why uk tourist visa gets rejected

Visa Traveler

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11 Reasons for UK visa refusal (and how to overcome them)

Updated: September 8, 2023

UK visa application is the most strict and highly scrutinized visa process. The UK Visas and Immigration receives thousands of visa applications every year that do not meet visa requirements.

Once you have a UK visa refusal, it remains permanently in the records of the UK Home Office. Each time you re-apply, your previous UK visa refusal comes up. It becomes an unavoidable hindrance to all of your future UK visa applications. Therefore, you must get approval in the first attempt at all costs.

According to national statistics published by the Home Office, the UK visitor visa refusal rate for 2019 was 13%. The countries with the highest refusal rates were Algeria, Ghana and Bangladesh with refusal rates over 40%.

This article walks you through the top UK visa refusal reasons. This list should also help if you are reapplying after your UK visa refusal.

The top reasons for UK visa rejection are as below –

• Long itinerary
• Unclear itinerary
• Lack of leave approval letter
• Lack of salary deposits in your bank account
• Large undocumented deposits in your bank account
• Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income
• Lack of travel history
• Lack of detailed cover letter
• Lack of proper documentation from the sponsor
• Not disclosing any previous visa refusals
• No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

Now, let’s take a deep look into each of these reasons and understand how to overcome these in your own UK visa application.

Go through and understand each of these reasons. Analyze your own visa application to figure what’s lacking and what needs to be done. It should help you build a strong case and get approval in your first attempt.

So, without further delay, let’s get started.

NOTE The visa refusal reasons in this article are actual reasons given by the UK visa officers in the visa refusal letters. After going through several visa refusal letters from my readers, I put this article together to help you all analyze your own applications and avoid future rejections.

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TOP 11 REASONS FOR UK VISA REFUSAL

01. Long itinerary

REASON “You have stated that you wish to visit the UK for 1 month”

Be realistic. The UK is small and you only need a few days to explore. A long itinerary looks suspicious. It looks as if you will be living or working in the UK rather than site seeing.

The UK is also expensive. You must have enough funds to justify your itinerary.

A 7-10 day itinerary works the best for the UK tourist visa . If you are only visiting London, probably less than 7 days is better.

Also Read: 11 mistakes that can get your visa denied. And how to avoid them.

02. Unclear itinerary

REASON “You did not indicate what you intend to do or where you intend to stay. The plans for this trip are unclear and lacking in detail.”

Specify a detailed itinerary in your cover letter. The itinerary should include the dates, cities and your day-to-day activities in each city.

If your itinerary is too long, attach an additional page to your cover letter.

03. Lack of leave approval letter

REASON “It is unclear if your employer has agreed for you to be away from work for the period of this trip, and therefore that you will return to this employment following this trip.”

Include a leave approval letter from your employer. A leave approval letter is the single most document that can strengthen your case. It indicates two things –

• You have strong ties with your country
• You have the obligation to return back to your country after your UK trip

Your leave approval letter should clearly mention that you have been granted leave to travel to the UK and you will return to your current job after your vacation.

This letter must be on the company letterhead with original HR or manager’s signature. You must have your HR or manager write this letter specifically for your UK travel.

If you cannot obtain a leave approval letter, have your employer at least mention your leave details in the employment letter.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I had my employer include my leave approval details in the employment letter for my UK visa. I haven’t seen a single UK visitor visa refusal from those who submitted a leave/vacation approval letter. In my opinion, it really is a strong document.

Also Read: UK Visa Guide – All about UK visa requirements, application process, documentation, etc.

04. Lack of salary deposits in your bank account

REASON “Your stated monthly income is not reflected in the history of the account”

It is not uncommon to have a UK visa rejected due to bank statements. Apart from your employment documentation, you must be able to show your monthly salary in your bank statements for UK visa .

Make sure your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. Your regular salary deposits indicate two things –

• You are genuinely employed and have a steady source of income
• You have genuinely saved up to travel to the UK and not borrowing money from someone

Have your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. It’s fine if you have to withdraw cash for expenses, family, etc. But, it is important to have your salary deposited directly into your bank account.

If you receive a physical paycheck, deposit the check yourself in the bank regularly every month.

05. Large undocumented deposits in your bank account

REASON “Large credits have been made which are in excess of your stated monthly income”

REASON “I am not satisfied with the origin of these funds or that they are genuinely available to you”

REASON “The sources of these deposits are not demonstrated by the documents provided”

As I mentioned in the above reason, it’s not uncommon to have UK visa rejected due to bank statements.

Large deposits in your bank account indicate that you have borrowed money to inflate the numbers in your bank account. Visa officers will not be convinced that the funds in your account are your own and are available for you to use.

Make sure there are no large deposits in your bank account. If you already have large deposits in your account, provide proof of the source of those deposits. Example –

• If you have received money from selling a property, attach the sales deed to the bank statement
• If you have received money from rents, attach the rental agreements from your tenants

Also Read: How to travel 40 countries VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2023

06. Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income

REASON “I don’t find it credible that you would exhaust nearly all the funds available to you”

REASON “This amount represents over half your declared savings or over x months of your monthly expenditure”

If the total expenditure of your UK trip is more than half of your savings or several times your monthly salary, your visa will be refused. It’s not realistic to exhaust all your savings on one trip to the UK. You would need to preserve at least half of your savings for emergencies.

If your savings are low, your UK visa may be rejected due to insufficient funds. Taking chances and applying for your UK visa will lead to refusal and also affect all your future visa results. So, take a few months to build your savings first.

It is not wise to spend more than 2 times your monthly income on your UK trip. If your monthly salary is low, wait until your monthly salary improves. Ask for a raise or take up a second job. But taking chances will only lead to refusal.

If you have received a gift or bonus from your employer or your sponsor is taking care of your expenses, you are still REQUIRED to show a saving that is more than twice your UK trip expenditure. This is to make sure you can support yourself during your trip in case your sponsor or employer decides not to support you.

07. Lack of travel history

REASON “I am not satisfied that you are a genuinely seeking entry as a visitor and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit”

REASON “I note that you have never traveled to the UK or anywhere else before”

Travel history indicates that you do not have illegal immigration intent. If you were to stay illegally anywhere, you could have done it so already in any of those countries you have been to so far.

If you do not have travel history, build your travel history first.

Travel to some visa-required countries. The more countries you travel to, the better it is for your UK visa.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I have traveled to over 30 countries so far. I have been to some countries multiple times. I have plenty of visas and stamps in my passport. My travel history helps in my visa approvals.

08. Lack of detailed cover letter

REASON “I am not satisfied that you have sufficient ties and would, in fact, leave the UK on completion of your proposed visit”

UK visa application forms may not ask for all the details that you want to convey. Therefore, a cover letter is a way for you to convey that additional information and convince the visa officer that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor.

Write a detailed cover letter mentioning your proposed itinerary, your financial situation, your travel history, your intention to return, etc.

Your cover letter should not exceed one page. Use bullets instead of paragraphs. The simpler, cleaner the better.

Keep in mind that the UK visa officers may not be familiar with terminology from your country. Do not use words, designations, addresses, etc. that are not familiar to them.

Visa officers may have lots of work on their plates. So, your cover letter should convey what you want to convey clearly and quickly.

09. Lack of proper documentation from your sponsor

REASON “I am not satisfied that your sponsor will be able to provide maintenance and accommodation during your sponsor trip”

If you are using a sponsor for your UK visa, you must have the following documentation from your sponsor. If you don’t have all of this documentation from your sponsor, you will be risking your visa.

• A letter from your sponsor undertaking that he/she would arrange your accommodation, transportation and other expenses while you are in the UK
• Your sponsor’s bank statements for the last 3 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits)
• Your sponsor’s British passport’s main page
• Your sponsor’s British postal poll card
• Your sponsor’s utility bill

Just having an invitation letter is not sufficient. An invitation letter is not legally enforceable and such letters will not help unless you provide additional documentation from your sponsor such as those mentioned above.

10. Not disclosing any previous visa refusals

REASON “I am aware that you have been refused a US visa and you do not declare this on your visa application form”

UK Home Office may have information sharing with other countries. You must enter only true information and must disclose any previous visa refusals from any country, not just the UK.

Pretty much all the information you provide is verifiable these days. Therefore, not disclosing your previous visa rejections can lead to your UK tourist visa refusal.

Also Read: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

11. No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

REASON “I note that your were previously refused entry clearance”

REASON “You are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change”

If your circumstances haven’t changed since your previous UK visa refusal, your visa may be refused again. Multiple visa refusals can lead to blacklisting and permanent ban. It’s wise to not apply at all than dealing with a visa refusal again.

Reapply for your UK visa only if there is a considerable change in your circumstances.

The UK visitor visa refusal rate is very high these days. The UK Home Office has been refusing visas more frequently than ever before.

It’s your responsibility to make sure that you are eligible and meet the visa requirements. A UK visa refusal can be an unavoidable hindrance down the line.

The above 11 UK visitor visa refusal reasons should help you analyze youn visa application and overcome any hindrances that can lead to your visa refusal.

Have you had a UK visa refusal? If you did, what was the reason and how did you overcome in your re-application?

IMPORTANT This article is meant for UK visa applicants with “tourism” intent. My knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas. I will only respond to comments from those seeking advice on UK visas with “tourism” intent. I will not respond to comments from those seeking advice for purposes such as study, work, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, immigration, etc. I don’t have expertise in those matters. You would need to seek advice from immigration lawyers.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

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1,046 Comments

Tolulope says

August 3, 2022 at 1:14 pm

Hi, I’m from Nigeria. I applied for the UK visa in January and got a refusal because I address my sponsor as uncle in the form while my sponsor said he is my brother on the invitation letter. So I re-applied again in May, I didn’t get a response for more than a month, was worried so I sent an email to one of the UK email addresses and after a few hours, I got the refusal letter with no reason for denial. What could be the reason I will like to know the best time to re-apply?

Thirumal Motati says

August 4, 2022 at 8:33 am

Hi Tolulope! The point of the refusal letter is to tell you the reason for the refusal. Are you certain that there was no reason mentioned at all in the refusal letter? Can you send me a copy?

ismail akinkunmi says

June 22, 2022 at 3:20 pm

Hi, I need a clarification. I have applied for a UK visa before and I was given one. I traveled for a conference and I returned as indicated on my request. I later applied for a 2 years visa for another conference but, it was delayed. I got the visa after the conference. I was planning to make another visit to the UK to make use of the visa when the Covid was sent in and there was a traveling ban from Nigeria. When the ban was over, I was busy at work because some people have left my working place and I had to cover till there is a replacement. It was during that period that my visa got expired as well as my passport. I have renewed my passport now. To apply for a new visa, will they not refuse me based on the visa I did not use before it expired?

June 27, 2022 at 10:04 am

Hi Ismail! It is not compulsory to use a visa. Travel plans change and some can’t use their visas. So you not been able to use your previous visa will not afffect your current visa.

June 21, 2022 at 10:32 am

Hi Thirumal, thanks for your blog post. Was definitely helpful. While I was traveling back from Mumbai to Washington DC a few years ago, the immigration officers told me I did not have a “bonafide” job with my first employer. I was working with a different company when this happened. They asked me to apply to get my F-1 visa restamped from US Consulate, Mumbai. Which I did. While traveling again, they still asked me to prove that I hadn’t done anything wrong wrt my first employer. I couldn’t contact the guy who had started that company as his contact details were changed by then.

So they did nothing to this new visa but asked me to return from Abu Dhabi (US pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi). So I now have a canceled visa (my first F-1), a re-stamped F-1 which I have technically not used, and I’m not applying for a Visitors Visa to the UK for an 8-day trip where I wish to attend a concert and explore London.

What do I do in this case? Do I even apply? Will I even be considered for a UK visa ever? This issue happened in Dec 2019-Feb 2020 and I now work with a firm since March 2020 and have a steady and decent income. Please advise me.

June 27, 2022 at 10:25 am

Hi MK! You will have to explain what happened for questions on whether you have ever been refused entry or removed while entering the country. Answers to these questions sometimes play a significant role in visa applications. So it’s difficult to stay what would be the outcome if you were to apply for your UK visa.

Hassan Raza says

June 14, 2022 at 9:48 am

Dear Sir, I completed my master’s degree in the UK in 2012 (September) then I came back to Pakistan. My visa was still valid because it was expired in May 2013 but I came earlier. After 4 months I received email from university for my graduation ceremony. I applied for a visit visa and they refused due to my Bank statement. After that, I did not apply for a UK visa. Now 2022, my wife got admission to the UK for a master’s degree for September intake. I and my 3 kids will apply to the UK as dependants. Does this refusal affect my visa or not?

June 15, 2022 at 11:22 am

Hi Hassan! Your visit visa refusal was almost ten years ago, so it should not affect your current visa. But make sure to mention your previous visa refusal honestly in your UK visa application.

Yuvraj says

May 25, 2022 at 3:03 pm

Hi, my father applied for a visitor visa to the UK but was refused he couldn’t show funds and I only send him sponsorship but not my bank statements. My dad gets around 500,000 rupees per year pension from Govt and got approx 200,0000.00 Indian rupees in bank statement but officer calculated on only 249922.48 Indian rupees and told him not got sufficient money to spend but he missed one digit. Clearly, he got £20k in Indian rupees in his bank account. It’s an admin mistake. They say I got no right of appeal. Is there any way we can ask them to check it again cause it’s their mistake? Please advise.

May 26, 2022 at 8:03 am

Hi Yuvraj! You might benefit from a Pre-action Protocol (PAP). Clearly, it’s the ECO’s mistake so your odds of overturning the decisions are very high if you file a PAP. PAP is a simple word document that you will fill out and email them. It’s free. I believe you can do it yourself, If you can’t I know someone who can help. Here is the link to PAP .

Felicia Siameh says

February 25, 2022 at 6:48 pm

Good evening sir, please sir can I pass through Amsterdam to Heathrow with a Schengen visa of Germany or still have to get a transit visa? Thank you.

March 14, 2022 at 7:52 am

Hi Felicia! Yes, you can use your Schengen visa to transit through Amsterdam or Heathrow Airports. Keep in mind, for Heathrow, it’s airside transit only. You cannot leave the airport.

Nupur Sachdeva says

May 13, 2022 at 1:25 am

Hi, I’m currently residing in the USA on an F-1 student visa since January 2020. I graduated in December and now I’m working full time. I’m planning to visit my friend in the UK in September and would be applying for a UK visa from America but I’m an Indian citizen. I’m not sure if my visa status would create a challenge for me to get my tourist visa or if I should provide any additional documents to get it approved. Also, how in advance should I apply for the visa to be able to travel in September second week. Thank you!

May 13, 2022 at 7:36 am

Hi Nupur! If you leave the US to visit your friend in the UK, you won’t able to get back into the US on your F1 visa since you are not a student anymore. You must be holding an H1B visa in order to return. You can continue to stay in the United States on a status change, but to leave and come back, you must have the appropriate visa in your passport.

If UKVI notices that you do not have the correct US visa to return back to the US, they may assume that you intend to remain in the UK.

May 17, 2022 at 10:54 pm

I traveled to Dubai in 2007. Now I want to apply for a UK tourist visa, is this enough travel history?

May 21, 2022 at 8:02 am

Hi Nneka! Travel history to at least 5 countries will help. But if you are really good in other areas such as your employment, financials, economic and family ties, then you don’t need to worry much about travel history. Your lack of travel history is compensated by the other areas.

January 30, 2022 at 1:18 pm

Hello Thirumal, I’ve read most of the comments but I did not find the same as my situation. I am planning to visit the UK with an invitation letter from my friend/boyfriend. He was previously working in the same country where I am now.

It was stated in his invitation letter that he will support all my expenses (travel, food and accommodation and leisure of course). The issue is, since he is already retired and has no monthly income, he cannot provide below as mentioned in your listed requirements:

“Your bank statements for the last 3 months (should show your employer pay deposits and there shouldn’t be any large undocumented deposits)”

He has huge savings though which he saved from working abroad and he 2 owned houses where he lives and rented the other. Can he still provide his bank statement if it doesn’t generate monthly income anymore?

February 2, 2022 at 7:04 am

Hi Leila! The majority of us are employed, so I wrote this article keeping us in mind. But, of course, there are some exceptions and edge cases. That being said, UKVI would consider someone as retired if they have reached the retirement age and not because they don’t have to work anymore. If your boyfriend is retired because he doesn’t have to work anymore, then he would need to prove that his savings and houses earn him a steady income to sustain his livelihood. If he is simply dipping into his savings, UKVI will not be convinced that he should support your trip.

Comfort says

January 9, 2022 at 11:32 am

I just wanted to send a message to thank you for this blog. I recently helped my friend/potential bf to apply for a visa to the UK from Nigeria. He has never left the country before but we decided to take the risk and apply anyway. The decision was delayed way over 3 weeks and even missed the potential travel dates (the 1-week red list entry was partially to blame). However, he has just received his 6-month visa. Hooray! the whole process of making sure everything was up to scratch was a little stressful but with the intent studying of your blog, we made it work. Thank you again!!

January 12, 2022 at 7:08 am

Hi Comfort! I appreciate the kind words! Congratulations to your friend! I’m glad my blog was helpful. Safe travels to your friend and you both have a great time in the UK.

Adeniyi Olufemi biliamin says

August 28, 2022 at 8:49 am

Can a self-employed man use his company bank statements to apply or a personal account?

September 1, 2022 at 5:53 am

Hi Adeniyi! If you have a personal account and you pay yourself a salary, that’s much better. If not, you can use your company bank statement but you must write a letter on the company letterhead saying that you have access to company funds for personal use including the UK trip.

Emmanuel says

October 13, 2021 at 6:37 pm

Hi, I just applied for a UK tourist visa last night. During my application, I selected that I don’t have anywhere to stay though I wrote in the short notes that I will be staying with friends and hotel. I decided to check online to see if this can affect my application. Checking on this page, I also remembered that I did not include that I have been refused a visa to the Netherlands before.

When I made that application to the Netherlands, I was practicing as a dentist in my home country and I had to attend a conference. The reason given for my refusal was not proving enough funds and also not having strong ties in my country. Fast forward, I live in Canada now with my wife who is Canadian and I am also a permanent resident.

Will my past refusal and not stating where I will be staying during my 7 days tour affect my application? I meet all other requirements and I have proof of owning three houses in Canada. Is it a good idea to cancel the application and do everything all over again?

I am no longer practicing as a dentist in Canada and my previous application to the Netherlands stated that I am a dentist and attending an annual dentist conference. Will this affect anything if I do the application all over again and I try I include the refusal? Thank you for your time.

October 14, 2021 at 8:04 am

Hi Emmanuel! In my opinion, the two issues you mentioned may not be an issue. Although it’s necessary to mention any previous visa refusals, the information you have provided in the application is enough to demonstrate that you have strong ties with Canada. You own properties there and you are a permanent resident. You haven’t mentioned but I assume you do well financially as well. So, no need to do another application.

Georgette says

October 14, 2021 at 9:53 am

Hello, first of all, I’d just like to mention that I do not know how to start my own separate comment so I am using the reply option.

I plan on completing my application this weekend and I hope you can answer some of my concerns.

I’ll start off with a bit of background. I am a full-time student, unemployed and I plan on visiting my English Boyfriend over (hopefully) Christmas and New Year’s. I am applying for a 6-month visa and all my costs are covered by him and his family.

1) Will the money I have in my account have a strong influence on my application even though everything in my trip will be sponsored?

2) Is a 2-month stay way too long? Would 1 or 1.5 months be okay instead?

3) We do not plan on doing many sightseeings or touring around the UK, our plan is just to spend as much time together, how can I write an itinerary or cover plan if my main purpose of the visit is to just spend quality time with him and his family even though if it’s just in their home?

Lastly, I would like to know if you are at all active on Instagram? I would like to contact you there if I have any other questions.

October 15, 2021 at 7:52 am

Hi Georgette! 1. Since you have a sponsor, the money in your bank account does not matter that much. But it’s essential to show some money in your bank so that ECOs will be convinced that you can support yourself if your boyfriend decides not to support you once you land in the UK. 2. 2-month is definitely too long. Go for 1 month or less. 3. You can mention that in your cover letter. Not spending much time sightseeing is perfectly acceptable in situations like yours.

Yes. You can find my Instagram in the footer. Keep in mind that I don’t check my Instagram DMs that often. The quickest way to get my response is via email. My email is on my “About” page.

Farrukh says

November 4, 2021 at 3:36 am

Hello sir. I am a US Green Card holder with a Russian Passport. I have never been to any visa-required countries before. Overall my travel history is a little short. Do you know my chances of getting a UK visitor visa?

November 4, 2021 at 3:13 pm

Hi Farrukh, travel history helps but if you have strong ties with the US, you are fine. You hold a US green card, which means you will not jeopardize your path to US citizenship by overstaying in the UK. That’s a strong indicator of ties with the US. In my opinion, you have high chance of securing a UK visitor visa.

Ellen Rose Corpuz says

October 16, 2021 at 8:25 pm

Hi. I applied UK visit visa and did my Biometric last 14th September 2021. I emailed UKVI and I was informed that they already made a decision with my application but the visa application center where I did the biometric did not contact me yet for the collection of my passport. But before this, I had my first refusal because my residence card is only 1 month valid before I applied. I wanted to know if the first refusal will affect my second application since I have been waiting for my passport for more than 15 working days now even do UKVI informed me that they made already a decision regarding my application.

Further, UKVI told me as well that they don’t know where is my passport now. To whom I should ask where is my passport now? Thank you.

October 20, 2021 at 5:25 pm

Hi Ellen! It takes a few days for UK embassy to send the passport back to the visa application center. They are also sent in batches, so it can take a few days. When your passport is back at the visa application center, they will notify you that you can pick up your passport. So give it a few more days before enquiring again. Each UK visa is assessed on its individual merit, so your first UK visa refusal will not affect your second visa result unless you made the same mistakes in your second application that you did in your first.

Kelvin says

April 10, 2022 at 10:49 pm

Hi sir, my visitor UK visa expires in two months. Would I need again invitation letter and the supporting documents from my uncle as he did the first time? He only sent his bills and passport copy but I added my work contract, leave letter, payslips and bank statement. What documents do I need to renew my unexpired visa? Thanks!

April 22, 2022 at 1:18 pm

Hi Kevin! Unfortunately, there is no renewal for UK visas. You will have to apply for a fresh visa. If you need to travel soon and your current visa expires by then, you can apply for a fresh visa now. If you plan to travel sometime in the future, apply 3 months before your trip.

You have to submit the same documents again, but your chances are higher this time since you had a UK visa and have a travel history to the UK. Good luck!

James Clark says

September 20, 2021 at 11:05 am

Hi, I am from the UK and I am sponsoring my friend in India to come over for Christmas.

1) I have more than enough money in my accounts here and am being paid a salary, so does it matter if my friend has enough money in his account?

2) I’ve put he’s coming to visit me and my family and I’ve put the length of his stay will be 2 weeks over Christmas. Is this ok or too long?

3) If he is self-employed and not employed will this significantly reduce his chances of getting a visa, as he won’t have a leave approval letter?

4) He is also coming to visit a friend in Slovakia and I have put her down as somebody that will be sponsoring our friend also. Should I keep this information or is it not necessary?

5) There is a question – Does anyone rely on you for financial support? What is best answer yes or no?

6) We applied for my friend to get an Australian visa and it was rejected because of lack of ties to his country. I didn’t put his parents information on the form as he lives in an ashram. We have this information for this application, but what do you recommend to do when it asks about refused visa applications.

7) Do you think it’s worth applying, what are his chances?

September 23, 2021 at 11:36 am

Hi James! 1. No. If you are sponsoring him financially, he doesn’t have to meet the salary and savings requirements. 2. Considering all other factors, I suggest keeping his trip to just 7-10 days for the visa. He can stay longer when he actually travels. 3. Yes. Employment is the strong tie one can have with his country. The chances are lower if he is self-employed and much lower if he is unemployed. 4. It’s not necessary. Moreover, mentioning a friend in Slovakia will complicate his case. It will add another set of documentation. If the ECO is impatient, they can simply ignore the documentation and refuse the visa for a silly reason. 5. This question is for your friend. If there aren’t any dependents financially relying on him, the answer would be “no”. 6. From all your questions, I’m noticing that he lacks ties with his country, which would be an issue for this UK visa too. Yes, you will have to mention his Australia visa refusal in his UK visa application. 7. It’s difficult to answer this question unless I know more about your friend. You can email me with more details about your friend, so I can assess his situation and give you a more accurate answer.

Clement says

September 24, 2021 at 11:00 am

Hello, I wish I had found your page sooner. – I am a graduate student at a University in Rome, Italy – I recently applied for a UK visa on the 9th of September, however, I might have made an error where I chose my expected travel date for 25th September. – This means my visa is still being processed at the time of my expected travel date. – The duration of my trip is 14 days, and I aim to visit my aunt. – I have supplied all the information required, payslips of my aunt, utility bill, invitation letter and bank statement. – I’ve supplied all documents regarding my status as a student, with letters from my program coordinator and thesis supervisor. – I also supplied my bank statements, and other documents regarding my scholarship and accommodation. – I would like to know if the irregular expected travel date can affect my chances of getting the visa.

September 29, 2021 at 7:46 am

Hi Clement! No. Your expected travel date will not affect your visa result. If you qualify and meet all the visa requirements, you will receive your visa even if your intended travel dates have passed. From the information you’ve provided, I believe you have a higher chance of visa approval. Visa processing is taking longer these days due to COVID, but you will receive your result soon. UK visas are usually valid for 6 months so you can adjust your travel dates accordingly once you receive your visa.

Nuzeefa says

September 20, 2021 at 10:09 am

Hello Thirumal, I am planning to visit the UK with my sister as she is traveling with 2 children all under the age of 10 and one infant of 2 months old (all under dependent visa). The main reason for the visit is to assist with the travel and help her with the move to the UK I will get an invitation letter from my brother-in-law who is already in the UK on a skilled worker visa. For my proof of funds, my mother has given me INR 2 lakh for the trip. Will this be acceptable? Also, what are the chances of the visa getting rejected/accepted in such a scenario? Also, I have had a steady job for the past 5 years. Thank you.

September 23, 2021 at 11:22 am

Hi Nuzeefa! Since you are being sponsored, your salary and savings don’t have to meet certain requirements. But any cash deposits that you cannot explain with documentary evidence will raise questions, eventually leading to refusal. I suggest not depositing the cash from your mother. You can keep it in cash form and use it for your travel if you like. But for the visa, that cash deposit will cause issues.

The main important thing is the ties with your country. You have a steady full-time job which itself is sufficient to prove that you have ties with your country. You haven’t mentioned your salary, but if the salary comes into your account regularly, that’s great too.

Along with the sponsorship documents from your brother-in-law, make sure to provide the following as well. 1. Employment letter 2. Leave approval letter 3. Bank statements 4. Cover letter

September 16, 2021 at 12:46 am

Hi, I want to visit the UK around December this year with my mother. I am married and my husband is studying in my home country, and I am working full-time since 2019. However, my monthly income is around PKR 50000 (250GBP), I also have a savings account that has almost 22,000 USD in it for the past 2-years. My husband is a foreigner but ever since we got married (October 2019) we have been living with my parents and my father finances us. My father is a government official and has almost 2-million pounds worth of assets, moreover, he will be financing our (myself and my mother’s) trip to the UK.

Furthermore, I have traveled to the UK in the past for education (2017-2019). My parents have also been to the UK in 2019 just to visit. While we visit the UK, my husband will be at my home continuing with his Masters. Other countries that I have traveled to include; Turkey, Dubai and Albania. What are the chances that I will get the visit visa for the UK?

September 18, 2021 at 7:31 am

Hi Kinza! Your chances of visa approval are high. You and your mom have been to the UK before, which would work in your favor. You have considerable travel history as well. You are employed and your husband will remain in your home country during your trip, which again would work in favor as a strong tie with your country. Your salary is low, but your savings are good and your father will sponsor your trip, so I don’t see any issues financially as well.

Everything seems to be in your favor. Just make sure to simplify and organize everything so it would be easy for the ECO to assess your application. Good luck!

Ebenezer Ameyaw says

September 10, 2021 at 10:35 pm

Hi Thirumal, I would like to invite my sister to visit me here in the UK. Having read all your recommendation posts, I would like to find out what are the key documents I should include in the application as the main sponsor.

My next question is that I invited my family friend to the UK 7 years ago and the person refused to return back to the country she came from. Will that affect my chance of applying the visa for my sister this time? Thank you.

September 12, 2021 at 7:38 am

Hi Ebenezer! Below are the main documents you would need to provide as a sponsor.

-A sponsor letter indicating that you will arrange accommodation, transportation, boarding and other expenses for your sister while she is in the UK -Your bank statements for the last 3-6 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits) -Your British passport main page (or British Residence Permit) -Your apartment ownership or lease contract (if providing accommodation for your sister) -Your utility bill copy

Majority of the time, sponsored visa applications are declined due to issues from the sponsor and not from the applicant. If the person you have sponsored in the past has overstayed, it may affect the visas of anyone you will sponsor in the future. Since 7 years have passed, you should be fine. The only way to find that out is to apply for your sister and see how it goes.

Muhammad says

September 7, 2021 at 3:02 pm

Hi, I cancelled a visit visa application due to an error I made on the form. The application was for my mother and the biometrics haven’t been done yet. After requesting cancellation and refund online it said I will get a decision within 28 days. Can I still re-apply with a fresh application before?

September 10, 2021 at 5:21 am

Hi Muhammad! Since you haven’t given your biometrics and requested a refund, your application is canceled completely. You will need to start over again. You can ignore any of those emails from the canceled application.

Augustine says

September 6, 2021 at 10:07 pm

Please, I am Augustine from Ghana and am applying for U.K visit visa for 10 days. I will be staying at my mother’s house but will be sponsoring for my own trip, food and flight. I’m working in my country Ghana. I will provide my own bank statement. Will my visa be refused if my mother did not provide her bank statement? Please I need help.

September 10, 2021 at 5:26 am

Hi Augustine! If your mother will be providing you with accommodation, then she is considered a “sponsor”. In that case, she must provide her bank statements along with her employment proof, British passport or residence permit, house ownership or lease contract, etc. If she fails to provide any of these documents, your application may be refused. If you are earning a decent income and capable to pay for your own accommodation, I suggest not using your mother as a sponsor. Then you don’t have to provide any documentation from her. After you receive your visa and when you actually travel, you can stay with your mother. It won’t be a problem.

November 24, 2021 at 10:16 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have a quick question, my friend got his visitor Visa rejected in 2019 due to the lack of funds, now he has got a job offer in the UK, does that refusal have any effect on his new application? Your thoughts, please. Many thanks.

November 27, 2021 at 8:40 am

Hi Ankur! No. His previous visitor visa application refusal will not affect his work visa application in any way. His work visa will be assessed on its own individual merit.

February 24, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Hello Thirumal, would I still need a letter of invitation if I’m sponsoring myself?

February 28, 2022 at 11:07 am

Hi Temi! If you are going as a tourist and paying for everything yourself, no need for any invitation.

September 3, 2021 at 11:14 am

Hi, I’m applying for a visit visa for my mother to come over to the UK from Pakistan. Just want to ask if I state she’s coming to spend time with me and my children and the duration of stay will be 2 months – is 2 months too long? Will they accept that? Also is the family certificate sufficient to show ties to home country eg showing her other children and husband. Finally, the reason why she won’t be paying for her visit – can it be stated on the application that I will be paying for her as she is a housewife and has no regular income. Thanks in advance.

September 12, 2021 at 8:47 am

Hi Ali! I think 2 months would raise questions. I suggest anywhere between 15 to 45 days depending on her responsibilities back home in Pakistan. Merely showing that she has other children and her husband back home may not work. But if you can show that she needs to care for her children and husband would work. For example, the children are in school or her husband at work. It’s fine for you to sponsor her trip and undertake all her expenses while she is in the UK. But ECOs would like to see if she can support herself in the UK if you decide not to support her after she lands in the UK. For that reason, it would be essential to show some financial proofs from her side as well. They can be your father’s bank statements, any properties in her name, etc.

September 2, 2021 at 10:38 pm

Hi, I am sponsoring my mother to come over from Pakistan to the UK via visit visa.

Please could you clarify:

1. If I mention on the application her duration of stay will be 2 months and the reason for the visit is to spend time with me and my family. Is 2 months too long? Will it be an issue? Bearing in mind the purpose of the visit isn’t for tourism but rather to spend time with family grandchildren. She will be staying with us at our property.

2. In regards to ties to her home country and proof she will return, I will be submitting a family certificate showing my father and the rest of my siblings – 2 unmarried daughters and 17 yr old son. This will be mentioned in the covering letter. Is this sufficient?

3. In regards to financial circumstances. She does not have a bank account but my father does and he has savings of 32k PKR. This was deposited into the account a few years ago from a property sale. Do I still have to provide proof of the property sale?

4. She would be staying in my family home which I own. What should I put for her trip cost?

5. Do I have to provide an adequate accommodation cert to show the property won’t be overcrowded or is that not required for this type of visa.

Hi Muhammad! 1. For the visa, I suggest not going over 45 days for a family visit. But when your mother actually travels to the UK, she can stay with your guys for 2 months or even more since the visa will be valid for 6 months. If your mother is over retirement age, she won’t be scrutinized for staying longer in the UK. 2. Yes. That should be sufficient. 3. Large cash deposits only if shown within the 6-month bank statements need to be explained with evidence. Since the property sale happened a few years ago, no need for any proof of property sale. 4. ECOs expect about £150 a day for tourists staying in hotels. But your mother is not a tourist and will stay at your house. So, about £25 a day would be sufficient in my opinion. For 45 days, it would be about £1,125. You can add more if you will be paying for the flight too. 5. Nothing that sorts is necessary. But you must provide documentation proving that you own your house and hence you do not need to bear any accommodation costs for your mom.

March 5, 2022 at 1:30 pm

Good day! My uk visit visa was rejected last year without a refusal letter or e-mail. Please is their any way for me to know the reason why my visa was rejected?

March 5, 2022 at 3:26 pm

Hi Sam! You have to call or email UKVI customer service for that. Keep in mind that any calls and emails to UKVI customer service are charged.

August 28, 2021 at 10:45 pm

Hello, I’m from Algeria and I’m going to apply for a UK visa these days. I traveled before to Germany. I have just one problem with my documents that my boss pays me in cash, so every month I put my amount in my bank account. My boss says that he’ll pay me in cash. Do I have a chance to get the visa?

August 30, 2021 at 10:02 am

Hi Moh! It’s fine to get paid in cash. You just have to deposit the salary in your bank account regularly. That way, your salary can be shown in your bank account for your UK visa.

August 25, 2021 at 8:14 pm

Hello! Thank you very much for your information, they have been really helpful. I’m applying for 6 months visitor visa with an invitation letter from my boyfriend, who is British and had a stable job. From my part, I was a student in Poland for 3 years till now and my study is ended on this September. Unfortunately, my Polish residence card will also expire on December. I have travelled to Thailand and a couple of Schengen countries. Do you think that I will succeed in applying for the UK visitor visa? Thank you for reading and I hope to hear about your opinions soon.

August 26, 2021 at 2:04 pm

Hi Nhi! Since you are no longer a student and do not hold residency in Poland, you will have difficulty proving your ties with Poland or your home country. Unfortunately, this will lower your chances of UK visa approval.

Jude Ughanze says

August 18, 2021 at 7:48 am

Hello, I’m Jude, I recently applied for a UK tier4 visa the surname in my senior school certificate was wrongly spelled as Ughanle instead of Ughanze. I did an affidavit, in the affidavit, everything was properly stated except in a place where instead of my name was wrongly captured they wrote my date of birth was wrongly captured. What could be the fate of my application?

August 20, 2021 at 8:26 am

Hi Jude! Unfortunately, my knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas with “tourism” intent. I don’t know much about student visas. Sorry about that.

August 17, 2021 at 10:26 pm

Hello Sir! I was once refused a UK visa in 2017. But I got the UK visa when I applied for it in 2019 and visited the UK in July 2019. I want to know is it possible that I can apply for a 10-year visa. My source of income is also good. Want your thoughts on whether is it good to apply for a 10-year visitor visa.

August 20, 2021 at 8:47 am

Hi Heer! For a 10 year visa, you must justify that you have the need to travel to the UK regularly. If you just want to get a 10-year visa instead of 6-months, then it’s difficult to justify. I suggest applying for a 2-year visa for now. Once that expires, apply for a 10-year visa.

August 2, 2021 at 5:01 pm

Hi, I’m applying for a student visa. A few years back when we were visiting the UK we applied for an Electronic Visa Waiver to the UK and we had entered the wrong flight information by accident. We were stopped by immigration and given a verbal warning but we were still allowed into the country. Do I have to disclose this in my application? And will this have an effect on my visa application?

August 3, 2021 at 7:34 am

Hi Anas! No. You do not need to disclose this information. It’s neither a visa refusal, entry denial nor deportation, so no need to disclose.

September 3, 2021 at 8:07 pm

Hello! Please can you help me out with this tourist visa? So I am looking to apply for my auntie and her 2 children to visit the UK from Pakistan. I wanted to know what are the chances were of approval.

She was the sole carer for her father who passed away last week. Ideally, we want to call them here for a short break for their mental health and so they can move on from the death. My auntie is single but has her own house and has lots of land in her name and is financially stable to look after herself and 2 kids. We would sponsor her whole trip for the short time she is here. Her tie to Pakistan is that her 2 kids will need to return to Pakistan to continue with their studies. She also has a Newly refurbished home so has something to go back to.

Do you think this case will be strong enough to grant a tourist visa? Thank you in advance.

September 12, 2021 at 8:40 am

Hi Sania! Yes, I think her case is strong enough. She can use her properties on her name as an economic tie with her country. The kids in the school would work as a reason to return back to Pakistan. Also, in the cover letter, you can be honest and mention that you are inviting them for a short period so they can move on from her father’s death.

July 30, 2021 at 10:35 pm

Hello, thank you for your time! I am inviting my husband to visit in the UK (works abroad) he has been here but the second application got declined (we made an error calculating his income from a business we have and didn’t put a cover letter to explain money that I also send) so they believed it was somewhat inflated. They also stated that I didn’t add bank statements (our first successful application I didn’t submit bank statements). We are preparing to re-apply and plan to be putting in 3 months bank statements from myself (as I am the sponsor) and likewise him.

My question is: I have a stable job (over 10 years) working for the government earning between £2800-3200 a month after tax. I also have £2000 currently in savings (gifted to me from my mum’s pension payout) (before he comes this will increase as I’m working extra and saving). I want to state that this trip will cost £1500 in total (have my own house etc). What do they look at/for on the statement? will this amount be ok? I’m also looking to get a solicitor to support the application due to the decline is this needed? We are applying in October and plan for him to come in November. Thank you

August 3, 2021 at 8:22 am

Hi Emma! ECOs look for continuous income and enough savings in your bank statements in order to assess whether you can support your husband’s trip. If you have £2800-3200 income per month and savings about twice as that, you will be fine. But keep in mind if the £2000 gift from your mum appears in the bank statements, you will have to explain and provide documentary evidence. Since you will apply in October, this may not be an issue.

£1500 for the trip depends on many things. ECOs usually expect about £150 a day expenditure. Since you own the house, the expenditure can be lower. I suggest you adjust the itinerary depending on your budget. For example, £1500 is good for 10 days. Since you own the house (and make to explain this in your cover letter), £1500 is fine for a 20-day itinerary.

Chamundeswari Srinivas Rao says

July 14, 2021 at 6:12 pm

Dear sir, my transit visa was refused stating that the intention to leave within 48 hours is not clearly demonstrated in the application, though I have attached my work permit visa for the destination country and travel itinerary. I have to reapply. Can you please advise on how to go about it? Please share the template for the cover letter.

July 15, 2021 at 5:53 am

Hi Srinivas Rao! For transit visas, you must provide confirmed flight tickets. You can provide a “flight booking” from a travel agent too, but I suggest providing a “confirmed ticket”. I have a detailed article on cover letter , please refer to it for the template.

Jonida Katroshi says

July 9, 2021 at 10:02 pm

Hello! Can anyone tell me please my boyfriend is planning to visit me in Uk from Bulgaria with an Iraqi passport? He is studying dentistry in the 5th year and he has to go back for one more year of studies. At the moment, I work as a dentist for few months. He is planning to apply for a visitor visa. Do you think it is best to send him an invitation? And do you believe his application will be successful? His travel history is Bulgaria, Turkey and Iraq.

July 14, 2021 at 5:20 am

Hi Jonida! Your boyfriend is covered in terms of ties with Bulgaria (he still has a semester to go) and travel history (not enough but workable). If he has the means to travel and support his trip, then he has a higher chance of approval. You can send him an invitation letter, your UK passport and other documents to prove your identity. But if you also plan to support his trip, then you will have to send him your employment, financial proofs and rental agreement as well.

Jasmine says

August 31, 2021 at 1:21 pm

I currently want to get a UK visiting visa and I’m working in a place where they don’t give an introduction letter to non-full-time employees. I’m worried because I believe that’s a very important document that proves you have reasons to want to come back home. What alternatives can I have?

September 2, 2021 at 6:20 pm

Hi Jasmine! Yes, an employment letter is needed but most importantly a leave approval letter is the one that proves you have a reason to come back. So, if your employer can provide a leave approval letter that would be fine. An introduction letter may not be needed in that case. If you can’t get either of them, the chances of approval are low. But you can improve your chances by being strong in other areas such as income, savings, travel history and economic/family ties.

Michael says

June 27, 2021 at 2:18 am

Hello, I’m a Nigerian but currently residing in Jamaica, also a student and wish to embark on a UK tour with my football team. I was refused a South African visa 4 years ago but I have traveled to 2 other African countries after then and have the visas on my passport. Will the previous south Africa visa refusal affect my UK visa?

June 29, 2021 at 6:18 am

Hi Michael! No, your previous South Africa visa refusal will not affect your UK visa. But you will have to mention that you were refused a South Africa visa. Failing to mention your previous visa refusals in your UK visa application can affect your visa result.

April 28, 2021 at 4:25 pm

Hi sir, I’m planing to apply for tourist visa from morocco. I have 2 kids who just been granted UK passports through their dad who passed away. We all were living in kenya and I overstayed because my huband was not able to get me a pass dependant on him so we were just renewing the tourist visa until I left the country after he passed away. My worry is that would this be a problem? Can the UK immigration find out that I overstayed in Kenya? My second worry is that I do not have a sponsor so I will only do hotel booking. Will this cause a problem?

Thirumal says

April 29, 2021 at 9:32 am

Hi Janna! Sorry to hear about your husband. If you were renewing your Kenyan tourist visa, then you haven’t overstayed in Kenya. It would be overstaying if you remained in Kenya after your visa was expired without renewing it. Since we now know that you haven’t overstayed, you don’t have to mention it in your UK visa application.

Sponsorship is not necessary. If you can afford the trip yourself, there is no need for seeking sponsorship. Most times sponsorship can do more harm than benefit. Hotel booking is fine.

JEWEL KHAN says

April 11, 2021 at 5:56 pm

Hello sir, how are you? FDR can be an investment and income source? I have FDR and I am getting from this interest every month. How I can show this to ECO?

April 13, 2021 at 5:00 am

Hi Jewel Khan! A fixed deposit that pays interest can be used as an investment and income source. You must provide necessary documents to prove that it’s a fixed deposit and the interest is paid into your bank account.

Molly Shepherd says

April 14, 2021 at 9:25 am

Hello, my Partner applied for a UK visit Visa recently and it got refused. He is an Indonesian Citizen. The reason it got refused was that I said I was sponsoring him fully and financially for his trip here but failed to put my name on the bank statement. Another reason was that they believed he didn’t have enough reasons that he would return to Indonesia as he is currently unemployed. On the visa application, he was originally coming for 28 days.

He does not have a bank account or any source of income apart from Western Union payments from me to him (which we have proof of).

We are now reapplying for his Visa on the grounds that even though he is unemployed currently, he does have work to return to in August. What is your advice? Shall we put that he is staying for only 2 weeks on the application? Is my bank statements enough (as I do have over double the finances needed). Thanks.

April 19, 2021 at 5:59 am

Hi Molly! Apologize for the late response! If he has a job offer to start in August, then yes, it will work as a reason for him to return. He would still need to show bank statements from his side. UKVI needs to confirm that he can support himself in case you decide not to support him after he lands in the UK. This actually happens quite a lot and therefore, UKVI is quite strict about it.

Mohsin Rasheed says

March 25, 2021 at 10:05 am

Hello Thirumal, hope you well and safe. By way of introduction, my name is Mohsin Rasheed from Pakistan. I am a sportsperson. I just need to know from you, I visit Australia 5 times as a temporary worker, 2 times Qatar, 1 time India, 1 time Saudi Arabia, 3 times England, I came back from Australia last year in march before lock-down in Melbourne. I have 5000$ in cash I withdraw from my bank account in Australia. I convert only 100$ last year in April and still have 4900$. I have a family business in which I was working with my father part-time but from last September full time. Every month my salary of 75000pkr cash is deposited from my father into my account. I just received invitation documents from a cricket club in London. In 2019 I got a UK visa for 6 months. Will you please suggest to me how to plan this time to get the visa? My sponsor provides me everything, accommodation, food, air flights, local travel, and I have my 15000$ contract with my Australian-based club as well. I’ll be waiting for a response from you. Thank you!

March 25, 2021 at 10:27 am

Hi Mohsin! You are a professional sportsman. You shouldn’t have trouble securing a UK visa. You seem to have everything in order for your visa. Just a couple of things to keep in mind though –

(1) Do not deposit the 4,900$ cash in your account. If you do, you will have to prove the source of those funds (which shouldn’t be an issue either), you will have to provide bank statements from Australia and explain them in your cover letter. To avoid all that trouble, simply show the income you earn from your father’s business. Deposit that amount only if you are low on cash in your account for your visa.

(2) Provide any/all documentation to prove that you are a professional sportsman including certifications, awards, current/previous contracts with clubs in Australia, UK and India. This will emphasize that you are a professional sportsman and your purpose of the trip is to play for the club.

(3) Finally, if you have a signed contract with the cricket club in the UK, provide that too. If not, the invitation should work as well.

March 25, 2021 at 11:28 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thank you for your kind reply and I understand. Sorry I forget to tell you that I’ve already downloaded my Australian account statement and already convert the dollars to PKR and get the customer convert recipient slip. If you suggest then I will deposit the amount in my account, and yes I have my current signed contract with the Australian club, a proper invitation from the UK club. Let me know can I deposit the amount in my account and show account statement and convert recipient as a proof, or just mentioned in the cover letter I have savings? I’ll be waiting for your kind response.

March 26, 2021 at 3:33 am

Hi Mohsin! For large deposits, you must provide documentary proof, which you already have – Australian bank statement and currency conversion receipt. Since you have the proofs, you can go ahead with depositing the amount in your account. Make sure to mention this transaction clearly in your cover letter with details such as Australia payment date, withdrawal date, currency conversion date and Pakistan deposit date. Otherwise, ECO may assume this an “undocumented” large cash deposit.

March 22, 2021 at 11:44 am

Thanks for this really useful information. My partner (not yet married) and myself have not submitted the visitor visa application yet because we’re pretty sure it will be rejected!! I am fully sponsoring his trip here for two months, he is coming here to meet my family and spend the summer with us so we can decide on the next step i.e. marriage. He needs to get along with my family and see if he can cope in the UK, he comes from Tunisia. He is currently unemployed but gets a very small income from his sister in France from her business he invested in. This money he receives is ad-hoc when his parents visit Tunisia from France at least twice a year and he gets this cash so doesn’t have a bank account. He has lived and worked in the US for a few years and returned voluntarily when his visa expired and also recently visited turkey for a holiday. 1) Does he need to open a bank account and deposit funds even though I’m sponsoring and because he’s unemployed this won’t be regular income or enough to cover the trip? 2) Sounds like two months is too long, even though the reason and request are valid, for our relationship to succeed he needs to see if he can live here in the future and then we apply for a fiance visa when he returns to Tunisia after this visit.

We have been very honest and transparent on the application form and covering letter but I do feel that the application will no doubt be rejected on the above two points having read your blog on here.

Please advise whether we should just not bother with this visitor visa and maybe risk it with going straight for the fiance visa (even though the bank account and income will still be an issue).

March 23, 2021 at 5:03 am

Hi Aliya! Your intentions are good, but UKVI has to make sure that your partner will return back to Tunisia in case you two decide not to get married. He doesn’t have strong ties with Tunisia, so UKVI would assume that he has no reason to return back. This reason will alone lead to his visa refusal.

I suggest taking about 6 months of time and have him build strong ties with Tunisia. Employment is definitely the most important one. Usually, 2 years of continuous full-time employment is necessary, but 6 months or more is still better than nothing.

Now, coming to your questions –

1) He needs to open a bank account. The funds must be his own income or allowance from parents/relatives if he is a student. It’s fine if the savings aren’t enough for his trip since you will sponsor his trip. What’s important is his income and savings.

2) Two months is quite long. UKVI uses a £150 daily budget per person. The income or savings requirements can get unrealistic. I suggest asking for a maximum of 2 weeks. When he actually travels, he can stay up to a month and that should be fine. If necessary, he can do another trip for another month since his visa would be multiple-entry and valid for 6 months.

I don’t know much about a fiance visa, so probably I can’t say if that’s a better option for you guys. Hope that helps! Let me know if you questions.

Cynthia Rose says

August 12, 2021 at 6:27 pm

Hello sir, thank you for this wonderful write-up. I am a doctor based in Nigeria and for the past one year I have been unemployed because of pregnancy challenges and I just gave birth. I intend to travel to the UK for Plab 2 exams. My husband will sponsor my trip. Do I need to show my bank statement since he is the one employed and he has the money? I don’t have any savings to show. Will it be a problem?

August 16, 2021 at 4:19 am

Hi Cynthia! Unfortunately, I think that would be a problem. Let me explain. Assume, your husband is a UK citizen and living in the UK, it would be quite easy. If your husband is non-UK citizen but living in the UK, it wouldn’t be that easy, but still manageable. But your husband is a non-UK citizen, living in Nigeria and will not travel with you to the UK, so it would be very difficult to satisfy the ECO.

ECOs would like to see some financial stability from your side just in case your husband decides not to support your trip after you land in the UK. Therefore, it’s important to show some income and savings in your bank account too. With no income and no savings, it can be extremely difficult.

March 19, 2021 at 4:30 pm

Hello Thirumal, I understand your busy schedule but I would appreciate your kind advice here as I need your help and guidance.

I had applied for UK Visitor visa for both my wife’s elder sister and her son (1 year 9 months) and got refused recently. I had mentioned in the visa application that I need their help for my wife during her pregnancy delivery time and also stated that we have are planning to visit UK attractions. In the refusal letter, they had mainly stated that they don’t believe that my sister-in-law was a genuine visitor and she might not leave at end of her visit to the UK. But mentioned that they appreciate she is coming to help my wife during pregnancy and also from my sponsor bank and other documents they are happy.

I think the mistake was from my end as I had nowhere mentioned that my Sister-in-law is having 5 years daughter going to school and also about her husband that he is doing a software job. So I’m submitting a new visa application again for their visa with few more documents that should make them confident that she will return back. Can you please help me with what chances are there to get approved this time and what additional justification required from my end further?

1. As my sister-in-law is a housewife, I’m mainly planning to add her husband’s bank statements and salary payslips. 2. Do I need to change their purpose of the visit as tourism now, but that might contradict what I said in the recent visa application? 3. I’m planning to add land property documents that are in her name as that will be helpful 4. Also will add her daughter school ID card and recent mails from her school as a proof 5. She is not having much balance in her account, will that work if I’m depositing money into her account? My friend said that might create further problems as they might look for the source of funds and refuse again. 5. Thinking to add their family photos as well 6. Anything to be added specifically for the child as he is 1 year 9 months and I have only the birth certificate with us?

Can you please check and advise me as their travel is important for me. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

March 22, 2021 at 5:23 am

Hi Babu! It’s important to mention the family members remaining at home while the applicant travels to the UK. This demonstrates strong family ties and helps convince that your sister-in-law will return after the trip. But don’t sweat it, you can fix these in her re-application.

1. Yes. Apart from those two, I also suggest adding the following documents – – Her husband’s employment letter. This will help to show that he must remain in India while his wife travels to the UK, again demonstrates family ties. – A letter from her husband stating that he has no objection to her traveling to the UK to help her sister, she needs to take her son with her as he is young and needs her attention and their daughter will remain in India to attend school. Also, have him mention in the letter that he has attached his employment proofs, bank statements and payslips.

2. NO. Do not change the purpose. It’s a genuine purpose and there is nothing to hide about.

3. YES. If your sister-in-law has any properties, fixed deposits, etc. please attach them to her application. This will demonstrate her economic ties with India.

4. YES. Apart from those, see if she can add her school fee receipts. Again, these demonstrate her family ties.

5. NO. Your friend is correct. If unexplained, such large deposits of cash usually lead to visa refusals. For the UK visa, she must show enough funds in her account. This is to prove that she can support her trip in case her sponsor decides not to support her. I usually advise such applicants to wait a few months and slowly build their savings. But your sister-in-law’s trip is time-sensitive (pregnancy/childbirth), so we can’t wait a few months for her to build her savings. I suggest going with whatever she has at the movement. She has strong family and economic ties, so I think she will be fine with her bank statements.

6. Nothing really. The birth certificate will prove their relationship.

IMPORTANT: Your sister-in-law must attach a detailed cover letter, explaining her purpose of the trip, the number of days she will remain in the UK, her previous visa refusal, that she is a housewife, that you or her husband is sponsoring her trip, her daughter and husband will remain in India and her intention to return back after the trip. I have a detailed cover letter template, email me if you need a copy.

March 22, 2021 at 10:40 am

Thanks you so much for your detailed response. Please share me cover letter template, that would be helpful. I had mailed you separately. Thanks

Kennedy says

June 29, 2021 at 9:16 am

Hi, Mr. Thirumal.This is Kennedy from Kenya. Need to apply UK visit visa but some requirements such as bank statements are a hindrance since am still in college not yet employed. It’s my family catering for every expense from traveling to accommodation. Kindly help.

July 2, 2021 at 4:53 am

Hi Kennedy! As a student, you can seek sponsorship for your trip from your family. Since someone else will be paying for your trip, UKVI will put more emphasis on your ties with Kenya. If you have more semesters remaining to graduate, then it can work as a tie with Kenya.

Mehreen says

January 12, 2021 at 9:59 am

Hello, I had reviewed your entire blog and looks really informative. I would like to visit the UK for my US nursing license Exam. I have few queries particularly to UK Visa Application are as follow:

1. I am a Pakistani citizen, currently living in Portugal with my husband on a residency card. I am unemployed and my husband will sponsor me but due to covid he lost his job on march 2020-July 2020 then he got a job in august 2020-November 15,2020 then for about 1 month he has an employment gap now he is working from this new year. Does this affect my visa application? As you know about the situation of global Pandemic.

2. I am a registered nurse, experienced in this field from Pakistan but unfortunately due to the Portuguese language I am not able to continue with this career in Portugal. That’s why I am unemployed does unemployment would affect my Application? What things that I can show them that I will return back to Portugal. My husband will remain in Portugal during my trip.

3. I traveled to Germany on a Schengen visa and then come to Portugal and got TRC on the basis of my husband. Portugal comes under travel history or only I put Germany as travel history?

4. In the UK visa application form, they asked about the living situation as I am living with other 7 family member including husband in the shared apartment so how can I mention in this form and how should I proof it as the home contract is on me and my husband name only and rent we are paying is 950euro/month, here the basic salary is 635euro/month, bills are deducting from my bank account with my husband name. so How I can prove this situation that we are living with 3 more families. Also, it’s written in the contract only 5-6 family members allowed but names are not mentioned. Kindly guide me on this.

5. I visit the UK most probably in April for 2 nights only including 10 days of quarantine like it would be a total of 13 days of the trip. I would be staying in a hotel. How much trip expense should be mentioned and how much total saving available for this trip?

6. What are the visa chances and when should I apply to get the visa as there is a lockdown in the UK nowadays so I am afraid about the refusal but I have a genuine reason to visit the UK for an exam with proof of appointment.

7. I have my husband’s job contract, salary slip, job declaration, residency card, tax return, bank statement all these in the Portuguese language do I require to translate all of them to English?

kindly address my queries. I look forward to your positive response. Thanks!

January 15, 2021 at 8:45 am

Hi Mehreen!

1. We all understand the havoc the pandemic had on us, but for UKVI it’s important to have continuous employment. ECO’s suspect that you do not have strong ties with Portugal if they see gaps in your husband’s employment. Your husband’s employment gaps can lessen your chances of securing your UK visa. There is no way around it. You just have to take chances.

2. Being employed shows that you have ties with Portugal. It also shows that you have your own income, savings and can support your trip financially. Being unemployed can lessen your chances of securing your UK visa. Again, there is no way around it, so you will just have to take chances.

3. Portugal is your “country of residence”. Your travel history must include all countries excluding your country of residence. So in your case, it would be Germany only.

4. You will be fine if you or your husband’s name are on the contract. You can divide the monthly rental by 5 or 6 depending on how many are on the contract and quote that much as your monthly rental. But if the contract is in someone else’s name, then it’s really difficult to convince the ECO.

5. Usually, it’s 150 GBP per person per day. For a 13 days trip, your trip expenses should be around 1,950 GBP. In your husband’s bank statements, the savings must be double your trip expenses, about 4,000 GBP.

6. Usually, you can apply up to 3 months in advance. You should apply for your visa as soon as possible. In case of rejection, you will have enough time to re-apply.

7. Yes. You must provide certified translations of all those documents. Google for certified translators in your area, they will do the translations for you.

On the positive side, your husband will remain while you travel to the UK, which works as a tie with Portugal.

Write a detailed cover letter explaining your husband’s employment situation, your employment situation, why you would need to travel to the UK, etc. Keep the cover letter in an easy to read format with bullets, short paragraphs and highlights. Good luck!

Sahiba says

December 3, 2020 at 8:42 am

Hello, it’s me Sahiba. I’m planning to travel to the UK on a visit visa in Feb along with my daughter. I have monthly salary deposits in the bank, no other transfers. I traveled to the UK last year in June for a week. My monthly salary is 5,000 AED and my deposits in the bank are around 9,000 pounds and I’m planning my trip for 5-7 days. Will it be easy to get the UK visit visa again?

December 4, 2020 at 4:30 am

Hi Sahiba! In my opinion, you meet the financial requirements for the UK visa very well. You should be able to get another UK visa without any issues. For more information on the financial requirements, refer to my bank statements for UK visa article.

edwardo says

December 6, 2020 at 8:16 am

Hello there! I applied for a tourist visa to the UK a year ago but, unfortunately, it was refused. I am planning to reapply again hopefully by next. The problem is, I don’t have anymore the refusal letter with me. How can I reason out why I was refused on my next application? Do you think it will affect on my next attempt?

December 8, 2020 at 5:02 am

Hi Edwardo! If you don’t remember the reason, you can mention “ECO discretion”. It’s important to mention your previous refusal. The reason itself is not important. And, it won’t affect your next visa attempt.

Harini says

December 9, 2020 at 7:56 pm

Hello! We live in the UK and my parents are planning to visit us. But my father is retired and my mother is a homemaker. The monthly source of income for them is interest on fixed deposits and help from us when required. They live in their own house and have 20 lakhs fixed deposits. Could you please advise how much balance they need to show in the account and can the amount be shown in the form of fixed deposits or it must be liquid cash in the account? Thanks.

December 10, 2020 at 7:28 am

Hi Harini! Generally, applicants over retirement age are not scrutized. They have higher chances of approval with minimal documentation. Here are a few points to keep in mind. Income: They can show the interest on the fixed deposits and the occasional cash from you. If the cash deposits from you were large and random, they need to be properly explained in their cover letter and in your sponsor letter. Funds: They have to show some liquid cash in their account. Usually, applicants have to show at least £150 per day budget. Since they are retired and you will take care of their expenses, a bare minimum budget would work fine. I would say about £30 a day is good enough. Economic ties: They can show their house ownership and fixed deposits as their economic ties with their country. This works in their favor. Cover letter: Make sure they write a detailed cover letter explaining their purpose, itinerary and circumstances.

