The principal requirements for admission to the UK as a tourist or visitor are that the applicant:

• Is genuinely seeking entry for not more than six months as a visitor;
  Intends to leave at the end of his visit
• Does not intend to take employment paid or unpaid, or to produce goods or provide services,

including:

• Selling goods or services direct to the public, during the visit;
  Does not intend to study at a publicly funded school;
• Can be maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds;
• Show proof that he/she is able to meet the costs of their onward journey.

Applicants may be questioned and required to provide documentary evidence that they are able to meet these requirements:

• To apply for a visa the applicant must:
  Be outside the United Kingdom and Islands at the time of the application
  Apply to the British Embassy in Bangkok or territory where they live. This is defined as the place where
  They are present in any capacity other than as a short-term visitor and have permission from the relevant
  Authorities to be so.
  Pay any fee required
  Answer all questions asked on the visa application form and by officials honestly
  Provide documentary evidence where requested to back up any statements they make

The length of time taken to process the application will depend on the British Post. However many Embassies will issue entry clearance on a same-day basis.

Visas are normally granted to tourists for six months and may be valid for a single or multiple entry. Single entry visas allow only one entry into the UK while multiple entry visas allow the holder to travel into and out of the UK on multiple occasions during that period.

You must state when applying whether you want a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Note that single-entry visas may be issued more quickly, particularly to persons who have not visited the UK before. Note that the visa is valid for entry into the UK before the date indicated. When you enter a separate stamp is placed in your passport showing the date of arrival. The period of 'leave to enter' will run from that date. Most immigration officers and Embassy staff are friendly and helpful. Keep your interaction with them friendly, respectful and to the point. Ask for specific information and check when your application should be submitted to allow ample time for processing.

We recommend you keep copies of all application forms and other documents you submit, and make notes of any specific questions you are asked and the answers you provide. Good records will provide an accurate basis for further representations to be made in the event that your application is refused. In some cases visa officers may contact you to say that they do not feel they can approve your application as submitted. This gives you the opportunity to submit additional facts and documents in support of the application, or to withdraw the application before it is refused.

If this occurs we recommend you immediately contact a visa specialist at Siam Firm Inter Laws for advice. It is less expensive to take advice from an immigration lawyer and obtain your entry clearance, than to engage a lawyer’s help in overturning a visarefusal.

Siam Firm Inter Laws has many years of experience in dealing with all types of visa applications. We can quickly help prepare your applications and supporting documentation.