not met before ? standard visit visa.

if a person wants to apply for a standard visit visa in order to come over and visit someone theyve met online--is it really necessary to have met in person already ?

any definite answers--with links to a gov site.?

A visit visa can be for a multitude of reasons, business, family, holiday, etc. I suppose in the case of someone here (BF) applying it depends on how they present the application.

If you are visiting to meet someone for the first time and you are supporting yourself, no requirement for having already met.

If you are visiting to meet someone and they are supporting your stay, I think they may have to have previously met.



https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...chment_data/file/619130/Visit-guidance-v6.pdf

interesting---in that that document mentions " having met"--yet this one doesnt !

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor-rules

Yes. I think the one I posted is to also guide the ECO, so take that as you will.

i thought the same thing.

I think you're probably right - if the visitor can support themselves then visiting the UK boyfriend is irrelevant.

If the visitor cannot support themselves then they'll be looking for evidence of a genuine relationship (has the sponsor spent the money and taken enough interest to visit applicant in their own country if they met online, rather than in person?) and good reasons to return.

And as soon as they ask the applicant (per the V6 rules doc) or sponsor the question: where did you meet? And they say they haven't it'll be a red flag... is she coming over to work as hooker or some other kind of slave etc? where's she going to stay if they don't like the look of each other when they meet for the first time?

This is the situation I have with my bf right now. We haven't met yet.
He wanted to sponsor me for a visit.
I do have a job here in PH and I only asked for 12 days of vacation leaves. But with my current savings I wouldn't be able to support my trip in UK that's why we are declaring him to sponsor me.

I wonder how they will assess a genuine relationship.
I mean, just because you haven't met it doesn't mean it's not genuine...tbh just because you've met too it doesn't mean it's genuine as well. I've seen my bf in videochat a lot of times.
We talked everyday. I bet what he looks like in the video is almost the same in person. And i don't care anyway even if he's crippled or what I love him no mattet what.

My bf can't go in PH for health reasons... I mean he can but he needs to be in a business class flight. Which is really expensive. :-( my bf will sign the Su07 form and I'll attach it on my application. I hope tgat helps me.

This is a good thread. Especially in this age... Meeting someone can be done in so many ways. And on there site... They just said "how you met", I guess me and my bf can say we met a lot of times using Skype. Lol

this is why i started this thread--as there have been several visit visa apps recently where the couple havent met in person yet.
if i were you--i would definitely mention your bf cant fly long distance for health reasons---same with me.

best of luck with your application--and please be sure to let us know the outcome.

If your bf is unable to travel for health reasons then that is a good reason to visit him "to meet" - How else are you going to meet? Presumably his Doctor will be able to provide a supporting letter?

Can travel, but cannot travel economy is a different story - Business class flight... about £1,350 (London to Manila) compared to £560 (Manila to London) economy... so extra cost £790... plus cost of hotel and holiday for a week? Call it £1500... if he's unable to find that he's going to find it very difficult getting you settled in the UK.

he can fly business class. Money is not his issue. His family doesn't want him to go in the Philippines.
His salary is £2k/month.
I just don't want to be a burden to him.
And me going to UK will make his family at ease.
So yeah. If my UK visa gets decline oir plan is to go to Japan or Singapore.

Thanks for the advice.

You're welcome sorry it didn't really help you.

I'm intrigued now - is it his Mother who doesn't want him to go to the Philippines ?

Yes. He's the only child. And his parents are protective of him especially because of his health conditions and the news they hear about the Philippines. I can't blame them really.

I see - Good luck then.

BIG MAC I did that with my now ex , we had never met in person and applied a standard visit visa, 1st one was turned down and 2nd application was successful.

can i ask--what was the reason given for refusal---and how did you overcome it--and how long between the 2 applications ?

To clarify, both applications had you declared as the financial sponsor?

they said they was not satisfied with her current financial status, i personally think it was jus them finding excuses , as we had put evidence of her bank statements her employment etc also i had said i was going to support her stay, tbh it was virtually the same paperwork that was jus re submitted, i think it was about 2months afterwards we re applied,

yeah i did that, on both applications, actually the 1st application i paid a lawyer to help and the second i jus done it myself

we did a third one last year but that was after we had met, that also was successful first time

Good to know, cheers.