Along with the above, you must provide the following from your side -A letter from you undertaking that you will bear all their expenses in the UK -Your bank statements for the last 3 months (should show your employer pay deposits and there shouldn’t be any large undocumented deposits) -Your passport copy -Your visa/ILR copy -Your house ownership/rental proofs

November 30, 2020 at 8:17 pm

Good evening! How much should be my monthly income and how should be the balance in my bank account before applying for a UK visa?

December 1, 2020 at 3:41 am

Hi Peter! UKVI does not provide any guidelines on the income and funds required for a UK visitor visa. This lead to a lot of confusion and many wouldn’t even though the issues with their bank statements until they see the refusal letter. So, from my own experience and readers’ experience, I wrote a detailed article on bank statements for UK visa . Please take a look, that should answer all your questions.

Amankwah says

November 24, 2020 at 5:26 am

Hello! Nice work and responses so far. I plan to join my spouse who is currently on a tier 4 student visa as a dependant partner. I have a travel history to neighboring African countries and a previous UK refusal. I have my savings slightly above the required amount. Want to know if this is okay and also if a leave letter would be required from current employment since my stay would be for more than eight months. Also if am writing a cover letter, what are the major narratives I need to highlight.

Lastly, am I able to make multiple trips using the dependant visa?

November 26, 2020 at 6:19 am

Hi Amankwah! My knowledge and experience are mostly in tourist visas. I don’t know much about dependent visas. As far as know, your partner must satisfy UKVI that he/she has the capability to accommodate you in the UK for that long. Therefore, your travel history, savings and employment information may not be that relevant.

November 23, 2020 at 12:35 pm

Hi, our visit visa got refused. I really don’t know how ECO has calculated our monthly expenses.

Decision. “You state your expenditure is SAR 3500 per month. I note on your bank statement provided that your expenditure each month is more than your stated amount declared. As such I am not satisfied that you provided an accurate portrayal of your current personal circumstances or the balance shown in your accounts will genuinely be available to you in the UK”

I have mentioned SAR 3500 and given the detail in my application and cover letter as well. Total Expense SAR 3500 (SAR 2400 average shown in statement and SAR 1125 house rent per month which paying quarterly)

Statement shows: June 2,173.51 July 2,457.77 Aug 2,345.80 Sep 2,435.83 Oct 6,106.08 (Paid 3 months rent (Oct, Nov & Dec) receipt was attached along with the rental agreement)

Total = 15,519.80 Average = 15,519.80 / 5 = 3,103.96, which is less than SAR 3500. How he has calculated? Any idea, please? What I have to do now? Can I go for PAP?

November 26, 2020 at 5:01 am

Hi Sana! The ECOs interpret the bank statements in their own way. They are familiar with the UK lifestyle and quarterly rent may not be common in the UK. I’m assuming that ECO paid close attention to your October statement and obviously, the expenditure was higher due to quarterly rent. This made the ECO think that your expenses are much higher than what you have mentioned.

You cannot appeal (or PAP) your UK visitor visa decision. You can only re-apply. In the “other information” box of your re-application, mention your previous refusal and the reason. Challenge the refusal with your explanation and use the above calculation. Do the same in your cover letter too. It must be the first section of your cover letter. This will take the new ECO straight to the point and will make him/her pay attention to your previous refusal and the new information/explanation/documentation provided. Use subheadings, bullets and screenshots to get your point across quickly and clearly.

Clarks says

November 18, 2020 at 10:30 pm

Hello, I was just refused a visa today, I was applying to attend a conference and my refusal from the Officer was he was not satisfied with the origin of funds in my account. I am the CEO and managing director of the company, I attached a copy or receipt of a car I sold and a couple of payments received from my clients. Management came to an agreement that there will be no salary from March until October when things picked up and receive my salary. What is your opinion on reapplication again? Thank You.

November 23, 2020 at 4:33 am

Hi Clarks! You haven’t mentioned whether your UK visitor visa was for business or tourism. If traveling for business, you can reapply by explaining the cash flows in detail in your cover letter. Bold/highlight the text and add screenshots if needed to make it more detailed. But if your purpose is tourism, then ECOs would want to see personal bank statements with steady cash flow. ECOs will not be satisfied with business bank statements as they believe that cash flows in business accounts fluctuate a lot and you may not have enough cash when you actually travel.

October 19, 2020 at 9:38 pm

Hello Thirumal, my tourist visa was rejected a week ago. I realized I had done a lot of mistakes and didn’t send enough proofs about what I was saying in that application, this time I’m trying to send all the documentation to avoid failing.

1. Family ties: I have a son, I showed his birth certificate but it seems they overlooked at it. This time I will send a school certificate where says he is at school. would I need something else? I don’t have school receipts cause he is studying there as a scholarship he won this year and I don’t pay anything. I have a notarial agreement where it is said I have the custody of my son, it means I’m responsible for his wellbeing, this document has 3 pages and also says the amount of “extra money” I get every month from my son’s father and I wrote as part of my income last time. My son’s father sends this money to me through Western Union because he is living in his country now. What do you think about this document? I thought to show it and highlight the part where says I have the custody and the extra money I get.

2. My cover letter has 2 pages and a very small paragraph in the third one. Is it too much? I bought your cover letter model but this is very specific and I need to explain some points carefully this time.

Thanks in advance.

October 21, 2020 at 4:23 am

Hi Ruth! Sorry to hear that! Regarding 1, Family ties, you haven’t mentioned whether you will be traveling by yourself or with your son. If you will be traveling with your son, you must show his school fee receipts or scholarship document. This will work as proof that you have to return back to your country for your son’s school. But if you will be traveling by yourself, it can get a bit complicated. ECOs may question you on why you are traveling by yourself, who will take care of your son while you are on your trip, etc. You must explain these things in your cover letter.

Regarding 2, the cover letter template is meant for general cases. Yours is a bit unique and you may have to explain a few things in detail. That being said, I still suggest not going over 2 pages. If you can’t bring it down to 2 pages, at least, mention the important points on the first page. That way, ECOs will not miss any crucial information.

November 7, 2020 at 1:46 pm

Thank you very much for your response, I will travel alone, my son will remain in my country with my parents. I have one more question. Do you know in which section I should upload the cover letter? I mean, in the part to upload there are some sections like employment evidence, sponsor evidence, educational evidence, additional document/others, etc I suppose it should be upload in “additional documents” but this section is almost at the end, they wouldn’t read my letter at the beginning that is what I want because I need to clarify some points of my application or it doesn’t matter at all?

November 13, 2020 at 4:23 am

You’re welcome! In that case, mention the reason why you would be traveling by yourself, who will take care of your son, etc. in your cover letter. You can upload your cover letter in the “additional documents” section. A cover letter is not mandatory and therefore it has to go in the last section. ECOs pay attention to the application and supporting documents first. Then they would look at additional documents such as a cover letter. That’s the order they follow and we can’t force them to read the cover letter first. That’s why we have to keep the cover letter short and concise.

If you have to convey something very important, use the box for the question “Is there any other information you wish to be considered” in the application. You can easily write a few paragraphs here and that would be enough for the most important information. Put the remaining information in your cover letter.

October 18, 2020 at 8:26 pm

Hi, I have a sponsor who lives in the UK on PR. And I intend to visit him. He wishes to fund my trip and provide accommodation and all possible expenses. I am looking to get permission from my office, I also intend to submit a cover letter, proof of relationship and payslip. Do I still need to submit a bank statement if I already have a sponsor?

October 21, 2020 at 4:06 am

Hi Fk! Yes, you would still need to submit bank statements from your side. ECOs would want to see if you can support yourself if your sponsor decides not to do so. You may not be subject to the minimum spend limits (such as 150 GBP per day), but showing some savings, salary deposits in your bank statements will definitely work in your favor. Good luck!

October 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm

Hi Sir, me and my husband living in Saudi and planning to visit the UK. Could you please advise us on below?

1- As we are expats so what kind of ties we can show in Saudi. We don’t have kids and no other family member is living with us. 2- Do we need to provide flight and hotel reservations because as per gov.uk flight and hotel bookings should not be sent unless specifically asked.

October 12, 2020 at 4:36 am

Hi Sana! 1- You have strong ties with Saudi if you are living in Saudi for more than 2 years, employed full-time and own any property. There is no need for other family members living in Saudi. You just have to prove that you have a good life in Saudi and you will not jeopardize that by remaining illegally in the UK. Also, providing a leave approval letter from your employer and a detailed cover letter will help. 2- Correct. You DO NOT need to provide flight and hotel bookings for UK visa. Only a few nationalities are still being asked to provide these, but you will see that in your document checklist once you submit your online application. Even if you are asked to submit one, it’s quite easy to get a flight itinerary from British Airways website for free.

October 24, 2020 at 7:09 pm

First of all thanks for your time and reply, sorry if I am disturbing you but I need your advice on the below points. 1- Our total expense for (two-person) will be GBP 2000 so do we need to write a total 2k in both applications or 1000 in each application? 2- As you have advised daily expense GBP 150, is this including Air Ticket or without? 2- In travel history we have mentioned that we were frequently traveling to home country so do we need to make copies for all exit-entry stamps and attach with the application or they can check themselves from our passports?

October 26, 2020 at 4:01 am

Hi Sana, 1- You must write 1,000 GBP in each application. Total expenses are per person, so 1,000 GBP would be appropriate in your case. 2- The daily expense of 150 GBP is NOT including the air tickets. This is the approximate amount per day WITHIN the UK, such as accommodation, food, transportation, sightseeing and shopping. 3- No need to attach copies of entry-exit stamps. You just have to mention your travel history for the last 10 years in your application. If you have traveled to a country multiple times in those 10 years, mentioning your most latest trip would be sufficient. If you have any old passports that show the travel history in the last 10 years, you must submit those old passports as well.

September 22, 2020 at 9:51 am

Hello. Thanks for this article. It was very helpful. My situation is somewhat different.

I am a British citizen and my husband is Egyptian. We were both expats working in Saudi ( where we met and got married) until the end of 2019. I moved to Malaysia when I received an English teaching job in October 2019. My husband joined me in December 2019. He found employment in February 2020 just before the COVID/lockdown situation. This company has been setting up its branch in Malaysia but issuing work permits to their employees was delayed due to COVID.

My husband was granted permission by the Malaysian government to extend his social visit visa and stayed there until August 2020. He has been working remotely with his company and they have been paying him into my Malaysia bank account ( We have full bank statements which show this).

We both returned to Egypt together so he could renew his passport. I am on maternity leave from my job in Malaysia, 7+ months pregnant and want to go back to the UK to give birth with my husband.

He applied for a visit visa providing the reason that he wants to accompany his British wife to the UK, showed his company letter confirming his salary, marriage certificate, his Egyptian savings account (which has more than double the amount he’ll need for his trip) and my UK bank account.

His visa was refused because his statement did not show his monthly income from his current employer. They also said they were not satisfied he could fund his 2.5-month stay (he needs to stay for that long because I’m having a baby).

In the last submission, we didn’t think it was necessary to show my Malaysian bank account statements which include both our income. We will resubmit and I will include details of my employment, his pending Malaysia work visa e.t.c.

Do you think this will clear their doubts? Can you advise on anything else we could include?

Thank you for your time.

September 26, 2020 at 6:08 am

Hi Sara! Yes, I think that should clear their doubts. But keep in mind that ECOs have limited time to spend on each case and they could easily overlook crucial documentation if it’s buried down other documentation. To make things clear and get to the point quickly, I suggest writing a detailed cover letter with subheadings and bullets to point out his previous refusal, the reason for refusal and new/additional documentation to address the refusal.

Also, have his employer mention in the letter that his salary is currently deposited into your account with details such as your account number, country, dates of salary deposit, the reason for depositing his salary into your account, etc.

Have your husband write in his cover letter that he is providing two sets of bank statements – one from you (Malaysia) to show his salary from his employer and another (Egypt) to show his savings that are more than enough for his stay in the UK.

And finally, look into applying for a spouse visa which is more straightforward since you are married already.

September 30, 2020 at 6:47 am

Thank you so much for your reply. Re submitted and waiting.. its nerve wrecking!

Unfortunately, I cant apply for the spouse visa because I work and live abroad.

Hopefully, I can try for the 2 year one next.

September 17, 2020 at 5:12 pm

Hello sir, please do I need a transit visa when going to the UK through Amsterdam since Brexit has come to stay?

Sir, I was asked by T L S contact in Accra to book a new appointment date for my visa application because I couldn’t make it to my appointment before the office closed in March 2020. Please my worry now is I was using my 2020 annual leave for holidays in the UK. Now my leave is already over so if I will make any trip, it has to be next year June 2021 since there is no date appearing for next year to be booked. Should I attach a cover letter asking my visa to take effect from next year? Please sir, your advice will be of help and welcoming. Thank you.

September 26, 2020 at 4:53 am

Hi Felicia! The UK is still in the transit period of exiting from the EU. Therefore, till the end of this year, you can still transit through any Schengen country with your UK visa. You do not need a Schengen transit A-type visa. But if you will be traveling to the UK next year (2021) and would need to transit via Amsterdam, you would need a transit visa.

I think UKVI will come up with special provisions for visa applications affected due to COVID travel restrictions. Therefore, you may be able to get a visa valid for next year. Attach a cover letter explaining what has happened and request for the visa to take effect from next year.

Another option is to cancel your current application and apply again close to your travel dates next year. Since you haven’t given your biometrics yet, you are eligible to cancel your application and get a full refund of your visa fee. Keep in mind that it can take up to 8 weeks to receive the refund.

Daniel Quayson Sackey says

September 16, 2020 at 6:50 pm

Hello sir, T L S contact office was closed a day before my appointment and an email has been sent to me last month to book a new appointment date for which I have booked a new date. Please sir, I have a few problems that I want you to help me solve them.

1. My annual net income in my introductory letter will be different from the one on my online application form due to the Coronavirus Tax rebate from my government to all health workers from May to December 2020 because I am taking a new introductory letter from my boss with a current date. My payslip will also show an increment in my monthly salary. Sir, please advise me on how to go about it.

2. I am using my annual leave to travel to the UK for holidays but my leave is already over so I have to make my travel next year June 2021. Please sir do you think attending my appointment in November 2020 can have a negative effect on my application? I tried booking a date next year to attend my appointment but the 2021 dates were not showing.

3. Please do I have to book a new flight reservation, new hotel and go for a new Tax Clearance Certificate or I should use the earlier ones to attend my appointment? Sir, your advice will help.

4. There was no barcode on my new booking sheet, please sir, should I attach the old one to the new one when attending my appointment.

September 22, 2020 at 4:40 pm

1. Usually, this shouldn’t be a problem. It would be a problem if you have a large deposit in your bank account and you have no document to prove it. But salary increments and tax rebates are perfectly fine. Just to be on the safe side, I suggest mentioning your salary increment and tax rebate due to COVID in your cover letter.

2. I’m not sure if UKVI has made any special provisions for visa applications affected due to COVID travel restrictions. In normal times, you can only apply for your UK visa up to 3 months prior to your travel. Check with TLS if it’s ok to attend your interview even though the travel dates have passed or planning to travel in June next year.

Another option is to cancel your current application and apply again close to June next year. Since you haven’t given your biometrics yet, you are eligible to get a full refund of your visa application fee. It can take up to 8 weeks to get the refund.

3. If you change your flight and hotel reservation, then the dates will not match with the dates on your application. Check with TLS. They may suggest what to do in this situation.

4. I suggest attaching both.

Mohammad Jasim says

August 28, 2020 at 9:45 am

I would like to thank you for providing such valuable information. I will apply by next year for the UK visit visa by keeping all these points in my mind. Best Regards!

August 31, 2020 at 3:53 am

Hi Mohammad! Thanks for the kind words! Please do keep those points in mind. If you have any other questions for your visa, feel free to ask.

Jackilyn Buance says

September 2, 2020 at 11:36 am

Hi Thirumal, I am grateful that I read this. I just want to ask some queries and I am thanking in advance. I am planning to visit my bf in the UK and my target is on Nov 21 – Dec 04, 2020. I chose this date because it is our semestral break from school. I have a verification letter from our head in our school.

I am shouldering my flight ticket and my bf will take care of the rest. I have a 1,450 GBP on my account and I will spend 560 GBP. My appointment will be in October. And I am planning to get my bank statement on October 1. I am in Thailand working here but I am originally from the Philippines. What are the possible recommendations that you would suggest to me? Thank you so much. God bless.

September 9, 2020 at 5:59 am

Hi Jackilyn! In my experience, sponsorships work best with immediate family members. I suggest showing enough savings from your side as well. This way, your application will not be completely dependent on your BF’s sponsorship. Try to save more by then. If not, reduce your itinerary to 7 days or less. This is only for the visa. You can stay a few extra days when you actually travel to the UK. You will not be penalized for that.

Keep in mind that the ECOs will expect at least 150 GBP per day budget. You must have at least twice the total expenditure in your bank. That would be about 2*150*7=2,100 GBP savings in your bank.

From your side, provide documentation related to your school, employer and status in Thailand. And for your BF, check “09. Lack of proper documentation from your sponsor” in the article. I have mentioned the documentation needed from the sponsor.

October 23, 2020 at 10:39 pm

1- I’ve applied for a visit visa before but this time they have added a new page of documents to select. I don’t really understand what kinds of documents could prove this? Evidence that your sponsor is not, or will not be, in breach of UK immigration laws at the time of your visit. 2- My boyfriend will be sending an invitation letter but my mother will be the only one paying for my trip. Does that make my mother a sponsor? Thank you for your time.

October 26, 2020 at 3:44 am

Hi Dima! 1- Previously this information was verified by UKVI through background checks. But now they seem to ask for documentary evidence. This applies only if you have a UK based sponsor and that person is not a UK citizen. In your case, you don’t have to do anything for this since you will be using your mother as a sponsor who lives outside the UK. 2- Yes, your mother will be your sponsor. If your boyfriend will not be bearing any of your trip expenses, then you don’t really need to mention him in the application.

Shan Malik says

August 28, 2020 at 7:43 am

Hello dear, I wanted to have some information regarding my case. Basically I and my mother have got the visa. But my dad has to apply later due to get confirmation of his leave from work. So in the form there it’s written that are we (me and my mom) who are his dependents are traveling with him. Because we might be traveling on different dates. So what should I write there?

August 31, 2020 at 3:50 am

Hi Shan! It’s better to keep the application simple and avoid complications. Even though you guys plan to travel on different dates, I suggest you mention in the application that you all will travel together. After your dad’s visa is approved, you can either choose to travel together or separately. It won’t be a problem.

Nikhil says

August 6, 2020 at 3:16 pm

Hi Thirumal, I’m planning to apply 5 years UK Tourist visa for my parents (60+) with a start date of 15 September and end date as 15 December for now, assuming flights will be soon operational between India and the UK. My brother is already in the UK under a valid work visa.

All the documents are ready but since the cost of this 5 years visa is very steep (Rs65k per person) and I just want to cross-check if I should delay filing the tourist visa considering COVID situation and rejection due to non-essential travel (tourist) or I should proceed with tourist visa application if all the documents are in place?

They have already been to the UK before for 1 month on a 6-months tourist visa. Appreciate your help. Thank you!

August 11, 2020 at 4:46 am

Hi Nikhil! I suggest delaying your parents’ visa applications. UKVI is, of course, actively processing visa applications, but in most cases, they verify certain details on the application. This requires them to contact people, agencies or banks. Some of these people/agencies may not be available in these COVID times, which might cause issues or delays in processing. If it’s not urgent for your parents to travel, I suggest delaying their visa applications until travel resumes.

felicia Siameh says

March 18, 2020 at 4:18 pm

Hello Sir, I know you are a very busy person but please I need your kind urgent advise. My appointment for UK tourist visa application is on 26/03/2020. Sir do you think the outbreak of Coronavirus can affect the decision of my application? I went to UK for vacation last year October. Please sir, your advise will be helpful. Thank you.

March 21, 2020 at 11:20 am

Hi Felicia! The Coronavirus outbreak will not affect your visa result. But keep in mind that all businesses/offices are shut down everywhere. The UK consulate or VFS/BLS office may not even be open to accept your documents. Please check with them prior to your appointment. If they are closed/shut down, I suggest booking a later appointment or canceling your UK visa application. You can also request refund for your UK visa fee.

Charles says

March 15, 2020 at 2:05 pm

Hi Thirumal, I want to do vocational training in the UK, a soccer coaching course to be precise. Which type of visa can I apply for and do I need my bank statement or my financial sponsor bank statement?

On the UK government website, it looks like a visitor visa will do but someone told me a short term study visa. Please what should I do?

March 17, 2020 at 10:20 am

Hi Charles! A short-term study visa would be the most appropriate for your purpose. Though it’s not mandatory, I suggest providing your bank statements along with your sponsor’s. Clearly mention this in your cover letter so the ECO will be aware that you have provided two sets of bank statements, one from you and one from your sponsor.

Ralpheal says

March 12, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Dear Thirumal, I know you got a very tight schedule. Please I need your kind urgent advice. I am planning to re-apply for the UK tourist visa this month as all my documents are ready. Do you think the outbreak of Corona will affect my visa application or do you suggest I should pend the application?

March 15, 2020 at 5:04 am

Hi Ralpheal! The current virus situation affects travel but not visa applications. If the visa applications were to affect, the UK immigration portal will stop accepting visa applications. Or, if the portal determines that your nationality falls in the list of countries temporarily suspended from entering the UK due to virus outbreak, the system or someone will let you know before you even make your visa fee payment.

Shilpa Sri Karra says

February 28, 2020 at 11:12 am

Hi, my name is Shilpa. I am a single woman who loves to travel. I am a working woman and I live with my parents in Hyderabad. I have been travelling in India a lot and am planning to go for my first International trip to London this April. My sister and her husband will be joining me from the US for the trip. I have applied for the visa recently. Just getting done with the online process. I am showing investments in my mutual funds and supporting it with my bank statements. I do not have any property on my name. Will it be a problem in getting my Visa approved? Also, I do not have any prior international travel visits. Will that also be a problem?

February 29, 2020 at 5:01 am

Hi Shilpa! Property ownership is not mandatory but it helps demonstrate your ties with India. This won’t pose a problem since you are strong in other areas such as employment and finances. But I think your lack of international travel history could pose a problem. I strongly feel that building travel history is essential before attempting visas for the US, Canada, Schengen or UK. These visa applications specifically ask for the list of countries traveled in the last 5 or 10 years. This is to asses if the applicant is a genuine visitor.

Since you are already in the process of finishing up your UK visa application, so I suggest going ahead with it. But if you can hold off for a while, I suggest building travel history first. Travel to some VOA countries to fill your passport with visas. Countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam offer VOA stickers which would make your passport look very good.

Rapheal says

February 22, 2020 at 9:32 am

Hello Thirumal, I understand your busy schedule but I would appreciate your kind advice here as it would really help.

I was refused a UK visa in June 2019 due to a large sum in my account. I got an invitation from my younger sister in the UK and her name was filled in the family member box.

My question is that I am planning to re-apply with my wife and son again. and I have explained all cash credit in my account and I decide not to get an invitation letter from my sister since I have the fund to sponsor my family and myself though my sister has a resident card.

1. Do I have to fill my sister’s name in the family member in the UK? 2. My purpose of the visit is tourism but do I have to add that I would also visit family 3. Do I have to add her name and her residence permit in my cover letter to show that I will use the opportunity to visit the family?

Please your advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks with God bless.

February 27, 2020 at 5:19 am

Hi Rapheal! 1. Yes. If you have family in the UK, you have mention their names in your application for the question “Do you have any friends or family in the UK?”. Withholding information can be used against you. So make sure you mention all your family members living in the UK. 2. If you will not meet your sister in the UK, you don’t have to mention meeting up with your sister on the itinerary. But you do not have to mention that your sister lives in the UK. 3. No. If your sister is not sponsoring you, then you don’t have to add any documentation from her. It’s perfectly alright to meet up with friends and family. You don’t have to provide any documentation from them.

Shreyash says

February 13, 2020 at 12:15 pm

Hi, you are doing a great job but I came across your blog a bit too late. I applied for a visitor’s visa of my parents and got refused. Have a few questions, 1. In reapplication should we address the issue of fund parking (for which visa was refused earlier)? 2. How to prove that the funds were repayment of a personal cash loan by an extended family member? 3. In case of self-employed if we start depositing money from business account to personal account from now in the same savings account where there was fund parking, can we reapply after 6 months?

February 17, 2020 at 5:05 am

Hi Shreyash! 1. Of course. But keep in mind that you must justify your issue and provide documentary proofs. You can do this in the “additional information” section and also in your cover letter. 2. Cash loan repayments are extremely difficult to prove. You can try with an explanation in your cover letter and maybe a letter from the person that received the cash loan. Keep in mind that the chance of convincing the ECOs this way is very small. 3. Yes. Once you have the minimum required 6 months of bank statements, you can reapply.

February 11, 2020 at 7:53 pm

Hi Thirumal, we have recently received Canada PR and during my(& my wife’s) maiden visit to Canada for permanent movement, we would be halting for 5 days in London to visit my brother & sightseeing London.

We both have quit our current jobs in India and would be moving to Canada & afterwards look for jobs. Hence we cannot show leave approval letters. But we would be attaching the relevant Canada PR & Immigrant visa documents along with our confirmed tickets from India to UK & then 5 days later to Canada

Please let us know if you think our above circumstances could lead to UK visa refusal.

Thanking you in anticipation!

February 17, 2020 at 5:17 am

Hi Nikhil! You currently do not have strong ties with either India or Canada. It would be difficult to convince the ECO that you will continue your journey onward to Canada after your UK trip. You can try with your current circumstances but it’s really difficult to predict the outcome.

August 9, 2020 at 8:48 am

Hi Thirumal, I hope you are doing well. In order to update folks reading this webpage, I did successfully receive my tourist visa in March 2020. Although it has been rendered useless due to the corona situation but your blog definitely helped in making a thorough case for my visa application. Thanks a lot!

August 11, 2020 at 4:39 am

Hi Nikhil! You’re welcome! I’m glad the blog was helpful in your case. I’m sorry that you couldn’t use your visa due to the corona situation. I hope UKVI reissues such visas when travel resumes. Let’s wait and see. Meanwhile, stay safe!

February 4, 2020 at 2:40 pm

Hi Thirumal, I’m from Ghana and would like to visit my cousin in the UK, for say a month. These are the documentations I intend to use for my application, please advise me on the strength of my intended application.

I have travel history of having been to the UK for holiday in 2005. I’ve also been to Germany and Switzerland in 2006. I’ve never been refused a visa before.

I have a business in Ghana and I intend to use my business registration documents, bank statements of my business account, of the last 3 months (because that is what is available), and a tax clearance certificate.

I also intend to indicate in my cover letter that I do monthly transfers to my Mom who is retired (which is a social tie).

My cousin and I use the same surname, so truly indicating that she is my cousin.

Do I need to use just my business account for my bank statements, or I should add my personal account statements? Is 3 months bank statement enough to show my financial credibility?

Waiting to hear from you soon. Thank you.

February 27, 2020 at 6:53 am

Hi Nana! You must use both business and personal bank account statements. If you are employed, you will show your employment letter, leave approval letter and payslips. But if you are a business owner, you must show your business registration documents, business bank statements and business tax returns.

ECOs assume that cash in business accounts are for business purposes and therefore they would prefer to see your personal bank statements. Providing personal bank statements will convince the ECO and help avoid visa refusal. 3-month bank statements should be enough but the document checklist in your visa application should tell you whether you need to submit 3-month or 6-month bank statements.

Areeba says

February 4, 2020 at 11:01 am

Hi, I had previously been refused for my UK visa and the reasons were, we are not sure of your parents’ financial circumstances. That is because my dad is my sponsor. However, my main concern is that now I hold a valid US visa which I obtained after the refusal of the UK but did not go there yet. Would this be a negative for my application?

February 7, 2020 at 7:28 am

Hi Areeba! Not at all. Not using a US visa (also Canada, UK and Schengen) actually works in your favor. It shows that you are not desperate. It builds your credibility as a genuine visitor.

Susan Karungi says

January 30, 2020 at 10:49 pm

Hi, I highly appreciate the great job you’re doing, thanks. I recently applied for a Schengen visa for I had plans to meet with my boyfriend in Italy but unfortunately, I was advised to withdraw my application by the Italian embassy to avoid getting visa refusal history. The reason was because of my bank statements. I receive my salary through a salary card, they advised me to get a real bank account in the country where I’m working which I did last week. To cut to the chase, my boyfriend wants to invite me to the UK all expenses on him for I will be staying with him at his house. To be honest my travel history is not that good and I just transferred all my money from my salary card to my bank account that I just acquired which leaves me with no 6 months bank statement.

Question: Do I have to mention the application withdrawal and reason in my cover letter? Will it be a problem to provide my card statements and also my new bank account statement? My boyfriend will send me his bank statements and necessary documents from his side, will that be enough or I still need to provide mine? Please advise on what documents I need to provide. Thank you so much.

February 2, 2020 at 7:50 am

Hi Susan! You don’t have to mention your Schengen visa application withdrawal. You have to mention any “refusals” but NOT “withdrawals”.

The Italian visa officers were nice enough to ask you to withdraw your application, so you will not have a refusal record. But the UK ECOs are not like them. The ECOs will simply refuse the visa and ask you to get a bank account in the refusal letter. They will like to see a real bank account. Your salary card statements will not work.

Sponsorships from friends, boy/girlfriends, acquaintances, etc. will not work. Sponsorships only from blood relations or close relatives will work. I suggest waiting 6+ months to build your bank statements before applying for your UK visa. That way, you don’t have to seek any sponsorship. You can also build travel history in those 6 months which would greatly help in your UK visa.

January 28, 2020 at 6:56 pm

Hello Sir, I went on holiday to the UK last October. I intended spending 10 days but I was called to come down for an emergency meeting at work so my holidays was cut short. I am planning to go on holiday this summer and I want to spend 14 days, do you think it is too much and how much do you think I should have in my personal bank account since my company is taking care of everything. I am a co-owner of the company too.

I want to apply for two years multiple visa because I like the place and I would like to be spending my holidays there. Please sir, do you think requesting for two years multiple will affect my application?

I already have schengen visa in my passport and i want to pass through Amsterdam to UK. Sir do you think I need transit visa to pass through Amsterdam? Please sir, your advice will be helpful. Thank you.

February 8, 2020 at 4:24 am

Hi Felicia! If you will be spending all your time in one city (ex: London), I suggest showing maximum 7 days. 14 days is too long to be in just one city.

Usually, the expected minimum daily expense is £150 per day. For 7 days, it would be 7*150=£1,050 and for 14 days, it would be 14*150=£2,100. Also, your total expenses cannot be more half of your savings or twice your monthly earning. Therefore it’s safe to have at least 1,050*2 = £2,100 for 7 days trip and 2,100*2 = £4,200 for 14 days trip in your personal savings account.

Since your company will take care of your expenses, you don’t have to show that much in your personal account. But if your trip is for “pleasure” and your company is paying for it, then it can complicate your application. ECOs might want to see your company income reports, bank statements, tax documents and even a letter from other co-owner that you are allowed to take a company-paid personal holiday.

Yes, you can apply for a 2-year visa. You had a UK visa before and you have UK travel history as well. So, a 2 year visa would be easy to secure.

If you already have a Schengen visa, then you don’t need a transit visa for Amsterdam. The Netherlands is part of the Schengen zone and you can transit using your Schengen visa.

Nidhi Dixit says

January 28, 2020 at 11:14 am

Hi, we have applied for a Standard Visitor visa. Our biometric appointment is on 31 Jan 2020. But our 6-month bank statements are two weeks old as we were completing all the documentation work. Will it be ok with visa authorities or do we need to have the latest ones?

February 2, 2020 at 8:55 am

Hi Nidhi! It depends on the country and the bank. Some banks issue statements with transactions “to date”. Some issue statements with transactions up until the last “statement date”. If your bank issues one “to date”, I suggest obtaining a new one. If you cannot, a 15-day old one will not be an issue at all. Good luck!

January 25, 2020 at 4:19 pm

Hi Thirumal!

I have read some of your posts, especially those that relate to obtaining a UK tourist visa, and thank you because I have learned a lot. However, I still have some queries if you do not mind:

– My planned travel is in November and it is a birthday trip/tour, which is also the main reason I will put in my visa application. I am applying for the visa in mid-August, and my target savings are around 3000 GB. It is going to be a 10-day trip. Since you said the est. daily budget is 150 GB and that the total trip expenses should not be more than half of the savings, do you think my savings will be enough to have a good chance for approval? In my case, the estimated budget is 1500 GB for 10 days, already half of my savings. Will they still add in the expenses for the flight tickets? Coz in that case, I will have less than half left in my account, especially that flight prices tend to be higher when buying close to the date after visa approval. Also, I have no plans of having paid tours. It will just be mostly walking around, free museums, parks, etc. and only in London. So I can actually make my daily expenses less than 150 GB.

– Do I need to include in my daily itinerary the detailed expenses, like for food, transport, souvenirs, beside the place/s I am going to visit?

– I am contemplating about which bank account to use for the bank statement, whether my salary account or savings/current in a different bank. It has been a habit for me to withdraw all from my salary account and transfer my monthly savings to that different bank account. That is why I originally planned to have the bank statement and certificate from it. But I read in your post about using a salary account. Which do you think should I really use?

– I am single (never married), no child, turning 40 this year, and a solo female traveler from the Philippines. I have only traveled 3 Southeast Asian countries and Japan, from which I got my first visa. I have a stable job for 11 years (BPO company), with around 451 GB monthly salary now. I have a mortgaged property. I have heard, though, that Europe/US visas are strict with single female travelers. Should I worry about this?

Thank you in advance.

February 27, 2020 at 7:46 am

Hi Kai! Usually the more savings you have the better it is. But if your current savings are twice your trip expenditure, that’s good enough. 150 GB per day is still a lot so the ECOs assume that you will be able to manage flights either from your daily budget or from the remaining in your savings. – Your daily itinerary should include places and activities such as sightseeing, walking tours, organized tours, watching a game, etc. You should NOT include expenses in it. – If you receive your salary in one bank account but build your savings in another, then you must provide both bank statements. You must also make this clear in your cover letter. Otherwise, the ECO may overlook one of your bank statements and draw conclusions based on that. – Single and female is fine. But you must build more travel history to strengthen your travel profile. Also, if your monthly salary is 451 GB, your trip expenses must not be more than 902 GB. Since you plan to spend 1,500 GB, it can raise questions on why would you want to spend almost 4 months’ salary on a short UK trip.

Rasika says

January 21, 2020 at 6:07 pm

Hi, I’m a Srilankan living in Dubai since 2006. We both are bankers in reputed banks. Husband working since 2005 and I’m working since 2007. In 2008, we planned an anniversary trip to the UK. Our visa was rejected due to a fund deposit in our bank account. After that we travelled to Malaysia and Singapore . My husband’s graduation is in the Uk this year. We are planning to visit the UK with my 8-year daughter for graduation and the same time a few more countries such as France, Finland, Switzerland and a few more. Kindly advise on the same.

February 29, 2020 at 5:09 am

Hi Rasika! I apologize for such a delayed response. Large undocumented deposits pose a problem which you already know from your 2008 visa refusal. It’s been over 10 years and your circumstances have changed since then. Therefore, I don’t think your 2008 visa refusal will have any impact on your upcoming UK visa application. Follow the points mentioned in this article, make sure not to make those mistakes and you will be fine. Good luck!

January 21, 2020 at 5:24 pm

Hi, I’m applying for the UK visa mainly to travel to Ireland. I have to apply for the visa this week (business visa to visit a client) and Ireland didn’t have the availability, therefore, I’m applying for the UK visa and with the short term visa, I can travel to Ireland as well. My question is that I’ve specified all the details in the application and I told them I’ll be in London one night and by using the visa I’ll go to Dublin for 3 days and fly back from Dublin to home. Do you oversee any potential issues?

Applying from USA (perm resident). Nationality is Turkish.

February 7, 2020 at 8:48 am

Hi Osman! I don’t see any issues at all. Since you have already mentioned your reasons in the application, there isn’t much to worry about. Good luck!

January 21, 2020 at 11:51 am

Hi, great post! My visa situation is a bit complicated. I am a high school student in Singapore from Indonesia, who is on scholarship. I was recently selected to go on a trip to the UK for an English studies trip. I submitted my application but it was rejected on the grounds that they can’t assess my financial situation in Singapore, therefore I might not be able to pay for my expenses in the UK. The thing is, I have paid fully for the trip (which includes tickets, accommodations, etc) and the money in my bank account is only for personal expenses like gifts, etc. to further complicate the situation, I receive allowances from my scholarship sponsor (Singapore’s Ministry of Education) and my parents. I am thinking of attaching the scholarship agreement (which states that I am entitled to allowances) as proof that I am supported by the Ministry, but its a bit hard to prove that my parents are the ones sending the other allowances. Please help! I am desperate and I have been really really looking forward to this trip

February 7, 2020 at 8:40 am

Hi John! Sorry to hear that. UKVI is not asking for flight tickets or hotel bookings anymore. Even if they do, they do not recommend purchasing flight tickets or booking “nonrefundable” hotels prior to visa approval. Because of this reason, they would assume that you haven’t spent money on flights or hotel yet. Therefore, they like to see that cash your account as well.

But, if your school/ministry has already paid for your flights/hotel, you must make that clear in your cover letter. Write a detailed cover letter, explain that the school/ministry has already paid for these and provide documentary evidence.

Yes, attach your scholarship agreement and any paperwork that specifies that you have been selected for the studies trip. For the allowance from your parents, provide a letter from your parents with their contact details. A copy of their source of income (employment/business) and bank statements indicating the allowance transfer from their account to yours.

January 16, 2020 at 1:52 pm

Hello, great information thank you so much. I have recently applied to visit the UK however I was refused. The decision was made based on bank statements being very complicated and there were many transfers to/from my savings account. I think it was my fault not stating that I have 2 bank accounts in relation to my application. Also, I did not state loud and clear that most of my money is in my savings and I only use current account for small amounts of money.

Here is my question: On refusal letter, it says ‘Your future applications are likely to be refused unless there was a change in your circumstances’. Do I have to worry about this line? My application was genuine and every word I said/provided is true. Please note I don’t have right to appeal or use admin review (apparently Egyptian citizens does not get that right if UK standard visitor visa got refused)

January 17, 2020 at 5:31 am

Hi Aymen! When you use multiple bank accounts, it is very important to mention that clearly in your cover letter. Otherwise, ECOs may overlook your statements.

For your reapplication, ask yourself if it’s necessary for you to submit both your savings and current account statements. If not, submit only the account that matters the most. If you get your salary in your current account but you build your savings in your savings account, then submit both. But make that clear in your cover letter.

UKVI has discontinued appeal for standard visitor visa application. You can only reapply. But write a detailed cover letter on why you are reapplying, what has been overlooked and your explanation. Use screenshots if necessary.

Sagar Tuteja says

January 14, 2020 at 10:33 pm

Hi! I’m Sagar and I’m planning to travel to London (3N) in the month of June with my wife followed by Paris (3N) and Switzerland (3N). I wanted to ask will a bank balance of 2.5 lakhs be sufficient for 3 nights in London for both of us if my hotel bookings and flight bookings are done? I’m a salaried individual with an ITR of 3.5 lakhs. Also, my wife is working but her ITR is not filed. She has an annual income of Rs. 2.16 lakhs. I will be showing only my account for both of our expenses.

My father can also sponsor our trip to a maximum of 1 lakh; he is a self-employed individual with a registered business and personal ITR of 3.15 lakhs. Looking forward to your suggestions and advice. Thank you.

January 17, 2020 at 3:29 pm

Hi Sagar! Usually, I suggest showing at least £150 (about 14,000 INR) per day per person. For 3 days for 2 people, it would be 84,000 INR. So, I think 2.5 Lakhs is more than enough for your trip together. But keep in mind that there must not be any undocumented large deposits in your bank account.

Your employment, income and savings are more than enough for your UK visa applications. No need for your father to sponsor your applications. It can only complicate your situation, lead to questions and refusal.

Muhammad Awais says

January 14, 2020 at 1:09 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have recently applied for the UK visit visa (06 months). My employer mention “Embassy of Britain” instead of “British Embassy”. will it be a problem? Unknowingly I submitted already online but still have to visit for my biometrics. Should I submit a revised copy there?

January 17, 2020 at 3:33 pm

Hi Muhammad! No need. It won’t be a problem at all. The ECOs don’t pay attention to those things.

January 12, 2020 at 11:24 am

Good information here. Thank you so much. Please how do I fill out the UK visit visa application for myself, wife and kid? How do I pay for our application fees and attend Bio-metric capturing the same day?

January 14, 2020 at 5:06 am

Hi Sam! You will have to fill 3 individual applications, one for yourself, one for your wife and one for your kid. If your wife and kid are dependents, then you can mention your details as the “person paying for the trip” in their applications. In the additional information section, you can mention each others’ GWF numbers so the ECO can link your applications and process them all together.

For the biometrics appointment, you will have to schedule a single appointment at the BLS or VFS depending on your country. On the day of the appointment, all 3 of you can give your biometrics and submit your applications.

January 14, 2020 at 5:27 am

Wow. Precise and informative. Shukran Bhai. lol

Nana ken kelly says

January 11, 2020 at 10:39 pm

I will be applying for the UK visa after being refused a Schengen visa. The reason being I did not provide a travel itinerary when I had provided all those details in my application. I have appeal to the case awaiting their response.

I am a full-time salary worker with travel experience because of my side business. I also have a cashew farm of about 20 acres. I plan on going to the UK to watch a football match in Manchester since I have full membership with that team. But there have been too many transactions in my bank account since all my business proceeds go through the bank account I use for my salary. Can I also include my business registration document I did recently and cashew farm documents as proof of my extra income in my bank account?

January 14, 2020 at 5:19 am

Hi Nana! Your employment/business background, income sources and bank accounts are too complicated for the ECO to understand. I am afraid that this complication will raise questions and may lead to visa refusal. If you are not in a hurry, I highly recommend consolidating your income sources and streamlining your bank accounts before applying for your UK visa or any other visa. Here are a few suggestions –

– Keep your salary bank account separate from your business bank account. If you earn a decent salary, you do not have to show your side business or cashew farm income as these will only complicate your application. – If you have a decent income from your side business, then pay yourself a salary from the business income into your salary account. But do not use your salary account for business. – If you own the cashew farm, provide your farm ownership documents as a proof of strong social ties with your country

Cylvia Manandhar says

January 9, 2020 at 5:57 am

Hi! I have applied UK visa tourist (3 months) for my mom but it got refused saying that they have doubt that she would live there for more than 6 months. My sister is in the UK. I have attached all the necessary documents but I did not attach my mom’s financial statements as she is a housewife so there is no other income source else than the pension as she is a widow. Can I reapply? Will there still be a chance of refusal? Please suggest me, what will be the best options to apply. I am from Nepal.

January 14, 2020 at 5:32 am

Hi Cylvia! You can reapply but you have to make certain changes to her application. Otherwise, her application will likely be refused again. A few suggestions –

– Reduce your mom’s itinerary to max 2 weeks (3 months is too long and ECO will assume that she has no ties back home and will remain in the UK) – Your mom has to show that she has some kind of obligation to return back to Nepal after the trip (otherwise ECO will assume that she will remain in the UK) – A cover letter from your mom explaining her purpose of travel, itinerary, any travel history, etc.

sydney says

January 8, 2020 at 1:39 pm

Hi! I’m 17 (a minor) and I’m trying to visit a friend in the UK. My visa has been refused twice last year. I have all the documents but will my previous refusals affect my chances of getting my visa approved this time? Thanks!

January 13, 2020 at 7:26 am

Hi Sydney! If your circumstances have changed since last time, then your previous refusals may not affect your new visa application. But nothing has changed since then and you are applying for the same type of visa, then you may be taking chances.

January 7, 2020 at 8:11 am

Hi Thirumal! Thank you so much for providing this platform. I am applying for a U.K Visitor’s Visa for my mum and I. We are planning to attend my graduation in London.

-1st of all the graduation is just for a day and we have indicated that we will be visiting the U.K for 6 days. Is that a long period to visit for a one day graduation. Won’t it be weird if we said that we will be visiting for 3 days only?

-My mum has a job but I want to pay for her trip. Will that seem off? I am currently not working as I just finished my Masters in the U.K but I have savings that will be enough for both of us.

-I wrote that I am planning to spend 2,500 pounds for me and another 2,500 pounds on my mum during our visit. Is that too much money for just 6 days? (I have enough money in my account to show this.)

-I am currently living in a house that I own and I have indicated that I own it as asked in my application. Will I need to attach the ownership statement of the house?

-As I said earlier that I just finished my MSc from London in November and am currently waiting to start my PhD, which I have not registered in yet. I am not working. I do not want to say that I am unemployed so I chose to write that I am a student because I have not yet graduated from my school in London. Is it okay for me to say I am a student and will they require a letter from my school?

(My school in London cannot provide a letter to say that I am a student because I have finished my course plus my student visa already expired but they have provided a visa support letter)

-I have a good travel history and I have travelled to most European Countries, U.S.A, and Canada more than 10 times in the last 6 years. I have never been denied a visa before. Do you think I have a chance?

NOTE: My mum does not have a travel history but she has a good job in the government and she has been working there for 30 years.

-I submitted our applications but we have not taken our biometrics. In case I want to cancel them and make new applications, how should I go about it? Thanks.

January 14, 2020 at 5:42 am

Hi Molly! You both have strong backgrounds. In your case, you have travel history to the UK and other countries. In your mom’s case, she has a long-standing stable government job. So, I think that you and your mom have a fair chance of getting your visas. Since you have already submitted your applications, let’s just wait for the result. Good luck!

January 6, 2020 at 10:25 am

Hi, I’m intending to travel to the UK with my wife for one week holiday. Can I make a joint application for the visa? I’m working in govt sector and my wife is unemployed. How will I show funds for my wife? Is it okay, if I attach my bank statement for her application? Will it be rejected saying that the account is not in her name? Further, the cover letter to be submitted online during application time or on the appointment day Thanks in advance:)

January 14, 2020 at 6:14 am

Hi Javed! You have to fill two individual applications. But you can mention yourself as the “person paying for the trip” in your wife’s application. Also, mention your GWF number in the “additional information section” of your wife’s application.

Yes, you can attach your financial documentation to your wife’s application. Make sure to mention this clearly in her cover letter, so the ECO understands that you are paying for her expenses as well. You will submit your cover letter on the appointment day.

Anneeee says

January 3, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Hi Thirumal! Good day! I’m a Filipino citizen and planning to visit my long-time boyfriend in the UK for 24 days during my holidays. I have enough funds for my trip. I will provide bank statements and bank certificate from a different account. Would that be a problem? But I will explain it through my cover letter. And another thing, does it really affect my application? Thank you in advance.

January 4, 2020 at 6:42 am

Hi Anneeee! It’s difficult to say if providing a different bank account will affect your application. But I suggest keeping the below points in mind for your application.

– 24 days itinerary is too long. It may raise questions and suspicions. – You may have to provide documentation from your boyfriend such as a copy of his UK passport, UK electoral ID, etc – You may have to provide proof that you have been together for quite some time including social media interactions, etc. – Your bank statements must be from your salary account. It’s important to show that you have a consistent income. If you have two accounts – one for salary and one for savings, you will have to make that clear in your cover letter. – If you have prior travel history to the UK or at least to other countries, you will have better chances of visa approval.

Tolulola Ade says

December 31, 2019 at 1:41 pm

Hello Good afternoon, I studied in the UK 2013/2014. I applied for a UK tourist visa and I included my UK visa refusal of 2011 but forgot to include my US visa refusal of 2010. I have already submitted and paid so my application cannot be modified to reflect the omission and I am to go for biometrics capturing next week. Is it ok to include the US visa refusal in the cover letter?

January 4, 2020 at 8:48 am

Hi Tolulola! You have to mention all of your visa refusals in your visa application. Not mentioning or forgetting to mention can be considered as withholding information which can lead to visa refusal. Since you have already submitted your application, your only option is to mention that in your cover letter. But make it clear in the cover letter that it was an honest mistake and therefore you are mentioning it here in the cover letter.

January 21, 2020 at 12:53 pm

Thank you so much for your advice. I did as you said and I got my UK visa today. Many thanks. God bless you.

January 25, 2020 at 9:56 am

Thanks for the update, Tolulola! Congratulations! I’m glad my advice was helpful. Have a great trip!

Peters says

December 19, 2019 at 4:54 pm

Hi. You are doing a great job I must confess. My question is this. Must I submit 6 months bank statement for my visa application? I have a sponsor who has agreed to take care of my expenses when I visit. However, I have enough money to take care of my visit but I have just 3 months evidence for salary payment from my new job. Will 3 months statement be enough to show my financial circumstances?

December 22, 2019 at 10:29 am

Hi Peters! How many months of bank statements you must submit depends on where you are applying for your UK visa. When you start your UK visa application, the list of documents that you must submit will be shown to you. If the list specifically asks for 6 months bank statement, then you must submit 6 months bank statements. If not, you can submit just 3 months and you will be ok.

December 2, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Question: Is it mandatory to apply for a visa again even if I have a valid visa until next year (Multiple Entry)?

Details: My visa was already approved. The purpose of my visit was to attend a conference in which I was unable to participate because of late visa confirmation. Since I have a valid visa, I am planning to visit my friend and cousin in the UK. So, my query is “Can I use my valid visa to travel in the UK before expiry?”

December 4, 2019 at 11:00 am

Hi Sabir! UK standard visa can be used for purposes such as family/friends, tourism, medical, business, etc. Therefore, you can use your valid UK visa to travel to the UK even though your initial purpose of the travel was “business”. But keep in mind that you may be questioned on your purpose of visit at the port of entry. Carry documentary evidence to prove that your visa was approved after the conference dates. That should explain why you couldn’t use your visa for the purpose you intended.

Lisy George says

November 7, 2019 at 3:55 pm

Hi! I have been living in Bahrain for the past 15 years and would like to visit the US. I have not traveled outside India except Bahrain. Will my application gets rejected because of that?

November 16, 2019 at 6:32 am

Hi Lisy! It’s difficult to say if your visa application will be rejected due to lack of travel history. Visa approval or rejection depends on many factors. But having travel history definitely helps. I suggest building some travel history before you apply for your UK visa.

November 3, 2019 at 3:37 pm

Hello sir! I just returned from the holiday in the UK last month. I am planning to visit the UK again next year when on my leave holidays but I have concerns that I want to put out for you to advise me on it. 1. I requested for 10 days but due to an emergency meeting at work, I have to leave the rest of my days and come back to work. Now because am planning to visit again, my fear is maybe they will think I lied about spending 10 days and I spend just 7 days. 2. I stayed in a hotel and this time a friend of mine I met there wants to accommodate me when I come next year. She has her papers and tenancy agreement paper to prove that she can provide me accommodation and my company will take care of the rest. How much do you think I should have in my personal bank account since my company is sponsoring me and I am also the co-owner of the company. I am planning to spend 14 days. Thank you.

November 15, 2019 at 12:00 pm

Hi Felicia! 1. Staying a few days less than the days in your visa application is absolutely fine. What puts you in trouble is staying too long. For example, you ask for 10 days in your visa application but end up staying in the UK for 3 months. Therefore, you spending only 7 days in the UK will not affect your future UK visa applications. 2. When you actually travel, you can stay at your friend’s but for the visa, I suggest using a hotel. When you mention your friend on the visa application, ECOs will run background checks on your friend and it can complicate your visa application.

October 26, 2019 at 8:14 pm

There was a mistake in my account statement which shows October salary instead of September salary. I’ve already applied. Please, what do I do? Should I erase it since documents are now scanned and not submitted unlike before?

October 27, 2019 at 2:02 am

Hi Bose! It depends on whose mistake it is. If it’s your bank’s mistake, then ask for a letter from your bank. If it’s your employer’s mistake, then ask them to provide a letter explaining the mistake. Then attach that letter and explain it in your cover letter. Erasing just that one transaction from your statement is forgery and it can have serious consequences.

October 23, 2019 at 1:53 pm

Hi Thirumal, I live in Canada as a permanent resident but my passport is from Pakistan. My employer in Canada wants me to send me for training to the UK for a week. The company in the UK and the company in Canada are both owned by the same holding company(ABC UK and ABC INC CANADA). Will I need separate letters from the UK company and my Canadian employer confirming my trip and the purpose? Also, the UK company is going to make all travel arrangements and bear the cost then expense it to my Canadian employer. Should this be mentioned in the letter? Please advise urgently.

October 27, 2019 at 4:59 am

Hi Ali! These kinds of arrangements might be common in business travel. But I am not sure what all documentation must be provided to make this arrangement quite clear to the ECO. If your company has a travel department, I suggest taking their advice as they may be experienced in applying visas for its employees.

From my experience and knowledge, here is what I think you should provide. – Letter from your company in Canada indicating the purpose of your trip, dates of your trip, travel arrangements they will make, the date on which you will have to report back in Canada, etc. – Letter from the company in the UK indicating their relationship with your company in Canada, travel arrangements they will make, undertaking that they bear your expenses, etc. – Financial documentation from the company in the UK (since they will bear your expenses first) – Financial documentation from you such as your bank statements and salary slips. – A cover letter from you indicating your purpose of travel, dates of travel, employment background, your status in Canada, any travel history you have, etc.

October 22, 2019 at 12:04 pm

Hello Everyone,

First, let me sincerely thank the author of this priceless article, as well as the invaluable comments from different respondents. They guided me through my recent visa application process, and wanted to comment further on the same just in case it might help someone else, like it did to me.

I noted that despite exhaustive online research that there was little coverage on child visitors. Most articles relate to families, spouses etc visiting but hardly anything to do with minors visiting their parent(s) in the UK. Nevertheless, I was able to piece together common themes from the articles and responses and this assisted greatly. I would hence like to share and give back advise and hopefully, this will assist someone somewhere.

I am settled in the UK and my teenage daughter lives in Africa with her mother. I applied for my dear child to visit me here in the UK as I have been visiting her there over the years. She doesn’t have much travel history and has only once left her Country X in 2010. I followed the advice here and provided a cover letter which I replicate below, which should provide insight as to what was provided;

This is to confirm that I, (my name and Passport Number with nationality), am the Father of (dear daughter or hereafter referred to as DD) and that I wish to invite (dear daughter or DD) to the UK for a visit. To support her visa application, I submit the following (documents grouped per point);

1. Reason for travel: An invitation letter outlining our planned itinerary for her 2 weeks UK visit. 2. Relationship with DD – DD’s birth certificate, passport copies of both parents, my flights to Country X to visit her, and my photos with DD on previous visits to Country X. 3. Approval from her mother: A No Objection Certificate from her mother (Name of Mother), confirming she is happy for DD to apply for the visa and visit the UK with me on the proposed dates between XXth and XXth Month 2019. 4. DD’s ties with home Country X: A letter from her current school as proof of DD’s current school attendance at XXX Academy, where she is in her final year in primary, as well and next year’s school YY Girls Secondary where she will commence her secondary school. Her mother’s latest employment contract (renewed on XXth Month 2019) Please note her mother has been working for the same employer since Month 2010 on contract basis, and will remain in Country X throughout DD’s travel to UK. I attach her latest bank statements and payslips (3 months). 5. Proof of Financial support: My latest 3 month’s payslips, and 6 months bank statements to demonstrate I can financially support my daughter during visit to the UK. I intend to travel with her from and back to Country X, and stay with her during her entire visit to the UK. 6. Proof of adequate accommodation: My most recent 3 months utility bills and Council tax bill in my name at my address, which I have lived since 1999 to demonstrate I reside at the above address, and I am able to adequately accommodate DD during her visit. 7. Additional points to consider: a) During our tour of northern UK, we intend to stay at Premier Inn Hotels (not yet booked). b) A certificate letter from PP Ltd to support the unusual amount of £XXX deposited in my account on XX/XX/2019. c) DD will not be staying at any other residential address apart from my address during her stay in the UK. – DD intends to return to Country X to continue with her studies, and live with her mother, who will not be travelling with us to the UK.

I am planning to travel with her on XXth Month 2019 and return on XXth Month 2019. I therefore kindly requesting a 6 month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for my daughter.

I submitted her application on a Monday and booked a biometrics appointment with TLS the next Friday (please note I DID NOT book priority service). I ensured I scanned and uploaded all above mentioned documents by the appointment date. once the biometrics were done (very smoothly and within 20 minutes) the application was forwarded to UKVI that same evening (as per the email I received) and I settled in for a month or so wait. The very next Tuesday however, I was pleasantly surprised after I received an email confirming a decision had been made on my application, and the passport would be ready for collection as soon as I hear from my local application center. Two days later an email (and text message) was received from the local TLS center to collect the documents.

We collected the passport and am sure you, my dear reader, want to know if we got the visa!! well, all I can say is we are actually having dinner in Scotland with her right now as I type this! Many thanks to all you who took the time to advise others here and comment. I hope the above does indeed help someone in the same position and would be very happy to answer any queries to do with my application.

October 27, 2019 at 5:21 am

Hi Peter! I became quite emotional while reading your comment. I am happy for you and your daughter. Thanks a lot for sharing your story and the valuable information. I am sure this will help many seeking visa information/advice for their children.

Do you mind if I share this post on my Facebook group/page? I think your story will inspire many seeking visa help for their children. You can share your story yourself or I can do it on your behalf. Please let me know your thoughts.

October 31, 2019 at 6:39 pm

Hello Thirumal,

I have no objection for you to share widely, and anyone else who may want to for that matter. As such please feel free to share however and in whichever way you deem fit. once more, many thanks for you, and all those who have commented on this article, for their assistance.

All the best everyone with your applications.

November 16, 2019 at 4:55 am

Thanks a lot, Peter!

December 27, 2019 at 7:37 am

I am so happy for you Peter. This detailed response has been most helpful. My regards to your dear daughter.

October 19, 2019 at 10:53 am

Dear Thirumal! Firstly, I want to thank you for your efforts.

I applied two times to the UK visa and I got 2 refusals. I am a Tunisian citizen, married to a French woman and I live in France and work as a medical doctor. The first time, I applied for a EEU family permit because my wife is a European national, even if I had provided the translation of the marriage certificate and the French family book, the home office refused to give me the visa because they were looking for wedding photos or more evidence of cohabitation with my wife. I was surprised because It was not stated in the required documents in the application process and they didn’t give me the chance to explain the situation.

The second time (two months later), I applied for a visit visa (tourist visa), and I had an invitation letter from my oxford university to attend a medical course for 4 days, I also have a 10 years French resident permit. The reason for this time was the transfer of money from my old to a new bank account. The amount was about 10000 euros but the two accounts belong to me and I send them the bank statements of the 2 accounts, despite that the home office stated that I didn’t explain the origins of these funds, and told me that the bank statement didn’t show my monthly income; I was shocked because the bank statements were translated and showed my salary, but the home office didn’t look good.

I will try the third time but I am afraid that I will get another refusal, shall I explain my previous situations? And can I send the documents in French without translations, because it’s very expensive and it’s the third time? Thank you for your time and consideration

October 20, 2019 at 8:11 am

Hi Badir! Firstly, I suggest applying for the third time only if it’s absolutely necessary. You have two previous refusals and your chances of approval are small. Moreover, it’s can also get very expensive with the visa fee and document translation charges.

Secondly, it’s becoming quite common these days for ECOs to overlook crucial and important documentation. If you decide to apply the third time, I suggest writing a detailed cover letter with previous visa refusal reasons, the information/documentation that was looked, your explanation and any new information/documentation you have supplied to resolve it. Use bullets, highlights and screenshots to explain if necessary. Quite a few readers had success in their subsequent applications with this approach. Check out some of the comments here, you will get plenty of information.

Sukhminder Singh says

October 19, 2019 at 4:42 am

Also related to my earlier question: 2. Section – “Evidence of assets – Documents showing that you own property or land, such as: Property deed / mortgage statements / accountant’s letters / land registration documents” Will the evaluation of property from Architect be valid as an evidence of assets?

October 19, 2019 at 6:00 am

Ownership of the property is more important than it’s valuation. If you own a property, see if you can provide its registration documents. If you can’t, then a property evaluation document should work.

