Sep/100
How To Obtain A UK Visitor’s Visa For Thais.
Obtaining a UK visitor's visa is not a straight-forward task and can be very tiring. It is also easier to apply from some countries than others and this is mostly to do with money and possibly reputation. It is obviously far harder for the average Thai to pay for a UK holiday than an average American. Arabs may be finding it more difficult too these days. So it can seem that the embassy staff have something against you. However, this is not true. They are acting under orders to protect the UK and so only doing their job. Do not take things personally. Some people also believe that the Thai government works with the embassy to prevent Thais leaving Thailand. This is not true either
Please remember that if you are successful in obtaining a UK visitor's visa in Bangkok, it is valid for multiple entries into the UK over a period of six months. However, the embassy is loathe to give a UK visitor's visa to a Thai the first time round as they know that not many Thais could afford to stay there that long without working. So you will be asked to state when you will arrive and when you will leave. You have to sign this note and it will be stapled into your passport. You must aide by this self-inflicted limitation, although your visa is sill nominally good for six months.
The visa also expressly forbids the Thai applicant access to any 'social benefits' such as social security, health care or pension rights. Be aware that many/most Thai applicants are refused their first attempt, because their submission is 'half-hearted'. If the stated reason is, say, to visit a friend or lover, the you really need to prove an on-going, long-term relationship of at least six months with your partner.
I will concentrate on providing evidence of a continuing relationship. Most applicants from Thailand will need a sponsor. This is usually an employer or a lover. Obviously, immigration stamps in a passport can prove how long it is possible that a couple could have known each other, but you will need more evidence than that. A letter from a friend, employer or relative stating when you met can help. However, you should keep all correspondence, telephone bills, bank statements (recordings of ATM transactions), restaurant receipts, theatre tickets, train and bus tickets, even menus and photos. In fact, anything that can help establish that you are having the relationship that you claim you are having and that you have had it for at least six months.
After having gathered all your proofs you can get the visa application form (VAF) from the embassy or its website, which is really very useful for explaining what should be enclosed with the form and what the fee is (3,800 Baht or thereabouts). This is your last real chance to make a good impression, so get it right. You will only get an interview if you make the application impressive.
So the sponsor is very important here. It is really up to your sponsor whether you get your first UK visitor's visa at the first attempt. He has to guarantee that he will take care of you and provide you with somewhere to stay and the embassy staff will have to be convinced that he is up the job.
Your friendly sponsor will have to make you an offer of a holiday with accomodation in the UK. Then he will have to back up his claims with written proof. If he says he has money, he will need a letter from his employer or the bank. If he says he has a house, he will need a letter from his mortgage provider, a contract, deeds or a letter from the council. Marriage is not an issue, but some odd reasons given for refusal are:
"this Thai applicant for a UK visitor's visa has never been outside the country before " this is an easy one, just pop over to Cambodia for a weekend.
""the applicant for a UK visitor's visa does not appear to have strong social or economic ties to Thailand": they don't trust you to return to Thailand. The solution is to get your boss and /or the puyai bahn (village elder) to write a letter saying that you are a responsible employee / family member.
Do not be tempted to hurry the application for a UK visitor's visa. Ensure that you have a 'valid reason' for wanting to go to the UK and remember it; ensure that you can prove everything that you say. Pretend for the day of the interview for a UK visitor's visa that you are a lawyer and provide solid, written proof.
Make sure you know the answers to questions about your sponsor: about his family, town and work. You will be alone in the embassy, but don't let that make you nervous. Some questions will be in English, but if you get stuck it's not a problem, just speak Thai.
Tip: ask for a longer stay than you need because the visa runs from the day it's granted and you will have to book flights. You could be delayed coming back too. If you have to cancel you UK visitor's visa, don't arrive back on a Friday unless you want a few nights in Bangkok.
No 1 Tip: don't tell lies to the embassy staff, they have heard it all before. If you're unsure of something, just say so.
Do you require to get a UK Visa for a Thai? We can help you on our free website called http://uk-visas-for-thais.the-real-way.com.