UK Visitor Visa & Immigration Rules
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UK Visitor Visa & Immigration Rules
| Date Added: September 24, 2008 06:07:17 AM |
| Author: Ray Khan |
| Category: LAW |
| The requirements to be met by a person seeking Leave to Enter the United Kingdom as a visitor are that they: • The visa applicant is genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for a limited period as stated by him, not exceeding 6 months. Genuinely seeking entry for a maximum period of six months Visits could be for any one of a number of purposes: • to visit family • to attend a wedding or a funeral • for private medical treatment (there is separate provision in the Rules for this) • for business meetings • for a conference • for a holiday. Keypoint Whatever the reason for the visit, the applicant needs to explain the purpose of the visit and the length of stay planned. The ground mentioned in the visa application should justify the length of stay sought by the visa applicant. • The visa applicant intends to leave the United Kingdom at the end of the period of the visit as stated by him Intention to return Intention to return can be very difficult to demonstrate as applicants are trying to convince an ECO or Immigration Officer of their state of mind. It is helpful to demonstrate any incentives to return (for example, a job that they need to go back to), perhaps providing a letter from an employer stating how long the leave is for, or testimonials from any family or business contacts in the home country. Keypoint An adverse immigration history may be taken into account, and in this situation a client may need specialist advice. The immigration history of other family members and the economic circumstances of the applicant and his life in the home country may also be taken into account. • The visa applicant do not intend to take employment in the UK Keypoint A visit visa will be granted with a condition that the visitor does not work, either in paid or unpaid employment. Keypoint Immigration Officers have the power to search a passenger's luggage and take into account the contents of any correspondence etc found. Adverse conclusions about intention to work will be drawn if, for example, a visitor has in his hand luggage a job offer letter, training certificates or a CV. • The visa applicant do not intend to produce goods or provide services within the UK, including the selling of goods or services direct to members of the public Keypoint With entry clearance applications, a family history of emigration to work may affect the outcome of an application, particularly if the applicant is unemployed in his home country. • The visa applicant do not intend to study at a maintained school and do not intend to do a course of study at all. Documentary evidence should be provided that the visa applicant has no plans to study in UK • The visa applicant will maintain and accommodate himself and any dependents adequately out of resources available to them without recourse to public funds or taking employment; or will, with any dependents, be maintained and accommodated adequately by relatives or friends The visa applicant needs to prove that he is financially in a sound condition and is comfortably able to meet all expenses incurred on his planned visit to U.K. A lump sum cash deposit into the applicant’s bank account just before applying for visa is a negative point. This is treated as an attempt to deceive the Visa Officer. Relatives sponsoring a family visit must show their bank statements which may reflect that they have sufficient funds to meet all expenses of the family visitors, who are being invited by them to stay in U.K. • The visa applicant can meet the cost of the return or onward journey Meeting the cost of the return journey It is helpful to have an onward or return ticket. Otherwise the applicant has to show they have or will have the means to buy one. Having a return ticket however, does not always guarantee that an Immigration Officer will accept that the applicant will return home as required. But this may be evidence that the visitor can pay for the return journey. Can sponsors (such as family members or friends) fund the cost of onward or return travel? Answer: Yes. It is acceptable for the sponsor to fund the travel, in which case evidence of the sponsor's means should be provided. • The visa applicant is not a child under the age of 18 years. Visit visas to look after a sick relative or friend as a carer Answer: There is a Home Office policy that allows applications for a visit visa for someone wishing to look after a sick relative or friend as a carer. Please note that this is not available as an entry category under the Rules, only as an extension of temporary stay for someone already here in UK. For further information contact the Author Ray Khan E-mail: ray@millenniumconsultants.co.uk |
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