giselle237:
how old is your brother? Doe he earn a living? If today is their biometrics day, I am unsure of what kind of advice you are hoping to get.
Let us know and we can see how to help

My brother is 15. He doesn’t earn a living. My dad wrote a letter of consent and sponsorship for him. And he got letter from his school.

I just needed an advice, if it is worth it to cancel my mum’s own because of her situation and her using a personal account which doesn’t receive salary from her business account.

Bimri:

My brother is 15. He doesn’t earn a living. My dad wrote a letter of consent and sponsorship for him. And he got letter from his school.
I just needed an advice, if it is worth it to cancel my mum’s own because of her situation and her using a personal account which doesn’t receive salary from her business account.

Okay fingers crossed. Did she write a cover letter to tell her own side of the story and provide any proofs at all to the origin of these her funds?

.

She didn’t explain the funds, she only attached receipt of transactions with her customers.

giselle237:

Okay fingers crossed. Did she write a cover letter to tell her own side of the story and provide any proofs at all to the origin of these her funds?

Bimri:
Hello guys!
I need help urgently.
I want to invite my mum and my brother to the uk for my graduation.
However, I have put in an application for them but I’m not confident about it. Today is their biometrics which I’m thinking of cancelling.
In the current application, my mum is self employed, she has a business but she has been using her personal account to run her business and her CAC is inactive. I added receipts from her business, landed properties, receipt from tenants, and My dad is supposed to sponsor my dad’s trip.
Please advice me on what to do as I’m at crossroads now.

It's too late. Pray and hope for the best.

Many times, our applications are not 100% perfect but God shows us mercy...

Thank you, Cashmadam

But what could have been done if it wasn’t too late?

Cashmadam:


It's too late. Pray and hope for the best.

Maay times, our applications are not 100% perfect but God shows us mercy...

Bimri:
She didn’t explain the funds, she only attached receipt of transactions with her customers

any travel history at all??

Yes, she added it

giselle237:
any travel history at all??

Bimri:
Yes, she added it

what country

US and Israel

giselle237:
what country

Bimri:
US and Israel

if the US visa is still valid/recently expired, then they would be lenient with her case… that’s all I can say. All the best.

Hi gurus,

Need advice for a friend. Family of 4 want to visit UK. First timers. 6month visa

Husband is a business man, fully registered with all necessary docs. Owns land and lots of cash in the bank.
Wife works (200k/month salary).
They’ve got direct family in UK willing to accomodate/sponsor them to support the application to be successful.


Which scenario is better?

Scenario 1
- Husband applying alone.
- then wife and children apply after husband is successful.

Scenario 2
- husband, wife and 2 dependent children apply together.

Which has better chance of success? Also what are potential pitfalls? 4mths bank statement sufficient? Etc.

Thank you

Jamesclooney:
Hi gurus,
Need advice for a friend. Family of 4 want to visit UK. First timers. 6month visa
Husband is a business man, fully registered with all necessary docs. Owns land and lots of cash in the bank.
Wife works (200k/month salary).
They’ve got direct family in UK willing to accomodate/sponsor them to support the application to be successful.

Which scenario is better?

Scenario 1
- Husband applying alone.
- then wife and children apply after husband is successful.
Scenario 2
- husband, wife and 2 dependent children apply together.
Which has better chance of success? Also what are potential pitfalls? 4mths bank statement sufficient? Etc.

