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What is the easiest way for my Thai girlfriend to visit the UK for 4 weeks?

Sep 3, 2025
3 days ago
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi Guys and Gals, this is possibly not the place I should be looking, but if any of you can help with good info, it would be greatly appreciated.

I met my Thai girlfriend in March this year and after a good LDR, I am in Thailand having a 5 week holiday with her.

My plan now is to fly back to the UK on 5th October, spend 4 weeks clearing up my books, accommodation and banking etc, then coming back to Thailand at the beginning of November on a 6 month METV staying with my girl, and if all goes well, retiring over here after that.

My girl would like to come to the UK with me for the 4 weeks in October.

What would be the easiest way to get her into the UK for 4 weeks, there doesn't seem to be a basic tourist holiday visa and I don't particularly want to pay a fortune for a spouse type visa when it is truly a 4 week holiday.

Hoping someone can give me good advice, have a good day.

TIA x
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat is seeking advice on how to bring his Thai girlfriend to the UK for a four-week holiday, as they have been in a long-distance relationship and he plans to return to Thailand afterwards. Several comments suggest applying for a UK tourist visa, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating strong ties to Thailand to ensure the visa's approval. It's noted that, given the short duration of their relationship, providing proof of her intent to return to Thailand is crucial. Additionally, suggestions include using agencies experienced in visa applications and considering group travel packages to facilitate her visit.
Matthew ********
Be ready to waste a lot of money time and effort
Kevin *********
Hate to be the harbinger of caution but 2 things you said raised some red flags. You met your gf in March this year and you're thinking of settling down and retiring in Thailand? Hmm...hope you do know what you're doing, mate. 🙏🍻
Doug *********
@Kevin ********
I had the same story. I've been happily married for 10 years, now. You are correct to warn the guy, but some relationships work out quite well. I agree that he should be cautious.
Mark *********
@Doug ********
Caution isn't always enough. A lot of Thais have mental issues. Women over a certain age who aren't married probably are single for a lot of reasons.
Kevin *********
@Mark ********
mental illness or mental issues exist everywhere and are getting more rampant, especially in societies which aggrandises it and coddle those who have it or claim to have it. That being said, I find the Thai people and Thai culture one of the best in terms of politeness, not stepping on your toes, not being entitled, and respecting everyone and even everything. The other group of people would be the Japanese but their level of mental issues is high!
Mark ********
Almost impossible for her to get a visitors visa.

My buddy tried last year to get for his girlfriend to go to the UK.

She’s a nurse and owns a house and has a stable job for 20 years in the same hospital. Still got turned down.
Ivan *********
That is the irony of the UK System. My Thai wife has been in the UK 5 years . If you do it the legal way it is a long hard road - It will test your relationship/Patience and your wallet. I have retired last year - So ideally I hope to have a foot in both places . I love Thailand /Thai people . The only thing I hate is Bangkok traffic jams ..... Good luck with your case .
Gerry ******
@Mark *******
omg...but no problem if you arrive by rubber boat.then you get free hotel and spending money...the UK government is a joke.
James ********
@Gerry *****
as an aside you know that is bollox right?
J **************
@Gerry *****
but you said that first the tries as well
Mark ********
If you've only been meeting since March I don't hold out much hope for you at this stage unless she has a good job with decent salary for a length of time. The UK government has been stung by Thai girls getting into the country and then staying beyond their visa, so they're very strict these days
Nigel **************
@Mark *******
Hoop Paak
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Jahaey ********
We recommend that you purchase a tour package that includes a tour to England.For your girlfriend Group tours should be easier to travel to. A group tour to England should cost around 80,000 baht.
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jahaey *******
when you say a tour package, do you mean an organised tour, or something that you could put together yourself through Expedia, skyscanner etc?
Jahaey ********
Jahaey ********
If your female friend is approved for this visa, she can get a tourist visa, but if she is not approved, you will lose the least amount of money if she is not approved for the visa.
Jahaey ********
@Ian *****
The tour I recommend is a group tour that takes Thai people on a tour according to the tour group's period, but the visa can be extended according to the duration of the tourist visa. When traveling, it will be a large group trip.

