Army veteran devastated after Thai wife is refused visa for family holiday in UK

[Chittychangchang]

An army veteran and his Thai wife are devastated after she was refused a visa to join him in the UK for a family holiday.

Glenn Croston, from Irlam , married his wife Boonsom Croston, 28, when he was living in Thailand back in 2012.

The 53-year-old moved to the country after he retired from his role as a police officer and met Boonsom.

But a family issue meant he had to return to the UK last year and care for his two children from a previous relationship.

Boonsom, a kitchen assistant, was denied a visa to join him in Salford because the couple did not meet the income tariffs required by the Home Office.





The pair have continued their relationship long distance, with Glenn travelling to Thailand two or three times a year.

Glenn, a former Royal Pay Corps soldier, was recently awarded an all expenses paid family holiday by the Royal British Legion and was hopeful Boonsom could join him.

He applied to the Home Office for a month’s visa costing £90 and filled in all the paperwork for Boonsom, including a character reference from her employer.

But the couple were shocked when the Home Office turned down the application, stating they did not believe Boonsom would return to Thailand if she came to the UK.

The civil servant said the government did not believe the couple were in a “genuine relationship” and was not satisfied Glenn could provide support to Boonsom during her stay.

Glenn told the M.E.N: “She has never left Thailand. I have been given this trip by the Royal British Legion for free for four people.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity for my wife to come over here and spend some time with us.”

He added: “In the statement they said we are not satisfied you are in a genuine relationship between you and your husband it said ‘he cannot provide support to you for your visa’.

“They said they would believe she would stay in the UK over the visa. They know nothing about me at all. She has a job to go back to, she has a house, she has a family.

“I would not allow that to happen she would be breaking the law. Why does this individual believe she would not go back, saying I would not take care of her? I find it very distasteful.

“It is defamatory to say I cannot look after my own wife. They don’t know me. She does not understand why this person thinks this way.”

Glenn has since contacted local MP Barbara Keeley and is hoping to appeal the refusal in time for the trip planned for early April.

A Home Office spokesman said: “All cases are carefully considered on their individual merits, in line with the UK immigration rules and based on evidence provided by the applicant.”

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....-thai-10952763

[Little Chuchok]

I wonder if they would do the same to Mick Jagger's 27 year old girlfriend. He is only 71 after all.......

[Neo]

he retired from his role as a police officer

He's got the right shaped head for it

[harrybarracuda]

So she didn't do too well in the interview then.

Don't they recommend that your tilac is coached before going in front of them, and reminded to mention that "I love him" is actually not a bad answer when asked why they married the farang?

[harrybarracuda]

I wonder if they would do the same to Mick Jagger's 27 year old girlfriend. He is only 71 after all.......

Why would they?

the couple did not meet the income tariffs required by the Home Office.

[Davis Knowlton]

I always wonder why countless news stories, from a variety of countries, always feel it necessary to include "Army Veteran" or "Former Serviceman" in the headline.

So what? That makes him special? I think not.

[HermantheGerman]

An army veteran and his Thai wife....
The 53-year-old ....
the couple did not meet the income tariffs required by the Home Office.......

Me thinks someone (taxpayer) is afraid they have to pick up the tab

Is he even able to support himself ?

[HermantheGerman]

I always wonder why countless news stories, from a variety of countries, always feel it necessary to include "Army Veteran" or "Former Serviceman" in the headline.

So what? That makes him special? I think not.

Well, you certainly are ! You have 5x cabbages
Prost !

[rickschoppers]

Obviously she could not show assets here in Thailand that she would have cause to come back, ie. land, house, other reasons to come back home. The money also needs to be shown, and if it is not enough, nobody will be granted a visa no matter what their story is. I have seen the same thing happen to ladies here in the village that are married to men from the UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden and America. Noththing new about this.

[Davis Knowlton]

I always wonder why countless news stories, from a variety of countries, always feel it necessary to include "Army Veteran" or "Former Serviceman" in the headline.

So what? That makes him special? I think not.

Well, you certainly are ! You have 5x cabbages
Prost !

And that's what I want on my headstone..."He had 5 gold blobs".

[taxexile]

purty little thing aint she.

she must be quite lonely of a night.

[roger77]

I always wonder why countless news stories, from a variety of countries, always feel it necessary to include "Army Veteran" or "Former Serviceman" in the headline.

So what? That makes him special? I think not.

While I understand your opinion, I think a lot of returned servicemen get a little disappointed when they realize that their selfless service to their country is not worth a pinch of *** to government or country.
However rules is rules.

[Little Chuchok]

I wonder if they would do the same to Mick Jagger's 27 year old girlfriend. He is only 71 after all.......

