UK Tourist Visa for my Thai GF - Help!

[caller]

No expert on this, but I think that sometimes there is an issue about how long the visitor intends staying? I know that seems a contradiction in terms, but for example, needing a good reason to go back and providing a letter from an employer as that reason might arouse some suspicion if the travel period planned is for the full 6-months. Would the employer really keep the job open for that long?

A common held view appears to be to make it reasonable and remember there can be issues if successive visa application for G/F's are applied for frequently (if other half based is based in UK) and travel is planned for the full period - that could be viewed as seeking to by-pass visa rules.

[PET]

As recently as 1st May this whole issue was discussed under '' VISA FOR TGF '' and although it covered Australia there is loads of information on the UK requirements.

I suggest you look at this.

[lomuamart]

I've had two experiences of UK visas.
The first was a long drawn out affair for my ex girlfriend. We'd been together for a number of years but I was still working in the UK and she was here. She was turned down three times for a Visitor's Visa. I took the matter to The Home Office through my MP. I got an interview with The Entry Clearance Director at The Embassy one time - none of them were interested at all. I used to have the rejection letters.
It got to me so much that I left my country and came to live here. I can appreciate that there have to be regulations, but when it came to my brother sending me my postcard that I'd sent him from HH in 1989, clearly post marked, The Embassy still didn't want to know about my relationship with the ex. That was clutching at straws.
On the other hand, after living here and getting married, it took 3 days for my wife to get her 6 month visa. I was aware that she'd need a reason to return to Thailand - that was "Me. I live here and we're both coming back to Thailand".
To Flannel,
Sorry for the "rant" but I've been through it. You've got to keep at it and never give up.
Winkie,
I'm sure that I read that Visitors' Visa from non EEC countries are now only for 3 rather than 6 months. Could be wrong though.

[lindosfan1]

I think the confusion with visas is that a 6 month tourist visa no problem for the UK with adequate funds and return flight etc.
The 3 month visa is a schengen visa for non eu residents. Not every EU country is in the Schengen visa agreement. The UK is one of the countries who did not sign the agreement and therefore is not in the schengen scheme.
We have used both types of visa one to visit the uk and one to visit Greece. With the schengen visa we did not have to show a return flight.

[Big Boy]

I think the confusion with visas is that a 6 month tourist visa no problem for the UK with adequate funds and return flight etc.
The 3 month visa is a schengen visa for non eu residents. Not every EU country is in the Schengen visa agreement. The UK is one of the countries who did not sign the agreement and therefore is not in the schengen scheme.
We have used both types of visa one to visit the uk and one to visit Greece. With the schengen visa we did not have to show a return flight.

There is definitely no confusion on my part regarding the schengen visa. It never crossed my mind.

The statement that,

a 6 month tourist visa no problem with adequate funds and return flight etc

is very misleading - just ask the thousands of Farang/Thai ladies who are denied each year. In particular, the advice is always don't purchase an air ticket until the visa is granted. This is spelt out quite clearly on the Embassy's web pages, and in the notes for guidance on the visa form.

Thinking about WL's experience, and reading Lomu's 2nd experience (similarly with Lindosfan) I think their circumstances were different. The ladies had an English husband who was intending to return to Thailand after a holiday. The authorities probably looked upon the situation differently.

[lomuamart]

Big Boy,
I think that lindosfan's comment was in response to my thinking that UK Visitor's visas had been cut down to 3 months.
I'm sure I read about this a few months ago. It only applies to non EEC nationals - ie our wives.
Maybe it was just being discussed in Parliament? However, I thought it had been agreed. It came in on a raft of immigration legislation that included all the settlement stuff as well.
Someone please correct me. Who's partner has got a visa for the UK lately - visitors' visa?

[lomuamart]

I'm wrong.
Just looked at the Embassy's website and the application form still allows up to 6 months.
Now I'm confused.

[Big Boy]

The form has always said 6 months, but as I've said, they used to limit successful first timers to 3 months maximum.

[Wanderlust]

Thinking about WL's experience, and reading Lomu's 2nd experience (similarly with Lindosfan) I think their circumstances were different. The ladies had an English husband who was intending to return to Thailand after a holiday. The authorities probably looked upon the situation differently.

Big Boy,
I am guessing from this response that your experiences have been within the last 8 years, which does confuse me. I have obtained 3 UK visas in that time, one for my ex wife and two for my current wife, and all of them were for 6 months even though in each case we never wanted more than a month. I remember asking about this (hoping that there might be a cheaper, shorter visa, and was told that 6 months is the norm if the application is successful. As far as I can tell being married makes no difference to the success or failure of the application, nor effects the length of stay/visa given. There are several other categories of visa and I am wondering if perhaps the people you were assisting applied for one of these, such as if they already have Thai family in the UK? There might well be a shorter visa given in those circumstances, possibly because of the fear that a longer stay might result in them wanting to remain? Only guessing really but the stuff I quoted above seems pretty definite on the straightforward Visitor visa.

[lindosfan1]

BB
How long ago my wife came over to the UK 3 years ago on a tourist visa before we were married and was a first timer visa was 6 months no problem.

[Big Boy]

Wanderlust,

Yes, definitely in the last 8 years. I have no doubt that we are talking about the same visa. The only thing I can see that was different is that you were British, intending to return to the UK after the holiday. Because of that, I'm sure your wives were seen as safer bets.

The ludicrous incident I mentioned earlier regarding my son-in-law is a prime example. A key reason for their visit was they had been invited to 2 weddings, 1 at the beginning of the visit, and 1, 4 months later. Because my daughter and grand daughter had visited before there was no problem granting the 6 month visa. My son-in-law was only granted 3 months. When they arrived, I appealed to the Home Office. Their response was that they would not go against the original decision.

It will be interesting to hear from others in my situation, to hear if they encountered any restrictions first time around.

[Big Boy]

BB
How long ago my wife came over to the UK 3 years ago on a tourist visa before we were married and was a first timer visa was 6 months no problem.

Interesting - was that the standard tourist visa, or something different?

[chopsticks]

They are supposed to be sold as 6 month tourist visas but the Bangkok embassy often decides to impose stricter conditions such as changing the expiry date down to 1 or 2 months and requiring that the applicant reports back to the BKK embassy upon their return to make sure they have not overstayed. At the interview stage they may ask which dates are you travelling and amend the expiry date accordingly.
I would guess that if you comply with everything then the next one would be for the full 6 months.
UK Visa fees are extortionate and have become yet another stealth tax.

[Big Boy]

[lindosfan1]

BB
It was a standard tourist visa.
When we applied we had to show pictures of the bedroom and other rooms Also she had to show she had enough money in her bank account in Thailand.I was wrong earlier did not have to show the flight ticket
We also had to prove we had known each other for a length of time, seemed odd for a tourist visa but with the evidence we gave she gother visa in 3 days.
Also proof she was returning to Thailand either a job or her business.
Finally the agents just outside the visa office are a scam my mate went there and he did not get his visa useful info for me though.