Thai mother is rejected twice to see family in Wales

A 12-year-old boy won’t see his mother this Christmas after Home Office officials twice rejected her visa applications to visit from Thailand.

Kanyarat Williams had hoped to travel from to Llandudno in Wales, to join her husband Kevin and son Luke for the festive period.

She twice applied for a tourist visa but both applications were turned down on the grounds that she may overstay her visit.

Kevin Williams with his 12-year-old son Luke at their home in Llandudno in Wales

Mr and Mrs Williams married in 2002 after meeting on the Thai island of Koh Samui and, thanks to a visa, lived in Llandudno Junction from 2003-2006, during which time their son Luke was born.

However, the family decided to relocate to Thailand hoping for a better life, but following a military coup in 2014, they chose to return to Wales.

Mr Williams said: ‘We thought Wales would be a safer place for us as a family and so I moved back to Llandudno last December so that I could set things up for Kanyarat and Luke to follow me later.

‘Last June, Luke came to Wales as he was missing me so much, and he’s now going to John Bright school, in Llandudno, where he has settled in well, but he misses his mother terribly.’

Mr Williams, a delivery driver, said he is working hard in a new job to save up for a spouse visa, which can cost thousands of pounds.

However, until he can raise the funds, his wife has applied for the tourist visa which would mean she could stay in the UK for up to six months.

Kanyarat Williams with her husband Kevin and 12-year-old  son Luke

Kanyarat Williams with her husband Kevin and 12-year-old  son Luke

However, the Home Office said it is ‘not satisfied’ she is only seeking entry as a visitor and questions whether she would leave the UK at the end of her visit.

Mr Williams, who has an embroidery business in Thailand with his wife, said: ‘It’s been a difficult year for the whole family. 

‘It’s hard to believe one faceless, nameless person working behind a desk can exert such power over individuals and families. It seems they are trying to make me decide between my country of birth and wife of 15 years.

‘We have applied for three visas now, the first, ‘returning resident’ visa was refused on the grounds of us being out of the country for more than two years.

‘We came to terms with the fact that we will have to postpone a permanent solution at least for now.

‘Plans were changed, so we decided not to sell our home and business in Thailand and instead apply for a visitor visa so at least Kanyarat could be with me and Luke over Christmas and then return to Thailand to run the family business over the busy period.

‘But this visa was also refused because the officer decided that it was a risk that my wife would not leave after the approved time.’

The third visa application was refused on November 29 on the same grounds as the second visa application.

 Meanwhile my son is in tears, my wife is in tears and I don’t know where else to turn

He added: ‘I had supervised the third application to ensure Kanyarat had submitted the correct documents.

‘We submitted a business registration certificate, bank statements, both her’s and mine, a letter of support from myself informing the officer that I would be paying for her flights, travel insurance, food, accommodation and a further letter of sponsorship by my brother-in-law, again informing of financial support if it was required, but all these documents were overlooked.

‘The reasons for refusing the third visa was that my wife had little money in her account, but this is untrue because if the Home Office case worker looked properly he or she would have noticed she has £4,700 savings in one bank account in Thailand and I have £5,000 instant cash in another, which would mean we have enough funds to grant the application.

‘I’ve written to Amber Rudd the Home Secretary to see if she can help, Guto Bebb our MP is also on the case, but time is running out for Christmas.

‘Meanwhile my son is in tears, my wife is in tears and I don’t know where else to turn.’

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘All UK visa applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with UK immigration rules and guidance.’ 

 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk