Obtaining a visitor's visa to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a daunting and usually difficult task. I also think it is more difficult from some countries and therefore for some nationalities than others, although this is not admitted official government policy. Poorer people from poorer countries definitely have a harder time convincing embassy staff to grant a UK visitor's visa. This is not their personal vendetta, but a reflection of government policy, which, in turn, is supposed to be a reflection of the opinion of the majority of the British public. It is a good idea to bear this in mind when dealing with the embassy staff regarding a UK visitor's visa application for yourself or a friend.
It is worth pointing out here that a (British) UK visitors visa is valid for six months and multiple entries into the UK, although in practice, the first visa to be granted will usually be limited by a note pinned into the visitors passport. For example, if you have applied for a visa to visit friends for the month of, say, March, you would be granted a multiple entry, 180 day visitor's visa with a letter, signed by yourself, pinned into your passport, which states that you wish to visit the UK from March 1st to March 31st and that you will not attempt to extend that stay.
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.
Then you can proceed by obtaining the 'Visa Application Form (VAF) from the embassy or its website. The websites are very helpful for advising what you should include with your visa application form, but it will often include the 'evidence' mentioned above, the passport, the fee, photos, and sponsor's letter etc. In fact anything that helps your case even a little bit.
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:
"Mr. / Mrs. Miss Applicant for a UK visitor's visa has not previously used a passport" - easy, just go over the nearest border.
"the person applying for a UK visitor's visa does not seem to have strong socio-economic ties to his/her country of origin" or, in other words, they don't trust you to return to your country. A letter from your boss, doctor, solicitor or village elder; proof of children or living parents; proof of property are all useful.
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.
Practice telling your story to a friend so that you are not stuck for an answer, but do not learn it word perfect. Remember that the applicant for the UK visa will be alone at the interview which may be held in English or the person's native language. The UK visitor's visa is normally ready for collection the next day (but not a Friday).
Tip: ask for a stay permit for longer than you require, because a UK visitor's visa runs from the day you get it and you can't book a flight until you have the visa, can you? Similarly coming back, you may be delayed. You will probably need to cancel the remainder of the 180 day multiple entry UK visitor's visa to prevent you going back to the UK on that visa. If this required, don't arrive back on a Friday, unless you want to wait until Monday for the embassy to open.
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. - 29948
It is worth pointing out here that a (British) UK visitors visa is valid for six months and multiple entries into the UK, although in practice, the first visa to be granted will usually be limited by a note pinned into the visitors passport. For example, if you have applied for a visa to visit friends for the month of, say, March, you would be granted a multiple entry, 180 day visitor's visa with a letter, signed by yourself, pinned into your passport, which states that you wish to visit the UK from March 1st to March 31st and that you will not attempt to extend that stay.
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.
Then you can proceed by obtaining the 'Visa Application Form (VAF) from the embassy or its website. The websites are very helpful for advising what you should include with your visa application form, but it will often include the 'evidence' mentioned above, the passport, the fee, photos, and sponsor's letter etc. In fact anything that helps your case even a little bit.
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:
"Mr. / Mrs. Miss Applicant for a UK visitor's visa has not previously used a passport" - easy, just go over the nearest border.
"the person applying for a UK visitor's visa does not seem to have strong socio-economic ties to his/her country of origin" or, in other words, they don't trust you to return to your country. A letter from your boss, doctor, solicitor or village elder; proof of children or living parents; proof of property are all useful.
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.
Practice telling your story to a friend so that you are not stuck for an answer, but do not learn it word perfect. Remember that the applicant for the UK visa will be alone at the interview which may be held in English or the person's native language. The UK visitor's visa is normally ready for collection the next day (but not a Friday).
Tip: ask for a stay permit for longer than you require, because a UK visitor's visa runs from the day you get it and you can't book a flight until you have the visa, can you? Similarly coming back, you may be delayed. You will probably need to cancel the remainder of the 180 day multiple entry UK visitor's visa to prevent you going back to the UK on that visa. If this required, don't arrive back on a Friday, unless you want to wait until Monday for the embassy to open.
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. - 29948
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