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 visa also expressly forbids the applicant access to any ’social benefits’ such as social security, health care or pension rights. Be aware that many/most applicants are refused their first attempt, because their submission is ‘half-hearted’. If the stated reason is, say, to visit a friend or lover, the you really need to prove an on-going, long-term relationship of at least six months.
We should look more deeply into this latter matter. Most people from poorer countries wanting to visit the UK will need a sponsor. This can be a (prospective) employer or a friend. Be careful of exaggerating how long you have known each other as there are stamps in the friend’s passport to prove entry dates! However, you will need lots more evidence than that. A letter from a friend, boss or employer will help. Bank statements, restaurant menus, phone cards and photos will go a long way too. The onus is on you to prove your relationship.
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.
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:
“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.
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).
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.
Finally, the best tip of all: do not lie, they will find out; it is their job!
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