URGENT! What to do? Got refused !

[anvee]

Hi anvee

So sorry to see that your visa got refused.

It's upsetting and difficult to accept I know, but try to remain calm and objective.

There's no mandatory requirement for specific documents for visit visa applications. The decision is principally based on the discretion of the ECO based upon the overall 'picture' of the application.
Also, basically there is no appeal process unless based on human rights or race discrimination grounds.
Any such appeals you might consider could be expected to take between 6-8 months to conclude.

On the positive side you are able to re-apply, at any time, by clearly and properly addressing the reasons for refusal.
Personally I'd suggest referencing the reasons for refusal and countering with both a written statement and evidential documenation.
The cost and risk of re-applying is low

You absolutely must clearly demonstrate a non-immigrant intent.
To best achieve that, you must convince the ECO, to his own satisfaction, that you have strong social, economic and family ties in the Philippines that would compel you to leave the UK at the end of your visit.

Common reasons to return home and strong/complelling ties may differ from country to country, city to city and individual to individual.
Some examples of ties can be a job, a house, social and family relationships, a bank account, possessions etc
AS mentioned before the ECO will be looking to see if the aspects of your life that bind you to your country outweigh those aspects that may cause you to be unwilling to return to your home country, or to attempt to change or extend your visa status.

Other key factors to keep in mind when applying for a UK visit visa, in addition to compelling intentions to return home, include having a clear well thought out visit plan including outline itinerary, dates of Travel, duration of stay and main reasons for wanting to travel at the specific time.
Having access to sufficient cash funds to support and accommodate yourself or how you'll be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends.

Anyone 'sponsoring' a visitor to UK should review the UKBA webpage Sponsoring a General Visitor

I imagine it did not help your case to include proof of the sale of your assets.

May I kindly suggest you carefully read the refusal, decide the best approach to fully address all the reasons given and re-apply.
You'll need to support a subsequent application with clear documentary evidence and a very good letter of invitation support from the family members you are visiting.

Family sponsors should include:-
- 6 months Bank statements
- 6 months pay slips
- Proof of address (eg utility bill, Council Tax etc)
- Accommodation details (including owner's agreement / rental agreement)
- Sponsors passport copy (Photo page, any relevant stamp pages)
- The main reasons for the visit invitation at the specific time

Hope this will help get a subsequent application approved.

Try to stay positive all is not lost by any means.

Thank you, I have submitted Family sponsors documents as you've stated. They are both retired. It was in their invitation letter.

That's why I included my mother and I's facebook status updates and even our photos to show them that we are very close family as I am her only child and she's a single parent so I included in the cover letter that "I am the only thing she has in the world." If that's not good enough to prove that I have strong family relationships, then I don't know what else to give to them!

I also mentioned our itenary for the 6 months, I also mentioned about planning to be out of the UK in the middle of my stay (Eurotrip with family because it's closer to UK) so I requested for multiple entry up to 6 months. I have submitted bank account with more than P100,000 from my savings before when I used to work as virtual assistant (I am now full time housewife), I also included in the letter that I am being supported by my husband through his savings (that's where we get our money for our expenses, he still have about £4000+ left in his account.. we're planning to do business here in the Philippines after our visit.. we have to get Andrew's tools/equipments in the UK to bring to Philippines).

What I don't understand is that ECO mentioned that I DID NOT SUBMIT any proof of my properties/assets where I submitted deeds of sale of those under our names.

I mentioned everything in detail in my 3 page cover letter including the dates of travel, duration of stay, my main reasons with explanation for each reasons. My husband also mentioned in his "Letter of Support" that he will look for part-time work when he comes back to UK to help with our expenses there even though my parents-in-law will accommodate us and feed us during our stay there.

Also, with ECO mentioning "UK Settlement Application", this one bothered me the most as family visit visa is not a settlement application. I am just disappointed and hurt. I mentioned that Dec 11 will be the birthday of my dad-in-law and it'll be nice to be there for his birthday as well as for the holidays! Just heartbreaking.

Anyways, thank you for your reply. I will do my best to stay positive but it's still sinking in and the thought of my parents-in-law being disappointed just breaks my heart even more!