Husband does what exactly to make money?
I have seen 3 refusal letters recently with scenario 1.. after husband applied and used wife and kids as home ties, then tried to apply for them later. ECO said sorry and refused the wife and children and reason was that husband had said he would not be travelling with them .
Husband can apply. If gets visa, wife can try. They can then travel together if both positive. Children should stay back. If parents establish travel history then perhaps they can try with children.
Or try with schenghen regions if finacially solid.
UK never see the reason why they should be the first ones to give you visa when there are already 195 countries as well where you and your family can go.
It is best to really think about your situation wholistically before going to UK embassy and packing refusals. I detest this approach.

giselle237:

Husband does what exactly to make money?
I have seen 3 refusal letters recently with scenario 1.. after husband applied and used wife and kids as home ties, then tried to apply for them later. ECO said sorry and refused the wife and children and reason was that husband had said he would not be travelling with them .
Husband can apply. If gets visa, wife can try. They can then travel together if both positive. Children should stay back. If parents establish travel history then perhaps they can try with children.
Or try with schenghen regions if finacially solid.
UK never see the reason why they should be the first ones to give you visa when there are already 195 countries as well where you and your family can go.
It is best to really think about your situation wholistically before going to UK embassy and packing refusals. I detest this approach.

Thanks. Husband is into building and construction. Works as a contractor for clients as well. My scenario is what you’re endorsing. Husband applies first and once successful, wife and kids follow. The issue with Schengen countries is the Olympics in France (July/Aug), so demand is high and lots of delays in processing time. Also, I know a number of people that have been rejected for weird reasons, Hungary (the guy is based in the UK) & Netherlands (the person based in Nigeria, said she didn’t have ties blah blah). I also felt UK always gave lengthy and personalised reasons, so a bit better than the random one sentence reasons from some Schengen countries. Which Schengen country would you suggest?

Also to add…husband and wife have travelled to Italy before (4 or 5yrs ago)

Good morning everyone please I need your help.
I snd hubby want to visit the UK for 10days vacation in August.

Hubby has a very robust travel.history as he visited UK severally as a child, lived in Canada for 5 years for university and has visited Italy, China twice, Dubai, and Switzerland during the last 10 years.

I have visited dubai twice and Ghana once only.

Currently, we both have a valid 10 years canadian visa.

We have no kids yet, and run a flourishing business in Nigeria.

My sister relocated to the UK last year with her hubby via the sponsorship route.

Do we need a letter of invitation for this visa as we plan to stay in an Airbnb? How do we explain that though we would be seeing my sister, she's not the primary reason for the holiday. Do I include or omit her information?

What documents do we need? Hubby wanted us to use an agent, I said No, we don't need that, ill handle the application. Now I don't even know the first step to take.

I humbly need assistance.

Jamesclooney:


Thanks. Husband is into building and construction. Works as a contractor for clients as well. My scenario is what you’re endorsing. Husband applies first and once successful, wife and kids follow. The issue with Schengen countries is the Olympics in France (July/Aug), so demand is high and lots of delays in processing time. Also, I know a number of people that have been rejected for weird reasons, Hungary (the guy is based in the UK) & Netherlands (the person based in Nigeria, said she didn’t have ties blah blah). I also felt UK always gave lengthy and personalised reasons, so a bit better than the random one sentence reasons from some Schengen countries. Which Schengen country would you suggest?

Also to add…husband and wife have travelled to Italy before (4 or 5yrs ago)

The problem with the building and construction thing and been self employed is that it is very easily refused. To avoid refusals, best to have somewhat straightforward story and this comes with salaried persons. In their case, you can easily show your financial picture, prove it and then hope for the best.
Back to this index case of husband and wife wanting to try by all means- the children should be used as home ties… this is strictly my opinion.

Livylicha:
Good morning everyone please I need your help.
I snd hubby want to visit the UK for 10days vacation in August.
Hubby has a very robust travel.history as he visited UK severally as a child, lived in Canada for 5 years for university and has visited Italy, China twice, Dubai, and Switzerland during the last 10 years.
I have visited dubai twice and Ghana once only.

Currently, we both have a valid 10 years canadian visa.

We have no kids yet, and run a flourishing business in Nigeria.

My sister relocated to the UK last year with her hubby via the sponsorship route.

Do we need a letter of invitation for this visa as we plan to stay in an Airbnb? How do we explain that though we would be seeing my sister, she's not the primary reason for the holiday. Do I include or omit her information?
What documents do we need? Hubby wanted us to use an agent, I said No, we don't need that, ill handle the application. Now I don't even know the first step to take.