October 18, 2019 at 5:36 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for your quick replies. I have couple of questions regarding Standard UK Visitor Visa document checklist:

1. Section – “Home Address”. Can I provide one of Aadhar card, Voter Card, Driving License as Home address here? If not, what document is accepted then?

2. Section – “Evidence of assets – Documents showing that you own property or land, such as: Property deed / mortgage statements / accountant’s letters / land registration documents” Can I provide evidence of assets in the name of my parents?

October 19, 2019 at 5:23 am

Hi Sukhminder!

1. If this is to fill your address in the application form, I suggest using your current residence address. It can be different from the addresses shown on your passport, Aadhar/voter card or driving license. But if this is for “address proof documentation”, then I suggest using your driving license. 2. No. These assets must be on your name. If not, do not provide them.

October 17, 2019 at 10:37 am

Hi Thirumal, I really appreciate your work on providing such great information on visa refusals.

I am employed by a company in India. I am living in the UK from the past 5 months on a Short stay Business visit visa to attend some conferences and meetings with our clients. My visa gonna expire on Nov 9th, 2019. But the meetings are taking longer than expected. So I need to stay in the UK for another 3 months.

Can I come back to India in the first week of November and apply again for the same Business visa as soon as my current visa expires? My company in India is ready to provide all the required documents that I need for the visa.

October 19, 2019 at 5:53 am

Hi Imran! Yes, absolutely. If there is a business need to revisit the UK, you can apply for a new visa as soon as your current one expires. There are provisions to extend a UK visitor visa but that may not apply in your case and it’s also too expensive.

I suggest paying for expedited processing where your visa will be processed within 5 working days from submission.

David Maina says

October 11, 2019 at 1:02 am

Hi Thirumal. Back in 1981 I was barely a year old baby when my mom, my sibs and I visited my dad who was in London at the time. We were there for three months and subsequently returned to Nigeria. We’re from Nigeria. In my visa application, the UK Home Office has asked whether or not I have ever been to the UK. I’m not sure how to answer this as I have no evidence of my brief visit in 1981. How do I answer this? Many thanks.

October 11, 2019 at 6:07 am

Hi David! As far as I know, the question is “Have you ever traveled to the UK in the last 10 years?”. You don’t have to mention your 1981 UK trip as the question is for UK trips in the last 10 years only.

But if the question is different for you, I suggest using approximate dates. Then mention in the “other information” part of the application that you have used approximate dates for your 1981 trip since you cannot recollect the actual dates. You can mention this in your cover letter as well.

Devesh says

October 4, 2019 at 3:34 pm

Hi Thirumal! I applied for a US and Canada Tourist visa in Feb 2018. I had no travel history at that time and did not book itinerary at the time of application. The result: Denied for both.

I really felt very bad and travelled Singapore and Malaysia in April 2018, Russia in July 2018. Have plans for Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in October 2019 and Feb 2020. I plan to travel to Iceland in the summer 2020. I earn US $32000 (23Lpa), have a permanent job from 2011 and will have about $4000-$5000 at the time of applying for the visa apart from booked tickets and accommodation. I am 31 now, still single and want to travel solo. I have agricultural land worth 2.5 Cr, an ancestral home and a personal car. Do I stand good chances of schengen visa approval?

Also, say if I got a Schengen visa, will getting a UK visa in future be a problem as I have been denied US visa already?

October 6, 2019 at 6:08 am

Hi Devesh! A full-time job, good savings, decent travel history, strong family/social ties together are something I call a “strong foundation”. A strong foundation is very essential in securing visas successfully. I am glad you realized that quickly after your US/Canada visa refusal. Now, you have a good-paying full-time job, enough savings, built decent travel history and social ties.

Normally, the travel history you have is enough to secure a Schengen visa successfully. But since you have US/Canada visa refusals earlier, I suggest building more travel history. Apart from those countries you plan to travel, I suggest adding Nepal, Indonesia, Loas and Myanmar as well. These 4 countries are visa-free or visa on arrival for India passport holders. If you can travel these as well before your Schengen visa application, you will have a travel history of 10 countries. This would improve your chances of securing Schengen visa greatly.

October 3, 2019 at 10:51 pm

Hi! You have a great article! I am planning to apply for a UK Tourist visa. In the application form, it was asked if I have ever been refused a visa. I was refused a USA tourist visa twice last year and in 2016. Should I put both refusals in my application or 1 is enough?

October 6, 2019 at 6:19 am

Hi Ramen! You have to disclose both your visa refusals, from last year as well as 2016.

JULIET NAKAAYI says

October 1, 2019 at 4:33 am

Hello! This is Juliet from Uganda. Question: I am planning to travel in December this year to the UK for a visit to spend Christmas holidays with some distant relatives. I had an old passport which I acquired at a young age, as my ID but it expired before travelling to any country (no travel history). I never got free time to travel since I was busy in school pursuing my studies. I have a new passport (one year old since acquisition). How can I prove or convince the immigration office to grant me a UK visit VISA or is it necessary to state why it wasn’t possible for me to travel in the application/cover letter?

October 2, 2019 at 4:47 am

Hi Juliet! It’s not mandatory to have travel history. Also, you don’t need to explain why you haven’t traveled so far. But having some travel history will help strengthen your case. It will ascertain that you have no illegal immigration intent. Travel history is only one factor. If you are strong in other areas such as employment, income, savings, family ties, then you don’t really need to worry about travel history.

Mobileg says

September 27, 2019 at 4:27 am

I got an email from the UK Visa that my UK visit visa has been concluded and will be dispatched shortly. I received my documents on the 24th of September, 2019 but was refused. I submitted the evidence of the payments l made in the UK for the short courses l booked to attend. I stated that I will be spending £2100 for my 27days trip and this included my returned flight tickets.

I am from Nigeria but work in one of the Africa countries my salary is paid in either in USD, EURO or GBP. After which, I exchange to naira for daily living expenses. I saved £1300, $2400, €800 in the individual accounts and l had 150,000naira{£331} in my naira account for daily expenses in Nigeria. In approximately, I have a verifiable £3400 in my accounts. I submitted and uploaded all the account statements in Euro, dollars, pounds and naira. To my greatest shock, I got a refusal letter that I claimed to spend £2100 during my trip but I presented an account statement of 150,000naira(£331) and based on this, my UK visit visa have been refused due to insufficient funds for my trip. It was also stated that I have no right to appeal or administrative review.

I think there was an error in judging my application because I have more than enough for the trip. Does it mean that my other account statements were overlooked? It’s painful. I need advice. My courses will be starting in less than two weeks time and the fees are non-refundable.

September 27, 2019 at 5:14 am

Hi Mobileg! Your’s is a typical case of “documentation bloat”. You have 4 bank accounts. You have provided statements from all of those 4 banks. That’s too many bank statements. Unless you clearly indicate in your application/cover letter that you have provided bank statements from 4 different accounts, there is a high chance that the ECO will overlook those statements. Even if you indicate it in your application/cover letter, there is a high chance that the ECO will overlook them as it’s just too much documentation, too many currency conversions and calculations.

I suggest reapplying for your visa. Since you are short of time, I suggest opting for expedited processing. In your cover letter, write a section with subheadings/bullets/screenshots explaining the reason for your previous visa refusal, the fact that you have 4 accounts, the reason why you have 4 bank accounts and requesting the ECO to take a look at the attached bank statements from those 4 accounts. This way, you cut through the chase and have the ECO pay attention to your previous visa refusal and the documents they have overlooked. Good luck!

Ainura says

September 26, 2019 at 10:03 am

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for your useful post ;) I’ve got a question. I applied for UK visa Standard visitor visa (Business trip for 8 days) a few days ago. At the moment of filling my application, I did not have my booking and reservations. After I applied, the travel agent of our company sent me booked tickets and reservations at hotel. So I printed them out to show at consulate but my application states that I WILL MAKE BOOKINGS AFTER I OBTAIN MY VISA. I am going to attend business meetings, I have 2 USA visas, no refusals, all the documents are good, I also have an Invitation letter from the company in London. So, will I have problems? What should I say if they ask about bookings? The interview is tomorrow. Your help much appreciated. Thank you!

September 27, 2019 at 4:57 am

Hi Ainura! Flight tickets and hotel bookings are not mandatory for the UK visa application. Even if you are asked to provide them, you just have to provide a flight reservation (just a reservation, not a purchased ticket) and hotel booking. Therefore, no need to change anything in your application. Go to your interview tomorrow with your application as is and a copy of your flight/hotel bookings. Provide your flight/hotel bookings if asked.

Alexandra von Schelling says

September 21, 2019 at 5:06 pm

Hi Thirumal, very helpful post. Thank you. I have one question: If you have a financial sponsor, can you have insufficient funds for the trip and still get a visitors visa?

September 22, 2019 at 5:01 am

Hi Alexandra! It completely depends on the purpose of your trip. You must, of course, meet all requirements. But ECOs also closely study each case and issue the visa on its merit. So, you may be issued a visa even though you have insufficient funds.

September 20, 2019 at 12:19 am

I am applying as a self-employed applicant. Should I submit my business account in addition to my personal account statement? Is it okay to provide a two page covering letter since there are a lot to explain?

September 22, 2019 at 5:14 am

Hi Leo! Self-employment and business are different. If you are self-employed, then you can just submit your business account. Since you will have full access to your self-employment income, you will be fine.

But if you are a business owner, then the ECO will need assurance that you have full access to your funds. In that case, a personal bank statement would be helpful.

Yes. Your cover letter can be 2 pages. Just do not go beyond 2 pages, it can lead to what I call “documentation bloat” which will overwhelm the ECO. Good luck!

Savuah says

September 12, 2019 at 11:40 pm

Hi Thirumal. I have a question, I recently applied for my UK student visa and I was told within 15 days I’ll receive an email to go and collect my passport. But if I may say this is a 17th-day and have not received anything. Can it be a good sign or bad?

Also, do they send you an email to go and collect the passport after you submit the documents or you just after 15 days? If yes do they say if you have been granted a visa or not.

September 13, 2019 at 5:52 am

Hi Savuah! The visa processing times for UK visa are not accurate. I am not sure about the UK student visa processing but for a visitor visa, it can take up to 30 calendar days. I suggest not drawing any conclusions yet and waiting for a few more days.

You will receive an email notification when a decision is made. The email says that a decision has been made but it does not tell you whether your visa has been approved or denied. You have to collect your passport to see if your visa is approved or denied.

Kanwalpreet Singh says

September 7, 2019 at 12:03 am

Hi, Thirumal I hope you are doing good. Well, I’m an International Student here in Australia from India, and this winter I’m planning to visit the U.K as a tourist. My question is that do I need a prior hotel booking before applying for visa application. Thank you!

September 7, 2019 at 11:27 am

Hi Kanwalpreet! Usually, hotel booking and flight reservation are not required for UK visa application. But the document checklist is different for different nationalities and countries. You will know if you need hotel booking only if you start your visa application.

August 26, 2019 at 2:45 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have a question. My UK Visa Application was just refused, reasons stated:

1. You have stated that you intend to travel to the UK for 10 days to attend a wedding. — In my application, I had stated that my intention was to attend my cousin’s Wedding Anniversary as well as Tourism. They didn’t address the tourism part of my intention.

2. Insufficient funds in the account provided. — In my Application, I had submitted 2 bank statements. One of them had more than sufficient funds for the trip. Seems they never reviewed the one with sufficient funds as they only made reference to the other one.

3. My Sponsor didn’t include financial details. — This was not necessary as I had more than enough funds for the trip and I had also stated that I am solely responsible for the trip.

4. The Application was refused under Paragraph V4.2 (a), (c), and (e). There is no right of appeal or right to administrative review.

Kindly advise what I should do as I had submitted all the necessary documents but they were clearly not reviewed or processed correctly.

August 31, 2019 at 4:21 am

Hi Kemi! 1. I suggest using only “one” purpose for your travel. Often ECOs overlook multiple purposes. Even if they didn’t, it becomes difficult for them to evaluate your application if you are seeking entry for multiple purposes. 2. I suggest using only “one” bank account. Again, more documentation leads to ECOs overlooking crucial documentation. In your case, they looked at the account that didn’t have sufficient funds and overlooked the other one. 3. If you are paying for your trip on your own, there is no need for a sponsor. If you introduce a sponsor on your application, the home office conducts background checks on them that can complicate your application. 4. There is no appeal. You can only reapply. I suggest reapplying for your visa with the suggested changes above. Also, write a detailed cover letter explaining the reasons for your previous visa refusal, resolutions from your side and any supporting documentation.

August 26, 2019 at 11:32 am

Hi Thirumal, Probably you didn’t see my comment due to many messages. Thanks for the great work.

Anyway, I am planning to travel to the UK in late September and I am planning to attend a few fashion shows and have a meeting with potential clients. I own a modeling agency in Uganda, Africa and I want to get a Tourist Visa but as a work-related tour to see and learn how the fashion industry is in the Uk. I plan to stay there for 14 days. I have a friend with a company who is sending me an invite and will be sorting accommodation. I am to meet him as a business owner interested in having my models represent his companies.

My sister’s husband will provide me with a healthy bank statement with a reason that he is interested to invest in my agency and he would like to know if we can expand our clientele abroad.

Do you think this will get me a visa?

August 31, 2019 at 3:47 am

Hi Kelvin! Your purpose of travel and itinerary seem convincing. Showing your friend and sister’s husband as potential business partners is also fine. But seeking sponsorship from them can make the ECO question your agency’s business practices and profitability.

If you can pay for your trip, I suggest not seeking any sponsorship from them. You can introduce them as protention business associates/partners. You can also show their business proofs to ascertain that they are established business owners in the UK. You can, of course, accept accommodation from your friend or sister’s husband when you actually travel to the UK.

August 23, 2019 at 4:58 am

Hi Sir, I have filled and submitted the UK visa application form with some errors like “when they asked did you apply for leave to remain in the UK” I said NO but actually after my masters there I got a post-study work visa for 2 years but never stayed back I returned. Also my travel history I missed a few places to mention in the list. Also, are tax returns compulsory for a visitor visa? I have my company’s 3 years returns but do not have personal ready.

August 26, 2019 at 8:14 am

Hi Anil! If you haven’t given your biometrics yet, then you can cancel your UK visa application and request a refund. Refunds take about 8 weeks. A visa application cancellation is not considered as a “refusal” so there is no harm in canceling your visa application. After that, you can fill and submit a new UK visa application with correct information.

Tax returns are not mandatory but they will help you strengthen your application. If you are a business owner, then tax returns for your company are fine. For personal, you can just show your personal bank statements.

August 22, 2019 at 11:20 pm

Hi Thirumal, I must confess I am deeply impressed by your expertise. Please, I have a few concerns about my application.

4 Day tourist visit to the UK, Single application

1. Employment: I am a business associate. My job role is network marketing for a Chinese company in Nigeria for 5 years now, position as a DIAMOND 6 leader and as a stockist in-charge of undertaking registrations and issuance of company’s goods to the distributor’s within that region. We don’t receive employment letter but can receive a covering letter or an introduction letter, because we are not on a paid salary but commissions which are pretty good up to or more than £1300 in a month.

2. Proof of Funds: My 6 month Bank statement clearly indicates all commissions and bonuses coming in from this company. Balance in account £6000.

3. Family Ties: I am married with 2 children, my wife is an employee from Total Nig Plc, family resides in Nigeria. Supporting Document: Marriage certificate, children school fees, house rent.

4. Travel History: SouthAfrica, USA and China, and the company just renewed my Chinese Visa to embark on another all-expenses-paid trip to China by the company.

5. Sponsoring: Self-sponsored for UK application.

6. Visa Denial History: UK student Visa application in 2005 I can’t remember the reason again, Schengen Visa to France in 2014 insufficient, unsatisfactory documents.

7. Relations in the UK: Aunt and inlaw but wouldn’t want to mention or bring them in since I am the one funding myself.

8. Itinerary: My return ticket, My hotel reservations and places to visit within that 5days will be included.

9. Budget: I am budgeting not more than 20% for this trip from my bank statement balance of £6000.

Please do you think based from the above, am I eligible for entry clearance for a 4 days visit to the UK? Your response will be appreciated. Thanks.

August 26, 2019 at 6:28 am

Hi Bassy! Yes. You are eligible and you have a fair chance of visa approval. My only concern is your employment. Let me explain in detail below.

1. Employment: Since you are not on the payroll of the company, it can be difficult for you to prove that you are “employed”. It appears to me that you are more of a “single owner business” or “self-employed”. Quick question –

How do you pay the taxes? Does the company deduct and pay the taxes on your behalf? Or you pay them from your side? If you do, what’s your status in terms of taxes – employed, self-employed or business owner?

2. Proof of Funds: Your income and savings are very good. Just make sure that there are no large deposits in your account for which you cannot produce any documentary evidence. 3. Family Ties: Your family ties and supporting documentation are looking great. 4. Travel History: You have travel history outside your continent which is fantastic. 5. Sponsoring: Great. 6. Visa Denial History: Since you are strong in other areas such as financial solvency, travel history and family ties, your visa denial history will not affect your UK visa decision. 7. Relations in the UK: Agree. No need to mention them as you are funding yourself. 8. Itinerary: Great. 9. Budget: Budgeting 20% of your savings is fine. You can budget even lesser than that as the average daily travel budget in the UK is about £150 per day per person.

Margaret Jardim says

August 22, 2019 at 3:26 pm

Hi Thirumal,

Thank you for all the helpful information. I will be visiting a friend in the UK but will be paying for my own expenses. What do I need to submit for proof of accommodation?

August 26, 2019 at 5:11 am

Hi Margaret! The required document checklist is different for different nationalities. Usually, proof of accommodation is not needed for a UK visa application. But if your document checklist asks for it, you can provide a “refundable” hotel booking. You can book a refundable hotel on booking or expedia.

Sanjay kumar says

August 22, 2019 at 11:06 am

Hi, I would like to know would be able to visit France with a visitor UK visa only. I intend to visit the UK in the last week of September this year for 15 days. And please tell me the must-visiting places there. Hope for a quick reply! Thanks.

August 26, 2019 at 3:58 am

Hi Sanjay! You CANNOT use your UK visa to enter France. You would REQUIRE a Schengen visa to travel to France. Please refer to the below articles for more information.

– Countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa – Schengen Visa Guide

August 21, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am not sure why you are removing my comment but I really need your advice for my UK visa application :(

August 22, 2019 at 9:29 am

Hi Mohit! I apologize for the delay. I haven’t removed any of your earlier comments. Every case is unique and my personal experience sometimes is not enough. I have to do more research which might take time. Please bear with me. I will get to your comment soon.

August 22, 2019 at 8:32 pm

Thank you, I appreciate it!

August 21, 2019 at 3:57 am

Hi! I’ve applied a couple of times for UK Visa in the past couple of years and been really quick on the turn around time. This year it has been 7 days since the consulate received my package and there has been no automated email stating they are even processing the package. On calling as well emailing the Visa status number, they assure that my application is under review. I am not sure that is really the case. Please share your thoughts. Thanks!

August 25, 2019 at 9:46 am

Hi DS! I have heard from other readers as well on not receiving the notification for several days. Either UKVI is forgetting to send the notifications or the notification are ending up in spam folder. But it appears that the applications are still being pickup and processing. So nothing to worry.

Kamran Ali says

August 20, 2019 at 7:14 pm

Hi, I have been refused due to one wrong document of my son school certificate (Bonafide) which in-fact was not confirmed school staff and would like to submit clarification to apply again and clear this objection. Kindly advise.

August 25, 2019 at 5:01 am

Hi Kamran! In your reapplication, write a detailed cover letter explaining the previous refusal reason, your clarification and new supporting documentation. Many readers had success in their reapplication with this approach. You can see quite a few comments on this topic in the article.

Telan thorn says

August 20, 2019 at 11:31 am

Hi Thirumal! We have applied for a visit visa for my parents from Sri Lanka with my sister-in-law and the baby. She got the visa but my parents didn’t.

Me and my wife runs a business and offers to sponsor them all in their visit but my parents visa was rejected on the reason of there is no family tie with Sri Lanka and they will not be returned but that was because they didn’t go through all the supporting evidence we provide. They missed the letter which provided by my brother who runs the family business in Sri Lanka and didn’t join with his wife on this trip.

Then we re-applied with the letter to point out the evidence that we provided then they rejected it again due to the lack of evidence that where the fund coming to my parents account and no evidence that the family business is still running.

1) My question is when that rejects it for the second time can they come up with new reasons and why didn’t they point out when they rejected the first application (we produced the same document) 2) If we applied again can they reject it again because of the 2 previous rejections? Thanks Telan thorn

August 25, 2019 at 4:13 am

Hi Telan! UK visa process is not the most efficient. The process is tedious, no tracking and there is no appeal. The only option is to reapply and point out the issues.

1) An ECO can re-evaluate the entire visa application rather than just looking at the refusal reasons from the previous application. I believe this is what happened in your second application. The ECO re-evaluated the entire application. The first ECO wasn’t too strict with financial evidence but the second ECO was.

Either way, make sure to provide documentation that your parents are still part of the family business and have access to the funds from the business.

2) If you provide substantial evidence for those two refusal reasons, then they cannot refuse on the same reasons. But they can dig and find a different reason. So, make sure your application is thorough and you have all the necessary documentation.

August 20, 2019 at 10:13 am

Hi Thirumal, I have been granted tourist Visa very recently but it doesn’t coincide with the dates of my Alumni event. Does it require me to reapply for the visa with the dates which covers my event or is there a way that the original issued Visa can be changed as far as dates are concerned?

I requested Visa from 27th Sept 19, however, it seems by mistake I have been issued the visa from 28th Sept for 6 months. I am actually thinking about reapplying for the visa as I need to be in the UK on 27th to attend the Alumni event. In that event, do I only apply for 1-day visa which is for 27th Sept’19. Eagerly waiting to listen from you as I am completely out of sorts here in terms of next steps as there is no way in India I can reach out to UK embassy.

August 23, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Hi Rahul! I believe there has been a mistake with UKVI. Usually, UK visas are valid from the “date of issue” rather than the “intended date of entry”. You can contact UKVI, but you will be charged for the email. You will only pay for the first email. Follow up emails are not charged. You can email UKVI here .

There is no 1-day visa option. You have to apply for a regular 6-month visa.

I suggest first contacting UKVI and asking for the best option in your case. If you don’t get any satisfactory response from them, I suggest re-applying for a 6-month visa. But this time, write a detailed cover letter explaining that you have been issued the visa but with a wrong “start or from date”. This way, ECO can issue another visa without re-evaluating your entire application which might take several days again. If you can afford, pay for expedited processing as well.

HAMMAD HASSAN says

August 19, 2019 at 7:45 pm

Hi, My UK visit visa got refused because home office didn’t receive any supporting documents except my passport. I had uploaded the documents on VFS global website but haven’t submitted as I chose to be a walk-in customer because no appointments were available for very next day.

How should I ensure that if reapply my documents will be received by the Home office? How should I take my refusal?

August 23, 2019 at 8:32 am

Hi Hammad! I suggest the following in your reapplication

1a) Online document submission – Upload all supporting documents yourself and submit them on the VFS website. This will ensure the documents will be sent to the home office. 1b) Offline document submission – If you decide to have the VFS staff upload your documents, pay the additional fee for them to scan and upload your documents. The VFS staff will go through all your documentation, take the ones that are needed, scan and upload them for you. 2) Write a detailed cover letter mentioning that your previous application was refused for not attaching the supporting documents and now you have attached all the required supporting documents.

Inohna says

August 19, 2019 at 12:58 pm

Hi Thirumal! Just wanted to say thank you so much for your help!! My Grandma’s visa got approved the following week after she did her biometrics!

August 23, 2019 at 6:09 am

Hi Inohna! That’s great news! Congratulations to your Grandma! I’m glad this article and my advice were helpful. Safe travels to your Grandma!

Gaurav says

August 18, 2019 at 1:56 pm

Hi, I am visiting Singapore with my family in Nov, and I am also planning to visit the UK with my wife in March.

Will a short gap between two foreign tours effect to get a tourist visa on hotel booking? As my friend suggested me that there should be at least 5-6 months gap for a middle-class salary employee to get the UK visa. Is it true? Does embassy concern this point and may cause of visa refusal Thanks!

August 23, 2019 at 5:00 am

Hi Gaurav! No. It’s not true. A short gap between your Singapore and UK trips will not affect your UK visa decision. It’s actually good as you will be able to show one more country (Singapore) in your travel history. But keep in mind that the following can affect your UK visa decision –

– Exhausting all your savings on your Singapore trip. You won’t be able to show enough savings for your UK visa application. – Overstaying your Singapore visa.

Ammad Javed says

August 17, 2019 at 2:27 pm

Hello dear. Do we need to have both a reasonable salary deposit and savings? I have a salary around 1800 pounds being regularly deposited to my account for the last 3 years. But I don’t have any savings at all. Will it work or having savings is a must. I intend to travel for 4 days only in order to sit in an exam. My wife and children are staying back.

August 17, 2019 at 3:24 pm

Hi Ammad! It’s not mandatory to have savings but without any savings, you will not be able to book your flight, pay for your hotel or food. Therefore, you have to show at least enough savings to convince the ECO that you can financially support your trip.

The daily budget to travel in the UK is about £150 GBP per person per day. For a 4 day trip, you would need to show at least 600 GBP savings in your account. Otherwise, ECO will not be convinced that you can afford your trip.

The safest option is to have savings of at least twice your trip expenses. In your case, it would be £1,200 GBP.

August 16, 2019 at 6:45 pm

Deal Thirumal, I am really pleased to inform you that I have successfully got a UK visitor VISA to attend an examination, which is very important for my career.

Firstly, This was my second VISA application since my first VISA application was refused based on the lengthy duration of stay for a one day examination. After encountering that refusal, I was honestly shattered and it created a huge dent in my confidence level. However, I managed to encourage myself and started preparing my next VISA application. That’s when I came to know about this awesome blog through Google. I had many doubts and concerns regarding my application and I raised many queries regarding them on this thread, which you happily and swiftly answered. Hence, I got a lot of clarity and I made sure that my application has got no errors to the best of my knowledge. As a result, I got my passport back with a beautiful UK VISA vignette on it.

I really appreciate the guidance and the help that you rendered and Thanks a ton for it. I am pretty sure that this blog will be of massive help for many VISA applicants in the future and I kindly request you to continue this awesome job. Bye and Have a NICE DAY!

August 18, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Hi Rahul! Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad that this article and my responses have helped you in securing your visa on the second attempt. Congratulations and have a great trip! Good luck with your exam as well!

Also, I apologize for the delay in responding to some of your queries. It’s taking longer for me to respond as each case is unique.

August 20, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Thirumal! Hope you are doing fine. No issues regarding the delay in response since I can understand that you get a lot of queries on a daily basis and Thank you for your wishes. Furthermore, I have come up with another query to trouble you more, Lol. This is regarding UK border clearance.

My UK VISA validity begins on August 24 and I have booked my onward flight from Bengaluru to London Heathrow airport on September 11. My query is do I mandatorily need a return ticket to show at the border control in order to enter the UK or does a document confirming my purpose of visit suffice?

August 25, 2019 at 4:52 am

Hi Rahul! Thanks for understanding. They asked me to show my return ticket when I entered the UK a couple of years ago. So the chances of them asking for a return ticket are very high. Therefore, I suggest having a return ticket. If your dates are flexible, there are many ways to get proof of return ticket without actually purchasing a ticket. Refer to my article on how to get proof of onward travel .

EDWIN JOSEP PEREZ AREVALO says

August 16, 2019 at 5:29 am

Hello! Thank you for your incredible work. I’ve got a question. The visitor visa is up to six months, does this mean if I said on my itinerary I was going to stay 3 weeks and ended up being 4 weeks, and I stayed in another city, changing as I said my itinerary. Is it ok? Can this cause any trouble? Please, I really appreciate it.

August 17, 2019 at 9:00 am

Hi Edwin! Asking for 3 weeks and staying 4 weeks is absolutely fine. Visiting different cities than what you have mentioned in the visa application is also fine.

August 14, 2019 at 11:12 am

Is there an instance the home office wouldn’t contact the person who sent you an invite yet your visa will be granted?

August 14, 2019 at 2:44 pm

Hi Lisa! Yes. The home office contacts the sponsor/inviter only if it’s absolutely necessary. They use other means to verify the information supplied first.

August 14, 2019 at 5:40 pm

Thanks so much! I have another question for you which I have sent to you earlier on.

August 14, 2019 at 3:18 am

Hi Thirumal, I applied for a standard visit visa to attend British Army Assessment but I was refused based on the reasons below;

I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) V4.2 of Appendix V: Immigration Rules for visitors because:  You have applied to visit the UK for 21 days to attend and complete an assessment at the National Recruitment Centre and to visit friends. I note a letter from the National Recruitment center. However In order to be able to make a decision on whether or not to grant you entry clearance in this category I have taken into account your stated circumstances in Ghana, the reasons for your visit and your proposed travel arrangements.  I recognize that you have stated that your stated uncle will fund your visit to the UK but I must take into account your personal and financial circumstances in Ghana when coming to my decision.  You state that you are currently unemployed. You have provided your personal bank statement from Cal bank Limited. There have been many large unexplained cash deposits over 3000 GHS (£438.36 at Oanda.com, 03/07/2019) made onto this account and I am not satisfied about the origins of these funds. On the evidence before me, I am not satisfied that these statements are a true reflection of your financial circumstances or that your circumstances are as stated.  You have also stated that you hold savings of £1820. From the information you have provided you have not demonstrated the origin of these funds and whether they are genuinely available for your exclusive use. The factors mentioned above have not been taken in isolation but considered collectively. They damage the overall credibility of your application. From the information on your application form and the documents you have submitted, I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the United Kingdom or that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph V4.2 (a) and (c)

I actually want to reapply because I really want to join the Army. What do I do to acquire the standard visit visa in my next application? Thank you

August 17, 2019 at 7:42 am

Hi Lisa! Your UK visa application was refused as you failed to show strong ties with your country. If you do not show strong ties with your country, the ECO will assume that you will remain in the UK and will not return back after your army assessment. If you pass the assessment, you will join the army which is great. But if you fail the assessment, you must promptly return back to your country. You need to show enough evidence in your visa application that you will return back if you fail the assessment.

I suggest improving the following prior to your next application-

Employment If you are unemployed, it’s unlikely to get your visa approved. You have to have a full-time job where you can provide an employment letter and leave approval letter.

Travel History You haven’t mentioned your travel history. But if you are lacking in your travel history, it can affect your visa result too. I suggest improving your travel history first.

Financial Solvency Even if you use a sponsor, you must still show a continuous source of income and decent savings. You must not have any large undocumented deposits.

Family Ties You haven’t mentioned anything about your family. But if you can show evidence of family members that will remain at home during your trip will help.

Sponsorship I suggest using an immediate family member for your sponsorship such as father, mother, sibling, spouse, etc. Uncle is a distant relative and it can be difficult to prove the relationship.

August 17, 2019 at 3:04 pm

Thanks Thirumal for your response.

My ultimate aim is to attend the assessment and within the assessment invitation letter I am to book a round-trip ticket after I’ve been granted the visa else my name and details will be given to the Immigration to deny me of entry. Details concerning my visa will have to be scanned and submitted to the assessment centre before I can leave my home country. This is to be done to ensure that I return to my home country if I don’t pass my assessment. Other details concerning my return in case I fail the assessment are all in the assessment invitation letter from the Army.

I’m unemployed, unmarried, no travel history.

Do you think if I’m able to prove the sources of funding for my bank account it can increase my chance of getting the visa?

August 18, 2019 at 11:21 am

I understand. The army is doing what they can from their side. They are assuring the home office that they will make sure you will return back after the assessment. But like the home office says in your refusal letter that things are not looking good from your side. There are a lot of things from your side that are damaging the credibility of your application.

Unemployed, unmarried and no travel history may not be an issue since the army is guaranteeing your return. I suggest, at least, fixing the things that the home office mentioned in your refusal letter.

– Have your purpose of travel to attend “only” the assessment. Do not combine with meeting friends. Pleasure and business do not work well. – Adjusting your number of days to match with the exact days you need for the assessment. Maybe one or two days extra to fly in and out but nothing more. – Use an immediate family member for your sponsorship. If you use a family member or your uncle, make sure to provide his/her employment and financial documentation. – Make sure your bank account is looking good. There should not be any large deposits that you cannot explain. For those deposits that you can explain, provide documentary evidence. – Finally, write a clean and legible cover letter explaining the issues in your previous visa application and the measures you have taken to fix them in your reapplication.

August 12, 2019 at 9:36 pm

Hi, I have submitted my application online, paid the fees and reserve an appointment to go to the visa center which will be on coming Friday. So I made every thing but still did not go for biometric: 1) Can I get a refund if I cancel the application 2) Can I apply for a visa in the future? Or this cancellation will be a problem for considering any application I make in the future?

August 14, 2019 at 7:58 am

1) Yes. If you haven’t given your biometrics yet, you can cancel your application and claim your visa fee refund. Refunds take 4-8 weeks. 2) Yes, absolutely. A cancellation is NOT a refusal and will not affect your future visa applications.

August 12, 2019 at 4:19 pm

Hi Thirumal, your article is really helpful and worthwhile! Thank you.

1. If I put 7 days staying in the UK in my application but spent 3 months there (2 times coming by 1,5 & 1,5 months), will it be a reason for a reject when I will apply again?

2. If I have only 2 months of the employment period after graduation from university, could it be a strong reason for going back to my country? Or is it better to say, that I am unemployed?

August 14, 2019 at 7:39 am

Hi Irina! In my opinion, asking for 1 week and staying 2 weeks is fine. But anything longer will raise below questions – How were you able to support your lengthy stay financially? Did you have to work in the UK? – How come your employer agreed for you to be away for that long? Did you quit your job before or while on the trip?

These are all red flags and therefore UKVI is looking into requested stay vs actual stay. If they think your actual stay was too long, they are using that as a reason to refuse future visa applications.

July 6, 2020 at 8:12 am

Hi sir, I read all Your good work here. You are doing great Sir. I applied for the UK Visa in 2007, almost 13 years ago. But I give the job to an agent but in the end, I was refused. I didn’t have any documents. He provided documents for me and he worked on my bank statement, etc. Since 2007 I haven’t applied for the UK Visa but I have been to many countries like South Africa, Kenya, Dubai, Benin, etc. My question is this – do I need to tell them that I was refused before because it was over 10 years ago anyways? Now I have my own company and travel history. I want to know if it’s important to submit tax documents? I have personal tax but not company tax. Please I need your advice.

July 20, 2020 at 5:59 am

Hi Eric! Thanks! You only need to provide your visa refusals in the last 10 years. Therefore, you don’t need to mention your 2007 visa refusal. Regarding tax documents, you must provide your company registration and company tax documents to show that your company is genuine. Personal tax documents are not that necessary if you are a business owner.

March 14, 2020 at 7:52 pm

Hi Thirumal, I’m Charles from Nigeria. I want to ask regarding the UK visitor visa. My sister lives and works in the UK and she is sending me an invite to come to the UK for a few weeks on a visitor visa. So she is sponsoring the trip and do I still need to submit my bank statement because, on the UK gov website, it’s either the visitor bank statement or sponsor. But I have been reading through comments that the visitor still needs to submit their bank statement when there is a sponsor for the trip.

And also for the fact that submitting 2 documents of the same statement can cause refusal as they will use one document over the other as they may use my bank statement which is not that strong and not the sponsor’s own. I just need some clarification on this, please.

March 15, 2020 at 4:59 am

Hi Charles! I have seen many refusal letters from applicants that are in a similar situation as yours. All these letters clearly indicate that the applicant failed to provide their bank statements or they failed to show enough disposable income/cash in their accounts even though they all have a sponsor.

My understanding is that there is no binding agreement/contract between the sponsor and the UK immigration that the sponsor must (and will) take care of the applicant’s expenses in the UK. Therefore, the ECO would want the applicant to be financially capable as well to support themselves in case the sponsor decides not to support them when they arrive in the UK.

Priyanka says

August 12, 2019 at 3:35 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am working in the UK from the last 6 months. My visa is valid till Jan 2020.

I applied for my father’s visitor visa, for 15 days to visit me. We got rejection letter 10 days before. The rejection letter says –

1. You state that you intend to visit your daughter in the UK for the period of 15 days to visit your daughter and I acknowledge that you have submitted the letter of invite from her. You state that you are retired and you have £2,500 pounds in savings and you will bear the cost of your visit personally.

2. To demonstrate your ability to fund the trip I acknowledge that you have submitted your own bank account statement for account **** that shows a closing balance on 5th July as 181,*** INR. I note that statement history from Jan to April 21st shows a total of 102,*** INR, however from 21st April till 5th July the credited amount is 250,*** INR. There is nothing to explain the origin of the funds in your application. I am not satisfied as this does not accurately reflect your financial position and etc etc..

The issue was we hired an agent to do this and in the application form, he mentioned that my father will sponsor himself. I actually sent my Invitation Letter stating that I will sponsor everything but form said something else. Also, I am sending my father money in his account on day to day basis, which I can explain in Point 2.

Can you please confirm what all docs I should again send and also what would be the best way to give the clarification on refusal?

I am putting – My salary slips, 6-month bank statement, Invitation letter, Rent agreement, Company letter, Visa Copy, BRP Copy, Passport copy and Reasoning letter for Refusal. Father’s doc – His bank statement and where the amount has come from, His ITR, House Property Doc and House evaluation documents, my mother’s death certificate. Also, need to check how much should I have in my UK Bank account to sponsor.

Last question, I have taken a loan in the UK. Do I need to specifically mention that in a letter or no need of amount getting deducted for that.

Also, I read many articles one of which states that I should change the statement for Sponsorship, and my father himself should do it. Can you please help.

Thanks in Advance, your feedback will be much appreciated.

August 14, 2019 at 7:19 am

Hi Priyanka! I apologize for not responding sooner to your previous queries. I have been swamped with many comments and emails, it’s taking much longer for me to get to all of them.

Documentation You have all the documents you need from your side. From your father’s side, I suggest including his retirement document (to show that he is retired) and a cover letter with the following details – His proposed dates of travel and what he will be doing in those 15 days – His employment status (retired) – His financial status (pension, monthly financial support from you, etc) – His travel history (if he has traveled abroad before) – His intention to return back (an activity back in his home country that needs his attention) – His previous visa refusal details, reason, additional info/documentation to resolve that in his reapplication

Clarification for the previous refusal To clarify the refusal, I suggest adding a section in your father’s cover letter and providing the refusal details, reasons and new info or documentation to resolve those issues. For example:

Previous UK Visa Refusal – My previous application for UK visitor visa with GWF number {GWF number} was refused on {date} – The following are the reasons for the refusal and my explanations for them in my current reapplication 1. Reason: ….. Explanation: …… Additional Documentation: X, Y, Z are attached.

2. Reason: ….. Explanation: …… Additional Documentation: X, Y, Z are attached.

Required balance in your UK bank account The usual travel budget in the UK is about £150 GBP per day per person. Therefore, you must have at least 150 * 15 = £2,250 GBP in your account in order to sponsor your father’s trip.

Your father must also have about the same amount in his account. ECOs would like to see if the applicant can support his/her travel in case the sponsor decides not to support their trip after the visa approval.

Loan in the UK You do not have to mention anything about your loan in the UK. Deductions are not an issue. Only large deposits are an issue.

Sponsor letter I suggest writing the sponsor letter from your side. Specify the list of supporting documents you are providing.

August 14, 2019 at 6:05 pm

Thanks Thirumal. I can imagine your mailbox full of comments and thus thought of sending my query again. Thanks again for patiently replying to my email.

Another issue is my father was a businessman and we have a shop which is not rented currently and we might rent it. So the question is does it right to say he is retired? And can a retired person file an ITR? If I change retired to self-occupied that can cause issues. And can we show the rent agreement next time once we get our shop rented on my father’s name?

Apologies for these many questions.

August 16, 2019 at 3:51 pm

Traditionally “retired” are those who were previously employed, currently retired and receiving a monthly pension. Though this has changed a lot in recent times, consulates haven’t caught up on it yet. So, they still consider “retired” in the traditional sense. Therefore, it would be difficult to convince the home office that your father has retired from running his business. You can probably convince them that he is not actively involved in the business anymore and living off of his rental income.

Either way, he has to show that he has a continuous source of income. It would work well if he shows his rental income rather than financial support from you. I suggest waiting until he can rent the shop and has a rental agreement. Rental income can strengthen his case in two ways –

1. He owns a property. It’s a strong tie to his home country. 2. He must be physically present in his home country to take care of the rental, maintenance of the property, etc. It’s a reason for him to return back to his country after his trip.

Priyanka Girdhar says

August 28, 2019 at 12:30 pm

Thank you much Thirumal. Your suggestions make a big difference.

August 10, 2019 at 1:45 pm

Hello Thirumal, Good evening. I have already made a lot of queries regarding my UK visa application in this thread and you have answered them all. I really appreciate this help and Thank you. However, I am facing another issue right now. I applied for UK Visitor Visa to attend an examination in the UK and unfortunately, the application was refused citing my long duration of stay for a single day examination. Therefore, I made another application recently stating I would be in the UK for only six days to attend the examination.

The issue is that I have submitted the documents and biometrics on 07/08/2019 (WEDNESDAY) and I have opted for priority service as well since my date of travel is 25/08/2019. However, I haven’t yet received any mail from neither the UK home office nor the VFS global regarding confirmation of my application and transfer of the same to the home office for VISA processing. As you very well know, usually UK VISA applicants receive an email after a day or two after their biometrics appointments which informs us that our application has been received at the UK home office and is going to be processed. Similarly, I received a mail after my first VISA application and so far nearly all of my friends have received that mail on the next day after their biometrics appointment. Therefore, I am very much worried that I haven’t gotten any response even after two working days in spite of applying under priority service. Therefore, please let me know asap whether this is normal or should I do something to solve this. Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

August 18, 2019 at 12:49 pm

Hi Rahul! You will receive an email notification when the consulate opens your package. If the consulate received many applications, it can take longer for them to get to your package. I suggest giving it a day or two more.

August 9, 2019 at 9:38 pm

Hi Thirumal, I recently applied for my UK visa and uploaded all my supporting documents but only just realizing my bank statement is not up to 3 months like it stops In April. My appointment for biometrics is coming up soon. What is your advice should I carry the updated bank statement? Can it be uploaded at the visa center with a fee? Is this grounds for refusal? Eagerly awaiting your reply as I’m very nervous about what to do or expect. Thanks

August 12, 2019 at 9:56 am

Hi Diana! No need to panic. The VFS center will scan and upload your documents for a fee. Carry a copy of your latest bank statements on your biometrics appointment. Ask them to scan and upload your bank statement.

If you or the VFS staff fail to upload your latest bank statement, then your financial information is insufficient for the UKVI to make a decision on your case. They may refuse your visa.

kamala says

August 9, 2019 at 2:02 pm

Hi Thirumal! It’s a great article and clarify many key items for everyone. Thank you so much. I need your help.

I would like to invite my sister and her husband in Oct or Nov time this year for 4 or 3 weeks. I tried visa for my mother & sister in 2012 which has been rejected. Reason home office gave “not enough documents and I’m single so they might stay back.

Honestly, my sister and mother have no intention of staying back. She has her family, lived all her life there and no intention of deserting my father and stay back. Anyway my mother passed away this year Jan.

Re. bank deposit I think my sister might have 3lacs. I am sponsoring their visa, flight tickets, food and accommodation here for 4 weeks or 3 weeks. They can show their bank statements, deposit, house, any other income if they have.

She has a married daughter living and working there. My sister is the guardian to my dad and my mom’s sister who is living with her. I think writing a good letter about these dependencies are a strong proof to the home office that my sister & bro-in-law will return back to India. 100% sure they don’t desert all these people and their own life in India and stay back with me. We are not that sort of people. I am inviting them because I buying a new home, my dad cannot make it, so I’m calling my sister in place of my parents. Is this enough for their visa successfully processed? Please, could you advise? I would be very grateful many more thanks for you.

August 12, 2019 at 9:21 am

Even if you take care of all of their expenses, your sister and her husband are required to have enough income and savings to support their trip. Since your sister and her husband can show their own bank statements, deposits, house, etc, they should be fine.

You haven’t mentioned if your sister and her husband are employed or retired. The documentation required is different based on their employment status. Please let me know their employment status and I will provide the documentation required from you and them.

Praveen Kumar says

August 9, 2019 at 10:15 am

I have the following concerns regarding my visa application:

1. Actually, on the 1st of August, I paid around Rs 1 lakh towards my credit card, which my friend had used. He gave me the amount back in my savings account on the 8th of August. Now, if I produce this bank statement, will it be considered as fund pooling? 2. I have B1/B2 business visa interview scheduled on Aug 20th, 2019. And I plan to travel to London on Sept 17th (personal trip). When do you think would be the suitable time to book my appointment for the UK visa and should I go for normal or express?

Looking forward to your reply.

August 9, 2019 at 11:18 am

Hi Praveen,

1. Yes. Rs. 1 lakh is about £1,100 GBP, which is a large deposit. This will definitely raise questions. If this is the only large deposit in all of your 6 months bank statements, then you should be fine if you just mention it briefly in your cover letter. 2. You would need 5-7 working days to receive your passport after your US visa appointment. I suggest booking a UK visa appointment on Sep 02nd Monday. 2 weeks is too short of normal processing. Go for express (expedited) processing.

August 8, 2019 at 11:38 am

Hi! I am from morocco. My monthly salary its £500 month. I want to visit my brother and his wife who are both British citizens. They are going to sponsor my visits. They invited my sister before when she was 18 and she went back. I want to try to apply. What do you think my chances to get the visa?

August 9, 2019 at 10:58 am

Hi Jawad! Your monthly income is fine. But it all depends on the trip length and the total trip expenses. Refer to point 06 in the article to determine your trip length and total trip expenses for your income. Even if you have a sponsor, you are still required to show a monthly income and sufficient savings.

August 9, 2019 at 11:41 am

Hi mate, I got like a £1000 in the bank. I am saving it for the trip like a month ago and wages went up to £500 three months ago. Before they used to be £400 a month. Do u think I have a chance there or I should wait another 3 months before I apply?

August 12, 2019 at 8:00 am

I suggest waiting for another few months. Save up to £2,000 GBP and then apply for a 7-day visit. Your salary and savings will then align better for a 7-day visit.

George says

August 7, 2019 at 1:52 pm

Dear Thirumal,

I had made an error in my UK visa application – instead of Trivandrum, I had selected Cochin as my Visa location. So after the payment and before the biometric appointment selection, I cancelled the application and requested a refund. They said I will get to know the status within 4 weeks. This was done on the 9th of June and I still havent heard back from them. Please, could you suggest what I should do?

The visa for my new application was approved.

August 8, 2019 at 2:39 pm

Hi George! You will receive a refund but it usually takes much longer than 4 weeks. Many applicants had success by reminding UKVI with an email. It costs about $5 USD to email them though.

August 12, 2019 at 2:16 pm

Thank you so much. Will email them right away.

SHIHAB HASAN CHOWDHURY says

August 7, 2019 at 7:28 am

Dear Thiramul, I got a scholarship from Prime Minister Office Bangladesh. I enclosed all sort of necessary documents with my visa application i.e. sponsorship, note verbal, government permission letter, etc. I faced interview on 11 July and on 14 July VFS gave me SMS about forwarding my application. I have not got any update after that time. I applied with the standard package. Actually how many days it will take to get visa decision? I have already emailed them about this which cost 5.5 GBP. Please give me some suggestion about this situation.

August 7, 2019 at 12:38 pm

Hi Shihab! UK visa application process takes up to 30 calendar days or even more in some cases. Emails and phone calls are useless and do not waste your money on them, at least as of now. Just wait till you hear back from UKVI or VFS. If you don’t hear anything until after 14 Aug, contact them to inquire the status.

Shihab Chowdhury says

August 17, 2019 at 8:04 am

Dear Brother, I enquired UKVI and the following reply was given:

Dear Shihab, Thank you for contacting the UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre. With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, I can confirm that we have made a decision on your application. We cannot discuss the outcome of your application on-line or by telephone. However, the visa application centre will be in contact with you in regards to collection or delivery of your passport. We strongly recommend that you do not buy a non-refundable, non-flexible ticket to the UK, until your visa application has been approved and you have received your documents.

Brother, is there any indication from this reply? Thanks in advance brother.

August 17, 2019 at 9:39 am

Hi Shihab! There is no indication of your visa result in this email response. UKVI will not disclose the visa result in emails. You will have to wait till you receive/pick up your passport. When you receive your passport, check for the UK visa sticker. If you see a UK visa sticker, then your visa is approved. If not, you will find a visa refusal letter enclosed, which means your visa is refused.

SHIHAB HASAN says

August 18, 2019 at 9:04 am

Dear Brother! Someone has told me that if UKVI takes much time, it means they are refusing the application. Is this true?

August 18, 2019 at 12:23 pm

Hi Shihad! It’s true to some extent. Applications that are complicated takes longer to process. A lot of background checks and verifications need to be done which can take longer than usual. Complicated cases have higher chances of refusal than simpler and straightforward cases.

Read my response to Sleiman’s question. I gave a more detailed explanation.

Mavin Jones says

August 7, 2019 at 12:54 am

Hello Thirumal! I’m a US permanent resident and I applied for a 6 months visa to go visit friends/tourism for 4 days during thanksgiving this year.

I mailed my application on July 27th, 2019 but I haven’t received any email/text/acknowledgment from the New York Office regarding receipt of my application. I just realized that I did not print out my application form and include it in my package. Will this result in a delay in processing or denial? Thanks.

August 7, 2019 at 1:05 pm

Hi Mavin! You will receive an email notification when the UK consulate receives and opens your package. If the consulate hasn’t opened your package yet, then you will not receive the email notification. Also, check in your spam folder as emails sometimes end up there.

UK visa application process is different from other visa applications. UKVI does not contact and request for missing documents. Instead, they simply refuse the visa and add the missing document list to the refusal letter. If they can access your GWF number from any other document in your package, such as biometrics confirmation, they may be able to retrieve your submitted form electronically. But it’s difficult to say if they will do that or will refuse your visa.

yasmine says

August 6, 2019 at 3:04 pm

Hi there, I just received my refusal letter and it’s due to: I applied for 1-month stay and also they don’t think that I am leaving the UK at the end of the travel knowing that I am now a minor? I just want to ask you if this refusal will influence my future visa applications (not only in the UK) and what do I have to do in my future applications knowing that this is my first time applying and I don’t want to reapply to UK for now. So do I have to send any letter or do anything after my refusal?

August 7, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Hi Yasmine! Unfortunately yes, your UK visa refusal will affect your future visas for the UK and also other countries. You don’t have to send any letter or do anything right now. But follow the below points to minimize the effect of your UK visa refusal on your future visas.

– Do not apply again for your UK visa for now. You do not want to come off as desperate. – Build a strong travel history meanwhile. Start with visa-free countries and slowly venture to visa on arrival and visa-required countries for your passport.

August 6, 2019 at 10:51 am

Hello Thirumal. Hope you are doing well. I have already applied for a UK Visa and my biometrics appointment is on Thursday (08/08/2019). But suddenly I got a small doubt regarding my financials. My elder brother is sponsoring my trip to the UK and he has around a total amount of money equivalent to around 3,900 GBP in his bank account right now. His monthly income is approximately 750 GBP. I have shown a trip expense of around 1,350 GBP. Is this sufficient? Kindly let me know your opinion as soon as possible. Thank you!

August 6, 2019 at 2:47 pm

Hi Rahul! I usually suggest (a) not going above twice your sponsor’s salary and (b) not going more than half of your sponsor’s savings. Your total trip expenses are within these limits and I think you are fine.

August 7, 2019 at 2:18 pm

Dear Thirumal, Thank you for the information!

August 6, 2019 at 6:11 am

Hi Thirumal. Do you know what is the minimum bank balance required to travel to the UK? Another problem I have is that both my managers who are responsible for my NOC letter are out of town. So is it ok if I give a coloured scanned copy of the NOC? Or it has to be original? My Fiance wants to join me on this tourist trip too so do I give his passport and bank balance copy to strengthen my visa applicantion? He is a German national.

Thank you! Looking forward for your reply

August 9, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Hi Rosh! It’s difficult to figure the exact minimum bank balance required for your UK trip. But from my experience, you will be fine if you follow the below three points. – The average daily expense for UK trip is about 150GBP per person per day – The total trip expenses should not be more than twice your monthly salary and – The total trip expenses cannot be more than half of your savings

Original NOC is not required. You will only upload the scanned copy.

Since you can support yourself financially, there is no need to provide any financial documentation from your fiance. A copy of his passport should be fine.

Sameer says

August 4, 2019 at 2:51 pm

Hi there, I and my mother are applying to visit. I am a student and my mother is a housewife. I just wanted to ask whether my docs are right or not.

1) My father is funding me from my home country. He has a decent amount to sponsor us. I have entered the cost £1500 per person for this trip. My father has around £7-8k in his saving account. There are casual small transactions like for shopping and all not big amounts deposited.

2) We are going to attend the wedding of my cousin. Groom’s brother is also sponsoring us.

3) Plus my sister also lives there with her husband so she is also sponsoring us.

I have all the details of their bank and employment gave by my sponsors. I also have my university transcripts and letter of me studying there.

So, there how much chances of me and my mum to get the visa. We have faced refusal in the past but we got the visa upon going through the appeal and then visited the UK and came back on time I have mentioned that in the application.

August 5, 2019 at 7:02 am

Hi Sameer! You and your mother have a fair chance of securing the visa. But I suggest using fewer sponsors. The UK home office runs background checks on your sponsors which can delay your visa process or even lead to refusal if something questionable comes up in those backgrounds. Probably, using your father and sister would be fine.

Dr Sonam says

August 3, 2019 at 9:14 am

Hi Thirumal, I am planning to apply for UK visa (standard visa) for an upcoming exam (by Royal college of surgeons England) in Glasgow in October. I got the visa supporting document from the concerned college.

But I have few issues. We recently shifted to my in-laws place & I joined a new job. My previous salary & income tax returns were very low. I will be travelling with my husband. My husband is not working currently. And I got just 2 months of salary. Our trip will be funded by my father in law (retired). I am really worried about what all documents should we apply so that we get the visa. Thank you.

August 4, 2019 at 9:54 am

Hi Dr. Sonam! You have way too many complications in your application. Some of them are –

– Your income is not sufficient, so you need a sponsor – You are taking your husband with you though your purpose of travel is to sit for an exam – Your husband is unemployed – Your sponsor is not a direct family member (husband, father or mother) – Your sponsor is retired

With so many complications, you are risking your visa. I suggest waiting until you fix the above complications. But if you have to sit for this exam at any cost, I suggest the following –

– Travel to the UK alone. This helps you to prove that you have family (husband) remaining at home during your trip. – Use your own family (father/mother/sibling) to sponsor your trip rather than your father-in-law

August 3, 2019 at 12:13 am

Hey Thirumal, I am planning to visit the UK next year and will be applying from Canada. I recently received my USA visitor visa and will be visiting the USA soon (to create travel history). Are there more chances if I apply in December 2020 (the reason will be Christmas holidays ) as I will be holding work permit so is there more chances of getting the visa from Canada?

August 3, 2019 at 5:24 am

Hi Johny! The chances of securing a UK visa are the same from any country. But the application process is somewhat quicker and less hassle when applied from the US or Canada.

No. Applying for your UK visa in December will not improve your chances.

August 2, 2019 at 7:18 am

Hi Dear, I am really sorry to disturb you but I am really worried about my second UK visa application.

In 2016 I had a UK visiting visa refusal when I planned to visit my uncle who is not my immediate blood relative but he was my sponsor. unfortunately, I did not submit my student ID card as I was unaware that They required my ID card as proof that I was enrolled in my college as a student. In addition, I was not able to show the strong financial ability for the visit as I was an unemployed student at the time of application

But right now I am applying for work visa tier two general visa with all required documents. While filling visa application I had a question “do you have any immediate family in the UK?” I answered that I don’t have any immediate family in the UK, because last time I planned to visit my uncle in the UK, who is not my immediate blood relative. I mentioned this extra info in additional information section in order to avoid unnecessary confusion for assessor.

Anything else do I need to produce? Please help.

August 3, 2019 at 7:35 am

Hi Hannah! When you introduce a new person on your visa application, the home office conducts background checks on them. If there are any red flags in their background, your visa application will be refused. If your uncle is not a relative and not paying for your trip then do not even mention him on the application.

August 3, 2019 at 2:53 pm

But I think if they check on previous visa refusal definitely they will get about my documents, the reason for refusal and the person who sponsored at that time. So if I don’t mention him also eventually they will find him out. But this time my hospital is sponsoring not him? Is that a problem? What I should do then? Please help me.

August 4, 2019 at 9:31 am

If you mention your uncle or not, you will face issues either way since it’s already in the records. Regarding the sponsorship, I don’t know much about work visas as my experience and knowledge are only in tourist visas with tourism intent.

August 1, 2019 at 9:15 pm

Hello Thirumal, my dad is applying for a UK visa and we have been asked to provide proof of our home address as part of the document checklist. Examples being property ownership documents, mortgage statements, tenancy agreements, accountant’s letters and land registration documents. Unfortunately, we have misplaced the property ownership documents and are trying to get the housing corporation to find their copy to give to us. What can we do if we don’t find it before our visa appointment? The only thing we have is a ground rent bill from the Housing corporation which is a yearly charge, can we present this instead?

Second, they have asked about evidence of family members remaining in our home country. I and my brothers are in our forties now, what sort of evidence can we provide?

p.s. my brothers don’t live with my dad, just me, he’s 86 and I look after him. He wants to go to the UK to visit my sister, his grandchildren and my brother who live there.

August 3, 2019 at 4:24 am

Hi Beey! You don’t have to submit the original document. If you have a scanned copy of your property ownership, that will work. If you don’t have that either, then submit the ground rent bill. I don’t know how a ground rent bill works, but I think at least something is better than nothing.

Usually, evidence of spouse, school-going children or elder parents remaining at home works better. You and your brothers are much older to show that you are dependents on your dad.

Partha Sengupta says

August 1, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Hi! I and my wife are applying for a UK visa. We already have collected the required documents like – bank statement, tax return, employment NOC letter, payslips, marriage certificate, etc. But still getting confused about two things,-

We are staying in our in-law’s house, hence the documents (utility bills, etc) are on his name. As a proof of residence we do have our bank account that mentioned the current address. Will it work for the needful? if not what else can we provide?

Secondly, We don’t own any property or land, in that case, is it mandatory to provide “evidence of Assets”? coz we don’t have any.

Can you kindly clarify these doubts? really looking forward to a prompt help, as our tickets are booked in September and really running out of time to submit the documents,

regards Partha

August 3, 2019 at 3:21 am

Hi Partha! It’s not mandatory to provide proof of residence or evidence of assets. But these documents will help prove that you have strong ties with your country, which is absolutely necessary for your UK visa. Otherwise, the ECO would think that you will not return back to your country after your UK trip.

You can compensate the lack of the above documents by being strong in other areas such as employment background, financial solvency and travel history. If you are not strong in your employment background, financial solvency and travel history either, I suggest the following –

– Have at least one utility bill on your name – Have a lease contract from your in-laws – Improve your travel history

August 1, 2019 at 11:25 am

Hi, I currently expired my 5-year visa to the UK. I’m planning to go back for renewal but I can afford another 5 years. Would getting a visa to be affected if I go for 2 years now?

August 2, 2019 at 2:50 pm

Hi John! Not at all. A longer-term visa is only a convenience and will not, in any way, affect your visa result.

August 1, 2019 at 4:23 am

Hi Thirumal, I am really thankful for the valuable input received via this page and especially the knowledge I have received through this page that helped me to secure my visit visa. Keeping in mind I got refused two times before so I was little nervous this time but you came as Angel and the cover letter played major role to secure my visit visa. Thanks again for your support and advice.

August 3, 2019 at 7:46 am

Hi Adbi! You’re welcome and congratulations! I’m glad this page and the cover letter helped you in securing your visa. Have a great trip to the UK!

July 31, 2019 at 10:38 am

Hello Thirumal, I have received a letter from the British army asking me to attend some assessments in September 2019 after which I’ll join the army. I’m planning of using my parent’s bank statement as I am only 24 and finished university last year in December. Which is the best evidence I can present to UK visa as a proof that I shall come back to Kenya apart from booking a to and from flight ticket just in case of anything?

