If your Thai girlfriend wants to visit you in the UK for a holiday, meet your family or spend time together before returning to Thailand, she will normally need a UK Standard Visitor visa. Being your girlfriend does not create a separate visa category for a short visit.
Want your girlfriend to visit the UK?
Tell us about your relationship, the proposed trip and her circumstances in Thailand. We can help you prepare a visitor visa application that explains the plans clearly.
Chat with us on WhatsAppWhen is the Standard Visitor visa the right choice?
It is usually the right route when your girlfriend intends to make a genuine, temporary visit and leave the UK at the end. She can spend time with you, meet friends or family and enjoy a holiday. A visit can usually last up to six months, although the proposed length should make sense for her circumstances and travel plans.
She must apply before travelling. The application is made online, followed by an appointment at a visa application centre. For a broader overview, read our guide to the UK Standard Visitor visa.
What does she need to show?
The application should explain why she is visiting, how the trip will be paid for and why she intends to leave afterward. Useful evidence depends on the individual case, but may cover:
- her circumstances in Thailand, such as work, business, study, family responsibilities or other commitments;
- how you know each other and your plans for the visit;
- where she will stay in the UK;
- her finances and any genuine financial support you will provide; and
- how the return journey and other trip costs will be covered.
There is no requirement for every applicant to have the same job, income or set of documents. The evidence should reflect her real circumstances. Our UK visa document checklist gives you a practical place to start.
Can I sponsor my Thai girlfriend’s visit?
Yes. You can offer accommodation and help pay for her flights or living costs. Explain what support you will provide and show that you can genuinely afford it. Sponsorship does not guarantee a visa: she must still satisfy the decision maker that she is a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of the trip.
See our detailed guide to sponsoring a Thai girlfriend’s UK visitor visa.
Does she need to be employed? Employment can help explain her circumstances, but being unemployed does not automatically prevent an application. The trip, funding and intention to return still need a credible explanation.
What if we plan to marry or live together in the UK?
The purpose of the trip changes which visa is appropriate. A Standard Visitor visa does not ordinarily allow her to marry or give notice of marriage in the UK. If you intend to marry there and then leave, consider the Marriage Visitor visa.
If you intend to marry and make your home together in the UK, look at the fiancé(e) family visa route. If you are already married and intend to settle together, the spouse or partner route may apply. Be clear about your actual intentions when choosing the application.
What if she has been refused before?
A previous refusal does not automatically mean she cannot apply again. Read the refusal letter carefully and address its specific concerns with accurate information and relevant evidence. Sending the same application again without dealing with the reasons for refusal is unlikely to help. Our reapplication guide explains the next steps.
Plan the visit around her real circumstances
A clear application explains who is travelling, why she wants to visit, how long she will stay, who will pay and what she plans to do afterward. Message Thai Visa Express on WhatsApp if you would like help with your plans.