Kevin Collinson

Applying for and obtaining a UK visitor's visa for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is very stressful, especially the first time. It is also harder for some people to get in than others. Unfortunately, here as elsewhere, money counts and people from poorer countries have to provide evidence that they will not be a burden on the state. This applies to Thais It may appear that the embassy staff are against you at times. This is not true, they are doing their jobs: they are looking out for the interests of the British people and it would benefit you not to get personal with them.

It is worth remembering that a bog-standard UK visitor's visa as issued in Thailand is good for six months stay in Great Britain and multiple entries and exits. However, when applying for the visa in Bangkok, you will be asked the dates you want to go for. If you stipulate, say, the first three weeks in March, you will be asked to sign a note guaranteeing that you will return after that. The note is then pinned into your passport. You are required to sign this although the visitor's visa is actually valid for six months.

The UK visitor's visa for a Thai strictly bars access to public funds of any and every kind. No social security, no health benefits and no working. It does not grant you the right to work. It is strictly enforced as it is in Thailand and any contravention will mean enforced repatriation to Thailand with your own ticket! If you mean to visit a lover, say so, but know that you will have to prove it. To be on the safe side, do not pply for knowing your friend for at least six months.

So, how do we provide proof of a 'continuous long-standing relationship'? well, it's not that hard if it is true. Keep photos, mementos, hotel bills, bus tickets, ATM receipts, phone cards, letters and such like. Don't exaggerate how long you have known each other besides the stamps in his passport there are other ways of becoming suspicious too. Do you know the names of any of his family? Do you know what he does for a living or where he lives? Is his father still alive? Get the picture? You must prove to a doubting Thomas that you are having a relationship (of over six months to be safe). They have seen many Thais try it on over the years.

After collecting the proof, it is time to get the Uk visitor's visa application form (VAF) from the embassy in Wireless Road, Bangkok or its website (Google it). Their website is very useful actually; especially for detailing what you should enclose and how much the fee is (about 75 these days). don't forget the sponsor's letter.

The sponsor is, therefore, the key to making a successful (first) attempt at obtaining a UK visitor's visa for a Thai. The sponsor has to be prepared to act as guarantor for the applicant and the embassy staff will want to be able to check the sponsor's ability to take care of him/her.

Therefore, the sponsor has to show a letter from his company proving that he has a steady income or a bank passbook or statements proving sufficient funds to be able to cover his guarantee of taking care of your welfare while in Britain. But not only that, if you have said that you will stay in his house, you must provide a letter from the mortgage provider, the council or something similar proving ownership or lease. Proof of marriage or divorce does not appear relevant although the applicant may be asked. Sometimes seemingly strange reasons are cited for a refusal for a UK visitor's visa:

"this Thai applicant for a UK visitor's visa has never been outside the country before " this is an easy one, just pop over to Cambodia for a weekend.

""the applicant for a UK visitor's visa does not appear to have strong social or economic ties to Thailand": they don't trust you to return to Thailand. The solution is to get your boss and /or the puyai bahn (village elder) to write a letter saying that you are a responsible employee / family member.

Do not be tempted to hurry the application for a UK visitor's visa. Ensure that you have a 'valid reason' for wanting to go to the UK and remember it; ensure that you can prove everything that you say. Pretend for the day of the interview for a UK visitor's visa that you are a lawyer and provide solid, written proof.

Go over and over the details you have provided to the embassy until you really know them - as if for an exam. Your sponsor will not be with you, so get used to that. You will be asked some simple questions in English, but the main body of the interview can be in Thai, if you prefer.

Hint: apply for more time than you need as the UK visitor's visa runs from the day it is granted, but you may not be able to get a flight out of Suvarnabhum straight away. You will probably also be required to return to the Bangkok embassy when you arrive back to have the UK visitor's visa cancelled; after all, it is a multiple entry, 180-day visa that could be used to return to the UK without the sponsor's knowledge, so try not to arrive back on a Friday unless you want a holiday in Thailand's capital city.

No 1 Tip: don't tell lies to the embassy staff, they have heard it all before. If you're unsure of something, just say so.

Kevin Collinson

Kevin Collinson

Kevin Collinson: Kevin Collinson

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