This comprehensive guide answers the most common question: "Can my Thai girlfriend come to the UK for a holiday?" Yes — your Thai girlfriend needs a Standard Visitor visa costing ฿5,611 ($181) for 6 months. Thai nationals enjoy an excellent 90% visitor visa approval rate, well above the 79% global average. For those planning marriage, the fiancée visa costs ฿81,251 ($2,621). Student visas are ฿21,576 ($696) with an outstanding >99% success rate (only 8 refused out of 3,448 applications).
🔥 UK Visa for Thai Girlfriend 2026
To bring your Thai girlfriend to the UK for a holiday, she needs a Standard Visitor visa costing ฿5,611 ($181). Thai nationals enjoy a 90% approval rate. If you plan to marry in the UK, she'll need either a Marriage Visitor visa (฿5,611) or Fiancée visa (฿81,251) depending on whether she'll stay in the UK after the wedding.
Can My Thai Girlfriend Come to the UK for a Holiday?
Yes, your Thai girlfriend can visit you in the UK for a holiday. She will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa, which costs ฿5,611 ($181) and allows stays of up to 180 days per visit. With a 90% approval rate for Thai nationals, the chances of success are excellent when proper documentation is provided.
UK Visa for Thai Girlfriend Cost in Thai Baht
How to Get UK Visa for Thai Girlfriend
Your Thai girlfriend's visitor visa application will be assessed on three key criteria:
- Purpose of Visit: Clearly state tourism/visiting partner as the reason
- Financial Stability: Show bank statements proving she can support herself (typically ฿93,000-155,000 equivalent to £3,000-5,000)
- Return Assurance: Evidence of ties to Thailand (job, property, family) demonstrating intent to return
Can My Thai Girlfriend Live With Me in the UK?
A visitor visa only allows stays of up to 180 days per visit — she cannot live permanently in the UK on this visa. For long-term cohabitation, your Thai girlfriend would need either a Fiancée visa (if you plan to marry) or Spouse visa (if already married), both costing ฿81,251 ($2,621).
I Want to Marry My Thai Girlfriend in the UK
If you plan to marry your Thai girlfriend, the correct visa depends on what happens after the wedding:
UK Visa Invitation Letter for Thai Girlfriend
While not mandatory, an invitation letter from the UK-based sponsor can strengthen the application:
[Your Full Name]
[Your UK Address]
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
Re: Invitation Letter for [Girlfriend's Name], Passport No: XXXXXXX
I am writing to confirm my invitation to my girlfriend, [Name], to visit me in the UK from [arrival date] to [departure date] for the purpose of tourism and spending time together.
About Me: I am a [nationality] citizen working as a [occupation] with an annual salary of [amount]. I have been a UK resident since [year].
Our Relationship: We have been in a relationship for [duration] and have met in person [number] times in [locations].
Accommodation: She will stay at my residence at [address].
Financial Support: I will cover all expenses including flights, accommodation, and daily costs.
Supporting Documents Enclosed:
• Copy of my passport and UK residence permit
• Bank statements (last 3 months)
• Proof of address
• Flight booking confirmation
Yours faithfully,
[Your Signature]
[Your Full Name]
UK Visa Fee Thailand 2026: Overview
UK visa fees for Thai nationals are paid in US dollars at VFS Global centres. The 6-month visitor visa costs ฿5,611 ($181), student visa ฿21,576 ($696), skilled worker visa ฿31,651 ($1,021), and spouse visa ฿81,251 ($2,621). Priority processing adds ฿22,010 ($710).
UK Visa Success Rate for Thai Citizens 2026
Source: Home Office Immigration System Statistics, year ending September 2025
UK Visitor Visa for Thai Nationals 2026
The UK visitor visa fee for Thai nationals is ฿5,611 ($181) for a 6-month visa, ฿20,925 ($675) for 2 years, ฿37,386 ($1,206) for 5 years, and ฿46,686 ($1,506) for 10 years. All visitor visas allow stays of up to 180 days per visit. Thai visitors enjoy a strong 90% approval rate.
Thai citizens require a visa to visit the United Kingdom. The only exception is for Thai nationals holding dual citizenship with visa-exempt countries such as the USA, Australia, New Zealand, or EU member states.
UK Visa Fee Thailand for Visitors in Thai Baht
UK Priority Visa Fee Thailand
Other UK Visitor Visa Fees from Thailand
UK Student Visa for Thai Citizens 2026
The UK student visa fee for Thai nationals is ฿21,576 ($696). Additionally, students must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of ฿45,570 per year ($1,470). Thai students enjoy an outstanding >99% success rate — only 8 applications were refused out of 3,448 in the year ending September 2025.
