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How to Get a UK Visitor Visa for Your Thai Partner [in 6 Steps]

I’m going to start this post with a necessary disclaimer:

This information is based on my personal experience and in no way guarantees that your Thai partner will be granted a visa to visit the UK. Each application is decided on its individual merit by an Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) on behalf of UK Immigration & Visas.

I am not a licensed agent, and I have no privileged contact with the UKVI.

The information in this post is intended to help you complete the process correctly and submit what might be considered relevant documentation to support your application.

uk visa thai girlfriend

So you want to bring your girlfriend, wife, boyfriend or husband to the UK for a visit but haven't a clue how to get started.

Well, myself and Mrs TTL have successfully been through this process over ten times, and I've also helped countless readers get visas for their partners too.

In this post, I'm going to break the process down into 6 simple steps, each of which you can follow one-by-one and make sure you get it right.

Let me just say at this point that you DO NOT need to hire a visa agent/service to apply for you.

There are a huge number of visa services out there that claim to be able to give you an advantage over those who apply by themselves. These claims are false.

Such services charge you a large amount of money for a process that was designed for you to complete by yourself.

It's not difficult if you simply follow the instructions. As much as they might lead you to believe, these visa services have no “contacts” inside the UKBA. They too, like everyone else, are subject to refusal.

The one advantage they do have is the experience of submitting documentation for specific circumstances; they have a feel for what the officials want to see. But don't worry, I’m going to use my experience to help you with that.

What Are My Chances of Getting a Visa?

The process is NOT discriminatory. Each application is subject to the same investigation and processing and anyone can apply.

That said, you will have to follow the guidelines and meet certain criteria.

At a basic level, you will have to prove what I call the ‘BIG 3':

  1. Provide adequate evidence that your relationship is genuine and exists in the way you have claimed it does.
  2. Provide evidence that you have good reason to return to Thailand once your visit is over.
  3. Provide adequate supporting evidence for the details provided on your application form.

Of course, outside of these basics, they will consider your criminal record history and the outcome of previous applications (your visa history).

Let’s be honest here: If you met your partner last month on a 2-week holiday to Thailand and are now trying to get her/him back to the UK for 6 months, you’re going to have a tough time proving that your relationship is genuine and that you are going to guarantee his/her safety and financial needs while in the UK.

This might seem unfair, especially when you’re in “luuurve”. But bear in mind that the application process is designed to protect your partner and the UK.

I mean, if it was really easy to get a visa for someone you know very little about and have only see a couple of time, it would leave foreign nationals open to exploitation (trafficking, etc).

Anyway, you get the picture….

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Pre-Application Considerations

The form your partner needs to fill out requires personal information and details on travel history. So before you start, make sure he/she has the following to hand:

  • Work history and current employer details/salary
  • Parent’s names and dates of birth
  • Passport/travel history (current and previous – 10 years)
  • Details of dependents (children)
  • Details of funds available for the visit (financial)
  • Details of partner/friend/sponsor
  • Details of accommodation
  • Proposed travel/return dates

You’ll notice in this post that I often refer to “you”, even though it is your partner who is applying.

The reasons for this are:

  1. I assume you are researching this topic for your partner, so I'm addressing you, the reader.
  2. It's perfectly legal for you to assist your partner in filling out the form if his/her English skills aren’t up to the task.

It’s also a good idea to sit down and do it together anyway (in person or on Skype). That way you’ll have two pairs of eyes to run over it and make sure you aren't missing anything.

Step 1: Apply on the Gov.uk Website

Click here and register an account on the UK Gov Visas & Immigration website. Follow the steps to set up an account. This is also where you will fill out your application form.

Step 2. Fill Out the Application Form & Pay

Once you’ve set up your account, you’re ready to start. Go back to the pre-considerations list above and make sure you have all that information to hand; otherwise you won’t be able to complete the application in one sitting.

Set aside two hours for this task. You may get it done faster, but it’s best to give yourself this time so that you don’t get stressed out.

Pick a time when you aren’t likely to be distracted or tired, as you’ll want to get this right first time.

If you get stuck on a question, use the help prompts to guide you.

At the end of the process you will pay your visa fee, currently £95.

Once paid, you will be given a reference number that starts with GWF. You will use this in the next step.

Make sure you print a copy of the payment receipt to take with you to your appointment. Never leave anything to chance. You don't want any confusion over your payment or application.

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Step 3: Make An Appointment with VFS

Once you have paid, hop on over to VFS Global and register to make an appointment using your GWF number.

Now, consider that you still need to get your supporting documentation together, so give yourself ample time for that.

I recommend booking an appointment for a week’s time to take the pressure off; there’s quite a bit of documentation to get together.

Once you have your documentation together, you can upload it through your VFS account. Or, if you need a hand, you can have your documents scanned at the Visa Application Centre on the day. This is now a paid service that costs 460 Baht.

I recommend uploading the documents in the system, and also taking your documents with you to your appointment, just in case something was missed on the scan and you need to do it on the day.

You can choose from a range of services too, such as having the home visit service (they visit you), premium appointment service (an appointment outside normal hours), or VIP treatment package (get priority queuing and taken into a special room).

Try to avoid paying for such services, as some cost as much as the visa itself!

Step 4: Supporting Documentation

There is information on supporting documentation on the UKVI website here.

However, if you're wondering why the information isn't very detailed and specific, it's because they only inform you of the basic level of documentation to submit.

Every application is slightly different, and having the right documentation isn’t a guarantee of an approval, thus you will see the words “other documents you may want to provide” in the text.

So, you need everything on this list, plus whatever you think is necessary to support your situation.

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As mentioned previously, you can scan your documents electronically on the VFS website or you can take them with you and have them scanned by the member of staff processing your application at the VFS centre.

If you chose to take the documents with you to be scanned, do yourself a favor and get a folder.

Buy one with plastic slip cases built in. This will help you present your documentation in an organized fashion.

I suggest you create a contents page that lists all the documentation inside the folder, and then number each page inside with the corresponding number on the contents page.

This will make it much faster to process, and help you ensure you have everything covered.

NOTE: Any document you submit in Thai should be translated into English by an accredited translation agency.

Remember, you are submitting this application to UK officials, not Thai officials. They will not be able to read anything in Thai.

On the UKVI website it states that all submitted documents must be originals and not photocopies. However, this applies to the documents it suggests you provide.

If you are providing documents outside of those listed by the UKVI, you may be able to provide color or black and white copies.

Make sure you provide the original copy of all translations.

Essential ‘Must Not Forgets'!

  • Print out your application: Even though you don't need to do this because it is sent electronically, I still recommend it, as you never know if you may need to refer to it on the day of your appointment.
  • Take your documentation folder with you (if you want to have your documents scanned for sending by staff)
  • Print out your payment confirmation document
  • Print out your appointment confirmation document
  • Take your Thai ID Card with you
  • Take your passport! (This is needed to put the visa inside – if you pass)

Step 5: Appointment Day

On the day, make sure you arrive an hour in advance. This will give you some time leverage in case you have forgotten to print something out and need to visit a copy shop.

If in Bangkok, take the MRT/BTS. A taxi may get stuck in traffic and cause you to miss your appointment.

The closest station to VFS Bangkok is Nana BTS.

Directions from the station:

  • Get off the train and go to Exit 3.
  • Walk down the stairs.
  • Turn right at the bottom of the stairs.
  • Go through the ticket barrier and bear off to the left.
  • Take the stairs to your right (right in the corner).
  • Once at the bottom of the stairs, walk straight.
  • Sukhumvit 13 is about 2 roads down.
  • Trendy Building is 125 meters down Sukhumvit 13, on your right-hand side.

VFS Address (Bangkok):

VFS Bangkok Application Centre
Trendy Office Building, 28th Floor,
Sukhumvit Road Soi 13,
Klongtoey Nua, Wattana,
Bangkok
10110

*Note that there are some mobile Visa Application Centers in Bangkok located at the Crystal Design Centre, Thanya Park, and Siam Paragon. These cost 3,800 Baht to use.

There's good news for those living in Chiang Mai and Phuket too. It used to be the case that you'd have to fly down to Bangkok to submit your application, but you can now do this at local VFS centers.

Here's the address if you're using the branch in Chiang Mai:

Chiang Mai:

231/12 1004, Thesaban Nakhon Chiang Mai 1004
Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
50200

And the address for the VFS branch in Phuket.

Phuket:

CCM Complex Building – 5th Floor
77/77 Chalerm Prakiat
Rama 9 Road
Ratsada, Mueang,
Phuket 83000

uk-visa-guide-featured

Click the image above to read more about my guide.

My experience is with the Bangkok VFS, so I'll walk you through that:

When you arrive at the Trendy Building, you’ll see a UK/Australia/Canada visa booth located on the ground floor. Your partner must hand his/her appointment paper to the official at this desk.

The office is on the 28th floor. This means you’ll need to head to the lift at the back of the ground floor. On busy days this lift can take ages to arrive, so allow at least 10 minutes to make the escalation.

If you accompany your partner to the visa office, you may not be allowed in the main submission room. It’s strange. Sometimes they let partners in and other times they don’t.

Step 6: The Decision: Collecting Your Passport

You'll be notified by email when your visa is ready for collection. Simply go back to the same building between the times and days given on your email, with the receipt you were given after your submission.

You will receive an envelope with your passport and decision inside.

Wait until you get back downstairs to the café before opening the envelope. I suggest this because if you are rejected you may be overcome with emotion and try to speak with the staff about your decision.

Remember: The staff at the visa centre have no influence over this decision. They are employed to organize and process people and applications, not to give out advice. No matter your plea, they cannot change this decision.

What to Do if You Are Refused a UK Visit Visa?

It does happen. It happened to us the very first time. We’d been together two and a half years at this point and still weren’t granted a visa.

But here’s the anomaly: the refusal wasn’t to do with my wife (then girlfriend). It was my fault (it always is, ha!).

The UKVI wanted proof of my travel to and from Thailand over the period we had known each other. I hadn’t provided my full passport history on my first application and therefore they could not verify our history together.

This was really annoying because all travel history is logged at UK and Thai immigration, but the onus was on me to prove this, not for them to go digging into the data.

So we reapplied, this time submitting my passport history and a document outlining a timeline of travel to and from the country. We also had to pay again (of course). This time we passed and had a wonderful Christmas in the UK.

Don’t get disheartened. Read the notes left by the Entry Clearance Officer inside your refusal, then get the documentation together you need to prove your case and apply again.

The lesson here is not to leave anything to chance, or to the imagination of the visa official processing your application. Be as comprehensive as possible.

Provide as much evidence of your relationship, of your ability to financially sponsor and take care of your partner in the UK, and as much of a reason for your partner to want to return to Thailand as possible.

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What to Do Next – Once You Have Your Visa

1. Pay for Your Flights

If you pre-booked your flight (s) without paying, don't forget to pay for them before they expire or you might have trouble booking a ticket for the days you want to leave and return to Thailand.

Even though your visa is valid for 6 months, in my opinion it is best-practice to return to Thailand on the date proposed on your application.

This shows that you were truthful (on your application form) regarding your reasons to return and have kept to your word. This may bode well for future applications.

2. Get Travel Insurance

In the excitement of getting your visa, don't forget travel insurance! We almost did this last time but luckily my wife remembered and got it the night before.

The NHS will treat a patient without insurance, but there will be a cost decided by the hospital, and it could be pretty expensive.

Also consider personal accident cover, lost luggage cover and flight cancellation cover.

We always use World Nomads. It's great cover at a reasonable price:

+ Go here to get a quote from World Nomads

Best of luck!

——————————————————–

Hey, it's me, Peter.

No doubt you saw the headlines in the post advertising my Visit Visa Guide. Well, I'm shouting about it because it's pretty awesome. It should be too – I spent 6-months putting it together!

It comprises my extensive experience of applying with my wife and advising over 200 readers on their applications and refusals, all rolled into one comprehensive and super-helpful guide.

There's nothing out there like it. If you need help, this is for you.

Oh, and it's £625+ cheaper than using an agent!

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  2. Mark says

    Hi. Does anyone have any recent experience of applying for a visitor visa through VFS in Bangkok and how long it took for a decision?

    I have done it 5 times before and it usually took two weeks. However on this occasion my wife has been waiting 8 weeks with no answer. They informed us that applications were taking 6 when we applied because of the disasterously-managed Ukraine family scheme but it is getting ridiculous now. Our flight leaves in less than 2 weeks
    Reply

  3. Josh says

    Hey, hope you can help me a little. I've been long distance with my partner for over 1 and a half years. I've visited last November/December, and we've got a baby on the way, but I'm back in the UK now. I'll be in Thailand on a special tourist visa from July for 3 months, and the baby is due late August. We plan on coming to the UK together from November on a 6 month visa with her and the baby to meet my side of the family. What would you recommend applying for? The visitors visa, or is it better to get married there first? Any advice to smooth up this process would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks,
    Josh
    Reply

    • Nick says

      Personally if you have no plans for her to work here, I would go for the Tourist visa first - is cheaper and low risk. You cannot get married over here on a tourist visa so if you decide that you want to settle in UK longer term then I would recommend returning to Thailand and getting married over there before applying for her to come back here with you on a spouse visa (this is how I did it). For spouse visa you will need to satisfy the financial criteria of over £18k in earnings or £62500 in savings plus you will need to show that you can provide suitable accommodation over here for both of you. It will be expensive as you will need to pay visa costs and NHS surcharge for her (around £4k total) - I'm not sure what the costs will be for the dependent newborn but they may be the same
      Reply

  4. Alan davies says

    Hi I've been with my girlfriend now for over 3 months in Thailand I want to bring my girlfriend over to england but I was deported I handed my self in I over stayed 9 years what chance do we have we both want to get married
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      9 years. Wow, that's one of the longest I've heard of. Since it is your girlfriend who will apply for the visa there won't be a need to mention your deportation. Whether a check will be done on your travel history / passport as part of the application that reveals you were deported, I don't know.3 months is a short time and usually I'd recommend you visit her a couple of times to build up some in-person relationship history before applying for a UK visit visa, but you can't do that. Generally speaking, the same will apply to your situation as everyone else: You will need to prove a genuine relationship, that your GF has adequate finances (can be sponsored by you), and that your GF has a good reason to return to Thailand after her trip.
      Reply

  5. Ricky says

    Hi

    I met my Thai girlfriend online and we have been talking / video calling for quite sometime now and I want her to visit the uk on a visitor visa,is this possible without ever meeting before ?
    Any help would be grateful
    Thanks
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      Short answer is NO... don't even bother trying. She would need to apply in her own right, without any mention of you, without any support from you to stand a chance of getting a visa..... You could not prove a relationship in your circumstances and if it were suggested you are involved as a "boyfriend" the application would likely be dismissed off hand. This would stay on her file and be scrutinised at each further application.... for her to apply successfully she would have to satisfy several conditions which you can learn about by spending time reading all the comments on this blog or by buying the guide Peter is selling.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Lee,

      It doesn't work in that way. There is no requirement for how much money you need to give her. As her trip sponsor you can give her money for her trip and provide for her while she is in the UK, but her application will need to satisfy these 3 points:

      1. Provide adequate evidence that your relationship is genuine and exists in the way you have claimed it does.

      2. Provide adequate supporting evidence for information provided on your application form.

      3.Provide evidence that you have good reason to want to return to Thailand once your visit is over.
      Reply

  7. Ed says

    Hi!

    Is it a good idea to state future intentions and be upright honest e.g.
    The plan to visit and then get married after the visit to then be eligible for a spouse visa. All in the correct and legal way showing we understand the importance of her return after visiting as it will provide good support for evidence in the future and not returning will jeopardize any chance further?

    Thank you!
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      She will need to prove her "self employment" if she is relying on that income as part of the application, but also to show the change of circumstance since the last visa. She could show an official set of accounts/income tax return, as well as letters from the companies she regularly contracts with, or bank statements showing the credit payments tied in with "pay slips". Be careful though as employment of this nature could be viewed as there being no reason to return to Thailand and so work to her disadvantage. Of course it would help if the companies were to state she needs to return, but again, that needs to fit in with the intended length of stay and be a reasonable period. Ideally she would have other reasons to return as the whole point of online work is generally that it can be done anywhere in the world for any period. Her advantage is that she has been to the UK before and will therefore be considered more trustworthy. My approach may be along the lines of acknowledging her work can be done anywhere, but that she needs to meet her employers on occasions and also the time difference makes work of this nature difficult and tiring, so that is one reason to return.
      Reply

  9. Anthony Barnes says

    Hi,

    I have been reading through your guide I recieved and I believe for my partner and my circumstances we are best to apply for family visit visa?

    I am still waiting for divorce, but I don't think it's an issue? It won't be the marital home it will be my parents while I'm still looking and waiting to access my equity in our shared property.

    My partner has never seen my parents or children, and its my sisters wedding in two months.
    Also she wishes to visit for winter and Xmas and possibly also if we are allowed to travel to Europe, and then shortly after its my birthday and my sons.
    We can get a lot done within a four month period then I will plan a visit to Thailand hoping that the corona issues are less problematic for travel as currently its just not feasible for me to visit as I start a new job in 3 weeks.
    I will probably visit Thailand for a month with her at the end of her trip here.

    I will send you an email, I feel it is a lot of information to gather and I'm just getting my head round where to start.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Perhaps, depending on her situation. Though similar financial requirements have to be met for a holiday, in that she would still have to prove she has the finances to cover the trip, provide details of her work situation, and show evidence of where she is going to stay. If she is staying with you, then the same questions will arise regarding her relationship to you. Consider that you need to be completely transparent about your situation (if asked), because any lie is a breach of the visa conditions and if found out could make getting a visa in the future very difficult. If she is coming to see you, and stay with you, then you are the reason she is coming. I would advise that you apply on that basis.
      Reply

      • Shawn Halford says

        Thanks Peter. Our first visa was turned down because they didn't believe she would return to Thailand. This lady has 2 dependents of school age, the same factory job for 18 years, living in the same condo for 10 years, has no criminal history, had a very healthy Bank balance and was 44 years old. This is a catch 22 situation, what more evidence could she possibly provide to show she had reasons to return.
        I firmly believe it was a pure box ticking exercise because the quotas had been reached that month, reinforced by the fact that they said she was from India suggesting to me that the application was not read properly or was rushed to the point of not being properly considered. And of course you can't appeal. I was left feeling that the whole thing was just a money making scam.
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          I realise your post doesn't go into great details so forgive me for suggesting some thinking behind the decline.

          She may have lived in the same condo for 10 years, but does she own it? If she rents, then there is nothing much to stop her leaving it.

          She may have had the same job for 18 years, but what period of visit did you request? Holidays are normally for only 10 days at a time in Thailand, so longer periods would have to be supported by a letter from her employer confirming her job would remain open. If she asked for 2,3,4 months visit, that may suggest her job would be or would have to be given up. So no need to return. Did she provide evidence of the current job?

          As a first visit, anything more than 2 or 3 weeks is likely to be viewed suspiciously especially for an employed person.

          Did she explain childcare arrangements for the period she would be away. If that explanation was along the lines of the kids are old enough to look after themselves, the immigration officer may be of the opinion that she could never return and they would still be able to look after themselves.

          The problem is not her financial position or her criminality, it is demonstrating she needs to return. She has to have commitments in Thailand that require her to return but more importantly she needs to carefully demonstrate that by a carefully worded information letter and supporting documents.

          Her and your letters need to be carefully laid out so as to be easy to read, with references to numbered supporting documents as necessary, but not pages and pages long. This will make the assessment easier and more pleasant to do.
          Reply

          • Shawn Halford says

            Hi Mike appreciate your comments. Shw rents. It was for 3 weeks and she had permission from her employer.
            They didn't contact her employer to confirm this. Also because it was the first time, we used an experienced visa advisor in Bangkok.
            Reply

            • Nick says

              Shaun. I met my girlfriend online in March 2020. We videochatted 2/3 times a day but I was unable to visit Thailand due to the lockdown. In September 2020 I flew us both out to Turkey for a 2 week holiday and paid for her ASQ on return to Thailand. In March 21 I applied for a six month visa for her here, evidencing her children 10,14 who were to be in the care of their grandparents and her ownership of property. Due to covid she'd had no income since March 2020 but I was able to evidence through TransferWise that I had been financially supportive of her for the previous year for 5000tb per week and we had copious WhatsApp conversation over the course of the previous year. I did the application myself and the fact that I have substantial bank balance also I think played a part. She returns at the end of the month and I will be going with her for 90 days if I can arrange the extension. The plan is to marry out there and then I will return to England at Christmas and she will join on spouse visa early 2022. When I was applying for the visa in march it was at the height of accereleration of the second wave and I was doubtful for getting a six month tourist visa through but we got it
              Reply

            • Mike Baker says

              Its very difficult to give more specific advice. It would require examination of the application and supporting documents to see if there are any areas that could be tweaked to give a better presentation, or if any documents were omitted by the agent. I hope the agent gets paid by results.
              Reply

            • Mike Baker says

              I feel for you and am still thinking about this poor result. I do applications myself because I feel the agents cannot get the right feel for a case. You should try and submit a 2nd application after considering and addressing any defects in the 1st one that were not in your control. If you write her letter and yours, they can support each other. If you were asked to write a letter and never saw or had input into what she wrote (or the agent) it is possible there was some disconnect between the two or not enough emphasise on how you will support her and look after her, in effect taking some responsibilty for her return. Maybe the agent is not good enough at English to do a good job at writing her letter. I think it is fair to say that when a sponsor can demonstrate a good level of financial means, immigration may take the view the applicant is not likely to overstay to work illegally. Why would she if she is with a wealthy man?
              Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      It depends...... sponsorship can be from a friend without financial support or on a relationship basis where financial support may be offered. So if she has good finances and all the other boxes ticked, you could invite her to stay as a friend as part of her trip. This is less likely to be believed if you are of the opposite sex and both single, but works where a a lady may visit a family. As Peter says, she has to say where she will stay, so you will, as a minimum, need to invite her to stay and prove your identity and address.
      Reply

  11. Anthony Barnes says

    Things have moved on since last looking at visas, my partner has moved back to Thailand now and I have moved back to England, we had been living together for 8 months in Bahrain, I was paying for the accommodation and living costs.
    Now we wish to live in the UK and Thailand.
    I am waiting for divorce currently it could take some time.
    I will look to doing the applications myself as best as I can.
    My only issues would be due to she has not needed to work for the last 9 months as I have supported her so she has no employment history and prior to that she was stuck in bahrian due to corona.
    Will there be any issues do you think? Are there any things that I should avoid mentioning or will this all be understood due to the impact of corona.
    We are very serious about each other, the details are not for public view really though.
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      Interesting situation. I would approach this as you sponsoring her from a financial viewpoint, which I managed to do for my gf. I didn't show any financial records for her, but did have substantial funds/assets myself. You could send her funds to keep in her bank account to show she has an emergency reserve (to support herself and get home if you were to have a falling out - the IO likes to see some independent means). Will you support her in Thailand? If so, send regular amounts by, say, Wise (Transferwise), so she can show these amounts as part of her application.

      I would suggest you do not try to get a visit period which is too long the 1st time you apply. The IO will still need to be satisfied she will go home and has a reason to go home, so a long stay will to begin with will be difficult to justify. Make it a holiday application rather than stating to begin with you want to split your time between countries as a living style. Once you have a couple of years holiday visas behind you, you can develop the stay into a longer one.

      Finding reasons for her to return are important. You should use covid as a reason for her not returning for 9 months I think but must provide a need to return to Thailand regularly once covid is no longer an issue.

      You also need to show how you can look after her whilst she is in the UK. If your stated job is, for example, a long distance lorry driver and she is staying 3 or 4 weeks, the IO may be concerned she would be left alone for days on end, with the implication the relationship is not real and she would work (illegally)! So think carefully about how you approach this for the period of intended stay.

      There is no harm going into detail about your relationship in Bahrain, backed up with passport stamp evidence and any photos you have together and a comment on why both of you were there (job presumably...give brief details). But is she was there working in massage for example,  I would not say that as it may not look good to an IO. I think they may worry she will work in the UK illegally.

      I also suggest you visit Thailand and her at least once before applying for a UK visa. It looks good - defines the relationship better - and allows further photographic evidence for at least the 1st visa application.

      There is a section for her to write about her proposed trip. You can write it for her. Write it like it is from her with details that cross check to your letter of sponsorship - the bits about the relationship and intentions on visiting the uk, such as what you will do during the trip.

      When writing your respective letters, try to keep them to no more than 2 pages each and lay them out so they are easy to read. Maybe use headings even, so the IO can enjoy the read and not skip through because it's so long and boring and has no paragraph breaks.

      The visa lasts 6 months whatever the period of stay. So applying for a 3 or 4 weeks visit can then be followed up with another 4 or 6 week visit towards the end of the visa term. That 2nd visit is easily explained when applying for the next visa and should not be frowned upon - "we enjoyed our time together so much on the 1st visit that I made time and arrangements to look after my kids/elderly parents/business in Thailand for a 2nd visit, taking advantage of the unexpired visa". It also shows good behaviour in the eyes of the IO as she has not overstayed on the 1st visit and not immediately come back to stay for the remaining 5 months. This is important because the visit visa isn't meant for living part time in the UK and because a good track record makes future applications easy.
      Reply

      • Anthony Barnes says

        This is a very informative reply, thanks ever so much.
        It does make me question why they make it so difficult for us to achieve a stable relationship.
        We can't live in many countries due to same sex relationships (yes I didn't mention before but you gave such a concise reply I had to be open fully) and it seems that its difficult for us to live together anywhere.
        We are ready to get married and love each other, but we have had lots of setbacks with all the uncertainty of my employment due to discrimination over my sexuality and corona making it difficult for us to see each other even though we had a home together in Bahrain.
        Its all very hard, having to leave a career, leave a country and set up again with no guarantees, I've secured a well paid job, should be divorced soon, will have money for deposit for new home, car is getting shipped over to UK soon 🙏
        I can imagine that very few people actually even get to this position with all the set backs without corona making things difficult.
        I really just want to be able to stop living in limbo, it's been a long time already and I'm surprised it's not effecting my mental health more.
        At least I know we can achieve the end of the tunnel, thanks for your reply.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          To follow up: one issue you have is still being married. If you engage in a sexual relationship with someone while you are still legally married, it is technically adultery even if you and your former partner do not live together anymore and are no longer emotionally or physically in a relationship. However, I don't think the adultery law applies to the same sex, only the opposite sex, so it may come down to how your partner identifies. Either way, I'm just highlighting that this may be a barrier and it may be easier once you are legally divorced.
          Reply

          • Anthony Barnes says

            Yeah, this is why weare still married because legally we can't divorce until two years separation, it's an anomaly of the law that is apparantly being addressed soon.
            Its actually damaging our amicable seperation to the point that we may end up fitting into a category that does allow a quicker divorce which is rediculous to say the least, and damaging to everyone involved.
            Reply

            • Mike Baker says

              I thought if you were both in agreement you can go together to the relevant governmnet office and get divorced immediately, the 2 year seperation allowing divorce without the agreement of the other party.
              Reply

          • TheThailandLife says

            I respectfully disagree. I helped with a visa case in 2019 where the man in question had to obtain a letter from his wife confirming their separation and living arrangements to obtain a visa for his new Thai girlfriend. This helped the ECO clarify that the partner of the applicant was being truthful about his marriage status. The last thing UK immigration wants is to be accused of facilitating an affair by providing a visa for a third party to enter the country and commit adultery with a married man or woman. Any claims pertaining to a relationship must be backed up with evidence.
            Reply

              • TheThailandLife says

                It would help but I think finalizing the divorce would make things easier. You can get divorced quicker if one of you agrees to accept being the party who has committed "unreasonable behaviour": Anything which means it would be unreasonable to expect you to continue living with your spouse e.g. emotional neglect, spending excessive amounts of time at work, domestic violence.
                Reply

            • Mike Baker says

              That is interesting Peter. Presumably the "sponsor" admitted to being married but not divorced and yet as I recall there is no requirement to give marital status as a sponsor. In my case my Thai gf was seperated less than 2 years but had no intention of divorcing for the sake of ease of future administration issues relating to her child by her "ex" husband and that was made clear on the application because her title on her passport was "Mrs". Her relationship status was never questioned, perhaps because we provided a wealth of evidence we had been together in Thailand for some 1 year before the application ...........Perhaps the approach by the sponsor should be to not mention marriage or awaiting a divorce. I always say never tell people in authority what they don't need to know as invariably it is then used against you. It's not lieing!
              Reply

              • TheThailandLife says

                That's true, it only asks for the applicant's marital status, so you could just not mention it. In this situation the GF was going to be staying in the marital home. He disclosed that it was jointly owned with his wife, and therefore needed a letter of confirmation from both homeowners.
                Reply

                • Mike Baker says

                  My point exactly.... if he had provided evidence of his address to support his sponsorship but not mentioned the ownership, he may not have had that hurdle to overcome. One can be "too honest" sometimes ha ha. One has to also think about the next visa application and how information given today may affect it, because it will remain on file and be referred to every time. This has been an interesting discussion.
                  Reply

                • Anthony Barnes says

                  I decided to start the application process, I bought your guide and will start building the application.
                  There is a lot to consider.
                  But we need a few months visit for all the things we need to do and while corona is on travel is not something that can be done lightly.
                  We have to Complete isolation hotels or quarantine, this can not be so easily fitted in with short term trips and work.