August 1, 2019 at 7:38 am

Hi Sammy! If you are NOT currently working or studying, your visa will likely be refused. If you are currently studying or working, then you have an obligation to return back to Kenya. If not, I can’t think of any evidence that you can show to prove that you will return back.

For financial solvency, yes, you can use your parent’s financial documents.

July 30, 2019 at 3:12 pm

Hello Thirumal. Hope you are doing fine. I am Dr.Rahul. I applied for a standard visitor VISA to take the PLAB examination in the UK. Unfortunately, my application was refused. The reasons stated for my VISA refusal were the lengthy duration of stay and my relationship with my family friend, who extended an invitation to host me throughout my stay.

I am going to reapply again by stating that I will stay for only a few days. I will show a hotel booking confirmation for the same. I will also attach my family friend’s graduation certificate in India and a few pics showing my parents and my family friend together in order to establish our relationship. Would this suffice or should I change my approach?

July 31, 2019 at 9:22 am

Hi Rahul! Do not introduce people that you don’t know well or not directly related on your visa application. The home office conducts background checks on them and issues in their background can lead to your visa refusal.

In your reapplication, write a detailed cover letter explaining the two refusal reasons, adjustments to your itinerary and additional documentation. Explain why you had to shorten your itinerary and additional proofs to show the relationship with your family friend.

Debraj Jash says

July 31, 2019 at 10:03 am

What are you doing at present? I mean your employment? Are you married? How long did you plan to stay in your previous application? Did you mention your friend as the sponsor of the trip? I had a prior history of Spain visa refusal.

Sumeet Sharma says

July 30, 2019 at 8:38 am

Hi! So I had applied for my UK visa in the month of July and I was planning my trip with a friend in September.

My detailed documentation are:-

– I am into my own family business which is a proprietorship company on my father’s name, as per the travel agent’s guidance I declared myself as the employee of the company with an annual salary. – I had shown my father as the sponsor for the trip & attached his docs as well (which are very strong in terms of statements & passport itself). – I had attached my bank statement + ITR too – The mistake I made was to credit the annual salary at once just before applying.

Reasons for refusal are as follows:-

– The annual salary which was credited in lump sum didn’t satisfy them and created a matter of doubts. – Now my letter from the consulate says “any further application for the UK visa would be considered on its individual merits & it is likely to be refused unless the circumstances changes”

Please help me with how to proceed on further or what should be my next step. Thanks!

July 31, 2019 at 11:24 am

Hi Sumeet! Since there won’t be any changes in your circumstances, your reapplication will likely be refused again. Visa refusals stay permanently in your records and can hinder your chances of securing visas for other countries as well.

I suggest refraining from reapplying for your UK visa. Instead take 6+ months to work on your employment background, financial solvency and travel history.

Since you are an employee in your father’s company, wait 6+ months to build your salary history and savings. Make sure your salary is deposited directly into your bank account and is exactly same as in your payslip. Grow your savings slowly but constantly.

Meanwhile, grow your travel history by traveling to visa-free and visa on arrival countries for your passport. Travel history helps immensely for visa applications such as UK, US and Canada.

July 29, 2019 at 1:40 pm

Hi Thirumal, thank you in advance for taking out the time to answer the questions. I am a indian national holding valid USA, Canada visas with a decent travel history. I was issued a UK visit visa in Nov 2018 within 5 days of application and made two trip of 5 days each in last 6 months.

I again applied for a 6 month visit visa on 1st July and received email on 22nd July that your visa application process has not been straighforward. Have written to the UKVI to escalate the issue. The only difference in this application was that my husband transferred large sums from his account to mine, his name is clearly stated on bank statements as remittance sender.

I am getting worried as it will be a month since application. What do you propose can be done. The application is for me & my daughter. I have submitted all the required documents including a letter from her school. We have been living in UAE for last 23 years and have strong ties including property.

August 3, 2019 at 9:52 am

Hi Aksha! Your UK visa application will eventually be approved since you have a decent travel history to the UK and many other countries. But I believe that failing to explain the large deposit has made the home office verify the transactions, contact the bank, etc. This might have delayed your visa process and hence it’s taking longer.

August 9, 2019 at 7:52 am

Thank you Thirumal.

Received an email on 4th August that visa has been issued and SMS on 7th August that passport ready for collection. Collected passport same day and visa received for 6 months.

Your blog was a big mental support as one of your readers on top had a similar “application is Not straightforward” email and then went on receiving the visa.

I had applied for a visit visa to settle my daughter to university in the UK and was getting very worried because of the delay.

Any applicants who receive this email with the delayed decision, please don’t loose hope. The outcome can be positive.

August 9, 2019 at 11:06 am

Great to hear, Aksha! I’m glad your visa is approved. Thanks for your inputs for others in similar situations. Thanks again and have a great trip!

Arijit says

July 29, 2019 at 12:14 pm

I am planning to visit London and Scotland on 9th October 2019 for a vacation of 14 days (includes the two-way journey). I am working in a Spanish Consultancy firm and have an income of 15 lakhs per annum and my wife is a dance teacher running her own dance school and also working in a reputed school in Kolkata as a dance teacher for the last 12 years. We both have travel history in the US, Germany and countries like Thailand, Africa, Bangladesh etc. My wife has travelled multiple times to the UK but with performance VISA for several dance performances and also had been to the US and Canada several times. My queries are:

Since we have purchased a flat two years back we have invested the majority of our FDs and liquid cash towards the purchase. Now for the application, we will be showing liquid cash of 3 lakhs approx (combining both of our savings accounts) and 7 lakhs in PPF, 3 lakhs as Fixed deposits, few LICs and also our flat which is jointly in our name. The figures are combining both of our investments. We will also include our payslips, ITR and other financial documents. Will please let us know whether the amounts which we are showing is enough to get a tourist visa for the UK?

Please note: I have already booked our return tickets and accommodation in London and Scotland.

July 31, 2019 at 10:47 am

Hi Arijit! Usually, a budget of £150 per day per person is good enough for UK visa. For 2 of you for a 14 day itinerary, you would need to show about £4,200 or 3.5 lakh INR. Spending more than half of your savings is a red flag though. But in your case, you can convince the ECO in your cover letter that you already paid for your flights and accommodation, have a very good travel history, own a flat and have fixed deposits. I believe that you both have a fair chance of visa approval.

ademola adefuye says

July 31, 2021 at 8:47 pm

My application was refused recently 29th of July 2021 can I re-apply immediately and also use the same statement account although I deposited some money from my other account to my salary account which I did not add the particular account to my application but I want to add now while I re-apply?

August 3, 2021 at 7:24 am

Hi Ademola! Yes, you can submit bank statements from both accounts but you must explain in your cover letter how they are related and the reason for that large deposit in question.

July 25, 2019 at 3:21 am

I filled up the online application form for UK Visa today. I have my examination center in London to be held on 24th October. I wrongly typed 23 only on one part of the application form. I have all other supporting documents with me. Will this small mistake may result in visa refusal and can I rectify it during my appointment which I have on coming Friday?

I had a prior history of Spain visa rejection in 2013 but thereafter I travelled to six countries including France(2018) and Germany(2014). Also, my friend stays in London. I am giving his passport, invitation letter and residence permit as proof. I have an exam invitation letter, NOC, employment certificate with me. My wife will be staying in Kolkata. I will also give our marriage certificate and her passport as proof. Whether there is any chance of visa refusal?

Thanking You. Dr.Debraj Jash

August 1, 2019 at 11:31 am

Hi Debraj! For the typo, I suggest doing a manual correction before scanning your documents. And then, mention the typo and the manual correction in your cover letter.

In my opinion, your Spain visa rejection should not affect your UK visa application. You have very good employment background, financial solvency, excellent travel history and strong family ties (your wife remaining in your country while you travel). Good luck!

RICKY NEIL says

July 23, 2019 at 1:54 am

My partner and my son have a 2-year visitor visa. They have already visited the UK twice, (once with the latest 2-year visa and once on a previous 6-month visa) Their present visa expires on 7th August 2019. My question is – can they leave the Philippines before the visa expires i.e 4th August 2019 and return after the visa expires i.e 25th August 2019?

Regards, Ricky

July 23, 2019 at 7:08 am

Hi Ricky! Yes, they can enter the UK on the 4th of August (or even on the last day of their visa expiry) and can still get a 180-day entry. The immigration officers at the port of entry will determine the entry period, therefore it can be less than 180 days in certain cases. But seeking a 21-day entry (04 Aug – 25 Aug) should not be a problem.

Faysal says

July 22, 2019 at 3:29 pm

Your blog is a great guide to help people sort out requirements for a successful UK visa application. I hold Pakistani passport and have applied for UK standard visit visa for 6 months along with my wife and one son and it got refused. The reason for refusal is that I have received from my company the amount 4 times more than my monthly salary for the month of may 2019. Although my bank account looks pretty healthy and I am working as commercial manager in a company in UAE for more than 7 years but its also mentioned in reason of refusal that I don’t have strong ties to UAE.

What is your advice if I reapply the standard visit visa for 6 months again explaining the difference of amount that I have been paid annual bonus from the company and this letter should be from my company along with my salar slip? Would it help and any other precaution you advise?

Best Regards with bundle of thanks.

July 23, 2019 at 6:56 am

Hi Faysal! I suggest reapplying for visa with below changes/documents

Large Deposit – Provide documentary evidence for your bonus such as a letter from your employer, bonus payslip, etc – Explain in your cover letter the reason for refusal and the documentary evidence for the deposit.

Strong Ties – Provide rental agreement/contract (if renting) in the UAE – Provide property ownership (if owning properties) in the UAE – Provide receipts of your son’s school fee (if your son is of school-going age) – (IMPORTANT) A leave approval letter from your employer stating the dates of vacation, country of vacation (the UK), the purpose of vacation and most importantly, the date on which you have to report back at work.

July 20, 2019 at 5:17 am

I wish to commend you on the excellent work you are doing via this blog. I recently applied and got a UK visa. This was my first time applying for a UK visit visa.

The information on this blog especially your feedback to people’s questions was very helpful in my preparation.

All I want to say is thank you very much.

Thabo from South Africa.

July 22, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Hi Thabo! I’m glad this blog and my feedback were helpful for your UK visa. Readers like you and comments like these motivate me to do my best. Thanks again!

TAHSEEN DAWAWALA says

July 19, 2019 at 8:45 pm

I have about 6 lakhs in my account. I had made some cash deposits of 50,000 and 35,000 in my account in February this year and then a cheque from my mother of 1,00,000 in March which was a gift. Besides this, I have a steady income of about 50 k every month. Do you think the cash deposit and cheque from my mother will be a problem and could be a reason for visa refusal?

July 22, 2019 at 12:11 pm

Hi Tahseen! Two of those deposits are equal to or more than your monthly income. Those two deposits may be considered as large deposits. If you can provide documentary evidence of those deposits, then there isn’t anything to worry.

Nayiry says

July 19, 2019 at 9:23 am

Hello, my friend has applied for Visitor Visa to UK and submitted all that was needed on May 20, her travel date was 21 July, and till this moment she got no reply (approval or refusal), she had contacted the given phone numbers and emails many times already, and only yesterday she received an email that her case was escalated (although she was told it will be escalated one week ago, on phone), is there any explanation for this case? Obviously, she won’t be able to travel anymore as there is no time to purchase tickets or organize the travel.

July 19, 2019 at 12:05 pm

Hi Nayiry! Usually, the UK visa process takes up to 30 calendar days. Yours has been 60 calendar days already, which is unusual. The only option is to contact their customer support to see if they can figure the delay. I know it costs to contact their customer support, but I don’t see another option.

July 18, 2019 at 5:19 pm

I had applied for a standard visitor visa for a work trip, and have received an entry clearance, is this the same as a visa? How do I get a visa instead?

July 19, 2019 at 2:02 pm

Hi Komal! If you hold a passport from a “non-visa required” country for the UK, you may get an entry clearance to conduct business or remuneration activities such as a job. Without more information, I cannot say much. Please answer the below questions –

1. What country passport do you hold? 2. The entry clearance you have received is a document or a sticker in your passport? 3. Your purpose of the trip is to conduct business (meetings, conference, etc) or work in the UK (job)?

July 19, 2019 at 4:32 pm

1) I hold an Indian passport 2) Entry clearance is a sticker on my passport 3) My purpose is to visit my current employer’s head office for a period of 35 days to attend business meetings and get on the job training.

Is an entry clearance sufficient for this? Thanks

July 22, 2019 at 11:07 am

I see. Yes, your Entry Clearance is sufficient for your trip. Visas for purposes other than “visiting” are simply called “Entry Clearance” which are also visas. Therefore, your entry clearance is your visa and that is all you need. Enjoy your trip!

July 18, 2019 at 1:20 pm

Thanks for this useful thread.

We are applying for visitor visa for my parents for 6 months. The purpose of the visit is to spend time with our family and visit the places in UK. We are sponsoring them completely and have shown enough funds. I have mentioned the travel back date 176 days after entry date. Will this affect their application? Due to the dates I put in the form I need to maintain the same return date in invitation letter. Can the stay be entire six months? Please advice.

Also my father is retired and they have enough income through the interests from the savings deposits. Is it enough?

Kindly help me in handling this.

July 19, 2019 at 1:48 pm

Hi Meena! 176 days is too long and it can raise questions. It can appear to the ECO that your parents will be living in the UK rather than visiting. I suggest reducing their itinerary. If your parents are retired, a 90 days itinerary is fine. But 176 days is just too long.

Though you are sponsoring their expenses, your parents have to show that they have some income of their own. Since your father has his income through interests, they should be fine.

July 19, 2019 at 5:49 pm

Thanks for replying. I entered the dates as such in the online application. Hence unable to change now. They have an appointment on Monday. Just keeping fingers crossed.

July 22, 2019 at 12:07 pm

Alright! Hope your application goes through! Good luck!

Lavish Pate says

July 16, 2019 at 5:31 am

I want to apply for Group Visitor Visa Application for UK Trip. I have following confusion regarding Visa Application.

1. Can we submit a single cover letter for 4 Applicant or submit individually? If you have cover letter format then please share me. Please note that I am unable to download it from mentioned weblink https://gumroad.com/l/useu provided by you. I am ready to purchase it.

2. My father is a retired Agriculture Farmer and has sufficient fund & balance. So what document should I present as a proof of retired farmer?

3. I have a sufficient fund as a fixed deposit in the bank. is it acceptable? If I withdraw/overdraft this big amount of Fixed deposit and transfer it into saving account then what documents should I present for big lodgement of money in saving account and is it acceptable?

4. What documents are required for Minor Visa Application if minor want to visit without parents? If you have a consent letter format then please share me.

5. Are Air Ticket, Hotel Ticket, Travel Insurance, Health Checkup (Especially for senior citizen), Tuberculosis Test (For Minor) mandatory for UK Visitor Visa?

July 19, 2019 at 9:33 am

1. You have to submit an individual cover letter for each of the applicants. Applications may not be processed together. Therefore, you have to supply a complete set of documents for each of the applicants. 2. You have to provide documentation that proves that your father is an agricultural farmer, but I am not familiar with the exact documentation needed. 3. Liquidating fixed deposits just for the visa will not work. They will certainly raise “large deposit” issues. 4. You have to provide a consent letter from the parents (or legal guardian). Also, documentation proof to show the relationship between the minor and primary traveler. 5. No. You may be asked to provide flight reservations and hotel bookings. But health checkups and tests are not required for the UK visitor visa.

July 12, 2019 at 10:10 pm

Hello, it’s more than 30 days I applied for UK 6 months tourist visa and have not heard from them. What do you think I should do and what could be happening?

July 16, 2019 at 1:26 am

Hi Tosh! UK visa application process takes up to 30 calendar days. If you haven’t heard anything back from them, then you can contact their customer service. But keep in mind that you have to pay to contact their customer service.

Sourav says

July 11, 2019 at 7:14 pm

Hi Thirumal! Not a question per se, just wanted to let you know that I have received my UK Standard Visitor Visa & your help was invaluable throughout the process! Thank you so much!

July 12, 2019 at 12:52 pm

Hi Sourav! That’s awesome. Congratulations! I’m glad I was helpful.

Have a great trip!

Kashif says

July 16, 2019 at 2:08 pm

Hi Sourav, just wondering in which country did you apply?

July 10, 2019 at 2:51 pm

I have followed all the mentioned points and collected all evidence document to prove these 11 reasons. My UK visa got approved within 15 days and delivered to me in 2 working days.

I can’t thank you enough. Appreciate your help and information.

July 10, 2019 at 6:08 pm

Hi Don! That’s fantastic! I’m glad the points I mentioned here were helpful. Congratulations and enjoy your trip!

July 10, 2019 at 10:03 am

Hi Thirumal. I got a mail from the British High Commission saying a decision has been made on my application & my passport would now be returned to the VFS center “to process and forward to you in accordance with your instructions to them”. But it doesn’t state whether the decision is a yay or nay. Anyway, I can find out if the application was rejected or approved without having to wait for my passport?

July 11, 2019 at 5:32 pm

Hi Sourav! Your UK visa decision will not be disclosed in the email notification. You have to wait to receive your passport. If approved, there will be UK visa sticker. If not, there will be a visa refusal letter enclosed.

Sophie says

July 7, 2019 at 9:21 am

Hello Thirumal, It has been 14 working days since I submitted my application to VFS Global in UAE and I am still waiting for the Visa outcome. Usually how many days does it take to get a message from VFS regarding passport collection? Also kindly clarify if calling the UK Immigration office be helpful and will they will be able to track my application and give the current status? Your prompt feedback will be highly appreciated.

July 11, 2019 at 5:47 pm

Hi Sophie! UK visa application process can take up to 30 calendar days. UK visa customer service is very expensive to call and they are not helpful. They will not provide you with the status.

July 5, 2019 at 10:18 am

Hello Thirumal, Do you know which documents can demonstrate you have sufficiently strong ties outside the UK that would serve as an incentive for me to leave the UK at the end? That’s the reason which I got VISA refusal email today. PS: I have a permanent EU resident card and live in Slovakia. Thank you.

July 5, 2019 at 7:55 pm

Hi Kika! You must have the following to demonstrate that you have strong ties with Slovakia.

– Full-Time employment for at least 2 years – Source of income sufficient for your expenses and savings – Slowly and constantly growing savings in your account – Enough savings in your bank to support your UK trip – Decent travel history (no visa refusals or overstays) – Economic ties with Slovakia (ownership of properties, etc) – Family ties with Slovakia (family remaining at home while you take the UK trip)

If you lack in one or two, you are fine. But if lack in too many, it can be a problem.

July 4, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Query for a Friend who is under process of UK visa!

Would like to know the dependent birth certificate is mandatory to process UK visa? If can we proceed with birth certificate affidavit were Date & Month mismatching in the birth certificate and Passport – year is same.!

July 5, 2019 at 9:13 pm

Hi Ani! A birth certificate is not mandatory. You can provide any document that proves the relationship. If the birth certificate is the only document and birth date/month is mismatching with passport, I suggest getting that fixed first, either in the birth certificate or passport. I’m not sure if an affidavit would work in explaining the error.

Lavish Patel says

July 4, 2019 at 8:48 am

Hello Sir, I want to apply for the UK Visitor Visa. I have the following concerns regarding UK Visitor Visa Application.

1. Regarding Bank Statement, can we submit the Bank Balance statement on bank letterhead rather than submission of online self-generated bank statement? 2. For Minor Visitor Visa application, is it mandatory to present consent letter from parents if children want to visit with maternal grandparents?

July 5, 2019 at 9:09 pm

Hi Lavish! 1. You can, but it must show beginning balance, transactions and ending balance. Balances and transactions are more important. 2. Yes, a consent letter from the parents must be provided. Also, a relationship document for child-parent and parent-grandparent.

Mandeep MM says

July 3, 2019 at 12:26 pm

This was super helpful! Could you please also share an example template of the “cover letter” for reference – this will help in understanding how detailed it should be before one applies for the visa??

July 4, 2019 at 8:11 pm

Hi Mandeep! I used to share the cover letter freely to everyone before but it was abused. Currently, it’s only available for purchase. You can purchase it here if you are interested.

July 3, 2019 at 12:40 am

Hi, I submitted my application in Toronto for a 2-year visitor visa earlier today, but just realized my outgoing flight is booked for a day earlier than I realized, so all the documents (invitation letter from my friend, employment no objection letter) are a day off. What would you advise in this situation?

July 5, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Hi Maria! I think you are fine. The ECOs know that the provided flight itineraries are held temporarily and you will book your tickets after your visa. So, if they are off by one day, it should be fine.

Adenaiya oluwaseun says

July 1, 2019 at 11:34 am

Good morning, a country entered a wrong entry date on my passport, which I didn’t notice during the visit. It was later I saw it. Can that affect my UK visa?

July 4, 2019 at 7:41 pm

Hi Adenaiya! It won’t since it’s not your mistake. When you enter the dates in your travel history, make sure your entry date matches with the entry date on your passport.

Sastani says

July 1, 2019 at 9:49 am

Hi Thirumal! Is there an email address I can write to you personally on, please? I have an urgent matter, please.

Thanks, Sastani

July 4, 2019 at 7:38 pm

Hi Sastani! Sure! You can find my email and contact information on the “Contact” page.

Tahseen says

June 30, 2019 at 7:16 pm

How much bank balance should I show if I’m traveling with my child for a 14-day trip? My sister stays in the UK who would be providing me accommodation for the visit. I have maintained a balance of about 5 lakh for the past 6 months. Should that be fine?

July 4, 2019 at 6:29 pm

Hi Tahseen! In my opinion, a budget of £150 GBP per day per person is good enough. Also, it’s safe to have double the budget in your savings. A savings of 7 lakh rupees would be good. Since your saving is 5 lakh, I suggest reducing your itinerary to 10 days to be on the safe side.

Raj Cheriyan Vadana says

June 30, 2019 at 2:45 am

I am expected to travel to the UK in the coming days for an in-person meeting at an organization in the UK. The duration of the visit should not exceed 4 days. I have also travelled to 3 different countries in the last 10 years including the UK on a dependent visa and has lived there for 2 years on this visa before returning back to India.

Though I have obtained an employment letter from my employer, it only says that I am employed with the organization for about 6 years and the letter is issued for a “visa application”. It doesn’t explicitly mention that the visa application is for the UK and my leave is granted. Will this be an issue as my trip is only for 3-4 days?

My invitation letter is issued by the HR coordinator of a well-known organization in the UK. Still, should I get his/ her bank statements or utility bills?

July 4, 2019 at 6:17 pm

Hi Raj! What you currently have is an “employment letter”. You would also need “leave approval letter”. A leave approval letter is not mandatory but from my experience, it’s a powerful document which emphasizes your obligation to return back after the trip.

It depends on who is paying for the trip. If you are paying for your trip, you would need to submit your financial documentation. If the organization in the UK is paying for your trip, then you have to submit their financial documents as well as yours.

June 28, 2019 at 7:12 pm

Hello Sir, I attended my appointment on 10/06/2019 and submitted all my documents. I was giving a receipt for collection without a specific date, my travel date is 08/07/2019. Please should I go to the TLScontact to check? Your advise will help.

July 2, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Daniel! UK visa process can take up to 30 days. Since your travel dates are approaching, I suggest contacting TLS to check on the status.

Rajan Kanda says

June 27, 2019 at 8:41 pm

Hi Thirumal! I have applied for a visa for my father in law. In the section where it says have you been refused a visa before, I put No. But he was refused a visa around 19 years ago. Since then he has a new passport. Will this be ok?

June 28, 2019 at 6:31 pm

Hi Rajan! You must enter his visa rejection even though it was 19 years ago. If the application doesn’t allow you to enter a date past 10 years, then you can skip it. But if the application allows you to select the date 19 years ago, then you must enter his visa rejection.

S Singh says

June 27, 2019 at 10:50 am

Hi! That’s really a very very helpful post. Thanks for sharing.

I am working as a Software Engineer in a small company of 2 people in India having only one client which is based in the UK. The client wants me to be in the UK for about 10 days for training purposes related to the software I am working on. So I am going to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa in July’2019.

I have a couple of questions:

1. I have planned to visit the UK with my family i.e. my wife(not working) and 2 minor kids(7 years old, 1-year-old). One of them is school going. There will be 4 off days during my visit (2 Saturdays and 2 Sundays) and I am planning to get them around during those off days. Can taking my family with me on the trip go in favour OR against for getting a VISA?

2. Do I need to furnish some sort of letter/document to state that I’ll be financially supporting my family there?

3. Do I need to furnish some sort of letter/document from school as a NOC for my school going daughter?

4. Usually, sponsorship letter is from the employer but in my case as my employer’s company is small and the client is ready to pay for my accommodation and travel expenses; would it be ok If a furnish sponsorship letter from the client(based in the UK) instead of my employer?

5. Will I need to furnish the balance sheet of my client’s company to show that the client is capable of supporting me there?

6. If Invitation Letter, Sponsorship Letter, Balance Sheet of the client are given as supporting document; then is there any document needed from my employer apart from No Objection Letter?

7. Will 3 months of bank statement showing regular income be enough?

8. I am earning a salary of 60000 Rs./month which is being credited in my account. There was a deposit of Rs. 32500 in May’19 in my salary account from my wife’s savings account. It was done for buying AC and Medical policy renewal. Do I need to provide some sort of documentation so that it does not fall under “Large undocumented deposits in your bank account”? OR Rs. 32500 is not considered as “large amount”?

9. As mentioned in one of my previous comments, I am being sponsored by a UK company; I don’t have much in my savings account, but I do have investments in Mutual Funds in lacs. Will I need to liquidate some of the money in my savings account to show that I have enough to spend during my visit and furnish document of this large deposit OR mutual fund investment are also good to show access to my money?

Just to mention, I have a travel history of visiting the UK twice back in 2008 and 2009 on a business VISA which is now changed to “Standard Visitor VISA”.

Thanks.. S Singh

June 28, 2019 at 9:09 pm

Hi S Singh! Since there is a lot of personal information in your question, I have changed your name to S Singh to keep your question somewhat anonymous. Hope that’s ok with you.

1. I usually suggest keeping business and pleasure separate. It adds unnecessary complications when combined. For example, you have to provide all your documents, your employer documents and your client documents. If you are taking your family with you, then you have to provide your own financial documents, marriage certificate, birth certificates, school fee receipts, etc. That is a ton of documentation which could easily lead to the ECO overlooking some of it. Sometimes VOs overlook crucial documents and make decisions without them. You can’t blame them when the application looks like a 200-page binder.

2. Yes. Your client is only paying for you to be in the UK. Your family expenses are your own responsibility and you have to furnish evidence that you can support your family while they are in the UK. This includes the following documentation

– Your employment proofs – Your financial proofs – Your relationship to the family member – A letter from you stating that you will bear their expenses while they are in the UK

3. No. Not required. But you have to provide a set of above documentation for each of your family member. Sometimes applications are processed separately and you have to provide a set of documents for each applicant. Since there is no option to link applications, you must also provide the GWF numbers of other family members in each of the cover letters.

4. Yes. It’s absolutely fine. But you have to show proof that your client is a client for your company.

5. Yes. You have to provide financial documentation from your client. This is tricky as some companies do not like to disclose their financial statements.

6. Yes. They have to provide the documentation to show that your client is a client for them. Any client contracts, agreements, etc will work.

7. I think it’s 6 months. But refer to the checklist from the UKVI.

8. Yes. The deposit is more than half of your monthly salary. So it is large.

9. Similar to a large deposit, liquidating your mutual funds would seem that you have inflated your bank account for your visa. If you are not taking your family with you, low balance in your account is not an issue. But if you are taking your family with you, then you have to have a decent source of income, slowly growing savings and a decent ending balance.

Since you have a travel history to the UK, you will not have any issues securing a visa for the UK. But taking your family with you can add unnecessary complications. You may still have a fair chance but things can get a bit complicated.

peggylove says

June 26, 2019 at 11:07 am

When applying and you made a mistake in the date. You have been invited for a program which is in 2019 but you made a mistake of typing 2018, will that affect you getting the visa?

June 26, 2019 at 10:17 pm

Hi Peggylove! Yes, it can affect your visa result. If you haven’t submitted your application yet, then I suggest explaining the mistake in your cover letter. If you have already submitted your application, there isn’t much you can do. You just have to wait for the result.

Abhinav Sharma says

June 25, 2019 at 7:02 pm

Thanks so much for the Information Thirumal, I have few other doubts which are as follows: 1. Should I mention my layover at Turkey underTourism or Transit?

2. I am traveling for a Conference there and my College is completely funding me for the same under student foreign travel assistance scheme. Should I show the total required amount for the trip same as the funding I am receiving and which is also reflected in my Bank statement?

3. Should I choose the purpose of visit as Business and the main reason as Other (which I further explain in space provided)

4. My parents passed away during my childhood and I don’t know their dates of birth and there is no way I can know that. Should I fill some arbitrary date for the same?

June 26, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Abhinav!

1. Mention it as Transit. 2. Yes. Show all amounts the same. That way, there won’t be any confusion. 3. Yes. Explain that you are attending a conference. 4. Yes. You can use arbitrary dates for your parents’ date of birth.

Omobolanle says

June 25, 2019 at 1:42 pm

Hi Thirumal, My UK visa application was just refused. Reasons are as follows:

My brother whom I claimed to be my sponsor did not pick his call likewise myself (my brother was no vacation to Rome when he was called and I was out of the city to where there was no network on official assignment).

The balance on my bank statement is too huge compared to what I claim to earn as monthly salary (this account is actually my investment account which I have been saving for some couple of years now and also generating interest, also I do catering business, though not registered and my ex-husband pays my children’s school fees and monthly allowance). Please advise me, it was stated that I cannot appeal. Any options available or when can I reapply. Thank you

June 26, 2019 at 11:04 pm

Hi Omobolanle! Yes, all the people you have introduced in your application including yourself must be available when the home office contacts. If your phone service is capable to receive voice mail, the home office usually leaves a message saying that they have called.

You have too many complications with your financial documentation. With such complications, it’s highly unlikely to have your visa approved. If it’s not urgent, I suggest opening a bank account solely for your salary deposits. Wait for 6 or more months and then use this bank account for your UK visa. If you can’t wait, then provide documentary evidence for all non-salary deposits in your bank account.

There is no appeal. You can only reapply.

June 25, 2019 at 5:44 am

Hi, I have a technical issue while applying for UK visa. last year en route Belgium I transited through Istanbul, Turkey wherein I entered and exited on the same day. When I am trying to enter these details the system doesn’t take the same entry and exit date. It says ‘enter an end date that is after the start date’. What should I do?

June 25, 2019 at 6:17 pm

Hi Abhinav! There is no definitive answer to this question. My suggestion is to select the next day as your end date. Then mention in your cover letter that you entered and exited Turkey on the same day and couldn’t enter the same day as the application did not allow. Refer to the comment from “Karthik” in this article. I have explained in detail.

Amit Singh says

June 25, 2019 at 3:27 am

Hi Thirumal

I’m a British national living in India. I got married to an Indian girl and am visiting England for the first time with her for my cousin’s wedding. I have a sponsor letter from my uncle who is organizing the wedding for his son. He has also sent me his property documents, bank statements and salary slips. In addition, I have put my property papers in India plus bank statements and ITR returns in the application. You have mentioned giving a detailed itinerary in your article but my uncle has advised me to say you are visiting to attend the wedding in the family and for the rest of the month will be staying with them only. Are you sure I should put a detailed itinerary?

June 25, 2019 at 6:02 pm

Complication 1 If you are paying for your trip, there is no need to provide your uncle’s financial documents. If you do, the home office will verify those documents and it may cause delays in the process. It can lead to visa refusal as well since a lot of moving pieces are involved.

Complication 2 If you are already married and plan to spend a month in the UK, the home office would assume that your wife has plans to live in the UK. They may ask you to apply for a spouse visa instead of a visitor visa. If you are only planning to spend, say 10 days for the wedding, it sounds more realistic to the ECO. A visitor visa is appropriate in that case.

Regarding your uncle’s advice There are exceptions and the ECO might be fine for you both spending a month at your uncle’s. My experience and advice are mostly for those intending to visit the UK for “tourism” intent. Spending a month in the UK as a tourist requires to have a strong purpose, financial solvency and an employer approved time off.

June 23, 2019 at 10:04 am

Dear Thirumal, Thank you for all your kind assistance here. God bless.

I got a huge bank finance loan in my salary account from the bank with documentation and it is over 5 to 6 months which I transferred from my salary account to current/ savings account. Do I have to explain that in my letter since it might not show in the printed statement of account? I am trying to avoid the issue of money lodgement. But I get monthly deduction plan from my salary account for the repayment of the loan.

June 23, 2019 at 8:01 pm

Hi Rapheal! Only large deposits are an issue. But monthly deductions (loan payments) are not an issue. You don’t really need to mention the monthly loan payments in your cover letter.

June 26, 2019 at 11:13 am

Thank you so much. But should I attach loan documents/agreement received from bank to my application? I was thinking of attaching loan documents could be part of home ties. I have the loan in my savings account and I also transfer from my salary account to the same savings account monthly to increase the funds.

June 26, 2019 at 10:32 pm

You have two bank accounts. If you attach statements from these accounts, then you have to provide documentary evidence of transactions made between these accounts. All of this along with your loan documents could be too much documentation. Too much documentation leads to ECOs overlooking crucial documentation. It can also complicate your case as too many moving pieces are involved.

For home ties, you can attach your home/property documentation. Loan documents are not necessary.

June 22, 2019 at 1:00 pm

This is as a follow up to my previous comment for using FD as maintenance funds. I could not reply to the thread due to some reason.

Would it qualify if I had a letter from the bank saying that the money can be liquidated at any time? Would that work?

June 23, 2019 at 8:08 pm

Hi Nikhil! That’s a very specific question and only an ECO knows the answer. But as far as I know, they would like to see liquid cash in your account.

Ali Daud says

June 20, 2019 at 9:10 am

Hi Dear. Thanks so much for such a piece of detailed information. Really, it’s like most critical info and no one can find it at one place.

I need small help of yours. I am planning on visiting the UK with Family. I have my spouse brother in the UK holding a UK passport. We will be visiting him and couple of other cities. But he is not sponsoring my visit. I am sponsoring at my own. Should I mention him in visa application and show his UK passport, his bills, etc or should I just not mention him at all? Can immigration people know that we hide some info? If I show him, what are the pros and cons? He said that I should show hotel bookings instead of mentioning him for residency.

Further and last questions, I am working as consultant remotely for US company. I am attaching the employment certificate. I will be taking my Laptop with me. But should I mention in the application that I will not be working there? Should I show some leave approval document from my manager so that they know that I will not work?

Please help out. Your guidance is like gold. I really appreciate it.

June 23, 2019 at 8:59 pm

Hi Ali! You don’t need to provide any documents from him. But you must answer “Yes” to the question “Do you have any friends or family in the UK?” and provide his details. That’s about it.

From your side, provide your – Employment proofs (employment letter, leave approval letter and payslips) – Financial solvency (bank statements) – Travel history (copy of all pages in your old and new passport that has visas and stamps) – Social ties (property ownership, etc) – Family ties (proof that some family will remain home while you are on the trip) – Cover letter (clearly mention your purpose of travel, day-to-day itinerary, your employment situation, financial standing, travel history, travel companions, obligation to return back to your country, etc)

I suggest two things – Make sure you provide a leave approval letter. This is a powerful document. – Do not carry your work laptop on your vacation. Carry only a personal laptop.

June 19, 2019 at 1:56 pm

This is the 2nd time I am sending a message but nothing heard from you.

I have had my biometric done since 15th of May for Renewal. As I have been to the UK severally and other countries US inclusive. I still have a valid US visa on my passport whilst my 5year UK Visa expired in February 2019. I have applied for 10years renewal and uptil now nothing has been heard as it’s past a month already. Do you think something is wrong or why is it taking so long

June 19, 2019 at 5:01 pm

Hi Gyde! I apologize for not responding to your first message. There are 100s of comments on this article pending for my approval and response. Some of the comments are a life story in itself. It takes me immense time to understand, analyze, research and respond. Probably your comment is somewhere in those pending ones and I will get to it eventually.

UK visa process takes up to 30 days and in some cases even longer. Especially, due to the cricket world cup, the ECOs will be swamped with a large volume of visa applications. I suggest giving it another week and then contact their customer service for an update.

Uday Sharma says

June 19, 2019 at 1:04 pm

Hi Thirumal I applied for Schengen visa with Sweden Embassy under ‘visiting friends & family’ category, it got rejected stating that “your intention to leave the territory of member states could not be ascertained”. I appealed with few more documents, after sending a few follow-up emails, I got a reply that “Your appeal is under processing at the Migration Court in Gothenburg. You will be informed about the decision by email.”

I have my flights booked for 30th July, till when should I wait to re-apply freshly?

Your inputs would be highly appreciable.

June 19, 2019 at 4:49 pm

Hi Uday! I assume you must wait for your appeal decision before you apply again. Contact and put some pressure on them to expedite your appeal as you are running out of time. If they say they need more time, ask if you can withdraw your appeal and apply again freshly.

June 20, 2019 at 5:33 am

Thank you Thirumal! Can you guide me on how to reach out to migration court of Gothenburg? I mean is there any email-id specifically or I should email to where I appealed originally – ‘[email protected]’

Can you please also suggest any good visa-consultant in Delhi who can help me with a fresh application?

June 23, 2019 at 9:07 pm

Hi Uday! I have no idea. I suggest contacting the VFS office.

I don’t know any visa consultants in Delhi. I’m against using travel or visa agents for tourist visas. They are not competent.

June 19, 2019 at 10:12 am

Hi, Hope you’re okay!

I was rejected an E2 Visa for the United States for work purposes, under 214(b) – this was due to the officer stating the type of visa was right for my level of expertise and it was the incorrect visa for me which I completely understood. My concern is that I am travelling to Singapore next week (for leisure) and was curious as to whether this US Visa rejection will have an impact in terms of travelling to other places outside of the US and whether I should prepare anything prior to travel and landing in Singapore or if this will only have an impact on my future travel to the US?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

June 19, 2019 at 4:52 pm

Hi James! Your US visa refusal will not impact your “travel” to any country (including Singapore). Your US visa refusal may affect your visa applications for the UK, Canada, etc. (if at all you need visas for those countries).

Bibian says

June 19, 2019 at 8:53 am

Hi good morning! I have applied for the UK visa twice and was refused the problem is that I can’t remember the reason for the refusal. I want to apply again what do I do?

June 19, 2019 at 4:16 pm

Hi Bibian! If you do not remember the reason for refusal, you can just mention that you don’t remember the reason anymore.

June 19, 2019 at 2:00 am

Hi Thirumal, thank you for your information This blog is very helpful. I’ve got my UK tourist Visa after being refused for 3 times :)

June 19, 2019 at 3:55 pm

Hi AG! That’s fantastic! I’m glad this blog was helpful to you. Congratulations and have a great trip!

June 19, 2019 at 12:15 am

Thank you for your help I just have one question, I recently got a large deposit which was an insurance claim, if my balance on statement includes part of it and am able to justify with a letter from insurers will it affect my application for visa?

June 19, 2019 at 3:53 pm

Hi Lixo! It WILL NOT affect your visa application if you justify the large deposit with documentary evidence (letter from insurers, etc).

June 18, 2019 at 8:47 pm

Really useful guidelines. Appreciated your efforts in preparing this list. I have biometrics appointment tomorrow in the USA and need to send docs to the consulate in 5 days. I am preparing a cover letter as per your guideline.

My query: (As per the form) Your planned travel information Date you plan to arrive in the UK: 4 September 2019 How long do you intend to stay in the UK?: 0 months and 8 days

Under the Accommodation section: I have mentioned one hotel details from 4th September to 8th September (which is 4 days) In my leave approval letter: I would like to take time off between 04/09 – 11/09. I will resume my work on 12/09 (which is 8 days as filled in UK application form)

1) Can I book the same hotel or next two days – 9th and 10th September or is it fine?

2) Will that create any confusion if I attach separate hotel booking for 2 days or do I need to mention something in the cover letter regarding those 2 days

By the way, I am an indian citizen and currently in the USA on a valid work permit.

June 19, 2019 at 3:50 pm

1) I suggest showing hotel booking/bookings for your entire say in the UK. You can book the same hotel or a different hotel for those additional 2 days. It won’t cause any issues. 2) It won’t be an issue as people change their travel plans and end up with multiple hotel bookings. But to be on the safe side, you can add a note to your cover letter that you booked two hotels as you adjusted your travel dates.

June 19, 2019 at 4:27 pm

Thanks for your suggestion. I will change the cover letter accordingly. I have one more query.

1) I am renting a house currently in the USA. I am renting the same apartment on a monthly basis hence I don’t have long term signed agreement. However, I can share the last 6 months Rental statement. It has appropriate information like my name, address and amount charged. The same amount deduction is showing up in bank statement. 2) Also, I have renters insurance document which is signed for 1 year. 3) Last 6 months Utility bills (like Electricity, Internet connection) are on my name with the correct address which I can provide.

Please suggest, above 3 documents will work for “Home Address”. Do I still need to check “Evidence of assets” for a rental apartment?

June 23, 2019 at 10:08 pm

Yes, you can use rental statements, renters insurance and utility bills for your proof of address. One thing though, I’m not familiar with the updated checklist of documents for UK visa. The checklist is now different for different countries. Can you please email me with the checklist so I can correctly point out the right documents? You can find my email on the Contact page.

June 18, 2019 at 6:45 pm

Hello, Thanks in advance for your valuable inputs. I have some doubts 1. Is travel history to UK mandatory for US visit 2. How much savings we should show for US /Europe visit 3. How many months in advance we can apply visa for US/UK travel

Intend to travel to the US and UK in the order of whichever possible first

June 19, 2019 at 3:40 pm

1. No. Prior travel to UK is not required for US visa. But, having some travel history (any country) will help in securing visas for the UK, US or Schengen. 2. You don’t need to show any savings for the US. The US VOs will not ask for any documentation including bank statements. They rely on other ways to verify the applicant’s source of income. For Schengen, about 150 EUR per day would be good enough. 3. For the US visa, you can apply anytime. But for the UK visa, you can only apply max 3 months in advance.

Emelia Attigah says

June 18, 2019 at 4:32 pm

Hello Sir, I and my husband work in the same company and we are entitled to fully yearly paid vacation abroad. We intend to visit Germany and a friend of ours is ready to provide us accommodation but the rest is taking care of by our company. Please, do we have to present separate documents such as company financial statements, tax clearance certificate, company registration documents and cover letter since we are applying together? Your advice will be useful.

June 23, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hi Emelia! Yes, each of you must provide all necessary documents as visas are issued on individual merit. You both can submit your visa applications together but have to provide a separate set of documents for each application.

Dilnoza says

June 18, 2019 at 11:39 am

Hi Thirumal, I only have 1 page left in my passport. And that is not back and front. Just a single page with visa stamp at the back of it. Is that ok or do I need to have more available pages?

June 18, 2019 at 4:35 pm

Hi Dilnoza! It depends on the ECO. If the ECO thinks that there isn’t enough space in your passport, they may send your passport back or refuse the visa. So, do not take chances. Renew your passport before your UK visa application.

June 18, 2019 at 6:43 am

Thanks Thirumal for information. I am planning not to use any VFS service and Send the documents to Newyork Visa office, directly using UPS along with 2 return labels one for me and my wife. Would that work?

Hi Ronak! You have to follow the procedure. If you are asked to send your documents only via VFS, then you have to do so. If you send them directly to the consulate, they may accept them.

I’m not aware of the current procedure for the UK visa in the US. When I applied for my UK visa in the US in 2014, there was no VFS. Even biometrics were taken by the USCIS (US government) processing center. Therefore, read through the instructions and follow the procedure.

June 17, 2019 at 7:24 pm

Hi Thirumal, Thank you so much for your great advice. I just got my 6 months tourist visa and this is my first time applying.

June 18, 2019 at 4:27 pm

Hi Ijay! Congratulations and thanks for the update! I apologize for not responding to some of your previous comments. I’m swamped with 100s of comments on this article and each comment is a unique case in itself. It is taking much longer for me to analyze, research and respond to each of those comments.

Congratulations again and enjoy your trip!

June 17, 2019 at 7:28 am

I have been staying in the US on an H1B work visa for the past 3 years. I & my wife have finished our biometrics for UK visa, and I need to send all the document in 5 days. I have the following questions –

1. My wife is dependent on me, and I will be sponsoring her trip. I read at a couple of places that I need to include my GWF number on her application and her GWF on my application, but I am not sure, which part of my application I can mention the GWF number. Should it be on the cover letter itself? I can not find any remark section on the UK visa application form. Also, should we have different cover letters? Also, do I need to include my financial documents as part of her application, to signify that I am sponsoring her trip?

2. Since we are going together, can we simply make 2 small envelopes and send them together with one cover letter, inside one larger envelope as a courier?

3. Can I simply purchase a UPS round trip courier, where I can send forms directly via UPS to New York office along with a return label?

June 17, 2019 at 10:22 pm

1. There is no place on the application to mention each other’s GWF numbers. Your only option is to mention them in your cover letter. Use subheading in your cover letter to mention each other’s GWF numbers. Example:

Travel Companions – I will be traveling with my husband – I and my husband are applying for the UK visas together. His visa application details are as follows – Name: {your name} – GWF Number: {your GWF number}

Yes, each of you will attach a cover letter of your own Yes, your wife has to attach your employment proofs, your financial documents, your US H1B visa and marriage certificate

2. Yes. You can send both applications together in one package.

3. Yes. You can request both passports to be sent back together in a single package.

June 17, 2019 at 12:58 am

Hi Avijit, last year I and my brother applied and we received such an email. It means 1) your application is in a complex state, extra background checks need do be done, (2) it will take longer to be concluded (3) give them time to decide on it there is nothing you can do. My brother got the visa and I didn’t.

June 17, 2019 at 9:39 pm

Thanks Ismah! I will let Avijit know.

Avijit says

June 16, 2019 at 5:06 am

I have received a message “your application processing has not been straightforward” while my application for a Visitor Visa is under process on 12th June. I had given my biometric on 28th May. Their customer service is like a sucker pump only for money, not for any tangible information. Do you have any comment on such wordings?

June 16, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Hi Avijit! I have never seen that kind of message. I have no idea what that means.

June 17, 2019 at 9:41 pm

Response to your query from another reader, Ismah – “Hi Avijit, last year I and my brother applied and we received such an email. It means 1) your application is in a complex state, extra background checks need do be done, (2) it will take longer to be concluded (3) give them time to decide on it there is nothing you can do. My brother got the visa and I didn’t.”

Ismah Nsubuga says

June 15, 2019 at 2:51 pm

Emergency. Hi bro Thirumal, I’m to submit my application on 17/06/2019. My only issue is I’m not sure how to arrange my supporting documents ready for scanning kindly advise soonest. Thanks.

June 16, 2019 at 9:23 pm

Hi Ismah! The VFS staff will arrange your documents, scan and upload them for you. They charge a fee for this. If you want to avoid any mistakes with the document upload, I suggest taking the help of VFS staff.

Ashutosh says

June 15, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Thanks for this post and answering all the queries, it is really helpful. I too have a query, could you kindly help me at earliest.

My wife and I had applied for Visa last month. She applied for Tier-2 Work Permit and I applied as Tourist as I wish to accompany her. She got her Visa approved just last week and I received mine yesterday and it is rejected for me.

Now I am planning to re-apply but with fast track application as her travel date is approaching.

The rejection reasons as mentioned in the letter are quoted here: 1) “I am not satisfied that you are a genuine visitor and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit or that you have sufficient funds available to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit whilst in the UK.” 2) “I am also not satisfied that your sponsor can and will provide the support to you for the intended duration of your stay.”

First thing I missed was the NOC from my employer, which I will request and add this time to mention my absence and return to work. I have a question on the second thing about the insufficient funds. Last time I had submitted my bank statement having 3.5 Lakh INR and also Certificate of Sponsorship which my wife got which mentions the salary promised to her whilst her stay in UK. Now during re-application, could I only show the Certificate of Sponsorship Or do I need to show some bank balance also, if Yes, then whose, mine or my wife’s and how much should be the minimum balance? I have some good amount in US dollars but in cash, could I show that by any means?

Also, I had already attached cover letter mentioning my wife is working and will be supporting, what additional documentation is needed to prove that my sponsor [my wife] will support me during my stay?

Thank you so much.

June 16, 2019 at 10:05 pm

Hi Ashutosh! You are complicating your application. First of all, you haven’t mentioned how many days you plan to stay in the UK.

If you plan to stay in the UK for more than 2 weeks, then you must apply for an appropriate “dependent” visa. If you apply for a tourist visa, your application will be refused.

If you plan to stay in the UK for less than 2 weeks, then apply for your tourist visa WITHOUT any sponsorship from your wife. You are employed and financially able, therefore there is no need for sponsorship. If you seek your wife’s sponsorship, the ECO will assume that your wife hasn’t even started her job and therefore she cannot support you. The ECO clearly mentions that in the refusal reason (2).

“Now during re-application, could I only show the Certificate of Sponsorship Or do I need to show some bank balance also?” Your wife’s sponsorship will not work. She hasn’t started working yet and she cannot support you financially. If she was working in the UK already, it’s a different case (her sponsorship may work in that case because she is already earning money in the UK).

For your re-application, you have to show your own financial proofs. You must provide the following – Your employment letter – Your leave approval letter – Your last 6 months payslips – Your last 6 months bank statements (must show your salary deposit, no large undocumented deposits)

“How much should be the minimum balance?” Usually, the expenses per person in the UK are about £150 GBP per day. If you plan to visit for 7 days, then you must have a savings of at least 7 * £150= £1,050 GBP. Along with the minimum balance, keep the below things in mind as well.

– The total trip expenses cannot be more than twice your monthly salary or – The total trip expenses cannot be more than half of your savings (whichever is smaller)

“I have some good amount in US dollars but in cash, could I show that by any means?” No. You cannot show cash.

“What additional documentation is needed to prove that my sponsor [my wife] will support me during my stay?” If you plan to re-apply for your UK visa a few months later, you can use your wife as a sponsor. She would be working by then and she would be able to support you financially. But if you plan to apply right now, her sponsorship will not work.

June 14, 2019 at 11:28 am

You are a good adviser but unfortunately, have written many posts but you did not respond and then the posts have been deleted! Anyway, thank you for your guidance.

June 14, 2019 at 6:49 pm

Hi Aq! First of all, I haven’t deleted any comments. There are over 200 comments on this article alone that needs to be approved and responded. Once I approve, your comment shows up on the article. But what is the point of approving it if I cannot respond to it? Therefore, I only approve your comment when I respond to it.

That being said, I make a priority to respond to those comments that I can answer with my personal experience. But some cases are too complicated and outside my experience (ex: visa overstay). I don’t want to give the wrong advice on such cases. Therefore, it requires me to do research and sometimes ask the authorities. It takes time and you may have to wait a few days or weeks.

Conclusion: If your question hasn’t been approved yet, then it’s too complicated for me to answer it right away.

June 13, 2019 at 3:34 pm

Thanks for your reply I have submitted my visa application and had my biometrics done on 22 May 2019 and the application was forwarded the same day. But till today I have not had any reply from the embassy or the visa office.

Can you guide me what should I do?

June 14, 2019 at 6:15 pm

Hi Heer! UK visa application process takes up to 30 days. Therefore, give it a bit more time. Try to contact UKVI or VFS on or after 22 Jun 2019.

June 13, 2019 at 2:56 pm

I am currently applying for a Tier 2 General Visa. My employer does not sponsor for maintenance funds in the certificate of Sponsorship. Can I show a fixed deposit as proof for maintenance funds?

June 13, 2019 at 9:34 pm

Hi Nikhil! Fixed deposits do not work as proof of financial solvency. The ECO assumes that fixed deposits are not readily available. You have to show cash in your savings which are readily available for you to use.

If possible, I suggest moving the cash from the fixed deposit into your savings account. Then, provide documentary evidence that you moved the money from your fixed deposit into your savings account.

Kaleem says

June 13, 2019 at 1:54 pm

Good Day Mr. Thirumal,

I have one question. To keep it in simple words, I have bank balance in statement for SAR 48,000.00 currently and my Salary is SAR: 9000 per month in that how much should I spend and how much should i save monthly out of my salary, to keep a good 6 months bank record to void rejection chances, Kindly advise please.

June 14, 2019 at 8:08 pm

Hi Kaleem! In my experience, the rule of thumb for your trip expenses is – The total trip expenses cannot be more than twice your monthly salary (2 * 9,000 = 18,000) or – The total trip expenses cannot be more than half of your savings ( 1/2 * 48,000 = 24,000) (whichever is smaller)

Therefore, your trip expenses cannot be more than 18,000 SAR. An amount at least 4-5 times your salary in your savings works the best. And, you already have enough in your savings.

But, if you didn’t have that many savings, I suggest saving 1/3 of your salary (about 3,000 SAR) a month until you have savings that are 4 times your salary (4 * 9,000 = 36,000 SAR). It takes about 1 year to get to that amount.

The only thing you need to focus is to grow your savings constantly at a slow pace. You don’t want to save too much too quickly. And, make sure there are no large deposits other than your monthly salary. Pay attention to these two and you will not have any issue securing a UK visa or any visa in general.

Nouzer says

June 13, 2019 at 8:24 am

Hi Thirumal, appreciate your great help. Please guide me for the below query. I got a schengen visa through France. I have 2 option of travel routes. 1. France- Swiss 2. France-Belgium-Netherlands I want to apply for the UK visa after around 6 months. Which option is good for supporting the UK application?

June 18, 2019 at 5:27 pm

Hi Nouzer! It doesn’t really matter as you will only gain one entry stamp. But if you prefer mentioning more countries as part of your travel history in your UK visa application, I would say go with 2. France-Belgium-Netherlands.

June 13, 2019 at 6:26 am

Thanks for answering my questions I have asked the VFS to scan and send my computation of income so that the visa officer has a clear indication of my income. But they did not scan the computation part.

June 14, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi Heer! There isn’t much we can do about it. The UK has outsourced the visa application submission to VFS now. Therefore, VFS staff will decide what documents are relevant and they scan only those.

June 12, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Dear Thirumal I was studying in the UK and I was over-stayer for 3 months. This was out of my control because of two reasons. My question is can I apply for a visitor visa and tell them the truth or not saying at all? UKVI does not respond to the truth they are ready to refuse the applications to take the money from the people under polite hypocrisy. I have experienced very bad events while I was studying. Really it’s unbelievable that this is the UK. To confirm, I have got two visas applications and I have 9 travel times UK while I was visiting my country home as I have my family there. I never ever have any refused applications either the UK nor the rest of the world. I have travel history too to Turkey and Beirut. I was never intended to stay beyond the visa has expired but this was out of my control. The truth is even you will tell them the truth they will not give you rights for your saying but they give the rights to their native citizens. I need your urgent advice before doing the application. In fact, I hesitate to apply since do not need to do any application will refuse in advance this is, of course, will affect future applications. I have noted that the voluntary return of over-stayer will be banned for 12 months. But need to visit the UK in the next months.

June 16, 2019 at 9:40 pm

Hi Aq Sw! Yes, you must, of course, tell the truth. If you can, try to justify the reason why you had to overstay in your cover letter. If it was out of your control, the ECO may consider your reason.

The hypocrisy is on both sides. You are putting the UK on the pedestal. If you are quite confident that the home office does not respond to the truth, then why apply and waste time and money. You are just a visitor and they have every right to deny you the entry if they think that you are ineligible.

June 17, 2019 at 9:31 am

Thank you so much for your reply and efforts. As have seen thousands of applications have been refused without reasons, sad they do not respond to the truth. Most of these applications have achieved the requirements so why they are refusing the visa. Actually, I just want to go to the UK to share my university event. Then I will never go there. Best regards to you.

June 18, 2019 at 3:51 pm

I agree that there is some level of non-transparency! But, after going through thousands of UK visa applications, refusal letters and my own visa application, I can certainly say that you will not have any issues securing a visa if you have the following – – Full-Time employment in your country – Decent monthly income and savings – Decent travel history – Have no family in the UK

Most refusals I have seen are only from those who are unemployed, students, using sponsors, have family in the UK. Nothing wrong about being a student or having family in the UK, but the UK home office scrutinize those applications and the refusal rate is very high.

Anyways, I wish you good luck! I hope you can make it to your university event.

Karthik says

June 12, 2019 at 8:21 pm

I plan to visit my wife who is currently living in the UK on a Tier 2 ICT visa for a week along with my daughter. Please help me with answers to following questions as I am planning to apply for the visa in the fast track which is gonna cost me 3x normal fee so want to ensure that there is no unintentional room for refusal.

1. I visited the UK last year on Business Visa and on my way back to India, I visited Qatar using on arrival transit visa. I spent approx. 10 hours in Qatar so my date of arrival and departure from Qatar is the same date. When I try to declare this while filling the visa application form, I get an error about arrival and departure date cannot be the same even though I choose transit as the purpose of visit. I’m not sure if I should just omit this trip as it was less than 24 hours or what to do. Please advise.

2. In my visa application, I chose “NO” for the question “will anyone pay the cost for my trip” and I entered my wife’s details under “family in the UK” section and under “Accommodation details” section. For the question “what permission do my wife has to be in the UK?”, I chose “temporary visa”. Besides, under “give details of main purpose of my visit”, I wrote that my wife is already there on T2 ICT and that our daughter and I are planning to visit her for a week to celebrate my wife’s birthday together and that my daughter and I will return back to India. In this section, I also mentioned my wife’s BRP ID no. My questions are: A) nowhere in the application did it ask for sponsor details. is this normal for my case? B) Do I need to submit any documents of my wife? If so, please list down the documents.C) will my wife come to know that I’m applying for this visa?

3. Under Personal Information, what should I choose under “Do you have a valid national identity card?” and what information will I provide as National ID? I am an Indian national – FYI

4. I was recently refused a B1 Business visa by the US when I applied through my employer for a business trip. Should I be worried? FYI – I have been to both UK and Australia last year on Business Visa respectively.

Really appreciate your valuable advice and guidance here, please.

Thanks, Karthik

June 14, 2019 at 5:09 pm

Hi Karthik!

1. If you have stepped out of the airport in Qatar, it’s considered as a “visit”. You should enter Qatar in your countries traveled. To address the departure date issue, you have two options –

a) If you have lots of travel history in the last 10 years, then don’t enter Qatar. Skipping one country will not pose any problem as travel to other countries will outweigh your visit to Qatar. b) Select the next day as your departure date. Then mention this in your cover letter. Example below:

Travel History

– I have traveled to {list of countries here} in the last few years for tourism and business purposes – PLEASE NOTE: I have recently traveled to Qatar where my entry and exit were on the same day. The visa application did not allow me to enter the same dates for both arrival and departure, therefore I had to enter the next day as my departure. The actual dates for arrival and departure are as below –

Country: Qatar Date of arrival: {date of arrival} Date of departure: {date of departure}

2A. If you had answered “Yes” for the question “will anyone pay for your trip”, then the application would ask for the sponsor details. Since you are paying for your trip, you weren’t asked any “sponsor” details.

NOTE: If you are financially able, do not use a “sponsor” for your visa. It will complicate your case. If you use your wife as a sponsor, you have to provide her employment and financial proofs.

2B. Your purpose is to visit her and therefore you have to disclose her details. Along with the details, you would need to provide the following documentation – Her passport copy – Her status in the UK (BRP)

2C. There is a slight chance that the UK home office may call her to verify certain details. If you plan to keep your visit a surprise, I suggest mentioning that in your cover letter. You can ask the ECO to not disclose that her husband and daughter are planning a trip to the UK to surprise her on her birthday. There is no guarantee that the ECO will honor your request, but you can try.

3. You should enter your Aadhar number for national id. I believe the Aadhar number is our (Indians) unique national identity at this point.

