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Information & Chat => Visas, Legal Paperwork and Other Documentation => Topic started by: xsmilex on April 02, 2018, 09:20:53 AM

Title: UK visitor visa application
Post by: xsmilex on April 02, 2018, 09:20:53 AM
Hi All

 Me and my future (Ukrainian) OH are currently exploring visa options. To keep it "simple" for now we are looking at a visitor visa. I know the main points to cover for the application

 1. Reason to return
 2. Finances covered (by me)
 3. Accommodation covered (by me)
 4. Explanation of genuine visit

 The Reason to return is causing me grief. She has no assets (rents apartment and is in her mums name). She will be bringing her 18 month old daughter with her. Her own finances are not even worth mentioning.
 Is there any other "reason to return" that im missing that is provable?  Also we will be getting married but not in the position to for about 12 months. Has anyone tried stating that her reason to return is because we fully understand the future visa requirements eg Fiancee visa and following that the marriage visa and we dont want to jeopardise the issue of any future visa application.
 For now is just about giving her a chance to visit the UK while we fix up all and we are in the position to apply for the fiancee visa (which looks a lot easier to prove and supply evidence for)

 Any help and advice is greatly received

 Thanks Rich
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: rosco on April 02, 2018, 09:57:14 AM
Hi Rich, nice to hear from you!

Sounds like it might be a difficult one but why not try? Before we got married, my wife did the same and came as a visitor. We outlined the trip purpose, covered the finances but probably the biggest thing on our side was her reason to return. She was a student and her University wrote a cover letter explaining that she must return to complete her studies after the holiday.

I assume your Mrs doesn't study but perhaps a letter from a "Ukrainian University" might help? In my limited experience of Ukrainian degree's, money buys the piece of paper to say you have an education. The same folk might take your money?

All the best.
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: leslied on April 02, 2018, 10:10:24 AM
Hi,

I would discuss leaving her 18 month old daughter with her mother and visiting the UK on her own.  This gives a solid reason to return.  Not ideal but it is more likely that the visa will be granted in these circumstances. 

Just a question is the child yours?

Best of luck  tiphat
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Ste on April 02, 2018, 11:43:22 AM
I am active on an immigration board and I can safely say under today's climate it will be next to impossible for a single person from a let's say less desirable country with a 'friend' in uk paying the costs to be granted a visa.

If you go ahead ask for a two week visit and return after two weeks, a lot seem to go for 3/4 months (not a visit let's be honest) and then say for the full six months and then are buggered visa wise going forward. Whilst a marriage visa is hardly ever denied if the boxes are ticked, previous refusals always make the hoops harder...

Remember too the visa VALIDITY is for six months, does not imply you can say for the full six months, this would go against the IDI's the IO's use to permit entry, wrt to 'genuine visitor'.

Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: xsmilex on April 02, 2018, 02:40:22 PM
Thanks for the replies so far.

  Hi Ross and congratulations on almost getting to the end of the red tape. Time obviously flies because it doesnt seem so long ago i bumped into you here at the beginning of your road to happiness.
 The OH was a student but finished her studies about 3 years ago. Greasing the right palms is certainly possible in Ukraine but i'll keep that idea in the back pocket for now as the Mrs is a very honest woman and she is not going to take to that idea without a big push. It almost seems bizarre that they are willing to accept a letter from a university stating she has to return to Ukraine for her studies and this is a weak enough reason for the IO to tick the box.

 Hi Leslied
  There is no chance of my OH leaving her daughter in Ukraine, partly because she is far too attached. Her mum does help her with her daughter but her mum also works so no chance of her being full time child care while my OH is here in England. And no she is not my natural daughter.

 Hi Ste
 The plan was just to state it will be a 2 week visit and to stick solidly to that in order to keep ukba happy. As far as i understand IF she was granted a visa, and after we stick to her first visit of 2 weeks, she would be free to come and go as she pleases for the duration of the 6 month validity of the visitor visa. I understand it is a visitor visa and not intended to be used as a 6 month stay in the UK but extended visits after the first 2 weeks i presume wouldn't be a problem? (i'm talking a month or 2 withing that six month period).
 I'm just curious why you would think is almost impossible for someone to get a visa where a "friend" is paying for the trip? is it just a case of looking for any excuse to cut visa issue numbers?

 Thanks again for all your input its very much appreciated
 
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: msmoby on April 03, 2018, 11:50:07 AM
You might like to try meeting OH in a Schengen nation, first or Cyprus - proving a relationship and her willingness to return ?

It has worked for me - a long time ago - and I'm mindful of STE's more recent experiences on the boards

Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Manny on April 03, 2018, 12:59:52 PM
I'm just curious why you would think is almost impossible for someone to get a visa where a "friend" is paying for the trip? is it just a case of looking for any excuse to cut visa issue numbers?

