Years ago I was with natwest. I got a job in the US, so natwest moved my account, which was in negative overdraft to Douglas Isle of Man. I got a posh letter from the manager welcoming me to the branch. First thing I did was send him a usd cheque after my first paypacket asking him to pay it in. It was cheaper, easier and quicker than expecting my us bank to do the transfer. Nationwide building society also allow non uk addresses.

Fire engines as well. Not sure a fire marshall's car counts though. In any case, you're supposed to donate to a charity, like an elephant foundation......

You can import a used ambulance or towtruck following a mountain of paperwork. Which could include paramedic vehicles like range rovers if the equipment is retained.

Did you use an agent at all?

The invitation letter seems to be important. Likely more information needs to be included establishing relationship than if you are married. Agents might have the templates that work, though my understsanding is keep it to the facts and be concise. As indicated, establishing ties to Thailand is important; dependants, property (including a car or motorbike!), if self employed, evidence of business registration etc. Also, limit the period of the visit in the application, even though visas are issued for 6 months. 10 years of travel history is considered, so if she has no travel history, try and get some. eg a weekend in Hong Kong or Singapore. She needs no visa for these places, and HK/Singapore Immigration is highly regarded in London. Well, anyhow that's my plan as my wife has such a terrible immigration history. I fully expect her to be rejected, but can only give it my best shot.

@Kim ***************

Don't think I am. Voters only care about numbers. Government goes for low hanging fruit. The politics around refugees is a nonsense. Illegal refugees are not helped by the government because they are in the black economy. You spout a load of nonsense about the government helping illegal migrants because they are corrupt. No illegal migrant is fed by the government, housed by the government, clothed or given money. Normally people have to be found guilty of an offence through evidence, but instead as a migrant, you have to prove innocence. Perverse law indeed. The government policies you attack are because voters are anti refugee. They are not coming to the UK because it's great (the uk is a terrible country) but because life is so terrible for them back home, largely because of what the British and others have done. You probably don't realize the treaty with Rwanda entitles Rwanda to send to the UK uncapped numbers of asylum seekers. Lunatic policy, but it works when you think migrants are the root of all evil. It's what you voted for.

@Kim ***************

To reduce immigration by cracking down on "illegal migrants" costs money; ultimately, for the UK, you will have to militarise the coastline, put border guards on beach patrol duties, questioning bathers, handing out leaflets asking them to report kids in inflatable dinghies on the beach.....Building housing faciities, work camps. Then you find there is less spent on the army, NHS, police, potholes, dole. But, you can achieve the same reduction, more or less, by essentially making 90% of overseas marriages illegal, and it will not only cost the government nothing, but also be a handy revenue stream by charging people fairly outrageous sums to fill in a form and access the NHS even if they are paying taxes like everyone else. So British man is on £29k a year. Now he's got to find £1846, non-refundable, for the visa fee. £1000 extra if you want a fast decision because you are dying or something, also non-refundable. Then 2.5 years of NHS surcharge up front at about £1000 a year, about the same as a typical Bupa package. Holiday visa fee is about £115, and the Home Office ought to be a rigorous with those applications as any other. Yet, now the paperwork is more than 10x as much?????? But this is the policy you've voted for, so not sure why you are complaining. And the illegals you moan about are often turning up dead in the back of a Northern Irish biscuit lorry, if you remember the young Vietnamese people. Fact is, >80% of those arriving on boats are genuine refugees, who were told that the British, when we ruled their countries, were kind, charitable, fair and decent people, who welcomed 200,000 Belgians who arrived in 24 hours in WW1, admitted thousands of Kinder children without question in WW2, welcomed Ugandan asians threatened with genocide in the 1970s. Unfortunately, they were told a lie, as in the 21st century, the British are now mean minded.

@Peter *******

Being a Professional is no guarantee of fair treatment by a mercurial IO.

@Peter *******

A pal of mine is a consultant surgeon working for the NHS. The ASEAN country he comes from doesn't allow dual citizenship, so he is not interested in British citizenship. He married an English lady, they have kids, and he is settled. He went through the Leave to Remain process. Halfway through, he had an invite to attend a wedding back home. He sought permission from the Home Office asking permission, thinking they only say yes or no (you are not supposed to leave the UK while your status is under review, except for emergency). They came up with a third response; a deportation order, giving him 10 days to settle his affairs. £5000 later through an immigration lawyer, he managed to stay in the UK. Missed the wedding though. Officials are not held accountable for illogical decisions.