4. In your UK visa application, you must enter any visa refusals for the question “have you been refused a visa for any country”. But I believe this will not impact your case since you are strong in other areas such as employment, financial and travel history. Your stronger areas will outweigh your US visa refusal.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

Prakash A says

June 12, 2019 at 7:43 pm

Thanks for listing out the refusal reasons for UK visa. I am planning to visit the UK with my mother and I needed your advice. I am employed with an MNC and make good money. I have sufficient bank balance and savings to show my financial position. I have a visa letter from my employer stating all the employment details including my approved leaves for the visit. So I am hoping my application will be approved. However, I am not sure whether the visa application of my mother will be approved. She is a widow and entirely dependent on me. She stays with me and I take care of all her expenses. Being a housewife, I don’t have anything to show for her financial position. She doesn’t have any form of savings. I have mentioned in the application that I will be taking care of all her expenses. As I am also travelling, I have enough funds for both of us.

Do you think there could be an issue with the visa application of my mother? My only hope of getting the visa for her is that she is not travelling alone. She is travelling with me and I have enough funds to meet our needs,

Thanks for any advice you may have.

June 13, 2019 at 5:23 pm

Hi Prakash! I think your mother has a fair chance of visa approval as well since she will be traveling with you. Make sure you follow the below –

– Have her submit a copy of your passport, your employment proof, your financial proofs and a document showing your relationship (mother-son). – Provide a sponsorship letter to her stating that you will bear all her expenses during the trip – Have her submit a cover letter stating her travel dates, day-to-day itinerary, her employment status (housewife), her financial situation (dependent on you), your GWF number (so the ECO knows that you are the primary applicant), and most importantly the fact that she will be traveling with you. Use subheadings to clearly indicate different areas. Here is an example:

Travel Companion – I will be traveling with my son, Prakash A (Passport Number: Z123456, GWF Number: W81JF24) during the above-mentioned dates – My son will bear all our (his and mine) travel expenses during our trip to the UK – My son’s employment proofs, financial documents and a letter indicating that he will bear my travel expenses during our trip are attached

Sinead says

June 12, 2019 at 12:05 pm

Great article thanks for the information! I have a question which I can’t find the answers to, my husband is applying for a Tourist Visa whilst on his break from University, he’s planning to come for 5 months and then return when his term starts again. He is going to pay for his own trip he has enough savings to do so, up to 60k in savings, he’s going to provide bank statements. Does that mean i don’t need to hand in my bank statements.payslips as he’s paying for himself? Or do i still need too.

June 12, 2019 at 4:29 pm

Hi Sinead! If he can pay for himself, then you don’t need to provide any financial documents from your side. But you would still need to provide your passport copy, your status in the UK (visa, work permit, residence permit, etc) and your marriage certificate.

I personally think asking a 5-month entry would raise questions. This would sound that he would be living in the US instead of just visiting. Moreover, the daily expenses for a tourist in the UK are around £150. That means, he must have at least £22,500 in his account for this 5-month trip.

There are other visa categories that would enable him to stay longer without any questions such as spouse visa, dependent visa, etc. My knowledge and experience are only in short term C-type visa, so I can’t give you more information on those.

June 12, 2019 at 6:19 am

Thanks so much for answering my super long list of questions! Really appreciate it! I have just 2 follow-up questions.

1) You wrote- “Transit doesn’t count as a visit. So, don’t mention them in your visa application”. Unfortunately, I have already listed them in my application. I mentioned that I have been to the UK twice, that I had been in the UK for only 1 day each time & listed reason as Transit (Transit was one of the reasons listed in the dropdown menu). Will it be ok if I explain this clearly in the Cover Letter?

2) You also wrote that “LOA from your employer is extremely important. Make sure it states the dates of vacation, country of vacation (the UK) and the date of return to your work. “- Now my company’s LOA mentions the dates of vacation & other details like designation, employment start date, etc., but it doesn’t mention the country of travel. Is that OK?

June 12, 2019 at 4:03 pm

1) If transit is an option in the dropdown menu, then I guess it’s fine to mention your transits through the UK. But my understanding is that if you haven’t been through immigration in the UK airport, then they will not have a record of you. If you haven’t been through the immigration at the UK airports on those two occasions, explain it in your cover letter so the ECO won’t assume anything.

2) That’s ok. You will be fine. But for your future visas, I suggest including the country of vacation as well. Here is why, I think, having the country in LOA helps.

If your employer doesn’t mention the country, then it’s assumed that they don’t know what you will be doing during your vacation. Which is perfectly alright as it’s none of their business. You are entitled to take the vacation so you are taking the vacation. But for the visas, there is a slight possibility that the ECO/VOs may assume that you are hiding something from your employer. Having your employer know where you will be going and what you will be doing on your vacation will help ECO/VOs perceive you as honest. This is not a visa rule, but something I found to work well.

June 11, 2019 at 9:30 pm

Hi Thirumal, I got a Schengen visa (states). However, I mentioned only France in the application. Can I travel to other Schengen states? I plan to apply for the UK visa next year. Can I mention all the Schengen states I travelled, even if I enter & exit any Schengen state internally without immigration stamp?

June 18, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Hi Feda! Yes, you can travel to multiple Schengen countries with your current Schengen visa. If your Schengen visa was issued by France, then you have to make France as your first destination or the longest in your trip.

Yes, you can mention all the Schengen countries you have traveled in your UK visa application.

June 11, 2019 at 8:11 pm

Hi, I have applied for Uk visa I am employed with an income of 70K per month I receive 40k rent per month and have an agricultural income of 12L per year all in Indian money. I have stated I will spend 3500£ for a 7-day trip What are the chances of me getting the UK visa?

June 11, 2019 at 8:54 pm

Hi Heer! Your total expected expenditure is still less than twice your monthly income, therefore you are fine. I think you have a fair chance of approval, provided you have submitted all proper documentation.

June 11, 2019 at 6:23 pm

This is in response to Sheeyi Shay’s query. I can only speak for VFS in the GCC as I applied from here. There is no VFS appointment fee. If you do select any of their services, like document scanning, documents check, etc, then you have to pay for it. However, there is no appointment fee. When I applied, document scanning was provided free of charge, but now I see that that service is being charged. Alternatively, you can upload the scanned documents yourself. I did not opt for any paid services but at the VFS centre, I was charged $50 USD for documents check, which I had no option but to pay. Hope this helps.

June 11, 2019 at 8:58 pm

Thanks for the response, Sarah! I will convey this to Sheeyi Shay.

Edith Owusuaa says

June 11, 2019 at 3:38 pm

I am entitled to yearly fully paid vacation outside by my company and my company has provided every document concerning my vacation to secure a UK visa. They gave me about 8 months financial statement which is good. My only problem is my personal financial statement, it was 3 months statement. Do you think it can cause a problem? Apart from that everything is perfect.

June 11, 2019 at 8:36 pm

Hi Edith! You must be fine with just 3 months personal bank statement since your company is paying for all your expenses. Just make sure those 3-months bank statements accurately reflect your salary and there are no large deposits.

Sheeyi Shay says

June 10, 2019 at 12:36 pm

Are you requested to pay for the appointment fee? I was asked to pay for an appointment fee after paying for the VISA fee?

June 10, 2019 at 10:15 pm

Hi Sheeyi! Yes, UK has outsourced its visa application submission to VFS. VFS charges an appointment fee for that. Check the comment from Sarah as she explains the new visa application procedure.

June 11, 2019 at 9:00 pm

Response from Sarah – “This is in response to Sheeyi Shay’s query. I can only speak for VFS in the GCC as I applied from here. There is no VFS appointment fee. If you do select any of their services, like document scanning, documents check, etc, then you have to pay for it. However, there is no appointment fee. When I applied, document scanning was provided free of charge, but now I see that that service is being charged. Alternatively, you can upload the scanned documents yourself. I did not opt for any paid services but at the VFS centre, I was charged $50 USD for documents check, which I had no option but to pay. Hope this helps.”

June 9, 2019 at 11:45 am

Thank you very much Thirumal, that’s very nice of you. But it is you who deserves the biggest praise for your invaluable service. Your blog is like a free travel consultancy for ?? visa applicants. This is a relief because visa consultants actually charge over the moon for their services.

One more thing I can add and would be relevant to applicants in the GCC whose UKVI visas are processed at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi is that once a decision is made regarding your application they will send you an email. Through some research, and I believe I am right to a good extent but there can be exceptional cases as well, I found out that if your email says that ‘your UK visa application has been issued’ – then this means that you have been issued the visa

And if your email says that ‘your visa application has been concluded’ or any wording to that effect then, unfortunately, it is more than likely that your visa has been refused. This is my general understanding and I can be wrong.

When I got the email from the embassy that my ‘visa application has been issued’ I couldn’t make head or tail of it. What does a ‘visa application issued’ means? At the bottom of the email, it says not to make travel plans until you receive the passport in your hands as nothing is final until you receive your passport and it also says to check the visa before leaving VFS.

Through some other websites, I learned of similar experiences and learned that those who received that particular email got their visas and I too received that email and got my visa. So I can almost definitely say what that email translates into. Anyway, after the email, you have to actually wait for the SMS from VFS to collect the passport.

All the best wishes to you too, Thirumal. Keep up the amazing work. Cheers.

June 10, 2019 at 10:30 pm

Thanks again, Sarah! Readers like you make this blog very useful to our community of travelers. I share my experiences, but all our experiences put together can be a great resource for everybody. Thanks again for sharing the information and knowledge. Enjoy the trip with your family!

June 8, 2019 at 10:19 pm

Hi Thirumal, Thank you so much for this. I’ve read almost all the comments and It looks like the service is not good. I would like to ask if you know how much time they take to refuse an application. I applied on April 24th and 2 weeks after that I got an email that states that my application is under consideration. We were 4 applicants that were invited to a seminar to give some talks. Two of us already got their visas (almost a month ago). I’m really concerned because our trip is going to be next week and I can not get any kind of information from them (I emailed and called them but they said they don’t give specific information).

June 9, 2019 at 2:26 am

Hi Ceci! It takes the same amount of time as approval for refusal as well. It can take up to 30 days for the visa result. If you have less than 30 days available, then it can be a stressful situation. The customer service is practically useless. The only option is to wait.

June 9, 2019 at 2:53 am

Thanks Thirumal for the reply. Yes! I just have to wait. I think my application wasn’t good enough (young with not many reasons to come back). I hope the answer arrive soon in order to reschedule the seminar program and cancel my reservation (in the worst scenario). Anyway, thanks for helping so many people! You are doing a really great job! [You should be leading the UKVI :)]

June 10, 2019 at 2:05 am

Good luck, Ceci! I hope the result will be positive. You’re welcome!

August 10, 2019 at 1:34 am

Hi Thirumal! I just got my visa! After 3 and a half months I finally got my passport back with the visa.

I have to say that I did lose hope. I think I didn’t do a good application. I wrote a lot of paid (useless) mails because my expected trip date was in June. Then, because I got an email saying “We are unable to resolve your application within these customer service targets, as the processing of your application has not been straightforward. Please be assured that we will continue to progress your application to enable a decision to be made as soon as possible.” I changed the date. But I think they didn’t check on that information. Finally, at the end of July, I wrote to them again saying that it’s been 3 months since my biometrics. They said my case will be escalated and asked me for my application and passport number.

On Monday, I received this message: “Your UK visa application has been concluded by Visits UK and will shortly be dispatched.” I read somewhere that this means that my visa was refused, but not in all cases “concluded” means it.

I’m thinking that somehow this process depends on who evaluates your application. A co-worker did a shorter application, with less supporting documents and he got his visa in 10 days. Maybe, sometimes, it’s a matter of luck!

Anyway, as I said before, your advice is really helpful in order of not being struggling with delays because the application is not straightforward.

By the way, I am from Peru :) Good luck to all applicants and thanks again Thirumal for this great job!

August 12, 2019 at 10:08 am

Hi Ceci! I’m glad that the wait is over. I’m sorry you couldn’t make it to the seminar but I hope you can still use your visa since it’s valid for 6 months.

I have been hearing more cases that were “not straight forward”. I’m still researching on what exactly that means and what causes it. One thing that’s common with such applications is they are taking longer than usual.

I agree that the visa process depends on the visa officer to some extent. Some ECOs scrutinize the applicants more than the others.

Thanks for updating all of us on your experience and visa status. Congratulations again and have a great trip!

June 8, 2019 at 4:59 pm

I am Sarah, and I have previously asked you for advice on UK Visa application in order to sit for a medical exam in the UK.

Because you are providing such an invaluable service by dishing out free advise to everyone, I thought I might share some of the experiences I learned when I applied for my visa this time.

The first time I applied for the UK visa was 19 years ago from Russia where I was studying medicine, and the entire procedure was different.

When I applied again in 2017 it was a completely different experience. There was an online visa application and VFS.

I just want to concentrate on my application in May this year.

First, the visa application and submission was online, meaning that we don’t print the completed application form and take it to VFS. It is paramount that you don’t make any mistakes while completing the application form because once you submit there is no coming back to make corrections. Once you submit you will be automatically directed to make the payments to UKVI.

I learned from a lot of research that you can cancel your application and request for a refund before biometrics. Here again, I read from experienced people that the refund takes forever to be debited back to your account and some people had to make several paid calls and also some applicants simply gave up on the refund.

Second- now you don’t submit your supporting documents physically. Once you submit the application you will be automatically redirected to VFS website or you can manually register at VFS and then there you have to upload all your supporting documents in a preset file. Something like you have one file to give your financial documents, another for your employment, another for your property and so on and so forth. Any mistake you make while uploading your documents is at your own risk. Alternatively, VFS provides documents upload for a fee. I was really not looking forward to this document upload and I was fortunate that when I was submitting my VFS center was doing the documents upload free of charge. They covered up their costs by charging me the equivalent of about 50 US dollars for a documents check which I didn’t even opt for.

Anyway, if you are confident, then you can upload all your scanned documents on your own which had been previously saved in your device. When I was applying in 2017 I was very meticulous and made a detailed file, placing every document in order of relevance and having an index and contents page and numbering every page. I wrote a cover letter and then where ever relevant wrote detailed explanations regarding any documents needing an explanation.

This time also I prepared in the same way but at the VFS center, the agents there took everything apart and arranged everything according to their guidelines. I, however, insisted on including my explanation pages and they did it. For the four of us, my husband and two kids, I took four photocopied sets, but they only took one and scanned it for all four of us (a massive wastage of my printer ink and paper).

I have been to the UK twice before and obtained a Schengen visa from France and visited 10 European countries. I have also traveled in Asia and the GCC and I am currently a resident of a GCC country. I am a doctor of South Asian origin.

I genuinely wanted to visit the UK for a postgraduate medical exam which is 2 hours long. So I wanted to travel to the UK with my husband, who is also a doctor and my two school-aged children. We are all residents of this GCC country. I got a No Objection letter from my employer which is the equivalent of an employment letter which mentioned my designation, my duration of work with them and my leave period. I also got payslips for 6 months and then a six months bank statement. In order to establish ties with my home country I submitted my house title deed which my husband and I share as half shareowners and I also provided a remittance certificate from the agency through which I remit my savings to my home country and also a bank statement from my home country savings account. I also provided my present tenancy agreement for where I reside.

I applied for a tourist visa and gave my main purpose of visit as for sitting my exams and provided all documents regarding my exams and the visa letter from the examination board. In my cover letter, I mentioned that as the exams are just 2 hours I wanted to make the most of my trip and so my family would be joining me for a 5-day sightseeing trip. I mentioned their GWF numbers on my application and mentioned all 4 GWF numbers on my husband and children’s applications. Their main purpose of the visit was mentioned as tourism.

I applied priority for myself as (providing they issued me the visa I wanted to visit the UK for a medical course). Priority in my country of residence is in 5 days but I got my passport back with the visa in 3 working days.

My husband and children applied for normal service which is 15 to 17 working days, but they got theirs in 13 working days.

I am writing this in a hurry and hence there are a lot of grammatical errors. Kindly ignore them. If I remember anything else I will mail them later. Hoping you will find this useful.

June 9, 2019 at 2:42 am

Hi Sarah! Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience! Your information on the current UK visa application procedure is invaluable. I and the readers appreciate your efforts.

Congratulations on securing the visas! Good luck with your exam and enjoy your time in the UK!

June 7, 2019 at 10:28 pm

Hi Sir. I am receiving my monthly salary thru my savings account and sometimes I’m receiving payments from my client on that same bank some amount is more than my salary, I work as a travel consultant, some clients if they don’t have time to visit our office they opted to send/transfers on my account, maybe 1 transaction in a month or sometimes none. Also, my cousin is a British citizen, her invitation letter would that be enough to support my application? But I will purchase my ticket and hotel. Hoping for your reply, I know it will help a lot. Thank you!

June 8, 2019 at 7:02 pm

Hi Ann! If there are large deposits in your account, you have to provide documentary evidence that those deposits are from your clients for a certain purpose. But in the long term, I suggest using two bank accounts. Otherwise, you will face the same issue for every visa application.

You don’t really need an invitation letter if you can pay for your trip yourself. When you introduce new people on your visa application, the home office may conduct background checks on them. This creates unnecessary complications and could result in visa refusal.

June 7, 2019 at 2:27 pm

What do you consider large undocumented amounts? I applied for a visa and my bank statements showed deposits worth £97, £57, £18. These amounts are money I get from my side hustles. Money that comes with no documentation. Of course, I included my payslips to justify my salary deposits. But the other deposits have me worried. Is it enough reason for refusal?

June 7, 2019 at 3:42 pm

Hi Zase! The “largeness” of a deposit depends on your monthly salary. If your salary is £500, then £300+ can be a large deposit. But £97, £57, £18 aren’t in my opinion. But if your salary is £200, then £97 can be considered as a large deposit.

Also, nothing to worry if there are only a few small deposits in your bank statements. But if there are a lot of such deposits, then an explanation in your cover letter will help.

June 6, 2019 at 10:15 pm

I received my passport with Visa back today. I did follow your advise and used a cover letter to explain my tax return and also that everything else was already paid for. Thanks for the advise!

June 7, 2019 at 3:49 am

Hi Delon! Congratulations! Thanks for the update! I’m glad my advice was helpful. Have a great trip!

June 6, 2019 at 2:06 pm

Good afternoon Thirumal,

Thanks for sharing all these info, I am sure it has helped a lot of people. Having said that, I’m planning to apply for a UK visiting visa, my cousin is graduating and the University has agreed to send me an invitation letter. I am self-employed but it’s a small scale business and I don’t have any business account except my personal account which I am running very well. Please, can you advise the kind of docs I should submit while applying for the visa? I’ve my business certificate with the business name registered with the government and I am thinking of submitting that with a letter from the company/business. Do you I should also submit a tax clearance certificate to show I am paying tax for the government here?

June 10, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Sam! I apologize for the delay in responding to your comment. It’s fine to use your personal account as your business account. And yes, provide tax clearance certificate if you have.

– Make sure there are no large business transactions in your personal bank statements. If you do, then you have to provide documentary evidence of such deposits. Example: You received payment from your client. A copy of the invoice should work. – Write a letter on your business letterhead stating that you are entitled to use your business funds for personal pleasure trips. ECOs refuse visa applications if they think that business funds are not meant for personal expenses. – Provide your business registration, tax returns, office lease (if you have), any other documents that show that you run this business. – Write a detailed cover letter explaining your employment, financial, travel history and the obligation to return back to your country after the trip (if you need sample, email me)

June 11, 2019 at 2:17 pm

Thank you so much for the info! Is it reasonable to submit a business registration document that I just registered this week with the date on it even though I’ve been running the business for a long time? Is tax returns also same with tax clearance certificate? Are flight reservation and hotel reservation accepted or I’ve to make payment for them before applying? Do I need health insurance for such visa application? I am sorry if my questions are too much

June 11, 2019 at 8:33 pm

Hi Sam! The longer you have been the running the business, the better it is for your UK visa. If the document says that the business has been established last week, then the VO assumes that you have just started this business.

Tax returns and tax clearance certificate may be similar. They are called differently in different countries.

No. Flight and hotel reservations are not required for UK visa. If at all you are asked to provide those, just submit flight reservation and refundable hotel bookings. Health insurance is not required for the UK visa application.

June 5, 2019 at 11:45 am

I just received UK visa refusal for my aged parents. They run a hotel business in India. We supplied all the documents but the grounds of refusal were as follows:

1. Non-provision of day to day running proof of business 2. Supporting documents for funds shown in the account 3. They don’t have any past travel history

We do have many proofs for the above requirements. Should we immediately re-apply or wait for a few months?

June 5, 2019 at 6:11 pm

Hi Parul! If you do have proofs to explain those refusal reasons, I suggest indicating those clearly in your cover letter. This helps the ECO focus on the previous refusal reasons and the relevant documentation. It will speed up your visa application process as well.

You can reapply immediately. There is no waiting required.

Teanarh Ashlyn says

June 4, 2019 at 8:38 am

Can I provide three months financial statement since I was just employed about three months ago when securing the UK visa for a short vacation approximately 15 days?

Should my itinerary in the UK be on my company letterhead or any A4sheet?

June 5, 2019 at 5:38 pm

Hi Teanarh! Bank statement requirement is slightly different for different countries. Refer to the visa requirements and the document checklist for your country whether you would need to submit 3-month or 6-month bank statements.

Your itinerary can be on an A4 sheet.

Sleiman says

June 20, 2019 at 12:32 pm

Is it true that people whose visas have been approved get them within 10 days and anything above that is a rejection?

June 23, 2019 at 8:37 pm

Hi Sleiman! Yes, to some extent. Here is my explanation. The less complicated your case is, the higher the chances of your visa approval. Imagine an applicant with a fulltime job, steady income source, good savings, decent travel history, no prior visa refusals and visiting the UK strickly for tourism. The case is clean without any complications. The home office may have to contact the employer and bank. But, that’s about it. It hardly takes any time.

But on the other hand, imagine an applicant using a sponsor in the UK, funded by the parents, have prior visa refusals and visiting for suspicious reasons. The home office has to contact a lot of people (sponsors, parents, etc), verify a bunch of information (visa refusals, purpose of travel, etc). This can take much longer.

Esa Shemond says

June 3, 2019 at 12:41 pm

Just got an email stating that “Your UK visa application has been dispatched from the UK visa section”. Does that mean that the visa has been approved?

The wording of the email is strange, as it says in the same email ” ..and chose to have your passport mailed back to you directly, that will take place shortly, If you have not already done so, please ensure your passport is sent to the New York Scanning Hub to avoid any delays”. I hope they meant “was sent” which is the case.

Also wondering what shortly is. My departure is on Wed evening. Any ideas? or whom I should contact?

June 6, 2019 at 5:41 pm

Hi Esa! They don’t tell the visa result in the email notification. You have to wait till you receive your passport to figure the visa result.

In my experience, they mail the passport right after the email notification. The delay would only be from the postal/courier company. You have way too less time to have your passport delivered before Wednesday. I suggest contacting your postal/courier company to have it delivered sooner or arrange a pickup.

May 31, 2019 at 5:33 pm

Thanks for your help answering my inquiry. Is there any information on how long it takes to process after approval (stamping the visa). I called and they said they would escalate. They also said there is no way to expedite it. Their claim that they will respond to their email, they only respond to the first email and ignore any other subsequent emails. Everything they say is merely a lie.

I have called 3 times and emailed 2 times and that cost a fortune. After one month, it is still under review. I do not think it is just a matter of inefficiency but also it is a rip-off process planned to take advantage of people. Note that only people who have to apply are non-US, and non-Europeans. They think the rest of the countries are shit-hole countries and that is why they treat them poorly. I am very close to getting my US Citizenship and despite the wait, they respond and have some level of integrity. God Bless America.

May 31, 2019 at 10:46 pm

Hi Esa! After the visa approval, it’s only the courier time. Usually, you will receive your passport in 3-4 working days after your visa decision email.

Their email responses are mostly canned responses. Their customer service is outsourced and they do not have access to much information. Therefore, they always respond with the same message or status.

Well, I cannot comment on that. But I advise my readers to think about traveling to the UK only after traveling everywhere. Keeping time, money and frustration in mind, it’s not worth to have the UK on the top of the travel list. But surprisingly, there seems to be a craze for traveling/immigrating to the UK. Probably, the UK immigration is taking advantage of it. If you read the comments here, you will understand what I mean. I delete at least 50% of the comments that I receive for this article which are purely from applicants desperate to make it to the UK by whatever means.

June 5, 2019 at 6:31 pm

Hi, Just got the visa. I had to go get it from another city today to minimize issues with ups delivery. My flight is in 3 hours. The whole process took exactly 34 days from the day they received my application.

June 6, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi Esa! Congratulation! I know the entire process has been nerve-wracking for you but I hope you made it to your flight on time. Enjoy your stay in the UK.

Sidney says

May 30, 2019 at 7:58 am

Hi, this is a great blog firstly! I have a question I went to the Visa center on 13th of May. I still didn’t hear anything. Do I have to worry about it?

May 31, 2019 at 3:31 am

Hi Sidney! No. It’s too early to worry. UK visa process takes about 30 days. If you don’t hear anything from them by about mid-June, then contact their customer service.

May 31, 2019 at 5:35 pm

The customer service is useless. I have been waiting for a month and they said the escalated it. I just paid at least $50 in calls with no progress.

May 31, 2019 at 10:38 pm

Yeah, their customer service is not useful at all. You will only waste money by contacting them.

Mohammed says

July 20, 2019 at 4:21 pm

I applied for my visa in December 2018. It has been 7 months now and I still haven’t heard anything. I contacted the customer service a few months ago and they said they’ve escalated it but still nothing yet. What seems to be the delay and what else can I do?

July 22, 2019 at 12:20 pm

Hi Mohammed! UK visa process can take up to 30 calendar days for processing. 7 months is not normal and there is something wrong. It’s difficult to say why it’s taking so long. Technically, UK consulate cannot keep your passport with them for that long. It’s your document and it should be with you.

The only option for you is to contact their customer support and have them escalate it. It costs to contact their customer support but I don’t see another option. Good luck!

May 30, 2019 at 12:14 am

I learned the UK wipes visa applications after 10 years, How true is this, I had applied 2009 and applying again this year after 10years, do I need to mention the refusal or no need.

June 12, 2019 at 5:56 pm

Hi King! No, nothing is wiped out. All records are preserved forever. But for visa application, you only have to mention your previous UK visa refusals in the last 10 years. Therefore, if the refusal was on or after Jun 12, 2009 (10 years till today), you have to mention it in your visa application.

Dorcas says

May 29, 2019 at 4:04 pm

Hello Thirumal! When you are refused, how many months can you wait before applying again?

May 31, 2019 at 4:16 am

Hi Dorcas! There is no waiting period for the UK visa. You can apply as soon as you can. But keep in mind that if your circumstances haven’t changed, your application will likely be refused again.

May 29, 2019 at 2:03 pm

Sir, how can I get a flight itinerary without payment?

May 31, 2019 at 4:13 am

Hi Adenaiya! Please refer to my article on travel itinerary for visa applications . I have listed a few options there.

May 29, 2019 at 6:19 am

Hello, Thanks for the helpful article. I have an edge case. I will be employed during the Visa interview but unemployed during the travel. Right now I am on notice period of my current job. And my last day of the job is 28th June. I am planning to schedule a Visa interview for 10 June during which time I will be employed. But I am planning on travelling to the UK after 20 July during which time I will be unemployed.

My question is what should I fill in the Visa application form -> Employed or Unemployed?

May 30, 2019 at 2:58 am

Hi Purvi! You should fill as “Employed” since you will be employed at the time of visa application. You can mention that you will be “unemployed” at the time of travel in your cover letter. But mentioning that in your cover letter is up to you as it can cause complications and may affect your visa result.

juliet success says

May 28, 2019 at 4:42 pm

Hello sir, please how much do you think I should have in my bank account for a short vacation in the UK for twelve days when securing a visa?

May 30, 2019 at 2:47 am

Hi Juliet! I believe about £150 GBP a day per person would be sufficient. I suggest showing an ending balance of at least £150 * 12 = £1,800 GBP.

Remember that along with enough savings, you must also (1) show regular deposits of your salary and (2) no large undocumented deposits.

May 28, 2019 at 4:06 pm

Please do I need an employment letter to secure a UK visa since I am a co-founder of my company? I am entitled to fully yearly paid vacation by my company.

May 30, 2019 at 2:19 am

Hi Daniel! Employment letter is necessary only if you are employed. If you run a business, you can provide documentation that states that you are a co-founder and are entitled to fully paid vacation.

May 28, 2019 at 2:42 pm

Hi Thirumal, Nice work here. Just a quick one, I need your opinion on this, I had previously commented on your blog but no approval or response yet, I guess your schedule is tight. As a matter of urgency I’ll need to apply for a visitor visa to the UK to attend a seminar for the company I work with, Its an all expense paid trip by the company but going through your blog I saw emphasis on large deposits in the account and if I am to drop 6 months bank statement, I had a month that a large sum of money entered my account which was about 1.3million naira around February, this money was paid into my account by a friend who wanted me to keep it because he was saving up for a surgery. I earn about 100,000 Naira per month and I know this might raise flags. What document do you think I can provide? What is your opinion on this even though the money left my account totally in the early days of march? I will appreciate a response soon, Thank you so much. P.S- Six month bank statement will be from December to May.

May 30, 2019 at 2:16 am

Hi AL! I apologize for the delay. I just responded to your original query.

I’m overwhelmed with queries, so it’s taking much longer for me to respond. Especially, each query on this article are unique. I have to read, analyze, think, research and respond. Now, imagine about 50 such queries every day.

May 28, 2019 at 1:29 pm

Hi Thirumal! I was looking for a resource like this online & luckily found yours. Have a few questions.

1) A significant portion of my total compensation& savings is in the form of company stock, which vests annually. How should I mention this in the application? At present, I have mentioned it under Other Income.

2) Since stock awards are in USD, & USD to INR to GBP conversion rates & stock price fluctuates daily, there will be a difference between the figures I quote when I fill the form & the actual numbers when someone examines the forms. Is that OK?

3) There’s a section where you need to mention if you have been in the UK in the last 10 years. I have transited through Heathrow on my way to the US, but it was for a couple of hours only, & I didn’t need a transit visa. Should I still mention it? The field where you mention the duration of stay doesn’t have any hours field, only days & above.

4) How big a sum is considered to be too big & suspicious in savings bank statement? I will be submitting a 6 months statement from my savings account. Starting balance was around GBP 9k & ending balance is ~ GBP 12k. Most of this is because of documented monthly pay-check deposits, but I have 3-4 undocumented deposits around GBP 200-400 each (total around GBP 1K) from some company reimbursements. Should I explain these as well?

5) I will be submitting some proofs of investments, & the docs are very long ~40 pages each & I have 3-4 such sets. Now, most of this is just standard legal stuff – fine print, regulations & such. The actual monetary value is mentioned in the first page itself. So can I just submit just the first pages, or should I submit all the pages?

6) I will be submitting a bank statement dated 31st May & my biometrics appointment is on 14th June. So is that okay or do I need a more recent statement?

7) Is the bank statement supposed to be for 6 months or 1 year? I couldn’t find this data on the UK gov site. I’m applying for Standard Visitor Visa from India.

8) I will be submitting LOA from my employer. Do I need any other proofs of ties to my homeland? My parents will be staying back in India. If I also submit proofs of residence for them (house owner tax receipts, national id cards, etc.) will that also count? Is it needed?

Will be really helpful if you could help me out.

June 11, 2019 at 9:45 pm

Hi Sourav! I apologize for such an extreme delay in responding to your query.

1) Yes. If you have company stock, you can mention that for the question “Do you have savings, properties or other income?”. You can mention the details that it’s company stock, stock vest yearly, etc. in your cover letter.

2) It’s fine and there is nothing we can do about it. But you can mention this in your cover letter as well.

3) Transit doesn’t count as a visit. So, don’t mention them in your visa application.

4) Each of those deposits isn’t big but all put together is GBP 1K, which is big enough. So yes, mention that you have received company reimbursements in your cover letter.

5) Only the first page is enough.

6) Since bank statements are generated every month, the 31st May statement will be your recent statement. It’s fine. Nothing to worry.

7) Your bank statements should be 6 months.

8) LOA from your employer is extremely important. Make sure it states the dates of vacation, country of vacation (the UK) and the date of return to your work. Yes, you can submit those as the proof of family staying back in the home country during your trip.

A few important points

1) In your cover, use subheadings to explain various areas – – Travel itinerary (your day to day itinerary in the UK) – Employment (your job title, duration of employment, annual salary, approval of leave) – Investments (your company stock, vesting schedule) – Bank Accounts (mention your reimbursements here) – Travel history (your travel history) – Intention to return back (mention the date on which you have to report back at work, your parents staying back during your trip, etc)

2) Try not to provide too much documentation. There have been many incidents where the ECOs are overwhelmed and completely overlooked important documentation. If you have to provide a lot of documentation, make sure to highlight the important ones in your cover letter. Here is an example on how you can highlight such documentation in the “Employment” section in the cover letter.

Employment Information

– I work for in {city name} as a {designation}. – I have been working as a {designation} in {company name} since {employment start date}. – I draw {salary} per month/year after taxes. – I have attached an original letter from my employer, a leave approval letter and bank statements indicating my monthly salary deposits.

Christy says

May 27, 2019 at 6:30 am

Hello, well done!

I am a first-time traveler, and my company is sponsoring my trip to the UK as part of the incentive for long service. I have been provided a sponsorship letter, but the company refused to present account balance due to security reasons. I am worried if I should still go ahead, as I do not want to be denied on first trial. Thank you!

May 27, 2019 at 10:29 pm

Hi Christy! Even if you provide your company’s financial documents, you still have to provide your own financial proofs. If you are traveling for business purpose, then it’s a different case. You are traveling for tourism and your company is bearing your expenses. Therefore, you have to provide your own financial proofs as well. If your financial proofs are strong, then you don’t need to worry about your company refusing to present their account balance.

Aashish says

May 26, 2019 at 5:40 pm

Hi Mr. Thirumal,

I have applied for my Tier 2 visa. I have mentioned my travel history in the visa application but forgot to include the old passport which has the details.

Will there be a problem?

May 27, 2019 at 2:44 am

Hi Aashish! In my opinion, providing a copy of your old passport helps but it is not necessary. Just mentioning your travel history in the visa application is enough.

summer says

May 26, 2019 at 11:39 am

Hi. Is there a possibility that the GWF# is in the Refusal Letter different from the GWF# on my current application? I got refused for my TV application, upon further checking the wrong GWF# in the refusal letter is the GWF# from my last application dated Sept 2016 and that was approved. I find some errors too, my sponsor for my current TV application is my brother-in-law. But in the refusal letter the ECO clearly say that my sister is my sponsor (my sister is my sponsor from my 2016 visa) and 1 of the error I found is my brother does not employ in Royal Airforce, he was a US Airforce stationed in one of the Royal Airforce Base. I was thinking if the ECO mistakenly reviewed my previous application than my current application. What can I do? There is no right of appeal; or right of administrative review.

May 27, 2019 at 11:10 pm

Hi Summer! Yes, that’s absolutely possible. Lately, I have been hearing cases where ECO reviewed a completely different case, overlooked trivial documentation and even forgot to enclose the refusal letter with the passport.

Many of my readers had success by reapplying and pointing out the mistakes in their cover letters. There is no appeal for visitor visas anymore. Your only option is to reapply. I suggest reapplying with a cover letter clearly pointing out the review mistakes.

May 25, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Hi, I applied for a work-related visa sponsored by my employer. Gave them all info and did the biometrics. Has been 16 days and no response. My travel is in less than 7 working days. I emailed and the only response is that they are processing. Any advice?

May 27, 2019 at 12:56 am

Hi Esa! Unfortunately, there is no way to know the current status of your application. This is one of the worst things with the UK visa process. You have two options –

1) Pay of expedited processing. They will be able to locate your application and mark it as expedited in 2-3 working days. After that, they will process your application within a few working days.

They may be very close to processing your application as 16 days have passed already. But if money is not a concern, pay for expedited processing. It may help. You can find the procedure for adding expedited processing at my UK visa guide .

2) Have your employer delay your travel dates. You may receive your visa within the next 7 days but delaying your travel dates will give you some peace of mind.

May 24, 2019 at 4:48 pm

Hello, I just received an email where they refuse the visa. I would like to know if they mention the refusal on the passport? Thank you!

May 27, 2019 at 11:28 pm

Hi Lalou! No. Your visa refusal will not be indicated/mentioned on your passport. They will enclose a refusal letter with your passport in the package.

Lina Yassin says

May 24, 2019 at 2:42 pm

Thanks for your article.

I’m applying for a visa Monday from Kuala Lumpur (I’m originally from Sudan but will spend 2 weeks in Malaysia for a vacation with my family and I don’t have enough time to go back and apply there)

I already had a UK visa once and have 4 Schengen visas on my passport (one of them is still valid) but I had a US Visa rejection under section 214(b) last month because I forgot to show proof of my University enrollment.

I’m applying for the priority service because I only have 10 working days in Malaysia and don’t wanna risk not getting my passport back and therefore missing my flight back to Sudan.

Do you think my Visa can be processed within 10 working days with priority service because they mentioned that a previous visa refusal may affect the priority time?

Any feedback would be highly appreciated. Thanks!!

May 27, 2019 at 11:37 pm

Hi Lina! Usually, your application will be processed within 5 working days if applied for priority service. But one of the worst things with the UK visa process is their processing times are completely off from what they say on their website. Also, they don’t mention how previous visa refusals will affect the processing time. Therefore, it’s really difficult to say if your application will be processed within the 10 working days that you have.

May 23, 2019 at 2:28 pm

Hi, I must commend the work you do here. I want to apply for a visitor visa, well this came suddenly and the organization I work with wants me to travel by July for work. But the issue here is if I’m to submit 6-month bank statement, I had large deposits that came into my account around February, this was from a friend who wanted me to keep the money for a while so he wouldn’t spend it. Well, the money left the account the same month but the fact that a huge sum came in and I see most issues here about large deposits. I earn around 100,000 naira and the deposit was 1.3m naira. What do you think I can do about this? what documents do I provide? Will this affect the application?

May 30, 2019 at 2:11 am

Hi Sarah! Generally, these kinds of deposits cause issues. The assumption is that applicant inflated the available balance in order to convince the visa officer that he/she is capable to support the trip.

But in your case, that deposited amount was already withdrawn. This may not be a huge issue, but you would still need to justify why such a large amount was deposited and then withdrawn. I suggest having your friend write a letter with the reason for that deposit and withdrawal. Noterize the letter and provide a copy of his passport and surgery document.

May 23, 2019 at 11:50 am

Pls Thirumal, just a quick one, I just got my 5 years visit visa.

I booked a hostel for Visa application but I have an uncle that stays in the UK. I’ve always stayed at his place on numerous occasions. I hope canceling the hotel Booking wouldn’t cause an issue at the point of entry.

Please, what’s your opinion?

May 25, 2019 at 4:26 am

Hi John! You may be asked to show a hotel booking and return ticket at the port of entry. If you say that you will stay with your uncle, you should have some documentation handy to prove your uncle’s identity, your relationship, etc.

May 22, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi, sir thanks for your endless time in answering our Visa questions. Sir, kindly I need your guidance on how to create a powerful tourist day to day itinerary for Germany. Preferably 5-day trips. Do I need to include every little activity?

May 25, 2019 at 4:08 am

Hi Ismah! No. You don’t have to include every activity. Mostly the dates, cities and a couple of activities you plan to do that day.

May 22, 2019 at 1:54 am

Hello Thirumal!

Thank you for your detailed article and constant replies to the questions posed.

I have a question regarding the application – When asked which countries I have visited and for what reason. I selected the country and study but since I’m still currently in this country studying the online system isn’t accepting it. It demands date of leaving the country. How do I go about this since I’ve been here for 5 years and it’s a big chunk of time and important for the application?

May 22, 2019 at 3:14 am

Hi Ab! The reason for asking that list is to assess your travel history. Travel history doesn’t mean traveling to other countries. It means how promptly did you return back to your country after your trip. That’s why return dates are important. If you went to this country to study and haven’t traveled outside even once during these 5 years, then it cannot be considered as travel history. Either you have to skip adding this country to the list or make up a fake return date in the past.

May 21, 2019 at 6:22 pm

Hi Sir, I was previously granted a UK spouse visa January of 2017 but have since been living in America with my husband since February of 2018. Will this cause an issue for me to reapply for a spouse visa?

May 22, 2019 at 3:52 pm

Hi Tammy! There are NO repercussions of not using a visa. Your previously successful (but unused) UK spouse visa will not affect your future spouse visa applications.

May 21, 2019 at 1:21 pm

Hi, Thanks for your blog.

My visa was refused. The reason, I have traveled to the UK before, but on my last visit, I stayed longer than the stated period. However, it was way below the six months. The ECO claims I did not explain in my application what I was doing for those extra days.

Question is, what are the chances of future applications considering they will always refer to this refusal, should I just give up on the UK and just try other destinations?

May 22, 2019 at 3:21 am

Hi Oscar! Usually, a few days over your stated period is not an issue. If you stayed much longer than the stated period, probably it’s better to give up on the UK visa for now. They will always refer to your previous refusal.

If you have stayed just a few days over your stated period, I suggest explaining the reason in your cover letter. If it is a justifiable reason, you will be granted the visa.

May 22, 2019 at 4:12 am

Hi Thirumal, I was just reading the above question and answer and I was a little shocked. What does it mean over staying within the six month visa period? Is it like you say in your application that you are going to be there for a week and actually spend 2 weeks on the actual visit? Is that a problem? The visa is multiple entry as well, so if on our application we say 7 days for a particular visit and actually end up making 2 visits in that period, is that going to make a problem for future applications. I am talking about legitimate and genuine reasons. A bit surprised. Your thoughts highly appreciated because I have just applied and mentioned my stay is going to be 5 days. Once I do get the visa (hopefully-I have chosen priority) I actually plan on making 2 visits of about the same period. Now I’m wondering how this is going to affect any future applications

May 22, 2019 at 3:25 pm

Hi Sarah! First of all, you have to put yourself in the shoes of visa officers. Case 1: An applicant asks for 7 days entry and stays for 14 days Case 2: An applicant asks for 7 days entry and stays for 4 months

Which one do you consider as overstay?

In my opinion, Case 2. It raises several questions such as – How can the applicant afford to stay for 4 months in an expensive country – How can the applicant get 4 months off from work in his/her home country – Was the applicant involved in illegal work to fund his/her 4-month stay in the UK

The “4 months” is just an example. But, it’s you who has to decide what is “considered as overstay”. In my opinion, asking for 7 days and staying for 14 days is absolutely acceptable.

May 22, 2019 at 7:40 pm

Hi Thirumal, Definitely makes sense. But each time I get a new mail, I just want to make sure that I haven’t raised any suspicions in my application. I am a genuine visitor and I only have 48 days annual leave to spend anywhere. By the way, do you have any idea how long the entry clearance assistants will take to verify my documents and pass it to the ECO? and is it also true the ECO only takes 4 Mins to decide? Waiting for your reply.

May 25, 2019 at 4:11 am

Hi Sarah! I don’t know the internal process. Moreover, the internal process is not irrelevant to us as it won’t affect the visa result. All we have to do is to submit the application and wait for the result.

Ismaeel says

May 20, 2019 at 4:10 pm

Hi Thirumal, Than you for your help. I got my UK 2years Visa today. I followed your advice by disclosing my previous refusal both Germany and USA. I can’t express how happy I am now.

May 22, 2019 at 4:16 am

Hi Ismaeel! That’s great to hear! I’m glad my advice helped. Have a great trip!

nerissa says

May 17, 2019 at 4:28 am

Hi sir, I just want to ask because I already traveled to the UK last year and I got a 6-month visitor visa. Then this month I will apply again for a visit visa and I just want to ask if I Have a chance to get again a visit visa? Thank you.

May 20, 2019 at 12:14 am

Hi Nerissa! Each application is assessed individually. If your application and circumstances haven’t changed much since your last successful application, you have a fair chance of approval this time as well.

Ahmed Seifeldin says

May 15, 2019 at 11:23 am

My visa application was refused last week without declaring any reason or stating the decision basis. Is this a usual scenario? Is it possible to ask for the reason why the visa application was refused? Thanks in advance!

May 16, 2019 at 2:49 am

Hi Ahmed! Yes, this has been a common occurrence these days. The ECO probably forgot to enclose the refusal letter. There is not much you can do now. Contacting the UK home office will only cost you time and money.

Vineet Kumar says

May 14, 2019 at 1:39 pm

Hello! I am Vineet, I’m working in a private company as a Graphic Designer and I received net salary cheque is Rs. 40k (per month). I have visited with my family (wife and my baby boy-1 year) Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and after that, I went to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand alone with my official group. And, in March 2019 I have applied for Schengen visa with my family but it has been refused. Now my agent tells me he will plan my UK trip with family by 7-6-19. I wanted to know that I’m eligible with this salary to apply for UK visa. Please reply to me asap. It will really help me.

May 15, 2019 at 4:29 am

Hi Vineet! The first mistake you must stop making is to use travel agents. They have never been to Europe or UK. How do you trust someone who has never been to these countries apply for your visa? How do you know that they know better than you? You have better chances if you apply on your own.

Here is my analysis – Your monthly salary is £440 (equivalent to Rs. 40k). – In that case, your total UK expenditure cannot be more than £880 (twice your monthly income). – You have to show a daily budget of about £150 in your bank. For a family of 3, about £250 a day. – That means, with £880, you can only travel for about 3-4 days. If you show an itinerary longer than that, it will likely be refused.

Suggestions I suggest not applying for your UK visa at this point. Wait till your income increases. Meanwhile, build more travel history for you and your family.

May 13, 2019 at 5:18 am

Hi! How long does it usually take for a visa to be approved? I looked on here and it says 2,3,5,10 days (Vienna). Is it accurate? I‘ve been granted a visa before (2014) but don‘t remember how long it took.

May 15, 2019 at 4:38 am

Hi Marie! That is not accurate. The accurate processing time would be in the email confirmation sent to you when the consulate receives your passport and documents. Usually, the UK visa process is about 30 days. It can be much quicker or it can take 30 days.

May 12, 2019 at 11:36 pm

Hi Thirumal, It’s Sarah again. I want to know if we can enter the UK on a date prior to the date we have mentioned on our application as our intended date of travel. And if we do, can we also re-enter again on our intended date mentioned in the initial application. I know UK visa is multiple entry, but would we be raising red flags by entering before our stated date of entry. Is there any way for the immigration officers at the arrivals desk in the UK airports to know that we have arrived before our time. As always, your reply is highly appreciated. Thank you very much.

May 16, 2019 at 10:14 pm

Hi Sarah! You can enter the UK anytime after your visa is issued until the visa expiration date. You can enter multiple times as well. The only thing that gets you in trouble is staying much longer than the days mentioned in your application. For example, if you have asked for 7 days but you stayed for 3 months, it raises red flags. You will then be questioned when leaving, re-entering or applying for a UK visa in the future.

So, entering earlier than your intended date of travel is perfectly fine. And, entering multiple times is fine too.

May 17, 2019 at 12:44 am

Thank you very much Sir. You have put me at ease. I have applied for my visas and due to go for biometrics in a few days. Hope everything goes well. I really can’t say enough about your blog. An ocean of expertise. Will update on my visa status. Also, just on second thoughts, I am thinking of asking if you or any one of our readers know anything about documents upload on vfs. I don’t like that and I am wondering if I can simply hand over all my supporting documents in paper format as I did the last time. Has anyone submitted paper documents after the introduction of the online document upload, pls let me know. Thanks in advance!

May 17, 2019 at 1:29 am

You’re welcome and yes, please let me know your visa status. The document upload feature seems to be new. I don’t know if it’s mandatory to upload all your documents on their website. I suggest posting this question on my Visa Traveler FB group . My readers seem to respond on FB quickly than here.

May 17, 2019 at 6:07 am

Thank you again, Thirumal. I will do that!!!

Papilo says

May 12, 2019 at 10:10 am

Got a copy of Traveling on Visas. A great job well done. I’ve been refused (Denied) UK Visa 3x in the last 4 months with pains. Application 1 – 2 on Standard application while 3rd on Super Priority. – I’m on full-time employment with £337 monthly salary. – A registered family business where i paid myself £965 monthly as Allowance. – A single bank account accommodated the above stated salary/Allowance. – Submitted the above Account and Business Account + legal docs.

Here is the first refusal note:

The decision

I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) 4 of Appendix V: Immigration Rules for Visitors. I have considered your application in the context of your evidenced personal circumstances and funding. You have declared in your visa application form that you are employed full time earning £337 a month and that you are married with three dependent children. You also state that you propose to travel to the UK with your spouse and child as a tourist for six days, staying in hotel accommodation. You have further stated that you will meet the costs of your proposed visit. However: • I must also consider the evidence of your personal circumstances and funding as demonstrated by you. You have stated that you will personally spend £2850 on your proposed visit. I consider the personal cost of your proposed visit to be around eight times your stated net monthly employment income. Whilst I have noted that you state you have investments, it has not been sufficiently explained how such proposed expenditure is credible. • As evidence of your own funds and financial circumstances, you have submitted bank statements. However, whilst I have considered the documents submitted I am not satisfied that you have sufficiently demonstrated the origin of the funds shown in your personal account. I am not satisfied that these statements are a reliable reflection of your financial circumstances or your stated ability to pay for your proposed visit. • I am not satisfied that you have sufficiently demonstrated your personal circumstances and funds or that they are as such that you can be relied upon to meet the conditions of visit entry clearance. Taking the foregoing into account, I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. Furthermore, I am not satisfied that you have sufficient funds available to cover your costs whilst in the UK without working or accessing public funds. Your application has therefore been refused under paragraphs V4.2 (a) and (e).

Your advice is kindly welcome.

May 15, 2019 at 4:06 am

Hi Papilo! Looks like the entry clearance officer has completely overlooked your monthly allowance and it’s relevant documentation. Unfortunate, but this is a common occurrence these days. Many of my readers had success on their reapplication.

If you like to give it a try, then in your cover letter, clearly indicate the reasons of you previous visa refusal, your explanation on why it’s not justified and the list of documents that were overlooked. This will make the ECO focus solely on the previous refusal reasons and the documents overlooked. You will, therefore, have a fair chance.

Note: It is highly unlikely for the ECO to overlook your documentation 3 times in a row. There may be something wrong with your application itself. Check your application, documentation and cover letter if the “allowance” part is clear enough.

May 12, 2019 at 5:33 am

If I say I will attend a world cup cricket match in England, do I have to show a match ticket?

May 15, 2019 at 3:53 am

Hi Nouzar! No. Match ticket will not affect your visa result. As long as you show that you have strong ties with your country and have an obligation to return back, you are fine. Match tickets are not really required.

May 12, 2019 at 12:43 am

I am from The Gambia I applied for a UK visa which was refused. I got back my passport with no stamp. I don’t know or get any letter indicating the reason for my refusal. What should I do now?

May 15, 2019 at 3:52 am

Hi Muhammad! Sorry to hear that! But there isn’t much you can do. Quite a few of my readers had similar experiences where a refusal letter was not enclosed. Trying to contact the home office and asking for reasons will only cost you money. I suggest reapplying.

Ben Mehidi Salah says

August 10, 2019 at 3:23 am

Hi Muhammad! Since nearly a year ago the British Emigration Authorities do not deliver a paper document anymore. They send you instead a Refusal Decision through your email. Check your email.

SUBRAMANIAN says

May 11, 2019 at 10:31 am

You replied to my previous query. Thanks for that.

I completed my application as well as family’s application for a visitor visa. I am applying from the UAE.

1. The checklist does not mention anything about a cover letter. Is it a must? 2. The checklist mentions the submission of proof of owning a property. I have no property in the UAE. I have no choice to leave it blank. Would it affect the decision? (I rent an apartment and its contract is also asked for that I can provide) 3. Working for a govt. department, leave system is online on ERP. They do not issue any leave approval letter. Is it mandatory for the UK visa? There is no mention of that in the checklist I printed out. 4. I have a return air ticket. Is this not sufficient documentation to show I would return after the visit?

May 14, 2019 at 11:40 pm

Hi Subramanian!

1. No. But from my experience, a cover letter works really well in conveying additional information that was not asked in the application or through documentation.

For example, a detailed itinerary. Providing a day-by-day itinerary in your cover letter will mitigate the risk of refusal reason “unclear itinerary or unclear purpose of travel”.

2. No. You would provide property ownership documents only if you own a property. Otherwise, no need to provide anything and nothing worry. It won’t affect your visa result.

3. No. Leave approval letter is not mandatory as well. But again, from my experience, leave approval letter will mitigate the visa refusal reason “no intention to return back”.

4. Not really. You can cancel or forgo your ticket and simply overstay your visa. A return ticket is not an obligation to return back, but a commitment at your job or family is.

May 11, 2019 at 2:32 am

My parents are in the UK. Father is a British citizen (asylum). Mother went has applied for dependant visa and it is pending. I’m applying for a tourist visa. Should I mention them? I’m afraid that since my mother visa is under process, my visa may be refused. Please advise.

May 14, 2019 at 11:32 pm

Hi Feda! Your visa is very unlikely to be approved. Even if you don’t mention your parents, the UK home office may have your parents’ records. They may assume that you also have “immigration” intent and may overstay your visa. I suggest consulting an immigration lawyer. They can tell if your parents’ situation would affect your visa result.

Chen Nadan says

May 11, 2019 at 12:13 am

Hi Thiru, My husband and I would like to go to UK and Europe trip. I need to get both visas and my hubby does not want to as he can get on arrival visas.

My first UK visa has refused. 2 weeks later (now) I have obtained a Schengen visa. The main reason for UK visa refusal is I did not submit sufficient proof that I would come back at the end of the visit to the UK for a holiday (and in my previous application for 20 days visit to the UK, I did not mention this 20 days including the visit to Schengen countries).

I plan to reapply with improved supporting documents. (1) Do I need to explain in the cover letter what were the reasons for refusal last time and how I overcome them?

My itinerary seems first 2 days fly to and stay in the UK then travel by train to France & visit surrounding countries for a week then stay in the UK for 9 days.

(2) Do I need to work out and show the expenses that how my saving I have sufficient for the entire trip? What do you reckon about the daily expenses in London & France?

Thank you in Advance

May 14, 2019 at 11:26 pm

1) Yes. Reapply for your UK visa and clearly mention the reason for refusal and your justification. Explain that you will only be in the UK for 11 days and remaining in France. Attach a copy of your Schengen visa and the train tickets between the UK and France.

2) From my experience, the UK visa officers may refuse your visa applications if you intend to spend more than half of your current savings or more than 2 times your monthly income. Since you are combining both UK and Schengen, the visa officer may verify if you have enough income and savings for your entire trip.

In my experience, you must show an average daily budget of £150 in your account. Schengen is also similar (but in Euros). Therefore, 20 days * £150 = £3,000 total budget. Make sure your savings are at least double this amount and your monthly income is at least half of this amount.

Medcon says

May 10, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Does anyone of you had the same experience? I was asked to go back to do my biometrics again after a month. Does it mean they haven’t assessed my documents yet? And I have to wait for 15 working days again for the result?

May 14, 2019 at 11:06 pm

Hi Medcon! I haven’t had any such incidents myself or heard any from my readers. Let’s wait and see if someone responds that had a similar experience.

Siddharth S says

May 10, 2019 at 11:52 am

Thanks for the great information.

My query is: I am genuinely planning a 10-day solo vacation to London alone and have submitted documents accordingly. My hotels and flights are genuinely booked and I am going for 10 days because I feel London requires these days otherwise I cannot cover the many many sights. Do you think I am a case probable for rejection/refusal based on your 1st point here?

Regards, Siddharth S.

May 14, 2019 at 11:00 pm

Hi Siddharth! That’s absolutely fine. Make sure you – – Justify your request with a detailed itinerary. There is so much to see and do in London. It can take 10 or even more days depending on what you would like to do. – Have enough income and savings to support your stay

May 10, 2019 at 9:04 am

Hello! I’m a law student and my college organized an international trip to the Netherlands. Our trip was an educational trip and 20 people were about to go but all visa’s got refused. But I do not have any refusal or denied stamp on my passport. Will this create a problem in my future visa application to the UK?

May 10, 2019 at 9:55 pm

Hi Yammy! It’s difficult to say if your Schengen visa refusal will affect your UK visa decision. But in your UK visa application, you will be asked if you had any previous visa refusals for any country. For that question, you must disclose your previous Schengen visa refusal. Otherwise, they may use this against you as withholding/hiding information.

May 10, 2019 at 7:29 am

Hi Thirumal, you have not responded to my questions on here is this blog not meant Nigerians?

May 10, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Hi Idowu! This blog is for all travelers coming from developing countries, that means Nigeria as well. Currently, I have 58 comments to respond and it takes a while for me to get to every one of them. Please bear with me. Each comment is unique and I need to analyze, think, research and respond. Sometimes responding to a query can take hours depending on the complexity of the case.

That being said, if your question is about study/work/spouse or immigration visa, I will not respond. My experience and knowledge are only in tourist visas.

May 10, 2019 at 4:55 am

I applied for visiting visa since 14th of March 2019, and up until I haven’t gotten my passport back. Every time I call the UK embassy I’m being told they haven’t taken a decision. The last time I called I was asked if I wanted to escalate, I said yes. I got a mail shortly afterwards saying I should resubmit and resend previous documents submitted at the VAF office in my home country in Nigeria, which I have done already. Prior to this, I got a mail two weeks after my initial submission that my application wasn’t straightforward! I find this strange because I am not a first-time applicant. My application in the past has always been seamless, in fact, I schooled in the UK. I honestly can’t decipher the delay. Would appreciate if you can please shed more clarity. Many thanks!

May 14, 2019 at 10:50 pm

Hi Lola! This is one of the worst things with the UK visa. There is no way to know the status and you have to pay for everything, even asking a question.

I don’t really know why the delay either. Try contacting the consulate and VFS in every which way. Tell them you need your passport as you have to travel soon. In the worst case, apply for a “visa withdrawal” so you can at least get your passport back.

May 9, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Good day! Please, I sent an application on 12 April for visitor Visa and up till now, I have not had any message from the embassy.

May 10, 2019 at 9:38 pm

Hi Dorcas! The UK visa application process can take up to 30 days. In some cases, more than 30 days. You just have to wait till you hear back from them.

May 9, 2019 at 8:11 am

Thanks for your quick update, much appreciated.

I came across some forums on net where people have claimed that their application (2nd time) was refused by just mentioning wrong ‘date of birth’ for their dependents in previous application which was considered as ‘Deception’. Means, it seems that they are comparing the old and new application field by field and if any variation found they would straightaway reject the application.

I also came across Immigration rule 320 7B where it is clearly mentioned that an applicant will be refused visa and will be banned for 10 years if it is found that deception was used for ‘Entry Clearance for leave to enter’ in previous application (whether successful or not). Hence, I was worried that my case might also be used for deception. Below is quote:

You next application: applications are refused under 320(7b) if deception has been used in a previous application for 10 years unless:

(7B) The applicant has previously breached the UK’s immigration laws by overstaying; breaching a condition attached to his leave; being an illegal entrant; using deception in a visa application, leave to enter or remain (whether successful or not), unless the applicant:

…was unaware that the documents submitted or representations made were false;

Awaiting your comments on aforementioned case……

May 14, 2019 at 3:26 am

Hi Ahmed! My blog, as well as those forums, are mostly opinions. Only the Entry Clearance Officer will be able to tell what exactly is categorized as “deception”. If you read too much into this, you will overthink it.

My Opinion In my opinion, deception is a strong word. Using fake documents, fake purpose of travel, impersonating someone, scamming the visa system, etc are “deception”. Deception is something that’s done “intentionally”.

Personal Experience In fact, I applied for my first UK visa 4 years ago. I made a few mistakes myself and I was still able to get my visa. I filled the application as I understood it. I had a genuine purpose of travel, I applied for the visa and I was issued the visa.

If you are a genuine visitor, there isn’t much to worry about. If you make mistakes in your application form, your documents will auto-fix them. If you enter “permanent resident” in your application, a copy of your “temporary visa” will auto-fixed it. But if you intentionally enter “permanent resident” and provide a fake permanent resident card, that’s deception.

My Suggestion There are only options – (1) you don’t mention your previous application at all or (2) you mention your previous application and explain in your cover letter.

