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 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
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.
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.
From this you can see that the sponsor plays the most important of roles in successfully applying for a UK visitor's visa, for he/she will have to prove that he/she can support you. To do this your sponsor will need a letter from his/her employer and a copy of bank statements to prove sufficient funds and a letter from the mortgage provider or council to show that you will have somewhere to stay. Marital status does not enter into the equation, but sometimes apparently weird reasons are given for refusal of 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
From this you can see that the sponsor plays the most important of roles in successfully applying for a UK visitor's visa, for he/she will have to prove that he/she can support you. To do this your sponsor will need a letter from his/her employer and a copy of bank statements to prove sufficient funds and a letter from the mortgage provider or council to show that you will have somewhere to stay. Marital status does not enter into the equation, but sometimes apparently weird reasons are given for refusal of 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.
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.
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.
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