Visitors visa queries

[jolyon]

Thanks terpe. That answers my qyery no 3!

I suppose basically I am trying to get as many 'ticks' as I can so the fiance visa is granted. I think it would be a posotive point if we can show shes met my family and been to the UK, even though, as you say, it is not essentail.

I think since the cost is relatively low, we will apply for a visitors visa anyway. another way of looking at it is we want to see each other again anyway in spring next year and the cost of the flight is the same wether I go there or she comes here to the UK. it may actually be cheaper for her to come to uK as we wont need to stay in a hotel and each at restaurants every night etc

Thanks for the links- i have read them and they are very informative.

Any thoughts on my questions 1) and 2)?

[Terpe]

Thanks terpe. That answers my qyery no 3!

I suppose basically I am trying to get as many 'ticks' as I can so the fiance visa is granted. I think it would be a posotive point if we can show shes met my family and been to the UK, even though, as you say, it is not essentail.

I think since the cost is relatively low, we will apply for a visitors visa anyway. another way of looking at it is we want to see each other again anyway in spring next year and the cost of the flight is the same wether I go there or she comes here to the UK. it may actually be cheaper for her to come to uK as we wont need to stay in a hotel and each at restaurants every night etc

Thanks for the links- i have read them and they are very informative.

Any thoughts on my questions 1) and 2)?

jolyon,

There's plenty of posts here on visit visa's and a quick search will likely bring them up.
You'll find post that cover all sorts of different situations

Just click here on this thread as a good start, I'm sure it will answer most of your questions

The major complication is the need by the applicant to prove a non-immigrant intent. Applicants wishing to come to the UK under a tourist visit must clearly demonstrate that they do not intend to remain in the UK on a permanent basis. Immigration law places this burden of proof on the applicant.
In order to grant a temporary visa, the ECO must be satisfied that the applicant has strong social, economic and family ties abroad that would compel them to leave the UK at the end of the temporary stay.

Unfortunately, in most cases it becomes difficult to overcome this presumption.

The UKBA page specifically for UK Visit Visa's can be found here with additional detailed information which can be found here and also explains what you are allowed to do while you are in the UK as a visitor.
It's well worth taking a good look around and checking out all of the links provided in those pages.
Anyone coming to the UK as a visitor, will usually be granted a visa with a validity for up to 6 months stay.

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

You can downdload the application form and guidance notes from this page

Understand how to apply by reviewing the page Applying for a UK visa in the Philippines

Concerning the actual documents you'll need to submit in evidence, it really does come down to personal circumstance but generally must contain:-
- information about the applicant
- information about the finances and employment of the applicant
- accommodation and travel details
- information about the visit to the UK

As examples of the type of documents that could be supplied Here is the UKBA Guide to Supporting Documents for visiting the UK

The application should be supported with some of the following documents:-

- if employed, a letter from the employer granting leave of absence for a specified period - the letter should also say how long the applicant has been employed by that employer, in what job(s), and when expected back at work
- if self-employed, evidence of the business activities and financial standing
- evidence of any property owned in their home country
- if a student, a letter from the school or college stating the course, its start and finish dates, and the dates of the holiday period intended to visit the UK
- evidence of all family or social ties and responsibilities to return home to
- evidence of any firm travel plans made
- bank statements going back over a period of several months
- evidence of savings/funds available during ther stay
- evidence that the applicant can financially maintain and accommodate themselves in the UK with or without assistance from family/friends living in the UK but without resource to public funding or employment.

As a sponsor you can help significantly by providing an invitation/supporting letter to confirm the support that you'll be providing in terms of financial assistance and/or accommodation.

If you have the intention to totally support the visit, then hers's a listing of fairly typical supporting documents that you should provide:-

- 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 wanting the applicant to travel at the specific time

The first and foremost thing that you need to keep in mind when applying for a visa for UK, is that you should have an intention to return to your home country. Have a well thought out travel plan. Date of Travel, duration of stay and reasons for travelling.

Have a read and don't be shy to ask anything that you need help with.

So in connection with your 2 specific questions:-

Yes her situation at home on Philippines will have an impact.
There are no hard and fast rules though, except having reason s to return home.

It really should make any difference that you have a romantic realtionship just as long as you can convince the ECO that the reasons for her to return outweigh those to stay.
I wouldn't advise making a big thing out of the relationship though.It's quite normal that folks want to see if they and the prospective settlement country are compatible

[jolyon]

Thank you very much for you invaluable advice and your time.

In respect of the letter form her employers granting leave of abscence, my thoughts were that she would get such a letter as you describe, but it would only have provisional dates on since we would not be sure when we would be grnted the visa. eg the letter would say that she has been granted leave for 2 weeks during march or april depending on if and when the visa is granted. also in terms of travel plans, we wouldnt want to buy a plane ticket before the vias is granted, so the plan would have provisional dates on and included would be bank stateemts from me showing avaiable funds to purchase the plant ticket once the visa is granted.

in terms of her having reason to return to Ph rather than outstay her visa in uk, she is a a qualified nurse in full time continuous employment.
she does not own property of have children, however she does support her brother who is at university, and supports her mother and close family friends. the difficulty is providing evidence of her support as since it is family, she doesnt have 'recipts' as such. i isuppose she could provide reciepts showing she has paid electric and water bills.

thanks again for your time