If you are concerned, go ahead with option 2.

vijaya says

May 9, 2019 at 7:52 am

Thank you for all the information on this page. I was looking to seek your quick opinion on my UK tourist visa application. I have been a very frequent traveller to the UK as my parents are settled there since 2009. Initially I was with them until 2010 and then I came here for my undergraduate course, and since then I was visiting them over the summer holidays until 2013. Then I moved to the UK to pursue my masters from September 2016 upon completion of which I got a job and switched to a work tier 2 visa until 2019 March, however now I am back and I am working here. I want to apply for a long term UK tourist visa to be able to visit my parents when needed (preferably 2 years). I can ask for an employment letter and leave letter from my employer to support my application. My father will be sponsoring the holiday and I also have savings in my UK account and I can also attach my salary account bank statements from now. I have also been travelling to other countries very frequently over the past decade and have never been refused a visa or entry to any country. Do you think there would be any issue?

My current income is INR 30,000 per month. However, I have a saving of over £3500 in my UK account and my father will be putting out a letter confirming that he will bear all costs associated with the holiday. Honestly, I will be staying at home with them and so no accommodation charges and he will be taking care of food. I will not be making much travelling except around London may be a couple of times and then to Harry Potter studios. All of which I can pay for comfortably and prove it through my income and old savings. I will not be doing any other touristy stuff and so no costs as such.

May 14, 2019 at 3:41 am

Hi Vijaya! You have employment, savings and decent travel history along with a history of travel to the UK. You lived there, studied there and your parents live there. You have plenty of reasons to ask for a long term visa. In my opinion, you have high chances of securing a long term UK visa. I don’t see any issues.

One thing I would like to point out though. Now that you are working and have your own source of income, ECO would like to see if you can support yourself during the trip in case your parents decide not to. Your monthly income is low at this point, therefore make sure your itinerary is not too long. You can make multiple visits with your long term visa, but the itinerary you show for visa can’t be too long which may look unrealistic for your income and savings. I suggest 10-15 days max.

I was refused a visit visa 13 years back, and the reason they mentioned was “I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the UK after the visit”. The new application asks details of the refusal (they don’t ask for the reason). should I mention the reason.

May 10, 2019 at 10:17 pm

Hi Feda! They may already have the reason for the refusal in their records. You just have to mention the type of visa, when did you apply and result.

May 9, 2019 at 2:56 am

I would like to take this opportunity to seek your advice, please. I am applying for UK Spouse Visa this week in Manila and I’m wanting to use the priority service but I have had UK marriage visit visa refusal 2017 due to lack of supporting documents to prove that relationship was genuine. I want to know if I am qualified to use this service?

Thank you so much for your help Jen

May 10, 2019 at 7:57 pm

Hi Jen! Yes, you can use the priority service. Priority service has no bearing on your previous visa attempts or their results.

May 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Hi! Thirumal

I’m from Algeria and from January to the current time, most of all applicants are getting refusal because of the Brexit. Do you think for my case as a new applicant I’ll be exposed to get refusal if I submit now?

Does really Brexit influence on the visas according to your experience?

May 8, 2019 at 9:14 pm

Hi Ahmed! No, Brexit has no effect on UK visas. All those applicants whose visa were refused probably did not meet the requirements. UK visa process is very strict and that’s why the refusal rate is high. I wrote this article so you don’t make the same mistake as others did.

Nana Aqwecy says

May 8, 2019 at 5:15 pm

Hello sir! Please, I applied for a visit visa (UK). I went for my passport yesterday but there was no visa in it and no reason for visa refusal. I got only my passport without any changes. Thank you!

May 8, 2019 at 9:07 pm

Hi Nana! If you see the comments here, quite a few readers went through the same situation as you. The ECO probably forgot to include the refusal letter. There is nothing you can do. If you try to contact for the refusal reasons, you will only be spending a lot with no success.

I suggest to move on or re-apply again.

May 8, 2019 at 4:50 pm

Thank you very much for your kind guidance Thirumal! I have some doubts.

1. We are Sri Lankan passport holders; I’m currently working in Qatar and applying for UK tourist visa from Qatar. Do I have to mention Qatar or Sri Lanka in Travel History? My son born in Qatar last year and we visited Sri Lanka once. How can I state his travel history? In the online portal, it’s mandatory to state entry and exit dates. 2. What to write in “describe the details of the purpose of visit and plans for the trip”? 3. They ask for the “intended expenses” for each application, the portal doesn’t take “0” for my dependents. Should I split the expenses by 3 and enter?

May 10, 2019 at 7:54 pm

1. Travels to your own country are not considered as travel history because you have (1) unconditional entry and (2) indefinite leave to remain in your country of passport. But if you are listing countries for the question “have you traveled to any country outside your country of residence?” then you must list Sri Lanka as well. Qatar is your country of residence and you will not list Qatar.

Same applies to your son as well. You must list all travels to Sri Lanka but not Qatar.

2. If your purpose of travel is “tourism”, you must mention that your purpose of travel is tourism, you travel dates, places or cities that you intend to visit.

3. Yes, split the expenses by 3.

May 8, 2019 at 3:31 pm

I am applying for UK Visit Visa from the UAE. I am an Indian passport holder resident of the UAE. Is it required to say in the application details of my bank account if I give a letter from my employer? Is it necessary to declare the NRE account I hold in India?

May 8, 2019 at 9:01 pm

Hi Subramanian! I suggest providing your bank statements only from the UAE. If you provide your bank statements from India, it can complicate your case.

Saanya Gandhi says

May 7, 2019 at 8:45 pm

Thanks a lot for all your help. This article and the comments and questions here helped me a lot. I got my Visa today!

May 8, 2019 at 2:53 pm

Hi Saanya! That’s fantastic! Congratulations! I’m glad that this article, questions and comments were helpful in securing your visa.

Have a great trip to the UK!!

CeeKay says

May 7, 2019 at 10:36 am

I’m about to have my visa appointment tomorrow, I am applying for a standard visiting visa.

I have visited the U.K. multiple times ever since 2006, reason being I have family and friends that are citizens and live there as well. In 2014 I was admitted to a University in England to study my undergrad degree and then went onto do a masters at the same university… One of my main reasons for applying for the visa is my graduation ceremony is in July this year.

Beyond traveling to England I have visited and lived in 4 other countries. Never overstayed or broke any immigration rules… So I have a decent travel history.

This is my first time applying for a visitors visa to the U.K as an adult seeing as every other time I had applied I was under 18 and I applied with family.

I was just wondering what are my chances of my visa being granted?

May 9, 2019 at 2:49 am

Hi CeeKay! You have a very good travel history including travels to the UK. Apart from that, you would need to show that (1) you have strong ties with your country and (2) you are obligated to return back after your trip. To prove these, you must have continuous full-time employment, a continuous source of income, enough savings in the bank and family ties.

Your travel history will definitely help you even if you lack some of these. But your chances will be higher if you are strong in these.

May 6, 2019 at 9:17 pm

I am a Pakistani national, living in Jeddah (KSA) and in the process of applying for UK Business Visa. There is a question regarding KSA Immigration status in visa application (GOV.UK). There are two options for this question: 1. Temporary Visa 2. Permanent Resident. I selected ‘Permanent Resident’ in my last application way back in June 2016 (and the application was successful). But this time after more research, I decided to choose the option ‘Temporary Visa’ as this option suits more to foreigners living in KSA. Also, this time if you choose the option ‘Permanent Resident’ option, it would bring another field to enter ‘In which Year you became Permanent Resident’? (which was not the case three years ago in GOV.UK application). So, obviously, I cannot go for the PR option this time.

So if I choose the ‘Temporary Visa’ option this time in the new application, would it make any problem for my new application since in my last application I chose different option (PR). They could reject the application by mentioning that I lied to them in my previous application. Should I offer an explanation in the ‘Additional Information’ page that why I chose ‘Permanent Resident’ option in the previous application and why this time I choose the option ‘Temporary Visa’? Or this Immigration status information (in KSA) would not matter to them much? Or shall I not mention at all about previous application where I mentioned ‘Permanent Resident’ option?

Please advice!

May 9, 2019 at 3:06 am

Hi Ahmed! Many use the terms “permanent residence” and “residence permit” interchangeably. But those two are actually different and that’s why that new question on the UK visa application.

You should choose “Temporary Visa” since that’s the most appropriate for your situation.

Do not worry about using “Permanent Resident” in your previous visa application. The Entry Clearance Officer would be interested in the result of your previous visa application but they will not be doing a field by field comparison. You don’t need to offer any explanation on that.

That being said, I suggest adding a section in your cover letter such as “Status in KSA” and briefly explain your visa status. Something on the lines of how long your visa is valid for and how often do you renew, etc. If the ECO is not familiar with visas in KSA, this explanation will help.

Janney says

May 6, 2019 at 2:57 pm

Hi, I have a large sum of money deposit in my account about £600. The money was deposited by my husband. I will be applying for a tourism Visa next month. The problem is how do I explain this large deposit. Remember I don’t have any proof of the deposit not even the pay in slip. Please, how can I explain this in my cover letter? Thanks.

May 14, 2019 at 10:24 pm

Hi Janney! You can have your husband write a letter explaining the deposit amount, date and reason. It will help if – – You can notarize this letter – Provide the bank statement of your husband where he withdrew £600 in order to deposit in your account

Patrick says

May 6, 2019 at 12:53 pm

Thanks so much for this site. Please, I need some help. I am trying to apply for a 2-week tourist visa to see my sister. 1. I have had 2 previous visa refusals in 2006 and 2007. As of that time I was 12-13 years of age, and I’m unable to find the reason for the refusal. 2. If I say I plan to stay at her house in Newcastle for most of the trip, what do I include in my itinerary, seeing as I don’t intend to do much? 3. She may have moved from Newcastle to London just before my intended entry date, how do I let the home office know so that I don’t seem dishonest/confused at border control?

Thanks for your anticipated response.

May 14, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hi Patrick!

1. You can just say that you don’t know or remember the reason. 2. In that case, shorten your itinerary. Have a few days for spending at your sister’s place and few days traveling (day trips, picnics, etc) with your sister. 3. This shouldn’t be a problem. You can change your itinerary when you actually travel. As long as you are not abusing the visa, you are fine.

May 5, 2019 at 6:29 pm

I entered The UK on Jan 19th, 2018 and travelled around Europe and outside Europe. On Nov 7th I entered the UK from Italy but was refused entry. I flew back to Italy and spent a couple of months. I had a flight scheduled for my home country on the 14/01 from Gatwick but it was not a connecting flight from Italy so I needed to collect luggage and check in etc. I was refused entry but was able to board the flight. I don’t need a visa to enter the UK but was advised by an immigration officer to apply for a visa if ever I’m returning to the UK. He also stated that I’ll need to show evidence that my situation has changed. I now have a job offer with clearance entry. Do I still need to apply for a visa or is the letter from the employer sufficient?

May 14, 2019 at 10:14 pm

Hi Jane! My knowledge and experience are only in visas with “tourism” intent. I don’t know how “work authorizations” function. You may not need a visa to enter since you are visa exempt. But you may need a visa to work in the UK. You must check with the employer or authorities on the exact requirement.

May 5, 2019 at 1:50 pm

So I’ll be travelling to the UK soon and applying for my UK visa. My uncle is inviting myself and my family. We are well travelled to the UK as well. My uncle’s British passport recently expired but he is about to renew it and wants to send us the bio-data page of the expired passport as well as evidence of his application for the new one, as we need to submit the application asap. Do you think this is fine or the expiration could affect us even though he will write in his letter that his new one is being applied for and show proof?

May 5, 2019 at 6:44 pm

Hi Abaks! It won’t affect your visa. You will be fine by submitting a copy of his expired passport and a proof of application for his new passport. If required, the home office will have a way to verify this information on their end.

May 5, 2019 at 6:11 am

I am planning to visit London along with Paris/Zurich in September along with my family(wife and 1 kid of 4 years of age) for a total of 10 days. I had booked flights and Hotels as well. Below is my itinerary :- Hyderabad -> London -> Paris -> Zurich -> Venice -> Hyderabad

I had travelled to the US 5 times in the past and also been to Paris once in the past.

Can you please suggest whether I should show the complete itinerary for UK visa application or only Hyderabad -> London -> Hyderabad?.

If I should be showing only London Itenary, then how should I mention it as I would be travelling back from Venice to Hyderabad, not from London to Hyderabad and tickets were also already booked for the same.

Should I show it as below:- Day 1: Arrival to London Day 2: In London…… Day 3: London to Paris by Eurostar Train. Day 10: Venice to Hyderabad

Thanks, Kunal

May 5, 2019 at 6:54 pm

Hi Kunal! First of all, you must not “purchase” flight tickets before your visas are approved. If your visa/visas are denied, you will have a hard time getting a refund on your flights.

I suggest applying for your UK visa with a “UK only” itinerary. This eliminates the need to show a copy of your Schengen visa (which you don’t have yet). Therefore, go for Hyd-Lon-Hyd itinerary.

UK visa application doesn’t ask for flight tickets or hotel accommodation. If at all you are asked to submit them as well, ask any travel agent to book/hold flight tickets for you. Flight tickets can be held for about 2 weeks. You can submit your booked/held flight tickets for your UK visa. Refer to my article on ways to get a flight itinerary for visa applications for more options.

Schengen Visa

Your UK visa will take up to 30 days for processing. After your UK visa is approved, apply for your Schengen visa as a combined itinerary of UK and Schengen. You can use your already “purchased” tickets for your Schengen visa. Make sure to submit a copy of your approved UK visa as well.

May 5, 2019 at 3:30 am

My visa was refused on April 23. I applied for a tourist visa staying there for 5 months. My bf sponsored me sending all his documents. I submitted all the requirements however, there was no letter from the employer stating that I was given a 6-month annual leave and that I still have a job to return to after my trip. I only submitted my certificate of employment. 1 more reason that they saw was the bank statement of my boyfriend. They saw that on the last day of the month, he had a deposit of 2k pounds (it’s his salary that’s automatically deposited in his account every 30th of the month).

Now, we are planning to reapply again this June, this time I will only stay there for 3 months. However, I already resigned from my job and currently unemployed. I don’t know what proof I should provide to show my intent to return. Friends told me that I shouldn’t apply for a tourist visa, but a fiancee visa instead. Does that make any difference? Do you think I’d be allowed to stay there for 3 months? Any advice on what I should do, please? The refusal stressed me out. Boyfriend said we will have to explain everything in the cover letter this time.

I am also staying at his own house. Boyfriend said his parents will write a letter to sponsor me, but won’t submit their bank details.

HI Jada! Your UK visitor visa will likely be denied if you seek a long entry such as 6 months or even 3 months. If you are unemployed and has a UK bf, it’s very difficult to convince the visa officer that you will return back to your country.

If you guys are intending to marry soon, then a fiancee visa is an option. My knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas. I don’t have expertise in fiancee or spouse visas for the UK. You may have to consult an immigration lawyer for that.

May 5, 2019 at 12:11 am

Thank you, Thiru. Your blog carries a lot of info for visa applicants.

I have another query for you.

If we plan to visit London and Europe from Australia do you recommend to apply for the UK visa and Schengen Visa by treating each one as independent travel from Australia? OR Can we show in our Schengen Visa itinerary that we are travelling from London to France by road?

May 5, 2019 at 2:03 am

Hi Chen! First, apply for your UK visa by treating it as independent travel from Australia.

Second, after you receive your UK visa, apply for Schengen visa as a combined itinerary of UK and Schengen. Since you will already have your UK visa by then, you can attach a copy of your UK visa with your Schengen visa application.

May 4, 2019 at 12:29 pm

Yes, I dont have documentary evidence to prove that those funds of my mother is a Gift :(

It’s fine thou

1) Is it okay to change the sponsor and make my Father as a sponsor since the date of refusal is in 2018

2) When we talk about economic and ties, do I need to show both my father’s ties and my ties also if I have it, knowing that the applicant is me and is not my father?

3) Do you think when a student submit ties under his name (such as a car, or any other property) the ECO will check them one by one?

I really need an answer for these and thankyou so much!!

May 5, 2019 at 1:53 am

1) Yes. You can use a different sponsor for your reapplication. 2) No. Just you. You have to show that you have strong ties to your country, so you will return back to your country after your trip. 3) They may. There are instances where third-party agencies have called applicant’s employers, schools, banks, etc. If they are charging £100 and taking 30 days, they are definitely verifying something.

Nousar says

May 4, 2019 at 9:39 am

I’m preparing to apply for the UK visit visa for me and my family. I have some confusions. 1. I have traveled around 10 times in the last 10 years to UAE, as I worked there. Do I have to mention all the date of entry and exit from UAE (currently I’m employed in Qatar) 2. In the online application, after employment and salary details, it is asked about any other investment or saving. I have savings in my salary account. Should I mention that in that part? 3. I have more than enough saving in that salary account in Qatar. Hence, I think, no need to state about my other small saving in my home country and share market investment there. What is your opinion? 4. I was refused Holiday working visa 16 years back (in 2003), Do I have to mention that. The actual reason for the rejection is too many people applied for that category visa. However, they mentioned in the rejection that “unable to explain the purpose of the application”. How can I describe in the application about this? 5. Do I have to state about my properties in my home county? If so, will they accept the copies of the deeds as proof?

May 5, 2019 at 2:00 am

1. Just mention the most recent visit to UAE. 2. Yes. 3. Yeah, don’t mention your savings in your home country. If you do, then you will have to show the transactions between these accounts and it will complicate your case. 4. Yes. Mention whatever they mentioned as the reason – “unable to explain the purpose of the application”. 5. You can. Yes, copies of deeds are enough.

Vishal K. says

May 4, 2019 at 8:21 am

Hello, I have submitted my application online at VFS with scanned documents. I uploaded bank statement etc. But I didn’t attach a scanned copy of my savings (demat) and source of income.

Can I submit a hard copy of this document during my biometric? Do they review hard copies or is decision done only on the basis of uploaded scanned copies?

May 4, 2019 at 9:26 pm

Hi Vishal! It has to be either one – online or offline. I don’t know if they can accept some online and some offline. I suggest carrying those documents with you on your biometric appointment.

May 4, 2019 at 3:21 am

Hi! I have travelled 8 countries including Turkey, Russia, Saudi, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Thailand and UAE in the past 5 years along with my spouse for tourism. Now I have match tickets for the cricket world cup. I have a valid US visa whereas my spouse does not. I will sponsor my spouse’s trip expenses. I have not travelled the US yet. I am planning to apply for the UK visa this month. Problem is I have multiple Schengen rejections. I have good funds assets and a stable job. Should I apply now or travel the US first come back and apply? Will previous Schengen refusals cause any problem? How to increase my chances as I have good travel history too?

May 4, 2019 at 8:13 pm

Hi Najam! It depends if your Schengen rejections were prior to building that travel history. If it was prior to building your travel history, it won’t impact your UK visa that much. You have already proved that you are a genuine visitor by securing visas, traveling to those countries and promptly returning back without overstaying.

Yes. I suggest traveling to the US first. This strengthens your travel history and builds more trust in you as a genuine traveler.

May 3, 2019 at 9:55 pm

His salary is 40.000 escudos monthly.

The first 7 day’s he is going to stay here in my house! Where I will be responsible for travel costs and food etc. Then we are going to London for 7 days. Then 7 days to Manchester.

How can we do this then?

And we did the application for 21 days. He has also a cover letter of his employer that he has right’s for 21 day’s to spend his holiday.

Are 2000 pounds not enough then? I am sponsoring 500 pounds as well

So only my payslip and bank statement and the tenancy agreement are enough to send? As approval.

I am very concerned regarding this refusal.

May 4, 2019 at 9:11 pm

Hi Dishy! I completely understand your concern. But it would be difficult to convince the visa officer. They weigh all factors including family and friends. They would think that he would starve or abandon his family if he uses all his savings on this trip. That is why there are those limits.

Raghav says

May 3, 2019 at 5:28 pm

Hi sir, I am earning 18,000 AED in Dubai (in Dubai since 2016) and my wife is earning 3,000 AED in Dubai (since April 2018). We both traveled previously countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Georgia together in last one year. We don’t have a marriage certificate at the moment.

I understand that 3000 AED is not enough for UK visa but will they consider my salary also if in documentation we show them marriage photographs or previous travel history. Please suggest what is the best option to avoid the visa refusal for both of us as my bank statements are showing regular salary deposits.

May 3, 2019 at 6:54 pm

Hi Raghav! Yes, that’s a workable solution. Clearly mention in your cover letter that you don’t have a marriage certificate (yet) but you have other evidence such as photos, travel history, social media communication, wedding invitation (online or offline), etc. That should suffice.

Apart from that, I suggest providing employment and financial proofs for both of you.

May 3, 2019 at 4:21 pm

I found one of the reasons for someone’s 2 consecutive UK Visa refusals is

* You state you wish to visit the UK for a period of 10 days with your spouse to visit your friend and for tourism.

In this case, how many days you recommended to apply the visa for?

May 3, 2019 at 9:06 pm

Hi Chen! 10 days is perfectly fine but it depends on your itinerary. If you plan to spend all those 10 days in London, it doesn’t sound realistic. It raises the question of why you need 10 days to explore London. But if you plan to explore multiple cities (or countryside) in those 10 days, it’s a believable itinerary.

That being said, your refusal could also be due to your friend in the UK. When you introduce new people on the visa application, the UK home office conducts background checks on them. If there is anything questionable in their backgrounds, your visa will be refused.

May 3, 2019 at 1:41 pm

Thank you for your help so far! :)

I am just wondering how to prove that my grandmother has family remaining back home (and in turn, intends to return home at the end of her stay in the UK). Is it as simple as providing a letter outlining this or do I need further documentation?

Thanks, Inohna

May 3, 2019 at 6:42 pm

Hi Inohna! It’s both. You can provide documentary evidence such as her kids’ (or whoever living with her in the house) current employment, business or school enrollment proofs. These documents will show that they are currently living in her home country.

You will then explain about her family remaining back at home during her trip in her cover letter.

May 3, 2019 at 10:02 am

Hi Thirumal My parents’ visa has been refused. They wanted to come to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary here on a tourist visa. Also, their visa for the long term has been refused back in 2014. I am so heartbroken. what can we do?

Please advise.

May 3, 2019 at 6:36 pm

Hi Tania! Without knowing your complete circumstances, I cannot advise on your case. Many factors affect UK visa result including any previous visa refusals. I suggest reading this article as well as the article on visa mistakes to avoid . After that, carefully review your case to figure any issues, mistakes or drawbacks.

Celine says

May 3, 2019 at 9:59 am

I am from Malaysia and have started my application for a Tier 5 GAE Visa. My starting date of work should be on the 13th of May, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, it will be pushed until the 25th of May. Hence, the change of the intended date of travel, leaving date and start of work date.

But on the other hand, my employer has already paid the IHS payment but not the final visa payment and I can’t seem to go back and amend my application unless I restart it (note that I don’t know if this would mean the IHS payment would be foregone).

I have also contacted my employer to have the certificate of sponsorship altered to note of the change of dates. Do you think my visa would get refused if I don’t make date amends on my visa application?

May 11, 2019 at 2:19 am

Hi Celine! I’m a traveler, so my experience and knowledge are only in tourist visas. I don’t know how UK work visas work. Your employer may have a legal or visa department, who can help with your queries. I’m not qualified to help with work visas.

May 3, 2019 at 9:06 am

In my child’s application by mistake, I have answered the question to “Will anyone be sponsoring your trip” as no? All of us are going together and I have mentioned that in the comments section of her application. Also, I have mentioned mine and my wife’s GWF Application numbers on her Application. Is it fine or will I have to redo the application? Would they be considerate enough to understand that a 19-month-old will definitely not pay for this trip?

May 3, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Angad! I suggest making a manual correction on the printed application. Then mention the mistake and correction in the cover letter. That should be enough. There is no need to redo the application.

May 3, 2019 at 8:07 am

My friend is applying for a UK visa to spend holidays here for the first time.

He has. – Letter from his employer that he is all-out to spend holiday 21 days. – His contract from his employer that he reserves 40.000 escudos (Cape Verde Islands). – His tenant’s agreement what he pays 15700 escudos rental monthly. He.lives with his wife and parents so they share the costs but the contract is only in his name. – He had saved 1800 pounds for over 1 year. And he deposited in his bank account because he reserves his salary with pre-check.

– I will sponsor him with 500 pounds I send it by western union to him he has the approval from the western union. – He has his travel insurance. – And also the hotel reservations in London and Manchester because he stays for 1 week at my house for 1 week in London and 1 week in Manchester. – My employer has made a letter that I have the authorization to spend the holiday with my friend.

After reading this could you tell me if we are missing something can his visa be refused because of the money?

And what do we need more?

May 3, 2019 at 9:36 pm

– 21 days is too long, especially keeping his savings (£1,800) in mind. The average budget to travel in the UK is about £150 a day. – I don’t understand what “he reserves” mean. I’m assuming that it’s his monthly salary (£300). UK entry clearance officers usually refuse the visa if the total travel budget is more than 2 months of one’s salary. – Tenant agreement and family helps. It strengthens his ties with his home country, his family ties and his obligation to return back home. – His savings are fine, but he needs to reduce his itinerary. The UK entry clearance officer will refuse the visa if the total travel budget is more than half of one’s savings. If his savings are £1,800, then his total travel budget can be about £900. £900 would be good for 6 days. But his salary is £300. His total travel budget cannot be more than £600, which is enough for 4 days. Keeping his savings and salary in mind, he has fewer chances of visa approval.

– Sending money via western union can appear fishy to the entry clearance officer. There are a few negative points here — A “friend” is not a strong relationship. Sending money via western union for someone’s travel raises all kinds of red flags — Instead of sending money via western union, if you sponsor him by providing your employment, financial and other proofs, it still raises questions on your relationship. – Travel insurance is not required for the UK visa – Hotel reservations are fine but they may not be asked.

May 3, 2019 at 6:44 am

Hi Thirumal, thanks for sharing your great experience. I’m a poultry farmer in Nigeria, I applied for UK tourist visa in November 2018 but I was refused, the reasons for refusal are

• immigration history • you stated that you intend to travel to the united kingdom for the period of 10 days tourism • In your application, you stated that the cost of the trip personally to you will be £1000(463,985GN) • In support of your application you have provided personal bank statement from the first bank with a closing balance of 519, 253NGN (£1,119) taking into the account stated cost of your trip, this would leave you an available balance of £119( 55,269NGN). I don’t find it credible that you would exhaust nearly all the funds available to you on a 10 days vacation to the united kingdom. • Given the above, I am not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry to the united kingdom as a visitor nor am I satisfied that you will leave at the end of your visit I, therefore, refused your application under paragraphs V4.2(a) and (c).

Since then I have have been making all my transactions go through my account

Recently I intend to use my certificate of incorporation for some reason and discovered it was counterfeit and I paid the right amount for the agent that processed it. Now I have done the authentic one, will it has any negative effects on my next application as it was not even mentioned (I discovered it myself after the refusal)

On the immigration history I tried to visit Ghana as I am always a busy person will that solve the issue of immigration history?

Thanks so much hoping to read your reply as soon as possible.

May 10, 2019 at 10:48 pm

Hi Idowu! You already know the reasons for your visa refusal and it’s great that you have been working on fixing them yourself.

Along with making all our transactions go through your account, I suggest not depositing large amounts. If you do, make sure you have documentary evidence of what those deposits are and why.

You don’t have to worry about your certificate of incorporation. It’s hard to tell if the ECO has noticed or not. But mentioning that you figured it yourself and the one that you submitted now is the genuine one will definitely open up a can of worms. This may complicate your case. I suggest not mentioning it but instead provide your genuine certification of incorporation with your current application.

Travel history cannot be just one country. Travel history is not just traveling to a bunch of countries. It’s about abiding by the immigration laws of those countries. You have to travel to a lot more countries and especially to those countries that require visas.

Ben Amos says

May 2, 2019 at 11:22 pm

My spouse was refused UK visa and was told she might be refused unless her circumstances changed, I will like to ask what they mean by change in circumstances. I will like to add that she has travelled to another country since her last refusal from the UK embassy does this mean her circumstances have changed? and right now she has a more detailed reason for wanting to travel to the UK. your response will be highly appreciated.

May 3, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Hi Ben! Changes in circumstances mean the re-application cannot be exactly the same as the old application. A combination of changes in one’s employment background, educational background, marital/family status, type of visa requested, the purpose of travel, etc. are considered as changes in circumstances. Changes in circumstances also mean that you have an entirely different reason to travel to the UK.

It is difficult to say whether changes in travel history and purpose of travel can be considered as changes in circumstances. But you can give it a try by reapplying.

May 2, 2019 at 9:59 pm

I’m a student and my tourist visa got refused last year due to a large beginning balance in the bank statement of my mother (14k£). In fact, my mother had those funds for 6 years. But I couldn’t justify it because it is a gift of my grandfather who is dead in 2018. So I’m desperate because I’m unable to justify it since there isn’t any legal document.

1) How can I justify it? Can you suggest anything for me?

And thanks in advance

May 3, 2019 at 6:21 pm

Hi Ahmed! Unfortunately, you would need documentary evidence proving that those funds are a gift from your grandfather. I understand your personal circumstances, but the UK entry clearance officers only rely on documentary evidence. Sorry, I don’t have any suggestions for you.

May 2, 2019 at 6:55 pm

Thank you for your reply!

Do I need to provide a cover letter from my husband too stating his and our circumstances etc or is that not necessary

I am planning to tell the home office that I acquired all that money by saving parts of my monthly pocket money from family and husband. I have proof of money transfers from my husband but not from my family. Is there a way to provide some sort of proof or will the visa officers will take my word for it lol?

Would you say visiting the UK for solely tourism purpose has more success rate when it comes to granting visas compared to when you say you are being invited and sponsored by a family member?

May 2, 2019 at 11:07 pm

Hi Rasa! You have to provide a “cover letter” for your visa. But your husband can provide a “letter” introducing himself, his documents and the reason for travel.

You have to provide documentary evidence. In the worst case, try to convince the entry clearance officer in your cover letter.

An applicant with full-time employment, financial stability, travel history, strong family and social ties visiting the UK for the purpose of “tourism” has the highest chance of approval. All other variations introduce complexity and thereby affecting the visa result.

May 2, 2019 at 5:47 pm

Sir, I have applied on 17 April for a UK visitor visa, but haven’t received the result yet. How many days it takes? I have already visited the UK 2 times.

May 3, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Raman! The UK visa process takes about 30 days or even more in some cases. You just have to wait till you hear the result from the UK home office.

Kunaal says

May 2, 2019 at 5:41 pm

2 questions – 1) If my passport has all names under the given names section, how am I expected to fill up the form? Do I type my full name both in the Surname & Given Names fields? 2) As we are a family of 4 ( 2 A + 2 C < 18 years ) traveling together and I am paying all the expenses, is the questions "How much money are you planning to spend on your visit to the UK?" & " What is the total amount of money you spend each month?" to be answered as cumulatively/totally for my family, or individually ? (We have booked a package and do we just split that cost by 4 persons?)

May 3, 2019 at 6:02 pm

1) First of all, you have to get your passport fixed. Your “surname” must be in the surname field and not in the given name field. You cannot have your “surname” field blank. This is causes a lot of issues for your visas.

Secondly, for your UK visa application, you can write your actual “given name” in the given name field and actual “surname” in the family name field. You cannot leave your “family name” field blank.

2) For the question “how much you are planning to spend in the UK”, you will put the cumulative total for yourself and zero for everyone else.

For the question, “total money you spend each month”, you will put the cumulative total for yourself and zero for everyone else (assuming your wife is a dependent).

In my opinion, you cannot split the cost by 4 since your family doesn’t have their own income. Your family becomes your own expense, therefore you will enter the total for yourself.

October 17, 2019 at 3:39 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for all of your help and inputs.

While filling in form I found out that It does not accept 0 as an answer to “how much you are planning to spend in the UK”. Can you please suggest what should be the input here for dependents when Primary applicant is mentioning the cumulative amount in his application?

October 18, 2019 at 3:20 pm

Hi Sukhminder! Yes, the application doesn’t accept 0. Divide the expected expenditure equally among you and your dependents. You can mention in your cover letter that you will be bearing everyone’s expenditure.

May 2, 2019 at 8:38 am

Wondering if you advise here. I’m sponsoring my sister with family for the UK visit for 10 days in summer vacations. After reading all the above comments, I’ve found one weak point in their file. There was a big cash deposit in their bank account last month. And they have rented land lease agreement to support that deposit but the lease has named to my sister’s father-in-law. Can you please advise what kind of doc they need from their father-in-law to support this. They already have a Will written to their name from him.

May 2, 2019 at 10:47 pm

Hi Jaz! Quite a bit of information is missing in your question, so it’s difficult to tell exactly what documents are needed. You mentioned “sister and family”. Who is the “family” in this case? You also said, “in their bank account”. Who is “they” in this case? Is it your sister or her husband?

With the limited information available, I think you should provide the lease agreement, a letter from your sister’s father-in-law on why the amount was deposited in her account and a copy of the Will.

May 2, 2019 at 7:50 am

Hi. I am planning to apply for a UK tourist visa. I got married a few months ago and my brother in the UK wants to host a dinner for my spouse and I. I am not from a visa exempt country. Which would be the best option to show as proof of funds out of the following:

1) My brother who is a UK citizen sponsoring me 2) My dad’s bank statements and a cover letter from him stating him as my sponsor 3) My spouse’s bank statements and a cover letter from him stating him as my sponsor (My husband is a Canadian citizen living and working in Canada and intends to join me there for four days once my application gets approval). 4) Bank statements of my own personal current bank account. I have around £8000 in my current account ( I have always been unemployed and acquired this money from my parents/family/husband over the course of a year and a half). If I use the 4th option as proof of funds how will I explain to the home office as to how I acquired this money?

I have been to the UK twice before (as a visitor and later as a student). Also been to Europe, South East Asia and Turkey. But nowadays I am not studying or working so would that be a problem?

I have an ongoing outland spousal visa application for Canada. If I mention that on my application would it be a good enough reason as to why I wouldn’t overstay or abuse the conditions of my UK tourist visa once it’s granted?

There is a section on the application form that asks if someone has utilized the NHS services in the past. I did twice but it was for minor, non-emergency reasons. Do I need to give information about that or just skip it as they might not have that on record

Should I mention that my spouse will be joining me there or not? If yes then do I need to provide some documents on his behalf? As mentioned above he is a Canadian and exempted from visa.

Thanks in advance

May 2, 2019 at 6:00 pm

1) Your brother is your best option as he is inviting you both. This also serves as your “purpose” of the visit. 2) No. Do not use your dad. When you introduce a new person on the UK visa application, the UK home office may conduct background checks on them. Background checks on those living outside the UK can delay your application and even lead to refusal for unknown reasons. 3) No. Do not use your spouse either. He is currently in Canada, you guys are recently married, etc will complicate your visa application. 4) No. Don’t use this option either. But you have to show your bank statements along with documentary evidence on where you have acquired those £8000 from. You will also need to disclose why you are currently unemployed. Using your brother as a sponsor will at least take some burden off from you and you will not be scrutinized that much. But again, you have to disclose your financial and employment situation.

Yes. It would be a problem. It would be difficult to show strong ties and intention to return back if you are neither employed nor studying.

Every information is trackable and verifiable these days (thanks to computers and the internet). You have to mention about your NHS use. Otherwise, it’s considered as withholding information or lying.

You should mention that your spouse will be joining you for two reasons – (1) the invitation for dinner is for both since you are recently married (2) strengthens your ties with Canada at least (if not with your home country). I suggest providing a copy of his Canada passport, your marriage certificate, your spousal visa application evidence and any other material (online wedding invitation/website, online wedding album, etc).

One suggestion I have is to apply for your UK visa from Canada after your spousal visa issuance. Your chances of approval are high since you will be together with your husband. Currently, you both are in different countries and it can complicate your UK visa application.

Salman says

May 2, 2019 at 2:44 am

Thanks a lot Sir.

Your previous reply was very helpful. One more query, please.

My actual travel plan is in September. But I would like to make the UK visa application immediately and to complete the biometric, etc within May 25 because my co-pax (parents) will be leaving to home town by May 25.

So, can I show the travel itinerary as July or August in Visa application and later make it in September? so that I can apply for the visa immediately.

May 2, 2019 at 5:39 pm

Hi Salman! Yes, you can apply early showing a Jul/Aug itinerary and travel later in September. The UK visitor visa is usually valid for 6 months. You can travel anytime within those 6 months.

May 2, 2019 at 1:23 am

Hi, I have applied for the UK visa and yesterday visited VFS center and provided biometrics and documents. But they gave back my UKVI IELTS. I am not sure why they did that. when I checked on the internet it is one of the mandatory document required for visa. So kindly suggest what should I do now? Does the visa officer get back to us asking the missing document?

May 2, 2019 at 5:35 pm

Hi NPB! IELTS report is not required for the UK visitor visa for the purpose of “tourism”. If your purpose of the visit is to “study” but mentioned as “tourism” in your application, the VFS staff will not accept IELTS as it’s not required for “tourism” purpose.

No. The visa officers will not get back to you. If the UK visa officers figure that a document is missing, they refuse the visa and mention what documents are missing in the refusal letter. Then, your only option is to reapply for the visa with all documents including the missing ones.

May 2, 2019 at 12:23 am

Hi Sir, I am planning to visit the UK at the end of June for the ICC cricket world cup. My trip will be for 10 days. The concern I have is my finances. I am a US permanent resident, originally from Guyana. I have a job, with an income of about $1800 USD (£1380) per month. My monthly living expense is about half my income. I am also in school doing my masters.

As stated, I’m worried about my bank balance over the last five months. The balance has been around $600 USD. The reason being, I already purchased my tickets to attend the games, my airline ticket (even though I read not to do so until Visa is granted), I already paid for my hotel, and I also purchased train tickets to attend the games. I plan to stay in Manchester, but the games I am attended are in different cities. I do plan to send to all these documents to strengthen my case. I read your blog and I created an itinerary for my trip and a budget. My budget for the trip is $1050 USD (£800), that is only for food and any minor shopping since everything has been paid for.

My plan was to use my income tax return to assist with the trip. However, my refund was delayed for two months because I made a mistake when filing. I finally received my tax refund today. I had planned to submit my visa application on the 12th of May, the day after my next bank statement will be processed. Even though now because of the refund my bank balanced will be $3,400, I’m worried because the money would have only been there for only 10 days they will think I don’t have access to these funds. The other option will be to wait for next month but that will be cutting it close. I plan to travel on the 29th of June.

Your advice would be appreciated.

May 2, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Hi Delon! You have paid for everything already, so make sure you (1) provide documentary evidence (tickets, etc) for those and (1) list out all those that are already paid for in your cover letter.

You can use your tax return for your travel. But you have to show documentary evidence of the origin of those funds. Your IRS tax return and bank statement will do. Again, clearly mention your tax return, amount and date in your cover letter.

May 1, 2019 at 10:21 pm

I am an Indian passport holder and wish to visit the UK with my wife. I will be accompanied by my son and his family who are residents of Germany (but Indian passport holders). I have following questions where your suggestions would be helpful:

1) I have visited my son in Germany 2 times in the past for a period of 60 and 75 days respectively. I currently have a valid Schengen Visa and am applying for a UK visa for 12 days. Do you think my previous long stays in Germany will have +ve or -ve impact on UK visa application?

2) I continue to work to keep myself busy but am generally living a retired life. Thus, I don’t have considerable regular income except for returns from my investments. How do I answer the below questions: a) How much savings do you have in GBP: Is this only cash in the savings account or also includes investments in shares and mutual funds? b) How much regular income you have: I have regular income from stocks but very difficult to show it as it comes as dividends which are taxed at source and hence never declared as part of my tax returns

3) I am showing that I would be travelling first to Germany to my son’s place and then we will all travel together back&forth to the UK before I return back to India. Is this going to impact my case in any way?

4) Do I need to attach any flight tickets or hotel bookings as part of the application?

I have one more point considering there is a heavy emphasis on ties with the home country. Now I am living retired life and my son and his family are also abroad. I own an apartment in my home country and I would be showing the document of ownership as part of my application. Would that be sufficient to show ties back to the home country or should I show anything else?

May 2, 2019 at 5:18 pm

1) These are long stays but not overstays. So, they won’t affect your UK visa result.

2a) This is only the cash in your savings account. Your investments and mutual funds will not count towards your savings.

2b) If you have consistent dividend income that you withdraw into your savings account (cashing your dividends), you can enter that as your regular income. But if you reinvest your dividends, then it cannot be considered as income.

3) Traveling from Germany with your son’s family is fine. But I suggest not mentioning back and forth. It can lead to questions on what exactly is your purpose, how many times you plan to enter, how long each time, etc. Unlike Schengen visa, UK entry clearance officers will not ask the applicant, instead, they deny the visa and put those questions in the refusal letter.

4) No. Flight tickets and hotel bookings are not needed for UK visa application.

If you are over retirement age, your application will not be scrutinized much. The entry clearance officers do understand that retirees are expected to enjoy their lives and travel. You should be ok by just showing the ownership of your house.

May 1, 2019 at 5:54 pm

Hi sir, I appreciate the quick response. Well, I’m self-employed so I will submit a business a/c and personal savings a/c. So the £4000 is as a result of partial profits from my business. I will declare £1800 monthly profits. So in brief, I save a 3rd of profits in my personal a/c. I hope it will a good case for me.

May 2, 2019 at 5:08 pm

Hi Ismah! That’s fine. Make sure you provide documentary evidence for all the deposits in your personal savings account.

May 1, 2019 at 1:10 pm

Hir sir, if I submit a 6 months bank statement by starts with £30 beginning balance and last statement balance at £4000. Would such a statement have a negative impact on my financial stability?

May 1, 2019 at 4:54 pm

Hi Ismah! No, it’s perfectly fine to save £4000 in 6 months. But you have to make sure –

(1) Your salary is much higher, so you were able to save £4000 in 6 months (2) You have to show documentary evidence of the deposits in your account (such as salary).

April 30, 2019 at 7:51 pm

Hello sir! Please, I applied for visitors visa. It’s been a month now. I haven’t heard anything yet. Is it normal for it to delay such a way?

April 30, 2019 at 8:18 pm

Hi Nana! Yes, it’s normal. UK visa application process can take 30 or more days. You just have to wait till you hear from them.

Muhammad Shahbaz Ahmed says

April 30, 2019 at 3:46 pm

Sir, I have applied for the UK visit visa. In the application form, I have mentioned a saving of around 2000GBP. However, in the sponsor section, I have mentioned that my company is sponsoring my trip. They have given me 1600GBP in form of cheque the same is deposited in my salary account. In the sponsor letter, stating that they are giving me that tour. Question is have I need to attach any additional document from my company, for example, bank statement or tax returns.

April 30, 2019 at 8:16 pm

Hi Muhammad! You don’t need to provide any bank statements or tax returns from your employer. But make sure your employer clearly indicates the cheque number, amount and issue date in the sponsor letter.

Sathya says

April 30, 2019 at 3:10 pm

I am an Indian citizen, and also I am a Permanent Resident (Green card holder) of the USA since 2015. I have only traveled between India and USA so far, multiple times, but haven’t traveled to any other countries.

How should I answer the question in UK visa application about “Most recent travel”? (I reside in the USA and visit India about once every two years). Should I write India as the country where I traveled or the USA? What should I write for ‘how many times have you visited the USA’ and ‘duration of travel to the USA’ because this is where I live as a Permanent Resident now.

Your insight would be helpful! Thanks, Sathya

May 1, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Hi Sathya! As long as you hold India passport, residing in other countries are still considered as “travel” for visa applications. Therefore, your “most recent travel” will be the US. You will simply enter the details on when you entered and how long you stayed. Ex: Entered: March 2015; Duration: 36 months.

April 30, 2019 at 1:12 pm

Hi! Nice article. BTW, I am planning to visit the UK for 4 days. June 4 to 7, 2019 but my residence permit in UAE will expire on Dec 4, 2019. Are there any implications on this? Thanks.

April 30, 2019 at 8:21 pm

Hi Rus! I don’t see any issues with that. You would still have about 6 months of your PR after your return.

April 30, 2019 at 11:38 am

Hi, I’m Emmanuel and a student at the university. I want to reapply for a visit visa after my application was refused 2 weeks ago. The reasons they refused my application are; 1. You have applied for entry clearance for 21 days to visit your step-sister and her family in the UK 2. I considered it reasonable to see satisfactory evidence of your personal and financial circumstances 3. You have not submitted sufficient documents to demonstrate your own circumstances. You have not evidenced any income or personal funds available to you- and importantly you have not, therefore, demonstrated how you pay for your day to day living expenses How can I overcome this in my next application?

May 1, 2019 at 5:21 pm

Hi Emmanuel!

1. 21 days is too long especially keeping how expense the UK is. I suggest 7-10 days itinerary. 2. You must provide your financial documents. If you are being sponsored, you must provide their employment proofs, financial proofs, relationship to you, etc 3. You must provide your financial proofs. If you have no income of your own at all, then it’s highly unlikely that your visa will be approved.

Ayodele A. says

April 30, 2019 at 11:17 am

Thanks for your guide. I was refused a UK visa twice in 2006 and I didn’t apply since then. I have secured a good job by a good company here in Nigeria since 2010 till date. I’m now planning to reapply for UK tourist visa again like I did in 2006. I traveled to Dubai in November 2018 for 7days vacation. I applied for USA visa in April 2019 but was refused. Can UK still have my refusal of 13years ago in their record so that I can mention it or not in my new application and can I mention my USA refusal too? Please, I need ur advice on these.

May 1, 2019 at 2:45 am

Hi Ayodele! UK and most other countries keep their visa records forever. Even though it was a long time ago, they may have your previous UK visa refusal in their records.

Yes, you have to mention about your UK and US visa refusals in your UK visa application form.

Calven says

April 29, 2019 at 5:05 pm

Hey, thank you for helping us.

I have been refused twice (student visitor visa) and the last time in June 2018. Then I traveled to Malaysia in June 2018. And I’m planning to visit Tunisia this summer and applying for a UK visa in October 2019.

My refusals were about that I’m not qualified enough and have no ties to my country, etc, etc.

But now I have changed my circumstances I’m a student, I have a car and I have a property (a piece of land) all these under my name. Also, I’m a student working part-time. All this happened after refusal do you think ECO thinks that I’m exaggerating by showing all this at once after refusal, knowing that the first time when I applied I was unaware that its all about evidence?

Do you think the ECO will check every single thing? Like all of what I have added and even call the other consulates of Tunisia and Malaysia to check whether my visas are real?

Or once he sees that I have a good sponsor and the previous travels on my passport that will impress him?

April 30, 2019 at 8:00 pm

Hi Calven! No. The ECO will not think you are exaggerating. Circumstances will change and sometimes those chances are much larger.

Yes. The ECO or the home office will verify the details you mention in your application. There is a reason why they charge £100 and take about 30 days to process the visa. They may not call consulates, but they may have access to certain databases that host visa and traveler information.

The ECO thinks logically than emotionally. You cannot impress them. If you are eligible and meet the requirements, they will issue the visa.

April 29, 2019 at 6:59 am

Hi, thanks for the response on my inquiry you suggested the following:

The two things you can do are – – Fix your documentation based on your last two refusals (I have fixed it, received the letters from universities for a visit) – Improve your travel history

For the second point, what exactly I should do? If I travel to other countries I won’t be able to reapply for the visit visa due to the limited time I have that is 1-2 months before I take a decision on selecting the university for future study and applying for my student visa.

I was planning to travel to the USA in June with my family should I still travel and apply for my student visa for the UK in July? Or I should cancel my plan for the USA and reapply for the UK visit visa with university invitation letters?

I really don’t want any issues with my student visa because I have been refused two times for the visit visa.

kindly suggestion: – should I reapply the visit visa and should visit the UK (if the visa is granted ) before I apply for the student visa? OR – I should travel to the USA in June and apply for the student visa in July (to improve my travel history)

Thank you very much for your suggestions Misha

April 30, 2019 at 4:15 am

Hi Misha! Travel history always helps. But if you don’t have enough time to build your travel history, you have no choice.

I think you should pick the best university based on the information you currently have and apply for your student visa. Your repeated visit visa refusals can ultimately jeopardize your student visa. In my opinion, studying in the UK is more important than merely visiting universities. Visiting the universities and taking a decision sounds great in theory but with our “weak” passports, it’s a lot difficult to make it happen.

April 29, 2019 at 5:44 am

I am planning an 8 days trip to the UK by September this year – this information is very useful. Thanks a lot.

Please guide us –

We are 6 pax – myself, father, mother, spouse, son and daughter. We are presently living in Mumbai.

The complete trip is sponsored by my employer under the Leave Travel Allowance (LTA).

We have earlier travelled to Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, UAE, etc under LTA.

While the trip would be funded by LTA advance, will my present bank balance of only Rs. 10 lakh be an issue.

Planning to stay with a friend in London for 5 days and to book accommodation thru AirBNB in Scotland for 3 days.

Family is here in Mumbai till May 31 only and they leave to hometown. Can I apply for the visa immediately for September travel plan?

How shall I present it?

April 30, 2019 at 7:43 pm

Hi Salman! You can apply for the UK visa up to 3 months in advance. Meaning, you can apply in June if you plan to travel in September.

LTA I don’t know how LTA works. I also don’t know if your company will provide a letter stating that they will bear your expenses or provide you with a post dated check. Either way, to avoid issues with visa, I suggest providing your personal bank statements as well.

Accommodation I suggest not mentioning your friend in London in your visa application. Instead, mention that you will stay in a hotel in London and Scotland. When you introduce new people on the application, the UK home office conducts background checks on them. This can delay your visa application and sometimes can lead to refusal.

April 29, 2019 at 4:55 am

Hi Brother, I am planning to apply for UK Visit visa for Honeymoon, and my sister & brother-in-law are giving a gift of Honeymoon Trip. Problem is they are not settled in India. They are living & working in Africa and having Resident Card. Can my sister sponsor us for UK trip?

April 30, 2019 at 4:02 am

Hi Sohil! Yes, of course, your sister can sponsor your honeymoom trip to the UK. But, you have to make sure you and your sister provide all necessary documentation. Some of it can be as below.

– Your marriage certificate – Documentation to prove your relationship with your sister

– Your employment proofs – Your financial proofs

– Your sister’s employment proofs – Your sister’s financial proofs – Your sister’s immigration proofs in Africa

– Letter from your sister stating that she is gifting you the honeymoon trip – Cover letter from you

April 29, 2019 at 3:59 am

Hello sir, what exactly is a large beginning balance? Kindly advise as it’s very Important to me.

April 29, 2019 at 9:29 pm

Hi Ismah! Let me explain with an example. Say, you provided 6 months of bank statements, the first (1st month) bank statement has a beginning balance of 10,000 pounds and last (last month) bank statement has an ending balance of 11,000 pounds. You saved 1,000 pounds over 6 months and there are no large deposits within that 6 months, which are good. But the amount in your first bank statement (10,000 pounds) will raise questions on how you acquired that amount. If it’s 2,000 pounds you will be ok, but 10,000 pounds is a large amount and you will be asked to show documentary evidence of that.

Ahmad KASSIR says

April 28, 2019 at 8:29 pm

I am going to apply for tier 5 visa UK for 1 year. I got a letter of sponsorship. I just have 2 questions. Is it necessary to secure accommodation in the UK before I apply for the VISA? May I get the VISA and once I come to the UK I look for accommodation? My second question is that I studied in France for 3 years but I travelled many many times to other Schengen countries for tourism. Should I include all the dates and the countries in the history of travel when I fill the form?

Thank you very much in advance Best regards, Ahmad

April 30, 2019 at 3:54 am

Hi Ahmad! My experience and knowledge are only in “tourist” visas as I’m a traveler. I don’t know much about work visas. Generally, for a tourist visa, accommodation proof (hotel booking) is not required.

You will enter all the countries you have traveled to so far. If you have traveled a country multiple times, enter the most recent visit to that country.

strgrdnd says

April 28, 2019 at 1:43 pm

Hi, thanks for sharing!

I’ve submitted my application. However, I have made a mistake in the application form.

I plan to go to the UK for a business trip, which I will be fully sponsored by my employer company (all of the expenses)

however, while filling the form, On the question,

2. “how much money are you planning to spend on your visit to the UK”

I answered it with the estimated cost of the whole cost of the trip. (Which is 3000 pounds). While in the details of my saving and my bank balance, it’s clear that I only have 1600 pounds (clearly couldn’t afford the cost of 3000 pounds)

Then, I was really not sure what the question really means, I really don’t know that the question is asking the money that will cost to me PERSONALLY. Should have I filled 0 instead of 3000?

It’s also stated on the next question that I will have a sponsor :

4. Will anyone be paying towards the cost of your visit? Yes

5. Who is paying towards the cost of your visit? My Employer

6. How much money will they be paying towards your visit? 3000 pounds

But, I’m really scared that my visa will get rejected due to the home office officer will assume that the cost of the trip will be 3000 from my personal + 3000 from the sponsor, which is impossible as I don’t have enough money.

How do you think my application would be? If there’s something unclear or not makes sense like this, is there a chance that the officer will call me for clarification first before making any decision to refuse?

April 29, 2019 at 9:19 pm

Hi Strgrdnd! My knowledge and experience are mostly in tourist visas with “tourism” as the purpose. But that being said, in my opinion, what you mentioned in the application was correct. The trip will cost you 3000 pounds of which your employer will pay 3000 pounds. So, there is nothing to worry about.

There were incidents where the VOs overlooked the documents (ex: employer financial documents). It would help if you had mentioned that your employer will bear all your expenses in your cover letter.

The UK home office will not contact the applicants. If they have questions, they will simply refuse the visa and put those questions as reasons in the refusal letter.

Mohamed elshenawy says

April 28, 2019 at 12:31 am

Hello, I got a refusal yesterday, I applied for a visitor visa for tourism as I’m going to take a course which isn’t accredited. I sent the course invitation letter. HR letter from governmental and private work. They refused under v4.2 as following: “I haven’t seen any evidence that this course is recreational and you intend studying in an accredited institution. I’m not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for a limited period”. So what shall I do to prove that I’m going to turn back?

April 29, 2019 at 8:00 pm

Hi Mohamed! Usually, the following two documents work well to prove that you will return back to your home country after your trip.

– Leave approval letter from your employer stating your dates of vacation (course), country of vacation (UK) and the date on which you have to return to work. – Documentation proving that your family will remain back in your home country while you are on the trip.

Hammad says

April 27, 2019 at 11:21 am

Thanks, Thirumal for the info. I am 17 and my sister is 23. We are planning to go to the United Kingdom with our parents. My sister studying in a University and I have given exams for my 12 grade (still awaiting result). I have not taken admission in any course yet. My father is sponsoring the trip. What are the extra documents that I and my sister have to show to get the UK visa? Thanks.

April 30, 2019 at 9:06 pm

Hi Hammad! Your sister may have to provide a letter from the university that she is studying there. You don’t need to worry much from your side as you are still minor.

Apart from the usual documentation, your parents have to provide documentation to show that you all are related to each other.

April 27, 2019 at 7:40 am

Hi, I applied for a standard visa on Friday. After completing my application and paying the visa fees, I realized that I had omitted an important information with regards to the inflow of my finances. I cancelled the application because I didn’t want to take chances. How long do you think that it would take before I can reapply for another visa? Also, do you think I made the right choice by wanted to start afresh?

April 29, 2019 at 3:31 am

Hi Ijay! There is no need to wait. You can fill a new one immediately. Yes, I think it’s a wise decision to cancel the old one and start a new one. Correct and accurate information is very important.

Deepak says

April 27, 2019 at 7:18 am

Hi, I want UK visa for me & my wife. we are Indian passport holders and living in Dubai on employment visas. We don’t have a marriage certificate. How can I sponsor my wife’s visa?

April 28, 2019 at 1:16 am

Hi Deepak! You have to provide your marriage certificate if you plan to travel together as a couple. It doesn’t matter if you sponsor your wife or not. There is no way around it. In the worst case, get a letter from the authorities endorsing your marriage and non-availability of your marriage certificate.

April 26, 2019 at 9:28 pm

I am planning to apply for my parents visit visa. They haven’t travelled to any other country before.

I can provide their property documents and state pensions and rest I can do my own statements as well. Can show rest of the family back home too. What else should I do? Thanks

Best Regards, B

April 29, 2019 at 1:38 am

Hi Bea! Apart from those documents, I also suggest the following

– Your parents’ bank statements showing the monthly pension deposits. If there is a large beginning balance, you must provide documentary evidence on the origin of those funds. – A cover letter stating their dates of travel, the purpose of travel (to visit you), detailed day-by-day itinerary, employment status (when did they retire, etc), financial situation (monthly pension details) and the obligation to return back on a specific date (due to family remaining back home).

Towfiq says

April 26, 2019 at 3:06 pm

After reviewing your comments, I just wanted to get your expert opinion.

I have applied for priority visa on last 17 April to watch a Liverpool match and play over there which is fully sponsored by SCB. All documents (invitation, hotel booking, air ticket) has been provided. I have been refused due to an unaccounted transaction in my salary account. I didn’t provide any docs for that amount. Though my few other colleagues had the same issues. Some are refused(submitted same day). Some get the visa (submitted one day later). However, we have decided to re-apply again which is the day after tomorrow (28 April) as we need to fly on May 9. I have prepared my documents to clarify my funds. Half of that amount has been received from my father (I am showing the amount withdrawn from my father’s account and deposited to my account on the same day). Do I need to submit any letter from my father?

Rest half has been received from my office which I have expensed for the official purpose (I am submitting a letter from office finance stating the transaction number and amount and also will be providing the bank’s advise slip which mentioned that the amount was from my office.

Last but not least, last year I have been refused from Shenzen during world cup football but went to Russia. I have missed/forgot to mention that in my last application. What should I do now? Mention it this time? But what should I say about why I missed it in the 1st application?

I have very limited time in hand to get ur expert opinion.

Note: My justification is pretty big. The additional information may have 1000 character limits. If I can’t squeeze it in, then how I should place it to clear my standings?

April 28, 2019 at 12:45 am

“Do I need to submit any letter from my father?” Yes. Along with showing the origin of those funds, I think it’s helpful to indicate the reason for that transfer as well. Provide a letter from your father if you can.

“What should I do now? Mention it this time? But what should I say about why I missed it in the 1st application?” Yes. You should not withhold any information. If you don’t mention it because you haven’t before, that’s still withholding information. I suggest mentioning your Shenzen visa refusal.

“If I can’t squeeze it in, then how I should place it to clear my standings?” I suggest using your cover letter for this purpose. If you read the comments here, you will notice that many had success in their re-applications by clearing things up in their cover letters. Use screenshots, do comparisons, or whatever to convey your justification.

April 25, 2019 at 9:44 pm

Hi, I applied for UK visa recently to visit universities I received offer letters, the intent was to visit the universities and take the decision accordingly. My visa was refused because I didn’t submit the invitation letters from universities.

I was rejected last year as well on the bases of large funds available in my mother’s (my sponsor) bank statement which was the savings of the last 10 years. The statement submitted was of 6 months but the officer was not sure that the funds are genuine.

I need your advice on how should I re apply and what are the chances for acceptance. I really need to visit once before taking the final decision between two countries for my future studies. Also, I want to know should I resubmit all the documents again for the new application? Thank you for your help.

April 27, 2019 at 4:33 am

Your second visa attempt You already know the reason for your visa refusal. Make sure you include those letters in your next attempt.

Your first visa attempt Anyone can drop in a large amount of money in an account, wait six months and then use it for the visa application. Visa officers know all the tricks that scammers play. If you have a large beginning balance, you must show proof of origin of those funds. If your mother had those funds for years, a letter from the bank stating that she had those funds for many years will work as documentary evidence.

Since you are waiting to start your studies in the UK, it’s really difficult to show strong ties to your country. But you can make sure you are strong in other areas that can compensate for your lack of strong ties. The two things you can do are –

– Fix your documentation based on your last two refusals – Improve your travel history

April 25, 2019 at 12:59 pm

I am sponsoring my grandma’s visit from Morocco to the UK. I am currently gathering the documents for her to take to her biometrics appointment. With regards to bank statements, am I supplying mine, hers or both and for how many months?

It also requires documents to be in English. All her documents that she will take to her appointment (such as tenancy agreement or a bank statement) will be in Arabic or French. Who can certify a translated document?

Can you also suggest any other documents I should send her to support the application?

Thanks in advance!