                  I want at least a four month trip in which we will have birthdays, Xmas, sisters wedding etc etc and I start a new job soon so it's all very tricky.
                  We have gone from living together for 8 months to now living apart and it's very hard on the relationship.
                  Reply

  12. Peter says

    Hi, my girlfriend and I met online just a couple of months ago. I'm 61 and she's 57. We've not yet met in person, we message every day and video call on Line every couple of days.
    She has an elderly mother in Thailand plus a teenage son, a house (owned) and a car.
    Bearing in mind it's the rainy season in Thailand and it's currently the nicest time of year to visit the UK, I'd really like her to visit me first, then we could return to Thailand together after a couple of months.

    My question is, having purchased and read your guide, are we wasting our time and money by applying for a UK visitor visa for her at this stage, before we've met in Thailand?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Peter, the odds aren't stacked in your favor because you haven't known each other for long and haven't actually met in person. You'd have a better chance if you had met a couple of times. That said, if she is able to show a regular income and a stable financial situation, and that she has a good reason to return to Thailand (ownership of a property, car, business, her son and elderly mother to care for) then there's still a chance.You could argue the case that you were planning to go there but due to the current restrictions it is proving difficult, so it is preferable for her to come to visit you in the UK.Age could play in your favour here too, as she may been viewed as less of a risk – than a 20 or 30 something – in terms of overstay / seeking asylum.You would need to show evidence of your correspondence to prove a relationship exists, albeit virtually.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      You do have several things against you. Firstly if you go along the lines of having a relationship, this will probably be dismissed offhand, having never met. It may even be viewed as suspicious in my opinion. The IO will be concerned that having never met, you could fall out immediately and she would then have to fend for herself unexpectedly, or she is using you as a gateway to a stay intended for illegal activities. Secondly, whilst covid is still rampant and Thailand is not vaccinated, tourist related international travel may also be viewed negatively. Thirdly, proving a need to return to Thailand because of work or care of mother will be questioned if the intention is to stay for 2 months. 2 weeks maybe, but 2 months suggests no need to return anytime soon. I think to apply at the present time is high risk, as a declined application will stay on file and I cannot help but think that will mean future applications will be scrutinised in a different manner.
      Reply

  13. Duke Sharp says

    My Thai GF and I were planning a short trip to the US (3 months) to attend to some issues with my property there.

    A few days ago Chiang Mai Immigration inexplicably refused to issue her a visa, would not even glance at her documents (neat and well organized) that included
    -a deed to property she owns in Fang
    -proof of a tailor business in the same location for over 20 years
    -long term lease
    -bank accounts that have always had money in them – currently just over 70K baht.
    -titles to 3 vehicles
    -plenty of photos that show a good family relationship, lots of friends, etc.

    I supplied the official Affidavit of Support,
    an invitation letter with our itinerary (3 months in Montana)
    my own passport history of going back and forth between Thailand and Montana every year for 8 years,
    Thai bank account with 900K,
    proof of insurance,
    a valid non-O and a valid re-entry permit
    and a long-term lease here in Chiang Mai.

    He asked her two questions about me and my visa, entered some info on the computer, said 'declined'. Less than 2 minutes, altogether.

    She’s genial and polite, basic requirements for someone in her occupation. She asked why, he said 'read the paper I gave you' - which only said 'you do not meet the requirements' - which is 100% untrue.

    It seems the decision was made before she went in for the interview. One agent suspects that there's only a certain number being approved, her appt was June 21, agent thinks maybe better earlier in the month. Also said that marriage would probably improve her chances.

    Maddening as hell. You have any clues why that might occur?
    Reply

    • Paul says

      If you are a U.S. Citizen you can apply for a K-1 Fiance Visa. in this case the burden of proof changes. Instead of your GF having to prove she is worthy of a U.S. Visa, the embassy has to prove why she is not. You, as a U.S. citizen, have a right to bring a fiancé into the U.S. for a period of either 45 days or 3 months, It may have changed. If you have used K-! visas before that counts against you.
      You can get the latest info Here:
      https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-of-us-citizens/visas-for-fiancees-of-us-citizens

      This is the stuff I had to file to get a K-! visa: in 2002

      re: Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé

      Enclosed please find the originals and/or exact photocopies and translations, of the
      following documents pursuant to my “ Petition for Alien Fiancé ”

      1. Form I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé including:
      Check for $110, Application fee for Form I-129F
      Photos of petitioner and fiancé ( Done per INS Form 378)
      2. Statement of relationship with fiancé (Continuation sheet for item 19 form I-129F).
      3. Authenticity statement for document copies. (Originals will be bought to interview)
      4. Form G-325A Biographic Information for petitioner
      5. Petitioner's Birth Certificate, Divorce decree from first wife and Death certificate for second wife
      6. Form I-134 Affidavit of Support, (Noterized)
      7. Financial records of Petitioner including:
      Copies of 1040 tax returns for the last three years (2001 not yet filed).
      Income (Pension) statements
      Current bank statements and brokerage statements
      Life insurance statements

      FIANCE´ INFORMATION
      A. Form G-325A Biographic Information for fiancé
      B&C. Certificate of divorce with translation
      D. Birth Certificate with translation
      E. Certificate of marriage
      F.&G Certificate and letter from Thai Red Cross (doner)
      H. Fiancé's Identity card and Passport.
      I. Misc. correspondence and photos of Petitioner with fiancé taken since February 2001 during four trips.
      Reply

  14. Paul says

    Lots of good stuff on this site, I couldn't read it all. Is there similar information on bringing someone to the U.S. ? We tried twice to get a tourist visa for my Thai friend. No luck. We were finally told there was no possibility she would get one. Then I discovered that the U.S. has a "Fiancee Visa". The advantage of a Finacee Visa is that it is filed for by an American citizen. That means that the burden of proof of acceptability falls more on the U.S. than on the foreigner. When the foreigner arrives in the U.S. they have 45 days to get married otherwise they have to leave. If they marry, the foreigner is granted a 2 year parole. If they can't prove they are still co- habitating at that time the foreigner must leave.
    Reply

  16. Nick says

    Hi There, I met my girlfriend online in March 2020 during the start of the first lockdown. We have communicated constantly via WhatsApp video and chat 2+ times a day over the last year. Within the first few weeks I also started supporting her financially with weekly support payments for her living expenses as there was no work for her. I know her mother, friends, children etc as we have all video chatted and her English patchy at first is good after this much communication. In September October I paid for us to holiday together in Turkey for two weeks (because Thailand was closed) and then also covered her fit to fly certificate expenses and her Quarantine hotel expenses. I support her to the tune financially of 25000 baht per month and have done for a year. We have many photos of us together in Turkey. Do you think that UK authorities would class this as evidence of genuine relationship bearing in mind that I was not able to gain entry to Thailand?
    Reply

  17. Duke Sharp says

    Great info, much appreciated! Planning a trip with GF to the US in May, have been reading as much as I can find about the process.

    I need to ask about the reason your 1st application was refused - passport history.

    My current passport was issued in 2014, have been coming to Thailand every year for 3 to 6 months every year, no problems.

    But it's a replacement - I managed to lose the one that was issued in about 1990 (not exactly sure) when I arrived in Chiang Mai in 2014. The current one was issued at Embassy in Chiang Mai.

    Any idea whether this is likely to be an issue?


    Thanks!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Our first and only refusal was because they wanted to see my passport history for the period I had known my girlfriend (now wife). I had a fairly new passport and it only showed a couple of trips. So we reapplied and I included every page of my previous passport too. I also created a document that detailed a timeline of my trips to and from Thailand, which correlated with my passport history.I don't think it's so much of an issue now. This was back in 2009. I've not actually seen a similar refusal though. Pretty much all the refusals I've been sent in the last three years have been around lack of evidence to support statements regarding work and funds and proving a genuine relationship. If you have a replacement passport then you can't provide that passport history, but you can compensate by showing some flight booking emails perhaps.
      Reply

  18. Peter Short says

    Hi

    I've been talking to a Thai girl for 3 months now and plan to go Thailand once this covid clears up. My plan is to have a 3 month holiday with her travelling around Thailand and then bring her to the UK for a year or two and then I plan to move to Thailand.
    Reading some of the comments on here I think this might be difficult and especially as she wants to work in the UK, she already has her heart set on working in a hospital.

    Any advice or if this is possible please?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The maximum stay in the UK on a visitor visa is 6 months; this would be the visa she'd apply for to visit the UK. She wouldn't be able to work on this visa. To work she would ned a work visa, which is a fairly difficult route to take because it would require a company to offer her a job and there's a bunch of other hoops to jump through.She would be able to work on a settlement (family) visa, which is for those who want to apply to settle with their spouse or family in the UK. That would be some way down the road though, if things work out for you. There's also a fiancee option for this visa route. https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visaThe best thing to do is to visit her in Thailand and then apply for a visit visa to come and stay with you in the UK for a while.If she wants to work in the UK as a nurse (and she is already qualified in Thailand), she has to retrain in the UK. I quote:" Nurses who have trained outside the EEA and want to work in the UK as a nurse must gain professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Applicants are tested for competence through a two-part process to gain registration.Hope this helps.
      Reply

    • Harry Thompson says

      Hi Peter it's doubtful you will get her a work permit with only knowing her a few months.
      You can try a tourist visa which lasts 6 months.
      The British government. Are not giving out visas so easily. I'm waiting on a partner visa and been waiting 6 months already. You need to prove that you have lived together for at least 2 years.

      If you message me I can recommend a good visa company in bkk that will help you

      Harry
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        A visit visa is fairly easy to obtain as long as you can provide evidence on the things outlined in this article. A settlement visa, as you say, is a different ball game, as that is the first step on the path to settling permanently in the UK.
        Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      I think you need to be realistic about the hurdles you need to overcome to get your GF to the UK.........and she needs to understand that working legally will be almost impossible because a work permit just won't be granted unless she is "sponsored" with a job offer in a particularly needed field. The UK government immigration website will explain everything about the points system and jobs that are needed. Even if she is a qualified nurse or medical practitioner in Thailand, the Thai qualifications are unlikely to be sufficient to work in the UK without re-training and obtaining new qualifications.......you will also need to prove a solid relationship and I doubt one visit by you and some chat online will be sufficient. You will also have to forget applying for a 6 months visit realistically....because there will simply be no proof of need to return to Thailand if she can spend 6 months in the UK....... although the visit visa is valid for 6 months you have to state the period of visit and give dates, maybe even prove the end date by suppying evidence of the departing flight. They will also question what she will do if you work during this time and will suspect she would wish/try to work (illegally) to fill in her time. Read every comment on here to get a feel for how you can approach this and remember there is no RIGHT to a visa and the immigration officer has to be certain everything fits and she will not disappear into the black economy or overstay, so it is not always easy. Good luck.
      Reply

  19. David says

    Hi, I have never physically met met girlfriend, we have an online relationship at the moment. We are desperate to meet, but with the Covid-19 situation, obviously I can’t visit. I’ve been told it may be possible for my girlfriend to visit UK. My question is, do you think it would be possible for her to acquire a visa if we have never met?
    Thanks
    David
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi David, you can see the post James is referring to here: https://www.thethailandlife.com/coronavirus-thailand . Please see the latest advice under November. You can also find out more about the travel insurance needed here: https://www.thethailandlife.com/covid-19-insuranceIn terms of your GF visiting, it is possible, but the chances of refusal are indeed higher because it will be difficult to prove a genuine relationship given that you haven't met. Have you been communicating for long?
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      No is the short answer...... if you approach this from a relationship viewpoint her application will be rejected immediately in my opinion..... the only way she would possibly get a visa is by applying as an independant traveller as a holiday visit...... this means she would have to demonstrate her financial ability on her own, often one of the major issues with Thais visiting the UK.....and not mention you at all as this would sound alarm bells.......and at the present time with the UK under severe restrictions and an ever changing restriction regime, I doubt a visa would be granted as it is highly suspicious to be applying to come to a high risk country from a low risk country for a holiday...... be patient and visit Thailand in due course..... build the relationship and gather the evidence required for a future UK visa application.
      Reply

  20. Daniel H says

    Hi,Great guide and thinking about buying the full one - two quick questions - Does it cover children. My wife and I are legally married and have a 10 month old daughter who has right of abode in UK (and Ireland and HK but focus) what is the quickest you think this can be done in? I’m worried I won’t be able to remain in Thailand after 26th September. UK is cheaper to live in than HK but harder for wife/kid to get in.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Your daughter will be a British national by birth, so she won't need a visa. You will need to get her a passport though. You do this through the British embassy in Bangkok. You may be able to get your daughter an emergency travel document, if waiting for a passport isn't viable: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkokYou should get a decision on your visit visa within 3 weeks of attending your appointment at the visa application centre. It's quiet at the moment though so my feeling is it will be within a week or so.
      Reply

      • Daniel H says

        Thank you for the response. I had heard if my daughter travels with me on a Thai passport and birth certificate showing my name then ok. But passport from UK obviously preferred. Thai Passport 7 days. A week is fine - and then today Thai immigration announce a bunch of new options for staying and a teaser for 15th September.
        Will buy the full guide just for your advice earlier. Thank you 🙏
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          I am not an expert on this but I believe you may need the mother's written permission to take your daughter out of the country if she is travelling on a Thai passport...... not sure of the format...but will probably need to include a copy of her ID and proof of signature and identify you specifically as the father...so maybe quoting full name and passport number....and daughter will need a UK visitor visa as she is a foreign national.....these steps are, I think, to reduce the possibility of "kidnapping"........much easier and in the long term more appropriate to get a UK passport for your daughter.
          Reply

          • TheThailandLife says

            If you travel without her mother, even if you show a British passport in addition to a Thai one, they may still question you regarding permission to take your daughter out of the country, particularly if there is no travel history. I was queuing for Thai Airways a couple of years back and my wife had gone to the loo. A member of staff asked me if me and my daughter were traveling alone and if we had the mother's permission. I was duly impressed. I explained that my wife would be along in a minute. To travel alone, you and your wife would need to get a document for you to present at the airport. You have to go to a district Office with her Thai ID card and house book and your daughter's birth certificate, plus your passport.You will read different experiences of this online. Some people claim they've never had a problem and others have been stopped at immigration. Different airlines may have different policies, and immigration have the right to question any situation at their discretion.I presumed you all intend to travel together, but if not bear this in mind.
            Reply

            • Daniel H says

              Thanks Mike and TTL - yes I think there is an international agreement that Thailand is signatory to where single men with children need a covering letter at times. Plus if my kid uses her Thai passport - the first time she leaves the country there is a questionnaire and extra check at passport control so definitely extra scrutiny anyway. We’d either travel together or my wife would follow after if she was waiting for her visa because a) She misses our baby after 60 minutes max b) I’m not sure I’m capable of looking after Lily for more than about 2 hours unsupervised!
              If they follow after much easier to get Lily her British Passport or ETD first.
              Thanks again - either we do this now or next summer for a trip for more pleasant reasons. Really resent the £495 VCS fees, regardless
              Reply

  21. Paul says

    Hi
    My fiancee was refused a tourist visa due to the home office not believing her about a business she had set up with her sister, and that her sister would look after it while she was in the UK. I presume this comes under not showing enough evidence to return to Thailand.
    Do you know if this refusal will go against her if we apply for UK fiance visa.
    We already cancelled our wedding in April in Thailand due to Covid 19 and with no signs of when I will be able to return to Thailand I was thinking the best option now is to marry in the UK
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Paul, the refusal won't go against her, but she will have to state on the new visa application that she was previously refused a visa and explain why. To obtain a new visa, your GF will have to submit evidence that addresses the concerns of the ECO on the refusal.For example, you note that they didn't believe that your wife had a business with her sister. The ECO must have stated reasons for this. Perhaps there was no business registration document provided, or no evidence of company accounts. She will still need to prove this business exists. My personal opinion is that you should apply for another visit visa and address this issue first.Once you've had a successful visit you can start thinking about the fiancee visa. That's not to say you won't be granted a fiancee visa if you apply, but this refusal is a considerable obstacle, particularly if this is your first application and you have no previous successful visits. In short, you can't switch visa type and ignore the refusal, as they will want those concerns addressed either way.Consider that the fiancee visa is a route to a spouse visa and settlement in the UK. Therefore it is a bigger deal and will be under greater scrutiny than a visit visa.
      Reply

  23. Eddy says

    Hi Peter,

    Firstly, a massive 'thank you' for a fascinating and comprehensive site. I wish I had found you earlier, even before I reached these shores 2 years ago!

    Now, due to covid, we are like many in a precarious situation although one of us is still working. So I am considering moving back home (to the UK), with the boyfriend. The catch? My home is in London but my passport is French. Yeah throwing a bit of a spanner in the work, however too late to regret not changing my passport in due course.

    So, I have just checked and myself still do not need a visa to go home (thanks, Brexit!). I also read your whole chapter and the .gov site, however I am not a "British Citizen". Do I have to go through France first, marry there and then apply for his visa to the UK from there? Knowing the French bureaucracy, this is promising to bring 'hours of fun'!

    If you have already come across such weird situation, please share!

    Khop khun mak mak nah
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Eddy,I don't see an issue here because you reside in the UK and want to visit with your boyfriend. Your boyfriend is simply visiting you in the UK and, as long as you meet the requirements for the visa in terms of your relationship, a reason to return home, finances, etc, this is not an issue. You don't need to be married to get a visitor visa.In terms of your BF joining you in the UK on a permanent basis, I think the route would be via an EEA family permit. You would need to be married to get this: https://www.gov.uk/family-permit/eea-family-permit
      Reply

  24. Nigel says

    Hi Paul,

    I'm British but with French residency. I have no base only family in the UK.

    My Thai wife has had several Schengen family short stay visas to visit me in France ( and anywhere else in the Schengen zone too) since we married and her current one is valid for 3 years but of course, frustratingly, each trip must be no more than 90 days. On her next visit she may try and obtain a family residence permit in France to enable her to stay on for up to 1 year, renewable too.

    From France I visit family in the UK about twice a year for a long weekend, sometimes up to 10 days to include visits to old friends there as well. My wife has never accompanied me because even for such short visits she needs a UK visa. I guess that would be a visitor visa rather than anything more complex based on our marriage, right?

    So my cheeky question is do you know whether she can apply for this whilst in France on a Schengen visa? Where to do that? Bangkok is not practical if she is in France. Nor would we have any idea of travel dates for these short visits to the UK. If not, if she has a 1 year French residency permit as my family member would that change things?

    We'll ignore the whole Covid induced travel complications and chaos for the purposes of this question!

    Thanks
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      If you read the application process notes on the UK Gov web site for a Standard Visitor Visa, the only condition is that you have to apply online from outside the UK....... There is an application centre in Paris, being the only one in France..... there is also a contact service for queries.....by phone or email....each has a cost..... but the email service is fixed at £5.48......so you could ask them to clarify.......However, an application could be made in Thailand before travelling to Europe. Although you wont know the exact visit dates, you have have all the other information that would be submitted from France and could put in anticipated dates and explain these may be flexible but any visits in the validity period of the visa would be for about 10 days maximum as is "her husbands practise".....your sponsorship letter can also cover this and evidence your French residency and property ownership/rental...... as the UK Visitor Visa lasts for 6 months, you should have plenty of time to use it to fit in with your plans.
      Reply

  25. Jon says

    Excellent article and the guide is great. One point I have seen made by agencies is that the host must be "a visitor’s friend, boyfriend/girlfriend or relative." But I'm not convinced by this statement. So for example I live with my parents in the UK, and I will be the sponsor for my girlfriends application but my parents would be the hosts as they own the property. Surely this is deemed acceptable?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      That's fine. The owner of the property will need to write a letter of confirmation that your GF can stay there. It should stipulate whether the property is rented or owned and provide evidence as such (mortgage deed or tenancy agreement). It should also provide details of where your GF will sleep (spare room, in your bedroom?). The owner should also provide a copy of their passport as proof of identity.
      Reply

  27. john murray says

    hi I would like to apply for a visa for my thai girlfriend, we met in December 2019 and after 4 weeks together I flew home to the uk. we have been in touch every day since then via phone messenger . unfortunately since Covid 19 came she was made redundant and is still out of work and she has used any savings she had to live off since , I myself am retired but can afford to pay for her flights and keep while she is in uk . After the 6 month visa she will return to Thailand and I will return slightly later and then we will repeat the whole process all over again , my main question is can I apply for the visa on her behalf in the uk or does it have to be done in Bangkok , Thanks for any help
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The visa is applied for online and then your girlfriend must attend an appointment at the Visa Application Center in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. They have a mobile application service that can visit her at home, but it is a paid premium service.I have just updated the post above with the most recent information and links to get started with the online form, so follow those steps to get started.Your chances of being issued a visa for a 6-month stay if your GF is unemployed and has no good reason to return to Thailand are quite low, despite you being able to sponsor her trip. Unfortunately there needs to be a good reason for her to return as opposed to overstaying in the UK. A good reason would be a job to return to, investments such as property or land to look after, caring for children who require financial and emotional support, etc. Having no savings or income is a red flag because it means that if you decided not to support her or abandoned her for some reason she would require state support. Therefore it is a better if she has some savings that would enable emergency accommodation or a flight home if needed.This is not to say you won't get a visa, but in my experience of looking at refusal letters, these are common issues.
      Reply

  28. Steve says

    Great post. My wife has already been granted a visa twice and both times went to the UK with me. We were thinking perhaps this next time to apply for a resident visa however, do this once in the UK on the tourist visa. I'm sure she'd get another tourist visa however, we wouldn't want to apply for a resident visa and get declined. I believe if she was declined a residence visa she cannot get a tourist visa after. Hope the above makes sense!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Steve, do you mean a settlement visa? It isn't possible to convert from a visitor to any other status. There are some (very limited) exceptions, but for most there is no scope for switching. It may be possible to extend her time in the UK, but only if there are compelling medical or other reasons.
      Reply

  29. Paul says

    Hi

    I want to bring my Thai girlfriend to the UK on a visitor visa we met online in January 2018 and talked every day since. I met her on a 2 week holiday in April 2018, spent 3 months together April-June 2019 and 3 weeks October 2019. I had planned to visit for 3 weeks in April 2020 but due to covid 19 had to cancel.
    She graduated from university and is a graphics designer but due to Covid 19 was made redundant at the end of April 2020. She has 3 properties 2 of which she rents out and savings
    I have a house but due to my Mums poor health currently rent it out and live with her to help look after her, I work part time due to this and have some savings.

    Will it be a problem that my girlfriend is currently unemployed?

    We would like 6 month visa but do they take in to consideration how much it would cost, and if so how do they calculate this?

    Can you apply for a 3 or 4 month visa if the chances of getting it are better than a 6 month visa?

