| How to Get a UK Visa. | | | | continuing relationship of at least six months; the |
| Obtaining a visitor's visa to the United Kingdom of | | | | sponsor's letter; proof of the sponsor's means of |
| Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a daunting | | | | support; proof of the sponsor's accommodation |
| and usually difficult task. I also think it is more | | | | and possibly, the sponsor's passport to prove |
| difficult from some countries and therefore for | | | | entry stamps. |
| some nationalities than others, although this is not | | | | The sponsor is, therefore, the key to making a |
| admitted official government policy. Poorer people | | | | successful (first) attempt at obtaining a UK |
| from poorer countries definitely have a harder | | | | visitor's visa. The sponsor has to be prepared to |
| time convincing embassy staff to grant a visa. | | | | act as guarantor for the applicant and the |
| This is not their personal vendetta, but a | | | | embassy staff will want to be able to check the |
| reflection of government policy, which, in turn, is | | | | sponsor's ability to take care of the applicant. This |
| supposed to be a reflection of the opinion of the | | | | means that the sponsor has to provide a letter |
| majority of the British public. It is a good idea to | | | | from his/her employer proving continued, stable |
| bear this in mind when dealing with the embassy | | | | employment and/or a bank book, proving that he |
| staff regarding a visa application for yourself or a | | | | she has enough money to provide what he/she |
| friend. | | | | has pledged on the visa application form; and |
| It is worth pointing out here that a British (UK) | | | | proof of accommodation in the form of paid |
| visitor's visa is valid for six months and multiple | | | | council tax bills, property deeds or a letter from |
| entries into the UK, although in practice, the first | | | | the mortgage provider. Proof of marital status |
| visa to be granted will usually be limited by a note | | | | does not seem to be an issue for the sponsor or |
| pinned into the visitor's passport. For example, if | | | | the applicant, although the question is asked of |
| you have applied for a visa to visit friends for the | | | | the latter. |
| month of, say, March, you would be granted a | | | | Some applicants are refused for apparently |
| multiple entry, 180 day visa with a letter, signed | | | | strange reasons such as: |
| by yourself, pinned into your passport, which | | | | 'the applicant has never left the country before' ? |
| states that you wish to visit the UK from March | | | | this is easier for some to remedy than others. |
| 1st to March 31st and that you will not attempt | | | | 'the applicant has not displayed a strong enough |
| to extend that stay. The visa also precludes you | | | | economic or social bond to the country' ? meaning |
| from access to 'public funds' ? social security, | | | | that they do not trust him/her to return to his |
| unemployment benefit, et etcetera. | | | | her native country. A letter from a relative, proof |
| Most people are refused a visa the first time | | | | of children and a letter from the applicant's |
| because they do not have a strong enough, valid | | | | employer can help, although proof of children is |
| reason for going to Britain. If the reason is to visit | | | | not considered a compelling social reason to |
| a lover, then you have a far better chance if you | | | | return! Proof of property ownership is useful. |
| can prove that you have had a 'continuing | | | | It is better to take your time instead of rushing |
| relationship' for at least six months. At this stage | | | | the application. Make sure you have a valid reason |
| of the proceedings, all your efforts should be | | | | for wanting to visit the UK and then make sure |
| directed at validating the reason for your visit or | | | | you can validate everything you say. Treat the |
| proving your relationship. | | | | application as if you were a barrister ? back up |
| I will concentrate on providing evidence of a | | | | everything you say with evidence or a letter. Run |
| continuing relationship. Most applicants from poorer | | | | through your 'story' until the applicant has it word |
| countries will need a sponsor. This is usually an | | | | perfect (they will not want to see the sponsor |
| employer or a lover. Obviously, immigration | | | | and sometimes, he/she is not even allowed to |
| stamps in a passport can prove how long it is | | | | wait on the embassy compound). The applicant |
| possible that a couple could have known each | | | | will be required to attend an interview the first |
| other, but you will need more evidence than that. | | | | time and this can be held in English or the |
| A letter from a friend, employer or relative | | | | applicant's native tongue. The visa will normally be |
| stating when you met can help. However, you | | | | available for collection the next day. |
| should keep all correspondence, telephone bills, | | | | Hint: apply for more time than you need as the |
| bank statements (recording ATM transactions), | | | | visa runs from the day it is granted, but you may |
| restaurant receipts, theatre tickets, train and bus | | | | not be able to get a flight straight away. You will |
| tickets, even menus and photos. In fact, anything | | | | probably also be required to return to the issuing |
| that can help establish that you are having the | | | | embassy when you arrive back to have the visa |
| relationship that you claim you are having and that | | | | cancelled; after all, it is a multiple entry, 180-day |
| you have had it for at least six months. | | | | visa that could be used to return to the UK |
| You could then obtain the application form (VAF | | | | without the sponsor's knowledge, so try not to |
| 1,4) either by writing to or visiting the nearest | | | | arrive back on a Saturday unless you want a |
| British Embassy or Consulate or downloading it | | | | holiday in the capital. |
| from the Internet. Most embassy sites provide | | | | And lastly a warning: don't be tempted to lie - it's |
| excellent advice on what is required or | | | | not worth it! |
| recommended to put in the envelope with your | | | | Written by Owen Jones of |
| visa application form, but it will include: two colour, | | | | You may reproduce this article where you |
| passport-size photos; the application fee (about | | | | wishbut only in its entirety and with this resource |
| ?48) in local currency; the applicant's passport; | | | | box. |
| proof of the applicant's address; proof of a | | | | |