Why would they?

the couple did not meet the income tariffs required by the Home Office.

So it was only the income tariffs? For a few weeks holiday?

It more sounds like the disparity in age.Mainly down to the interviewing officers ideas. If they are anything like the guys here, they have a preconceived idea on what is 'proper'

[Bettyboo]

Well, you certainly are ! You have 5x cabbages

They're called GOATS, you fukin stupid 4th Reicher motherfukker!!! When will you brain dead fukers learn???

And that's what I want on my headstone..."He had 5 gold blobs".

I believe that some folks call them GOATS, Sir, but whatever term you choose to use is just fine by me. Sir.

[Davis Knowlton]

I always wonder why countless news stories, from a variety of countries, always feel it necessary to include "Army Veteran" or "Former Serviceman" in the headline.

So what? That makes him special? I think not.

While I understand your opinion, I think a lot of returned servicemen get a little disappointed when they realize that their selfless service to their country is not worth a pinch of *** to government or country.
However rules is rules.

True. I object to the hypocrisy of the media pretending it did.

[Neverna]

Maybe some join the military for some sense of "service" but all the people I have known in the military did it for their own reasons and some simply did it because it was a job. Selfless never came into it. They go paid for their service.


Anyway, in this case it seems to be about finances. The woman has a low paid job and we are not privvy to how long she's had it (10 years? 10 weeks? 10 days?) or how often she changes her job.

The British bloke is retired. He stated that the people issuing visas "don’t know" him. Perhaps that's the problem. Not enough information was given to secure a visa, not enough financial information perhaps.

The civil servant said the government did not believe the couple were in a “genuine relationship” and was not satisfied Glenn could provide support to Boonsom during her stay.

It's up to the applicant to provide sufficient information. It's up to the applicant and any sponsors (husband etc) to provide enough details to satisfy the Home Office staff, of financials, the couple's relationship, employment, home ownership, etc. It's a failure by the applicant and her husband. Try again.

[stroller]

^
Well, yes, but then there are some miserable gits among the visa application staff - from personal experience with a gf, and I am sure I am not the only one who noticed.

[HermantheGerman]

Well, you certainly are ! You have 5x cabbages

They're called GOATS, you fukin stupid 4th Reicher motherfukker!!! When will you brain dead fukers learn???

Easy there now Bettyboo. Please try to keep your affection towards goats to yourself.
I'am a Kraut and I love cabbages.




P.S. try giving your goat some cabbage, I'am sure it will reward you with more willingness.

[HermantheGerman]

Maybe some join the military for some sense of "service" but all the people I have known in the military did it for their own reasons and some simply did it because it was a job. Selfless never came into it. They go paid for their service.

True in most cases. I just find it disgusting how governments lurk young people with propaganda like commercial into the services.
I was always in favour of a draft military. It makes sending our boys off to war a lot harder. Uuups off topics. Sorry!

[jamescollister]

Can't really comment on this case, not enough information, but seen lots of guys get knocked back, who appear to have the funds etc and others who get through on what I would say are somewhat bogus applications.

Just got to tick the right boxes and have the right answers at the right times.

Know one guy, no job, no home, no nothing really, got his wife into Australia to help care for his sick mother.
Guess at times best not to apply for what you want, but what's most acceptable to the immigration people.

[Little Chuchok]

I heard some absolute horror stories in NZ.Mainly of Immigration officials being complete arseholes when people went for their Interviews.It was like they were trying their best to catch people out.

I went through a very expensive visa agent who employed ex senior Immigration staff.Never had to go for an interview.Still had to provide all the info though.

[mykthemin]

Obvious really, wrong colour, wrong religion???

[Fluke]

But a family issue meant he had to return to the UK last year and care for his two children from a previous relationship.

Boonsom, a kitchen assistant,

He added: “In the statement they said we are not satisfied you are in a genuine relationship between you and your husband it said ‘he cannot provide support to you for your visa’.



“It is defamatory to say I cannot look after my own wife. They don’t know me.

No, they do not know you personally, but they know that you are a kitchen assistant with two children already in the UK and you wouldnt have the money to support your Wife .
Why do ex soldiers think the Country owes them everything, just because they once joined the Army

[Looper]

She must be dynamite in the sack. Look how much he has aged in 3 years.

53... looks about 70 in the sad lonely pic.

They should use him in a before/after health warning about Thai women in the sack or viagra.

[Bettyboo]

Well, you certainly are ! You have 5x cabbages

They're called GOATS, you fukin stupid 4th Reicher motherfukker!!! When will you brain dead fukers learn???

Easy there now Bettyboo. Please try to keep your affection towards goats to yourself.
I'am a Kraut and I love cabbages.

Stop being a sourkraut!