Have you gone to Canada with the visa and come back?

Select duration of visa
For first time- try to go for 6 months… however I have seen 2 first timers with robust travel history who went for 2 years initially
All fees are different and will be paid accordingly
Note: even its 6 months or 10 Yr visa - no one can stay in UK for more than 180 days.
No recourse to public funds- no jobs and no treatment from NHS except emergency one
It's always multiple entry either 6 months or any other visa
In 2, 5 and 10 yrs - you can stay 180 days in 1 Yr in UK

Coming to application part
All applicants needs to fill separate form ( starting from 1 day old baby to any age individual) same fees will be separate too
It is a basic simple form on govt uk
Or I feel it is simple 😌
Fill the application form correctly and recheck all again and again
After filling the form
Pay the fees
All this is done online
You'll get a confirmation email and then you need to apply for their biometric appointment on TLS
TLS takes you to your country website
Choose a date and time
Better to choose free time
It has other facilities like scanning documents, premium lounge, keeping passport etc
I bought scanning documents for both - paid online
If you don't want to , then you can upload all those documents on TLS
Your choice
Your documents depends on your circumstances
But the mandatory ones are:
* applicant passport, not mandatory- National ID card
*if employee, payslip same reflecting in bank account
*if retired, pension slip same reflecting in bank account
*bank statements
* property documents if any
* car documents if any
*any relatives/kids/siblings/parents who are living with them
Their relevant documents
Sponsor documents (UK)
*your passport/brp/visa
*your morgagte/rental house papers
*your payslip
*your bank statements
*invitation letter


1. Documentary Evidence and Preparatory Considerations :
Sponsor- Detailed evidence of their own financial solvency in the United Kingdom. This should include not only bank statements but payslips and employment letters, if applicable, evidencing their means of support.
Applicant- the applicant should furnish robust evidence underscoring their compelling ties to their country of residence, such as property deeds or lease agreements, detailed letters of employment specifying the terms of their absence and the necessity of their return, and any other financial or familial obligations that necessitate their return.
If married with any children or in a committed relationship provide these details.
The purpose here is to assuage any concerns the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) may have regarding potential overstay.
2. Strategic Application Submission:
A detailed explanation of the familial ties, the purpose of the visit, and why the applicant’s circumstances warrant the issuance of a visa. Clarity and transparency in these disclosures are crucial.
3. Visa Application Strategy:
A detailed itinerary of their planned activities and evidence of arrangements made (where applicable) during their stay could further reinforce their application.
4. Support:
It is also advisable to draft a cover letter for each application, succinctly summarizing the key points of the application, how each requirement is met, and why the visa should be granted. This can help frame the application in a way that is easily digestible for the ECO, ensuring they have all necessary information at their fingertips.

The success of visa applications often hinges not just on the documents provided, but on the clarity and persuasiveness with which the case is presented.
Once again, have you gone to Canada and come back?

Livylicha:
Good morning everyone please I need your help.
I snd hubby want to visit the UK for 10days vacation in August.

Hubby has a very robust travel.history as he visited UK severally as a child, lived in Canada for 5 years for university and has visited Italy, China twice, Dubai, and Switzerland during the last 10 years.

I have visited dubai twice and Ghana once only.

Currently, we both have a valid 10 years canadian visa.

We have no kids yet, and run a flourishing business in Nigeria.

My sister relocated to the UK last year with her hubby via the sponsorship route.

Do we need a letter of invitation for this visa as we plan to stay in an Airbnb? How do we explain that though we would be seeing my sister, she's not the primary reason for the holiday. Do I include or omit her information?

What documents do we need? Hubby wanted us to use an agent, I said No, we don't need that, ill handle the application. Now I don't even know the first step to take.

I humbly need assistance.

Yours should be fairly straightforward. Just google UK visitor visa and fill the form.
Include all the travel history for both of you. Answer the questions on family in the UK honestly. Put your Airbnb address as planned accommodation (I’ll prefer booking dot com reservation). Put tourism/sight seeing as reason for visit.

