Applying for a UK visitor's visa for a foreign friend to go to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can be very stressful. I am also certain that it is more difficult for people from some countries than for others. This is because the staff are concerned about the applicant's ability to support him/herself. This is government policy and you must not hold it against the embassy staff - they are only doing their job! It is well worth remembering this when talking to the embassy staff about a UK visitor's visa.
You should take note here that a UK visitor's visa is usable for six months and not only that but the recipient can enter and leave the UK as often as he/she wants within those six months. However, in practice, for the first UK visitor's visa at least, restrictions may be imposed. For example, if you state that you want to go for six weeks, a note may be pinned into the passport advising customs of the 6 week restriction. You must also 'promise' not to try to stay longer than that!
The UK visitor's visa also precludes you from access to public funds " social security, unemployment benefit, et cetera. Most people are refused a UK visitor's visa the first time because they do not have a strong enough, valid reason for going to Britain. If the reason is to visit a lover, then you have a far better chance if you can prove that you have had a continuing relationship for at least six months. At this stage of the proceedings, all your efforts should be directed at validating the reason for your visit or proving your relationship.
Now we will look into proving this relationship. Prospective visitors from poorer countries will usually need a sponsor. This sponsor will have to provide overwhelming evidence of a 'long-standing continuous relationship'. After all, they don't want your visitor doing a disappearing act just before their UK visitor's visa expires! As evidence, you can provide, for example: photos, restaurant menus, phone cars and bills, travel tickets, ATM receipts etc. You have to persuade the embassy staff, but they are receptive.
You could then obtain the application form (VAF) either by writing to or visiting the nearest British Embassy or Consulate or downloading it from the Internet. Most embassy sites provide excellent advice on what is required or recommended to put in the envelope with your UK visitor's visa application form, but it will include: two colour, passport-size photos; the application fee (about 50) in local currency; the applicant's passport; proof of the applicant's address; proof of a continuing relationship of at least six months; the sponsor's letter; proof of the sponsor's means of support; proof of the sponsor's accommodation and possibly, the sponsor's passport to prove entry stamps.
Therefore, it is necessary to realize that the sponsor plays a critical role if you want to make your first application for a UK visitor's visa a successful one. He/she must be prepared to cover your financial requirements during your stay in the United Kingdom and he/she must prove it with a letter and bank statements.
This means that the sponsor has to provide a letter from his/her employer proving continued, stable employment and/or a bank book, proving that he/she has enough money to provide what he/she has pledged on the UK visitor's visa application form; and proof of accommodation in the form of paid council tax bills, property deeds or a letter from the mortgage provider. Proof of marital status does not seem to be an issue for the sponsor or the applicant, although the question is asked of the latter. Some applicants are refused for apparently strange reasons such as:
"the person applying for a UK visitor's visa has never left the country before": this is usually quite easy to remedy if you live near a border.
"the applicant for a UK visitor's visa has not displayed a strong enough economic or social bond to his/her country" meaning that they do not trust him/her to return to his/her native country. A letter from a relative, proof of children and a letter from the applicant's employer can help, although proof of children is not considered a compelling social reason to return! Proof of property ownership is useful.
Approach the application for a UK visitor's visa with caution; do not rush. It is better to get it right first time. Think about why you want to go to Great Britain; determine a 'good reason' and remember it - you will probably be asked. Be a solicitor for a day and support everything you say with irrefutable, written evidence.
Retell your 'story' to a friend until you are comfortable with it, because you don't want to appear hesitant, but on the other hand don't learn a story parrot-fashion. You will be alone at the interview and, although you will be required to answer some questions in English, the proceedings can be in English or your own language. UK visitor's visas are usually ready to be collected the following day, but not normally on a Friday.
Hint: apply for more time than you need as the UK visitor's visa runs from the day it is granted, but you may not be able to get a flight straight away. You will probably also be required to return to the issuing embassy when you arrive back to have the UK visitor's visa cancelled; after all, it is a multiple entry, 180-day visa that could be used to return to the UK without the sponsor's knowledge, so try not to arrive back on a Friday unless you want a holiday in the capital.