April 26, 2019 at 4:19 am

Hi Inohna! Both. If your grandma has a source of income (such as a pension), then you have to provide her bank statements along with pension documents. If her statements have a high beginning balance, you must show documentary evidence of where those funds have come from. This applies to your bank statements as well.

Usually, you would need to present 6 months of bank statements.

You have to submit certified translations of those documents. Certified translations are done by document translators. Do a quick Google search for “document translation services near me”, you will see a list of document translators in your area.

If you are living in the UK, you must provide your employment proofs, financial proofs, status in the UK and invitation letter. Your grandma has to provide her financial documents, property ownerships (if any), family remaining in Morocco, etc.

Solomon says

April 25, 2019 at 12:39 pm

SINCERELY, YOU HAVE DONE A VERY FANTASTIC JOB.

You have encouraged me on what to provide when applying for the UK visiting visa again. But if I may ask, what happens if someone could not remember the reason why he was refused? I applied for the UK visiting visa in 2010. I was not married then and have no personal property. And I appreciate your emphasis on ties. So, just to say I didn’t have any ties then. But now I am married and have few properties. But I can’t remember why I was refused. Kindly advise on what to do.

In addition, as a self-employed person, and also doing legitimate buying and selling (land, cars, and supplying of promotional products), large amount of money drops often in the account, depending on how the market is. So from your previous various explanations, I should provide supporting documents for the transaction, right?

You don’t know how you have lifted the burden off so many people.

Thanks a lot.

April 26, 2019 at 3:43 am

Hi Soloman! If you don’t remember the reason, you can just say that you don’t remember the reason. It’s about 9 years ago, honestly, it’s difficult to remember the reason for anyone.

There are two ways to go about it. One way is to provide documentary evidence for those large deposits in your account. Other option is to maintain two different bank accounts. One specifically for your business and another for your personal. You can pay a certain amount to yourself every month and deposit this amount in your personal account every month.

April 25, 2019 at 5:55 am

I have been denied US B1/B2 visa U/s 214(b) in Feb 2019. I am applying for UK visa for my official trip. I am salaried employee, married, working in India since 2010 and my visit to UK is for meeting clients of the company and it wont be for more than 3-4 days. So want to know few things a) Does US rejection of business visa impact UK visa application? I am not going to hide about the US rejection. b) Also in the reason for US rejection what should we write – US visa rejected U/s sec 214 (b)..thats it? Because the US office doesn’t provide any detailed reasons? c) What all documents will be required to make my case strong that I intend to come back. Company leave letter/company will pay for my entire trip/ letter of invitation from the client.Any more docs? d) Also me and my wife, we stay with my mom(housewife) & dad (retired). My dad owns the property. I dont own the property. e) Any other thing which you think is required to make the case more strong for UK visa or you think that one should wait for applying for a UK visa? f) Also, my business travels will start only this year as I was promoted in 2018. I don’t have business travel history but I have visitor travel in mauritius/bangkok for toursim purpose.

Please request you to share your views.

April 25, 2019 at 10:14 pm

a) No. Your US visa rejection will not impact your UK visa application directly. The UK visas are issued based on individual merit, current circumstances and purpose of travel. It is mandatory to disclose any previous visa rejections, but they won’t impact your current UK visa application.

b) Yes, just mention that. As you said, US visa officers do not tell the exact reason for visa refusal. So, just mentioning the section details is fine.

c) Apart from that, provide your personal financial documents as well. Your employer giving their word to support your trip financially is not enough. They have to back that up with relevant financial proofs. If your company cannot provide those, the visa officers can fall back on your personal financial documents.

d) That’s fine.

e) When you start your application, you will be able to download the checklist of required documents. Since your purpose is “business”, the required documentation might be different. “Tourist” visa applicants are asked to provide documentary proofs of property ownership, family remaining back in the home country, etc. These documents may not be relevant in your case. So, take a look at that checklist and provide the required documents.

f) Your personal travel history is a bit weak. I suggest improving your travel history if you can.

April 23, 2019 at 6:20 pm

I’m planning to apply for a standard visitor visa. I am from China but now I am studying at a law school in the U.S. The summer job I applied has the location in London, where we will accompany pre-law students in London for a 4-week program. The company is supposed to provide housing and pay me. What documents should I ask the employer to prepare? I assume it is best I have a letter also from my U.S. law school. However, I don’t have an income except for part-time jobs. Do I also need to prepare my bank statements? What else should I prepare in particular?

Thanks a lot!

April 25, 2019 at 2:55 am

Hi Chen! First of all, check with your employer if a “standard visitor” visa is appropriate in your case. Since you get paid, you may need to apply for “permitted paid engagement” or “temporary worker” visa.

April 23, 2019 at 5:58 pm

Hi sir, thanks once again for this free visa guidance. I have a question for you sir. I’m planning to apply 4 a UK visa in June. I’m going to submit a 6-month bank statement from Dec 2018 to May 2019. My only worry is in Dec I overdrew the balance but the other 5 months I maintained at least reasonable balances. So my question, won’t I get a refusal because of that one month?

April 25, 2019 at 12:09 am

Hi Ismah! Usually, large deposits are an issue. Large withdrawals should not be an issue but we’ll never know. But if you can provide a documentary proof on why you had to withdraw that large amount, you should be good.

nauman says

April 23, 2019 at 5:15 pm

Hello sir, I’m applying for the UK visit visa for attending ICC world cup 2019 my purpose is clear that I wish to go there for watching cricket matches. I attached my match ticket. I’m planning to visit up for 7 to 10 days and I’m showing bank statement of 3500 pounds my financials are strong enough. I am leaving my wife in Pakistan and I give evidence of my every financial transaction but I have no travel history. What are the chances of my visa?

April 25, 2019 at 12:05 am

Hi Nauman! Travel history is important for the UK, US, Canada and Schengen visas. But if you can show that you are strong in other areas (employment, financial, family and social ties), you will be fine. Also, try to show that you are extremely interested in Cricket and this is a lifetime opportunity to watch the matches. For example, any matches you watched in Pakistan, matches you played, etc.

Bisbis says

April 23, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Good day! Would appreciate your input on my situation. I was rejected twice last year. The first rejection was for large irregular deposits.

I reapplied with a detailed cover letter explaining the funds but I was still rejected stating that they were not convinced I earn additional income from my investments even though I attached all relevant documents and also that my bank statements submitted is not up to date Should I forget about the UK for now? Whats your honest opinion. I admit I should have gone to the bank to get updated statements because I used the same statements for the first application even though there was about 2 months interval. Thanks!

April 24, 2019 at 4:44 am

Hi Bisbis! Honestly, I never understood the craze for the UK. I see people repeatedly applying, even after being refused 2, 3 or even 4 times. I feel that these people have other motives than just visiting the UK. Anyway, if you really don’t need to go to the UK, I suggest forgetting about it for now. Apply when everything is in order.

Meanwhile, there are so many beautiful countries in the world that welcomes travelers from all around the world. If you really need to take a vacation, visit those countries. It’s good for you (vacation) and for them (tourist revenue) as well.

April 23, 2019 at 11:20 am

If I have gotten rejected before and now want to apply for a priority is there a high chance for rejection? Or do they still give the application the same amount of time?

I’m applying for a short term student visa and I have already paid 4000 pounds for my tuition, My previous rejection was due to insufficient funds. How much do they expect in the account? My father (sponsor) recently also got a bonus other than his salary.

April 24, 2019 at 11:54 pm

Hi Emily! They provide the same amount of attention, either priority or not. They will only process it faster in priority.

Honestly, I don’t know much about UK student visas. My knowledge and experience are only in “tourist” visas.

April 23, 2019 at 6:09 am

Hello Thirumal

Thanks for the reply! These are the answers to your questions.

1. My current account is a card account issued by the cruise company. It is based in the USA. We receive salary and bonuses on it and they issue us card statements.

2. My next contract is still with the same company. I will travel to Italy on July 30 to join the ship in an Italian port.

3. I had legal status in Brazil but I left Brazil when I got my current job. I’m currently in my home country on vacations for 3 months.

Some other information. My company has given me my next appointment letter which states when my next contract will begin, the length of my vacation and my position.

I stopped working in Brazil in August 2018. So my bank statement in Brazil from September 2018 till now only shows my balance without any deposits and withdrawals. Do I need payslips from January 2018 to the time I stopped working there to show the source of my balance?

I hope this will help.

April 24, 2019 at 11:38 pm

1. I see. If you use your US bank statements, then the visa officers might want to know your status in the US. You are not a resident there and it creates all kinds of issues. If your account is a “Payoneer” account, then it may not be used for your UK visa. I don’t know if you the UK visa officials will treat Payoneer as a bank.

2. That’s good. It shows that you have the obligation to return back from the UK in order to join the ship in Italy.

3. I suggest not mentioning anything about Brazil. Otherwise, it will complicate your situation. You only need to provide 6 months of statements, so your Brazil bank account is not relevant anymore.

The situation is that you are all over the place. You don’t have ties to any single country. It would be very difficult for you to show ties to your home country, US or Brazil. I suggest first building ties with one of these countries and then apply for your UK visa.

April 23, 2019 at 4:38 am

My name is RAPHEAL. I applied for the UK visit with my wife and son. We all applied for Netherlands visa previously and we were given the visa but we wanted to route the two countries together. But we did not state in our UK application that we would visit Netherlands because I think VO might look deep into my finances. I saved 8400 pounds gradually in my bank account from my 3000 pounds monthly salary and I budgeted 4300 for our trip which includes flight, hotels and other expenses. Hope the visa officer would not think that I am spending half of my savings for 10days trip.

More so, I mistakenly added the Netherlands introduction letter given to me by company in my UK application when I did not state anything about Netherland but the VO might still realize we have Netherlands visa. Though I added UK introduction letter as well. Hope this will not raise any issues.

April 24, 2019 at 11:08 pm

Hi Rapheal! When any questions arise, the UK visa officers will simply refuse the visa and throw all those questions in the refusal letter. So, you must have to make sure no questions arise from your visa application. Anyway, I hope your Netherlands introduction letter will not affect your visa result.

Regarding your budget, I think a 3000 pound budget would have been perfect. You could have brought your itinerary down to 7 days to accommodate everything in that budget. This is only for the visa though. When you actually travel, you can extend your stay for a few more days and that wouldn’t cause any problems.

Daniel says

April 22, 2019 at 5:33 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for your response, with regards to your questions –

I have no internship in Cyprus but my study here in Cyprus is being fully funded by my employer in Ghana, my wife and kid are back home in Ghana and I have my own house in Ghana to show as my ties in Ghana.

On completion of my studies here in Cyprus, I have to return back to my company back in Ghana to serve for 5yrs to compensate for the sponsorship offered to me.

My intended visit to the UK is purposely for tour and I would like to apply for just a tourist visa which will be sponsored by myself since I have some money in my bank account back in Ghana but the issue is the account has not been running for about 4months now since my departure from Ghana.

April 24, 2019 at 4:18 am

Hi Daniel! You have strong ties with Ghana and it’s easy for you to prove that. But the lack of a source of income can be an issue. Questions such as the below will arise and may lead to visa refusal

– Why do you want to spend money/savings especially when you don’t have an income? – Why do you want to travel to the UK when you need to be in Cyprus focusing on your study especially since it was employer-sponsored?

It is really difficult to answer these questions with documentation.

April 22, 2019 at 10:06 am

My actual monthly wages is about 811 pounds plus extra allowances give net about 1000 pounds. I will have to correct this on the next application. Is NOC document the same as the letter of consent? I will have this ready. Our host will be covering accommodation, food and transport in the UK and so I won’t be paying for anything apart from the air ticket and maybe do a bit of shopping and sightseeing. I have over 4000 pounds savings and should be able to spend about half or less bearing in mind that all other expenses are covered. I hope to get approval and take the 2 weeks holiday.

Many Thanks. MR

April 24, 2019 at 4:02 am

Hi MR! I see. In that case, make sure you mention your correct monthly income in your next application. Yes, NOC is the same as a letter of consent. Good luck!

venkat says

April 21, 2019 at 10:28 pm

My Aunt visiting visa got rejected twice in 2016, now wanted to re apply. We made some silly mistakes.

The first time we applied, her status as self-employed and shown some funds. That’s rejected saying annual income is not shown as balance at the time of visa application. A few weeks later applied with explanation and also with status unemployed. And also one of the rejection reason is as a sponsor I mentioned few days and visa application we mentioned different dates with 4 days difference. What are all steps required to get the approval this time? she is supported by her son and some pension she is getting in INDIA.

April 24, 2019 at 12:26 am

Hi Venkat! Sponsorships work well for relationships such as parents, children or spouse. Your aunt’s application may be scrutinized more as the relationship here is nephew-aunt.

That being said, if she is getting a pension then she is already retired. She can very well use “retired” as her status and show her pension as her financial support. Since you are sponsoring her trip, there is no need to introduce her son on the application. If you introduce new people, the UK home office conducts background checks on them. This can delay the application process and sometimes can lead to visa refusal.

I suggest the below documentation

– Your aunt’s retirement proofs and pension documents – Your employment proofs (employment letter, salary slips, etc) – Your financial proofs (salary slips, bank statements, etc) – Your status in the UK (visa, PR, passport, etc) – A letter stating that you will bear all her trip expenses – A cover letter from your aunt stating her dates of travel, the purpose of travel, itinerary, her employment status (retired), her financial situation (pension), any travel history and the obligation to return back after the trip.

April 21, 2019 at 4:38 pm

I’m planning to apply for a UK tourist visa. I need your advice. I work on a cruise ship and I’m currently on vacation. I want to go to UK for 6 days during this vacation. I lived in Brazil for 2 years and I still have a bank account there with a lot of money in it. I also have another bank statement which has all my salary from my cruise ship job.

Should I give both bank statements? I left Brazil more than 7 months ago, should I add my payslip from the job I had there. I ask the company to give me a letter that shows I worked with them in Brazil but hey refused. What documents do you think I need to use? What should I talk about in my cover letter apart from the itinerary and my current job? I don’t have a bank account in my country or any property in my country. Will it be a problem?

I have an appointment letter for my next contract and it states I have to be in Italy to join the ship. Is it enough to show that I will leave the UK

April 23, 2019 at 4:00 am

Hi Dark! Your information is insufficient for me to provide you with any advice. Can you answer the below questions?

– In which country is your salary bank account from your CURRENT cruise ship job? – Is your next contract in Italy with the same CURRENT cruise ship? – Do you have a legal status (permanent residency, etc) in Brazil?

Tufayel Islam says

April 21, 2019 at 3:47 pm

Hi, I got refused a UK visit visa in September. Currently, I’m living in Poland. I got a UK visit visa in 2016 while I was living in Denmark as a student. I went to the UK 3 times in 2016. When I applied again 7 months ago, they mentioned my financial situation doesn’t demonstrate that I will come back! Now I got a new job on a bit high salary. I didn’t bring any sponsor from the UK even though I have family there. Now I want to apply again to see the cricket world cup. Is it wise to bring a sponsor? Last time I didn’t mention that I have family there. Please let me know.

April 23, 2019 at 3:17 am

Hi Tufayel! I suggest not to use a sponsor if you can support yourself financially. If you use a sponsor, it introduces unnecessary complications. If the visa is refused, it’s difficult to figure if the reason was you or your sponsor.

I suggest waiting until your savings in the bank slowly but continuous grows to a point where it’s more than enough for your UK trip. Then apply for your UK visa. You will have better chances of approval.

April 21, 2019 at 11:49 am

I’m asked this question, have u traveled another country for the past 10 years. Can I answer it yes even if I started to work just in recent 2016?

April 23, 2019 at 12:59 am

Hi Mila! If you are working in a different country than your country of passport, then yes, you can answer “Yes” even if it is recent (2016).

April 21, 2019 at 10:23 am

Hello Sir, My UK Visit Visa application got refused due to unclear financial circumstances. I want to re-apply I have two options 1 – I can take my Provident Fund and Eid Bonus from company to support my visit 2 – My company can give me 300k with sponsor letter stating the company is gifting me this trip. What option would be better? I will write a detailed reply of the previous refusal with as much as possible evidences. Your kind advice is requested.

April 23, 2019 at 12:57 am

Hi Ahmed! Ideally, you must have a continuous source of income and slowly growing savings. Large deposits like PF or bonuses will raise questions on why you are using that money to travel to the UK. Secondly, if your company gifts you a trip, that raises questions as well. Therefore, both of these options are not realistic.

I suggest taking your time to grow your savings to a point where it’s more than enough for your trip. Then apply for your visa.

April 21, 2019 at 7:03 am

As a Ghanaian national and a student in Cyprus pursuing masters degree programs, I wish to tour the UK when my school vacates, how are my chances and what are the necessary documents do I need to put up to make a strong case?

April 22, 2019 at 4:57 am

Hi Daniel! Your chances of visa approval depend on the strength of your ties with Cyprus or Ghana. A few factors that indicate good chances of visa approval are – – Continuing your study in Cyprus after your return – An internship in Cyprus

You would need the following documentation

– A letter from the school stating that you are currently a student, semester of study, performance and conduct – A letter from the school stating that you are approved to take a vacation between those dates and have to return on a certain date to continue your studies – School Id card

You will need additional documents but that depends on your answers to the below questions

– Do you have an internship? – Who supports your UK trip financially (sponsor)? – What is your sponsor’s relationship to you? – Where does your sponsor live (Ghana, Cyprus or UK)? – What is the citizenship of your sponsor (Ghana, Cyprus or UK)?

April 19, 2019 at 7:57 am

I have traveled to the UK in 2009 on Student Visa but did not complete my degree and returned back to home country India due to some personal issue. I have traveled around 4 more countries since then. Can I apply for the UK tourist Visa? I am doing job in some company with salary of about 45k per month is this good enough for UK tourist VISA?

April 19, 2019 at 6:04 pm

Hi XYZ! You need to have a really strong purpose of travel to convince the UK visa officers. Otherwise, they may assume that you are going back to complete your studies and need an appropriate visa.

You did not specify the currency, so I’m assuming it’s INR. 45,000 INR = 500 GBP. That’s a good monthly income. It’s not just the monthly income, but you have to show a regular deposit of your salary in your account and there should not be any “undocumented large deposits” in your account.

April 18, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Please if I have been refused UK visa twice and US visa twice after about 6-9 years and I want to apply now for the UK visa and I have all requirements. Will my previous denials hinder me?

April 19, 2019 at 5:43 pm

Hi Nengi! Previous visa attempts and their results will be on the records permanently. They will, of course, hinder with your current attempts. But if your current circumstances are quite different than 6-9 years ago, your previous visa results should not affect you.

arman malik says

April 18, 2019 at 4:57 pm

Hello, I wish to travel to the UK to visit my elder brother and also for tourism for the 15-20 days. He is a student of a bournemouth university. I had just completed my studies and I am unemployed. The trip including tickets, expenses will be sponsored by my father, I am planning to go on 20th May to 10th of June. Please help me out regarding the documents which I have to submit. I am totally in dilemma and also tell me the format of cover letter. My intention is to only visit to my brother and for tourism not to search a job.

April 21, 2019 at 7:16 pm

Hi Arman! You just finished your studies and you don’t have a job back home. That means, there isn’t anything stopping you to find a job in the UK. There isn’t anything to bring you back to your home country either. I know you will visit your brother and return back but it’s hard to convince the visa officers that you have strong ties to your country and has the obligation to return back after your trip. If you were still studying or had a job, you would have had better odds of visa approval.

I suggest having a shorter itinerary such as 2 weeks. Anything longer will make the visa officers assume that you will search for jobs.

I suggest providing the below documentation – Your father’s employment proofs – Your father’s financial proofs – Your brother’s student proofs – Your brother’s status in the UK (visa) – Letter from your father that he will bear all your expenses – Letter from your brother that you will be visiting him – A cover letter indicating your current employment and financial situation, travel history, purpose of travel, detailed itinerary, etc.

April 18, 2019 at 4:47 pm

Thank you so much. No, I wasn’t the one who withdrew the application, but the Entry Clearance Officers, the British embassy. Because the date I applied had passed and they said I no longer have a valid reason to enter the UK and they withdrew it. Do you think this changes the situation? They said it doesn’t count as a refusal. I will ask the University to give me the letter which says that I am obliged to return to work after a vacation to the UK, thank you for this.

April 18, 2019 at 6:18 pm

Hi Mila! If they said that it wouldn’t count as a refusal, then you are fine. Yeah, the letter from the university will help. Good luck!

Alisha says

April 18, 2019 at 4:18 pm

How do I reschedule an appointment made at VFS global? By mistake, I have entered a wrong date which unfortunately won’t be able to go on that day.

April 18, 2019 at 9:00 pm

Hi Alisha! Unfortunately, I don’t know the procedure to reschedule VFS appointments. I suggest contacting the VFS customer service.

April 17, 2019 at 9:48 pm

Need your thoughts on this. I applied for a UK visa and got rejected this month with the below reasons. I would like to reapply as I plan to go on holiday with my son for 2 weeks then return to my home country. What are my chances?

Reasons for rejection; – You state that because you work in the tourism sector you like to visit other countries. In this occasion you are traveling with your son who is around 1.5 years old. You have not declared that you have a partner/spouse but I note from your son’s birth certificate details if the biological father have been registered.

– You earn about £311 per month. You have savings of £4000 and your plan to spend £2500 on your trip. This amount represents over half your declared savings or over 5 months of your monthly expenditure and you have not shown that you are able to spend such monies in holiday.

– Therefore i am not satisfied a visit to the UK for 17 days is proportionate to your economic or social circumstances. This causes me to question your reason for seeking entry to the UK and your intentions once there.

My son’s father and are not together and regarding financial situation, I have sufficient funds saved from a work bonus I received in December 2018 and I plan to use the same. I have provided a statement and hope new application will he approved. Please advise your thoughts on the above. Many thanks.

April 18, 2019 at 5:37 pm

– I suggest you provide these two documents in your reapplication- (1) your son’s birth certificate showing that you are his biological mother and (2) a NOC document from his biological father. These two documents are needed when traveling with children to rule out the possibility of human trafficking.

– Your monthly income is low and it would take a really long time to save that much. Spending half of your savings on a single trip do not sound like a wise decision. But if you have received a bonus that you would like to spend on this trip, you would need to provide documentary evidence of the bonus.

– 17 days is a bit long keeping how expensive the UK is. Especially, you are traveling with a child and it can be very expensive. I suggest going for 7-10 days itinerary.

Your chances of approval are still low keeping your income, expenses and family situation in mind. The UK may not a realistic destination for you at this point.

April 17, 2019 at 4:25 pm

Hello! I wish to apply for the UK tourist visa. I’d like to go to Edinburgh for 3-4 days.

I visited the UK 3 years ago as a student. Then, last year I apply for a Charity Worker Visa, but they withdrew my application and said it clearly in the letter that it won’t be counted as a refusal. This was probably my mistake because I should have applied much earlier, and not a month before.

Anyway, now I’d like to apply again. I started working 2 months ago at University as an Assistant Professor at the Department of English Language and Literature, so it is important for my profession and job to visit England. But some people from travel agencies told me that my short work experience could be a problem, is that really true? I have a one year contract, it lasts till February 2020 and I can obtain a letter from my employer that I work there as well as my leave of absence for those days, and by June I will have been working for 3 and a half month.

Plus, do you think that my visa being withdrawn last year could have some negative consequences now? Thank you in advance!

April 17, 2019 at 7:16 pm

Hi Mila! A withdrawal is NOT considered a refusal. So you are fine. But I didn’t understand whether you withdrew or the charity foundation withdrew the application on your behalf. Usually, it’s the applicant that can withdraw the application.

The longer the employment at your current company/employer the better. It shows that you have decent employment that you wouldn’t forgo by overstaying in the UK. But if you can produce a letter stating that you have a 1-year contract at the university and you are obligated to continue working there after your return from the UK may help in your application.

Jitin Yadav says

April 17, 2019 at 1:54 pm

I have two queries. 1. Last year my Schengen visa was refused but after appeal I got it. Will it be considered in visa refusal history as after appeal visa was granted.

2. If someone unintentionally overstays by 2 days in Schengen because of difference between duration and validity and had to pay a penalty at the time of exit, this information needs to be given while applying for UK visa.

April 17, 2019 at 6:12 pm

1. An “appeal” is considered as a “visa approval”. It’s the same visa that was denied previous was later re-assessed and approved. Therefore, it is considered as a “visa approval” and you don’t have to mention that in your UK visa application.

2. If the UK visa application asks especially for any “overstays”, then you have to mention your Schengen visa overstay. Otherwise, you don’t have to mention it.

Elizabeth says

April 17, 2019 at 1:11 pm

You seem to HAVE A LOT of knowledge when it comes to UK Visa’s :) I was on holiday to the UK in December – so my tourist visa was approved, I am now applying for a spousal Visa as my husband is a British Citizen and he lives there.

I seem to have all my ducks in a row and I am going through an immigration company. I just need to know – My husband house shares with 2 best mates and their names are on the lease agreement. They have written a letter of invitation, so has my husband. AND the landlord to state he is aware of me living there from a specified date. I have Utility bills, council bills and copies of their passport.

Could I possibly get denied because of this?

TIA Elizabeth

April 17, 2019 at 7:24 pm

Hi Elizabeth! Thanks! First of all, my experience and knowledge are only in Tourist visas. I don’t know much about spousal visa requirements. Therefore, I will try to answer your question from a tourist visa point of view.

I think the fewer people you introduce on your application the better it is. The UK home office usually conducts a background check on the people you introduce. Because of that, it sometimes can lead to complications or take too long to process.

I suggest providing the lease agreement and the letter from the landlord. Invitation letters and passport copies from your husband’s roommates is unnecessary in my opinion.

Priya Singh says

April 17, 2019 at 1:46 am

My son’s short term student visa was refused on April 1 because a letter from the university saying that he has to visit the UK to write exams had not been attached. The university has now sent the letter but on reapplying, the earliest appointment for biometrics that he has got is May 1st whereas the exams schedule is April 15 to May 15th. It appears likely that the visa will be refused once again. Should he ask the university to permit him to write the exams in the next diet ( August), and cancel his current biometrics appointment? Will, that has any impact on the short term student visa application he makes in July?

April 17, 2019 at 5:54 pm

Hi Priya! I think asking the university to permit your son to write exams for the next term would be the best option in your case. Withdrawal/cancel of visa appointment should not affect his future visa applications.

Nedra ROHAN says

April 16, 2019 at 6:38 pm

Hello Mr. Thirumal, I am applying for the tier 2 general visa I have all my documents except the old expired passport, I have scan details of expired passport but not the original OLD passport. Will it be an issue when they check for travel history, Please advise me.

April 17, 2019 at 12:00 am

Hi Nedra! You don’t need to submit your OLD passport with your UK visa application. You will only mention your travel history in your visa application. You don’t need to submit copies of your travel history. The UK home office may have other ways to verify your travel history.

Muhammad Ghoniem says

April 16, 2019 at 2:10 am

Thanks a lot for your reply Thirumal! One last question. If I reapply again and my documents are almost complete but I don’t have any travel history and keep in mind that I was refused in Belarus visa two years ago because my documents were not enough. Can I get the visa or should I build a travel history first? And should I mention my visa refusal in Belarus or not? Thanks a lot!

April 16, 2019 at 11:51 pm

Hi Muhammad! I always advise my readers to build travel history first. It helps a lot with visas, especially with US, UK, Canada, etc. So yeah, build your travel history first before attempting for UK visa again.

Yes, you have to mention any visa refusals you had in your UK visa application, including your Belarus visa refusal. Not mentioning previous visa refusals can be considered as “withholding information” or “lying”.

Rishabh says

April 15, 2019 at 10:40 pm

I’ve applied for a visitor visa. I am employed and have a salary of INR40K per month after taxes. Along with my employment financial details, I’ve attached my mother’s financial details. My father met an unfortunate accident and we were awarded a sum by the court which reflects on her statements. I have given her passport, ITR and bank statements along with a cover letter, should be fine?

April 16, 2019 at 10:54 pm

Hi Rishabh! You have to provide documentary evidence for the money that your mother was awarded by the court. Otherwise, the UK home office would refuse the visa based on the reason “large undocumented deposits in the bank account”. You have to provide this documentary evidence even if the deposit was not shown in the bank statements (but only if it was very large). A copy of the court letter detailing the case would work as documentary evidence.

Dr. Sohaib Anwaar says

April 15, 2019 at 11:04 am

I am a doctor currently working in the UK on tier 5 visa (temporary migrant’s exchange) for a period of 2 years. (trust MTI doctor – sponsored placement by College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan). I am originally from Pakistan. I am living with my wife here who is also a doctor and on the same visa for a period of 2 years. We had a baby born here 3 months ago. At that time, I applied for my mother’s visa as a standard visitor visa to visit us and help us with the newborn as we don’t have any relative or help here. It got refused.

My mother is elderly and a widow. She has 4 children. 1 son in Australia (permanent resident), 1 daughter in Saudia Arabia, 1 daughter in Pakistan and I, who used to live with her but then I requested her to let me go to the UK for just 2 years and she agreed. At the time of application, she was in Australia with her son who is a permanent resident there. We wrote in the application that she wants to visit her son, i.e, myself in the UK. We wrote duration as 5 months 20 days. And we said after that she will go to Australia again to visit her other son. We said that I can sponsor her for this trip and financial background is that the other son in Australia gives her money for day to day living. That was all. I thought it was straight forward. But it got refused.

I understand we failed to mention these things as I thought they are not relevant. she owns her home and few properties in Pakistan and has her own money in National saving from which she gets monthly profit and that 1 sister lives in Pakistan.

Anyhow the reasons for refusal are as follow 1. You have applied for leave to enter to visit the UK for 5 months and 20 days. 2. You have not provided evidence of your own personal and financial circumstances in your home country. 3. You have not provided documents to demonstrate your regular day to day finances. 4. You have not shown strong family, social or economic ties outside the UK or reasons to return to your home country at the end of the visit.

I really do not understand the 1st point at all. Visit visas are supposed to stay valid for 6 months. What is wrong in writing 5 months 20 days?

Regarding other points, please guide. My mother is really a sad woman with all the children in different parts of the world. I was reluctant to leave her but my friends reassured that you can get a visit visa for your mother whilst you stay in the UK for these 2 years. Why would they want her financial background when I am sponsoring. She is a widow and relies on savings from her late husband’s assets (I can provide the documents for that). I know I didn’t mention that in the application, but now I can. Actually, I didn’t write a cover letter because I thought everything is clear.

I am sad. Is that racism? What is wrong in a mother visiting a son who is on a temporary visa eager to go back. I will try again with a cover letter but please help, what more should I write or provide. I can’t see my mother all alone and sad. I just want her to visit the UK to see me for a couple of months and then she can go back to Pakistan and later on to Australia with the other son. And then in about 1 year, I will go back to Pakistan and she can come back from Australia to Pakistan. Should I write these things or just hold back as these ideas look negative?

April 17, 2019 at 9:09 pm

Hi Sohaib! I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s visa.

1. Call it hypocrisy but that’s how some countries are. They issue a visa for 6 months but they don’t like you to stay that long. You can probably ask 1-month entry for her and she can stay about 3 months max (since the visa will be valid for 6 months). Staying longer than that would affect her future visas to the UK.

2. Showing strong ties to Pakistan is very important. Avoid mentioning that her children are in various countries. Otherwise, UK home office would assume that your mother is probably not happy living in Pakistan and looking to emigrate.

3. The UK home office probably assumed that your mother has no income of her own. The only way for her to manage is to live with one of her sons abroad. Showing her ownership of properties and national savings in Pakistan will help.

4. Her daughter living in Pakistan works as a family tie in her home country. Providing your sister’s employment proofs will help.

I don’t know if it was racism or not. But we are part of the issue as well. We always seek opportunities abroad for a better life. We are migrating all the time legally or illegally. These countries are suspicious about us when we ask for entry. There is a reason why our passports are “weak”.

We must stop looking for better opportunities elsewhere. We must focus on creating opportunities in our own countries. Look at Japan, Korea and Singapore. They were nothing 50 years ago. Now they are superpowers and have the strongest passports. This is exactly we need to do with our countries as well, build them to become stronger, powerful and developed.

Lizani Bothma says

April 15, 2019 at 9:49 am

Thank you for a very informative article. My mother and her friend (South Africans) is planning on visiting their friend who lives in London after which she will join us in Scotland for a few days and fly back with us to South Africa. The friend’s daughter helped them with the online application but made some mistakes on my mother’s form.

1) They did not mention her traveling to Scotland for few days (only giving the friends address) even though return flight is from Edinburgh (suppose the friend can give her proof that she is staying with her all the time). 2) She answered “no” when asked if she had traveled to the EU in the last 10 years, but she has traveled to Europe in 2016.

Are these reasons to cancel the application and reapply?

April 16, 2019 at 7:31 pm

1. A detailed itinerary is important for visa officers to understand your travel plans. Sometimes they overlook at it or sometimes it becomes the sole reason for visa refusal. It’s really difficult to say if not mentioning her travel to Scotland will affect her visa result. 2. Withholding information is also one of the reasons for visa refusal. Again, it’s really difficult to say if answering “no” to that question will affect her visa result. You just have to wait and see.

Alina Ikram says

April 15, 2019 at 9:07 am

Hi, I had applied for the UK tourist visa along with my parents to attend my graduation ceremony in London, but unfortunately, we all got refused. As we all depend on my elder brother, he was financially sponsoring our trip.

Our refusal letter states that my brother has some large cash deposits so the decision maker was not satisfied from where the money came from. My brother owns a restaurant and he also has a real estate business. That money was from the property he sold as it’s his business but unfortunately, we just provided his restaurant but not his real estate business because we thought it won’t be an issue as he is not traveling with us and we weren’t aware at that time that we need provide proofs for those heavy transactions. They ask for last 6months bank statement, so how can we prove each transaction from the last 6 months it’s really hard.

At the same time, he is also a taxpayer but his NTN was not updated at the time we applied, but now its completely updated includes his both businesses.

I am thinking to apply in June as my next graduation is going to be held in July, this time I might apply alone not with my parents so I would like to know what steps should be taken to apply again and should I tell them about my brother’s real estate business we haven’t shown his real estate business last time when we applied. I hope it won’t be an issue? Is it necessary to provide full money trail when it’s understood that my brother has a real estate business?

Secondly, I don’t have any travel history, I just visited Dubai back in 2015. I just graduated, I was a distance learning student and I did LLB from a university in London so my university will be sending me an invitation for my graduation. So, I wanted to know what steps should be taken if I reapply.

April 16, 2019 at 3:36 am

Hi Alina! UK visa officers assume that business funds are for business and you cannot use those funds for personal uses such as vacations, trips, family, etc. Therefore, using your brother’s business bank statements can cause problems even if you provide evidence of all of those transactions.

If you reapply, you have to, of course, provide all documentation pertaining to your brother’s businesses and sources of income. But you will face problems again as his bank accounts are for business only. It would be really difficult to convince the visa officers that your brother uses his bank account for both personal and business.

The ideal solution is to have your brother maintain two bank accounts, one for business and one for personal use. Have monthly deposits in his personal account for family maintenance. In that case, you would need to wait at least 6 months to have 6 months worth of statements of his personal bank account.

April 15, 2019 at 6:07 am

Thanks for your reply. I want to visit the UK adding Royal Academy of music as part of my itinerary. Duration of the visit I used is 3 weeks (22 days). Should I maintain it or I should decrease it?

April 16, 2019 at 12:47 am

Hi Ben! In my opinion, 3 weeks is too long. 2 weeks or less is ideal in your case.

April 15, 2019 at 3:52 am

Thank you for the reply Thirumal! During my new application. Do I have to put up an apology or remorse letter for the past counterfeit documents submitted by the visa agent I used in my last application in 2009? Just to show remorse. please advice!

April 16, 2019 at 12:41 am

Hi Rapheal! Unfortunately, the visa offices do not sympathize or have a soft corner for mistakes. You can, of course, submit an apology letter but I don’t think it would make any difference.

Francis says

April 14, 2019 at 7:28 pm

Hello! Please, my wife applied for a UK visa in 2014 but unfortunately, her sponsor’s statement was fake and she didn’t know so they banned her for 10 years. Its been 5 years now and she has been working. She now wants to apply again. Will they refuse because of the ban or when she explains what happened, will they issue the visa. Her uncle in the UK is ready to invite her again. She has been to China for the travel experience. Please advice.

April 14, 2019 at 10:57 pm

Hi Francis! It’s highly unlikely that her visa will be approved again. Visa bans are very strict and the visa officers cannot overlook them. I suggest her waiting for the entire 10 years before applying again.

Shahbaz says

April 14, 2019 at 5:19 pm

Thanks for reply Sir, My purpose is tourism again. I will write a proper reply to refusal and will provide all possible documentary proofs of withdrawals or deposits as I recently come back from Saudi Arabia and UAE trip with my family. My company will mention in the letter that because of refusal of my visa is due to financial issues. That’s why they are gifting me the trip considering my services. As I want to go for ICC World Cup time is very short to maintain proper bank statements. Thanks!

April 14, 2019 at 9:04 pm

Hi Shahbaz! That’s great. Good luck!

Kanaan Raza says

June 1, 2019 at 10:39 am

Hi Shahbaz! Did you get your visa?

April 13, 2019 at 6:17 pm

Hello, I applied for the UK visit visa in Feb 2009 but I was refused due to some counterfeit documents used by my agent under 320 7A. Though I am taking responsibility because I signed. I am applying for another UK visit now with family because my status has really changed. I am sponsoring all the trip. All documents are intact and perfect. I would like to know if my previous refusal would not affect my application and that of my wife and son as it is over 10 years.

April 14, 2019 at 6:58 pm

Hi Ralpheal! If your current circumstances are completely different, you have fairly higher chances of visa approval. The visa officers may overlook your previous visa refusal if they see major changes in your circumstances.

April 13, 2019 at 10:56 am

Hi, I applied for UK visa last month and I was refused because they said a large deposit in my account and the money was paid in by my employer but I didn’t add the payment letter. I have reapplied again and added the payment letter and also taken my treasury bill receipt from my bank and added is it possible they will issue the visa?

April 14, 2019 at 6:44 pm

Hi Francis! If you have attached the documentation that you missed previously, then yes, you will be issued the visa. You could have made it easier for the visa officers by mentioning the reason and the newly attached documents in your cover letter.

Bobby Singh says

April 13, 2019 at 9:45 am

I am an Indian passport holder studying in Europe. I don’t have any other visa stamp beside my study visa so my questions are.

1. Is it fine to apply for a UK tourist visa without any travel history?

2. I am not working part-time although I am allowed to. Is that a negative point.

3. Although my father is sponsoring my studies, currently I have more than enough money to plan 10 days trip to the UK so is that necessary to attach documents of my father’s income or just an account statement or balance certificate of my account would be fine.

April 14, 2019 at 6:39 pm

1. Your chances for UK visa approval are less due to your lack of travel history. I suggest traveling to other countries before aiming for the UK visa. 2. This is not an issue. But you must demonstrate strong ties with your country of residence. You can do this by providing a letter from your school and fee receipts for future semesters. 3. Having enough funds is not enough. UK home office would like to know the source of those funds. You must provide your father’s employment documentation, financial documentation and a letter from your father stating those funds are available for you to use for your UK trip.

April 12, 2019 at 4:15 pm

I’m from Ghana applying for visit visa. I’m a student at University studying music education. The main reason is tourism and I have included that I will visit the Royal Academy of Music in my daily activities meanwhile I don’t have approval from their institution yet. Would you advise me to remove my visit to the Royal Academy of music from my application?

1. How do I provide a document showing family ties in the home country? 2. Evidence of family members remaining in your home country while you travel. 3. After getting a letter from my educational provider do I still need a leave approval from my department? 4. My uncle is in the UK(citizen) sponsoring me. what is the best reason to write in his letter of invitation to me?

April 14, 2019 at 6:26 pm

Hi Ben! You should have the visit to Royal Acamedy on your itinerary. Since you are a music student, a visit to the Royal Academy of Music will help you personally and for your visa as well.

1. Family ties can be shown by birth certificates, parent’s employment, sibling’s employment, etc 2. You can show this by documentation such as parent’s needing medical help, sibling’s in school, etc. 3. Yes. It should clearly mention the date of your return and reason/obligation for your return. 4. I suggest using the visit to the Royal Academy of Music as the reason.

April 12, 2019 at 10:42 am

Hello Respected Sir,

My UK visitor visa got refused yesterday. The only reason was the financials. I have a proper salary account but I was withdrawing almost all the money every month. I have 350k in my saving account. Visa officer objected that why you are withdrawing all the money. 2ndly I have a large deposit from my wife account 175k 2 months ago. He objected why you did not show the source of your wife income (My wife is a housewife). Now my company has decided to pay for my visit they agree to give a sponsor letter and cheque on my name. Will it work? And is it necessary to give a reply to refusal letter while reapplying? Thanks!

April 14, 2019 at 5:07 pm

Hi Shahbaz! Even if your company is paying for your trip, you will still be asked to furnish your financial documentation. Large withdrawals or deposits in your personal bank account will come up and may lead to refusal again. The best way to fix your visa issue is to fix your financial situation first. Withdrawing and depositing large amounts is not an issue if you provide documentary evidence.

Responding to your previous refusal is only needed if you will be applying for the purpose of “tourism” again. But if you will be applying for “business” purpose, you don’t need to.

April 11, 2019 at 3:58 pm

Hi Thirumal, This is the first website I came across with such detailed information both in the main website body and also from the question and reply section. A really invaluable service.

I have traveled to the UK for tourism 2 years back and prior to that 10 years and 19 years back also for tourism. My question is if I can enter the UK on a tourist VISA to sit for a major UK Medical Exams. The Leave Letter from my employer will be mentioning that I will be seeking a VISA to enter as a tourist. In my VISA application, however, I intend to declare that I shall also be sitting for an exam on top of doing some sightseeing. I shall enclose a VISA letter from my examination board and also my Examination Invoice.

Please advise me if my procedure is correct or if I should get my employer to mention that I am going to the UK for the examinations. My children and husband will also be accompanying me as tourists on this trip.

Thank you very much in advance!

April 14, 2019 at 12:03 am

Hi Sarah! I usually advise against mixing work and pleasure. Since you have a really good travel history to the UK, you have a very good chance of securing the visa for the purpose of “tourism”. That way, your current leave letter would work and you can travel with your family as well.

If you go with the purpose “to sit for an exam and also travel with family”, it can complicate things. My advice is to use only “tourism” as your purpose of travel rather than using “tourism and sit for an exam”.

April 14, 2019 at 1:56 am

Thank you very much Thirumal. However, I have one last question, if I mention only Tourism and then go and sit for an exam, will that affect my future visa applications in case the ECO comes to know that on one occasion I had come to the UK as a tourist and then sat for an exam? The customs officers at immigration that I have faced have never grilled me down but what should I tell them my purpose of visit is if I apply as a tourist and then plan on sitting for the exam. Your reply is invaluable and than you in advance once again. I really appreciate your feedback.

April 14, 2019 at 8:43 pm

Hi Sarah! The ideal situation for you is to travel by yourself and sit for the exam. You will still have to apply for a tourist visa, but your purpose of travel will be strictly “business”. There are no complications in that case.

It becomes slightly complicated if you want to travel with family. The visa officers may have questions on why would you want to bring your family along when you are sitting for an exam. Unlike with Schengen visas or other visas, there is no going back and forth with UK visas. If the visa officers have questions, they simply refuse the visa and throw those questions in the refusal letter. Therefore, my suggestion is to simplify your visa application in a way that there won’t be any questions from the visa officers.

Tourism is your main purpose of travel since you will be spending more days site seeing with your family than sitting for the exam (probably 1 day). If asked at the immigration, you can certainly say that you are there for tourism and will also be sitting for the exam on just 1 day. I don’t see any harm in doing that. It is less complicated to deal with this at the immigration level than at the visa application level.

April 15, 2019 at 2:31 am

Thank you very very much Thirumal for your invaluable advise. I think I will do what you have advised in the last paragraph because I want to make the most of this travel. Makes more sense that way in terms of finances as well.

April 11, 2019 at 1:38 pm

My Visa was refused yesterday, the reasons are stated below –

Please pardon me I don’t want to review the name of my employer and the name of the company that invited us for training in the U.K. So I will use XXY And XYZ thank you.

1. You stated that you will visit the U.K. for 7 days to attend business related training at XXY Group, I acknowledge the document from your sponsor. However, when assessing your application, the immigration rules require me to be satisfied that you personally qualify for a visa.

You state that you are employed by XYZ Nigeria limited earning 550,000 NGN (£1162.91 current exchange rate £1 = 472.95) a month. I have noted all supporting documentation in support of your application including employment document and bank statement however your application does not demonstrate that you receive a salary. In light of this, I am not satisfied that you have demonstrated that your employment and income circumstance in Nigeria are as claimed.

You state that you are planning to spend £1000 on your trip to the U.K. and that you have savings of £10428 however your application does not demonstrate that you have any income or fund available to you or how you will maintain yourself during your trip

Given the above reason, I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the U.K. at the end of your visit and you have sufficient fund to cover all reasonable cost in relation to your visit and that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph V4.2 (a) (c) and (e)

These are the reason for the refusal of my Visa.

The truth is that I actually lied about my salary because I believe I will not be expected to show my statement of account.

My employer submitted a statement of account both in USD and in NGN but not the one that carried our name and salary and we did not also submit our statement of account.

If I reapply with the truth status of my salary and then attach all the statement of account, what is my chance of getting the visa?

How long will I have to wait before reapplying?

Will they still have my first application on their system?

April 13, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Hi Sirol! In your reapplication, you may have to admit that you lied in your application. Admitting that you lied in your previous application can have serious consequences such as refusal of your re-application, blacklisting, etc. There is no right way to handle your situation.

I advise my readers to never have a visa rejection. It is better to “not apply” for a visa than getting a “visa refusal”. A visa refusal makes travel very difficult in the future.

You can re-apply whenever you want. There is no waiting required.

Yes. All your previous visa attempts will be in their records permanently.

April 11, 2019 at 8:48 am

Good morning and thanks for your tips! I have a question and I wish you help me.

I am from Egypt and I work as an ESL teacher in Turkey. I applied for a visa to watch a football game but they refused it because I applied the bank statement of my savings only and not the ones that I get my monthly salary on so they don’t know the origins of the money and expenses, etc.

Another issue was that there was a big mistake in the refusal letter because they saw my account with Turkish Lira and it is by GBP so it is a big difference in the amount of money.

Can I reapply again soon by the new bank statement and with a letter showing their big mistake? and when? Btw, I got the refusal letter two days ago. Thanks in advance!

April 13, 2019 at 11:35 pm

Hi Muhammad! Yes, you can reapply by pointing out the issues/mistakes clearly in your cover letter. That way, the visa officers can focus only on the issues/mistakes and make a decision on your visa much faster. I have seen a few readers have success this way. Good luck!

Siddhant Chopra says

April 11, 2019 at 6:00 am

Hi! I have my US visa refused a year ago. Then I applied for a Schengen visa in April 2019 from Ukraine as I study here medicine. I got the visa and I traveled and came without overstaying. Now I intend to apply for UK tourist visa. What are my chances for the UK travel visa? And any special document should I carry along for the UK application? I have my bank account and my father transfer funds in my account! I love traveling. Help me! Thanks

April 13, 2019 at 10:33 pm

Hi Siddhant! The visa chances are high for those applicants who have employment, a source of income, travel history, strong family and social ties. Others have slightly lesser chances but that doesn’t mean the visa will be refused.

You have to show that you have a genuine purpose for travel. You love to travel and that would be sufficient. Write a clear cover letter stating that you love to travel and you have traveled to quite a few countries.

You have considerable travel history as well.

You just need to make sure you show strong ties with Ukraine as you study there. Fee receipts for any future semesters and if you intern, provide the documentation for your internship as well.

Adebayo says

April 10, 2019 at 12:43 am

Hi, I had a refusal last year in December with my own document, now I wanna take it in again. But I’ve someone living in the UK sending me invitation letter and other documents to submit. I wanna know if is going to be approved with someone in the UK inviting me to come for a week. Please reply to me.

April 10, 2019 at 11:00 pm

Hi Adebayo! Invitation letters do not work. You have to show that you have strong ties to your country, financially able to support your trip and have the obligation to return back after your trip.

April 9, 2019 at 11:14 pm

Hello. I and my brother are traveling to the UK on the same dates itinerary and going for the same exam although we are not going hands joined together. Do I need to fill yes on the visa questions asking will you be traveling to the UK with someone who is not your partner, spouse or dependent?

April 10, 2019 at 10:58 pm

Hi Sarah! You may be flying on different flights and staying in different hotels, but you will be meeting in the UK from time to time during your stay. In that case, you must mention that you will be traveling with your brother. If you are given the option, you can mention that you will be traveling individually but will meet a few times during the stay.

But if you will not be meeting your brother at all in the UK, then do not mention anything about your brother on your application.

June 7, 2019 at 4:09 am

Thank you very much for your help. I have gotten my visa.

June 7, 2019 at 3:26 pm

That’s awesome. Congratulations! Enjoy your trip!

June 7, 2019 at 3:36 pm

April 9, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hello, thank you for your feedback and advise! I submitted my documents today so fingers crossed.

April 10, 2019 at 10:54 pm

Great! Good luck!

April 9, 2019 at 3:04 pm

Hi, I applied the UK Visitor Visa for me and my family members, all of us have traveled to the UK before.

After completing the form and paying the VISA fee, it says for biometric they will transfer me to VFS-Global page. What to do in VFS-global page? Do I need to fill a fresh form for an appointment and take the appointment? In their website, if I use my GWF number to take appointment they are saying invalid reference number at the time of selecting the appointment date. Shall I fill a form on VFS-Global page and book appointment and take my visa form along on the date of appointment or shall I complain to VFS-global as they are not allowing me to book an appointment using GWF number?

April 10, 2019 at 9:53 pm

Hi Jay! The UK has outsourced not only biometric but also application submission to VFS global. Currently, it’s only in a few countries but it will be implemented everywhere.

VFS was not involved when I applied for my UK visa, so I’m not sure about the procedure. But what I heard from my readers is that you have to create an account on VFS global, upload some documentation (not sure which docs) and make an appointment. Your GWF number will not be asked. On the date of appointment, you will have to appear in person, give your biometrics and submit your documents including your original passport. VFS will then send the documents and biometrics to the UK consulate on your behalf. VFS will charge a fee for their service.

April 8, 2019 at 11:35 pm

Hi, I’m an unmarried partner of a British woman. She is UK born and I have a baby, also UK born. I would like to apply for a visit visa to visit them. I previously overstayed my visa period in the UK. However, I have left the UK voluntarily with my own expense. I may receive a re-entry ban? Thank you for your time.

April 8, 2019 at 11:54 pm

Hi Ycef! If you have previously overstayed your visa, your current visa may not be approved. Re-entry ban depends on the overstay period. The re-entry ban can range from 1 year to 10 years, so it all depends on your overstay period. I really don’t know the rules for re-entry bans.

Francisca says

April 8, 2019 at 10:02 pm

Thank you for the much needed advice. I will take all you have said into consideration and hope for a positive outcome.

April 8, 2019 at 9:32 pm

Hi Thirumal, i submitted my application online and now they gave me all the information and are asking me to register with VFS and print courier services. but i am confused as when i register myself for VFS,i get to apply as a family group and then it asks me to upload documents in which it asks me tuberclosis certificate although i have been living in USA since 2015. Do we have to register for VFS ? and do we need to upload Tuberclosis cert ? How do i proceed now ? What steps are there after application submission and booking biometrics ? Especially in relation to VFS Thankyou sir

April 8, 2019 at 11:06 pm

Hi Randy! Yes, VFS handles the biometrics for UK visas. Registration for VFS may be needed. I’m not aware of TB cert though. You would need to contact VFS on that.

April 8, 2019 at 8:27 pm

Hello! I have applied for a UK 6 months standard visa and also paid for the visa online (meaning I can’t change any details) but then I noticed that my flight itinerary does not tally with my hotel reservation. Flight says entry 19th of June 2019 to 29th of June 2019 but hotel reservation says 19th of June to 28th of June. Please advise what to do. Should I cancel and do the application again or it is negligible?

April 8, 2019 at 8:59 pm

Hi Sarah! Make a manual change in your printed application. In your cover letter, clearly mention the section, question number, corrected information and the reason.

April 8, 2019 at 9:24 pm

Okay, I am not required to take the printed application to the biometrics center but for my situation are you saying I print the application, make a manual change on the same application then attach a cover letter?

April 8, 2019 at 11:09 pm

I believe you need to submit your printed application, supporting documents, cover letter, biometrics and passport at either UK consulate or VFS. At that time, make a manual correction in your printed application.

April 8, 2019 at 11:20 pm

okay thank you

Daniel Afriyie says

April 8, 2019 at 6:07 pm

Thanks for your swift response! To give you a clear view of the refusal reason, I have managed to copy it here for you to have an insight and advice me if I am also to reapply how my chances are like.

kindly find below the refusal reason I received from the home office:

The decision I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) V4.2 of Appendix V of the Immigration Rules because:

 In considering your application, I have to consider whether you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. As part of this, I have to consider the information provided by you about your personal and economic circumstances.

 You state that you will visit the UK for 6 days

 You state that you are employed as a Technical Support Manager in Ghana and earn 5,330.00 GHS (£814.41) per month. In support of your application, you have provided an employment letter and payslips that demonstrate your income and that you are employed as stated.

 You have also provided bank statements from Aspet A Microfinance Limited in your name (account number ending in 0148) with a closing balance of 76,629.54 GHS (£11,708.8) on the 4th of December 2018. These statements show a number of large deposits being deposited into your account between 01/15/2018 and 04/12/2018. The documents you have provided do not demonstrate the origin of these funds. Given this, I am not satisfied that the funds in your account are genuinely available to you for your exclusive use or that this bank statement is an accurate reflection of your current financial circumstances.

 Each of the factors above have not been taken in isolation but considered collectively. I am not satisfied your personal or financial circumstances demonstrate that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor, that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, or that you have sufficient funds available to you. Your application is therefore refused under paragraphs V4.2 (a) (c) and (e).

April 8, 2019 at 11:16 pm

Hi Daniel! Clearly, your visa was refused on the reason that there have been “undocumented large deposits” in your bank account. You have to provide documentary evidence for such deposits. If those are due to your salary check deposits, a copy of those checks, a copy of your salary slips and the deposit slips (if you still have them) will help.

I also suggest providing a leave approval letter from your employer indicating your dates of vacation, country of vacation (UK) and the date of return to the job.

Anonymous says

April 8, 2019 at 6:34 am

I am working abroad and make 1500USD per month. My company has provided me with food, accommodation, medical and transport. This is my first job and I have been working since November 2018. My company has been offering me hand cash since up to now as I did not open a bank account until now. I am planning to open a bank account this month and will start saving money from now on. Currently I don’t own much money with me but will have about 8000USD in my account by August. Regular savings from my monthly salary. I will have all the deposit record from my employer. I am planning to visit during the last week of November, during my annual leave, which will be a paid one month leave. I will request all required documents from my employer. Please note that it is a 2 year contract.

Do you think I have a chance to get the UK visit visa? or should I not apply this time, wait and save a little more before I apply.

April 8, 2019 at 11:28 pm

Hi Sewwandi! If you start working on it right now, yes you will be fine by November. Usually, you need 6 months of bank statements. If you have regular deposits of your salary, salary slips and slowly growing savings in your account, then you have good chances of visa approval.

April 9, 2019 at 9:35 am

Thank you, Thirumal for giving me a feedback on this.

Since I have provided with numbers and stuffs, can you kindly erase my post. Thank you again, for your valuable time.

April 10, 2019 at 9:46 pm

Hi Sewwandi! I think other readers may benefit from your question and my response. Many might be in your situation and this question/answer will help them. I will change your name to “Anonymous” so you will remain anonymous. Is that fine?

April 8, 2019 at 4:59 am

Your blog is such an educative one. Thanks for all that you do. I was refused a visa on 25-3-2019. I am holding a Nigeria passport and applied from my home country. I am CEO to a company and which I have stated and submitted all necessary documents but I believe my application was not carefully examined and the reason for refusal below:

* You stated that you are self-employed and with earning a yearly income of 12,580GBP and that you receive 10,483GBP from investments. In support of your application, you have submitted a letter regarding your employment issued and signed by yourself.

*I note that you have provided a bank statement from your company. However, business funds are used primarily for the day to day running of businesses and not for private vacations or visits. Business account balances can vary greatly with the variations of daily trade and expenses salaries and purchases. I am therefore unable to conduct a meaningful assessment of your financial circumstances based on this business account

*I have considered the documents and information you have provided about your personal and economic circumstances. However, I have noted that you have demonstrated no savings, properties or income. Furthermore, I am not satisfied that you have demonstrated sufficiently strong social, economic and personal ties to Nigeria or another country outside of the UK to satisfy me that only a short visit is intended.

*Given the above and on the balance of probabilities, I am not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for a limited period not exceeding 6 months and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of the visit or that you will be maintained and accommodated in the UK without working or having recourse to public funds or are able to meet the cost of return journey. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph 4.2(a),(c) and (e)

This was basically the reasons given but

1; I have clearly supplied my personal bank account statement which had 15,000GBP and I had declared spending 2,000GBP for my trip expense but on the refusal note it seems the officer did not look at my personal account

2; I had supplied original building document of property on my name I own and get rent from annually but he also stated I did not demonstrate savings and properties.

Please, can you advise what I should do to reapply because this will be the 3rd time I am been refused but the two previous refusals were in 2012? Reasons then were because my invitee was not credible. Please kindly advise. Thanks so much!

April 8, 2019 at 11:44 pm

Hi John! If you read the comments here, you will see quite a few applicants had the issue of UK visa officers overlooking the supplied documents. Some had success by writing a detailed cover letter, copy pasting the reason and the list of documents that were overlooked, etc.

I suggest doing the same. Write a cover letter with each reason and the list of documents that were overlooked for that reason. This way, the UK visa officers can focus on the refusal reasons and the overlooked documents than going through your entire case again.

Also, I suggest bundling documents together and labeling them clearly. For example, bundle/staple your business documents together with a white sheet/paper on the front. Write in big bold letters “Business Ownership Proofs”. This will reduce the entire documentation into a few bundles and avoid confusion/overlooking.

April 7, 2019 at 9:28 pm

I have applied for a tourist visit visa on 11/12/2018 together with my wife to enable us to spend 7days in the UK, our proposed plan itinerary was scheduled to start on 20/02/2019 and return back to our home country on 27/02/2019. the standard time for decision elapsed and I only had my refusal decision which stated that there have been some large deposits of money in my account, however, I explained in my cover letter that I am being paid by check and due to the busy nature of my job, I delegate my wife most often to deposit into my account which always reflects her name on my bank statement.

My decision came without my wife’s decision and we have waited till 27/03/2019 when we sent them a message to escalate. And after them requesting for the application ID and passport number of my wife, they have asked my wife to go back to the UK application center with the documents she used for the application to be rescanned to enable them to make a decision. Meanwhile, the entire schedule and intended purpose for the trip has changed for now even though my wife still wishes to visit. In the application too, I state and confirm to support my wife partially in fund. Now I have been refused so I want to know if you can suggest how to better my wife chances of getting the visa been approved.

April 8, 2019 at 12:06 am

Hi Daniel! If you are a partial financial sponsor for your wife, you would need to provide your financial proofs as well. This will again raise questions on the origin of deposits in your bank statements. I suggest you provide documentary evidence of those check deposits. Either a copy of the checks itself or salary slips that indicate the check numbers.

April 6, 2019 at 7:26 pm

Thanks for your advice. I have cancelled my VISA(for a refund) and reapplied. Do I need to reapply in VFS as well? My previous VFS appointment is related to an FRM number and not the GWF number. DO I still need to reapply with this new application? I have some paid services in my earlier VFS application so I am not sure , if I should cancel all of that and re-do VFS also. Thanks.

April 7, 2019 at 11:37 pm

Hi Saanya! I’m not aware of FRM number for VFS. But if that is independent of GWF number, then keep your VFS appointment and submit the new application.

April 6, 2019 at 12:11 am

Hello, I am applying for a UK visa. I have a couple of questions for you please.

