Thai Wife's UK Visa Application Refused.

[pharvey]

On another similar subject if we do indeed decide to go again to the UK in the future, assuming she is successful this time of course, what is the procedure for applying for a Schengen visa also?

PM pharvey, his (much) better half is Chinese and they have gone down the Schengen route several times. He's away for the weekend, but I'm sure he'll be happy to help.

Leaving in an hour or 2, but as DM says, happy to help. In the first instance though, the procedure is to apply through the Embassy/Consulate of the country you are first going to visit. You can then travel to (or through) any "Schengen Country". Your wife will need to have a Face-Face appointment (in the vast majority of cases) and this could be arranged quickly or take several weeks dependent on the country you are visiting and the time of year. You also need to note that the visa (if approved) will likely take a couple of weeks - passport is left at the Embassy/Consulate and then returned by Registered Post. You can certainly use Agents, but these are not cheap - doing things yourself, cost can also run up. Consider what Consulates/Embassies are in the area or nearest to where you will be staying in the UK and not so much the country you want to visit in Europe - REMEMBER you literally only have to clear immigration and stay (possibly one night) in that country before travelling onwards to another Schengen country.

Anywho, as mentioned I'm happy to help with any questions if I can

[JohnD]

I think they have to tick all their boxes e.g. partners own bank account with sufficient funds, irrespective of your funds.
I allowed something like $50 per day of stay from advice via Google.
For this purpose, my partner has a Thai bank account with about 250 thousand baht used solely for visa purposes.
We also gave proof of a similar amount in another overseas bank account in my partner’s name, as my partner is not Thai.

We successfully obtained both a UK multiple entry visa valid for one year, and a Schengen visa but for the Schengen - limited to only one trip with travel dates made in your application – with like a one week tolerance on arrival and departure dates into Europe.

The Schengen visa was very frustrating – needed an itinerary with dates, dummy flight booking, dummy hotel bookings for entire stay, health insurance for period of stay.
None of this crap required for UK visa with no restriction on travel dates, except stay limited to 3 months (?).

With the Schengen visa, we more or less complied with the arrival date, but changed everything else.
The staff at VSF know this is BS as we put in the application without hotel bookings.
We were advised to go to the next mall shop with access to computer and printer to make our fictitious hotel bookings.
Oh yes, not easy to find hotels that accept a booking without credit card, and we had five hotels to book in four countries.

[pharvey]

Just going back to the

The Schengen visa was very frustrating – needed an itinerary with dates, dummy flight booking, dummy hotel bookings for entire stay, health insurance for period of stay.

With the Schengen visa, we more or less complied with the arrival date, but changed everything else.
The staff at VSF know this is BS as we put in the application without hotel bookings.
We were advised to go to the next mall shop with access to computer and printer to make our fictitious hotel bookings.
Oh yes, not easy to find hotels that accept a booking without credit card, and we had five hotels to book in four countries.

There are many loopholes and the latest being the LHG has her visa for France (our trip coming up at the end of this month), however has used it to visit Prague/Czech Republic for a 5 day visit beforehand (she arrived there today). She has been able to use the visa to visit Czech as our trip to France is a longer stay. Strange as it sounds, it works!!

Regardless, we've never had to make fictious bookings for hotels etc. (let alone in multiple countries) - there are ways and (all legal) means to work with the Schengen Visa. My complete and utter annoyance with it are the costs involved at times!!

[Dannie Boy]

By the way Green Nomad, I would definitely try again providing as much support as possible - be inventive with the truth!!

Just to update this thread, my wife’s passport came back today with a 10 year multiple entry UK visit visa, maximum duration of 180 days per visit.

Have you tried again GN, or are you going to wait until you return to Thailand to apply?

[Green Nomad]

Thanks for the update Dannie Boy. I was discussing the matter with a colleague of mine who's wife was refused some years ago and he gave me a list of suggested info to back up the application. Including a 'Scrap Book' of us together either here in Saudi or in Thailand, as well as pile it on thick ref the financial support I will provide and any evidence of her funds in Thailand. Will be applying again soon. Wish us luck. GN.

[Dannie Boy]

Thanks for the update Dannie Boy. I was discussing the matter with a colleague of mine who's wife was refused some years ago and he gave me a list of suggested info to back up the application. Including a 'Scrap Book' of us together either here in Saudi or in Thailand, as well as pile it on thick ref the financial support I will provide and any evidence of her funds in Thailand. Will be applying again soon. Wish us luck. GN.

My wife’s last visa was a 5 year one so I assume that helped, together with 4 or 5 one year visas before that, so she had history of going and coming back. I think the two critical areas are sufficient funds for the trip and reasons for not overstaying - e.g. assets back in Thailand etc.

[chammers]

I have searched the forum but can't find anything on this subject. I am hoping my girlfriend will visit me in the UK for 2/3 weeks in July/August this year. She has an ID card and passport - she will stay at my home and I will meet all her UK expenses. Could someone please advise what she needs to do to obtain a tourist visa and the likely costs?

Thank you.

[Dannie Boy]

What you should look at first in the UK visa website for general rules etc https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/app ... sitor-visa

Your girlfriend (with your help) will need to complete the application form which is quite demanding and requires lots of supporting documentation. After completion and online submission of all the details, an appointment and personal visit to the VFS office in Bangkok is required to do the relevant biometrics etc.

I suggest you look at the application process as a first step and then ask any questions you might have - a word of warning is that it’s not an easy process!!

[HarryVardon]

Make sure everything is properly filled in and you provide all the necessary details. You may lose your money if she is refused. It is only easy if she has a lot of money in her own bank account or has a good job with a reputable company.

[pharvey]

Aside from the required forms and requested information, proof of funds (and employment) is a key factor, as is proof of a relationship - photo's, hotel bookings, travel (both the latter in her and your names), also always useful is a letter from a third party or two stating they know you both and you've been in a relationship for x (period of time). Proof of a UK address and a statement saying you will cover all expenses, RETURN travel documents...

[HarryVardon]

It is also important to show that your girlfriend needs to return to Thailand, dependent children or parents, own business, own house or land, etc. They are worried she will stay in England.

[GroveHillWanderer]

It is also important to show that your girlfriend needs to return to Thailand, dependent children or parents, own business, own house or land, etc. They are worried she will stay in England.

In my experience, this is one of the most important things. i would say the most common reason given on another well-known expat forum here in Thailand as to why UK visas were refused, is because they weren't convinced the applicant intended to return to Thailand.

So anything she can put down on the application (with your help) along those lines, could go a long way towards a successful outcome.

[pharvey]

It is also important to show that your girlfriend needs to return to Thailand, dependent children or parents, own business, own house or land, etc. They are worried she will stay in England.

In my experience, this is one of the most important things. i would say the most common reason given on another well-known expat forum here in Thailand as to why UK visas were refused, is because they weren't convinced the applicant intended to return to Thailand.

So anything she can put down on the application (with your help) along those lines, could go a long way towards a successful outcome.

To be blunt, that's the one and only reason for any visa refusal to any country for any passport holder....

[GroveHillWanderer]

It is also important to show that your girlfriend needs to return to Thailand, dependent children or parents, own business, own house or land, etc. They are worried she will stay in England.

In my experience, this is one of the most important things. i would say the most common reason given on another well-known expat forum here in Thailand as to why UK visas were refused, is because they weren't convinced the applicant intended to return to Thailand.

So anything she can put down on the application (with your help) along those lines, could go a long way towards a successful outcome.

To be blunt, that's the one and only reason for any visa refusal to any country for any passport holder....

That's not true in terms of the reasons given for refusal of UK visas though. Other reasons given (again according to accounts on the AseanNow forum) have been: lack of sufficient funds, lack of proof of relationship with the sponsor, previous refusal, unclear purpose of visit, criminal record, missing information, submitting false information, health concerns, missing documents, incomplete application and problems related to previous travel history.

[Lost]

I find it quite incredible anyone gets refused a visa to the UK. I'm a minority (Caucasian British) everywhere I go. On the bus, in the streets, at work, in the classroom...

I often count the folk around me (plus me) just to remember how fkin bizarre this situation is. I'm usually the one white guy in 20. Every now and then that 5% ratio might increase to 10%. Occasionally.

Place is (edit: has become due to the imports) a third world shithole. Can't wait to get the hell out of this festering, rubbish-filled dump next year.