UK Student Visa Fees for Thai Nationals in Thai Baht
After graduation, Thai students can access the Graduate route for 18 months post-study work (reduced from 2 years from January 2027). PhD graduates receive 3 years.
UK Work Visa for Thai Citizens 2026
UK work visa fees for Thai citizens range from ฿12,493 ($403) for Health & Care Worker (up to 3 years) to ฿62,496 ($2,016) for Skilled Worker (over 3 years). The minimum salary threshold is £41,700 for most Skilled Worker roles.
Can a Thai Person Work in the UK?
Yes, Thai citizens can work in the UK with appropriate work visas. The Skilled Worker visa is the primary route, requiring a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor meeting the £41,700 minimum salary threshold.
UK Work Visa Fees for Thai Citizens in Thai Baht
UK Family Visa for Thai Citizens 2026
The UK spouse visa fee from Thailand is ฿81,251 ($2,621) with standard processing of 12-24 weeks. Priority processing (6 weeks) costs an additional ฿22,010 ($710). The UK sponsor must meet the £29,000 minimum income requirement, increasing to £38,700 by 2027.
How Long Can My Thai Wife Stay in the UK?
On a Spouse visa, your Thai wife can stay in the UK permanently. The initial visa lasts 33 months and can be extended. After 5 years on the spouse route, she becomes eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and subsequently British citizenship.
UK Family Visa Fees from Thailand in Thai Baht
- Thai girlfriend visa: ฿5,611 ($181) — 90% approval rate
- Exchange rates: 1 GBP = $1.42 USD | 1 USD = ฿31 THB
- Visitor visa: 90% success rate — ฿5,611 (6 months) to ฿46,686 (10 years)
- Student visa: >99% success rate — ฿21,576 + IHS ฿45,570/year
- Work visa: Skilled Worker ฿31,651 (up to 3 years)
- Family visa: ฿81,251 — marry then stay in UK
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs: UK Visa for Thai Girlfriend & Citizens
Can my Thai girlfriend come to UK for a holiday?
Yes, your Thai girlfriend can visit the UK for a holiday. She needs to apply for a Standard Visitor visa costing ฿5,611 ($181), which allows stays of up to 180 days per visit. Thai nationals enjoy a 90% approval rate. She must demonstrate clear intent to return to Thailand, financial stability, and the genuine purpose of the visit.
How much is UK visa fee Thailand in Thai Baht?
UK visa fees from Thailand in 2026: 6-month visitor visa ฿5,611 ($181), 2-year visitor ฿20,925 ($675), 5-year visitor ฿37,386 ($1,206), 10-year visitor ฿46,686 ($1,506), student visa ฿21,576 ($696) plus IHS ฿45,570/year, skilled worker visa ฿31,651 ($1,021), and spouse visa ฿81,251 ($2,621). Fees paid in USD at VFS Global centres.
How can I get my Thai girlfriend to England?
Your Thai girlfriend can come to England by applying for a Standard Visitor visa (฿5,611) at a VFS Global centre in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The application requires an online form, biometrics appointment, supporting documents (bank statements showing approximately ฿93,000-155,000, travel itinerary, evidence of ties to Thailand), and optionally an invitation letter from you. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks.
How long can a Thai national stay in the UK?
On a visitor visa, Thai nationals can stay up to 180 days per visit (regardless of whether it's a 6-month, 2-year, 5-year, or 10-year visa). For spouse and student visas, the duration matches the visa validity. Skilled Worker and Innovator Founder visas can lead to permanent settlement (ILR) after 5 years.
How long can my Thai wife stay in UK?
Your Thai wife can stay in the UK permanently on a Spouse visa (฿81,251 / $2,621). The initial visa lasts 33 months and can be extended. After 5 years on the spouse route, she becomes eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and subsequently British citizenship. You must meet the £29,000 minimum income requirement.
Can a Thai person work in the UK?
Yes, Thai citizens can work in the UK with appropriate work visas. Options include Skilled Worker visa (฿31,651 for up to 3 years), Health and Care Worker visa (฿12,493), Global Talent visa, and Innovator Founder visa (฿52,700). The minimum salary threshold is £41,700 for most Skilled Worker roles.
What is UK visa success rate for Thai citizens?
Thai citizens enjoy excellent UK visa approval rates (year ending September 2025): visitor visa 90% (above 79% global average) and student visa >99% (only 8 refused out of 3,448). Thailand is classified as a "low-risk" nationality alongside South Africa, Ukraine, Russia, China, and Turkey.
For the most current fee information, refer to the official Home Office visa fees calculator.