    Many thanks
    Paul
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Paul,The visa issued has a 6-month duration as standard, but you are expected to return to Thailand on the date given on your application. I advise people stick to that because if you stay longer then this may be questioned on subsequent applications. The reason being that if you said you had to return to Thailand on a particular date for work, but then stayed a further month, it would imply you lied on your application.The cost for the visa is a flat fee of £95.If your GF rents out properties then she has an income and technically some self-employment. Can she prove that income? Having the properties also means she has a good reason to return to Thailand after her visit time is up. This is a key consideration for the application.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      Yes ..... but.....it should be easier..... you know what info to provide and you have copies of the important stuff already. In both your invitation and her comments you can mention last year's trip and can emphasise the success with photos of your time in the UK and give a brief recap on your relationship history. ....... assuming she stuck to the applied for visit time, the sanctioning of this 2nd visit should be almost automatic....... and after this you can pretty much dispense with photos and evidence of your relationship, merely mentioning the previous visas..... however, each year a visit to a visa processing centre will be necessary to give biometric information.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      My opinion is that when you use an agent, you still have to provide the same information to have the best chance of success..... all application information is electronically sent to the (UK) processing centre in India.... so an agent does not have any advantageous contact ability...... and... personally... I would not trust an agent to ask for sufficient information at the start of the process to give you the best chance of success.... they also simply do not know your personal situation so cannot word the application to the full advantage, they may only ask you for a supporting letter but not suggest edits to make it better or more appropriate... and I know for a fact that it has been known for an agent to wait a while, then claim the application needs more information as if it has been requested by the sanctioning officer (which they never do... applications are assessed on the information submitted 1st time only) then charge an extra fee, repeat this fraud and then submit the application, at the same time requiring the applicant to attend for biometrics..... and a key point is the applicant HAS to attend for biometrics... so it does NOT save this part of the process....... Agents have their place for other types of visa application, but not UK visitor visas in my opinion..... I acknowledge, however, you do need to be able to write a good supporting letter and application letter on behalf of your gf.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Difficult question, but not stupid. I think you just have to consider that meeting a woman on a 2-week holiday vs having known a woman over the course of a year that included three trips and maintained communication is going to be view as less valuable. The requirement is to prove the relationship is genuine, not based on how many visits you've had. Focus on proving your case that it is genuine.
      Reply

  33. Nick says

    Hi...have bought your excellent guide...but still have a question!
    Is there a max word count for my supporting statement for my girlfriends 6 month visit visa application?
    I can ramble on a bit but am quite pleased with my draft letter which she is worrying is too long?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Nick, good question. I'd try to keep it to one page if possible. If need be, reduce the font a size to fit it on. If it runs over to two pages it's not a huge deal but try to keep paragraphs concise and broken up into readable chunks. If it's one long letter then a skim-reading visa officer may miss vital details. I've seen applications refused, not because documentation and explanations weren't provided, but because the visa officer clearly didn't understand the circumstances / didn't read things properly. Make sure all details are clear as day!
      Reply

      • N ward says

        Hi
        OK Finally just got our uk tourist visa decision back after applying in march...Rejected.
        Advice please guys.....
        My girlfriend has her own new build 3 bed house in gated compound. Her own new pickup truck. Her own clothing shop and 25 acres of farm land we are building a house on for us to live in eventually.
        She has been refused because they did a search and could not find her business! We included all gov papers for the shop plus photos.
        As I understand there is no right to challenge..and I get why..just not sure what to do next.
        The officer stated they had no proof my girlfriend could fund her visit...despite my personal details (inc my bank account!)...and her own account...which has very little in as paying for a house to be built!...now her store has been shut for covid and the £1k i send per month is being drawn out to pay for building supplies...looks even worse.
        Do we just apply again and hope for a different officer?
        We plan to marry next year and I will commute 2 weeks BKK 2 weeks UK...just wanted to show her UK...as a tourist!!
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          The thing you need to do is to address the specific concerns the immigration officer has........ how you do this depends somewhat on how you presented the original application.........now I am giving different scenarios here, as an opinion, so bear with me....... maybe there was doubt in the officers mind because there was a mixture of support from you, which not be deemed sufficient or clear; and a question mark over her income because of lack of evidence or explanation.......you may already have done this, but you need to prove ownership of the various assets with translated copies of the documents, if the vehicle is on finance demonstrate that with translated copied of documents and the payments coming out of her account (this is a reason to return home), be very precise about the income her shop generates (can she provide income tax accounts?) and how it is spent and how it is paid (lack of using a bank account will be a problem)......then the next issue they may be thinking about is how can she take time off to come to the UK and still generate income...... so dont ask for too long a period as its her 1st time.... explain how the shop will be run in her absence, how the farm will be run and how her financial commitments that will continue in her absence will be paid..... the impression I get is that the application was on the basis she can afford the trip and your evidence was more in support of your relationship proof..... so the officer saw very little spare cash.... asset rich and cash poor is not what they want to see.... so maybe, if you are financially able to, you need to sponsor her expenses fully and demonstrate a healthy bank balance in support of this.... with a clear explanation that you are part funding her already because all her income goes on the house build which you acknowledge does not look good in terms of her ability to afford the trip. With regards to the business, I wonder what search they did to prove to themselves the business exists? A google maps street view? A search for a web site? You should address this query by explaining there is no web site because its not needed, that street view shows an earlier business perhaps and emphasise the translated licences etc are the only evidence you can provide.... unless she has tax accounts she can show........when submitting the next application, I would be very specific in saying you (she) acknowledges the previous application did not satisfy the test of income and business existence and you wish to address these concerns by providing the following information, then list the new evidence.
          Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      There is no limit but as TTL has said, a long, badly constructed letter is likely to encourage an assessing officer to miss things and get fed up with the whole thing..... you can say this should not happen as they should do everything thoroughly, but human nature means they will favour concise and relevant applications.... I try to keep my invitation letter to 1 page and my gf letter to 2.... but I advise to use 12 or 14 size font to make reading easier.... not adjust the font to a smaller size to get the page numbers down.... the whole application is as much about making it easy to read and assess as providing the right information.
      Reply

  34. Annmarie says

    Hi. My son only 25 , and has known his thai girlfriend for 5 years, they had a baby boy who is now 2 and has a British passport, my son works in the U.K., we all go over to Thailand for holidays all the time, so jan 2020i started her visa process as my son couldn’t get time of, to visit her and there son, so I went over, I used an agency, and really the cost was ridiculous, now she has her visa for 6 months, brilliant , as I had to come home and go back to work, the agent I used I said make sure her visa is issued 1st may, so when my son goes out for holiday. He can bring them both back, but the British Embassy has stamped her passport mach25 2020 to September 25 2020, it’s a shame all that money and she can only come for months. I was furious with the agent they got there money, and basically told me to get least, nearly £4000.00 I looked every where on the website, because they have a child together and he has a British passport, is there any way we can get a extension so they can stay xmas, the home office in tje UK, if want to speek to them, you have to give them your credit card, it’s £1.80 per min to speek to them. That’s is disgusting, I would like some advice it there is child involved half Thai and English, I do not want him to rush in to marriage, why can’t the British Embassy, when issuing UK visa. Have some sort of system where your visa starts the day u enter the U.K., like every else in this country they have stupid rules, she will be living in our home and not sponging of the state, thank you
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Annmarie,They generally start the visa from the issue date; there's nothing that can be done about this. You can't get an extension in the UK because you have the maximum time anyway, which is 6 months from date of issue.4k is a hell of a lot of money for something that your son and his GF could have done themselves. You really don't need an agent. There is no advantage unless you really can't do it yourself. At this point I'd count yourself lucky the visa was approved. Because if it wasn't, you'd have to pay again.There's no need to rush into marriage; it would not enable her to stay and would not guarantee a visa anyway. Each visa application is accessed based on the points written in this article.I know how you feel; trust me, I have felt the same. But the system has to be stringent because so many people want to come to the UK. And people have, and continue to, abuse the system.I agree that the phone line is a joke. They make a lot of money on visas and to not provide a proper helpline is disgraceful. I wouldn't bother anyway, as they wouldn't be able to change the visa in any way.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      You have been ripped off for sure.... but look on the bright side.... she has got a visa and provided she does not overstay.It means the next application will be easier and you can do it on her behalf without using an agency.......it is easy to fill the application online and the supporting documents will be the same as this year......maybe even less......as you have proved the relationship and her reliability......It is good that you shared your unpleasant experience as it serves as a warning to others that the guide produced here, along with a little time and care, is all anyone needs to get a visa.
      Reply

    • Simon Robinson says

      Sorry, £4000.00?!!!! Do you mean £400.00?
      When you make the application you need to say when you wish to travel, possibly even show the flight tickets - although I have never actually had to do this.
      The application is normally only allowed a maximum of three months before your intended date of travel, so I am confused how you have a visa that is starting too early?
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        You can stipulate a travel date, but generally visas start from around the date of issue. In this case they did post date it but not for the date asked. As you say, you can only apply a maximum of 3 months before your travel date. So clearly what they did here was the best they could and that was post date it for the maximum 3 months (they applied in Jan and it was posted for March). It should be noted that this is not dealt with hands on by the British embassy, so no point complaining to them.
        Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      It won't be easy. I think it would depend on your situation and the type of benefits you receive and why, and what your financial situation is. However, if you can prove a genuine relationship and have the funds to support her trip, it is possible. And if she has a job and savings of her own, and can show she can fund her own trip, that will help a lot.
      Reply

  38. Gavin says

    Hi, I met my partner 3 years ago and have been to Thailand 3 times since to see her including living and working for a year in Phetchabun with her.
    I have a full time job and she runs her own business but neither of us make a lot of money atm so we don't have savings.
    Obviously for now it wouldn't be feasible for her to come over but for the sake of planning for the future how much money qualifies as sufficient funds?
    There is a lot of conflicting information online and I'm unsure if I just need enough to fund the few weeks she would come over or significant contingency funds on top of that.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Gavin, I cover this extensively in my guide and offer a breakdown. But in short there is no official figure. You should consider the flight cost, travel insurance, food costs, taxi to and from airport, spending money and an emergency fund just in case she requires a flight home quickly and has to buy another ticket, or in the event she requires medical care that needs to be paid upfront or isn't covered by insurance. Also note that to prove she runs her own business she will need the company registration document and proof of income. I say this because a lot of Thais run businesses outside of the legal framework and don't have the business registered for tax purposes.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      Good for you for planning ahead.......you will be able to cover all the bases when the time comes.......There is not a straightforward answer to this in my opinion......The immigration officer will be looking at the funds available from both of you (if you offer to cover some or all costs) in relation to the length of visit and the proposed activities, along with her ability to return home in an emergency.......it would be good for her to demonstrate some savings from her business, especially as she may have to sacrifice earnings to visit the UK, something the officer may be concerned about depending on other factors..... so one extreme may be a 2 or 3 week visit, living with you for free, visiting local places of interest at minimal cost, eating at home.... going up to a month stay for example, staying away in different parts of the UK in hotels or b&bs, eating out every day, spending a lot on attractions.....you just need to explain your intentions in your "letter of invitation" when applying and back it up with some general costings.... the contingency fund should be at least enough to cover a flight home.... and I don't think it is a good idea to say you have a credit card to pay for the visit or the contingency as that suggests the trip cannot be paid for.
      Reply

  39. Wayne Harman says

    Hi I've just being to thailand and i met a lady I spent 3 month's with her and her family I have taken lots of photos of us all I'm going back over in June for 3 weeks to see her and her family she wants to come to the UK on a holiday I live in a rented house it's not my own home. And how much money do you have to have in your bank to show them she as got a son over in thailand do you think she will get a holiday visa to come to the uk many thank wayne
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      It is probably early days to be seeking a visitor visa for her.... just 2 visits by you will probably not be sufficient to prove a proper relationship to the immigration officers.... they will be suspicious she is too keen to get to the uk ..... I suggest you invest in the visa guide that The Thailand Life has written...... I suggest you are patient and plan this carefully, making sure you can cover all the points that TTL raises in the guide , because a rejection from a hurried application will stay on her record .......and the last point, I believe submitting huge quantities of photos and copy messages is self defeating. I believe the immigration officer will not welcome having to examine an unnecessarily large quantity of documents, especially photos that may not prove any timescale or location. Consider using an online print service to produce a couple of A4 sized multi image posters with meta data overlaid to each image.
      Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          You should be able to find the meta data under "details" or a similar heading in a drop down menu on the image. On one of my phones that data was overlaid onto the image, then I did a screenshot to preserve it, then enhanced brightness and contrast to make the image clear. Then saved that image for printing...... however, my latest phone shows the meta data separately and at this time I do not know how to combine them.... you will have to look at how your devices provide this information....perhaps investigate online how to overlay pictures...... and may have to print the photo and the meta data side by side in poster format...... another tip, when you are next visiting, take photos deliberately for the visa application.... so for example, have a background that can confirm where you are and what you are doing (signs in English, hotel name, attraction name, you together at airport with the name behind, dated clock like in a bank).... if you cannot get the information showing then select images carefully to back up your "story" in the application rather than 30 images just of the 2 of you with a non specific background, then do a brief index describing the photo..... it IS hard work to start with... I spent many hours preparing my first application.... and the 2nd application with UK photos.... but now I don't submit photos as the relationship is proven by previous UK visits.
          Reply

  40. Nicholas Feary says

    My thai partner works in hospital at moment I plan on getting her visa for end of July if she changes job now to sports shop will it affect chances for visa? When she gets visa does need be used in certain amount of time?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      It might not be too much of an issue if she has proof of a regular salary from the hospital and then changes job and has a few new salary payments from the new job. She can provide her work history and explain the career change. She will need a letter from her boss explaining her position, salary and how long she has worked there, and confirming that her job will be left open for her for when she returns from her vacation.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      You will get a standard 6 month visitor visa which can be used (that is the entry date) from the valid date, with exit required by the expiry date.... you can apply up to 3 months before the intended travel date........Important.... the application date is taken as the PAYMENT date, not the date of the appointment to submit biometric information..... so be careful not to pay before you are ready to book an appointment..... payment comes first,
      then you book the appointment........ I found this out when I paid online from the UK some weeks before my GF was ready to visit Bangkok....... Also, the application date should not be before 3 months of the intended date of travel.... or you will be given a date of commencement of the visa before you travel and this will reduce the useful term of the visa, if you decide to use it again whilst it is still valid..... one last tip.... you can expect a wait of 2 weeks for an appointment that is free of extra charges for things that, in my opinion, are worthless but give a huge extra income to VFS, the agent processing the application.... their webshite (not a spelling mistake) pushes the higher cost appointments first..... scroll through for the free appointments........ THEY ARE OBLIGED TO SCAN AND SEND ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS FOR FREE...even though they suggest the premium services only provide this..... the only service worth having is the return of passport by courier, which means you don't have to hang around in Bangkok for up to 14 days waiting for the decision.
      Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        UPDATE TO MY LAST COMMENT.... having just started the application for this years visa for my Thai lady, it now says if you do not scan and send your supporting documents yourself, you can use the VFS scanning service. This is not free, like it was in 2019. It appears the basis of contract between VFS and the UK government has now changed and apart from the taking of the biometric information, all other services have to be paid for........ I am opting for the scan service and the return passport by post service at a total cost of 720 baht..... this is because I do not have the ability to scan all the required supporting documents.
        Reply

  41. Peter says

    Hi, I lived in Chiang Mai for 4 years, 3 of them with my Thai girlfriend. I am now back in the UK for health reasons but we speak every day and I have visited twice a year. We would like for her to visit the UK on a visitor visa for about 3 weeks. She works so cannot stay longer. She also has two children who she supports. My query is that I wonder if our not being married will go against her being given a visa, even though the relationship of 4.5 years is genuine (we are engaged). Your guide looks interesting and I am tempted to purchase it, assuming there is a good and fair chance that she could be issued a visa. Please could you advise re this likelihood ? Many thanks, Peter
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi, marriage is not necessarily an advantage. For example, a provable genuine relationship of 4 years is more advantageous than a marriage of a few months made just a couple of months after meeting. You have a genuine relationship, and your GF has a job and kids - so that's a good reason to return to Thailand after her visit. You also lived in Thailand for a number of years, which means you can prove you have spent considerable time together. As long as you provide the relevant supporting documentation with the application I don't see a reason why you'd be refused. Most applications are refused because of conflicting information or lack of evidence rather than the circumstances themselves.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      With a well written application covering the points you mention and the other details contained in TTL guide, you really should have no problem.....Back up your comments (letter of invitation) and any made under her name with evidence like copies of your passport pages showing the visits, translated evidence of her job, children, property ownership etc...... and cover child care arrangements.... the guide covers everything and gives examples of problems people have had and why.
      Reply

  43. andrew phillips says

    My girlfriend lives in Thailand and I live here. Last year I visited her 3 times. We speak to each other everyday. Now I would like her to visit here on a holiday visa and she really wants to come too.
    What would you recommend for the application as we are in different countries at moment.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      She can apply from Thailand and you can help with the process. You can register her an account and together fill in the online form. You then make an appointment at VFS for her to attend. You can scan and send your supporting documents electronically during the application process, or she can take them with her and have them scanned by the member of staff processing her application at the VFS centre.
      Reply

  44. Brian says

    Hi I am in Thailand and will be applying for a holiday visa to the uk for my thai wife what I would like to know is when it says you have to have a certified translation of the marriage document is it ok to get it done at my local translation shop or does it have to be certified by the British embassy. Thanks Brian
    Reply

  45. Richard John says

    Hi, I am applying soon for another UK Visitor Visa for my wife. We successfully had a visa last year, and we are quite recently married. Is it okay that her surname on her Thai Passport has not been updated? Her Thai National ID and Tambien has been updated with my surname, but we have not done her passport yet. Many thanks for all your help
    Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          No. The certificate will be translated by an authorized translator. However, country-specific requirements may apply. In the UK you don't need any further legalization or to file the certificate with a local authority, but I know that some states in the US, for example, do have some requirements.
          Reply

          • Richard John says

            Okay thank you very much, I'm from the UK so that's good. Sorry further query has popped up, as my wife has recently taken my last name through marriage, is it potentially a problem if such things as new housing contracts are in her old name? Or a previous contract for the shop she rents is in her old name? We are making these specially as supporting evidence but would it look suspicious to suddenly start and show new contracts after we got married?
            Reply

            • TheThailandLife says

              Things like that aren't an issue because it easily explained that the contracts existed before the marriage, and it is also provable that this was your wife's name before you were married. Just make sure this is explained in your supporting letter.
              Reply

  46. Lee says

    Hi
    My Thai girlfriend is currently married to a Uk guy and has been living here in the uk. He’s sponsoring her visa. However the marriage has broken down in the last year and she has met me. We have fallen in love with each other and have been seeing each other for approx 6 months. She got married to her husband in Thailand. Can she Apply for devorce in uk and can I become her new sponsor?.. her visa runs out in 18 months but she still won’t have completed 5 yrs. to get uk citizenship.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      They can separate or divorce in the UK, but either way they have to notify the Home Office of this because the visa is dependent on the relationship existing as it was when the last visa/ visa extension was applied for. At this point she will have to leave or apply for a new visa. Since you haven't known each other long, it won't be easy for her to obtain another settlement visa based on your relationship. It isn't as simple as just being her sponsor. Her settlement visa with her husband will have been based on their relationship history, marriage, and having the finances and accommodation, etc. Also consider that if her husband knows she is seeing you, he may file for divorce and cite adultery as the reason for the split. This is unlikely to bode well for a new visa application. Personally, I would seek the advice of an immigration lawyer, as this is not going to be an easy ride. Do they have kids together? If so, she may be able to obtain temporary stay on this basis. Why doesn't she just agree with her husband to stick the next 18 months out and then apply for her citizenship (she will have to pass the Life in the UK test)?
      Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          Possibly. But the issue is that when they separate or divorce she will have to leave or apply for another visa under a different set of circumstances. If you quickly married it would look as though she married someone to get the visa, and it won't look good when you try to prove a genuine relationship with evidence that shows she was seeing you behind her husband's back. If her husband accepts the marriage has broken down and is happy to split amicably and for her to remain in the country, then they may choose to stay married until she obtains citizenship. If you are both serious about being together then I really think you need to get some legal advice on the best way forward and the likelihood of her getting a visa. I'm not even sure she'd be able to apply to settle with you from inside the country, so she may have to return home anyway.
          Reply

  47. Harry Thompson says

    Recent visa for my girlfriend was successful but now she is here in the uk how can we apply for a 2 year visa ?
    Can we do it in uk?

    We used a visa shop and her friend who is above the normal thai inteligence. It cost 15.000 baht but to me it was worth it for a gaurantee. The visa application is 10.000 baht . Anyone wanting advice i will help.
    Reply

  48. David porter says

    Hi me and my girl friend have tried three times.
    For a holiday visa. And been refused. And the last time one month ago
    With an agentse. I've known her for years now. She has a market stall
    And her own house. Which is mortgaged no children she has to go back
    Home and work to pay her bills. I am retired. I own my house. I have
    Good pension,s a good amount in the bank. There were no mistakes
    On the application form. And they still refused her. They said if sircomstansis
    Chang then we apply again gutted. Don't know what to do next. I don't want to get married. But if I did would we be guaranteed a visa then
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi David, sorry to hear that; it's very frustrating and upsetting. But there's always a reason and by the sounds of your case one that is probably easily addressed. Can you send me the refusal letter and I will give you some feedback? info @ the thailand life .com
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        Allow 2 weeks for the application to be processed and a decision to be reached, but you may hear much quicker - sometimes within a few days. That said, allow yourself time to reapply just in case the first application is refused.
        Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Having a brief look and it doesn't seem very possible unless she finds a licensed company to sponsor her employment and she meets the English requirements. There is an Au Pair scheme called the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme, which allows young people, aged 18 - 30, to stay and work in the United Kingdom for a predefined period of time. But it isn't open to Thai nationals.
      Reply

  51. Alain says

    Hi,

    My Girlfriend recently attended her appointment at the trendy building BKK last week and she has just told me that they did not keep her passport. Just wanted to check this was the usual process as going by the above the officials should have kept her passport before making the decision? My other question is how long is usually before decisions are made as my GF, myself and our daughter were hoping to spend Christmas in the UK together should she get her visa?

    Thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The visa stamp is put into your GF's passport, so I'd enquire about this asap. Unless this process has changed very recently, but I have not received an update from the embassy on a change.You should hear back within a couple of weeks. It is quite close to Crimbo so they may be a little busy with applications for visits over the festive period.
      Reply

  52. ghettotube says

    Aside from that you need to write a letter detailing how did your relationship start and the highlights of your relationship. As the UK visit visa sponsor, you need to prove your financial capacity to support your girlfriend once she gets to the UK. In this case you would need to provide bank statements; at least 3 pay slips, House Title deed or Mortgage Agreement and photos of your house. This is apart from the sponsorship letter which confirms your desire to sponsor her stay in the UK.
    Reply

  53. Zack F says

    Hello,

    Me and my girlfriend were recently rejected from a visa to london.
    We now want to buy your guide, and would like if you could point us in the right direction when re-applying. It was obviously very annoying since we are genuine and the reasons supplied for rejection were hilarious, they obviously didn't read through our application properly.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I know how you feel and it often does feel quite ridiculous, but that's why you can't leave any stone unturned. Everything must be backed by evidence and conveyed very clearly. If you scan and send me your refusal letter to info [at] thethailandlife . com I will have a read and let you know what you need to do.
      Reply

  55. Jimmy says

    Thanks for the help in the guide. We just got a visa for my GF yesterday and obviously delighted. Despite her not working I was able to submit enough evidence to convince the officer. Your guide was really helpful in explaining what to include. I think I sent everything but the kitchen sink and was just honest. Would definitely recommend :)
    Reply

  56. Steve says

    I'm in China where I have had no luck in finding an answer to my question, so I hope it's ok to post here. Even the translation company couldn't give me a definative answer...Perhap's someone here can help...
    My Chinese wife is submitting her UK Visit Visa application in the next few weeks, her last one expired last year. Do you know if it's OK to resubmit the translations of our marriage certificate's we used for her previous application. Do translations expire, mine was translated in London and is dated June 2016, her's was translated in China and is undated.
    Reply

  57. Paul. says

    Hello.
    I am considering purchasing your guide but have a couple of questions.
    I met my girlfriend in Cebu City, Philippines only 7 months ago ( January 2019 )
    We spent a week together before I had to come back to the UK.
    We talked to each other everyday when I came home and it was decided I needed to go back to stay with her to see if our relationship could work. I travelled back in April and spent two months together. We decided that we want to take it to the next stage. I want to bring her to the UK for six months to live with me and see if we have a future together. I want her here so started the visitor visa process. Now I am not sure weather I should have applied for a fiance visa.
    My question is:
    Will our short time together be enough for the visa to be approved ?
    Should I change it to a fiance visa ?
    If I purchase you guide for £20 can I upgrade in the future by sending you the extra £10 ?
    If I need more than two emails to help me, what would charge per email ?
    Thanks for your help.
    Paul.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Paul,

      If you intend to get married, and want your GF to stay on in the UK by applying for a marriage visa afterwards, then you could apply for a fiance visa. But bear in mind that you have no visit visa history so your application is likely to come under considerable scrutiny. The requirements are as follows:

      - There must be a demonstrable intention to live together
      - There also has to be an intention to get married within 6 months of receiving the fiance visa
      - You must be in a genuine relationship
      - You must meet the maintenance requirement. You will have no recourse to public funds.
      - The sponsor (your partner on which basis you are coming to the UK) must be a settled person in the UK. A settled person in the UK is someone who is not subject to immigration restrictions.
      - There should be no legal constraints to you and fiance getting married. This means that there has to be no sort of legal injunction against your marriage or previous marriage that is yet to be dissolved by a decree absolute or any other thing that may render the marriage illegal.

      The fiance visa costs £1,523, and once in the UK you need to submit the marriage visa application before the fiancé visa expires.

      It's a pretty big step considering you've only been together a short time, so maybe a visit visa is wiser at this point.

      In regards to the visit visa, note that they may not approve a visit visa for a 6-month period for someone who has no reason to return to their home country. I assume that if your GF intends to come for 6 months that she is not currently working. So you need to consider what good reason she has to return after her visit. Does she own a property? Does she run a business? Does she have dependents that rely on her? If so (the latter) then how is she able to be away from them for 6 months? You'll have to consider every aspect of your application and provide supporting evidence to back up her circumstances.

      If your GF doesn't have a job, an income or savings and is dependent on you for money then she will be considered a high risk for not returning. You need to prove beyond doubt that your relationship is genuine and that she has a genuine reason to return after her visit.

      You can upgrade on my guide afterwards. If you require more email correspondence that can be discussed later down the line.
      Reply

  59. pete says

    I just wanted to share some info the lady at VFS gave me as I was not aware of this.

    My wife applied for her visa and stated the date of travel to the UK as 28th July 2019. She collected her visa a couple of days ago and it was issued on 26th June 2019 and valid from 27 June - 27 December 2019 (6 months). In the past her visa usually starts on the date we specified her date of travel but this time it was valid from 1 day after the visa was issued. I assumed it was a new policy so I asked the lady and she said that it means my wife has been issued a 'yellow visa' instead of a 'green visa'. I asked what determines this and she said its purely up to the Embassy. I said I didn't even know there was different visas and she said yellow start from date of issue and green start from date of travel as specified on the visa. Has anyone else every heard of this? The inconvenience for us is that we was considering a 2nd visit over Christmas as we expected the visa to expire at the end of January 2020 but since it expires on 27 December 2019 it makes it very tight. Would making a 2nd visit for say 2 weeks and then leaving the UK on 27 December 2019 look bad for the next visa application?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Generally visas are valid from date of issue.If they can better align it with your intended date of travel they may do that.In terms of visiting twice in six months, the UK Standard Visitor Visa is a multiple-entry, so technically during that time the holder can come and go. However, an issue may arise when someone's visit pattern implies that there has been a change of circumstances since the visa was issued. For example, if a person claims to be employed full-time, or must return to their country for a specific reason at the application stage, and then proceeds to visit again despite this, it raises a flag - because it indicates that that the person's visit pattern contradicts the grounds upon which the initial visa was issued.Immigration Officers are trained to spot these red flags. Generally I advise one visit per visa.
      Reply

      • pete says

        Thanks for that. For most of my wife's previous visas we have normally visited twice within the 6 months despite only mentioning the first visit in the application and never had any problem. But the visits are usually only for a couple of weeks so I assume they don't see it as a red flag compared to say someone who states they are visiting for 2 weeks but ends up staying for months.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          Exactly. As long as the visits remain in line with the terms upon which your visa was issued there shouldn't be a problem.Where people get tripped up is when they contradict the evidence they initially gave to get the visa regarding a genuine reason to return to Thailand. I heard from a person last year who had run into this issue when applying for a subsequent visa. It's really down to how astute the immigration officials are in the UK, or how astute the entry clearance officer is processing the next visa you apply for.Because if they look back at your visa history and see you stated that you must return to Thailand after two weeks because you have to get back to your job and to take care of your son, yet you return home and a few weeks later you are back in the UK for two months; clearly you aren't telling the truth or your circumstances have changed considerably. If your circumstances have genuinely changed, you must inform UK Visas and Immigration because they issued you the visa on the basis of your old circumstances.
          Reply

  60. TheThailandLife says

    It's heartbreaking to receive a visa refusal.


    Late last week I received details from someone who was refused and I have decided to share my reply here to help others avoid the same mistakes.



    Leave no stone unturned. View your application as if you were the officer viewing the case. Leave nothing open to interpretation. Everything you say must be proven in your supporting documentation. Read my guide thoroughly before you apply and use the checklists.