Documents checklist:
- 4months bank statements/payslips
- invitation letter from your family, saying you want to visit uk stating the Airbnb address
- their BRP/passport/visa status (skilled workers etc.)
- reference/introduction letter from their employer
Etc.

Good luck!

You both have a good travel history and nice profiles - the 10 years Canadian visa is a good one in a passport.

Frankly, in my opinion, you don't need a letter of invitation. You can decide to go to UK without anyone inviting you, more so even when you've built a travel record (past travels and current visas). In your cover letter mention you want to go on holiday - sight see, relax etc. Put up an itinerary of places you wanna visit and things you wanna do in those 10 days.

In your form they'd ask if you have a relative in the UK- put you have a sister . They'd ask -Are you planning to stay with her? i would advice you put no (you already said you want to book accom anyways). Like you, I also have relatives in UK; but for the sake of the visa form, i don't say I'm staying with anyone - to make my visa processing as simple as possible. For accommodation, i use www.booking.com to book a hotel (i get one with free cancellation. Look out for the big name hotels: Marriot, Ibis, IHG etc. they usually offer free cancellation).

In my opinion, You don't need to mention anything about visiting your sister. The visa form doesn't ask who you're visiting. It only asks if you have relatives, and if you will be staying with them. Keep it simple and stick with you're going on holiday (as you said already, visiting your sis is not the primary reason).

You don't need an agent, except you wan dash person money. I've been travelling to the UK since i was a kid, my parents worked on our visa applications back then - no agent required. When i became an adult - i worked on mine by myself - both student visa application and visiting applications. I didn't need to use an agent. My point is - You can do it yourself. Just ensure you've read the guidelines well, to be sure you've checked all the required boxes and added the right supporting docs. You and hubby ain't new to visa applications, so you'd be fine.

You both stand high chances of receiving a visa based off your past travel history and the current Canadian visa in you passport.

As to where to start from, here's the link that takes you to the application form and the guidelines https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/apply-standard-visitor-visa. Read to the end so you can get to the part where it mentions supporting docs and info you'll need. Also attach copies of past visas and current visa obtained to show travel record.

All the best!

Livylicha:
Good morning everyone please I need your help.
I snd hubby want to visit the UK for 10days vacation in August.

Hubby has a very robust travel.history as he visited UK severally as a child, lived in Canada for 5 years for university and has visited Italy, China twice, Dubai, and Switzerland during the last 10 years.

I have visited dubai twice and Ghana once only.

Currently, we both have a valid 10 years canadian visa.

We have no kids yet, and run a flourishing business in Nigeria.

My sister relocated to the UK last year with her hubby via the sponsorship route.

Do we need a letter of invitation for this visa as we plan to stay in an Airbnb? How do we explain that though we would be seeing my sister, she's not the primary reason for the holiday. Do I include or omit her information?

What documents do we need? Hubby wanted us to use an agent, I said No, we don't need that, ill handle the application. Now I don't even know the first step to take.

I humbly need assistance.

[quote author=giselle237 post=130318522]
Have you gone to Canada with the visa and come back?

Select duration of visa
For first time- try to go for 6 months… however I have seen 2 first timers with robust travel history who went for 2 years

Coming to application part
All applicants needs to fill separate form ( starting from 1 day old baby to any age individual) same fees will be separate too
It is a basic simple form on govt uk
Or I feel it is simple 😌
Fill the application form correctly and recheck all again and again
After filling the form
Pay the fees
All this is done online
You'll get a confirmation email and then you need to apply for their biometric appointment on TLS
TLS takes you to your country website
Choose a date and time
Better to choose free time
It has other facilities like scanning documents, premium lounge, keeping passport etc
I bought scanning documents for both - paid online
If you don't want to , then you can upload all those documents on TLS
Your choice
Your documents depends on your circumstances
But the mandatory ones are:
* applicant passport, not mandatory- National ID card
*if employee, payslip same reflecting in bank account
*if retired, pension slip same reflecting in bank account
*bank statements
* property documents if any
* car documents if any
*any relatives/kids/siblings/parents who are living with them
Their relevant documents
Sponsor documents (UK)
*your passport/brp/visa
*your morgagte/rental house papers
*your payslip
*your bank statements
*invitation letter

