How to Get a UK Visitors Visa
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.
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 stipulations of the visa also forbid you from claiming social benefits such as social security and national health. Very often, applicants are refused on their first try, because they do not present a strong enough reason for wanting to go to the UK. If the reason is to visit a friend, then the onus is on the applicant to prove a continuing, long-lasting relationship. This should have continued for at least 6 months and you should devote your attention to proving it
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 applicant for a UK visitor's visa has never left the country before " this is easier for some to remedy than others by hopping over the nearest 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.
And lastly a warning: don't be tempted to lie - its not worth it. You will be caught out!
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 stipulations of the visa also forbid you from claiming social benefits such as social security and national health. Very often, applicants are refused on their first try, because they do not present a strong enough reason for wanting to go to the UK. If the reason is to visit a friend, then the onus is on the applicant to prove a continuing, long-lasting relationship. This should have continued for at least 6 months and you should devote your attention to proving it
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 applicant for a UK visitor's visa has never left the country before " this is easier for some to remedy than others by hopping over the nearest 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.
And lastly a warning: don't be tempted to lie - its not worth it. You will be caught out!
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