Hi i'm new to this site and basically I need help on how to get my girlfriend a standard visa to the uk, Can any help me to start the process and give advice. Many thanks
Hi. Worth defining what you mean by standard visa. I read the post as you wanted to get her a visit visa but could be a visa to move here.
Hi and thank you for your prompt reply. Basically I just want to get my girlfriend a visa to visit the UK for a few months to show her our country and hopefully in time we will marry and live here. So at this time its just a visa for a vacation for her. So what I need is the documents required and any problems I need to be aware of, I understand the Immigration service no longer accept documents on paper (is this correct ???) and what Information she needs to take with her when she goes to immigration for an interview. Thanks
The key issue with visitor visas are that need to be able to demonstrate that will be able to support herself and have good reasons to leave afterwards. For that reason they can be tricky but on a plus side they are relatively inexpensive. There isnt a standard list of documents that need to provide. My wife and at time stepkids got marriage visit visa (visitor visa but allows you to get married in UK on trip) and visitor visas to UK so not impossible to get. That said we provided an evidence pack similar to the requirements for spouse visa showing that we had known each other for some time, had sufficient financial resources and accomodation in UK to stay in. Also had good reason to visit UK. Reason to return were weaker especially since we took kids but provided details of the rental property in philippines that we had and kept while in UK. Also had letters from philippines banks with details of her bank financials - there is a format they do for things like visa applications. Key issues that need to address are reason to return like owning property. Also finances. So want record of having money in philippines bank account savings that can support her in uk. Also should be there for some time not deposited shortly before visa application. Likewise if you are providing financial documents then need to make sure it makes sense. Bank statement showing minimal balances doesnt help. If you sweep it into savings then show savings not empty account at end of month. If they say no then will give reasons which if can addresss can then do follow on application.
Wont be any interviews. Go to vfsglobal in manila to do biometrics and back when we did it everything was done on paper (2017/18). @Mattecube should have more recent experience on visit visas and whether gone to scanned. May be able to offer some additional thoughts on evidence to include. You should be able to do the online application - can share login details to work on together if necessary. Vfsglobal will offer document scanning as an additional cost option but would be inclined to do it myself to make sure everything you want submitted is included.
My problem is that my girlfriend is from the province, she doesn't have a bank account or a real job, she works as a simple sales lady selling items, however I do support her monthly and can provide proof from from western union receipts. does this mean I have no chance of a successful visa application.
Simplest way is to apply and see what happens. Expect a refusal..and see the reason for that. Then apply again if you can overcome the objection. This happened to my girlfriend. Even though she had lived in the UK for several years previously
Challenge will be providing evidence that she has reasons to return and can support herself when here. You are best placed to decide if you think you can get an evidence trail. Also depends on whether you are looking at this in the short or the long term. If you are thinking longer term six months to a year from now then have opportunity to put things in place to provide an evidence trail ie get bank account set up. Get regular payments put in, build up a bank balance there and get support payments paid in there. Problem will be whether she can manage having access to a larger amount of money and leaving it there. Also challenge of getting used to using a bank account and atm card. We are used to it and dont think twice about it. Different for someone who has never had one and relied on cash. Dont underestimate those issues. Other things to think about are what ties does she have to philippines. Does she own property? Does she have rental contract ? I suspect it will be a challenge to get with the information you have provided but refusal reasons will give you a feel for what need to address. Those are the key areas. About 130 pounds to apply for a visit visa so relatively cheap compared to fiance and spouse visa costs and quick turnaround at about three weeks for answer. Need to manage expectations with her that refusal is not a big isssue as she may take it badly. Also worth becoming aware of the requirements for spouse visa as you will need to be able to sponsor her if longer term you marry and want her to move to UK. Salary of 18.6k now and potentially 38k in the near future. Also settlement visa fees and IHS charges which will add up over the five years it takes to get to ILR status.
as already stated, expect a refusal. My now wife, was refused a visit visa because she could not convince immigration that she would go back. She had the same full time job for the past 12 years in Manila (not enough), she had no children, no parents living, has land but no house, so nothing to make her go back. She had more than enough funds to support her visit and no problem with me sponsoring but there stated in black and white that they thought she would not return and also stated that future applications would result in the same unless her situation changed ie owned a business or something - unfortunately with visit visa there is no appeal or talking to someone about it, it’s money lost and closed deal. Good luck though, you never know