And lastly a warning: don't be tempted to lie - its not worth it. You will be caught out!
You should take note here that a UK visitor's visa is usable for six months and not only that but the recipient can enter and leave the UK as often as he/she wants within those six months. However, in practice, for the first UK visitor's visa at least, restrictions may be imposed. For example, if you state that you want to go for six weeks, a note may be pinned into the passport advising customs of the 6 week restriction. You must also 'promise' not to try to stay longer than that!
The UK visitor's visa also precludes you from access to public funds " social security, unemployment benefit, et cetera. Most people are refused a UK visitor's visa the first time because they do not have a strong enough, valid reason for going to Britain. If the reason is to visit a lover, then you have a far better chance if you can prove that you have had a continuing relationship for at least six months. At this stage of the proceedings, all your efforts should be directed at validating the reason for your visit or proving your relationship.
Now we will look into proving this relationship. Prospective visitors from poorer countries will usually need a sponsor. This sponsor will have to provide overwhelming evidence of a 'long-standing continuous relationship'. After all, they don't want your visitor doing a disappearing act just before their UK visitor's visa expires! As evidence, you can provide, for example: photos, restaurant menus, phone cars and bills, travel tickets, ATM receipts etc. You have to persuade the embassy staff, but they are receptive.
You could then obtain the application form (VAF) either by writing to or visiting the nearest British Embassy or Consulate or downloading it from the Internet. Most embassy sites provide excellent advice on what is required or recommended to put in the envelope with your UK visitor's visa application form, but it will include: two colour, passport-size photos; the application fee (about 50) in local currency; the applicant's passport; proof of the applicant's address; proof of a continuing relationship of at least six months; the sponsor's letter; proof of the sponsor's means of support; proof of the sponsor's accommodation and possibly, the sponsor's passport to prove entry stamps.
Therefore, it is necessary to realize that the sponsor plays a critical role if you want to make your first application for a UK visitor's visa a successful one. He/she must be prepared to cover your financial requirements during your stay in the United Kingdom and he/she must prove it with a letter and bank statements.
This means that the sponsor has to provide a letter from his/her employer proving continued, stable employment and/or a bank book, proving that he/she has enough money to provide what he/she has pledged on the UK visitor's visa application form; and proof of accommodation in the form of paid council tax bills, property deeds or a letter from the mortgage provider. Proof of marital status does not seem to be an issue for the sponsor or the applicant, although the question is asked of the latter. Some applicants are refused for apparently strange reasons such as:
"the person applying for a UK visitor's visa has never left the country before": this is usually quite easy to remedy if you live near a border.
"the applicant for a UK visitor's visa has not displayed a strong enough economic or social bond to his/her country" meaning that they do not trust him/her to return to his/her native country. A letter from a relative, proof of children and a letter from the applicant's employer can help, although proof of children is not considered a compelling social reason to return! Proof of property ownership is useful.
Approach the application for a UK visitor's visa with caution; do not rush. It is better to get it right first time. Think about why you want to go to Great Britain; determine a 'good reason' and remember it - you will probably be asked. Be a solicitor for a day and support everything you say with irrefutable, written evidence.
Retell your 'story' to a friend until you are comfortable with it, because you don't want to appear hesitant, but on the other hand don't learn a story parrot-fashion. You will be alone at the interview and, although you will be required to answer some questions in English, the proceedings can be in English or your own language. UK visitor's visas are usually ready to be collected the following day, but not normally on a Friday.
Hint: apply for more time than you need as the UK visitor's visa runs from the day it is granted, but you may not be able to get a flight straight away. You will probably also be required to return to the issuing embassy when you arrive back to have the UK visitor's visa cancelled; after all, it is a multiple entry, 180-day visa that could be used to return to the UK without the sponsor's knowledge, so try not to arrive back on a Friday unless you want a holiday in the capital.
And lastly a warning: don't be tempted to lie - its not worth it. You will be caught out!
About the Author:
Do you want a UK visa? Then you won't want to miss our priceless free information for getting a UK visitor's visa!
No comments:
Post a Comment