    Reply starts here:



    You girlfriend’s application was turned down on the three key areas where you must provide clear evidence:



    1. Employment status
    2. Relationship status
    3. Genuine reason to return



    Fortunately these are things that can be addressed by addressing each point specifically and providing thorough evidence. Below I have outlined what you would need to do for each of these refusal points. I also suggest that once you have got all the evidence together and are ready to make another application you write a separate supporting letter that lists each of these reasons for refusal, as stated in the letter they sent you, and below the text write what you have included in the new application to address these issues. That way they can be in no doubt that you have understood why the application was refused and taken the necessary steps to provide enough evidence to satisfy the criteria.



    1. The first point they make is that your girlfriend provided a letter of employment which verifies her income, but the income cannot be verified by her bank statements.



    If you claim that you are employed by a particular company and are in receipt of a specific salary each month, they will expect to see that salary going into a bank account - because this is generally how people are paid. Officially registered businesses do not generally pay cash in hand, and if they do there will be some kind of pay slip that, among other details, documents the tax deduction. If she is indeed paid cash in hand, then this would need to be stipulated and confirmed by the employer in the letter. And then there should be some explanation of how this money is spent, in terms of living expenses and savings, etc.



    The balance your girlfriend showed in her bank account was over four months old. So this suggests that she hasn’t been receiving a salary into her account for the last four months; at least this is the assertion they are working on. An explanation of where the balance has come from would also be a good idea. For example, if she is indeed paid in cash by her employer and her employer is willing to corroborate that through a letter then it would also be a good idea to state how the savings in her bank account have been accrued.



    2. The second point they make is that you haven’t demonstrated that your relationship is as you state. This is quite vague and they haven’t given a specific example of how you haven’t done that, which is unusual. So this suggests to me across the board there simply wasn’t enough evidence to prove that your relationship is genuine.



    In this regard, I recommend you refer back to my guide and look at how you are able to prove that the relationship is genuine. One thing that you have going for you is that I presume you are living in Thailand, or at least spend a considerable amount of time there, as you have a bank account there.



    You will need to provide information on when you met, and document your travel history to and from Thailand to prove that you were in the country to spend the time together that you say you have. Although they say pictures aren’t necessary, I still believe in situations like yours they hold weight. So submitting some pictures that span the time you have known each other, with information on dates and locations when they were taken, will support your application. You should also print off some social media / email correspondence that shows dates and times that you have been involved in conversations over the period for which you are claiming to have been in a relationship.



    But as I said above, please refer to the guide as there is a lot of information on this subject in there.



    3. The last point is regarding your girlfriend’s reason for returning to Thailand after her visit. This can be quite difficult to prove since not everyone has assets or a business that would necessarily require them to return. But there is probably something in her life which means she must return to Thailand.



    I don’t know her personal situation but perhaps she has a child that she supports financially, a child she lives with or goes home to see on a regular basis. If she provides a certain level of support to her child, then this is obviously a reason that she needs to return to Thailand.



    It may be that she has aging parents that she supports, or that one of the parents is unwell and needs her ongoing support. Again this would be a reason to return. If she owns land, or a car or motorbike, or a house, these assets are a reason to return to Thailand. But these things must be proven. So if she owns a piece of land then the deeds must be submitted with the application and of course translated into English so that the

    officer can understand what the document is.



    The problem is that your girlfriend is seen as wholly financially dependent on you, and therefore if she has no assets then what reason has she got to return to Thailand. As harsh as it may sound, in their mind it would make sense for her to simply overstay and remain in the UK and claim some form of asylum or state help.

    Reply

  61. Will says

    Quick question, I've invited my Thai girlfriend of 2 years to my home in the UK, we are both young and I am therefore only able to supply her with food, accommodation and other similar expenses. My girlfriends dad is a well off farmer who has agreed to pay for all of her other expenses.

    We have extensive proof of our close relationship and that she has a good job that she will return to.

    As I am inviting her but her dad is funding her if we show her dads bank statements, a letter from him agreeing to cover costs of the trip and a letter of invite from myself would that be enough?
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      I think you have got the right approach. Cover everything per TTL guide you can buy, or read through all the comments and answers. (I am not connected to TTL but have found his advice invaluable). It may be a good idea to ask the dad to transfer money to daughter to show his willingness and the longer it is left in her account prior ro application the better. Get a letter from him also, officially translated, confirming the gift and further support as necessary, backed up by bank statements. It may be a good idea for you to suggest the wording to your GF so it is couched in the correct terms. Also, in your letter of invitation, include this aspect of the story pretty much as you have here. If you give a full explanation backed up by her "letter of further information" saying the same thing (but worded differently) and his letter confirming assistance, it should be a pretty convincing story backed up by factual bank statements. Good luck!
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        I agree with Mike that sufficient money to cover the trip should be transferred to your GF's account to show evidence of the funds available to her. Her Dad can then show further evidence via bank statements that he has further funds to support her if she needs help. He will definitely need to provide a letter, and it would be a good idea if he can provide details of his business by way of his registered business document. Everything in Thai must be officially translated.Will you be staying with relatives? If so, you will need the owner of the property to confirm their ownership (house deed, current mortgage agreement, utility bill) and to provide a copy of their passport. The person should also write a letter confirming that your GF is welcome to stay in the property for the duration.
        Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      I have said this in a previous post as a contributor (I am not associated with TTL), VFS are a business trying to make extra money with add on service packages. In my opinion these are poor value (no value!) and very close to dishonest marketing.

      Gold service includes preparation help with scanning. Well as part of their contract with the UK government they have to scan your documents and send them to the processing centre in India for free. It is included in your visa application fee. What additional "preparation" help is likely to be given I do not know.

      It also covers photocopying. But under the current procedures no copying is required as they would scan any original documents and return them to you.

      It also covers photographs, stating if you have no photographs or unsuitable ones then they will help. But you have your photo taken at the biometric appointment so this service is irrelevant.

      So that is 3 items from 6 that are of no use and really should not even be advertised as a service.

      As for SMS, this is quite cheap as an add on to a basic service but I used it once and they simply did not sent ANY SMS messages!

      The courier service can be purchased for about 325baht separately and is useful if you cannot wait 15 days in Bangkok for the return of your passport.

      The final service is a premium lounge. Well my GF spent so little time in the VFS building it would not be worth the money... but that is very much a personal choice.

      I think VFS are crafty in the way they offer you the packages and the premium appointments BEFORE you see the basic package and the valuable add on (in my opinion) of the courier service. Unless you keep scrolling and going through some pages you can easily assume you HAVE to buy a premium package/appointment and that these services are not included in your visa application fee.

      So not a direct answer but you will have had your documents scanned and sent to india as part of the process they undertake.
      Reply

  63. william france says

    hii look your site look ok .. there is 1 thing i want to know my friend tell me i need to have my g f fingerprints and biometrics photos taken can you tell me where can go i live chonburi . william
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      Bangkok. When her application is started online, the website will show you the choices. In Bangkok I recall there are now about 3 places. You have to confirm you can attend one of these places for this procedure, in order to continue with the application.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      There is no set amount. I believe immigration will take into account the length of stay, whether you are paying for everything and whether she has any money at all shown as evidence of ability.

      I would suggest several thousand pounds for even a 2 week visit, as you will need to show not just day to day living expenses can be covered, but also cost of flights and medical insurance if you are paying, cost of proposed trips in the UK and an emergency fund should she need to fly home unexpectedly.

      The more you have the easier it is for immigration to tick this box without much thought!
      Reply

      • Harry Thompson says

        I sent about 12 to 15 k baht per month to my gf but i also sent her 1.000£ before her visa application went in.

        This was advised as the uk need to feel your partner should have a financial backup if something goes wrong.

        My girlfriend also worked in a factory who gave her a letter to show her work contract. They usually have a 3 month contract. It was worth it.
        Reply

  65. Austin says

    My name is Austin and am from Zambia
    Iv been in a long distance relationship with a British woman,we both went to the same primary school here in Zambia then later she moved to the U.K. With her family,And after completing her school started working there and now qualifies as a British citizen....
    She visited me twice here in Zambia back in 2013 and 2014
    And we haven't seen each other till now 2019
    We stay intouch every time and been planing on visiting each other unfortunalty her work polices don't allow more than 2weeks off work so we have no choice but me visiting instead.
    We applied in feb this year 2018 was meant to b there for 5months but we wasn't granted a visa we applied on the visit visa,
    Ok! We made a few mistakes in the application like in my application form I stated single when my closest option was unmarried partner (1)
    I too dint provide any social,Fincial and country ties in our defense we thought that she provided o the necessary documents like invitation letter,pay slips of 3months,mortgage and British passport (2) was an honest mistake for I have a registered company and o the documents for it to run,and I also have land and the documents needed (proof)
    I also have have a little savings.
    I had provided pictures of me and her but I think they just over looked them!

    So now that we know where we massed up and having to correct o the documents I dint include. What else needs to be worked on? Or what are my chances of getting a visa granted now?

    What other information must she include as she's sponsoring me the trip flight ? We plan to re apply next month June for 3months.
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      I think you are being over ambitious expecting to get agreement for a 3 month visa.

      Problem #1 - I assume you are basing your application on a relationship with this UK lady, but frankly if you have not even seen her since 2014, immigration are unlikely to believe this relationship is genuine or has much foundation. I believe you would be better to apply as a friend and not try to make out you are in a relationship.

      Problem #2 - length of stay. A proposed stay of 3 months is unlikely to be well received by the UK immigration. They would expect a lot shorter period if you are applying as a tourist. You will have to justify this length of stay by detailing your proposed travel and sightseeing within the UK. Tourists normally visit for 2 - 4 weeks. Along with your plans, immigration may question how your lady can host you for 3 months when she is employed. That is, they may be concerned that because she is working, you will be left alone for much of the time and her sponsorship of you becomes a little weak in these circumstances.

      Problem #3 - your need to return home. This goes hand in hand with the length of stay. You need to demonstrate you need to return home. A 3 month stay when you are employed or running a business may be difficult to justify, so you will need to explain why it is possible to be absent so long.

      Problem #4 - previous application. This will be on file and so you will need to be very careful not to contradict yourself. Any changes or differences between the applications will need to be explained or there will be an element of doubt as to the truth of the matter.

      My opinion is you should apply for a 2 or 3 week stay that can be timed to fit in with your lady's holiday.
      Reply

      • Marinel Morandarte says

        Hi, I just wanna ask if it's only applicable with Thai girlfriends? I'm Filipino and have been with my boyfriend for over a year now. We met in Thailand last year and visited me here in the Philippines last month. I'm wondering what visa I can get, so I can visit him and his family for Christmas this year. Thank you x
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          The application process is the same wherever you apply from I believe - that is an online form, the need to go to an office in your country (the online application will show you what choices you have) to have finger prints and photo taken and to hand over the supporting documents that you have not already sent electronically.

          The need to show various criteria have been met is also the same:
          Financial ability
          Somewhere to stay
          A need to return home
          A genuine relationship (if that is the main reason for the visit).

          So buy the guide The Thailand Life has written and you will have a lot of knowledge to help you! (I am not associated with him but found his information invaluable)
          Reply

  67. pete says

    Once my wife has a UK tourist visa can we postpone the date of travel Eg. date of travel on visa is 20th June but we end up flying on 26th June? The reason i ask is the flight prices vary a lot around the period we plan to go so by time the visa is issued other dates might be cheaper. There's 3 of us so the savings can sometimes be as high as 1000 pounds to fly on another day.
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      The immigration website says you should not book flights before the visa is granted, in case it is not granted. So they must expect a little variation in dates.

      However, it is most important to visit on the first occasion for the period mentioned in the application so as to demonstrate that the applicant has met the terms of the application, even if the timing was a little out.

      For example, on applying for a visa next time, the length of trip will be recorded on the computer and I don't think immigration will take kindly to a previous application for a 1 month visit which was then taken as a 3 month visit, as it casts doubt on the validity of the supporting reasons to return to Thailand and thus casts doubt on the truth of the next supporting information.

      However, as a standard visitor visa lasts for 6 months, further trips are possible without any reference to immigration for permission, but it is important to justify these trips on the next application.

      Always think ahead!
      Reply

      • pete says

        Hi, I'm currently doing the application online. I've reached the part 6. Further Actions and have clicked on 'Provide documents and biometrics' where I enter the VFS site to make the appointment. I'm trying to register and it says that an email has been sent to me and please click to activate but I've not received any email yet. I've tried it 3 times now to no avail. Any suggestions?
        Reply

              • pete says

                I've tried to both login and reset my password on the VFS site. On both times it says an email will be sent but until now I have received nothing. I'm using google chrome and I tried on my phone too but still nothing. I received the payment email confirmation and I've already downloaded the application form and check list but just can't book the appointment. Its a public holiday in the UK today, would this have anything to do with it?
                Reply

      • john west says

        Hi
        Yes have read into this and looked at the questions and it appears there is one and form still stating this is a trial run to make a complex issue easier.
        I have noticed the 3 areas of Bangkok and my situation is I will be having to apply for my Thai wife and 2 Grandchildren wanting to travel for a holiday to the UK.
        I appreciate the need for 3 applications, but as I live well outside Bangkok, is there any possibility one can ask for an appointment the same date and time in a possible extra question such as other information.
        Yes very difficult to get the girls out of school and they are very strict and is it still one can only apply 3 months before travel and concerning very hard to get 4 tickets to the UK.
        Yes from the UK they can book over a year in advance.
        Also, it used to be online was the only option, but have noticed that professional companies are dealing with what they state is a very complex matter.
        Regardless everything goes to India to be processed.
        Am I missing anything? Thanks so much and very hard to speak to an individual these days and all computerised.
        Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Carl, if you use the search function for 'agency' or 'agencies' or 'agent' you should see some old comments on this topic. Agencies are hit and miss but are generally helpful if you reside outside of Thailand and your girlfriend's English isn't good enough to navigate the process.A few basic things you'll need to do regardless of the agent are as follows:1. Before applying your GF will need to pass the A1 English language test. This is not a difficult test for someone who is able to have a conversation in English but it is worth putting time into practicing conversational English to ensure you get the certificate.2. Before applying your wife will need to have TB test. The doctors certificate is then submitted with your application.3. When applying, you will need to meet the financial requirement of earning more than £18,600 a year, or have £65,000 in savings. If you are self-employed then you need to prove the £18,600 a year over a two-year period, by way of tax returns.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      If I may give my opinion...

      The standard visitor visa is not intended to allow a foreigner to live in the UK semi permanantly (see https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa) so any indication that this is your intention will not only lead to refusal but may also remain on record and prejudice future applications.

      You would presumably be aiming for your wife to stay for 6 months. It will be difficult to get a standard visitor visa on this basis as one of the main requirements for a positive result is that the applicant has a good reason to return home. Unless you/she has a good track record of visits and can still justify a long stay with a reason to return the application is likely to fail. The fact she is already your wife will probably make the immigration officer question your motives with a visitor visa anyway, as you will not be returning to Thailand so why would she.

      I have a personal friend who has been in the UK for 12 months preparing for the same visa. He has left his family in Thailand so he can establish himself in the UK fully before submitting the application. Not easy.
      Reply

  70. Jason says

    Hi, hopefully someone can clear up my confusion.
    In the Visit Visa Guide pdf checklist section there is, for example:

    Current Passport Photo Page (colour copy)
    Passport History: Previous 10 years (copies)

    But my understanding is that documents are scanned. So should we be turning up with original documents AND copies or are the original documents alone enough?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Yes, they now scan the documents. So for your passport you can take the original and they will scan the photo page. For passport history (travel stamps in your passport), your GF may have a lot of pages to scan, particularly if she has an old passport too. So it would makes sense to A. print those pages so they are ready to be scanned immediately - otherwise you'll have to go through the passports one by one with the member of staff pointing out which ones need scanning – B. Use post-it notes to separate the pages that will need scanning. The key difference is now that they don't take your original documents and send them back to you but rather scan your original documents on site and give them straight back.
      Reply

      • pete says

        So do we only need to provide originals for all documents including marriage certificate, son's birth certificate, house registration etc rather than providing copies as well (apart from those such as passport that you recommended to print to make it easier for the staff to scan)?

        And I assume we are not charged for the scanned documents?
        Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          I have just been involved in my partner's application through the processing centre in Bangkok.

          Now you have the option to send images of all your supporting documents directly to the UK immigration centre (based in India I believe). As such you can now go to the appointment solely to have the biometric info and photo taken.

          I would suggest that the need for a folder to hold the supporting documents is now redundant, as this means the VFS official will have to remove each one to scan it and in my view that increases the risk of a document being missed or the official getting a bit fed up doing it! I think the best way of presenting the documents is now to use only 1 side of the paper (to minimise the risk the reverse side is missed), to number all documents like "1 of 25, 2 of 25, etc. (So the receiving official can easily spot when a document is missing) and, if not using the scan at home option, to present the documents in a foldback clip.

          A further tip is to be very careful not to buy the extra service packages too quickly. The VFS website suggests these packages as soon as you start the process to get an appointment and they are presented in a way that suggests the scan of your documents has to be paid for. It is only when you decline to buy any and make an appointment that you find the scanning is free. Also the appointment diary is presented so the cost free options are presented last and you may think you have to pay separately for VFS to process your application. Very misleading and hard sell in my opinion.
          Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          You dont. The application and any supporting documents you choose to upload are submitted to the sanctioning office (in India) and then the applicant has to sign a form when visiting the VFS office to have the biometric information taken (photo and finger prints)

          The online system doesn't save the need to visit an application submission centre unfortunately but it can give you more flexibility to submit documents from say, the UK, that you cannot easily get to your girlfriend in Thailand in a timely fashion.
          Reply

  71. Pascaline says

    Please my husband in the uk is self employed and his income doesnt show up in his bank account on a monthly basis cos he is paid weekly by cash then after doing all the work on a house as he is a builder his full amount of salary is been paid to his account for once....can we still proof with this as its not going to show on the weekly or monthly but in about a year ...thanks
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      As sponsor he will need to privide evidence of his ability to support you during your trip and it is good to show ability to support you day to day when you are in Thailand if this is the case. This shows as a family you ate financially stable and that will give the immigration offical comfort in the aspect.

      To show this he will need to show bank statements showing adequate credit balances over a 6 month period and perhaps showing the transfers to Thailand. If necessary show 12 months statements and explain why in his letter of sponsorship. He can also show his last 3 years accounts.. just the basic profit and loss or tax return to prove his earnings. My personal opinion is that the bank account is more important because it shows how he manages his money. For example... If he makes a good profit but spends more then he cannot show he can afford to bring you on holiday.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      You will need to apply for a normal tourist visa for your wife and each of the children separately but cross referencing them so the immigration officer can assess all of them together. So make sure on the online application you detail all the other applicants names and passport numbers in the comments box and also do this in the supporting documents. You should make it clear you will support ALL of the applicants not just your wife to avoid any doubt in the mind of the immigration officer...so duplicate your letter of sponsorship in each application, altered to reflect the individual applicant.

      I suggest you buy the guide produced by "Thethailandlife" so you can read about all the requirements for a successful application. I am not associated with this site but I do believe the guide will give you one stop information.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      If your boyfriend can't prove his income by way of regular payments to his bank account on a monthly basis, then yes it would be a good idea for you to apply from the standpoint that you are financing his trip and paying for his flights and accommodation, et cetera. However, he will still need to prove that he has adequate funds available for the trip. The officer reviewing the application will want to see evidence of this because they liked visitors to the UK to have money available to them in case of an emergency such as requiring a flight home outside of the scheduled flight, or needing to pay for urgent medical treatment. so it helps if the applicant has savings and can prove those savings. The other thing that you need to consider is that your partner will state on the application that he is employed and working for his families business. indeed, this will be his reason for returning to Thailand after his visit. However, if the family runs a cash business, you need to find out whether the business is officially registered and whether or not the family will be willing to write a letter on behalf of your boyfriend to say that he does work for the business, his position is X, his salary is Y, and he has been employed for Z number of years.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I think the decision would largely be based on whether the clearance officer believes her to be separated from her husband. Aside from that, she would have to provide evidence of a genuine relationship with you (though this may form part of proving she is separated), adequate funds to support her trip, and a evidence of a good reason to return to Thailand.I do think you have to accept that in this situation there is going to be some skepticism surrounding a married woman visiting another man in another country. Is she still in touch with her husband and would it be possible to get him to sign a letter (and have it translated) that they are separated and living apart?
      Reply

      • Shaun says

        Unfortunately I don’t think he is willing to sign anything as they had a child when they were together and is refusing to sign divorce papers or answer her calls at the moment, but she has old messages and proof of separate residency to prove there separation is real and also pictures and messages of our relationship over the years we have been together
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          I see. If you have been together a number of years I think this makes the case much stronger, and if you can prove separate residencies that's a bonus.Has your wife seen a lawyer about the divorce. I'm not sure on this but in Thailand you can divorce on grounds of separation after 3 years, and desertion after one year...so she may not need his signature to have the marriage annulled.
          Reply

        • Mike Baker says

          I agree. Divorce is possible after 3 years of living apart without 1 party consenting. And it is simple.

          So if she wants to make things more straightforward that route is available immediately.

          But you seem to have it covered anyway and it wont do harm to prove separate residency.
          Reply

  78. George Moreland says

    Im going to thailand for 6 weeks starting in march, would i be better applying for a tourist visa at thai embassy in london, or extending my stay once im there, is there a immagration office in ubon ratachani to extend it.
    Be grateful for your advice total price if i apply by post is working out at nearly £40 i.e. visa fee £25 return passport £10, postal order 4.30
    G moreland
    Reply

  79. Steve says

    Great Info, thanks.
    Advice please, My Thai partner and I got a 6 month VISIT visa for the UK in 2011.
    We got a civil partnership in Oxford, and now on three occasions since then have been refused entry as we didn't have a SPOUSE visa on the 1st visit. Are we hitting a dead end because of one mistake 8 years ago?
    Reply

  80. BARRY says

    Hi, From what I have seen here you certainly seem to have covered everything needed in order to successfully obtain a visa. I have managed to bring my Gambian girlfriend to the UK for the last three years. For the benefit of those whose applications fail, one of the reasons sometimes given by the Entry Clearance Officer for not granting the visa is ' I am not convinced that the applicant will return home at the end of their visit.' (Or words to that effect). There is no way the ECO can possibly know whether anybody will actually return home or not, and this should therefore be challenged by emailing UKVI a 'letter before action' with relevant arguments in order to get the decision overturned. I am sure your guide will deal with this aspect. This is important because the UKVI give the impression that there is no appeal which is misleading. I am now thinking after 3 successful applications that it would save hassle every year by applying for a 5 year visitor visa. Any thoughts as to whether there are any hidden problems here?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      A letter before action would only be of use if the refusal decision of the UKVI was unreasonable based on the documentary evidence provided. In 99% of cases this is not applicable, and is simply the case that the applicant has failed to prove a genuine relationship, adequate funds or a reason to return to Thailand. A letter before action would need to be initiated through a solicitor. In most cases this would be a huge unnecessary expense with no guarantee of success.In most cases, simply applying again with better, more substantial evidence will result in the issuance of a visit visa. I would not advise anyone to go down this route unless they had received multiple refusals, all of which, upon review by someone with the relevant experience, appeared wholly unreasonable and essentially prejudice in some way. Action through a solicitor would be more applicable to a settlement visa, where the cost of refusal is much higher, both financially and personally.There is criterion for an ECO to determine whether an applicant is an overstay risk, and they make their decision based on this criterion.As a person with 3 successful applications, applying for the 5-year visa would be a good option for you.
      Reply

    • James E says

      Does the Thai person have residency status of some kind? If they have a green card or a work visa I think that would help immensely. First, you would have proof that they weren't going to stay in the UK (I mean, really, that weather...) given they would be able to return to the US. Second, you would be dealing with the UK embassy in the US which may be better staffed for visa applications and processing.
      Reply

  82. steve says

    hi. my thai girlfriend is pregnant. I'm 55 she's 35. I.ve been to see her 3 times for 2 wks at a time. ( 6 mths pregnant now ). I'm still married and living in same house but seperated. how easy will it be to fetch my girlfriend over on a visa and will it help her being pregnant. with thanks steve
    Reply

  83. Chris Barnett says

    Hi, My thai girlfriend and I were successful in getting her a visa last year and now I want to bring her and her children over during the thai school summer holidays. Do we have to do 3 separate visas(2 children age 8 and 11).
    Excellent website btw
    Regards
    Chris
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      Yes because you will need 3 visas. Make sure they are all cross referenced and it is very clear that there should be 3 applications to consider at the same time. Personally I would include in the online comments box the names of the other parties and the application reference numbers if possible.

      The supporting documents are sent electronically to India for processing so make sure the supporting documents are cross referenced on the first page!

      And that when submitted, the processing centre knows to send all 3 lots together!

      Just try to make it easy for anyone in the system to find the other applications as you need to assume they will be separated!
      Reply

  84. Joe says

    Hi,

    I need to get a specific appointment for my girlfriend at VFS in Bangkok, I can see that they offer a Premium Service "Walk-in Without Appointment" for 1560 Baht.

    Because I can't find my instructions for the procedure, is it the case that:-

    A) she submits her VISA application as normal via the .gov.uk immigration website

    B) and once done, we can then the book the VFS "Walk-in" service?
    Reply

  85. Tom Howell says

    I just wanted to write to you to say how thankful I am for all your help, your book gave me the tools to organise my application in way that I would not of thought of.

    Your help and advice on Email was more help than I could of imagined. It reassured my worrying mind and made sure my application was done in the right way.

    We have been excepted for a 3 month visa and she will be here in two weeks time.

    I could not of done this without your help.

    Thank you.

    Tom
    Reply

  86. Darren says

    Hey there!,

    Firstly, your info seems very clear and straightforward, so thanks for that!

    Just a quick question - which I know there isn't an "official" answer to - but guess I'm just trying to get a second opinion....

    I've been together with my girlfriend since late Feb this year and now we're looking to try to get a visa for her to visit for Xmas and New Year.

    She doesn't currently have a job as she gave it up in order to go visit her sister in the US - but got refused entry (and her visa cancelled) a couple of weeks ago when she flew there. So, now she's blacklisted from the US and can't show she has any current employment. Also, she rents an apartment rather than having any property in her own name in Thailand.

    All of these things make me worried that there's very little chance to get the visa!

    She does at least have reasonable savings (about 700k THB) and family (mum, sisters) in Thailand - so they are "reasons she'll go back".

    But given your experience, would you expect the lack of a job/house and the US blacklist be major problems?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Darren,Please use the comments search function to search further on these questions as they have been answered in greater detail many times. But I'll also run through a few things for you here:It certainly won't be an easy application, for the following reasons:1. You haven't been together very long. Do you live together in Thailand? If so, at least this will prove a genuine relationship and consistent time spent together. 2. She is unemployed and I assume has no income. How is she supporting herself? They will want to know her living costs and how she pays them. 3. There is a question on the application form that asks "have you been refused a visa for any country in the last 10 years". Your GF wasn't refused the visa for the US but was refused entry, so she may have to answer yes to this questions: HAVE YOU BEEN DEPORTED, REMOVED OR OTHERWISE REQUIRED TO LEAVE ANY COUNTRY INCLUDING THE UK IN THE LAST 10 YEARS? She would have to explain why she was refused in a supporting letter. 4. Having the savings is a plus point but not necessarily a reason to go back because you could transfer that money to another country. Reasons to return would be a job, asset ownership, duty of care for kids or someone sick or disabled.
      Reply

  88. Paul Adams says

    Hi there
    I am want to purchase the guide to help me get my Thai girlfriend here in the UK, for a Visitors Visa and hopefully later down the line a marriage visa if things work out, I have been seeing her since late 2015.

