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.
I will concentrate on providing evidence of a continuing relationship. Most applicants from poorer countries will need a sponsor. This is usually an employer or a lover. Obviously, immigration stamps in a passport can prove how long it is possible that a couple could have known each other, but you will need more evidence than that. A letter from a friend, employer or relative stating when you met can help. However, you should keep all correspondence, telephone bills, bank statements (recordings of ATM transactions), restaurant receipts, theatre tickets, train and bus tickets, even menus and photos. In fact, anything that can help establish that you are having the relationship that you claim you are having and that you have had it for at least six months.
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.
The sponsor is, therefore, the key to making a successful (first) attempt at obtaining a UK visitor’s visa. The sponsor has to be prepared to act as guarantor for the applicant and the embassy staff will want to be able to check the sponsor’s ability to take care of the applicant.
The sponsor, therefore, has to show a letter from his/her boss proving that he/she has a steady income and/or a bank passbook or statements proving sufficient funds to be able to cover his/her guarantee of taking care of your welfare while in Britain. But not only that, if you have said that you will stay in his/her house, you must provide a letter from the mortgage provider, the council or something similar. Proof of marriage or divorce does not appear relevant although the applicant may be asked. Sometimes seemingly strange reasons are cited for a refusal for a UK visitor’s visa:
“Mr. / Mrs. Miss Applicant for a UK visitor’s visa has not previously used a passport” – easy, just go over the nearest border.
“Mr. / Mrs. / Miss Applicant for a UK visitor’s visa has not proven strong enough social or economic ties to his/her country of origin” – they are saying they don’t trust you to go home after your visit. In this case, try to prove these ties with a letter from your employer, a letter from your bank, a letter from a ‘trusted person’ like a doctor, lawyer and proof of ownership of any real estate.
It is better to take your time instead of rushing the application for a UK visitor’s visa. Make sure you have a valid reason for wanting to visit the UK and then make sure you can validate everything you say. Treat the application as if you were a barrister: back up everything you say with evidence or a letter.
Run through applicant’s story until he/she has it well-rehearsed (they will not want to see the sponsor and sometimes, he/she is not even allowed to wait on the embassy compound). The applicant for a UK visitor’s visa will be required to attend an interview the first time and this can be held in English or the applicant’s native tongue. The UK visitor’s visa will normally be available for collection the next day.
Warning: get a longer permit to stay than you need, because the UK visitor’s visa is valid from the day it is issued, but you probably don’t have a flight booked yet. You can be delayed getting there and coming back too. The rest of the 180-day multiple entry UK visitor’s visa may have to be cancelled on your return to help deter you from returning on that visa. If you have to do this, don’t return on a Friday because the embassy is closed on the weekend.
Please do not be tempted to lie! The embassy staff are trained to weed out liars and they are good at their job. It will cost you your UK visitor’s visa if you are caught out. If you don’t know an answer, just say so.
If you need a UK visa to visit a loved one in Great Britain, you will not want to be without our free advice on obtaining a UK visitor’s visa on our web site. This article, How To Get A UK Visitors Visa is released under a creative commons attribution licence.
categories: visas,Great Britain,Europe,friendship,advice,relationships,self help,travel,marriage,women,men,legal,police,other
