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Can I take my Thai wife on a 6-month UK tourist visa to Europe for a holiday?

Thai Visa UK Visa Tourism Europe Travel Schengen Visa Travel Requirements Expats in Thailand Travel tips for Thailand

Aug 25, 2024

4 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello,

 has anyone taken their Thai wife to England ie return to visit friends and family at home on a 6 month tourist visa and then traveled to Europe / just as an example Spain for a holiday.

Is it possible?, and if so how did you go about it.

 Did it all have to be arranged before leaving Thailand or can it be arranged while back in England.

TIA.

Jon Peek

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation revolves around the possibility of bringing a Thai spouse to England on a six-month tourist visa and then traveling to Europe. Key points emerge about the need for separate visas for both the UK and Schengen countries, with several commenters advising that obtaining a Schengen visa can be complex and usually requires booking itinerary details in advance. Notably, Turkey is mentioned as a visa-free option for Thai citizens, simplifying a possible travel route. Overall, the logistical considerations highlight the need for careful planning regarding visa applications and travel arrangements.

Ian ********

Annoyingly cant be done from UK, like others said you need the schengen visa which you have to get in Thailand. Ive not looked into it deeply but my first impression is to get the schengen you need to have your europe trip booked. which is annoying, It would be good to be able to book a last minute flight and nip over to spain for a long weekend. Turkey is doable but a 4 hour flight, great place though.

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks for the info 👍

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Jon ******

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Chris *********************

Don't know if it's changed, but if you get a visa for your wife it used to be single entry, so she can't leave and come back within the 6 months,

And most likely need a visa to enter the holiday destination.

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Mcgow ********

You need schengen visa

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Joel *******

UK visa is valid for visa-free entry in only a very few countries. Albania, North Macedonia and Morocco are examples I can think of off the top of my head. For Schengen area you will need an entirely separate visa. Turkey and Georgia are always visa-free for Thai citizens, as is the (internationally unrecognised) northern part of Cyprus.

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Uwe ****

Fly to Turkey, throw away your passports and cross into EU territory along with other illegal groups of immigrants, and your entire stay will be funded by one of the EU governments of the country you intend to go.

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, thanks for your input. So that said can I book a holiday here in the UK, bearing in mind my wife is here with me on a 6 month visa issued when we were in Thailand, and travel through the security and customs of the Uk to get to Turkey without any issues ???

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Joel *******

Turkey is visa-free for Thai citizens. Make sure she has a return ticket within 30 days and proof of funds, and she should be fine. Also returning to the UK afterwards should be fine, as IIRC the UK visas are always multiple-entry.

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Joel *******

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Karim ***************

I’m currently on holiday in Turkey because Thais get Visa free travel here. First time here, it’s pretty good! For Euro travel, she would need a Schengen visa, which takes approx

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weeks to arrive but, you need to make an appointment at the relevant embassy for the country you want to visit, which can take an extra month of waiting. Hence Turkey for us…

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Andy **********

I suppose Turkey almost qualifies as a (beach) holiday in Europe. No visa required for Thai citizens. Though I think Thai ladies recoil with horror the idea of a beach holiday. If you are feeling flush, you could also book a carribean cruise, provided you are careful which islands you get off at. There might also still be in place the 90 day visa exemption for the Republic of Ireland for UK visitor visa holders

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90-thai-citizen-visiting-ireland-on-a-uk-visa/

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for that, and yeh your right my wife covers up when the sun is out and doesn't sunbathes like a European lady, think ill be patient and wait for November it all seems to be filled with too much hassle. Maybe a cruise when we get back is the answer 👍ill check it out on my return. Cheers.

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Jon ******

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Stuart ***********

She will need 2 separate visas; 1 for the UK and Shengen for the rest of Europe.

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Did you obtain it prior to your English visit .

Thanks Jon

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Andy ********

you have to apply for the Shengen Visa from Thailand. Now you are in the UK it's not possible to apply.....crazy but true. My sons girlfriend had to stay in Thailand an extra month to apply for the Shengen after getting her UK visa but was declined the Shengen Visa.

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks, I shan't bother it's to much hassle 😑

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James *************

@Stuart **********

hello, my wife had the UK visa and a Shengen visa for Italy as that was going to be the first Shengen country that she would visit, followed by France etc. Regards, James.

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Andy **********

@Stuart **********

Ireland is not in Schengen

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Stuart ***********

@Andy *********

very true. I was making it a general response without listing countries individually. I suspect he will want to take her to places like Italy, Spain, France and maybe Switzerland. If he's going to do it he needs to check the individual countries to ensure the Shengen covers it.

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Stuart ***********

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for that information. Do you know if that has to be arranged before leaving Thailand for England as we are in England now returning in November.

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Tom ********

She will need to apply for a Shengen visa for the Country you want to visit, once she gets that visa she can travel to 26 other shengen Countries, Don't apply for Spain, it's very difficult, Portugal is much easier but you will still have to jump through hoops.

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you. I think this visit to England has been such an awful experience weather wise it was just a thought, if it wasn't going to be the same experience as it was to get her 6 month visa I'd have seriously considered a break for some sun.

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Tom ********

It's not easy but my Filipina Wife had to apply for a shengen visa from the Portuguese Embassy in Manilla which was actually in the Greek Embassy , We tried Spain and she was refused twice, For a Tourist visa you will have to show funds and an itinerary for what you will be doing everyday of your stay and prove you intend to leave, UK/EU is a nightmare , glad we are back in Thailand now :-)

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Jon ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm looking fwd to getting back to Thailand too, at least the rain is warm and wet, and not an extension of winter 😅

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Jon ******

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Colin **********

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Willem ****

Colin Chaffers

Thats not what he is asking. He asks if its possible to take his wife on a vacation in a schengen country while being on a tourist visa in the UK.

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Willem ****

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Gardar ***************************

Considering it's two different visa you need for her and unsure if Thai's take holiday inside a holiday. But I would ask Thai embassy in UK if she can travel to schengen country while on tourist visa to UK

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Bob **********

@Gardar **************************

it wouldn’t be the Thai embassy it would be a Spanish consulate but she would need a multi entry visa to return to the UK

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Gardar ***************************

that's true, but schengen visa is another list of requirements so then try to get multi entry visa to UK then another for Spain if even possible due to such weak passport

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Graeme ******

@Gardar **************************

the uk 6 month visa is a multi entry visa, you will.need to.apply for a separate schengen visa after you have got your uk visa. Once you have your uk visa then it's easier to get the schengen visa.

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Gardar ***************************

alright fair enough

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Gardar ***************************

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