When a "friend" is paying for the trip the subject is a flight risk and may not return. Further, they can suggest that it's not a visit for tourism. If its a visit as part of a relationship, then perhaps a fiancee visa may be more appropriate? That is the thinking.

I agree a single woman with young sprogg and no reason to return and a trip funded by a "friend" is unlikely to get a visa if she has no proper travel history and no money. And that's how it should be.

Like Moby says, take her to lesser countries in the EU first, then she can demonstrate she went home.
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: leslied on April 03, 2018, 01:31:08 PM
I have to agree with Ste who has up to date knowledge of the UK Visa situation.  I actually think you can damage your girl friends UK visa record with a failed application...

One approach would be for your girl friend to buy a cheap 2 week package holiday to Spain.  The travel agent will organize a Schengen visa along with all the other people going on the tour.  There is a very high probability that a shengen visa will be granted, particularly if she leaves her daughter at home.  You pay for the package tour and join your girlfriend in Spain (perhaps booking a better hotel).  In this way she establishes a tourist record.

Next could be a package holiday to UK.  Same approach.  She could be granted a 6 month validity tourist visa for the package holiday...

Best of Luck  tiphat
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Truly Yours on April 03, 2018, 01:55:53 PM
I have to agree with Ste who has up to date knowledge of the UK Visa situation.  I actually think you can damage your girl friends UK visa record with a failed application...

One approach would be for your girl friend to buy a cheap 2 week package holiday to Spain.  The travel agent will organize a Schengen visa along with all the other people going on the tour.  There is a very high probability that a shengen visa will be granted, particularly if she leaves her daughter at home.  You pay for the package tour and join your girlfriend in Spain (perhaps booking a better hotel).  In this way she establishes a tourist record.

Next could be a package holiday to UK.  Same approach.  She could be granted a 6 month validity tourist visa for the package holiday...

Best of Luck  tiphat

Aren't you, guys, forgetting that Ukrainian citizens can travel to the Schengen zone countries without a visa these days?
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: leslied on April 03, 2018, 02:32:47 PM
I have to agree with Ste who has up to date knowledge of the UK Visa situation.  I actually think you can damage your girl friends UK visa record with a failed application...

One approach would be for your girl friend to buy a cheap 2 week package holiday to Spain.  The travel agent will organize a Schengen visa along with all the other people going on the tour.  There is a very high probability that a shengen visa will be granted, particularly if she leaves her daughter at home.  You pay for the package tour and join your girlfriend in Spain (perhaps booking a better hotel).  In this way she establishes a tourist record.

Next could be a package holiday to UK.  Same approach.  She could be granted a 6 month validity tourist visa for the package holiday...

Best of Luck  tiphat

Aren't you, guys, forgetting that Ukrainian citizens can travel to the Schengen zone countries without a visa these days?

Just checked.  You are correct.  Still a good idea to build a tourist record.
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: msmoby on April 03, 2018, 02:52:41 PM

Aren't you, guys, forgetting that Ukrainian citizens can travel to the Schengen zone countries without a visa these days?

IF the holder has the latest chipped passport - hence I mentioned Cyprus
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Truly Yours on April 03, 2018, 09:25:18 PM
I agree with the opinion that leaving the child at home is a good reason to return, but a good mother won't ever do it when the child is so small. Travelling with a child that age is hardly a good idea, either.

Buying the lady an English language course at one of so many educational institutions in the UK might be an option, if there are any nearby. If she is accepted (they usually accept everyone, who can pay), she should get some kind of a short-term visa for the duration of her studies.

A visitor visa is a good option for a woman with established career and good disposable income at home, otherwise, it's more of a lottery.


Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: msmoby on April 04, 2018, 02:55:34 AM
I agree with the opinion that leaving the child at home is a good reason to return, but a good mother won't ever do it when the child is so small. Travelling with a child that age is hardly a good idea, either.


??  We travelled internationally - by car and by plane- with infants .As far as I can ascertain - no lasting defects have occurred.

Your point about leaving the child is a good one - so, if possible - bring the child

 
Buying the lady an English language course at one of so many educational institutions in the UK might be an option, if there are any nearby. If she is accepted (they usually accept everyone, who can pay), she should get some kind of a short-term visa for the duration of her studies.

Also good advice - but then no much time to be together - if genuinely studying ? The UK authorities would ask - who is caring for the child - unless the care for paid for.

A visitor visa is a good option for a woman with established career and good disposable income at home, otherwise, it's more of a lottery.