Visas may also be easier to obtain if you travel in a tour group.
Ian ********
You can apply for tourist visa for her but you probably have left it too late to sort out. You’ll have to do without her for a few weeks.
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian *******
I figured time might be tight, thanks
Chris ********
VFS Global do offer express options on UK Visas which would get a decision made in time but they are expensive. And no guarantees of course of a positive decision.
Andrew **************
You're clearly not looking hard enough on the internet.

VFS Global is what you need to Google and you can apply for a UK tourist Visa through this website. I have used it many times and you don't need an Agent, as long as you are capable of following the application process.

Costs involved are for an appointment and the Visa. Anything up to £200 depending on which VFS Global centre you select in Thailand. You can only apply online and at least your GF has to attend. You can if you wish. Good luck
Ken *******
Its used to be called a "Visit" visa I don't know if they have changed the name all the info is on
***********
Ian ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Fred *********
@Ian *****
You are going to need to show a history between the both of you. Photos going back as long as possible. Chat history as well. Your going to need to provide bank statements for the last 6 months for both of you. She needs to prove almost every baht going in and out of her account. If there is unexplained money going through. The visa will be denied. She needs to prove that she will return. Just saying it is not enough. She needs to prove her address. Does she have children. If they go to school. Then need to show their id cards as well. Does she have a job. Does she have bills to pay. Then prove it. We just did the visitor visa 2 months ago. My application consisted of 126 pages of information. Our first visa was denied because of insufficient explanation of income in her bank. Once properly explained we were successful the second time. The application is very difficult. So many are denied because they couldn't prove enough connections to Thailand. And insufficient information about money. I also stuck £7000 in a savings account to show that I could take care of her financially while she was here. Good luck. Just remember the most important things. Reason to go back to Thailand. Number 1. And money explained in her bank. These 2 things account for almost everything denial of visa.
Sasi ************
Thai passport holders having difficulties getting visa to many countries including the UK and The USA.

Work history and income verification , travel history and the tide to Thailand are the crucial factors.

In my younger years, I am among not many Thais that granted visas to every country I wanted to visit. I’ve got my own real estates and assets, single mom in my late twenties which seem to be a big red flag but it’s not an issue for me.

I travel all over long before Ive got the employment base visa and granted Citizenship thereafter.

Hope that helps.
Colin **********
Yes i think its a visitor visa, fundamental to you being successful is you have to demonstrate that she intends to return to Thailand, so things like a letter from her employer, property she owns, money in the bank. that type of thing.
Stan **********
You can get a tourist visa to the UK for that length of time. Maybe extremely difficult as you are only recently started the relationship.

The main criteria is proving that she has a reason to go back to Thailand.

Obviously you have to prove it is a substantive/serious relationship, and not a holiday romance.

Could suggest the use of an agent, as they deal with these things all the time and know the ins and outs of what is required.
@Key ***************
is a good company, they handled all my previous fiancé and settlement visas.

Also other companies like
@One *****************************************
are also good.

Many will suggest trying doing it yourself,which you can attempt to do.but you will have a higher percentage of refusal, as not knowing all the requirements for a successful application.
Stephen ********
@Stan *********
there is no such thing as a tourist visa for the UK. It is called a visitor visa and would allow stays for upto 6 months.
Stan **********
@Stephen *******
oh dear are we feeling a little pernickety. 🤣🤣🤣

Technically speaking a UK Visitor Visa is commonly referred to as a Tourist Visa.

The official terminology, for those pedantic amongst us that may get their OCD upset for not using the correct terminology, it is actually called a 'Standard Visitor Visa' 😁
Stephen ********
@Stan *********
standard visitor visa is so much more than a tourist visa. I used to tell my 5 year old son that he can't make up his own words for stuff as nobody would understand. 🤣
Naja ***********
@Stan *********
wasn't there just a recent crackdown on fake agencies offering driver's licenses the illegal way?

I see you've suggested one such agency.
Stan **********
@Naja **********
if you did a read up, you will more than likely find they do not do driving licences illegally.

You will still have to attend the office to go through the actual procedures. What they will do is, assist you in obtaining the licence, as navigating through the requirements can be a little bit of a nightmare if you do not know the system 🤨

But I do not think the original poster is looking for a Thai driving licence at this moment in time! 😁
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