What it takes to get a visitor visa for a friend or family member
This guide will help you understand the UK visitor visa requirements, application process and documentation. The visitor visa can be granted to a non-EEA resident whose sole objective of visiting UK is in either of the following categories;
| Standard Visitor Visa | Other Categories |
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Document you’ll need to provide
After submitting online visitor visa application form at gov.uk , you’ll need to prepare documents that support your application. The online form will give an overview at the end on what to include, but here are some things to keep in mind.
If your documents aren’t in English or Welsh, you’ll need to provide certified English translations of your documents with the originals. Each translation has to include:
- confirmation that it’s an accurate translation of the original from the translator
- date of the translation
- full name and signature of translator
- contact details of the translator’s
Proof that you will be returning after visit
As a visitor you must proof of intention to return to home country by providing evidence of a job or studies they will resume after proposed visit. You can also show a family who depend on you in the home country.
Proof there’s enough money for the trip
A visit must have to provide evidence to show that the trip can be afforded, no matter paid by your or someone else.
If the visitor is paying for themselves, they’ll have to include documents proving that they can afford it, e.g. bank statements, or payslips.
A sponsor can share or pay for the entire trip e.g. for their flights and accommodation) however you’ll need to prove evidence that you can afford the visitor’s trip as well as your own costs – e.g. your rent, mortgage and general expenses.
Include:
- an accurate estimate of how much the trip will cost
- proof of income and where you work, e.g. payslips or an employment contract
- proof that you have enough money to pay for the visitor’s stay, e.g. recent bank statements
- proof that your sponsor is legally in the UK, e.g. a copy of their passport or visa
Proof you have a genuine relationship
A family visitor must show how they know the family member they are planning to visit. For example, if the person visiting is a friend, boyfriend or girlfriend, you might need to give stronger proof they’ll be returning to their country after visit.
In our experience if the sponsor of family member you’re planning to visit has recently visited the applicant, they have a higher chance of refusal unless the trip is justified with a genuine and compelling reasons.
Duration of visa
Usually a visitor visa is granted for a period of 6 months for temporary visit to the UK, however in some exceptional circumstances it may be possible to extend the leave whilst in the UK. You may apply for a visit visa that allows multiple visits of up to 6 months at a time for standard visitor over a period of 2 years , 5 years or 10 years
Common reasons of refusal
It is important to provide accurate and up to date information in your visa application. We’ve put together four of the most common Visitor Visa mistakes, so you can avoid them:
- Incomplete application forms
- Misrepresentation or incorrect information
- Not enough proof of ties to your home country
- Using an unauthorised representative
How Connaught Law can help?
If you had a UK visit visa refusal and wish to make a fresh application or seeking advice on first application, please call us or make an online enquiry to get a swift response from our dedicated immigration advisers.
Our expert immigration advisers can prepare and submit your visitor visa application on a fixed legal fee.
Disclaimer:
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Connaught Law and authors accept no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Connaught Law. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Connaught Law.
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