UK Visa for Thai Citizen

Applying for British Visas From Thailand

If you are a Thai national looking to visit or live in the UK, you need to apply for a UK Visa in most circumstances. Fortunately, there are many different types of UK Visas, each allowing you to travel from Thailand to the United Kingdom for a specific purpose.

Continue reading to learn about the major types of UK Visas and how to get the right one for your needs quickly and smoothly.

UK Family Visas

If you are looking for a visa to bring your loved ones with you to the UK, there are a wide array of UK Family Visas to choose from. Each one caters to certain family members; there is no general "family visa." The 5 following visas listed below fall under the UK Family Visa category:

UK Fiancé(e) Visa

The UK Fiancé(e) Visa is specifically what you should be considering if you are engaged to a Thai partner. Once approved, your partner will be allowed to reside in the UK for up to 6 months, during which you will need to marry them or their visa will expire. After securing your marriage, they will be able to apply for an extension of stay as a spouse.

UK Spouse Visa

If you are a UK national or permanent resident married to a Thai national, you have the option to sponsor them for a UK Spouse Visa. Unlike the Fiancé(e) Visa, the UK Spouse Visa allows them to live in the UK long-term without any restrictions. It is granted for 2 years and 9 months, and after its expiry, they can apply for a Leave to Remain for an extra 2 years and 6 months in the country.

UK Parent Visa

If you are a parent of a British child, then you qualify for a UK Parent Visa. This lets you stay in the country for up to 1 year, but also allows you to apply for permanent residency afterward. To qualify, you have to satisfy several requirements, including needing to prove that you have the financial means to care for your child.

UK Child Visa

If you are domiciled in the United Kingdom and have a child under the age of 18, they can qualify for a UK Child Visa to be able to stay with you indefinitely in the UK. You must be actively helping your child with their application such as by proving to the immigration officers that you can financially support the applicant.

UK Visa for an Adult Dependant Relative

If you are currently domiciled in the United Kingdom and you have a relative above the age of 18 who is dependent on you, you can sponsor them for the UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa. This can be an ideal visa for a relative of yours with a disability who is still reliant on you to care for them.

UK Spouse Visa Extension

If your spouse is a current holder of a UK Spouse Visa and wants to request an Extended Leave to Remain, then you will need to sponsor them for a UK Spouse Visa Extension. This will extend their stay in the United Kingdom for an additional 2 years and 6 months and allow them to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the future.

UK Vignette Visa Transfer

If your visa was stolen, damaged, or lost during your travels, you can apply for the UK Vignette Visa Transfer to allow you to use your current visa without needing to change it. This service is also available if you want to amend a visa sticker because your visa expired or you need to update any of your personal information in your passport.

UK Returning Resident Visa

As a Thai citizen, you may be granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom. If you were given this status, but you were away from the UK for at least 2 years, then you need to apply for a UK Returning Resident Visa to be able to re-enter the country. This offers you a chance to live in the UK permanently again, but this requirement must be met first.

UK Visitor Visa

Foreign nationals can get permission to visit the UK for up to a total of 6 months by acquiring a UK Visitor Visa. This British tourist visa allows you to visit the country temporarily as long as you do not work, study, or set up a local business. As a UK Visitor Visa holder, you are required to leave the UK by the end of your visa validity.

If you want to stay in the UK on a visitor visa, you will also need to apply for entry clearance, where your credentials will be assessed by immigration officials to see if you meet the immigration requirements. Entry clearance is required by all nationals, excluding those from an EU country.

UK Student Visa

As a non-British citizen, you will need a visa if you wish to study in the United Kingdom for a certain period. If you are going to be studying for over 6 months in the country, then you need to apply for a UK Student Visa. Also known as a Tier 4 General Student Visa, you can qualify for this if you have enrolled in a full-time study course, which is common if you will be arriving in the country as a university student.

Helpful Tips When Applying for a UK Visa

If you are looking to apply for a UK Visa, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when going through your application:

• It’s recommended that you keep copies of all application forms and documents that you are asked to submit.

• Make notes of any specific questions you are asked and the answers you have to provide.

• If your application is rejected, you can appoint a legal representative to help you appeal this decision.

• Seeking assistance in obtaining an entry clearance from a UK immigration lawyer is less expensive than appointing an attorney to help you overturn a UK Visa upon refusal.

Contact Siam Legal for UK Visa Assistance

If you want to apply for any of the UK Visas, reach out to Siam Legal’s foreign visa team for further support. As a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience in helping clients with their legal and immigration needs, our experts have the knowledge needed to help guide you through your application as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

We offer a variety of services ranging from consultation sessions to thorough application reviews before submission. Regardless of which UK Visa you are applying for or sponsoring, Siam Legal will ensure you have the maximum chances of approval and you can travel to the UK without fear of immigration issues.

Contact Siam Legal to get started on your UK journey today and book a visa consultation with our UK Visa specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is There a Checklist for Any of the UK Visa Applications?

Yes, we can provide a detailed checklist of all the items you need to collect and provide for your chosen UK Visa application from Thailand.

What Documents Are Needed for a UK Visa?

There is no set list of documents that you need in order to apply for a UK Visa, as this varies depending on your nationality and the visa you are applying for.

On a general level, all applicants need to submit the following:

• A valid passport or travel document

• All previous passports or travel documents if available

• A completed application form

• A passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), color photograph of yourself.

• The supporting documents relevant to the application

• The visa fee

Which Organization Reviews My UK Visa Application?

A UK Visa application is submitted to VFS (Thailand), also known as the UK Visa Application Center, which will review your application and biometrics. They will then forward your application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for further evaluation. Upon approval, your application is then forwarded to the UK Embassy in Thailand.

It should be noted that while VFS conducts a review of your application, they are not a government agency and do not make a decision on your application. It is the UKVI that grants you the approval.

How Long is the Application Process?

In general, non-settlement category visas such as visitor visas typically take 2-3 weeks to be processed. Settlement category visas such as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can take between 2-3 months on average. As the applicant, you can also apply for priority service to speed up your application, available by the UKVI at an additional cost.

Note that processing times for applications are not always the same. If the British Embassy asks for additional documents or there are errors in your application, this can cause delays. You can also monitor the progress of your application online, but the outcome of your application will not be decided until all your documents have been fully provided.

What Can I Do If My Visa Was Refused?

If you have received notification from immigration services that your application was rejected, you have the opportunity to reapply. Reach out to Siam Legal’s foreign visa team if you find yourself in this situation. We will assess the reasons for the refusal of your visa and assist you in appealing this decision.