    My question is how current is your help guide, and how long is this process to obtain the Visa roughly?

    I look forward to your answering my question
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Paul, the guide is current and details everything you should consider when applying. it also contains real life refusal letters to help you avoid common mistakes. The process to obtain a visa is fairly quick. The longest part is getting the application together and submitting it. Once that is done a decision is usually made in 3-14 days; it depends on how busy they are.
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      I believe the UK visa application website says you should not purchase tickets before a visa is granted, presumably because there is no guarantee it will be granted and you would then have wasted your money.

      In my opinion buying tickets beforehand and evidencing this in the application does show a commitment to specific travel dates and importantly a means of and date of return. However this aspect would only be part of the application as if there is, for example, no good reason to return, the view may be taken that the ticket purchase is a "diversion" because it does not stop the lady from overstaying and perhaps then disappearing into the "cash economy".

      Although I have twice bought tickets in advance of the visa application (and risked wasting my money) , it was more to do with guaranteeing we could travel together. I felt all the other information we provided in the application stacked up so it was a risk worth taking for someone unfamiliar with air travel.

      I think once you have had 1 visa granted, and have not abused it, assuming no significant changes the next time, it is safer to buy a ticket in advance if it helps with cost and timing, as you are unlikely to be refused.
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        I agree with everything said here. We too have purchased tickets in advance of the application, but even though confident, I still made sure there was enough of a time gap to allow us to reapply in the event of a refusal. That said, on the very first visit visa we applied for I reserved the tickets through a friend's travel agent. That way if we were refused I could back out of the flight without having to pay.
        Reply

  90. Faith says

    Hi! I have just been refused a Uk Visa 11/10/2018 and the onus was on me not my partner due to insufficient funds and when I made a statement saying my boyfriend and family the clearance officer thought I said my family because I don't even have a family. Please can I use same supporting documents that I use at my first application to reapply and do you know the amount I have to have in my bank account for 45days in the Uk? Any advise is appreciated. Thank you!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Faith, email me the refusal letter so I can see the exact reasons for refusal. If you don't want to show me your personal details you can blank them out or type out the reasons instead. I can then advise better. You might also choose to follow my guide for your next submission.
      Reply

  91. Dan says

    Hello , so my partner is currently in Indonesia and I've only visited once for 11days in April , we have spoke everyday since my visit and I would like for her to be able to visit UK for 6 months I can financially support this as I'm working and have some savings to cover the extra trips during this potential visit. I do have a few questions though.

    Is it possible to get acceptance despite only 1 visit to Indonesia? and therefore only photographs from that stay as proof of genuine relationship .

    and am I right in thinking its best to just be open about the relationship instead of saying we are friends ?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Dan,You'll need to prove a genuine relationship, and the photos from one trip of 11 days won't be sufficient to do that. You should keep track of phone records and social media communication/ messaging, as this will be further proof that you have an ongoing relationship.Your GF will also need to have a reason to return to Indonesia after her visit, such as a letter from her employer confirming that job will be left open while she goes on holiday. I think asking for a visit of six months will be problematic, unless her company is prepared to give her some kind of sabbatical and confirm that I'm writing.There may be other genuine reasons to return outside of work such as having dependents that require her care or assets that require her to be in Indonesia to take care of.Even though you are suggesting that you will sponsor the trip, she will also need to have proof of sufficient funds to cover any eventuality where she might need access to money such as suddenly needing a flight home or having to book a hotel unexpectedly.To have a better chance of getting a visit visa my personal opinion would be that you visit her again for a period of time. And/or that you reduce the visit time to that of a reasonable holiday such as two or three weeks. I think you have a much greater chance of getting a visit visa if your or girlfriend comes for a two-week holiday under the premise that she has to return to her job afterwards. If her employer can provide a letter confirming her employment position, how long she has worked there and the fact that he or she will leave the position open for her when she returns, this will bode well for the application.
      Reply

    • Mike says

      I agree with TTL and would add that it may not be in your best interest to try for a visa until you have known your lady for a longer period and have visited her several times.

      Whilst there is no set period, the assessing official will be looking at how long you have known her and how serious you both are. So one visit and a friendship/relationship of presumably only 4 months is going to get a red flag.

      I would say you need 9-12 months and 3 or 4 visits. And with respect, this will give you time to assess the genuiness of your lady!

      If you apply too soon, a decline will stay on file and so the next time they will be looking very closely at those reasons to see if things have genuinely changed. I think that means you will be disadvantaged as they will not have an open mind about your application.

      Furthermore the period of visit you suggest is not realistic for a first visa in most circumstances. They will be concerned that as you are working, your lady is going to be left alone with nothing to do for long periods and perhaps a lack of English speaking skills..... with the suspicion that she may actually want to or arrange to work illegally to occupy herself. The fact that you can pay for everything is unlikely to comfort them on these concerns. You should, when the time comes, apply for a 2 or 3 week period and demonstrate that you will be taking holiday to show her around the UK, so it can be viewed as a genuine holiday for both of you. During this time you can take photos with key sights you said you would visit in the background, ready for the next application.

      I always prepare photos at every visit specifically for the next application, whenever that may occur. I dont just pick photos out from a bunch we have taken, they are taken with recognisable backgrounds aimed at satisfying the assessor we have a varied life together and have visited the places in the UK we said we wanted to.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      As a sponsor, there is no official amount you need to have in a bank account to prove that you can sponsor your partner’s trip.The official line is this:Where a third party (who is either in the UK or who will be legally in the UK at the time of your visit) is providing financial support to you, e.g. a business, a friend or a relative, documents to show they have sufficient resources to support you in addition to themselves and any dependant family should be provided.However, based on my experience, my guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of what “sufficient resources” would look like.
      Reply

      • Don Travert says

        MY GF is applying for a visa to visit the US on Wednesday, she has all of the other items together, passport, letter from, letter from employer, medical report and vaccinations. Does she have to show that she has money in the bank or do I show them my bank account information?
        Reply

  93. Joe says

    As we've been together for 2.5 years we were actually planning to get married on my next trip to Thailand. Do you think it would be ok to get married and then a few days later do the visa application? Or do you think it would be advisable to leave a period of time between marriage and UK visa application?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Joe, I have addressed your other question by email, but in answer to this...As we've been together for 2.5 years we were actually planning to get married on my next trip to Thailand. Do you think it would be ok to get married and then a few days later do the visa application? Or do you think it would be advisable to leave a period of time between marriage and UK visa application?Since you have been together 2.5 years and I assume can most likely prove a genuine relationship anyway (proof of travel to and from Thailand , phone/email/message records) it won't make a difference. It does show further intent of a genuine relationship, but how "genuine" your relationship is will be judged on the time you've been together rather than a wedding a few days before applying for a visit visa. If it were the case that you had just met and had a shotgun marriage then clearly this would be viewed as a desperate attempt to get a visit visa and would certainly be a red flag.In this case the only real consideration is that you'd have to provide a the marriage certificate & memorandum (original & original official translation) as part of your supporting documentation.
      Reply

  94. Teresa says

    Thank you for your very thorough information! It would be great if you could update your article to reflect recent changes in the document processing system; all documents are now scanned and sent to New Delhi, as I'm sure you know, so no need for all the paper clips and folders etc. The printed-out application form is also not taken into account, nor any amendments made in pen onto it.

    Are you able to provide any insight on approximately how much of a delay can be expected if you have been denied a Commonwealth visa in the past?

    Thank you!
    Reply

    • Mike says

      It is interesting that you have hi-lited the changes to the processing system, as it occurs to me that it is even more important now to ensure your documents are indexed clearly and fit for scanning.

      I imagine that there is little or no check as to the quality of scan being sent so a clear and dark print will help to give a good scan result.

      I would also be concerned that some documents were not sent, in the same fashion that under the old system sometimes the processing staff used to try to remove documents from our folders saying they were not needed, when they should not have done. A good clear index and labelling system will help the sanctioning staff in India know if something is missing and may prompt a query to Bangkok.

      So now presumably the best approach to submitting documents is to make them easy to scan to minimise the chances of mistakes/omissions and to this end I would think placing them in 1 pile with a bulldog clip holding them together and using just 1 side of the paper would be a good approach. Any amendments you need to make to the online form after submission should perhaps be covered in a separate note or within the supporting comments from the applicant or the sponsor because as you say, a print of the application form will not be scanned and sent.
      Reply

      • Mike says

        Earlier this year I had to make a complaint via the UK visa application website about the handling of our application by VPS and in a reply to this complaint the UK visa authorities advised me the decision making would no longer be carried out in Bangkok. This is an extract from the reply:

        "The Bangkok Visa Section have also raised the issue you highlighted about Accessing the UK application form online. However, as you may be aware, the DMC (Decision Making Centre) in Bangkok will be closed for visa operations in June so by that time all applications and supporting documents will be assessed online by a DMC in Delhi which means that printed application forms will no longer be required."

        So the revised procedure in Bangkok is as the previous contributor says - all supporting documents are scanned and the online application is taken as submitted online, connected by the barcode reference number printed on the supporting documents list you have to print off. The decision is then made by an ECO (Entry Clearance Officer) and presumably VPS then have the duty to print and attach your visa to your passport or print off the refusal letter.
        Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      This doesn't really change anything, expect for not having to print off your application form (which I'd still do anyway because it's good to have as a reference).

      You still need to ensure all your supporting documentation is properly filed and presented. You should still put a folder together and be diligent in approach to ensuring nothing is missed out. As I say in my guide, don't let the processing staff tell you that you don't need a specific document that supports your application; make sure they send everything you intend to submit. I've heard too many nightmare stories of applicants being ill-advised by VFS staff.
      Reply

  95. Joe says

    Hi, three quick questions if I may: -

    1) On the 6-month visa to the UK, can I marry my fiancee in the UK? (she would still intend to return to Thailand at the appointed time)

    2) Would it help/hinder her UK visa application if we got married in Thailand before coming to the UK? Or would UK Visa jump to a (erroneous) conclusion that "following marriage she may not return to Thailand within 6 months", and therefore refuse to grant her a 6 month visa?

    3) On 6 month UK visa, would she be able to accompany me on vacation to Portugal or another EU destination?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      1. No, you can't get married. You would need a marriage visitor visa.2. It may be a good indication of a genuine relationship, if you have been together a long time prior to that marriage. If it looks shotgun, although they may not say as much, the perception may be negative. At the end of the day, how you think something will be perceived is usually how it is.3. No. She would need a separate shengen visa to enter an EU country. Apply for this in Thailand before she comes to the UK.
      Reply

      • Joe says

        Cheers for the reply.

        Basically, we’ve been together for 2.5 years so wouldn’t be a shotgun wedding; visited Thailand a number of times to see her and although she left her job a year ago (to help her sister take care of baby), I’ve financially supported her during that time.

        Main plan is still for me to move to Thailand, but she’s naturally keen to visit England, just to see the place as a tourist basically.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          No worries.You'll be able to prove a genuine relationship then, so it's just the financials and a good/genuine reason to want to return to Thailand after her visit. You might want to read through some of the old comments on here for further advice on these issues.All the best.
          Reply

  97. Terry Connolly says

    My girlfriend is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Is it the same process? Also, she does not work. Is this a problem? I will pay for her flights and can support her while she is here. She will stay at my home.
    Reply

    • Mike says

      The process is the same in that you will have to complete an application and privide supporting evidence to convince the immigration official that she has a genuine relationship with you and that she will return to Cambodia.

      You can check on the government website where she will have to go with the application to submit her biometric information.

      You will have to demonstrate she will return home and so need to show evidence she has reason (s) to return. So, has she property, children or other caring responsibilities she needs to return for?

      You may well have the financial side of the application covered but a firm reason to return and not disappear into the black economy is a major consideration. I believe there will be many factors to influence this including how genuine they believe your relationship to be and the lady's age and also her travel history.

      It may be worth you purchasing the guide this blog has produced which will give you a wealth of information and real life examples for you to consider before deciding on your plan of action.
      Reply

  98. Simon says

    Hi, thanks for the in depth and extensive info - just a quick question - my girlfriend doesn't get much time off from her teaching cooking job in Samui so hard to go up to BK unless using her holiday - which she's using to come to the UK - hopefully. Does she have to go to BK for the interview or is it possible to do in or nearer Samui? And do I have to be there with her?
    Many thanks!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      She will have to go to Bangkok, unfortunately. It isn't an interview, it is an appointment to submit her application form and supporting documentation. Perhaps you can get an appointment on a Monday morning, and then travel down on a Saturday or Sunday and stay overnight. You could then fly back Monday night, and she would only need to take one day off of work.
      Reply

  99. Disgusted says

    I will say having failed to get a tourist visa for my Laos partner/girlfriend to visit my mother (she is very ill) after living together for a year in Laos, I initially provided a shorter supporting letter document, which detailed our relationship, reason for travel, my passport history, financial details, travel plans (requested) and her job details, all the details that you recommend. Rejected with insufficient detail on belief of genuine relationship, Unreadable passport (mine - it was not!), her job history and reason for trip (visit my Mum).

    We responded to all of these in great depth 6 months later of living together, indexed, all in separate plastic folders, formally laid out with page headers and numbered as you suggest. (I do that for a living) No staples or clips. Yet they took the documents out and threw them in one pile and on the pathetic rejection letter, it was clear that they had read at best a handful of pages, as the rejection points were doubled, bore no relationship to the supplied documentation and ALL were covered in the documentation. (My supporting letter with facebook postings every few days, line messages and other evidence was clearly too much - 67 pages, but the bulk were scan items of pictures on facebook postings all of us together in Laos. Maybe a few minutes to quickly browse through.)

    So you really need to hope you get a decent ECO, rather than a racist, biased idiot, who probably took exception to my visa and passport details being fundamentally on my US passport rather than my UK passport

    I may be applying for a judicial review
    Reply

    • Mike says

      Wow this sounds like the reviewing officer hasn't done a good job.

      I don't think you can appeal the decision (your refusal letter should say if you can), but I know you can make a complaint directly to the immigration service in the UK using an online form.

      Perhaps you should try a complaint on the basis that it seems the administration of your application has not been correct. You can address each refusal reason referring to the submitted document if it seems clear there is a discrepancy rather than insufficient evidence.

      I think the application review and decision is carried out in India (Delhi) now and all submitted documents are scanned over. This could be the reason your passport was deemed unreadable. Not your fault but evidence of a system failure. It could also be the case that the scanning of so many documents has been done poorly and in mixed order, ruining your carefully indexed application and making the job of the decision maker difficult. Again not your fault and evidence of a system failure.

      I understand that applications from Thailand that used to be assessed in Bangkok have now moved to this remote decision centre. It is quite possible that the system is not working as it should at both ends due to increased workloads and people not sending documents correctly. A complaint from you will instigate a review that may help to improve things all round.

      I made a complaint a few months ago and they took it and my follow up query very seriously.

      Good luck.
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        There is no right of appeal for visit visas. This rule was implemented some years ago. All decisions are made by UK Immigration officers. If you send me the rejection letter I can give you some advice.
        Reply

    • Tide Swell says

      We neither want nor need your Thai dross in the West. If you want to live amongst these people, please feel free to do so.

      Just don’t expect us civilized, decent people in the U.K. to welcome them with open arms.

      We neither want nor need them.
      Reply

  100. Carl says

    Hi there, love the site by the way, I've had my girlfriend refused her visa on the grounds that they don't think she will return back to Thailand, she isn't employed as works on her families farm in surin, she does have land in her name but that is it, how can I improve this when I reapply, uk visa thanks Carl
    Reply

    • Mike says

      Some thoughts:

      Did the response mention or hint at or refer to
      anything missing that you could provide more evidence for?

      Have you demonstrated her land ownership by providing the deed, a copy for immigration to retain and a certified translation?

      Can you explain this land is farmed and her responsibility to manage in addition to/alongside her responsibilities in the family business? And as such she will need to return to fulfill these responsibilities.

      Also, did you submit a letter and certified translation from the family explaining her employment status and emphasising her position would be kept open and that she was important to the family business and was needed back? Maybe trying to establish her position in the family business as genuine employment is something that would help.

      Depending upon the ages of her, her parents and the status of other "help" on the farm, is there any scope to emphasise how her parents will need her to return as they are less capable nowadays of running the whole business and they will depend on her. You will need to be careful with this approach though as if you have asked for a long visit there will be obvious concerns that this period is inconsistant with the her importance to the business. You should explain how her absence will be covered short term.

      One last thought. Is the timing of the proposed visit to the UK consistent with a quiet time at the farm? Can you emphasise this aspect as an attempt to demonstrate she will be needed back for important duties?

      When I applied for my girlfriend who owned a bar, I made it clear it was a quiet period, with extra closed days, and that her employee could cover the job because of this, but her return was necessary as the business would pick at a certain point.

      You may need to write quite a long and comprehensive support letter (in her name) explaining all this, but try to make it easy to read with plenty of paragraphs rather than one large block of text.

      Good luck!
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        One thing to add here: They would want to see some evidence of a salary being paid to your girlfriend, be that salary slips or money paid into her account each month for her wages. To simply state that you work on your family's farm does not provide proper evidence of employment; it is hearsay. Quite often in Thailand people are farming individually and not as a registered business, as an entity that is paying tax. Family members may not even be paid a salary, but rather paid indirectly by having their food and living expenses taking care of. Hired hands are usually paid in cash and off the books, even in a registered business. This all presents a problem when trying to prove official employment.
        Reply

  101. Will Martin says

    It seems that there is not a level playing field. I provided all the information that you detailed and in depth. Especially on the details of our relationship of living together in Laos where we live and work (application still goes to Bangkok), including facebook shots with photos including us both every few days over the past 18 months, as we have been living together 24/7 there with my Laos stay permit and renewal not due for another 8 months. Many photos visiting family, doing activities and just hanging out at home. No dice. Included in the refusal reasons:

    1 - Not believe that it was a genuine relationship
    2 - Not enough money in her bank account to justify her return for economic reasons.
    (I had provided 22,000+ pounds statements from my UK bank account, noting I was paying for the entire trip and travelling together to visit my Mum for 3 weeks). She only had 3,500 pounds in her bank accounts. This makes no sense to me at all. If you're going to escape to another country, you'd take all your money out before you go, so you have some support. So the more you have the better - stupid!
    3 - No photos and official documents confirming her family's addresses (parents, grandparents, siblings) - never seen this asked for before and there was a bunch of family photos from different homes supplied on point 1.

    I do heartily concur with your advice. it is good - thanks! Sadly, you just never know who is going to review your application. And when your girlfriend is a ladyboy, all bets are off. You're better off as gay.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Will, sorry to hear that. The information in this post is a general overview to steer you in the right direction, however; my book provides a comprehensive checklist on what to include in your application. It also goes into depth on specific sets of circumstances and explains how to overcome challenging issues. I also include a number of real life refusal letters and go through them point by point to explain how to avoid making the same mistakes.I would need to see the refusal letter to know exactly why your girlfriend was refused, because I would need to know under which article of the legislation they have formed the decision. Don't get too down hearted though. Refusals happen every day and often it is just a case of re-evaluating the supporting evidence that you submitted and making sure you cover all the points included in the refusal letter.I know it can feel like you are being discriminated against, and that the system is very unfair - I have been on this side of the fence myself. I have heard from a number of people in a similar situation who have had their first application refused, and after reviewing the application they see clearly what it is they have to do, reapply, and get the visa on the second time around.Off the top of my head, here's a few points on your points that you should you consider:1. If they didn't believe that you are in a genuine relationship then you probably have not done enough to prove that you are. Did you provide your travel history covering the duration that you and your girlfriend have been together? You would need to provide photocopies of your immigration stamps from your passport, and any visas that you obtained from either your home country or a neighbouring country. I would also provide a written document that details a timeline of when you visited your girlfriend and how much time you spent with her. This should correlate with your passport history. Doing this provides the immigration officer with undeniable evidence that you were in the country spending time with your girlfriend when you said you were. This is something that photos cannot prove. Photos can be a good piece of secondary supporting evidence, but you need something more substantial than that.2. If she applied for the visa with you as her sponsor and stated that you would be paying for flights, accommodation and expenses, then the 3,500 GBP she has in the bank should be enough for them to see. Because this amount would be more than enough to cover an emergency flight back home should she need one, and indeed staying in a hotel/food etc. It must be made clear, however; that you are paying for the flights and the accommodation. There is a section on the application form that asks how much the trip is going to cost you, and then there is a section where you can provide further comments at the end, so you must make it clear regarding the financial arrangements for the trip.Did your girlfriend provide photocopies of her bank statements, showing her salary/money being paid in? She will need to photocopy the front pages of her bank book(s) and provide photo copies of the transactions.You as the sponsor must provide a supporting letter too, to explain more about your relationship: when you met, your plans for the trip, where you are going to stay, and details on what financial information you have provided in the supporting documentation.If you are going to stay at someone else's house (you mentioned your mum) then you would need a letter from your mother confirming that you can stay at her property for the duration. You would also need her to provide details of her property and whether she owns the property or rents - so a mortgage document, or the deed document (if she owns it out right). The immigration officer needs to know that your girlfriend is going to have proper accommodation when she visits the UK, and needs evidence of that accommodation. This aspect of the application is actually much easier if you are simply staying in a hotel, because you can provide the booking details.3. You would need to provide a copy of your girlfriends Tabien Baan (house registration document). This is the house where she is registered to live. Family photos aren't really relevant because how this immigration officer know that this is her family? How does the immigration officer know how long you were at this family home or for what reason you with there? It is just a photo.4. You haven't mentioned whether they commented on not having a genuine reason to return to Thailand/Laos. Is your girlfriend working? Did you get a letter from her boss stating that she has been given the time off for the trip and that her job will be open for her when she returns? If she is not working, how is she earning an income? How does she have £3,500 in her account? This sounds intrusive but they would want to know this information.Some people, when applying for a visa for their girlfriend, and I'm not saying that you have done this, but they make the mistake of quickly putting a lump sum of money and their girlfriends account to try and make it look like she has money to support herself for the trip. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it is a gift and indeed it does show that your girlfriend now has funds to support her trip, you would need to be transparent about this and say that you have gifted this money to your girlfriend for this reason.Also remember that all documents in Thai need to be officially translated.It is true that you can get an overzealous officer reviewing your application who will be more pernickety than another, but that's why it's so important to cover every base and leave no stone unturned, so that they have no reason to refuse you.
      Reply

    • Mike says

      Wow, sounds like you tried really hard and don't know what to do next. Very frustrating.

      It is probably going to be quite hard to give a definitive answer as TheThailandLife has already suggested, without seeing the refusal letter and possibly the application pack.

      The refusal number 1 is puzzling and I agree that maybe evidence of your stay from visa stamps and an explanation of your living and work arrangements was insufficient. Maybe there were too many photos that proved nothing and too many photos altogether for the officer to examine.

      As TheThailandLife has said in his blog advice, you have to put yourself in the position of the immigration officer and make the whole application flow, easy to process and to extract relevant information from. My personal opinion is that too many photos, too many copies of texts and messages online, will be counterproductive. Photos without you both in them, without, for example, the meta data and without evidence in the photo as to where you are, are not very useful.

      Refusal number 2 suggests to me that your girlfriend does not have any other compelling reason to return to Laos other than her financial position. So maybe the officer thinks the cash she has personally is just not a good reason to return. I am guessing now, but presumably the evidence of her work is insufficient, she does not own property/assets and does not have a financial commitment to continue to meet in Laos, like a loan repayment. And there will not be any children she will be responsible for, as a good reason to return.

      Reason 3 sounds to me to refer to the fact that you have stated she lives with her family. Maybe they require evidence of this, perhaps by showing her name on the residential documents, even if the property is owned by other members of the family. I cannot think why they would mention the family unless you/she have made a connection with them in the application but have not provided any evidence.

      Good luck with your review and re-application!
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      If she works, she will be expected to show proof of the employment, because this will form the basis for reason for her to return to Thailand once her trip is over. Part of that proof of employment will be her salary slips, evidence of her monthly salary being paid into her account, and confirmation letter of employment from her employer.
      Reply

  104. Joe Connor says

    Hi Thai Life Land,

    I was thinking of retiring to Thailand and open a bank account for £20.000 there to be allowed to do that. i believe that's correct? I have met a Thai lady who works for her self (tour guide) and owns her own home.Also like me she is at retirement age. Would her age and the fact i have that money in a Thai bank help me get say 3-6 month visa to visit the UK. Many thanks for any advice, Joe.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Having money in a Thai bank won't make any difference. If your girlfriend is self-employed and has a job and a home, she will be in a good position to get a visa, because she is self-sufficient and can finance her own trip (if she can't you can sponsor her), and owning her home and having a job means she has a good reason to return to Thailand. She will need to prove her finances, work situation (salary, etc), and home ownership. You will also need to prove you are in a genuine relationship.
      Reply

    • Mike says

      I think you will need to be careful how you approach this from one particular angle....that she can take 3-6 months off work. Whether she is self employed or not, the impact on her annual income will be viewed as significant and the question in the immigration officer's mind will be "if she can take 3 months off, how can she and will she return?" Proof of her earnings will be required, so if she is paid in cash and not direct into an account this will impact on how you can demonstrate this.

      I would suggest being a sponsor both in terms of accommodation and also as a financial backup or contributor on the basis you can demonstrate quite substantial funds at both ends (supply copy statements). This should cover the question of her lack of income for the visit period or a lack of ready proof of her income.

      She has a good reason to return by having property. Does she have any other compelling reasons, like family she helps support either financially or in other ways? Or car finance she will need to continue to pay?

      The other thing to consider is her potential desire to retire. Perhaps you can explain how she wants to experience a long visit with you to the UK at a time when she is wanting to reduce her work as a tour guide, a job she can return to immediately anyway as she is self employed and chooses her hours now anyway. So the trip will not affect her any more than retiring or reducing her workload.

      I think the fact she is a mature lady will help in the application. It is perhaps viewed as less likely she will disappear into the cash economy in unsavory jobs in the UK. In your letter of invitation/sponsorship you can explain you want to "retire" to Thailand and it would be your intention to return with her. You can help demonstrate your intentions if you have opened a Thai bank account (and good luck with that - it is the subject of a separate blog on this site!)

      You don't mention how long you have known her for. If it is only a short time (no pun intended) you may struggle to convince. It will help if it is for at least 9 months and you have visited her several times. Photos of you both together during the different visits and at different locations will help establish the proof of relationship as well as a good but brief account of your trips. I use an online photo print co. to produce a 32 photo A5 poster, which can be folded in half to fit inside an A4 multi page folder, as suggested by TheThailandLife.