Indeed - a tricky one ... unless a track record is already built up
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: xsmilex on April 04, 2018, 04:55:29 PM
Thanks for all the feedback.
 I had a feeling my rose coloured spectacles could be clouding my judgement and is not always easy to appreciate fully the outsiders view. The nagging doubts were in the back of my mind but obviously i need to take more note of them. When the IO is sat looking at a pile of papers already with the mindset of looking for reason to refuse then the smallest amount of ammunition is all they need it seems. Unfortunately emotion and sincerity are not so easy to put into "supporting document" form.

 
You might like to try meeting OH in a Schengen nation, first or Cyprus - proving a relationship and her willingness to return ?



 She does already have some travel history, most of which i would guess is not so useful as it was to Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. But she has also been to Amsterdam. Im Heading back out to Ukraine on Friday so we will gather together all her travel history and see if it looks of any use. If not then the Schengen route might be our only option for now.



When a "friend" is paying for the trip the subject is a flight risk and may not return. Further, they can suggest that it's not a visit for tourism. If its a visit as part of a relationship, then perhaps a fiancee visa may be more appropriate? That is the thinking.



 I appreciate that the UKBA doesnt want to be the one to take the risk of having a non returnee and with some travel history behind them they would be much more satisfied that that risk is greatly reduced. For sure its not solely a visit for tourism. The Main intention is as a kind of acclimatisation, giving her chance to dip her feet into English culture and find out for herself its not all fog and earl grey. Also to give us chance to do some sightseeing with a view to giving her the physical image of where we will be getting married.
 With the fiancee visa as far as i understand. Its a 6 month visa and we need to be married within those six months. The 6 month timescale of getting married is obviously doable we were only hoping for a little pre 6 month planning but it seems in our situation thats looking like an unlikely option.

I have to agree with Ste who has up to date knowledge of the UK Visa situation.  I actually think you can damage your girl friends UK visa record with a failed application...


Does anyone else feel that it would be damaging to have a failed application mark against her. They say all applications are viewed on their own merits but obviously they have some kind of data record. The fiancee visa looks a lot more black and white with the application process. So maybe even if there was this black mark as long as the financial situation and all other supporting documents are supplied they would have no option but to grant the visa?

Travelling with a child that age is hardly a good idea, either.

Buying the lady an English language course at one of so many educational institutions in the UK might be an option, if there are any nearby. If she is accepted (they usually accept everyone, who can pay), she should get some kind of a short-term visa for the duration of her studies.




 
 I have looked at the study option but it seems they require all fees to be paid and to have enough funds to support herself for the duration of her stay in the UK on her studies. It works out to be a very costly route to go down especially as her English is already very well established and that the fact she will have her daughter with her means explaining child care arrangements complicate the issue even further.
 My 3 nieces have been flying since they were 9 months old and its not been a problem for them.

Thanks again for all your opinions. We will work through our options while im out there next week and see which route looks like the most viable option. Oh the joys of international relationships and the miles of red tape  :'( . Every step is a step closer to happiness and im sure a few of you can testify to that  :biggrin:




 
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: msmoby on April 04, 2018, 11:07:48 PM
Depends  which nation has refused.

Nations that might share data with the UK..like the US will make it harder
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Ste on April 05, 2018, 02:05:33 AM
Schengen info is shared too (UK and IRL have read only access)

Be prepared for visa costs especially with a child, doubles the cost (assuming child is not British or able to register as British), you’re looking at about £4K for the first ones including IHS fee, and same again in 2.5 years. Then ILR and citizenship. Budget 18-20k over next five years. Visa refusal won’t affect settlement but will slow things down, due diligence and all that.

Another issue is permission to allow child to emigrate, need fathers permission and court order.

And lastly, UKBA was disbanded as unfit for purpose, replaced with UKVI.
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Gipsy on April 05, 2018, 09:59:45 AM
Schengen info is shared too (UK and IRL have read only access)

Be prepared for visa costs especially with a child, doubles the cost (assuming child is not British or able to register as British), you’re looking at about £4K for the first ones including IHS fee, and same again in 2.5 years. Then ILR and citizenship. Budget 18-20k over next five years. Visa refusal won’t affect settlement but will slow things down, due diligence and all that.

Another issue is permission to allow child to emigrate, need fathers permission and court order.

And lastly, UKBA was disbanded as unfit for purpose, replaced with UKVI.

With the same ministry, the same bosses, the same idiots making the decisions..

Nothing changes just by changing a name... :'(
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Ste on April 05, 2018, 10:43:17 AM
Schengen info is shared too (UK and IRL have read only access)

Be prepared for visa costs especially with a child, doubles the cost (assuming child is not British or able to register as British), you’re looking at about £4K for the first ones including IHS fee, and same again in 2.5 years. Then ILR and citizenship. Budget 18-20k over next five years. Visa refusal won’t affect settlement but will slow things down, due diligence and all that.

