@David *********

UK advises not to purchase tickets until after the visa is issued. The complication with jobs is that although the applicant might say they are coming fr a 2 week holiday, the visa is always issued for 6 months, then some civil servant will argue what employer gives 6 months holiday, and then they decide she will have no job to return to. So her ties to Thailand should not be just a job; does she have dependant children, elderly parents to support, property (a house, even a motorbike). They may also refuse if she has a record. eg for holiday visa, the immigration officer MUST refuse if she has served a 12 month or less sentence anywhere, less than 12 months before application (but they might refuse if more than 12 months has elapsed, there appears to be no rule for spent convictions). Proof of relationship in this case is a marriage certificate, which is a perfectly legal document in the UK. Yes, letters of invitation only need to include a statement that you will support and house her during her stay (documentary proof is always helpful). I see sometime reference to sending to the government private messages between people, but then, ECHR Article 8, which might not apply in the circumstance of migrating to the UK (ie. the government has a right to interfere in marriages, based on income) should not apply in the case of demonstrating proof of a legal relationship given there is a marriage certificate (the government can mind their own business about what I talk to my wife about)

@Patricia *********

The embassy official might be thinking that he wants his wife to move to the UK. At the moment the income requirement is £18,600. This increases to £29,000 on April 1st ( I would not be surprised if there are further tweaks before then. The embassy official was talking about the policy now. The agent is driven by the need to be paid, and with most, that's related to a visa being successful.some will offer a refund, others will roll over the fee into a new application. They don't have a magic way of guaranteeing a visa, but they should be able to get a sense of the lie of the land. Right now, it's more difficult for first timers. A cynic says the home office is driven by targets, and it's easier to refuse the low hanging fruit (wives, there has been cases of thai wives self deporting after some arbitrary decision. A friend who is Malaysian and a consultant surgeon in the nhs was threatened with 10 days notice of deportation because he had the temerity to ask permission to attend a wedding back home, during the period he was applying for indefinite leave to remain (cost him thousands to fight the decision). But people voted for this cruel system. You're brave to post on this group because there are a few thoughtless idiots.

@Steve ************

You misunderstand. There is the Partner (or Wife) visa, which is issued for 2.5 years, renew after 2.5 years, then afer 5 years, apply for permanent settlement/passport etc. The Visitor Visa is for a holiday, and the government fee is £115. As its for less than 6 months, no medical tests etc. As its a holiday, the visitor should have travel insurance, so no NHS surcharge. A Partner Visa includes a right to work as well. The visa fee is not refundable. The NHS fee is (if you get turned down). The UK government might interview an applicant (which is where an agent is of use).

@Paul ************

No law against using your flexible friend to pay for a flight. My wife has a black mark against her after traveling to Malaysia. A British agent told me to lie....... A Thai agreed this was a terrible idea. I think UK and Australia regulations are not so different. Why was she in Australia? Short holiday? Family there?

@Leonard *****

like the people who tap away in German or French. It's fairly easy to work where people are from.

@Steve ************

Partner visa costs about £1500 (or a bit less) for the visa itself, and £1000 a year nhs surcharge up front for 2.5 years. Then rinse and repeat. On top, pay for english test (£100-200) and bangkok medical exam (£200 or so).

@Paul ***********

just block this wayne whi.

@Paul ************

There is no salary requirement for the sponsor. You are just stating you will undertake to cover her expenses during the visit. Now of course, providing evidence to back up that statement will help their decision. In the application, she has to state how much she thinks the trip will cost. Do you have the money or means to cover that, eg the flight (£1000-1500), accomodation (you are providing that), subsistance. Has your wife traveled before, and if so, did she have any problems? That might be a difficult conversation, getting things into the open. The UK may ask about the last 10 years of travel. It might be an idea to build your savings back up again, next time you go out, go on a budget, not stay in a fancy resort etc. Thai people hate the sun anyhow, so its not like you will be going for a beach holiday.....

@Judy ******

Well, Duh. And the list of vistor requirements for a standard visit isn't that long. No one is stating that the UK has no requirements of visitors.

@Paul ************

This group is really hard to ask advice on. Its full of divorcees who meet prostitutes in Thailand, and think that's normal, and base their responses on their own dysfunctional, beer-sozzled lives. For a partner visa, besides the onerous salary requirement, medical tests and language exams, you need to thick end of £5000, just for 2.5 years, and of that, ~£1500 you won't get back if turned down.