      Finally, I am indebted to TheThailandLife for this blog and the answers to many questions from people on this subject. It has given me a framework to apply successfully on 2 occasions now and it is from my experience that I write. It may be worth you buying the comprehensive guide The ThailandLife has produced.
      Reply

  105. Mr Tom says

    Hello. Thanks for the article. My GF has successfully been granted 2 visitor visas without hassle following the advice contained in it.
    We are considering applying for the 2 year one next time. I am living and working in Thailand and make trips to the UK for business about twice a year and would like to bring her with me without having to go through the application stress every 6 months.

    Do you know what additional evidence UKBI is looking for to grant a longer duration? If what we provide is not satisfactory are they likely to decline the application or just issue the usual 6 months?

    Thanks!
    Reply

    • Mike says

      The govt web site does say they could issue a shorter term visa if they are not entirely satisfied with granting a longer term one. But there is no guarantee of this and it would be without any refund of fee. In your case, with a good track record, and assuming an application like the ones before, you should at least get a 6 month one.

      It also says you need to prove that you’ll only ever need to come to the UK to visit, for example to go on holiday, see family or attend a meeting.

      When applying for a 6 month visit visa one is likely to describe the intended trip and state dates of intended stay, so this is straightforward. Doing that for 2 years is more difficult.

      In your letter of invitation I would describe your work and travel patterns and refer to previous trips evidenced on your passport. Be very clear where you would stay in the UK and show that you would return to Thailand in the normal course of your life as well as showing why your GF would. You may have to suggest that your visits are such that applying for a 6 month visit visa each time you travel is not practical, as they can be at short notice and so a 2 year visa is more convenient than trying to apply on each travel occasion.

      Everything else seems to be the same as for a 6 month visa.
      Reply

  106. Sosullivan says

    Hi I want to invite my filippina gf from hongkong to visit me . she as money to support herself . I also visit here in Feb this year. We have known each other for two years surly they want expect me two show bank statements . if she can support herself .
    Reply

    • Mike says

      To achieve the maximum chance of a visa being granted it won't harm to demonstrate your financial ability to look after her in the UK should the need arise and to confirm as such in your letter of invitation.

      If the visa granting official has any doubts about her financial status then you have got it covered immediately, rather than risk a rejection and have to apply again just to give them more information.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      You'll be expected to prove all the things that I have outlined in my post. If you have a read through the comments section and the post you will get an idea for the requirements. My post is specifically about people obtaining visitor visas for their Thai partners, but the processes is pretty much the same. you will have to prove that you are in a genuine relationship, as her sponsor you will have to prove that you have the funds to support her during her stay, or if she is going to be paying for her ticket and the entire holiday herself she will have to prove that she has the finances to do that. She will also have to prove that she has a valid reason to return to Hong Kong, where I assume she works, after her trip to the UK.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      What do you mean? Do you mean you want to bring your girlfriend or your wife's children for a visit to the UK? If they are your children, born in Thailand, then you can get them British passports and they will not need a visa.
      Reply

  109. GEORGE MORELAND says

    My gf was here in uk in feb on first visa for one month,she has just ask if she can come back again on the same visa ,do you think its a good idea to let her return as we told embassey on visa application her visit was only one time and for one month,apprechiate your thoughts
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi George, if you search through the comments you will see I've answered this question quite a few times, so please do that for a more in-depth answer. But in short: you have to consider on what basis the visa was issued in the first place. For example, if you applied for that Visa on the basis that the reason your girlfriend had to return to Thailand after one month was because she had to return to her job, then for her to suddenly take another month off and visit the UK may trigger a red flag on your next Visa application.Because immigration may look at her travel history and think, well perhaps that wasn't entirely true that she had to return for her work, especially since most Thai people only get two weeks holiday year, so how is she suddenly able to take another month after visiting?One of the key factors in getting approved is proving that you have a good reason to return to Thailand after your visit to the UK. So even though that visit visa is valid for six months and you can potentially revisit the UK without applying for a new visa, I always advise people that they should be aware of whether or not, by taking another trip within that period, they are contradicting the information given on the original Visa application.You should also know that having the Visa does not guarantee entry into the UK. I'm not saying that they won't let your girlfriend in, but she may be questioned as to why she is taking another trip within this period. I am not entirely sure whether immigration officers at the airport have access to notes regarding the approval of the Visa and the circumstances surrounding the person who is visiting. But that is a possibility, and they may ask questions with reference to this.
      Reply

  110. Mike says

    I have just successfully obtained a visitor visa to the UK for my partner, for the 2nd time.

    I wanted to share my partners rather poor experience at the Bangkok visa centre this year.

    Despite the UK Gov website specifically stating a printed version of the application is NOT required when attending the centre, they insisted on having it to scan the application reference.

    They refused to accept the application checklist had the same barcode. They then messaged me on my partners phone and tried to get me to divulge my email password on the pretext of needing to print this form!

    Eventually I managed to send a copy to my partners Whatsapp service, but then they were angling to get extra money from her for their "help". She stood her ground and refused.

    Later she discovered some Line app settings had been changed on her phone by the official.

    We now have a complaint lodged via the UK visa application page about what I consider potentially fraudulent behaviour.

    I recommend you take a print of the application!
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Mike, this sounds like a really strange experience. Just to clarify: are you referring to the VFS processing centre? I do recommend that you take a print out of the application, in my experience it has always been required. It sounds bizarre that they would ask for your email password, or that they would request money for her help. I would be interested to know the outcome of your complaint. I'm sure this will be taken very seriously. the information handled by the staff there is sensitive and confidential, and the company is employed to handle this information on behalf of UK immigration, so I would imagine that it isn't very easy to get a job there and that extra vetting is required for anyone who applies.The only negative experience I have had with VFS was when they were attempting to give advice as to what should be included in the application and suggesting that certain documents be taken out - because they weren't needed. I cover this in detail in my guide and make my recommendations for how to handle this. Everyone should note that the VFS staff are NOT there to give you advice on your application or make recommendations as to what additional documentation (in addition to the standard requirements) your application should include.
      Reply

      • Mike says

        Yes VFS in Bangkok. May be an isolated problem but it was a horrible experience when my partner had travelled 500km with everything she needed according to the application website only to be messed around unnecessarily.

        I cannot accept they should be able to make up their own processing rules if they are acting under the instructions of the UK government not to mention the lack of common sense when it was proved we acted per instructions AND showed them the barcode they needed.
        Reply

    • Mike says

      I suggest you study the application questions on the UK gov website for the basic information they require.

      Then purchase the guide written by The thailand life (link above) as this will give you all the info you need to progress an application.

      I am not connected to this blog or the author but can recommend his advice.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Robert, it can be proof of legal work if it is being done legally. If she is working for a registered business and is receiving a monthly wage, or is working as a sole trader and she is declaring her income to the tax office, then there will be records of her earnings and her salary.This will provide proof that she has a steady job and a regular income. Unfortunately, a lot of people doing this kind of work do so for cash in hand and there is no record of their employment, or of them declaring their income to the tax office.Most people in this industry would not earn enough to pay tax anyway, or at least they would pay very little tax, but most of them wouldn't know where to start in registering a business or declaring their income, or speaking with their employer about making their position a legitimate one within the business. I have no knowledge of your girlfriend's employment circumstances, so I can't advise further.
      Reply

  113. pete says

    I plan to visit the UK at the end of April for a couple of weeks with my wife and son for my son's 2nd birthday. He has a Thai and British passport. My wife has been to the UK with me over 10 times over the past 15 years (as girlfriend and now wife) and her Visa has always been approved. However currently we are both not working. She is a housewife since our son was born and my contract of 9 years with a local hotel expired at the end of last year so I am currently unemployed. She owns the house that we currently live in and also a condominium. I have a Thai Marriage visa valid until the end of the year and a large chunk of money in my local bank to more then cover for the trip. Due to my working status do you think this will have any effect on the approval of the visa? On my sponsor letter is anything I should highlight in particular to avoid any disappointment?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Has your GF visited with you previously when she was unemployed? If so, the main issue is that you no longer have a job and have no income to support her. That said, if you have a big chunk in savings you could explain how this money will more than suffice in supporting you both for the trip and for living expenses during your job search, once you return.Your wife owns a house and a condominium, so proof of ownership would go a long way in proving her intent to return.In terms of your situation, I'd be transparent and explain your work history and the current situation. Are you looking for work in Thailand? Perhaps you could show proof of that, because again it shows intent to return.Does your wife receive an income of rent from the condo or house? If so, that is a big plus point too.
      Reply

      • pete says

        Yes, on the previous visit last year she was unemployed but I was still working. I will explain in my covering letter that I will return to Bangkok to follow up some working opportunities which is true anyway. We have no intention on returning to the UK permanently.We are currently residing at her house however the Tabian Baan doesn't mention her name as she's registered at her condo address as is our son. But I will to submit the English translations for both Tabian Baans with the application and mention it on the covering letter that she has 2 properties. She doesn't receive rental income from the condo as her brother stays there.I am sure it will be fine especially as I have more than enough money in the bank for this trip and to see us into next year and it would be pretty mean to deny her a visa for our son's 2nd birthday but who knows.Since the tabian baan for the house doesn’t menrion her name do you think I should also provide a translation of the title deeds of the house which show her name?Any final advice?
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          It would be mean, but not unheard of.My advice is to be very thorough. Leave no stone unturned, because leaving any doubt as to your GF's intention not to return could result in a refusal.Definitely translate the deeds to show clearly she owns the property.One thing I'd probably do is apply for a couple of jobs before you apply for the visa and show evidence of these applications, just to erase any doubt that you are coming back to stay in the UK. You might also include a redundancy/termination letter from your previous job to support your statement as to why you are currently out of work.That said, it's not so much you they will be concerned about, but rather your GF. However, wherever you live your GF is likely to want to live there too, so your circumstances are intrinsically linked to heres. For this reason, it's a good idea to paint the whole picture of your lives together.Does your son attend nursery? If so, you could provide details of that too. Anything that indicates a commitment in Thailand that you need/want to return for.Also provide evidence of any savings your wife has (bank book photocopies).
          Reply

          • pete says

            I do have a termination letter from my previous employers but to be honest I've not be looking for a new job as of yet. I'm in the hotel industry and there's plenty of jobs around and its quite normal for Management to take time off. And since I have healthy savings I've made a point of taking a well earned break and will start to look when I get back. I'm not sure if its a good idea for me to mention that in my covering letter or not?

            My son is 2 in April, which is the reason for the trip, so he's not at a permanent school yet. He attends tiny tots but its pay per visit so there's nothing in writing.

            I will also provide my wife's bank statements but she only has around 600 GBP combined in 2 accounts so I hope the fact she has 2 properties will be enough for the application to be approved.
            Reply

  114. Simon says

    Hi Simon,

    I have been in a relationship with a Thai girlfriend for 6 months and travelled to TH 3 times. We got married in Hong Kong in January 2018 and she now has my name. My wife is Pregnant the baby is due in June 2018 and 3 months after the baby arrives I want to bring my wife and Daughter to the UK.

    I am a UK national and will support my family and earn in excess of £35k my wife has a degree which was taught in English and speaks very good English. In preparation I have added my wife to a tenancy agreement for our house in the UK .

    I am not sure when my wife should begin the application process from TH bearing in mind the baby is not due until June 2018 and we provisionally plan for her and our 3 month old daughter to come over in September 2018.

    Your guide has bene the best source of information thus far - thank you.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      So you're looking at getting a settlement visa for your wife, not a visit visa?This is a much bigger process. You'll need to get a lot of documentation together. Your wife also needs to pass the English test, which can be taken in Bangkok, and get a TB test.You'll need to get all your financial information together.I'd start looking at doing it soon if you want this to happen this year.
      Reply

    • Mike says

      Assuming you are considering a tourist visa, as I understand it:

      Foreign Nationals excluding European passport holders need a work permit.

      A UK tourist visa specifically excludes the right to work.

      If anyone employs someone in the UK illegally it is a criminal offence.

      Any suggestion in her application she will work will immediately cause rejection and put the spotlight on you as a potential employer of illegal staff.
      Reply

  116. Simon says

    Hi
    This is going to read like a cliche, but here goes.
    I met a bar girl in Pattaya October 2016. We have been living together in Bangkok for just over a year now. Initially she was on a hairdressing course, but she has completed this now and it is highly unlikely she will get a job as a hairdresser. I support her financially and she pays the rent for the apartment out of the money I give her.
    I work in the offshore industry and spend all my time off with her in Bangkok. Unfortunately the last year has been very slow work wise and my plan to set up a more substantial home in Thailand has had to be postponed for the present.
    I would like to bring my girlfriend to the UK for a period possibly up to the maximum six months, but this will be determined by my work schedule.
    My girlfriend has a five year old son, but she has not seen him for three years as he lives with his father and relations are not good. She sends money to support him every month without fail.
    Her mother sadly died just before Christmas and she never knew her real father.
    My concern is that the visa application will be refused on the grounds she doesn't have sufficient reason to return to Thailand at the end of her visit to the UK. Does the fact we "live" together in Bangkok demonstrate enough reason, or does she need something more concrete? She doesn't own any land or property.
    Thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Simon,It is a difficult one. At the moment, as you note, she doesn't have a reason to return to the UK, other than her son - but she is not the primary carer and hasn't seen him for three years. In my experience it is highly unlikely that she would be given permission to visit for 6 months, especially since there is no guarantee she would return.A better situation would be to apply for a shorter trip of a few weeks perhaps, and if she had a job and a letter from her boss saying that her job would be open for her upon her return.The positives are that she has just completed a course, which shows positive intent to embark on a career and provides her with a legitimate profession. I think she could get a job as a hairdresser, or at least in a salon as a junior - though it would be long hours and the pay wouldn't be good. But what that would give her is a regular job and income and a reason to return to Bangkok if she went to visit the UK.Could you go down that road for six months, and then reconsider applying later down the line?The fact that you have lived together for a year is a good thing because it shows a genuine relationship. You will need evidence that you live together though, and evidence of your relationship history to provide with the application.However, because your GF has no job and no work history that you can detail, no income and I presume no savings, and has no reason to return to Thailand, I fear that at this time these things would trigger too many red flags and she may be denied a visa.Arguably, you could present the relationship in another way, and that is that she is the homemaker and takes care of all things domestic while you pay the bills through your work and support her financially. But you mention your work is unstable at this time. Are you currently employed?Even in this situation, however, she is dependent on you. So she has no reason to return to Thailand if you don't.
      Reply

      • Simon says

        Hi

        We can prove that we have been in a relationship since October 2016, and renting an apartment together since January 2017.

        I would normally work around six months of the year, and earn a very comfortable wage. However in 2017 work was very quiet, and I only worked about 4 months. I have a large house in the UK, which is now empty, so I will most likely rent this out after my girlfriend's visit.

        Part of my plan to return to the UK for a while with my girlfriend is to get a more regular work contract. I am due to go away for a 5 week trip in March, which will give me a healthy bank balance, to show I am more than capable of supporting her during her visit.

        My girlfriend does have a bank account and savings of around 100000baht. I also pay her 20000baht every month by bank transfer, so all finances are demonstrable.

        I fully agree with all your advice regarding the visa application process, and I accept they will definitely not feel that my girlfriend has a compelling reason to return to Thailand at the end of her visit. What does confuse me though, is that I know a girl who has no assets, no job and met a man in Pattaya, who came to Thailand twice for two weeks. He managed to get her a six month visa to go to the UK, despite never having spent any time with her apart from two holidays in less than six months.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          When issued, the UK visit visa has a validity of 6 months as standard, but you have to stipulate when you intend to return, and it bodes well for future applications if you do stick to your return date because it shows you were honest about the reasons for needing to return to Thailand.I don't know the specifics of the woman you mention, but your circumstances don't mean you can't get a visa, but you are at a disadvantage. You would be more likely to get a visa granted for a shorter holiday.It's positive that your GF has savings, because that in itself is a reason to return to Thailand, albeit a small one because funds can be transferred abroad. Personally, I think the strongest reason for her to return would be that she has a son, and perhaps an elderly father who lives alone and requires her help in some way...perhaps he is ill or has a disability and she helps him regularly in some way?
          Reply

          • Simon says

            Hi
            I thought I would just give an update.

            I know the cost of using an agent is pretty high, and as you say they do not have any special relationship or influence with the immigration office, but I have had an agency recommended to me by a friend. They are based in Pattaya, and the owner is an ex immigration officer from the UK. He will not submit an application unless he is confident of it being approved, and "only" charges 10000b upon submission. If the visa is declined, that is it, however if the visa is granted then another 20000b is to be paid.
            Owing to my gf's position, and this agent I am guessing is very accustomed to applying for visas for "Pattaya" girls, I have decided this is the best route for us to take.
            I will be applying when I get back to Thailand in April, I am currently working in UAE. I will update you on our progress thereafter.
            Reply

            • TheThailandLife says

              That's fair enough. It is pretty costly though. The application itself costs 100 or so quid, but the agent is charging over £600 (if it is successful). I can appreciate though that if money isn't an issue then perhaps it's worth a shot.It wouldn't be so bad if you just hired an agent and they did it all for you, from start to finish, but the agent will still require you to gather documents together, and spend time at the office providing information for the application. Your GF will still have to attend an appointment to hand the application in and do her biometric data. So the drain on your time still remains roughly the same.
              Reply

              • Simon says

                Hi Peter

                I know they are charging a premium, but as I can't see how to show a compelling reason for my girlfriend to return to Thailand, I am paying for their "expertise" in this area, rather than their time.
                Included in their fee is accompanying my girlfriend to any interviews etc, so that would be a bonus.
                We are going to see friends in Pattaya anyway, so we can see how they come across face to face before I part with any monies. We live in Bangkok, so going to the visa centre isn't a big deal either.
                Of course I would rather do it all myself, but as we have all concluded, the application looks pretty certain to fail, so I am gambling that these people can pull it off.
                Reply

                    • Simon R says

                      Hi Peter

                      I thought I would give you an update again.

                      We visited the visa agent in Pattaya, recommended by a friend of mine. He said as my girlfriend has no job, no land, no house, no strong family ties and her son lives with the father's family, the visa application would be refused. Although I have lived with my girlfriend for 18 months in Bangkok, I have only ever had a visa on arrival and 30 day extensions, so technically I am not "living" in Thailand. This wasn't the response we were hoping for, but I appreciated his honesty, and he recommended my girlfriend found a job.

                      We returned to Bangkok, and one of my girlfriend's friends recommended another visa agent in Bangkok itself. I agreed to go for an interview, and I told my girlfriend I would not consent to any falsification of our situation as it could lead to her being refused for ten years.

                      We went for the interview and the agent said she understood our situation, and she thought she could demonstrate our relationship such that I am supporting my girlfriend financially, she does not work because the potential income is so low it would not benefit "us" materially, and it would impede us taking holidays etc when I come back to Thailand each time from working offshore. Any travel arrangements should reflect we are going to the UK together, and returning to Thailand together. She said that she thought we had a 50/50 chance of getting the visa approved for a two week holiday.

                      We provided all the usual photos together, dated and signed by me; bank details, passport stamps and travel dates all collated into a single document to show my time in Thailand; letters from my family saying how much they were looking forward to meeting my girlfriend; itinerary of the planned visit; photos of our apartment inside and out; photos of my house in the UK and translated copies of all and any documents relating to my girlfriend's family.

                      I told my girlfriend that the visa would most likely be refused, and we planned a holiday to Singapore, for when I return from work in July.

                      Yesterday my girlfriend received her six month multi entry visa. We are both over the moon, and I am convinced that we could not have achieved this without the agent's assistance. I know the process is supposed to be easy for anyone to do, but I think if your circumstances are outside the model which fulfills the acceptance criteria, the knowledge of the visa agent is key.

                      The agent in Pattaya is English and he charges 10000THB for the application, and another 20000THB if the visa is granted. This is a good system in that he will only make the application if he is confident the visa will be granted, but I also think it makes him more likely to only take the low hanging fruit. The agents in Bangkok are Thai and charged 20000THB win or lose, but they did admit they were only 50/50 confident about the visa being granted. 20000THB isn't to be sniffed at, but I have to be honest it was not a big concern for me, my real worry was whether they would try to falsify the application in some way, but this was not the case.

                      In summary, I think, from my limited exposure to the process, if your circumstances fit the model to be approved you should definitely make the application yourself, with the assistance of the guidance here. However, if your circumstances have anything which will give the immigration any reason to decline your application I would suggest you use an agent who is recommended by a friend.

                      Best of luck

                    • TheThailandLife says

                      Congratulations; that's great news! Conversely, I have been helping someone over email this week who has had a really bad experience with an agent. They made mistakes on the application form and didn't provide the correct documentation and the visa was refused. Now it will be very difficult to address all the problems caused and reapply. Still, it is good to know that you had a good experience and there are decent agents out there. Personally I think it's 50-50 with agents.

    • Mike Baker says

      I think you are right that she is likely to be refused.

      As she presently relies on you financially she needs another good reason to return, such as a child or property or caring responsibilty. Unfortunately she has none of these. Your relationship may not be doubted but it is not a reason to return.

      The assessor may also question your financial position if you are not receiving regular income and have no significant savings or investments you can draw on in times of "unemployment". The lack of income for you may not be a significant issue if you can show/explain you experience this from time to time in your job and plan for it by saving.

      I think if your gf really wants to visit you in the UK she has to get a job and keep it for a year or so. She can then demonstrate she is less financially dependant on you day to day, perhaps showing she pays for the rent and is the name on the lease thereby showing a comittment to Thailand and a 2nd reason to return. And the proposed length of visit should be reasonable in view of the reasons to return...so maybe no more than a 3 or 4 week visit. Also the length of visit really has to fit with your job as they won't be happy if by implication you could disappear offshore to work and leave her on her own!

      I think to apply knowing you are very likely to fail will make the assessors look even more closely the next time as they are bound to refer to the previous application and the timescale between them, not to mention the cost to you of applying and putting the application together.

      Good luck!
      Reply

  117. Jamie says

    Hi there, I purchased your ebook to help with my Thai girlfriend's visa application. It helped a lot to see things a bit clearer.

    Anyway, she got her passport back with her new visa!

    The only thing is, they didnt return all the documentation she had in her folder, including a copy of my passport, copy of my mums passport and copy of my mums mortgage statement (she will be staying at my mums house).

    My mum was worried about giving over all her details like that. Do you know why they would not return all the documentation?

    Many thanks in advance.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      That's great news! Don't worry, it's common that the folder is returned minus a couple of pieces of photocopied documentation. I'm not 100 percent sure why but I presume it is just for their own records. The information will be treated as highly confidential and only UK immigration will have access to it. It isn't information they couldn't access if they wanted to anyway, I'm sure.I hope your girlfriend enjoys here trip!
      Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      Inhad a similar experience with my invite to my sons wedding kept and some other copy documents of mine as sponsor.

      Don't worry about this...they are just keeping evidence on file...maybe to justify their decision. Just make sure next time your info is consistent with previous applications and your girlfriend remembers details from last time so it doesn't look odd that, if questioned, she cannot recall them.
      Reply

  118. L E S Phillips says

    This is the best and most up to date I have seen, well done. I have made many applications, as sponser, over 20 years and have only been rejected once. The reason was that the Hotel at which my Partner was working did not say that her job would be available to her when she returned in there letter giving details of her position and employment.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Thank you. That is a common issue people come up against. Employers in Thailand generally don't allow annual holiday allowance to be taken consecutively (like 2 weeks straight), so for a long holiday a person might have to leave the job or take unpaid leave.
      Reply

  119. PEL2112UK says

    Don't know if you've come across this scenario, my Thai wife (married in Thailand 10 days ago) will have to make the application herself, when I will be back in the UK. We want her to come back with me on a SPOUSE visa when I next return from Thailand on 03 May 2018. As a director of my own company it appears I need to submit my original company accounts for the previous year plus documents for the period since. My question is can I submit any documentation myself from the UK? I am loathed to post the original company accounts, because if they go missing and I am audited, I could be in serious trouble. Many thanks for sharing your experience.

    On another note, I have read a lot of people advising those getting married to Thai nationals in Bangkok up to use a translation service to translate their passport and their affirmation of eligibility to marry. We were even approached outside the British Embassy by someone out of the blue offering the same service. (If it isn't already out there) The Thai Ministry of Foreign and Consular Affairs at (important to note this address - there are two offices) "IT Square", has an in house translation service which takes two hours. Tip - have your Thai partner check it the translations over for errors before submitting them to be verified. Apologies if this already common knowledge.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Sorry for the delayed reply, I missed this one.You will need to provide the following, and the documents need to be submitted by your wife at the appointment, as supporting evidence for the application:- HMRC self-assessment tax return (most recent) (you can print out a colour copy of this) - Statement of Account (SA302) and evidence of the amount of tax payable, paid and unpaid for the last full financial year. - Proof of HMRC registration as self-employed (HMRC will send this to you by post. Just call up and request one)I was aware of the translation services at the MFA, but I have never used one there. 2 hours is a good turnaround time, though if they are busy I guess it could be longer, so people need to factor this in if they are in a hurry on the day.
      Reply

  120. Richard says

    Thank you for taking your time to make this very helpful guide. I am hoping to get my girlfriend to England just for a few weeks for a family wedding (not our wedding, my sisters), and visit France also before coming back. We have been together for over 2 years now. The only one thing I am having trouble 'proving' is our evidence that we want to return. I was hoping you could share some examples of this, as my girlfriend is self-employed so we can't provide any sort of permission from work. Would simple things like internet contracts etc help as evidence of coming back?
    Thank you for any advice
    Reply

    • Mike Baker says

      I would explain in detail what her occupation is and how it works day to day. Back this up with bank statements showing income and expenditures, copy contracts, tax returns and anything that may support her employment evidence.

      Also, does she own any assets like a car on finance? That is a commitment that will help show she needs to return...show the agreement and the bank payments. Also a rental agreement for an office perhaps?

      Any land owned? Any children she has to support?

      It can lead to a lengthy application and all Thai language documents need officially translating, but leave nothing out as long as you can explain its relevance.

      I would not boast she can work from the UK online or they may think she has no reason to leave. It should be made clear she can only work from Thailand and give reasons....like face to face meetings regularly required for example.
      Reply

  121. Net_Guy says

    Any tips for me?

    Last year me and my Thai wife managed to get a visit visa to the UK with the help of an agency after i/we failed 2 times.

    We did write in the documentation that she will visit the UK for 1 month, but plans changed. She stayed there for 5 months. She had a 6 month visa available. She did technically return before the actual visa expired but not on the date we wrote initially wrote down.

    Also i have been living and working in Thailand since May 2017 and intend to visit my family March 2018 for 6-8 weeks. I am however returning back to Thailand to carry on working.
    Since, this year January 2017 my wife stopped working and became a full time housewife. I became the full time provider for her.

    We also have registered our marriage in 2016 in Thailand too.

    This year i don't want to go through an agency like before because it costs super expensive.

    My questions with all this backstory told to you is,

    Will her(Thai wife) staying in the UK for 5 months instead of 1 month cause an issue?
    Will her being a full time housewife and me being the provider cause an issue?

