UK Visa For Dummies: Part 1
Last week, we posted a typical UK refusal letter for a tourism visit visa and detailed some errors the visa applicant might have made based on the refusal letter. Do you remember the errors we found? You can refresh your memory here. Our next 2 articles will demonstrate what the applicant needs to do to increase his/her chances of getting a favorable decision upon re-application. We will start with the first five pointers:
Prove your relationship to the sponsor.
Your sponsor can be anybody (relative, friend, guardian) but it is essential for you to show the visa officer that there is an ongoing relationship with that sponsor. If you are a child, add documents to show that the sponsor is your parent and caters for you. If the sponsor is your friend; prove the friendship. Remember, your documents should prove how you are related to the sponsor, if friends, how you became friends, and what proves there is an ongoing friendship.
Show evidence of ownership of assets, property or savings.
“I am a student, I do not work so how can I provide proof of assets, property, savings?” Sounds familiar? You need to show something, at least your bank statement even if you are a student, 18 years and above. You can also include a letter from your sponsor stating that you have access to this or that asset, property or savings. Good news is, this helps to buttress your proof of relation to the sponsor.
Demonstrate why you are reliant on third party funding.
Even though this might seem straight forward, it is usually one of the most frequently used refusal points. Why would you be asked to show why you need sponsorship when someone has written a letter stating they are sponsoring your trip, with support documents? Simple. The visa officer doesn’t think you are related as claimed, you are dependent on the sponsor as claimed or the sponsorship is genuine. What then can you do? Do you have any document showing that your sponsor finances you? Show them.
Establish ties to your country of origin.
Your country of origin is where you are a citizen of or where you now call home; if you are a legal resident. Your ties will include assets, properties, savings, ongoing education, your job, marriage, kids. Include any document you have to evidence these to establish ties.
Present accurately your circumstances or intention to leave the UK.
When a consular officer states that you did not accurately present your current circumstances or intention to leave the UK after your visit, it means they do not think your ties as stated exist, are strong or have been genuinely established. This may be because your application and documentation were done haphazardly or there is a suspicion of forgery with some of your paperwork presented or simply you did not convince them enough about your travel intentions (mostly because some important documents were left out of your application or in some instances too many documents were included that cast doubts on your application). So if you are going for tourism, let your documents and applications say so to any layman who happens to chance on your documents that you are a prospective tourist.
This is where we end Part 1. Look out for Part 2 next week where we will conclude with the next 5 refusal reasons and how to prevent them from been used against your application for a visit visa.