Good day! I submitted my application online for a visitor's visa yesterday, made payment but I was unable to book an appointment for biometrics at the Port Harcourt office of TLS contact. Please what should I do?
In my visa application, I stated that I am employed and would also be sponsored by my brother in law(my sister's husband). I do not have an employment letter but letter of leave approval. Again, the nature of my job does not require monthly salary but just stipends and money gotten from legal services rendered to clients. I have about 500k + in my account and the visit os just for 7days. My questions are:
A. Should I further explain the source of the money in my account in my letter?
B. Hope I will not affect my application negatively since in the application, I stated that I earn 170k per month as salary.
C. To prove country ties, will documents showing my annual legal dues/ levies of 2024 , my call certificate, identity card and leave approval from my principal( Head of chambers) suffice?
D. Though I will be fully sponsored, is it safe to say that I have about 150k to spend in buying gifts for my sister and her husband and minor expenses?

Please I need your honest response. Thank you

Timeline.

Visa Category ...... 2 years standard Visitor
Document submission: 23/05/2024
Biometric Submission: 24/05/2024
Visa arrives UKVI: 28/05/2024
TLS Collection mail: 05/06/2024
Passport Collected with Visa: 05/06/2024

The whole process took approximately 7 working days. My wife got 2 years, I got 2 years and my mum got 6 months.

For me and my wife, this is the second UK visa. We first got 6 months last year and traveled to UK just once for a conference.

We got this visa now so as to attend the graduation ceremony of my Nephew from a University in UK. My mum who is 83 years old got the visa for her first try.

Cashmadam:


Good morning. Provide the documents as requested or wait for the obvious outcome.

To the best of my knowledge, your step daughter cannot enter the UK as your dependant unless you have legally adopted her. If you did not adopt her legally, the visa will be denied.

Hello @cashmadam and everyone with experience here.

I have a situation and I need urgent advice.

So my step daughter visa was refused not on the ground that I did not adopt her legally. But on the ground that the Sole custody document gotten by my wife from Lagos magistrate court could not be verified.

Please note that this documents was gotten genuinely and the court granted her sole custody as requested by ukvi in the NSF mail .
But now ukvi said they were unable to verify it, we sent someon to the court to verify the hardcopy it was there in their file. What could be wrong? How could Ukvi be doing their verification of this documents.

see attached image.

Hi guys. Thank you for all you do. Pls I need advice on this. I’ll like to apply for a fully sponsored visit visa for my mum, how much do I need to have in my account? Do I need my bank statement and how many months bank statement or payslip?

Hi, Is anyone experiencing issues on the TLS site with uploading documents? I'm trying to upload documents for someone who has an appoiment for tomorrow, but I keep getting this error message when I click upload.

Most likely an issues with the website. Error 500 is an issue from the server side. Not anything you can fix from your end, other than to wait it out...Try again at night.

Or you can clear your cache and try again, or better still try with another browser.

BruceXavier:
Hi, Is anyone experiencing issues on the TLS site with uploading documents? I'm trying to upload documents for someone who has an appoiment for tomorrow, but I keep getting this error message when I click upload.

.

@somebody1

Why would your brother in law sponsor your visit when you are a full blown adult and also travelling with your husband? The optics- quite concerning.
Also by the looks of it, your financial picture is very not straight forward. U mention you have only 500k in your account which even you can not adequately provide the origin of the funds. You also mention not been in receipt of salary but stipends… If you have not undertaken the trip to Canada yet then with your current economic circumstances as you stated, it is in your best interest not to apply for this visa now. You have more chances of been refused esp with what you have described - 500k and wanting your brother in law to sponsor u to come.
If I am an ECO on a balance of probabilities I would not take a chance on you as you can decide to stay back.
If you however have gone to Canada and returned then I would assume that you would return to Nigeria as well…

iamademola:


Hello @cashmadam and everyone with experience here.