    Thank You for your help.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi, In answer to your questions...1. You should explain why she stayed longer, as they will look at that. This is why I always advise people to return on the date they stated on the application - because if you stay longer it calls into question your honesty on the reasons as to why you needed to return to Thailand (having a reason to return is a big part of getting approved in the first place).For example: let's say you stated on the application that you have to return to Thailand after 1 month to return to work, and you have a letter from your employer confirming this. Then you return 3 months later instead. On your next visa application, they may look at your visa history and ask why you didn't return after one month like you said you would. In their mind, you may well have lied on your application to get that first visa.2. The housewife aspect isn't an issue if you can prove that your wife is financially supported by you. You might choose to provide bank account statements with deposits that correlate with transfers from you. You are married though and I presume living together, so such evidence may not be necessary. If you have been living apart, then you would need that evidence.
      Reply

      • Net_Guy says

        Cheers for the response.

        Wife returned later due to my sister getting married. My family insisted her to stay longer and her work manager didn't mind.
        Because i have moved to Thailand this year, my family wanted to spend more time with us. I think this reason itself is good enough considering i managed to look after her and returned prior expire of the visa. Also, we have been living together this year too.
        Reply

  122. Tommy Hopkins says

    Hi There, great read above, do you have a book that can be purchased with all the above included.

    I visited Thailand November this year and have already arranged to visit again in March, but want to have all the relevant information in place to discuss with the Girlfriend, if not i will print off all the above.

    Will i at least need to visit a few times before applying for a visa for her to come over, or will two separate visits suffice

    any info will help, cant wait to go back there!

    Thanks

    Tommy
    Reply

  123. pete says

    Regarding the application for a UK visa for my wife. Because I don’t know the exact date of travel due to the changes in my work situation can i apply for a visa and state that I’m going to travel on lets say 20 December but then postpone the travel to another date as long as its within the 6 month validity of the Standard Visitor Visa?
    Reply

  124. Gary says

    Hi, I have a question?
    We used your advice to get a visa for my sons girlfriend. All went perfect and she is now in England on a visitors visa. She is due to go back to Thailand on 3rd January 2018. My son will stay in England, working so he can save enough to go back and live in Thailand with her but he would like her to come back to England straight away so they can live together until he has enough money. Is it possible for her to get another visa straight away as soon as she goes back or can we apply now before she goes back?

    Many thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      She can't apply for a visa while inside the UK.When does the visa expire? Visit visas are 6 months by default, and usually multiple entry. Check on the visa and see if it says 'multi' on it. If so, she can return to Thailand on the date she said she would, and then return again within the 6-month visa validity period, but she must leave the UK before the visa expires.Note that having a visa doesn't guarantee you entry to the UK, so if she goes back and comes back so soon on the same visa, immigration may question her motives when she returns.Also note: she should consider the reasons she gave on her application form for having to return to Thailand. For example: if her reason for having to return on a particular date was because of work, but she then returns home and comes straight back again, that will be noted when she applies for another visa in the future. A common reason for declining second visit visas is that the applicant stayed longer on a previous visit than they stated they would on their application, which brings into question that they may have lied on the application, and that perhaps they can't be trusted again to return when they say they will.Hope this all makes sense.
      Reply

    • G says

      Hi, some help needed please. First visa my girlfriend applied for was rejected as she didn’t have a letter from her boss to say that she would be returning to work after her visit to the UK. The problem is she has to quit her current job to visit the UK as she is not entitled to annual leave for any longer than a week. Her boss won’t provide a letter so we’re a bit stuck. Can you suggest any way she could get the visa cleared the next time we try with no job to return to in Thailand when her two-month holiday in the UK ends?
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        This is one of the biggest obstacles people have to overcome, as generally Thais are not allocated big blocks of annual leave like we are in the UK and US. There are three potential options here:1. Speak with her boss about taking unpaid holiday and keeping the job. He could then provide a letter confirming her employment and stating that her job will be kept open. 2. Find a new job that starts upon her return and get a letter from that employer confirming the start date, position and salary. 3. Apply again and be transparent: say that the boss won't let her take the holiday but confirm other reasons she has to return to Thailand such as children, assets (house, investments), parents (does she have a parent who relies on her for daily care?)
        Reply

        • G says

          Thank you for your help.
          Maybe the latter will be our best option.
          It's so frustrating because we don't want to jeopardise a future visa by going against any of the rules.
          But, at present, a one-week holiday is the only option.
          Her boss will provide a letter saying she can have one week off and then return, but ideally we wanted a longer period together in the UK.
          If the visa is passed, would it be possible to enter the UK again at a later date for a period of time, providing she returns within the six-month period?
          Thanks again for your help. It's much appreciated.
          Reply

          • TheThailandLife says

            It is possible, yes. But bear in mind you might need to justify the second trip when applying for another visa, particularly if your reason for returning to Thailand after the first was that your GF had to get back to work. If it's just for a 1-2 week holiday for which your GF can get time off work, I don't see that as an issue. But if it's a 1, 2 or 3 month trip, they will probably question that later down the line.
            Reply

  126. John says

    Hi,
    I was wondering if you could provide any information or clarify the following please:
    If a EEA national living in the UK (settled) and gets married to a Thai national, which is valid in the UK and the Thai national comes to live in the UK with the EEA national, does the Thai national get a residence card automatically or do they get something else first. I'm not clear what happens once they are married and what type of visa do they get and how long does it last for?
    Also, can they be added to a tenancy agreement.
    Many thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      From what I've read, the Thai national would need to apply as the spouse of a settled person. If approved, a residence card would be provided on arrival to the UK. You get a letter with the address of a local post office, and then pick the residence card up from there.
      Reply

  127. Calvin says

    Hello firstly I’d like to thank you for this support, it is both insightful and generous. I am attempting to bring my Thai girlfriend over to the UK, we are hoping we can get a Visa for an 11 day trip.
    It asks for my ability to financially sponsor her whilst she stays in my home, however my intention is to use my credit cards and pay it off.

    What do they look for when they ask for your 6 months of bank statement? As any money I saved I used to travel to Thailand twice this year, if i have no savings will that go against our application for a tourist Visa?

    Calvin
    Reply

  129. Marcus says

    Hi, I've used the guide previously to gain a uk visit visa for my girlfriend and I have to start off with saying thank you very much for the help and advice to make it possible. We are now looking at getting married and applying for a uk spouse visa. Do you think we should include the proof of relationship we put in our visit visa application into our spouse visa application or would it be too much? If we followed on from the last piece of proof we used until now do you think that would be sufficient. So that would be from last august until now, with 2 visits to the uk and one visit to Thailand in between this time frame. Also do you think they could refuse it if we have no evidence of an engagement. Thanks in advance
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The spouse visa is very different. It is far more involved and a lot of documentation is required to support the application. Your GF will have to take an English test and pass that first before you apply. She will also need a TB test. You will need to meet the financial requirements and fill out a VAF4A-Appendix2 form. You will need to provide evidence of living arrangements and a bunch of other stuff too. Let me know if you are self-employed as that requires additional documentation.
      Reply

  130. PJ says

    Hi
    How long should we allow for an appointment at the trendy building, we have an appointment at 11am , we are looking to get flight in afternoon so just wondered should be base it on being at trendy building for 1 hour or 2 hours or is it a lot quicker than that from your experience?
    Reply

      • PJ says

        cheers for that.
        I am not clear on what is acceptable as photocopies, i assume all her documents need to be original but where I am supporting her financially for her trip, I can give copies of P60 , payslips , bank statements, passports, birth certificate , register of title showing ownership of house plus got all line chats etc, pictures of my house
        I was not clear on, are they interested in my full 10 year travel history or just the recent travel to prove i have been to thailand?
        I don't want to give them originals of my passports/register of title /birth certificates or P60.
        A bit of guidance would be appreciated?
        Thanks
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          This can be a confusing topic. On the UKVI website it states that all submitted documents must be originals. But this refers to the documents it suggests you provide, which are the basics like passport, marriage certificate and the original translations of any documents.Bank statements should be originals, or at the least photocopies that have been stamped/verified by the bank (you can go into the bank and they will do this for you). Payslips should be originals. P60 isn't necessary. House deed/title of ownership you can colour photocopy; this will be backed up by evidence of mortgage payments on your bank statements anyway, I assume. You can also provide a copy of a mortgage agreement if you have one.They don't tell you exactly what documents to provide because outside of the standard stuff there will be documents specific to your application. You don't need to give your original passport or birth certificate (you don't need to provide a BC anyway).They will want to see your travel history, so copies of passport pages that show travel to and from Thailand since the time you met your partner. Your travel dates to and from Thailand should correlate with the time spent with your partner.I cover this all extensively in my guide, and provide a comprehensive checklist for you. https://www.thethailandlife.com/visit-visa-guide
          Reply

  131. Bob says

    Not sure if this is the right place to post.

    My situation is different from any I've seen and I would be grateful for advice from anyone with insight into my situation.

    I am a 70 year old UK citizen, retired. I own my substantial house, have no debt and have a considerable sum in the bank and invested in cash fixed rate term bonds. I also have 2 pensions bringing in about £14,000 a year. In short, I am pretty well-off.

    My girlfriend is a Thai national (she's in her 50's if that makes a difference) and we would like to get married and live in the UK. I cannot live in Thailand because I need Insulin and other medications not available in Thailand).

    Would there be a problem bringing my wife back to the UK with me?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Once married, she will need to apply for a settlement visa, which is different to the visitor visa written about in the post above. Have a look here for further details: https://www.gov.uk/settle-in-the-uk It's quite a big deal and takes a while to get all the evidence together. Your wife will need to take an English test at a centre in Thailand. Once passed, she can apply. She will also need to take a TB test. You will need to meet the financial requirements, as well as prove your relationship is genuine...plus a bunch of other stuff. The visa costs £1,195, and your wife will have to pay around £600 for use of the NHS.
      Reply

      • Robert MacLean says

        It's really the financial situation that concerns me. As I understand it you have to prove an income of at least £18,500 a year (I think this is for employed people). But I am retired and my combined (fixed salary) pensions amount to about £14,000 a year but I have well over £60,000 in cash savings, plus property and no debt of any kind. Do you know if they apply the same earnings rule to retired people?

        Many thanks for your help.
        Reply

  132. Ben Hewlett says

    Would anyone care to jump in and help me here please? We just had a vv refused.

    I'm having trouble understanding what circumstances we could create/set up/show to be in a position to re-apply. Is it about her getting a salaried job? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

    'I note that your sponsor has agreed to fund the cost of your visit and I acknowledge that he has the financial means to do so. However, I have also assessed your circumstances as a part of the visa application. You have declared that you are unemployed and financially dependent upon your sponsor, whom you intend to visit, for financial support. The supporting documentation to confirm your economic circumstances is extremely limited. For example, you state that you have £927 in savings although this is not confirmed by available information. I am therefore not satisfied that you have demonstrated you have economic ties to Thailand.

     Given the above, I am not satisfied that your personal financial circumstances demonstrate that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit and that you are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph V4.2 (a) and (c).'

    For info

    This was earlier in the refusal letter so I think the only problem is the one above:

    'You have applied for a visa to visit your boyfriend in the UK for 3 months. I have carefully considered your application against the UK Immigration Rules based on the information you have submitted using a balance of probabilities. The onus is on the visa applicant to demonstrate that they meet the UK’s Immigration Rules through the provision of information and supporting documentation.

     You have declared that you met your boyfriend in the UK for 3 months. You state you both met on 15 May this year in a restaurant in Hua Hin and have since spent time together travelling the region. I acknowledge the supporting documentation you have submitted.'
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      So essentially your GF has failed to provide sufficient evidence of economic ties to Thailand, and subsequently the ECO has concluded that she may not leave at the end of her stay.What evidence did you provide that she has interests that require her to return in Thailand? Family commitments, land/home ownership, business interests, evidence of savings? This aspect can be tricky when a person is unemployed.
      Reply

      • Ben says

        Exactly. Very tricky.

        The evidence is that she is her elderly father's carer, she is a house and land owner, she has been out of Thailand 12 times all over the world and always returned within the visa limit. Clearly not convincing although true.

        I imagine they would like to see an active bank account with income and expenditure consistently showing over many years. But she doesn't have a job and therefore no income. At least not since May this year when I met her.

        Previously she worked in a factory for 20 years and that would have done it I guess but that stopped 5 years ago.

        She did have savings but I think that's nearly gone now. She lives in a big family so it all seems to work. I spent a week with them all and there's plenty of food about, a few cars and bikes, no apparent difficulties with finance - I think quite a few of the younger members are working.

        I can't see any way except I go there (or somewhere else) and stay with her or try for a fiancé visa - at a later date and if we are wanting to get married.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          Hi Ben,They don't need to see an active bank account over many years. Ideally bank statements going back 6 months, 12 if possible.If she can provide bank statements and show regular income before May, that would be a great help. She can they explain in her supporting letter that she stopped working to care for her fatherThe key thing here is that they want to know more about her personal circumstances and how she supports herself.She doesn't have a regular income, so the bank statements won't show much except savings, but you should provide those anyway, and those before May when she was working. The ECO stated that you didn't show evidence of the £925 in savings; why not? You must back this up with evidence and leave no stone unturned.If she is a carer, is she registered as such? If so, can a local authority provide a letter?If not, can her father write and sign a letter that confirms she is his full time carer. This would need to be officially translated. In this case, she would also need to provide details of who would be caring for her father while she was away.You are sponsoring her trip, so the only money she really needs is emergency money to fly home or afford accommodation if you were to break up while she was in the UK. So it might be an idea to gift her money to cover this. You could pay this into her account, and then explain this in both your supporting statements -- that you are paying for flights and all expenses but have given her x money to have as her own as emergency money (just in case) for her trip. This would then indirectly show sufficient funds for the trip, despite the fact that you are paying anyway.All you need to do then is prove good enough reason to return to Thailand. I would say her sick father is good reason enough; but you need to prove that he is sick and she is his carer. You say she owns a house and land. Again, you need to prove this by way of deeds and land documents, all of which should be officially translated. These are good reasons to return to Thailand and what the ECO wants to see by way of evidence.I cover all this and tons more helpful stuff in my guide: https://www.thethailandlife.com/visit-visa-guide
          Reply

  133. Conall says

    Can I ask anyone what type of bank accounts are required by the embassy for my partner to show? He as yet only has a basic savings account (with cash card) but he thinks he may need a fixed deposit account but I would think this should not be the case? He is working as a waiter and money is not good, but I Send him money to his account monthly.

    Any answers would be gratefully appreciated.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      There is no stipulation for the type of bank account a person must have. A standard current or savings account is fine. What is important is to show a regular salary being paid in and evidence of savings to cover the trip expenses.
      Reply

  135. Gail Harding says

    My son's Thai girlfriend of nearly 3 years, is hoping to come visit this Christmas. They will stay with myself in my bungalow. I want to write a letter saying she will be staying with me and my son, and my son and my self will support her if needed. Where would I have to get the letter officially stamped from. Thanks in advance. Any help appreciated.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      You don't need the supporting letter officially stamped, but you will have to provide documents proving that you own/rent your home, and any details of a mortgage on the property., etc. Provide copies of two utility bills, and a photocopy of your passport too. Your son will need to provide evidence of his finances to prove he can sponsor her trip. Typically bank statements going back 6-12 months (originals or print outs stamped by the bank), plus wage slips too. There's lots more advice in the post and in previous comments. All the best.
      Reply

  136. Jaro kovaricek says

    Hello. Same problems with Australian tourist vIsa. Why is it so stupid? You come to Thailand and you get 30 day visa free and with a smile. This is a civilized country! Requirements by those three here mentioned countries remind me very much the old days of communist countries ways, very similar. It seems that the UK, Australia and Canada are becoming totalitarian states. The best thing is to avoid them. Go with your girlfriend for holiday to communist Vietnam, they are friendly and make no fuss about visa. If you need to go to England, apply for visa to another Shengen country, some of them are friendly and civilized. Then you are free to move in Europe.

    K,
    Reply

  137. Craig conlon says

    My Thai girlfriend has just submitted her vv application she has done everything you have said , and so have I she has her own business property land etc , she has submitted photos of our relationship documents of telephone conversation chat history on line 10 months worth , every thing you mentioned, and so have I , even sponsor letter from my father as I live in my parents house with all his id and bill letters , she got a phone call from the embassy witch lasted an out asking about me my family my children everything that was in her documents, she answered all the questions correctly they asked her , is this a bad sign because they were on the phone so long , she is still waiting to hear if she has been granted visa or not , your input would be grateful thanks .
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Craig, it's hard to tell. I'd would not say a really long phone-call is a bad thing. If they immediately thought things didn't add up they would have cut it short. If she has her own business and her finances are healthy I can't see why she would be refused.
      Reply

  138. Paul Bradley says

    This has been a great read, Thank you everyone for your contributions of experiences,.
    I'd like to know if the age of a partner has any effect on any decisions that anyone knows of please?
    I'm a 55 yr old male and my thai partner is a 63 year old woman who would love to spend 3 months here to experience life in UK before fully committing to living here.
    Any advice welcome please
    Reply

  139. Andrew millar says

    Hi my girlfriend has just been turn down for the second time for a 3 month uk visitor visa. First time it was refused because i didnt show enough money in my account for sponsorship for her trip to uk ,i had the money a savings account seperate from my current account and had only sent statments from it.
    And did not give enough evidence of how we meet. So second time around i fixed those issues and even came out to thailand to go with her to the trendy building.
    This time they say she did not give enough evidence that she will return to thailand , when i made the application for her i stated she owned her house and land and that she has a 2 year old son and give his passport details although he would not be traveling with her.
    She sumitted the thai book from her home to prove she owned the house and her son birth cirtificate ,so now we are not sure what they want more ?
    And because she is unemployed and is supported by me . Its states she does not have enough money in her bank account . How can we fix these 2 issues . Would putting some money in her bank do anything or does it have to be over a period of time ?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Andrew, sorry to hear this; I know this is very upsetting for you both.

      Because you are applying for a 3-month trip they will want solid evidence that she is going to return to Thailand.

      Stating that she owns a house and land would not be enough. As I understand it the first person listed on the tabien baan (house book) is the owner, but the person reviewing your application probably wouldn't know this. Did you have the book translated?

      I would also provide a translated copy of the house deeds that show your GF as the owner. You should also do this for the land.

      Any other documents like her son's birth certificate should also be translated.

      Also consider that the UKBA officer is possibly troubled by the fact that your GF has a son but is requesting a 3-month trip. It is unusual for a mother to leave a 2-year-old child to go to another country to visit a boyfriend for this long, at least from a western perspective.

      Your GF has no job and is supported by you. So they may be thinking well how does she support her son, and may have a concern that she will stay in the country and seek to bring her son over in the future.

      Her house and land, as assets, are reasons to return but being unemployed with no money to support herself is a major concern. You aren't living together either, nor are you married and been living together for a long time.

      Putting money in her bank doesn't solve the issue because they will see the deposit came from you, and you already support her financially and are funding her trip, so what is the difference?

      That said, it may help to start putting a regular amount in her account each month to show that you do support her on an on-going basis (this is similar to receiving a salary I guess, though they probably won't see it that way), at least then it shows she has access to some money of her own in case of an emergency in the UK. But don't you already do this if you support her?

      Personally, I would apply for a shorter period of time, like a normal holiday of say 3 weeks. I would also provide those translated documents as I suggested.

      If you want to email me a copy of the rejection letter I can look at the reason and offer more specific advice. Please use the contact form. I'll email back and then you can attach it.
      Reply

  140. Callum says

    Hi TTL,

    I did do my best at going through all the comments to try and find this answer as I don't want you to be repeating yourself, but the dilemma I have with my Thai girlfriend is a bit of an issue in regards to applying for a visitor visa. She's freshly graduated from university, and currently in a internship for Lufthansa which will end in November and she wanted to come to the UK once this ends. The problem is she won't have a reason to return to Thailand, and she can't have time off during her internship. We've been together 2 years, I've visited her 5 times, had one rejected application for a UK visa whilst she was still at university a year ago for the reason of 'not providing enough evidence to return to Thailand'. Considering she's only just finished university, she has no real amount of money, no assets such as a house or a motorcycle as her dad provides everything for her. We were thinking of providing evidence that her dad will support her trip and continue supporting her just like he has for her whole life, I'm just concerned this won't be seen as 'enough' of a reason for her to return. Despite the true genuineness of our relationship and our honest intentions of the visa, I can see the visa application being rejected again- which isn't a good position to be in. If you have any ideas of how to 'bulk up' our reasons for her to return I would be eternally grateful.

    Callum
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Callum, sorry I missed this.

      It's a tough one. What is her plan after her internship? I'm thinking that if it is to study or work, then to get a job proposal from a company with a start date from when she returns from visiting you, or a letter from where she intends to study. This would show genuine intent to return.

      I think getting her dad involved would make for a stronger case, because he could write a letter stating that he will be funding her trip (flights, spending money etc) and that he guarantees her for any financial eventuality.

      He would need to show proof of available funds such as bank statements. He could also start paying her a monthly stipend as of now (into her account) that would be proof later down the line that he supports her on a monthly basis.

      Does he speak English? If so, he could say in his letter that he is available to speak to to confirm any of the details.
      Reply

      • Callum says

        Hi TTL,

        Thanks for the reply. He already does send her 6000 baht a month and has done for years to support her in monthly day to day things, so I think this would be good. Any costs out of this category he covers but in a as and when format. As for the job proposal that's something we could look into, but I hope with her father's letter and proof of funds this should help our application.
        Reply

        • Callum says

          Hi TTL,

          Sorry for bringing up an old topic but I have a bit of an update:

          We have her dad on board in terms of financial evidence and providing all the relevant details and guaranteeing her eventuality in Thailand and for the whole of the UK trip. He also speaks English and can confirm all these details to the embassy over the phone. However, the problem now lies in that my girlfriend has no job now her internship finished, and does not have any job offers or anything of that nature. Whilst she does have a promise to her dad that she will begin finding employment upon her return (which we can mention in the application) I'm concerned this isn't enough.

          My question is, in your opinion, is it worth applying without a job offer and only her dad's full support, or is it bound to be rejected without concrete employment to return to in Thailand?

          Thank you so much in advance, all your support has been fantastic.

          Callum
          Reply

  141. paul says

    Hi
    I was lucky I met my Thai wife here in the UK. She had been sponsored by her then work here in the UK. But it cost a lot to get visas, then leave to remain & finally British passport.
    The paperwork is so complex. They make you pay first ( leave to remain £1200) & if 1 question is filled in wrong, you will be rejected and have to start & pay again.
    Great Article
    Paul
    Reply

  142. LC says

    Hey, first of all - thanks for the post as it seems to have caused a great discussion about bringing our partners/friends to the UK.

    I would like to sponsor my partner from Indonesia (I suppose the process will be similar as in case of a Thai partner) to come over to the UK, but I'm a bit concerned what we should say about his reason to come back to Indonesia.

    At the time we met, he was employed, however, due to illness and inability to come to work for an extended period of time, he was made redundant. Since his salary wasn't too high and he lacks higher education to get a better job, and my financial situation isn't bad, I decided to support him, and, in the first place, pay for his English school which he's ben attending for over 4 months now in hopes he could get an English certificate to apply for a student visa and attend college in the UK some time next year. I'd like him to visit me in the UK for a month or two when his course finishes, and then we plan to go on a holiday to Vietnam with my friend from where he would be going back home and starting school again. Our intentions are genuine, I would like him to visit me for a few weeks and then go back and come back on a student visa when the circumstances allow this. Do you think that a letter of acceptance from an Indonesian school and my assertion of supporting him would be enough for him to be granted a visa?

    Thanks a lot.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi LC, I think you have a good case. If the school can provide a letter to say that he is studying there and will be doing so upon return from his visit to the UK, this is a genuine reason to return. You'll also need to show proof of your relationship history, and of your travel to and from Indonesia.
      Reply

  143. Daz says

    Hello again,

    I have a few more niggles and concerns I'm worried about that for obvious reasons I'd like naturally to try and get right first time.

    Again.. thanks very much for all your time and help it's greatly appreciated!

    1, It says I will need to provide my birth certificate, is this the original document or will a photocopy suffice? (Sorry if this has been covered somewhere and I've missed it)

    2, From the time I've known her (January 24th) she has held down a good job at suvarnabhumi airport, however.. recently, she changed her job to another one, a different job at the same airport but she was out of work for about a month, do we need to explain the month's gap and what she was doing during this time?

    3, now this one is my main worry right now..

    I'm hoping to bring her to my home for 3 months, is this too excessive for a first time visit, should I scale it back? I'll of known her well over a year and visited her twice by the time i would like her to visit and I already have more than ample evidence to support the relationship is more than genuine.

    The reason I ask is because she will obviously have to give up her work to visit for a long period like that, and so my main worry is trying to explain and give a valid reason for her to go back to her own country of which right now I really can't come up with any good ones, obviously this is a concern 😕 The before
    Mentioned Chinese girl had frozen money in her bank account and was at college and came on school holiday so had ample reason to return back.. Any suggestions from yourself or anybody else that visits this board and I would be greatly thankful.

    Thanks again for all your help on this board, it seriously is a great help to people like myself and others

    Daz
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Daz,Here's my answers...1. Actually your passport will do. I provided my birth certificate (a copy) but your passport is proof of who you are, birth date, etc.2. I would explain that in a supporting letter statement (from her). There will be a gap in her wage slips (if she is supplying those-provide 6 month's worth), so explaining that would be good.3. I have doubts that the application would be successful if she states that she is giving up her job to go to spend 3 months with you. What reason would she provide that she will return to Thailand? This would set alarm bells ringing. Can you not just do a holiday and she keeps her job for now? You'd have a much better chance of being successful.
      Reply

  144. Jay says

    Hi.

    Thanks for the great post...we used it. Was refused today but nothing to do with this article or even the rules really.

    Seems we wrote down her financial situation in a manner which they misunderstood.

    Anyway. We will reapply. Do you know when youre able to reapply? Cant seem to find any rules on re-applying.

    Many thanks.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Jay, sorry to hear that. You can reapply immediately. Misunderstandings do happen and it isn't uncommon. There is no right to appeal on a visit visa though. If you want me to look at the refusal letter to advise you can contact me using the contact form.
      Reply

      • Jay says

        Hi Daz. On the online application it asks about her savings and investments which we wrote yes then underneath it the asks the amount of income in pounds from saving etc, and we wrote 3000 GBP which is her own personal savings (not income from savings). They then looked at her statement to find where this 3000 GBP was per month andcof course she doesnt jave that.

        They then picked on several transactions that are above her monthly salary. These are two work bonuses and another work related transaction which we have provided proof of.

        Then they also stated the cost of the visit is 5 months above her disposable income. She has 150'000 thb in her bank so they did not even consider that. The suppprting letter now states disposable income is not the only money being used for the trip but also the bonuses saved etc.

        Keep in mind the costs while in the uk are minimal. My family have a pkace we will stay, food and transport. This also has a supporting letter from my parents.

        We have proof of over a 6 year relationship with condo rental contracts, pictures including an engagement ceremony.

        We are hoping that being clear about finances in her bank will do the trick. If not - bugger the uk.
        Reply

  145. Daz says

    Hi all!

    I've not seen this brought up anywhere on here I don't think... but

    When I brought a Chinese girl here before, her parents were required to drop £3000 in her bank account which was then frozen, I guess it was some kind of incentive for her to return to her own country after her trip, just curious if the same applies here or not?? I've not seen it mentioned at all.

