Visit visa with a transit visa? Or multiple entry visa

[ruthecook56]

Hi my son is planning a trip to UK from Thailand. He is going to travel to UK with Emirates on a return ticket but when he arrives in Gatwick 21/3 is going to travel easyjet same day to Marrakech. He then stays ten days, visits us in Portugal for seven days and then flies back with tap to Gatwick to visit family in UK. Question is does he need a standard visitor visa plus/ minus transit visa or does he need a multiple entry visa to cover the time in UK airport. They have cases and will have to check in online for easyjet so assume she will have to go through passport control? Applying for visas to morrocco and portugal also but it is the change of flights causing the queries. Have tried gov website but not clear, Emirates, not sure and getting frustrated. Just emailed visa help but time is closing in to sort this out!
Thanks

[Wanderer]

What's your son's nationality?

[ruthecook56]

Sorry should have said, son and grandaughter have UK passports just his wife is thaim so visas are for her

[Wanderer]

Sorry should have said, son and grandaughter have UK passports just his wife is thai

Wifey would need a UK visit visa which are always 6 months validity and multiple entry, no need for transit.

[ruthecook56]

Hi I thought the standard visa was single entry only?

[Wanderer]

Hi I thought the standard visa was single entry only?

Never seen one that wasn't multi.

[ruthecook56]

Finally found the relvant bit on page 28 of 57 page guidance for visitors visa...they certainly hide it well and Emirates were not aware of this either ...I despair!

Single entry visit visa – when and how to grant
Entry Clearance Officers must obtain the authority of the Entry Clearance Manager before issuing a single-entry visit visa (except for ADS or PPE visas).

Most visit visas allow the person to enter the UK multiple times during its period of validity except for Permitted Paid Engagements and Approved Destination Scheme.

Thanks so much