UK Tourist Visa for my Thai GF - Help!

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:30 pm

Hmmmmmm ....... you did nothing different. I can only assume it was one of the following:

- Your wife's (girlfriend then) charming personality

- You were lucky

- Standards may have changed since I last applied

Whatever, it will be very useful to hear the experience of others.

Post by **lindosfan1** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:49 pm

BB
Not my good looks then

en

It could be that she has travelled abroad before, albiet not the UK. Used to regularly go to Hong kong and was educated in the U.S. so she had a proven history of returning to Thailand. Whare as a brand new passport may make them think, so an additional piece of help if your girlfriend is travelling to the UK and has an old passport showing she has travelled before show them that. We did so possibly why we got her visa in 3 days.

Post by **Big Boy** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 4:11 am

I think it's quite common for successful applicants to get their visa in 3 days. In fact my on daughter's last two trips she was told she was successful immediately, but had to collect the visa a couple of days later.

Post by **mrh79** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:44 pm

well going back to my original question / topic etc ... my gf got her visa application rejected last wk. we didnt use any agency we did it ourselves. i was at the time happy with all our paperwork. We had photo's (from my 2 visits with her), my passport stamps, tickets, letters, emails, phone records, my bank statements, you name it ... but they rejected the bugger!

i havent seen the contents of the letter she got yet (it's currently in the post from her) but they were saying , we've only known each other since jan, she was previously married and stayed here (although returned of her own accord with months still left on her prev marriage visa), and that they were worried she would come to england to work in the sex industry - despite my letter of guarentee that she wouldnt have to work!!! is this a standard letter, can they say things like that, its a bit insulting isnt it?

what do i do now? i can appeal (anyone got experience of this?) , or can try to make a new stronger application? or can visit her again soon and go with her to the embassy. i was really confident as well !! help!!?

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 4:59 pm

Sorry to hear that. The length of relationship is probably about as important as having to prove a reason to return.
My advice would be to work towards another application at some point in the future rather than aggravate the situation further.
You'll need to see the letter because it should give firm reasons for the refusal and also state that should any evidence be forthcoming in the future to rebut the reasons, they'll consider another application. (At least that's how it was for me with my ex years ago).
Wait and see what others advise. Good luck and don't give up.
PS, I don't think you personally will get an interview. The Embassy is only interested in her as it's her application, not your's. Fiance or settlement visas are maybe a different matter.

Post by **caller** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:12 pm

No point appealing and as Lomu says, the Embassy won't see you. You just need to submit a further application a little down the line with the more evidence you will then have as a result of this rejection.

You were confident? I would have loved for my now wife to visit the UK first, but could never see a way of achieving that in respect of the reason to return.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:54 pm

In addition, you will probably see the follow as part of the refusal:

The above phrase is fairly standard on refusals, and is a direct copy of a friend's refusal.

Whilst I am fortunate enough never to have been refused, I know loads who have. Confidence is certainly not a word that bodes well with UK Visa applications.

They are usually very abusive, and if you read their rule book, they can get away with it. Certainly if they worked for me, they would not be allowed to.

As to whether the reasons are standard, here are a couple more extracts giving their reasons:

I've blacked out names to protect those who were refused.

Your best bet, if you're serious is to leave it a couple of months, and then re-apply. I've heard rumour (not susbtantiated) that they don't like issuing visitor visas for couples who have not been in a relationship for more than 2 years - even then, they still want proof that the visitor will leave within the period of the visa. The other option (much better for a short term relationship) is to apply for a fiancee visa. This would give your lady up to 6 months in the UK to decide if she likes it here (and if she still likes you

).

Whatever, I think you have saved yourself a lot of money by doing it yourself, and I don't think the result would have been any different.

Post by **mrh79** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 9:12 pm

many thanks guys, especially big boy - your very helpful. Im guessing my letter, will look fairly similar. I'll see what it says and then go from there. Hopefully it'll include a few hints. Im guessing the length of our relationship is a sticking point, as is the fact she only works in a shoe shop for 250bht per day and has no savings. Lets see!!

My GF says that in the embassy (when she went to collect her passport) there were plenty of tears and not too many successful applicants on that particular day. No way would i use an agency. Maybe an option will be to apply for a fioance visa, somewhere down the road, although i think i'll have another bite of a cherry at some point soon. Maybe it's an excuse for me to go on holiday again soon?!