Another issue is permission to allow child to emigrate, need fathers permission and court order.

And lastly, UKBA was disbanded as unfit for purpose, replaced with UKVI.

With the same ministry, the same bosses, the same idiots making the decisions..

Nothing changes just by changing a name... :'(

True. I was just showing off!


.
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Manny on April 05, 2018, 06:02:47 PM
She does already have some travel history, most of which i would guess is not so useful as it was to Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. But she has also been to Amsterdam. 

Correct that for these purposes Egypt, Turkey and Morocco are worthless. They've all been there and there are no restrictions to enter.

If Amsterdam then she has a Schengen in her passport - so she'll get another. Maybe less so if it was one of the "tours" they do. But 2 days in Holland is worth 2 years in Egypt, Turkey or Morocco for our purposes IMO.

Think of travel history like a tier: Egypt, Turkey and Morocco = 0. Poland, Lithuania, Latvia et al = 1. Malta, Greece = 3. Germany, Holland, France = 8. USA/UK = 10. Think about it - we all know Denmark or Sweden is worth more than Slovenia or Bulgaria in the "where did you go and still went home" stakes. 

France isnt too difficult we found. Half of Africa is there already but as they are still Schengen it has value. 

Belgium we found easy too. Nobody wants to go to Belgium so the visa offices are hardly over run with applications.

Estonia was the easiest: Nobody even knows where it is and almost nobody goes there so the visa offices are pleased to have something to rubber stamp. Same with Finland - but both are Schengen.
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Ste on April 06, 2018, 08:06:01 AM
New fees for 2018 as of today;

Visa fee £1523 + £1200 IHS + £573 Priority Fee if wanted, so that's £2753 or £3323 per person for first 2.5 years.

Same again 2.5 year later except IHS feee £1000 (but prices will have gone up anyway).

2.5 years after another £2389 person (no IHS for ILR), plus £1330 per person for citizenship if wanted.

So that's a whacking £7492 per person minimum start to finish.

Better start looking down the back of the settee.....
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: sparky114 on April 07, 2018, 12:20:26 AM
New fees for 2018 as of today;

Visa fee £1523 + £1200 IHS + £573 Priority Fee if wanted, so that's £2753 or £3323 per person for first 2.5 years.

Same again 2.5 year later except IHS feee £1000 (but prices will have gone up anyway).

2.5 years after another £2389 person (no IHS for ILR), plus £1330 per person for citizenship if wanted.

So that's a whacking £7492 per person minimum start to finish.

Better start looking down the back of the settee.....

Not sure of the calculations there Ste  :hidechair:

we now get plenty of Ukrainian coming on to construction sites I had 4 guys this week
most of which have followed the new route of finding some distant relative who was polish or Romania etc....and hey bingo the golden ticket arrives
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: AvHdB on April 07, 2018, 06:48:56 AM
Not sure of the calculations there Ste  :hidechair:

we now get plenty of Ukrainian coming on to construction sites I had 4 guys this week
most of which have followed the new route of finding some distant relative who was polish or Romania etc....and hey bingo the golden ticket arrives
What Sparky notes is about the same as many Turkish citizens 'discovering' or 'finding' a relative in Bulgaria. With this new found 'relationship' they can obtain an passport from an EU nation.
Title: Re: UK visitor visa application
Post by: Ste on April 07, 2018, 02:03:45 PM
New fees for 2018 as of today;

Visa fee £1523 + £1200 IHS + £573 Priority Fee if wanted, so that's £2753 or £3323 per person for first 2.5 years.

Same again 2.5 year later except IHS feee £1000 (but prices will have gone up anyway).

2.5 years after another £2389 person (no IHS for ILR), plus £1330 per person for citizenship if wanted.

So that's a whacking £7492 per person minimum start to finish.

Better start looking down the back of the settee.....

Not sure of the calculations there Ste  :hidechair:

we now get plenty of Ukrainian coming on to construction sites I had 4 guys this week
most of which have followed the new route of finding some distant relative who was polish or Romania etc....and hey bingo the golden ticket arrives

Yeah I had three goes - different answers - must be a bug in all calculators ;)

Not sure re: EU extended family members, just covers, unmarried partners, cousins, MIL's etc, and even then (in UK) there is no right to work. Must be forged docs saying they're direct family members or are extended and granted right to work - check with UKVI right to work thingy - I'll dig out a link.

Rule is loosely direct family members (ie it direct line of descendcy or ascendancy) are granted right to work, extendeds ie sideways ones, aunties etc, aren't. Even then all have to prove dependancy in country of origin.

It is much more difficult than it was in UK at least cos tightening up is a vote-winner....