomes redundant. I didn't use one, so have no first hand knowledge, but that's what I hear.
If you need any more specific info, then ask away. I have been through it before, and it's not as daunting as it once was.
Secondly and here it can get difficult, is that the applicant must satisy the ECO that they have sufficient reason to return to Thailand. It is solely the applicant that must satisfy this. The ECO may take into account the sponsor's situation, but it won't necessarily count for much.
If the applicant has a job, money and/or land then this may be enough. If a job, then a letter from the employer stating that the job is still there for her on her return will be very helpful. Copies of her bank statements etc should be submitted as well.
Proof of how serious the relationship is should be supplied - ie how long they have known each other, with telephone bills, emails, letters, photos etc to back this up. How many times the boyfriend has been over here to see her - relevant stamps in his passport, together with documentary proof that they were together when he did so.
And on and on and on. The two key areas have been mentioned above. The more evidence that is submitted, in a clear and logical way, will make it easier for the ECO to make a decision.
On a positive note, The Embassy is not as harsh as they were 12 odd years ago when my ex was applying and there are plenty of Thai ladies who get a 6 mth Visit Visa in these circumstances. If your friend tries to approach the situation from the ECO's perspective, it will probably help. Ie, there have been too many visas granted to Thais in a situation where the relationship is at best tenuous and the applicant has disappeared into the black economy on their arrival in the UK.
Take a look at The Embassy's web site. There's heaps of useful information about the process on it. NOTE : applications are no longer made at The Embassy, but at an outsourcing centre - details on the website. The ECO will try to make a decision quickly. An interview with the applicant may be necessary if the ECO needs to clear up any "holes" in the application and supporting documentation.
If your friend decides to use an agency, make sure it's reputable
and knows what it's doing. There are plenty of fly-by-night operators who havn't got a clue and will even advise the applicant to "be economical with the truth". Don't do that, the ECO will be experienced in spotting untruths and if one is told, you can forget the visa immediately. As long as your friends are confident in compiling a comprehensive dossier on their relationship and circumstances, the need for an agency becomes redundant. I didn't use one, so have no first hand knowledge, but that's what I hear.
If you need any more specific info, then ask away. I have been through it before, and it's not as daunting as it once was.