What are the steps and requirements for bringing a Thai girlfriend to the UK for a visit, and should I use an agency?

Nov 27, 2023
a year ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anyone experience taking Thai gf back to uk? Easy enough or best use agency get everything right? She has business,home ,son,family in Surat so a one month stay and return back all straight forward! ?Also do I need show reentry permit upon leaving as well as return? Currently on 1 tpyear retirement extension

Many thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses bringing a Thai girlfriend to the UK for a visit, mentioning the ease of the application process for a visitor visa if the correct paperwork is provided. It highlights the importance of demonstrating proof of funds, relationship, and reasons for returning to Thailand, with many users advising it could be straightforward if the proper documentation is prepared. The conversation also touches on the necessity of a re-entry permit when leaving Thailand and whether using an immigration agency is beneficial, with mixed opinions shared on the necessity of an agency depending on personal experience.
Chris ****
Those who deploy the haha emoticon. Why?
Arie **************
So a Thai citizen cannot travel to the UK for a 2 week holiday as a tourist than return to Thailand?

Like I have been to Thailand recently on a 2 weeks holiday?

What is classed as prove of relationship? How can you prove a relationship?
Andy ***********
@Ar**
- u prove relationship with photos of history together . Good to have xmas or significant events together … shared address is also good -
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Arie *************
it seems no reciprocal agreement on the 30 day visa exemption as uk travelers receive from thailand
Arie **************
@Mark *******
thank you
Andy **********
And check past travel history to make sure there are no hidden surprises. For holiday visa, if there is an issue that occurred less than 12 months they MUST refuse. If the passport issue occurred less than 5 years ago, for partner visa, the UK immigration officer MUST refuse. It's a grey area if the passport issues happened outside of these limits. And you can't fix it through a new passport.
Dan *******
Hi
@Mark *******
I would advice you to use an agent for your first time. The reason being is the visa application is kind of set up for you to fail, a good visa agent knows the right answers to all of the questions and what to do and not to do and will avoid you a lot of the stress that comes with it
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan ******
thanks for info! Do u have an agent recommendation? Also do you think the idea of just a tourist visa is ok for her to apply for as suggested here? Thanks 🙏
Dan *******
@Mark *******
yes we used
@Ben *******
for our first time visa. She taught us how to apply for ourselves for the future visas so I do it myself now 🙏
Simon **********
@D**
💯
Patrick ********
Why do people say its easy it's not easy at all
Mally *******
Get in touch with Ploy Regal Swan,she is a good agent and english speaking,it's only easy if you know your way round uk immigration and that changes every week
Simon **********
I applied on my own the first time and our application was denied. What they ask for is the absolute bare minimum, and they are looking for a reason to deny the visa, no matter how small. There’s no appeal and once you have been refused once they look even harder at subsequent applications.

As already stated all the agents do is what you can do yourself, but they know exactly how much information and in what format to present it.

I used an agent three times after the initial failed application and they got me the visa without any issues every time, so in my experience and opinion it was worth using them.

Just to add, the visa applications are processed in India and there is no “interview” as such. Your girlfriend/wife has to go in to submit her application alone and they just check through the paperwork and send it on to India, so there’s no chance to explain or elaborate on anything, it is purely down to whatever evidence is submitted.
Brian **********
@Simon *********
my agent in Chaing Mai was a dud. Didn’t ask us for correct information that needed to be provided. Doing it myself.
Richard ******
@Simon *********
Which visa agent did you use and how much? Thanks.
Simon **********
@Ric****
R and V in Bangkok,
*****
THB.
Huy ******
@Simon *********
how to contact?
Matt *******
I have done it direct several times. No issues, it's quite straight forward if you have the right paperwork. I wouldn't use an agent as you have to provide them with the same details anyway. The people at VFS in Chiang Mai checked everything for us too.

The last time I got my wife a 10 year visa so we can travel as we please.

Good luck
Kevan **********
Very simple to do. Just fill in the application form online. Backed up with paperwork showing.

Proof of funds

Proof of relationship

Proof she has good reason to return to Thailand.

She will get a one year visa with a maximum stay of 180 days for any single trip.
Terry ************
@Kevan *********
also need proof of address in UK or invitation letter if you are staying with friends or family.

I applied from Malaysia as we were resident there earlier this year. She got 1 year multi entry with 6 months max stay . We went back in May . No issues at all .
Stuart ***********
I can't see any point in using an agency in Thailand for this purpose as it is uk immigration.

Seems like it should be straightforward for you to apply given your girlfriends circumstances.

I read somewhere that it's easier if she applies as a tourist and doesn't mention going with you.

Good luck.
Simon **********
@Stu***
have you applied for a visa?
Stuart ***********
Simon **********
@Stu***
your initial response made it sound like you haven’t. It’s not UK immigration. “I read somewhere…” also smacks of hearsay rather than actual knowledge.
Stuart ***********
@Simon *********
sorry if you misunderstood.

Which immigration is it then?

I thought he wanted his gf to go to the UK?

Just because I have done the visa before does not mean that I heeded the advice I gave about not mentioning himself in the process, that was indeed someone else's experience and why I explained that I only read avout it. I don't know how true it is from personal experience.

It does make some sense, as instead of immigration having to check all about their relationship and whether she is likely to overstay etc. She would be viewed as a tourist with every reason to return and no reason to stay in the uk?
Simon **********
@Stu***
VFS Global, India, which I would have thought you knew if you had done it before?

Most Thai people don’t have the requisite credentials to get a UK visa, hence needing a “sponsor” in the form of a boyfriend or husband.
Stuart ***********
@Simon *********
it's still on behalf of UK immigration!

I don't recall them being involved, but okay maybe they were, what's your point?

Presumably you are saying iIt's so complex that you have to pay someone to complete a form for you and put your evidence in the format requested?

I realise it will be beyond a few people's capabilities, but surely there aren't that many people that fall into that bracket.
Simon **********
@Stu***
if you didn’t even notice that you you weren’t at the UK immigration office, I would opine that answers all of your questions without any necessity for me to add anything further.
Stuart ***********
@Simon *********
we applied through the uk gov site when I did it about 4 years ago, I have no idea if they have outsourced some of the work to India now, but it is still on behalf of UK immigration if they have.

Most Thai people don't, but if you read his post his gf clearly seems to have the credentials, which is why I suggested it.
Simon **********
@Stu***
VFS Global have been dealing with UK visas for at least 8 years.
Will ************
Easy enough you MUST APPLY HERE
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Andrew ***********
************************
Peter *********
Paul King easy visa did mine hassle free
*****
baht and yes you need a re-entry stamp 1000 baht at immigration
Colin **********
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