    Cheers
    Reply

  146. Mark Hubbard says

    Hi there, my wife and i have been married now since sept 2014. We have a house in Chiangrai, but i spend most of the year working and living at my mums house in England, cos as you know its not easy for a foreigner to get work or earn a living in Thailand.
    I will shortly be returning to Thailand to make a go at living there and running a business with my wife , but i first want to bring her to the UK for a short visit to give her a taste of my life in Uk and the UK culture. She has land in Thailand, including the house we live in when i'm there.
    Does she need to get all the land registry papers/deeds and house book translated to English?
    Also i will be financing the trip,
    Will photocopies of my passports(current and old) ,bank statements , salary slips and supporting letter be satisfactory, and do those photocopies , especially of my passport need to be in colour?
    Another question i have is,
    My wife has changed her first name years ago, and has recently changed her surname to my family name, does she need to show certification of when she changed her first name?
    All this process is causing a heachache, especially with me not being there to help her.
    Any helpful advice you can afford me now would be aprreciated.

    Regards

    Mark
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Mark,I'll answer these questions in order:1. Yes. Get the deed of ownership and tabien baan to show she is on the house book; I presume you are on there too? You don't need to hand in the land registry paper, the former will suffice for the house. But is she owns other land then it is a good idea to show proof of that as it offers a good reason for her to return to Thailand after her visit. 2. Photocopies of your passports, yes. But not just your the ID pages. You need to show all your travel to and from Thailand. The past 5 years would be optimal. So photocopy all the stamps in and out, etc. 3. Salary slips going back 12 months, if possible. Bank statements to corroborate those salary payments and demonstrate proof of savings. 4. Photocopies of your passport don't need to be in colour, but I'd photocopy the ID pages in colour anyway and the rest in B&W. 5. Bank statements should be originals. Order them from your bank. If you are using photocopies you will need them stamped/signed by your bank to say they are copies of originals. 6. Yes, she needs to translate the name change certificate. One of the questions on the application is "have you ever been known by any other name", so yes, she will need to show proof of that. 7. Provide your marriage certificate and the other papers they give you too (can't remember the name), and translations of course. 8. Don't forget proof of her income/how she supports herself. Letter from employer that her job will be left open for her return..etc.All the best.
      Reply

  147. Pat Mchale says

    Hi I applied for a visa for my girlfriend and they phoned her asking lots of questions about me and where she works, she knew the answears but I was wondering if anybody else had been called because my 2 friends who have Thai wife's have never experienced this ? Is this good news or bad news ? She hasn't been contacted yet to pick her documents up and it was 3 days ago they called.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Pat, the phone call seems to have become a more staple part of the process over the last year. Previously it was quite rare. Like your friends, my wife, and indeed when she was my GF, never had a phone call - not even for her first visa. But 90 percent of couples I hear from now have had a phone interview, so don't worry.All the best!
      Reply

  149. ian phillips says

    hi there
    me and my girlfriend are applying for a standard visiting visa ,for her to come to uk for hopefully 9 days ,we have to give arrival and return dates,but if you can not get tickets after obtaining visa ,for these dates , can she travel on a later date in the 6 months that the visa is valid,if so should we email the british embassy.
    another subject ,is my sponsor letter ,can this be photocopy ,or will it need to be original letter ,signed by me ,and posted bangkok.
    thank you Ian
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The departure date you put on the application is just your preferred travel date. You will be able to travel anytime after the valid from date on the visa once issued. So you will be able to book your tickets based on the valid from date once you get a decision. Your sponsor letter can be a photocopy with your signature on it, or emailed to your GF and printed out. But posting the original to Bangkok is what I'd do.
      Reply

      • ian phillips says

        hi peter,i just wanted to let you know ,our first visa application was successful,my thai partner will be coming to england in september this year.
        the information on your site was very helpful.
        nobody needs an agent ,just provide everything they require in a organized way.
        Thanks
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          You will state on the application the approximate date you intend to travel. The visa will be valid for 6 months, so you need to travel and return within that period. Do try to stick roughly to the holiday dates you put on the application, as it bodes well for future applications. If your application is centered around the fact that your GF has to get back to work in May but then you don't travel until June, on your next application the officer will look at your visa history and may consider that you weren't honest on your first application because your GF clearly didn't have to be back in May. The same goes for staying longer than you stated you would on the application. This may be questioned in future applications and affect the outcome.
          Reply

  150. Rob Handley says

    Thank you for the very informative article and instructions! Just to add to the info for people applying in the Chiang Mai area - VFS now have an office on Huay Kaew Road and so you no longer need to go to Bangkok to apply - this is great because last year it was a very expensive job including the flights and accommodation to go there and then get refused! This year we have success!!
    A question I have now is regarding the arrival in the UK - a friend has suggested that even now that my gf has her visa, she could still be refused entry if she doesn't answer correctly a series of questions that they ask and produce documentation such as a letter of invitation from my family. Is this correct?
    Cheers, Rob
    Reply

  154. michael scott says

    Hi Peter.
    Now on my fourth application, over 6 years, for my Thai girlfriend for a 6 month visitor visa (1 refused, 3 passed). Next one will be a spouse visa, marriage soon.
    Thank you for your instructions which are excellent. I always follow them.
    Two errors which are not really important.
    You say that documents don' t need translation in your addendum to your table. All Thai language documents do need to be translated.
    Then ' any document you submitted in Thai should be translated into....English. You say Thai.
    Thank you for your excellent, informative blog. Regards Mike Scott
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Michael, thank for spotting those errors. The table is an official document from a while back; so that needs updating. I have amended the other mistake. Nice to know someone is reading the whole post :)
      Reply

  155. Colin Sims says

    Hi, is it possible for my Thai wife, here in UK on month one of a six month visitor visa to return to Thailand for one month at the end of her agreed initial three month stay, and then re-enter UK for the remaining two months in which time we would apply for an extension?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      By default the visa will be a multiple entry unless it has a special condition. Check the visa and see if it says "multi" on it. If so, then technically yes, she could do this. But bear in mind her application was for specific dates and the visa was issued on that basis.Also consider that a visa does not guarantee you entry. If a border officer thinks that she is seeking to overstay or stay indefinitely by coming in a second time within a short timeframe he/she may refuse entry.On what basis would you apply for an extension? Unless she is receiving private medical treatment in the UK then there would be no grounds.
      Reply

      • Colin Sims says

        Ok, thanks for advice. I think we're going too fast. Obviously we're "deeply in lurve" and want to be together "forever" but trying to get my head around which visa to apply for next is proving difficult to say the least. My main problem is the dreaded minimum income stumbling block to allow us applying for a long stay visa in uk. We have a small house near Nongbualamphu and need to return there regularly to placate Momma and Papa as well as keeping an eye on farm land owned by missus. We might have to resort to expensive journeys between Uk (for my medical care) and Thailand every few months, if indeed we can get the required visa each time. In the meantime we'll enjoy British summertime on the broads and relax a bit. Many thanks again for such an informative blog and friendly replies. Best regards, Colin S.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          No worries. I assume you mean the settlement visa -- that's the one that has the income requirement. You can do it two ways: 1. £18,600 per year salary, or 2. £65,000 in savings.

          Enjoy Norfolk!
          Reply

          • Colin sims says

            Hi TTL, more advice requested please. Have any readers or yourself ever exceeded your visa application dates ? Obviously we wouldn't go over the six month visa limit but another couple of months over the three granted, making five in all would be welcomed. My question being, any experience of a subsequent application being adversely affected? We anticipate applying for another visitor visa after staying in our house in Thailand for about six months. I can't meet the current financial requirements for a UK settlement visa and have trouble finding affordable medical insurance cover for existing conditions. Thanks. Colin S.
            Reply

            • TheThailandLife says

              Hi Colin, if you dig through the comments you'll see a more detailed answer to this of mine, but basically you are issued a visa on the basis of the details you provide in your application.This means you give a return date on the application. That return date is usually based on reasons to return to Thailand such as a job, kids to get back to school, business to take care of, etc.So if you stay longer, you are essentially admitting that you have lied about A) how long you intended to stay, B) your reasons for having to return home (if you gave any). For example: If your boss wrote a leter confirming your job would be left open for 2 months and you return 1 month later than you said you would, then it looks as if that letter was part of constructing a story...do you see what I mean?In addition, consider that you are usually asked by immigration how long you are staying when you enter the country.However, it is a 6-month visa, so you can't be penalised for staying longer, as long as it is less than 6 months. But consider that they may note that you stayed longer than stipulated and this may form part of your visa history, which can impact future applictaions. For this reason, my wife has always returned when she said she would.
              Reply

  157. Jimmy says

    Hi, I have dual nationality, British and Thai. I have lived in Thailand for 12 years and I married my Thai girl friend a few months ago. I'm bilingual and speak both languages to native level.

    I was recently terminated from my long term job in Thailand and received a large pay off (nearly 20,000 pounds). I would now like to return to live in England with my son, who has British citizenship (son is from a previous marriage). The plan is to take my new Thai wife with me on a 6 month holiday and then for her to return and we will apply for spouse visa.

    My Thai wife works for a property developer, but she doesn't have any savings and does not own any property in Thailand. I have provided her 150,000 baht which I deposited into her bank a month ago to show she has money for the holiday.

    My main concern with preparing her holiday visa application is proving the reason why she would want to return back to Thailand. We have a letter from her company that they will rehire her upon her return. But apart from that what else can you recommend we use to show why she will return to Thailand.

    Also, we will stay at my Mums house in the UK. My Mum is a widower and lives in a 3 bedroom house on her own. She has provided a letter to support my wife visa application but do you think we need to show anything else to provide evidence accommodation is available - is a letter from my Mum enough?

    Thanks for you help.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The letter from her employer stating that her position will be left open is a good reason to return, but I am sure they will consider why you want a duration of 6 months. On a first visa application this can raise a flag; particularly if she has no reason other than this job to return. Moreover, it is quite unusual for an employer to allow such leave, which I assume will be unpaid?Bear in mind that the 150k you deposited is effectively your money. They will see on her bank statement that you deposited this money so I suggest being transparent about this and stating that this money is to cover her trip expenses.Personally I would scale the trip back to a much shorter amount of time and focus on getting together evidence that proves your relationship is genuine, as they will focus heavily on that. Also focus on proving you have the financial means to sponsor her trip.
      Reply

    • Jimmy says

      Thank you for your reply.

      Thanks for the advise, I will prepare a comprehensive details of our prove of relationship.

      If we got rejected for 6 months visit, is it possible to immediately reply for a shorter period of lets say 6 weeks - would this be possible?
      Reply

  158. Huw says

    My wife wants to holiday for 2 weeks in the UK.I have been living in Thailand now for 14 year's.We been officially married for 4 year's.5 years by ceremony.I can show photos of us together for over 7 years.Because I've been living in Thailand I don't have employment in the UK.So showing bank statements is out of the question.However my father who has never met my wife wants to invite her.He owns his own house.and says we can both stay together there.My question does he have to show deeds for the house.does he have to give copys for the last 6 months of bank statements.Hes retired.My biggest worrie is because I can't help my wife financially on paper.We run a travel agency together but everything goes to her.Do you think we have a chance,She tried 5 year's ago for a visa but was denied on the grounds she would not return.She used a visa agent.But didn't tell them about me whatsoever.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      If your wife makes money from the business then she can fund her own trip and you won't need to sponsor her. That said, you are the person and reason she is going to the UK. So you will have to provide details and proof of your relationship. You will also need to provide proof of your travel to and from Thailand over the years. When you say bank statements are out of the question, do you mean that you do not have any official income? It may be wise then to state in your letter of support that your wife supports you through her income from the travel agency. You will need your father to provide proof that he owns the house, and to provide a letter confirming that you can stay for the duration of the trip. He could provide a photocopy of the deeds, a council tax bill and if he has a mortgage perhaps a statement.
      Reply

      • Huw says

        Thanks for putting my mind at ease.I'm currently in the UK now and sending all papers to Thailand today.Fingers crossed ,I really hope she can join me here in August.Again Thanks for talking the time for your reply.Huw
        Reply

  160. Andrew millar says

    Hi im trying to fill out visa application for my girlfriend online
    The part about has she ever use another name there are 2 boxes to enter names
    Family name
    Given name

    She was married before and later got divorced and change back to her maiden name

    Im not sure which name goes where

    On her old passport was her married name
    But she got a new passport with her maiden name

    Any help would be great thanks
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Andrew, I already answered this by email so hope you got that. The answer is that she has to select 'yes' to having been known by another name. She would then enter her previous name (by marriage) in the family name box, and her name (if it was the same at the time she was married into the given name box. Then select 'marriage' as reason for the name change from the drop down box.
      Reply

  161. Russell says

    Do you know if it is possible for me to register an account on the UKBA website from my computer in the UK using my own email address as a point of contact and fill out the application for my girlfriend using information supplied from her.
    I am asking this as she does not have her own computer and her English is probably not good enough to understand the form precisely.
    I would then be able make an appointment and travel to Bangkok with the documentation required for her interview corresponding with my next trip.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      You can do this, but make sure you go through it with your GF before submitting it so that she understands each question and the answers you have given. The reason I say this is because there is a declaration at the end which she has to sign when printed out for the appointment. It will also help going forward if she understands the process and therefore some of the questions that may be asked in a phone interview.
      Reply

  164. Gareth jones says

    Hi TTL, I am looking in to bringing my girlfriend back for a holiday but you say you can pre book the flights what flight company does that also how much money do I have have in the bank to show the Thai embassy thanks for the information
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Gareth, you can do this through a travel agent. I did it through a friend's company in Samui the first time. You have a deadlines to pay for the flights. I'm quite sure you can do it through some operators' sites too. They will hold the seats fro a certain amount of time. You don't need to book the flight first though, in fact they advise against this in case you are denied the visa. You just need to provide an intended date of travel. You don't need to show the Thai embassy anything; your application is submitted at VFS global and then sent to UK immigration for a decision. There is no set amount of money for the sponsor. I have covered this in a quite a few comments, so have a read through as there's plenty of good advice in there. Thanks.
      Reply

  165. ian phillips says

    Hi ,i hope later in the year that my thai girlfriend of 2 years will be able to come to england to stay with me for about 10 days in september /october .
    she owns her own house ,she has worked in the bank for 17 years.
    could you please tell me if they require my original birth certificate,if so ,i would have to post it to my girlfriends home,from the uk.
    Also how long is the visa valid for , if issued.please.
    Also we were married in thailand in april this year ,but ceremony only,not official,but i will tell them the truth.
    thanks Ian
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Ian, they don't need your birth certificate, just your passport and passport history. However, it doesn't hurt to put a copy of your BC in the documentation as additional proof of identity. It would be pointless to use the word 'married' in your application because as you say it isn't legal and therefore wouldn't be recognized in the UK like an official Thai marriage is. You would just be applying as girlfriend and boyfriend. The visa is for 6 months as standard, but your GF will have to stipulate how long she intends to visit for, and prove her intent to return, genuine relationship with you, and funding for the trip.
      Reply

  166. Mike Baker says

    Good afternoon,

    Thanks to your excellent blog, we have been able to secure a tourist visa for my girlfriend of some 10 months to visit the UK this summer, 2017. Thank you.

    Na experienced a couple of differences in the process that readers may be interested in.

    She took 2 UK Passport sized photos, but they were handed back to her and VFS Global took a digital photo of her when they took her fingerprints.

    Several original documents were handed back immediately, presumably because having supplied copies and translations, VFS Global could confirm sight of the original and this eliminates the risk of loss.

    Additionally:

    The date of application is taken as the DATE OF FEE PAYMENT, not the appointment date. For us this meant the application was over 3 months before the intended and booked start date of the visit. However, taking a practical approach, the sanctioning official issued the visa 3 months from date of payment and explained why in a letter. It just means the visa runs slightly short of the expected timescale, but makes no difference as the intended visit is only for 6 weeks.

    The application appears to be processed at the embassy in Bangkok and is certainly issued there. It seems a little hard to believe the documents are going to be sent to the UK and back. Our processing time was 8 working days including the appointment day and including 3 days when we know documents were travelling between VFS Global and the embassy. We put this 5 day timescale down to a well ordered and query free application pack.

    Na had a 20 minute phone call in Thai from a gentleman who went through most of the application checking she knew everything and knew my details, job, family circumstances etc., presumably to confirm our relationship status and to check she wasn't being "trafficked". It was a very friendly and polite call, but it was made clear she was not to refer to me for any answers or information, should I be there with her. It would therefore be very wise for the applicant to know and memorise all the details in the application and the sponsors letter.

    I noticed a couple of issues in the application "pack" once I had put it together. I wrote an explanation for these on the pages concerned, to try to save a query or a simple refusal due to the lack of information.

    I did not include pages and pages of telephone and whatsapp/line records, but I did include a 32 print, A5 sized photo poster with meta information across each photo as evidence of our times together during the trips I had logged. These photo posters are available very cheaply online and A5 folds in half to fit the A4 pocket in the file. It is well for potential applicants to take photos each trip specifically for this purpose.

    Finally:

    I am aware of a family member of Na applying for a visa for Australia using an agent in Bangkok. VFS Global have to be used as the application point, as for the UK. The agent have taken a large fee and initially said to her no visit to VFS is necessary. 4 weeks later they have asked for another 7500 baht because of processing problems they need to overcome and now say she must attend to give fingerprints etc. This seems to be an outright scam to get more money from the unsuspecting applicant and I would urge that agents are NOT USED. Best for the man to prepare the file in his own country and get the lady to do her documents ready for his next trip, when it can be put together and application made.
    Reply

    • Mark says

      Good share Mike Baker. Can I please ask you what service you used to get any documents translated to English and what documents they were, if any? I think I need to just get our current tenancy agreement translated and her Thai House Document (Tabien Baan), although my gf is insisting that the Tabien Baan doesn't need to be translated, according to a friend of her's who recently went to the UK. Like i'm going to just take a Thai friend's word for anything.
      Reply

      • Mike Baker says

        Mark,

        We are in Pattaya and Na found a translater who was also a visa agent.

        She got the house document, business lease, business licences, business registration document and her Thai marriage certificate translated. We didnt leave anything to chance. As it says on this blog....anything in Thai will likely be ignored by the processing staff who are likely to be English, so it doesn't help build your case to omit anything.
        Reply

  168. Steve says

    Hi TTL, I'm hoping to take my girlfriend back to England for 6 months for her first visit. Would a shorter time be more favourably looked on?
    Is it necessary to have pre-booked flights arranged? & does the flight have to be return, or would one way be acceptable, thus giving us more flexibility for the return?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Steve, in short, it really depends on your GFs circumstances, and your relationship history. They will consider many factors: What about her job, won't she need to return for work? What reason(s) does she have to return to Thailand after her visit? Why so long for a first visit? To what degree can you prove a genuine relationship?Please also have a look for my reply to Colin below (dated Apr 04, 2017 ); it pretty much answers the same question.You don't need to have your flights booked when you apply, in fact they advise against this. You just have to provide intended leave and return dates. It will be favourable for future visits if she returns on the day she says she will.
      Reply

  169. Mark says

    Probably the most informative article I've found regarding this topic. Thank you. My question to you is regarding the bank statements needed. She isn't payed much and I am intent on fully funding the trip which doesn't involve hotels, as we will be staying with my family for the 2 week duration of our trip. I am worried that her personal bank account won't show she has sufficient funds saved up to support herself if need be on this short visit, because I have been saving money in our joint account specifically for this trip. Do you think her bank statements (the account her salary is paid into) along with my personal bank statements and our joint account statements would be sufficient?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      If you are funding the trip then this isn't a problem. The fact that she has an account with regular salary payments is a positive thing, because it shows active employment, regular income and a reason to return to Thailand. Just make sure you get a letter from her boss to confirm employment, position and salary, and permission for the holiday period she will need to visit you. On the application form there is a section where she can select that the trip is being funded by you. She can also note in the "supporting notes" section that she has her own money, albeit a small amount, that she can use if need be. You can also confirm your support in a supporting statement. Also don't forget to prove your finances by way of statements.
      Reply

      • Mark says

        Thank you for the quick reply and awesome advice TTL. Feel more confident already. My girlfriend is an Admin Clerk in the Thai Ministry of Defence and already has an employment letter from her director general containing the info you mentioned above, so hopefully that isn't a problem. Glad it isn't this much hassle for Brits to get a simple tourist visa to Thailand. Anyway thanks again. You sir are a legend.
        Reply

  170. Csaba says

    Hello Collin. My story its very special. I am from Hungary, but I living 5 years ago in U.K. I meet a girl from Thailand. I would like living with her. What i doing? We not getting married at the moment Please help me.
    Best Ragard: Csaba
    Reply

  171. Andy says

    I have another question which is a bit of a tricky 1
    I live in northern ireland which is part of the uk but unfortunatley there are no direct flights from thailand . So.i would have to fly to england to pickup my girlfriend and then fly back across to belfast. However there are direct flights to dublin in the republic of ireland which is a 90 min drive from my house in the north and would save time and money . Is there any way she could land in dublin on a uk visitor visa and pass through back up to the uk in the north.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      I seem to remember someone else had this question a long while ago and it may be bedded here somewhere in the comments. I don't know the answer to this but maybe someone else following here does? If they don't a quick call to the embassy would be your best bet. It's always best to get the answer from the horses' mouth on anomalies like this.
      Reply

  172. Colin Sims says

    Good morning TTL. My Thai wife and I got married in Bangkok October 16 and we would like for her to come back with me on my return flight to U.K. At the end of May 17. I'm here on a three month visa but we would like the benefit of your advice as to the length of visa stay to ask for for my wife's first visit to the UK? Cheers Colin S.
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Colin, all visit visas are issued with a 6-month duration as standard, but you do have to state how long the trip will be and your intended flight dates on the application form. How long the trip is really depends on the circumstances of the individual. if your wife has a full time job then she is unlikely to be able to take a month's leave. If she is fully supported by you then she may be in a position to do that. There isn't an ideal length of stay for a first visa, so to speak. The key things to think about are proving that your relationship is genuine, and that your wife, or you, can fund the trip sufficiently, and that she has good reason to return to Thailand after her trip. The first ever visa we got many years ago was for a 6-week trip I think. My GF (now wife) had a letter from her boss stating that her job would be kept open for her return.
      Reply

    • Colin Sims says

      Hi, any idea of how long on average the time between interview and decision ?
      We have interview on ninth of May but I already have my return flight booked on 29th May. ( End of my three month visa). Chances of getting my missus on same flight getting slimmer. We first applied on 03/04/17. Regards Colin S.
      Reply

      • TheThailandLife says

        So you applied online on the 3rd of April and booked an appointment to hand the application in on the 9th (next Tuesday)? Didn't they have an appointment sooner than that? I reckon you will get your decision within 10 days; possibly quicker. Maximum 2 weeks. Should be before your flight. Thing is, they get busier closer to UK summer time because of lots of Thais applying for visas for their holidays.
        Reply

        • Colin Sims says

          Hi TTL. Thanks for your thoughts. Confession time, Although I took your advice about applying myself, registered our account etc, I gave up too easily and got frustrated with not being able to answer the questions on the forms! Neither my wife or myself possess the patience apparently. We should have took notice of your advice to take enough time and approached the forms when we were ready. Anyway, long story short, we employed one of the many 'helpers' firms. I won't name them. ( It's too late for recriminations.) (and it's my birthday today) They took my money on third of April and we only received our interview date on second of May. Allowing for songkran holiday etc and scores of messages and calls from my missus, we (my wife) eventually gets her interview on the ninth of May. Moral of story ? Read TTL advice thoroughly, and then make sure to get in the correct frame of mind to sit down with the forms,together, and just,'do it'. We will update results as and when. Regards Colin S.
          Reply

  173. C Benton says

    I am proposing to come to Thailand from UK for 30 days will this be adequate time to due the online application pay fee book appointment and receive decision and if successful sort out return flights and insurance for my girlfriend to visit UK or do you feel i should extend my trip to 6-8 weeks to sort everything out
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      It's possible, but don't count on it. They have a fast track process you can pay for too. I can't remember off the top of my head how much it is but I think around 500-600 quid. But there are no guarantees. It takes a few days to do the application and get all the paperwork together for submission. If you rush it you might miss including something important. And then what if it's refused? You won't have time to reapply within that window. You'd be better off with 6-8 weeks, but remember a tourist only gets stamped in for 30 days on entry, so you'd have to extend at immigration once those 30 days are up.
      Reply

  174. Richard says

    Staff called my girlfriend three days after the initial interview at Trendy Building. They also called her boss... it was first thing in the morning and the call had woken him up as he works until the early hours. He was a bit vague and still half-asleep... and made a couple of mistakes about my girlfriend's salary and the fact details of her job that differed from the letter. How much of a problem could this be? Is there likely to be a ten year ban for wrong information?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      It would have been a call from the UK visa staff in London, not the staff at Trendy Building, as they just process and send and receive applications.

      There could be a refusal if the information was very conflicting and the member of staff considers it to change the circumstances under which the visa is issued, but they may also consider the language barrier and that the odd discrepancy doesn't matter as long as he confirmed her job and the fact that she does work for him and will have her job open for her upon returning to Thailand.

      There won't be a 10-year ban. Bans are for knowingly providing false information.
      Reply

      • Richard says

        Thanks, that's quite reassuring. But they spoke in Thai (even though everything was submitted in English). Everywhere I've read said that if documents are submitted in English they'd expect to speak in English.

        Some of the questions they cross-checked with her and the boss were really detailed... how many staff work there, how many TABLES are there, how much does a burger cost.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          I see. On the application form it says something like "What language would you prefer to be interviewed in". I assume your GF put Thai, and that's why they got someone from the embassy to call in Thai. I've not heard of that before but I know the checks are more stringent now. Sounds like it went quite well. I wouldn't be too concerned with minor discrepancies.
          Reply

          • Richard says

            Still nothing back and it's been a week since that phone call, eight working days since the application being taken to trendy building. Is this normal? Some things I've read say it is usually decided quickly after a phone call. The Home Office website says 99% of visitor visa applications are processed within 10 working days.
            Reply

  177. alan says

    Hi great site,sure youve heard this before ,but a going to Thailand to meet a nice woman ,weve been chatting on social media for 4 months she is genuine as far as Ive researched her properly job,family,past relations etc. So if all goes well then where do we begin the process of her visitor visa application Thailand or UK . Am disabled on highest rate . What are our chsnces to get one ,,thanks .
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Alan, she would need to apply in Thailand. The application is done online and then submitted at the VFS global visa centre. There is one in Bangkok and one in Chiang Mai. Your chances are probably slim at the moment as you haven't spent any time together in person. That doesn't mean it is not possible, but the longer time you have spent together, preferably in person, the more chance I would assume.
      Reply

      • Alan Bond says

        Many thanks for reply /advice . Having looked into the process -your'e correct its time spent together to establish genuine reasons for her tourist visa being granted post to my visit . Im planning to visit her end of May and if alls well with us continuing a relationship , I will return to UK and begin application for a Tourist visa sponsored by me for her to visit UK , if granted - Ive explained to her that she must return to Thailand afterwards thus enhancing the chances of her getting a Visitor visa again sponsored by myself ,just to add am on High rate of all DWP , ESA Severe Disability Benefits. So I'm