I have a situation and I need urgent advice.

So my step daughter visa was refused not on the ground that I did not adopt her legally. But on the ground that the Sole custody document gotten by my wife from Lagos magistrate court could not be verified.

Please note that this documents was gotten genuinely and the court granted her sole custody as requested by ukvi in the NSF mail .
But now ukvi said they were unable to verify it, we sent someon to the court to verify the hardcopy it was there in their file. What could be wrong? How could Ukvi be doing their verification of this documents.

That was quite fast… considering a month before they requested for this document and you did not have.. less than 2 or 3 weeks later you were able to present a sole custody order.
Taking into cognisance how court proceedings take long, they wonder how all of this has happened. They are wary of this and therefore have painstakingly made sure they verify the authenticity of this as a child is involved. Since they could not verify it yet, they have to protect the child involved and refuse the application.
You can appeal the decision or seek reconsideration… however it will not be fast tracked as the child’s other parent is alive, they have to be sure mother indeed has sole custody by verifying what you presented.

@giselle237 I am sorry if I misquoted you. Please note that I am not the couple that have been to Canada o. I am not married. I applied for a visitor's visa yesterday, made payment but I was unable to book an appointment for biometrics at the Port Harcourt office of TLS contact. Please what should I do?
In my visa application, I stated that I am employed but would also be sponsored by my brother in law(my sister's husband). I do not have an employment letter but letter of leave approval. Again, the nature of my job does not require monthly salary but just stipends from time to time and money earned from legal services rendered to clients. I have about 500k + in my account and the visit is just for 7days. My questions are:
A. Should I further explain the source of the money in my account in my letter?
B. Hope it will not affect my application negatively since in the application, I stated that I earn 170k per month as salary.
C. To prove country ties, will documents showing my annual legal dues/ levies of 2024 , my call certificate, identity card and leave approval from my principal( Head of chambers) suffice?
D. Though I will be fully sponsored, is it safe to say that I have about 150k to spend in buying gifts for my sister and her husband and minor expenses?

Please I need your honest response. Thank you
(Modify) (Quote) (Report) (Share)

somebody1:
@giselle237 I am sorry if I misquoted you. Please note that I am not the couple that have been to Canada o. I am not married

oh sorry… all still apply minus the Canada part… and it makes it even more difficult that you do not have the money to sponsor yourself. .. are you aged under 23 years? If you are very young, you can make a case by saying you are very young and so can not be expected to be married, own a property, assets, investments etc at 23 years old in a third world country…that most of the 23 yr olds or less in a country such as yours have same economic circumstances as you… hence you needing a sponsor… if this is not your story then you have to bring forth your own home ties.
Having 500k and no exact salary and more or less nothing to show to the ECO that would make u come back makes u very likely to be refused

iamademola:


Hello @cashmadam and everyone with experience here.

I have a situation and I need urgent advice.

So my step daughter visa was refused not on the ground that I did not adopt her legally. But on the ground that the Sole custody document gotten by my wife from Lagos magistrate court could not be verified.

Please note that this documents was gotten genuinely and the court granted her sole custody as requested by ukvi in the NSF mail .
But now ukvi said they were unable to verify it, we sent someon to the court to verify the hardcopy it was there in their file. What could be wrong? How could Ukvi be doing their verification of this documents.

see attached image.

What does it mean in paragraph 2 when it says “father does not have valid leave to enter the UK”? But you are on a student visa…has it expired?

He is step. The biological father is who is probably being referenced.

Jamesclooney:


What does it mean in paragraph 2 when it says “father does not have valid leave to enter the UK”? But you are on a student visa…has it expired?