1. I have submitted the form and paid the fee and have an appointment for Tuesday but I noticed I entered the wrong month on my previous trip to Uk (instead of July 2016 I wrote April 2016) how do I rectify this? 2. I am currently unemployed so my father is sponsoring my trip. I indicated I have savings of 500 pounds and monthly expenses of 70 pounds (would I have been better off saying I didn’t have any?) and how much do you consider as huge deposits? 3. I have some travel history which includes: Kenya visit visa, UK tier 4 student visa, Schengen visa (traveled to Italy and France), transit visa for Turkey and a 2-year visit visa to Uk. I applied under similar circumstances for the 2-year visit visa and was given. Do you think I am likely to be refused now considering my travel history? 4. I have put my dad’s details as a sponsor, I am currently unemployed. I have also included his bank statement, his international passport and my birth certificate as proof. However, my dad’s bank statement is from a merchant bank and the statement format does not show the inflows and outflows (I asked about this and they informed me they have been presenting them that way to the high commission). The balance is sufficient but I am a bit worried that they may have some doubts because this statement doesn’t show details. It only states how much he has in the account (its a joint account with my mum), how long he has had the account for and that he has access to the funds. 5. I would be staying with my sister in the Uk for 4 weeks (she’s currently a student), I have included an invitation letter from her, her UK visa, school ID and her lodger agreement as proof of her status and accommodation. 6. My dad is retired and he is my sponsor. Is there a separate document I should provide to indicate that?

Do you think I have a good chance of approval? If no, what do you think I can do better?

April 7, 2019 at 11:17 pm

1. Make a manual correction in the printed form and specify in your cover letter. In the cover letter, have a side heading as “Manual correction made in the application form” and below it indicate the section and question, explain the reason why you had to make that manual correction and the document to prove the corrected information. The document would be a copy of your previous UK entry and exit stamps in your passport.

2. If you are currently unemployed, you would need to show proof of your beginning balance (500 GBP) in your account. If it was from your salary from your previous job, you must provide the statement from the day the salary was deposited.

3. If you were previously given UK student and visit visas under similar circumstances, you are likely to be approved this time as well.

4. Normally, transaction history is important for UK visa. But if the same statements worked fine for your previous student and visit visas, then they may work fine this time as well. UK home office may have ways to verify the origin of funds and transactions with the merchant bank.

5. I think those are enough from your sister’s side.

6. You may have to provide your dad’s retirement documents as well.

I think you have a very good chance. You secured UK visas twice and you never overstayed. It’s a good indicator that you have no intentions of overstaying, which is very important for your visa decision. Good luck!

April 5, 2019 at 10:33 pm

Sir thankyou so much for the advice. I wanted to confirm sir, my monthly salary is around 5000 USD, i mentioned that i spend around 3000 USD on my monthly expenses, Now the amount of money that is to be spent on a 10 day trip with my wife and daughter , can this be 5000 USD and does that figure seem fine ?

April 5, 2019 at 10:32 am

I have already paid the VISA and VFS (services) fee. But now I need to change my application as my friend is not coming along and I had mentioned her name.

Should I cancel and take the refund and re do the application. Will that be a problem?

April 5, 2019 at 11:17 pm

Hi Saanya! If they refund the fee, go for reapplication. That’s the best option. Otherwise, clearly, indicate in your cover letter that you will be traveling by yourself and your friend will not join you as she has family obligations.

April 5, 2019 at 7:43 am

Hi Thimural, I’m a Zimbabwean national working and living in Namibia for the past 7 years on a work permit. My current work permit is expiring in August 2020. I’m in the process of applying for a UK visitors visa for the first time and could use your advice with my situation. My intended stay is for 27 days:

1. The purpose of my trip is for a cousin’s wedding, I’m in the bridal party and at some point we are going to travel to Greece for the bridal shower. Is it necessary to mention all of this in my itinerary? And will I need to submit a wedding invitation & proof of payments for the Greece trip? I haven’t applied for the Schengen visa yet (I want to get the UK one first before I apply for it).

2. I have been supporting and living with my 2 sisters for the past 2 and a half years, who are at University and have included them in my application. Will they need any documentation regarding that?

3. My current salary is not enough for me & my sisters and I receive a monthly allowance from family to substitute my income. Because of that I currently spend more than I earn, which can be seen from my bank statements. Do I need to explain all of this in my cover letter? And will I need to provide supporting documents of the family member who provides additional support? How far Bank should my bank statements be?

4. Can you also advise how much money will be sufficient for such a stay? I have indicated that I will be staying with my cousin, so food and accommodation will be covered. Will I need to provide their documentation and explain this in my cover letter?

April 8, 2019 at 8:29 pm

Hi Francisca! A couple of suggestions before I answer your questions.

– I advise you to adjust your intended stay to 10 days or less. 27 days is way too much and it raises red flags on why you would need 27 days and how you will support yourself in case your cousin decides not to support. – The fewer people you introduce on the application, the better it is. When you introduce people on the application, the UK home office digs into their backgrounds as well. You are introducing your cousin (sponsor in the UK), your parents (sponsor in your country) and your two sisters (dependents on you).

1. Do not mention your travel to Greece as it will complicate your application. It may create dependency on your Schengen visa, Greece itinerary, etc. UK visas are usually multiple-entry with a validity of 6 months. Therefore, you can travel to Greece and re-enter the UK.

2. You won’t be asked any documentation regarding your sisters. If your document checklist specifically asks for “family members remaining in your home country during your trip”, then you can provide evidence of your 2 sisters in the university. The documentation needed for the UK visa is different for different countries.

3. You would need about 6 months of bank statements. You would need to have a slow-growing savings in your account which shows that you have been saving for this trip. But if your expenses are more than your earning and receive an allowance from your family, you will have to show additional documentation regarding the origin of those funds (allowance). Documentation showing that your parents provide this allowance and the origin of those funds for your parents.

4. Yes. If your cousin is going to provide you with accommodation and food, you will have to provide your cousin’s financial proofs, employment proofs and status in the UK.

April 5, 2019 at 12:25 am

Hi sir, thanks for your advice yesterday. I just want to confirm that can I mention this in my extra information that:

I am applying for 2-year long term visit visa as I intend to travel to the UK again to visit my family.

Can I write this, or should I give more detail or no detail at all?

April 5, 2019 at 10:04 pm

Hi Randy! Yes, you can write that as your “reason” for requesting a two-year visa.

But again like I mentioned earlier, if you have been traveling regularly to the UK, visa officers are likely to issue you a 2-year visa. Otherwise, they may issue you a 6-month visa. Either way, there is no harm in asking for it.

April 4, 2019 at 5:58 pm

Thanks for all your responses. Unfortunately, my friend decided not to join me but I have already mentioned her name in the initial application form. I have not submitted my biometrics yet.

Should I cancel it and re do the application now?

April 5, 2019 at 12:15 am

Hi Saanya! Yes, if you haven’t submitted your application or paid the fee yet, I suggest re-doing your application. Otherwise, the UK visa officers will dig into your friend’s background and it can complicate your case.

Parvathi says

April 4, 2019 at 12:44 pm

The question asked is “Will anyone be paying towards the cost of your visit? ” If I say Yes, then the next question is “Who is paying towards the cost of your visit? ” – Options are:

Someone I know (for example, family or friend)

-My employer or company

-Another company or organisation

-The next is ” Why are they helping to pay for your visit?”

Do I mention my husband under “someone I know”? Or do I just say no to all this and show the Joint savings account ?

Thanks again.

April 4, 2019 at 8:22 pm

Hi Parvathi! UK home office is quite strict about the source of income. Having a savings account is good but they also want to see if you have a source of income if you say “self” to the above question.

My suggest is selecting “someone I know” and mentioning your husband. For the question “why are they”, explain that you are all traveling as a family and your husband is paying for the entire family.

In your cover letter, mention your husband’s full name and passport number. That way, they can consider all 3 applications as one entity.

April 4, 2019 at 12:25 pm

Hi Thirumal! I was rejected visa yesterday. I just wish I knew all these before applying. Their reason:

I stated I was employed at spacewebconsultingltd earning 145600 but that amount did not reflect in my bank statements. But in my application, i stated I am to resume my work in May and I also attached my letter of employment stating the salary. The intention was to travel for 11days before resuming work.

Secondly, I just finished my MBA program and my uncle is gonna be sponsoring the trip. I’ll be staying at his apartment in UK. So I have no income. I stated all these in the additional information. But they didn’t mention anything about that.

The letter also mentioned not having a strong tie to my home country. I live with my parents and I am resuming work at my uncle/sponsors company in May.

My uncle/sponsor wants us to reapply. My question now is: How do I prove I have ties in my country?

I am 24yrs old and I have a 6-year-old son though I didn’t put that in my initial application because they asked if anyone was dependent on me financially. My son and I are dependent on my parents so I didn’t see any need to include him. Can I change the narrative now and add that I have a son? Is that enough tie to my home country?

The reasons for refusal also didn’t mention anything about my sponsor and at the end of it all, they said I don’t have sufficient fund to cover all reasonable costs. Why didn’t it mention my sponsor at all?. Would you advise me to even reapply at all because I don’t want another refusal. Thank you.

April 5, 2019 at 1:18 am

Hi Bisi! Sorry to hear that! But if you are not “currently” employed and do not have a source of income of your own, it’s very likely your visa will be refused again. Sponsorship applications rarely work. Employment and income are first and sponsorship comes after.

To prove that you have strong ties with your country, you must prove that you have continuous employment, regular source of income, decent travel history, strong family and social ties. I know you have strong families ties but you are missing the rest. The reason why the UK home office insists on having all the above is to avoid human trafficking and illegal immigration. I know you do not have any intention of staying illegally in the UK, but it appears that way to the UK visa officers.

I do not suggest reapplying for your visa. Your visa will likely be denied again based on your current situation.

Anubhav says

April 4, 2019 at 10:19 am

Thanks, Thurumal for all the help. I reapplied through express service and got my VISA today. I had attached a point to point clarification of the rejection in my cover letter with all the supporting documents.

April 4, 2019 at 8:16 pm

Hi Anubhav! That’s fantastic! If you are a genuine traveler and be specific with your purpose and documentation, you will not have any issues. Congratulations and enjoy your trip!

April 4, 2019 at 1:27 am

But is there any problem if i and my wife apply together but apply for two different durations that is i for 2 years and my wife for 6 months as its her first visit. I have family in UK is that enough to justify my frequent travels.

April 4, 2019 at 2:12 am

There is no problem. You can apply for 2 years and your wife for 6 months. In my opinion, having family itself is not a justification, but traveling frequently is. If you have been traveling frequently to visit your family, you can definitely request for a long term visa as applying for a visa frequently is a pain.

April 4, 2019 at 1:11 am

Thanks Thirumal.

Just 1 last one. I’m a stay at home mom, so there is no source of income to show, though the bank accounts are in our joint names. There is a question if anyone else is sponsoring the trip, but it doesn’t have an option of “Spouse” to click on. How do I go about this? In my husband’s application, we have shown that we are dependant on him. So do I still show the savings in our joint account in my form too or just his?

April 4, 2019 at 2:16 am

Hi Parvathi! What other options are available for “anyone else is paying”?

Yes, when it comes to financial documents, I suggest showing your joint account as well.

April 3, 2019 at 6:59 pm

Good day! I’m from Nigeria, planning to apply for UK visa with my sister and aunty. My uncle would sponsor us.

I would like to know if it is necessary we submit our individual bank statement (since I only earn fifty thousand naira a month)? And my uncle is a US citizen so which of his document should we attach when submitting our application. Is it also advisable we apply together since I and my aunty have been denied US visa before? I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you.

April 5, 2019 at 1:37 am

Hi Bee! In my experience, sponsored applications rarely work. It creates all kinds of complications and eventually the visa will be refused. I suggest applying on your own. You can apply as a group if you all want to travel together. But you all must have employment, enough funds, travel history, etc.

SULTAN says

April 3, 2019 at 5:54 pm

HI THIRUMAL.

I APPLIED FOR VISIT VISA ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS ONLY FOR 10 DAYS. BUT GOT REJECTED. WE PROVIDED THE BANK STATEMENTS, ME MY WIFE, AND JOINT ACCOUNT, SALARY CERTIFICATES. KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATE,

THE FIRST REASON, THEY SAID WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FUNDS. I ATTACHED MY WIFE’S BANK STATEMENT AND OUR JOINT ACCOUNT STATEMENT. BUT THEY OVERLOOKED IT.

AND MY MISTAKE WAS ALSO NOT TO MENTION MY PROPERTIES IN UAE AND HOME COUNTRY. THIS WAS SECOND REASON THAT WE DONT HAVE STRONG TIES IN OUR RESIDING COUNTRY AND HOME COUNTRY.

WAS SO DISTURBED AS WE WERE PLANNING TO TRAVEL the FIRST WEEK OF APRIL. WE WILL APPLY AGAIN THIS WEEK.. CAN YOU PLEASE GUIDE ME ABOUT THE COVER LETTER, HOW SHOULD WE ASSEMBLE THE DETAILS. PLEASE HELP.

April 5, 2019 at 1:31 am

Hi Sultan! It’s quite common for the visa officers to draw the conclusion without looking at all documents. In that situation, you can reapply with a cover letter explaining what documents have been overlooked. If you read the comments of this post, you will see people have done that successfully.

You can also reapply and explain what additional documentation you have provided for those two reasons of refusal. This way, the visa officers can focus only on those reasons and the provided documentation.

If you need help with the cover letter, email me.

Lyton Pervin says

April 3, 2019 at 5:21 pm

I am a US permanent resident (Green card Holder) single but have 2 kids (both US citizens). I am planning to travel to the UK for a week vacation. I was denied a UK visa like 15 years ago when I was still in Africa. I don’t even remember the reason because someone helped me. Anyways, my status changed because I came to the US, got green card though I am divorced now, have a great job in the hospital. My question is; do I need to mention that I will be traveling with my 2 kids when am applying for a UK visa because they are US citizens and do not need a visa? If I don’t mention it in the application will this increase my chances of getting a UK visa?

April 4, 2019 at 1:58 am

Hi Lyton! If you will be traveling with your 2 kids, you must mention that in your application. Failing to mention this information and showing up with your 2 kids in the UK may raise questions at the immigration. You have nothing to worry as you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor. Good luck!

April 3, 2019 at 10:29 am

I understand from your post that the lesser people we mention in our application, the better it is. But, I have already mentioned my friends name under “Will you be travelling to the UK with someone who Yes is not your partner, spouse, or dependant?” She was declined a UK visa earlier, because she is single and was travelling solo.

Now, what all documents do I need to show so that I have good chances of VISA, we both want to go together. Should we have the same cover letters and all to prove that we are friends and are sponsoring ourselves.

Thanks for your earlier comments.

April 4, 2019 at 1:41 am

Hi Saanya! In that case, mention in your cover letter that you will be traveling with your friend. Mention her full name and passport number. She can do the same too. Have the same itinerary as well.

Try to submit the following documentation

– Employment letter stating your name, job title, duration, salary and duties – Leave approval letter from your employer stating the dates of vacation, country of vacation (UK) and date of returning to the job – 6 months bank statements (must show your monthly salary deposits and should not have any large deposits) – 6 months salary slips – House ownership documentation – Mutual funds and shares ownership documentation – NOC from your parents – Cover letter with dates, detailed itinerary, employment background, financial solvency, travel history and obligation to return back.

Kannan Srinivasan says

April 3, 2019 at 10:09 am

I am planning to apply for a UK visa to attend the marriage of my niece (own sister’s daughter). I am a self-employed person.

Last time I was denied a UK visa under paragraph(s) V 4.2 of the appendix V immigration rules. I have no real intention to overstay in the UK beyond my VISA period. My Plan is to be for the marriage. The travel schedule is just 3 weeks.

Are there any chances they reject my application even now?

My Niece is a Doctor and has a Resident permit and who is ready to sponsor for the travel.

Please advise what Precautions I have to take this time around.

April 4, 2019 at 1:32 am

Hi Kannan! There is “real reason” and there is “perceived reason”. You may not have a “real reason” to overstay, but the UK home office may interpret that you may overstay based on your visa application. Therefore, you have to provide documentary evidence that demonstrates that you have no reason to overstay.

This documentary evidence includes proof of your continuous employment, your obligation to return back to work after the trip, your ties to your family that demand you to be physically available, etc. If you fail to show such documentary evidence, the UK home office would assume that you would overstay your visa.

If you are self-employed, you must show that you would need to be physically available in your country to carry out your work. You must also show that you would need to back in your country physically to continue working. Finally, you must change your itinerary to 7-10 days. 3 weeks is too long for a wedding and it may get your visa denied.

April 3, 2019 at 10:01 am

Thank you for all your blogs! Im an avid traveller and I had no clue that one could travel to other countries using Schengen/ UK visa!

I am currently applying for a tourist visa for UK, for my family and I. I had a couple of queries, 1. We live in Singapore, but hold an Indian passport. We have travelled quite extensively in Europe and the Asia region. A few of them repeatedly. So I just mention my most recent visit to that country? My husband travels to 2 countries every month on work from Singapore. For this too, do we follow the same rule?

2. Do we mention Singapore in the countries we have visited?

3. Nowhere is it mentioned that we need to buy a travel Insurance (like with Schengen visa application it is compulsary). Would submitting a travel insurance be better?

April 4, 2019 at 1:03 am

Hi Parvathi!

1. Yes. You just have to mention your most recent visit to those countries. 2. Yes. You must mention Singapore as a country visited as well. 3. No. Travel insurance is NOT REQUIRED for the UK visa application. Even if you submit, the consulate will not consider it.

April 3, 2019 at 8:03 am

Please I need advice. I have travelled to UK with 6 months Visa. But I applied to Germany and was refused. Now I wish to renew my UK Visa. The travel agent who helped me with Germany visa used different information I provided to the UK in my Visa application. Can l disclose it in my UK renewal now?

April 4, 2019 at 1:23 am

Hi Ismaeel! There is no such thing as UK visa renewal. You have to apply for a fresh visa. And yes, you have to mention your Schengen visa denial in your UK visa application.

April 3, 2019 at 3:49 am

Hi Sir, I am in the US on an F1 visa. I am applying for the UK visit visa for 2 years and I am applying for 6 months for my wife. I have studied and lived in the UK for about 6 years and I have good travel history but my wife has only traveled to the US. She has never visited the UK. I am visiting the UK to meet my sisters as they are settled there.

Do you recommend applying for 2 years for my wife or 6 months? I will apply for 2 years as I have already been to the UK multiple times. Also, what can I put as a reason that I want 2 years visa so that this request is justified? What words should I use as I don’t want to imply anything wrong . You know this is a critical piece. Thank you!

April 4, 2019 at 1:17 am

Hi Randy! I recommend applying for a 2 year UK visa for your wife as well. That way, you both don’t need to worry about applying again for the next two years.

Usually, frequent travelers to the UK apply for visas longer than 6 months – 2 years, 5 years or 10 years. If you haven’t been to the UK frequently, say twice a year, you cannot justify a 2-year visa. UK home office would understand that it’s a hassle to apply for visas couple times a year, so they usually issue the visa for whatever period you ask for. So, it all depends on how frequently you travel to the UK.

April 2, 2019 at 5:02 pm

Hi sir, thanks once again for your free visa consultations! My question is in 2016 I was denied a Germany visit visa on grounds that the reason for the visit wasn’t clear. The reason I failed to produce an internal transport means while in Germany. I wish to apply again in June where I will be invited to a religious conference. So do I need to address the reason in the previous refusal like it’s done while applying for u.k visas?

April 3, 2019 at 2:18 am

Hi Ismah! Invitation letters and religious reasons do not work well for visas. You will only be taking chances again. If you do decide to apply again, then it depends on the visa application. If the visa application asks to explain your previous visa refusal, then yes, you have to explain your previous visa refusals.

Emmanuel Grant says

April 2, 2019 at 1:37 pm

I’m applying for the visa in another country. What should I write in the “countries I have visited space” since I am still in that country i am applying in legally?

April 3, 2019 at 2:10 am

Hi Emmanuel! Yes, you will mention that “another country” in your countries visited.

Saanya says

April 2, 2019 at 6:08 am

Hi. Thanks a lot for this. I have some other questions too.

1) I am a single woman as of now, I will be getting married later this year or early next year. I have heard that it is difficult for single women to get UK Visa. Do you think I should mention that I will be getting married later? -Although I cannot prove it as of now. 2) My father will also be giving me some money for the trip as a birthday gift. Should I mention this too? – Would it help? And Again would I need to prove it somehow? 3) A driend of mine will be traveling with me. She will take a flight from Mumbai and I will be taking it from Hyderabad. We will meet only in the UK. Should that be an issue?

-Thanks so much for taking your time in reading and answering these questions. I really appreciate it.

April 3, 2019 at 1:43 am

1. If you cannot provide proof of your upcoming wedding, it’s better you don’t mention it as it can complicate things. I suggest you provide a No Object Certificate (NOC) from your parents that they are fine with you traveling to the UK on your own. It’s really silly in this day and age but I have seen a few UK visas refused on the reason that the applicant hasn’t provided a NOC letter from their parents. This is applicable to only female applicants.

2. I suggest (a) not mentioning the gift of cash from your father and (b) not depositing that money in your salary bank account. If you mention the cash gift from your dad, you will be introducing a new person (your dad) in your application. The UK visa officers will then want to look into your dad’s financial situation on how he earned that money and why is he giving you that money. This would really complicate your case. Similarly, any large deposits other than your salary in your bank account can be suspicious and can lead to visa denial.

3. It won’t be an issue. But I suggest not mentioning your friend in your visa application. Introducing a new person on your application complicates your case.

Angel Tan says

April 2, 2019 at 5:48 am

Hi, I will be applying for UK visa and my sister is sponsoring my trip, she’s living in UK. I just want to ask if all the documents coming from her should be original?thank you!

April 3, 2019 at 1:32 am

Hi Angel! No. Just the scanned copies are enough.

April 1, 2019 at 6:49 pm

Hi. A very informative post. I Plan to go to the UK and Ireland using a BIVS visa. I am an Indian Passport holder. I plan to land in the UK first. I have three questions.

1) I was applying for the UK standard tourist visa, but it does not mention anything about BIVS. Is there a separate link to apply for BIVS? 2) I have a house on my name and I am a salaried person from the last 4 years. I have a home loan and I am unmarried. Will having a loan reduce/increase my chances of VISA acceptance? 3) I have savings in the form of mutual funds and shares. Should I include those in my application?

April 2, 2019 at 2:28 am

1. There is NO separate link for BIVS. You just have to mention in your cover letter that your itinerary includes Ireland and request for UK visa with BIVS.

2. Home loan is a good thing as you have the obligation to return back to your job in order to pay your monthly loan payments. Make sure you provide your house documents with your visa application.

3. Yes, definitely. Include your mutual fund and stock investments.

Licia Santos says

April 1, 2019 at 1:46 pm

My boyfriend has Angolan citizenship and has been living, studying and working in Portugal for the past 5 years.

Since I live in the UK, he applied for a 6 month (multiple entries) visa to visit me when he can. He waited for 2 months and today he received his passport in a bag with no stamp and no refusal letter. He contacted the Uk services and as always the only thing they say is “we are going to escalate the situation and you will receive an email within 15 days.” Not to mention that he has never received an email, his application tracking number did not work, and he spent a total of 70£, on top of the application costs, for calling them to get information.

It is unacceptable!! My boyfriend and I are extremely disappointed with the immigration services. Not only we’ve wasted money and time but it has been a humiliating and disheartening process.

Since we don’t know what to do. I was hoping to get some advice or information from people who have experienced the same.

We appreciate your help. Thank you

Lícia Santos

April 5, 2019 at 1:48 am

Hi Licia! I have never seen a case similar to yours. Usually, the UKVI includes the visa refusal letter in the package.

I usually advise my readers to apply for a UK visa only if they have plenty of time on their plate and have no real urgency to visit the UK. Leaving passport at the consulate for an unknown period of time is extremely excruciating since you never know when you would need to travel to your home country or internationally.

There is not much you can do. The only option is to reapply by explaining/questioning in your cover letter. Contacting customer service is a waste of money. You can probably use that money to reapply.

Barnabas says

July 29, 2019 at 12:14 am

Hello! Can I submit a 3 months bank statement for UK visa application? I had to change the bank account for some personal reason. Do you think it’s a problem as I have a secured job and earn about $750 monthly after tax? I want to visit UK for 6 days visit. Do you suggest I proceed with the 3 months statement or wait for 6months statement? Thanks!

August 3, 2019 at 10:10 am

Hi Barnabas! The UK home office does not ask for missing documentation. They simply refuse the visa and mention the missing documentation in the refusal letter. A UK visa refusal stays in your records permanently and affects all your future UK and other country visa applications. If your 3-months bank statement is not enough, it would lead to a visa refusal. Don’t take chances. Wait for 3 more months and use a 6-month bank statement.

Mariam Assem says

March 31, 2019 at 6:36 pm

Hello! I just got rejected for the UK visit Visa. Reasons are 1. I only applied one reference letter from my work, they said it wasn’t enough to show my employment circumstances – I will apply more paperwork and a leave approval letter 2. My father gave me as a gift an amount of money in my bank statement (many years ago) they said that my salary is not consistent with my bank statement – If I told them my father gave it to me is that enough proof? 3. My father was my sponsor, to that I gave them his bank statements but I forgot to give anything to prove his employment status they said they need a proof for the origin of his funds he’s currently a retired physician – I am giving them proof of retirement and his last 10 years employment experience 4. I am adding that my mother is my other sponsor with a work reference letter and bank statement 5. Lastly, my brother lives in the UK and I am going to be with him. He provided all the papers needed and the refusal didn’t mention anything about him.

Is that enough to reapply for the visa? Thank you!

March 31, 2019 at 11:46 pm

Hi Mariam! The more people you introduce in your application, the more complicated it gets. The UK home office would conduct background checks on all of them and if something is wrong even with one person, your application will be denied.

1. You need to provide – (a) employment letter – (b) leave approval letter – (c) 6 months salary slips

2. If you have a very high beginning balance, it can be suspicious. You have to provide proof of the origin of those funds. The evidence for the gift would be – (a) your bank statement from that year indicating the deposit – (b) your father’s bank statement from that year indicating the transfer – (c) a letter from your dad declaring that as a gift to you

3. If you are employed and can support your travel, I suggest not using your dad as a sponsor. The fewer people on the application, the better it is. If you still want to use your father as a sponsor, you must provide – (a) his retirement proof – (b) his monthly pension details – (c) his 6 months of bank statements

4. If you are employed and can support your travel, I suggest not using your mom as a sponsor. The fewer people on the application, the better it is. If you still want to use your mother as a sponsor, you must provide – (a) her employment letter – (b) her 6 months salary slips – (c) her 6 months bank statements

5. Probably it was way too many people for the UK home office to keep track of. That is why they couldn’t even get to your brother’s documents. Like I mentioned above, use fewer people. Since you are employed and can support yourself, you don’t even need to have all these sponsors. You can mention that you will meet your brother but you don’t have to use him as a sponsor. If you still like to use him as a sponsor, you need the following –

– (a) A letter from your brother undertaking that he/she would arrange your accommodation, transportation and other expenses while you are in the UK – (b) Your brother’s bank statements for the last 6 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits) – (c) Your brother’s employment letter – (d) Your brother’s 6 months salary slips – (e) Your brother’s British passport main page (if he is a British citizen) – (f) Your brother’s British visa or residence permit (if he is not a British citizen) – (g) Your brother’s British postal poll card (if he is a British citizen) – (h) Your brother’s utility bill

March 30, 2019 at 6:49 pm

Hello sir! Thanks for the quick response to our visa questions! Well, I’m intending to apply for the UK visit visa. Is it ok if I submit a 4 months current and savings account bankstaments?

March 30, 2019 at 7:07 pm

Hi Ismah! The requirements vary slightly from country to country. If you are asked to provide 4 months of bank statements, then you are fine. If you are asked to provide 6 months of bank statements, then you have to provide 6 months of bank statements.

Tarsia says

March 30, 2019 at 5:35 pm

Hello, I have been refused twice and my reason for applying for the uk visa was for a job interview in the British Army. I am married now and my husband is based in the Uk now. We have applied for a visa for me to join him and the problem I have now is that i changed my maternal name on this application because of some family issues. I didn’t use the same name for my mother on this application. Will this have any effect on my visa application

March 30, 2019 at 7:04 pm

Hi Tarsia! First of all, I don’t understand your question well. I’m not sure whether you are referring to your name or your mother’s name.

If you are referring to your name, then your name must be same as it appears in your passport.

If you are referring to your mother’s name, then it’s fine to change it slightly but not completely. UK home office will have your previous records and if they see a different mother’s name, it may raise questions. Slight changes are fine.

March 30, 2019 at 1:50 pm

Hi sir again! My visit UK visa was rejected due to insufficient docs, that I provided last March 25 2019.

This is from vac – “In support of your application, you have provided a post office bank statement from the period of 01.10.2018 10.3.2019 in your name showing a closing balance of xx you have also provided an employment letter and a payslip for jan.2019. I note you have provided an Israeli work permit valid until 2.8.2019 and you state you have been employed in this capacity since oct.2015. However, there are not official documents which demonstrate how long you have been employed in Israel. I am also not satisfied that you demonstrated your income from your employment as there appears to be only one deposit into your account which is named (my employer). I am therefore not satisfied that your personal and financial circumstances in Israel and the Philippines are such that you have sufficient intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit as stated.”

Please help me! I want to reapply after I renew my work permit in August. Thank you very much!

March 30, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Hi Mary! The refusal letter clearly says that you failed to submit your employment and financial proofs. Next time, make sure you submit the following –

Employment Proof Work permit Employment letter Leave approval letter Payslips

Financial Proof 6 months bank statements clearly indicating your salary deposits every month (no undocumented large deposits)

Geralyn Lopez says

June 1, 2019 at 2:40 am

My salary usually deposited to a different bank and what I do is withdraw them and transfer it to my personal savings account which is a different bank, will it affect my application? or do I have to declare that I have a personal savings account and I do transfer portion of my income to my account? does it needs to have withdrawals coz I don’t take any amount from it for the past 1year

June 3, 2019 at 8:25 pm

In that case, you must show statements from both accounts – your salary account and your savings account. Also, mention in your cover letter that you transfer money from salary account to your savings account. Give examples such as the dates when the transfers have been done.

No. Your lack of withdrawals in your savings account will not affect your visa result. It’s only “large deposits” that’s the problem.

Mulinde herbert says

July 14, 2019 at 3:34 pm

How do you define ‘large deposits’ often times clients deposit sales money on my personal account up to 3000 USD for my company? Will this be classified as a huge deposit especially knowing that I earn less than such deposits evidenced in my bank statement.

July 16, 2019 at 1:16 am

Hi Mulinde! If the deposit is larger than your monthly salary itself, then it is a “large” deposit. You have to provide documentary evidence for such deposits. I suggest separating your accounts so you will not have such problems in the future.

March 29, 2019 at 6:47 pm

Thank you for the helpful post!

I have been to the UK twice. First time was tourism. Second time was when I did 1 year masters in London last year. I am now in Lebanon and have been invited by a company for onsite interview of 2 days in London and they are paying all expenses. I do have a good travel history (been to the USA twice, France, Sweden…). However, I am currently unemployed and I am not a student. So I am concerned that my visa will be rejected due to my ties to my country not being strong enough. The consultant helping me with my visa application raised this concern.

What do you think my chances are for getting the Business visit visa? Should I take the risk? Do you think a rejection will be affect my future travel though I have been to the UK twice already?

March 30, 2019 at 6:02 pm

Hi Joe! Ties with your home country are very important and take precedence over travel history. I would advise against taking the risk. It can ruin your future travels as you have a good visa and travel history so far.

As an additional suggestion, you can raise this concern with the company and have them make alternate arrangements for you.

March 29, 2019 at 3:34 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am really hoping you can shed some light on my situation.

I am a South East Asian citizen currently living in Hong Kong, where I am a permanent resident. I applied for a visitor visa to the UK in February and was refused under the following reasons:

1. I said I was employed, when in fact I meant to start work at the end of my travels (letter proof) 2. I gave in a bank balance certificate with my savings instead of bank statements 3. I don’t have any assets or property in Hong Kong that would require me to return 4. I am staying for 1 month and a half which is a long time 5. They aren’t sure I will return at the end of my stay, and 6. They are not sure I have sufficient funds (when in fact I have close to 9600 GBP in that account)

I reapplied with more details this time, referring to my previous application and how I have provided or amended anything missing on there. I handed in my proof of education, including an offer of acceptance to a Masters course starting this September, financial statements of up to 6 months for both my bank accounts, an invitation letter from a friend there offering accommodation for me and my bf, his utility bill, pay slips. passport copies, WhatsApp chat convos from when we met until now with a few months apart each of them.

I clarified in my application this time that I am taking time off work to use my savings to travel and will be visiting my bf whom I met in Hong Kong now halfway through his masters program for spring break and provided a letter from him, his student ID, uni acceptance letter and proof of our relationship (WhatsApp, facebook convos, photos).

Letter from my previous employer, who is a UK citizen, vouching for my character and my bf’s and my relationship as we met at the same workplace, his passport and ID.

A letter from my father vouching for my return along with his employment details here and our tenancy agreement. The identification document of my sister and mother that also live with me. I also provided a detailed provisional itinerary and a letter offering me employment at the end of my visit.

I submitted my application as a priority application yesterday evening and I got an email today saying that a decision has already been reached and I should wait for the documents to arrive here from Manila before I go to pick it up. I am just a little shocked at how quickly the application was processed, as it should take up to 5 days at least.

In your opinion did I provide enough documentation this time. It is what I have, as owning property here is close to impossible and I am indeed taking time off from work to travel, reflective I hope in a month long trip to Asia I took just before this. And before that to Europe a couple of times.

Really sorry about the long post.

March 30, 2019 at 11:02 pm

Hi MJ! A few things that might have affected your previous visa denial

– Your purpose of travel is not clear. You can, of course, travel and also meet up with your BF. But for the purpose of visa, sticking to one would help. – You introduced two additional people in your application, your friend and your BF. UK home office would conduct a background verification on them. There may be complications if either of them has any background issues, thereby leading to visa denial. – Lack of employment is highly negative. Without employment, it’s highly difficult to secure visas for any country.

A few suggestions

– If there aren’t any changes in your circumstances, your visa application is likely to be denied again. Change in circumstances includes applying for different visa category, change in marital status, etc. – You said you lodged your application in Manila but you live in Hong Kong. Isn’t there a UK consulate or VFS/BLS office in Hong Kong? – If you go through the comments of this blog post or any other blog you will see many comments from applicants in similar situations as you. Meeting a UK bf in the UK is very difficult these days. It’s a lot easier to meet elsewhere. The same money you spend on the UK visa applications is enough to fly somewhere and spend quality time with your BF. Even the UK home office knows this and scrutinizes the applicants on why they want to meet in the UK.

March 29, 2019 at 9:21 am

Hello Sir, I am employed in MNC in Dubai. I am on an employment visa in UAE from last 7 years. I have not visited any country other than the UAE. I am intending to visit the UK as a visitor for holiday purpose during Eid holidays 10 days. Can you help me in clarifying my following queries?

1. Shall my travel history affect my Visa? as I am from India and I have been in UAE from 7 years and have not visited any other country yet. May I use UAE as an answer for, if I have visited any other country than India?

2. I have my cousin settled in London. Is it ok to mention his name and details and mention I will meet him also?

3. Does police clearance certificate is required?

4. Can I apply for 15 days instead of 10?

5. Does bank statements need stamps from the banks?

6. Do I need to submit also My house contract/tenancy contract?

7. My family and child will not be visiting. Do I need to mention the reason?

8. Can let me know the list of documents to support my application, please?

I will look forward to hearing from you.

1. Yes, travel history definitely affects your visa application. The more travel history you have the better it is for visas such as the UK, US, Canada and Schengen. You can use UAE as one of the countries you have visited so far.

2. I suggest not mentioning your cousin in your application unless you are asked to. If you introduce your cousin, the home office may verify his background as well. It not only delays your visa process, but it can also complicate your application if your cousin has any background issues.

4. I suggest using an itinerary of 10 days or less. You will be issued a 180-day visa so you can definitely stay longer. But for the visa, use an itinerary that is 10 days or less.

6. Yes. Your rental agreement for any future months or years shows that you have the intention to return back.

7. Yes. Not only mentioning the reason, submit any relevant documentation that shows that your family will remain in the UAE while you are on the trip. Documents can be your wife’s employment documents, your kid’s school fee receipts, etc.

8. Go through the required documents list on the UKVI website. Along with those, I suggest the below

a. Employment letter stating your name, title, salary, duration, duties, etc b. Leave approval letter from your employer stating your dates of vacation and the intended return date c. Bank statements that clearly shows your salary deposits (make sure there are no undocumented large deposits) d. Salary slips e. Rental contract f. Wife’s employment documentation g. Kid’s school fee receipts

March 28, 2019 at 9:06 pm

My work permit application for Australia had got denied. I am applying for a UK short visit stay visa. I have stated the application form honestly. Would I be getting the visa granted?

March 30, 2019 at 1:36 am

Hi Anonymous! If you have strong ties with your home country then your Australia visa denial may not affect your UK visa application at all. It’s necessary to disclose any previous visa denials but they may not have any bearing on the current application.

Bidhya says

March 28, 2019 at 6:05 pm

Hi there, Im going to apply my uk visa for the first time next week. I’ve been to few visa required countries before so I don’t think there will be problems with my travel history. but my only fear of rejection is the bank statements. I have a stable job and my salary is credited to my account every month, but last month I deposited some money in my account which could be suspicious for the immigration officer. it not huge sum of money to doubt but still , Does it gonna cause trouble to my visa ? Thanks much !

March 30, 2019 at 1:31 am

Hi Bidhya! If it’s not a large deposit, then you don’t need to worry about it. If it’s a large deposit, then you must provide relevant documentation for evidence.

Examples: – If that deposit was from your rental income, you must provide a rental contract, payment receipt, etc. – If that deposit was from another account of yours, then you must provide a bank statement of the other account and clearly mention the dates and transfers in your cover letter.

ALEXANDER MAAR says

March 28, 2019 at 9:41 am

Hello I apllied for a UK visa to relocate and work in the UK. I have secured a job there and currently has a sponsor. I have provided all the documents asked of me. The problem is that I had to resign from my work to pave way for me to move to the UK. I am a registered nurse and currently has no money in my accounts, but I would get money to sustain me fas requested by homeland office. My employer has given a certificate of sponsorship and maintenance letter to cover my accommodation and other stuff. Can I be denied this visa on the basis of no money in my accounts?

March 30, 2019 at 1:02 am

Hi Alexander! My expertise is only in tourist visas. Work visas may have different requirements and documents. I don’t have enough knowledge to answer your questions. Sorry!

Ademoka oluwole says

March 28, 2019 at 4:23 am

Hi l just want to know if necessary to disclose the Precious refusals on UK visit Visa application. I was refused both US and schengen Visa . I had travelled to UK for 2years before and when applied for US and schengen Visa l was still hold UK valid visit Visa but still my application to US and schengen rejected. I am scared to say this in my application for UK 5years Visa now because this could result in refusal if l disclose it. This is because What should l do please.

March 30, 2019 at 12:58 am

Hi Ademoka! Yes, you are required to disclose all your visa refusals (all countries) in your UK visa application. Even if you don’t disclose, UK home office has ways to figure previous visas and travel information of the applicants. If they figure that you have a US and Schengen refusals and you haven’t disclosed them on purpose, they may deny your visa.

March 27, 2019 at 5:28 pm

I applied for a uk visa today. I have obtained 2 uk visas in the past and i have been to several other countries.

I however thought that I will be allowed to submit my previous passport which has most of my travel history with my application but this was not accepted at the visa application centre and I was told i should have uploaded a copy online

I detailed my travel history in my application but now there is no evidence to back it up.

Is there any way to send this supplemental information to the home office, and do you think this will affect my chances?

March 29, 2019 at 11:54 pm

Hi Bunmi! If you had 2 previous UK visas, the Home Office may not scrutinize your application as they may have your records already. Since you have mentioned the countries you have traveled in your visa application, that’s sufficient in my opinion.

March 27, 2019 at 12:55 pm

My application refused 10 days ago. There were two reasons:

1- I mentioned din my application that I have X euros while when I printed my bank statement there was X euros+ 1000 euros.

2- I paid tuition fee for my friend and this extra 1000 euro had been sent by him when I applied for the Visa.

I have an invitation letter from a conference and letter from a sponsor that mention all travel costs will be paid. I have an Iranian student in Portugal who receives salary and registered at university.

Do I have chance if I re-apply? and mention that my friend give the money back?

March 28, 2019 at 3:22 am

Hi Hadi! Those two reasons seem to be the ones you interpreted. Do you know the exact reasons that the UK visa officer mentioned?

I don’t understand about the Iranian student. How is that relevant?

If you have received money back from a friend, you need to provide the evidence that you gave him the money first and he transferred it back. Example: The bank statement showing your transfer to your friend. A notarized affidavit from your friend that he borrowed money and returned with exact dates of transactions.

Deshani says

March 27, 2019 at 10:20 am

Hi Thirumal, Thanks so much for your great article. I wish that I saw your article when I apply UK standard visitor visa first time. In fact, I got rejected first time because I haven’t provided enough documents to prove my genuine intention of the visit. Then, I did a research and prepared almost all the necessary documents to respond ECO’s objections. I applied second time via priority service. However, there was a sentence saying that even though I applied via priority service the decision can be delayed due to my application once rejected. Now I am waiting for the response. I am so stressed because I have a feeling that I will get the response late so that I will not be able to attend the conference. I prepared all the documents very clearly this time. In your experience, how long does it take for second time decision if we say they grant visa? Thank you so much in advance for your reply.

March 28, 2019 at 3:07 am

Hi Deshani! Unfortunately, I don’t have a second-time decision experience. UK home office conducts a thorough background verification on the applicant and it can take days even though you have requested for priority service.

If you have applied from a country such as the US or Canada, the background verification takes a day or two as they have to call your employer, bank, etc. But in some countries, they heavily rely on third-party agencies for background verification. It can take days in such situations.

March 27, 2019 at 10:07 am

My question is: what will I write in the cover letter about previous applications refusal?

# Sir, we will add next time all missing documents for my husband and mine.

# we have the agreement with our all tenants, but on my husband name in the contact. Also, we have every month house rent payment receipt slip.

# the house owner is my husband, so my husband needs to give me any declaration?

Every month (3-10 date) I get the house rent every month from our tenants, so I have to deposit the house rent money in my personal bank account?

March 28, 2019 at 2:56 am

You must write in the cover letter that your previous application was refused based on the reason provided. You are supporting your case this time with all relevant documentation. You ask the officer to review your supporting documentation and validate the case.

Yes. Your husband must write a letter mentioning that you are dependent and he will support you financially on the family trip to the UK. Along with that, he must provide the following

1. All documents related to business (business registration, annual revenue reports, tax returns, bank statements, etc) 2. All documents related to his rental incomes (rental contracts from your tenants, rent payment receipts, etc) 3. Personal bank statements indicating his rental incomes (if that’s personal income) 4. Your marriage certificate

If the properties are on your husband’s name, you must deposit the rental incomes into your husband’s personal bank account. You must provide a copy of his personal bank statements.

March 26, 2019 at 6:33 pm

hey thirumal sir, sorry for disturbing you, my application is refused, and this is my refusal latter…

The decision :

i have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph 4.2 of appendix V : immigration rules for visitors because:

* you stated that you wish to visit the UK for 6 days as a tourist.

* under the UK immigration rules you must show that you are qualify for a visa by explaining your own circumstances and the plans you have for visit.it is your responsibility to satisfy me that they are such that if guaranteed leave to enter you will abide by all of the conditions attached to any such leave and that you will leave the United Kingdom on completion of proposed visit.

* You state that you are unemployed. You have stated that you are traveling withe your spouse and that he is funding your visit.you have not stated that how you are supported.you have provided property documents withe your application but this documents do not dimostrareate that you drive an income from them.i also note that when your spouse received his uk visa last October he stated that he had an online business. The documents you have provided do no demonstrate this business or that you or your spouse receive and income such a business. The documents you have provided do not demonstrate how you support your self in bangladesh and as such I am not satisfied that they are an accurate reflection of your financial circumstances in bangladesh

* On the evidence available to me today, I am not satisfied that your circumstances are as stated in your application. Therefore I am not satisfied that you are a genuine visitor to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitors rules or that you intend to leave the uk at the end of your proposed trip (appendix V: 4.2 a c

March 26, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Hi Rumpa! Sorry to hear that! What I have understood from your refusal letter is that you have not provided enough evidence that your spouse has a continuous source of income and he supports you financially.

If you are dependent on your husband, you must provide his financial documents as well. That way, the visa officers can validate that your husband has a steady income and capable to support you during the trip.

March 26, 2019 at 7:32 pm

I am going to reapply after 3-4 months . What was wrong with my previous application? What do I need to provide in addition to other documents so as to ensure that I get the visa? What was wrong with my earlier application and what corrective steps should I take for my next application?

my husband have business in italy

we have a house here in bangladesh (owner is my husband) and we get house rent every months 95,500 bdt ( 860£ ) so we are spending this money for us,

we have agreement withe tante and every month we given them rent recipet

so now my question is , i can show sorce of income from our house rent and i need to diposite this money in my own bank account .. as a sorce of funds – House rent

and i have some FDR, fixd diposite in postal bank bangladesh. i am getting from there every month. 36,000 bdt (324£)

so i can add allso this sorce of money comeing every months?

please sir , when u free give me a answer…

March 26, 2019 at 7:40 pm

Hi Rumpa! Like I mentioned in the earlier comment there wasn’t enough evidence that your husband has a source of income and capable to support you financially. You need to provide your husband’s financial documents such as business registration, annual income reports, tax returns, business bank statements and his personal bank statements.

If you prefer to show your own rental income, you would need to provide tenant contracts, rent receipts and bank statements. Your bank statements must indicate your monthly rental income.

Fixed deposits may not help that much as they do not draw monthly income.

Kathy@DavesTravelCorner says

March 26, 2019 at 10:17 am

I am planning a trip to the UK later this year – this was a timely post :)

March 26, 2019 at 5:46 pm

Hi Kathy! Great! I’m glad the post was useful to you. You have a great trip!

March 25, 2019 at 11:04 pm

Hello Thirumal ! I submitted my uk visa application today, I have a valid US visa (5 years) travelled once on it, travelled to UK some 10 years back, I submitted all the required documents , there’s just one area that I am doubtful about, I claim in my application I earn 22,000 pounds a year, I actually earn more than that, my bank statements show more money, some large deposits 9 months back , I have showed enough savings, but my income tax returns is low, it shows 5500 pounds a year, but my tax wealth statement shows I have assets money around 400,000 pounds, I have 4 valuable properties, that I have attached documents of, I am a genuine visitor. what do you think will be the outcome of my application??

March 26, 2019 at 4:37 am

Hi Saad! If the numbers do not tally up, it can raise questions on the source of your incomes. The outcome depends on how much they focus on your financial documents. Therefore, it’s really difficult to tell what the outcome would be.

April 26, 2019 at 6:15 pm

Greetings! I’m a lady. Today I took the passports of my children who had applied for a visa, but when I saw the passports within the visa was rejected, while I did not receive the reasons for the refusal by e-mail. Is there a similar case and how can I resolve it?

April 29, 2019 at 1:32 am

Hi Era! Yes, I have seen a few cases similar to yours. Passports were returned back but there wasn’t a refusal letter. There is nothing you can do about it. You can try contacting UKVI but you will end up with a huge bill.

Orjana says

March 25, 2019 at 5:53 pm

Hi! I am a non EU citizen from Albania. I am a student since 2013 at Florence Italy. My standard visitor visa to uk was refused because my resident permit expiry date is 30/04/2019 and for the home office my degree finish in that date.But the resident permit for student here is annual. So since now i have had 5 resident permitt and i will have other resident permit until i finish my degree. Another reason was that i didnt show significant ties . What this means? I show that i study and work here. Thank you

March 26, 2019 at 7:29 pm

Hi Orjana! You must clarify such things (yearly permit) in your cover letter. Otherwise, UK visa officers simply assume certain things and make a decision. Unlike other country visa applications (ex: Schengen), UK visa officers do not go back and forth with the applicants for additional information. If any information is unavailable, the visa is denied. The only option then remains is to reapply explaining what was missing in the previous application and what additional information has been provided in the new application.

Strong ties (or significant ties) means that you have a reason to go back to your country (Italy or Albania) after your trip. If you don’t have ties, then there is nothing that is stopping you from remaining in the foreign country (the UK).

You work permit expiration is definitely an indication that you have no reason to go back to Italy. Explaining this clearly in the cover letter along with the copies all previous 5 permits will help. Along with that, provide the following documentation to show strong ties with Italy.

– A letter from your school stating that you are a student, length of study, field of study, how many semesters still left, etc – A letter from your school stating that you have been given permission to take the vacation to the UK for those days and you are required to come back on a certain day to continue your studies – Fee receipts for all future fee payments – If interning, provide an internship letter and a leave approval letter

March 25, 2019 at 4:14 pm

What about age? I am 80 an English man from Leeds and I have met a lovely 19 year old Filipina I would like to bring her back to the UK to meet my grandchildren. Do you think that they will reject our visa application based on our age gap?

March 25, 2019 at 7:24 pm

Well, they may. Only one way to know. Give it a try.

March 25, 2019 at 1:31 am

Hi, I have been living in Singapore for the past 15 years and have made a LOT of trips to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan (apart from Visits to Europe and Americas). The visa application requires filling out travel details in the past 10 years. Is it really necessary to submit ALL the multiple visits to the same country? I was thinking of including the last unique visit to each of the countries I have visited in the last 10 years

I will be submitting all my previous passports anyway.

March 25, 2019 at 7:03 pm

Hi Kush! You only need to mention each country once. So yeah, just include the last unique visit to each of those countries.

Ajesh Sebastian says

March 24, 2019 at 1:21 pm

Hi there, I have lived in different Schengen countries for more than 3 months in each for study and job purpose. So, while applying for UK visa, do I need to get individual police clearance certificate from each of those countries or is there any possibility of using a common police clearance for all the schengen countries? could you please comment on this if you have knowledge about it? Thanks in advance.

March 24, 2019 at 11:31 pm

Hi Ajesh! As far as my knowledge goes, you don’t need a police clearance for the UK visitor visa.

Saswat Sahu says

October 17, 2019 at 5:31 pm

I am planning to apply for UK Visitor Visa and planning for around 4 weeks from Dec mid till Jan mid. My wife is currently residing in the UK with a Tier 2 ICT Visa. I should mention 4 weeks or 2 weeks for the visa? I can get a leave letter from my current employee. Let me know what should be the best thing to do? My travel history is fair. I have traveled to few countries like Thailand, Canada, Malaysia, Vietnam, Germany, Paris and the UK. I have traveled to the UK for 2 weeks in December 2017 with a visitor visa. Recently a year back I was refused for US B1/B2 visa, 214(b) refusal. I should mention this in my application, right? And also let me know if this will not hamper my UK Visitor Visa?

October 18, 2019 at 3:16 pm

Hi Saswat! I suggest a 2 week itinerary for your visa application. When you actually travel, you can stay for 4 weeks without any consequences. In your leave approval letter, make sure your employer indicates your dates of vacation, country of vacation (UK) and the date on which you have to report back at your job.

You have to mention your US visa refusal in your UK visa application. It may not directly affect your UK visa result since you are strong in all other areas – employment, financial and travel history.

Alastair says

March 24, 2019 at 6:45 am

Thank you so much Thirumal, for reading my long post and your quick, extensive response. We are very grateful for your suggestions. I had hoped that all the Facebook postings that I had sent previously was a public enough response to validate the relationship publicly with all our family and friends. We greatly appreciate all your ideas. The idea for the web page is one which we had certainly not considered and I will be sure to get that in place. As a side note, we had certainly never applied for a lengthy stay before, but I was surprised to see you say that 7-10 days was sufficient for a ‘small’ country like the UK. Having had prior girlfriends and ex-wife visit previously for 2 weeks+, we had always felt that only allowed us to see a tiny part of the UK, so that was fascinating to see that on your notes. Congratulations on such a fantastic website and enormous, best wishes for continued success with it.

Alastair and Hanna.

March 24, 2019 at 8:20 pm

You’re welcome! FB posts are still private as only friends of you or your GF can see those conversations. You can only send the screenshots to consulate. But a webpage would be public and the consulate would be more satisfied with your relationship.

It’s a common assumption by the home office that applicants seeking such long stays would be involved in remuneration activities. It’s not that they won’t issue a visa for someone asking for a 20 days stay. They do, but they like to make sure the applicant has enough funds, their employer agreed for them to be away for 20 days, the places they intend to travel really require so many days, etc. It all depends on how well the applicant can convince the home office.

Thanks again and good luck!

March 23, 2019 at 7:58 pm

Thanks thirumal for the prompt reply. Even though I have understood the first part of my refusal I am scared to reapply coz if this time it doesn’t get approved I might not get to travel with my family . The second reason of refusal also states about my genuine intentions to come back even though I have already given my employment status. Also I made a mistake of not providing my salary acount satement. Thirdly I would like to know should I wait for my family passports to return as they have also applied for the same visa as we are travelling together. So that it gives more credibility to my application about me travelling for travel only along with my famy . Or should I reaply before it. Iam also thinking of applying for schengen visa as i am returning from EU . Will this help make my application genuine. Lstly should I include my financial supporting such as credit card statements (amex, HSBC) and my car loan details along with a policy document through which I got a bulk amount in my account . This was invested for me by my dad 10 years ago. I am supposed to travel on may 3rd may should I go for 5 day express un visa first or apply for schengen first I m confuses scared . Should I seek seek some legal help . I don’t know anyone in delhi for this purpose kr should I carefully draft my reapplication. Should I get all documents notarized by a lawyer

Shahzad says

March 23, 2019 at 6:38 pm

Hi, I have been refused a visa two times in the last two months. The first time was my mistake. I did not submit all supporting documents and because of that I re-applied again and made a good application with complete documentation. But unfortunately again refused on the wrong basis. Refusal letter is totally different from my application. I think they did not get my documents or not read properly. I disagree with the decision. What should I do?

March 24, 2019 at 1:38 am

Hi Shahzad! The UK home office is not considering visitor visa appeals anymore. Your only option is to reapply. But first check your refusal letter for details. If it says “appeal”, then maybe be able to appeal or ask for reconsideration of the visa decision.

But if you decide to reapply, I suggest clearly indicating that you believe that your previous visa decision was a mistake and request to re-evaluate your current application.

March 23, 2019 at 9:16 am

I am a dual UK/USA citizen, born and bred in the UK for my first 35 years, with UK parents. I have lived in Laos with my gf for the past 18 months and before that in Thailand for a few months. I had a 1 year Laos business visa and on my application, I itemized all our trips together over the preceding 2+years together, showing all trips for each of us had matching visa stamps, which were to Thailand and Malaysia with the exception of 3 trips I made to the UK for a few weeks each time to see my Mum, for which my gf could not come because of no visa. I desperately wanted her to meet my Mum who is old and frail and unable to travel, and worries about me despite not having lived with her for over 20 years. I always took my girlfriends from the US to visit her. So we applied for a visa for my Laos gf. I included on my cover letter, shots from our FB posts every few day + sample LINE (messaging app) of us in contact every day when I was in the UK and I also stated emphatically that we were together every day and night except when I traveled back to the UK. Yet, on the refusal. We still got the following point and I just don’t know what else I can do, other than putting everything into a legally binding affidavit from me stating this again and a formal invitation from my Mum + our lease. If you have any suggestions, they would be enormously appreciated. This last rejection was almost 1 year ago and aside from having our home/business joint lease (website is for our business), I do not know what else to prove our relationship. The point read as follows, which in itself was completely wrong, as I made no mention of seeing my Mum for marriage approval, only that I wanted her to meet my gf for her personal comfort as she worries about me too much. I simply said on our relationship that I hoped one day we would get married. No mention of my Mum in that regard at all. Many Thanks for any thoughts:

You wish to visit the UK for 21 days to visit your partner’s family members. I am aware that you have previously been refused when applying to visit the UK for this purpose. I have taken into account that you have provided details of your partner. I note that he is a British National and you state that you intend to marry but you wish to visit his mother before marrying. Your application does not demonstrate that your partner’s mother has invited you to the UK for this purpose. With your application you have provided a copy of your passport and travel history, as well as social media screenshots. Your previous refusal notice outlined concerns over the nature of this relationship, and the documentation provided with this documentation does little to address those concerns. This undermines your intentions in travelling to the UK at this time.

This is an awesome and so helpful website.

Many Thanks for your consideration.

March 24, 2019 at 4:08 am

Hi Alastair! After reading your story and the last visa refusal reason, I can think of a few things that may have affected your GF’s visa result.

1. If there is an age gap between you both and if that’s quite large, your relationship may be seen as a business relationship rather than personal especially as you both are also business partners. 2. Your nature of the relationship was a concern in the first visa attempt. This reason will remain in the records and will pop up every time. It’s really difficult to convince the home office on this reason unless you both are legally married.

A few suggestions for the next visa attempt

1. Include a formal invitation from your mum. Alert your mum as the home office usually calls the inviter to verify. In the letter, have your mum clearly mention your’s and your GF’s full names, passport numbers, how long you guys have been together and the reason why she wants your GF to visit her. 2. If possible, have your GF interact with your mum over WhatsApp (or similar platform). Provide those screenshots as well. This indicates that your mum knows your GF. 3. Have a small background story and a picture of you both on the “about us” page of your business. Lease documents are still private documents whereas having some kind of public evidence on your relationship will help in my opinion.

March 22, 2019 at 4:33 pm

Hi my tourist visa application got rejected yesterday because by mistake I submitted the income tax form instead of acknowledgement receipt. The foem shows all the breakup of salary while the acknowledgement shows only gross income. As I was a consultant not an employee in my last organisation my itr form showed income from other sources but in the uk form I mentioned I am salried as in my current organisation I am an employee. If I would have submitted the acknowledgement of itr instead of form all my income would have been under gross income. This was the reason the embassy pointed that my salary slip doesn’t justify the income from other sources. In this case should I reaply explaining everything and submitting the itr acknowledgement along with supporting again

March 22, 2019 at 4:45 pm

Hi Anubhav! You already seem to know the reason for your visa refusal and how to fix it. So, go for reapplication. Make sure to mention clearly why you are reapplying in your cover letter. This makes it easy for visa officers to pay attention to your new documentation and justification. Good luck!

August 18, 2019 at 8:03 pm

Hi, thank you for the post. I also have a question. I’m a British/Turkish Citizen living in Turkey for the past six years. I’ve been married here with a Turkish citizen for over four years now and we’re also expecting a baby. I want my child’s birth to take place in London and need to apply for a visa for my husband. We will be staying for a maximum of 3 months (2 months before birth and a month afterwards). Can you give me some advice on the type of visa we should be applying for and what do you think will make the chances higher of us getting approval? I will also try to arrange an invitation letter from a family friend. Thank you in advance :)

August 23, 2019 at 5:21 am

Hi Betul! You will have to apply for a standard visitor visa for your husband. An invitation letter is not necessary. You are married and that’s enough. I suggest to provide the following documentation for your husband –

– Your husband’s employment documentation (employment letter, leave approval letter, payslips) – Your husband’s financial documentation (bank statements) – A detailed cover letter indicating his purpose of travel, dates of travel, employment background, financial information and your info (your passport number, national id, etc)) – Your marriage certificate – A letter from you stating that you and your husband will be traveling together to visit family and friends

Prashant says

March 20, 2019 at 2:02 pm

I am planning to apply for 10 year UK tourist visa for myself and my wife. We have been to the UK twice in the last two years as tourists, have also travelled to Thailand,Europe, USA, Canada in the last ten years. Both of us hold a 10 year US tourist visa. What are our chances of getting the 10 year UK tourist visa ?

March 21, 2019 at 10:18 pm

Hi Prashant! Long term UK visas (short-stay) are issued if you have the need to travel to the UK frequently. Based on your travel history, you seem to be a frequent international traveler. In my opinion, you have high chances of getting the 10 year UK visa. Make sure to clearly justify the need for a 10-year visa in your cover letter. Good luck!

Rimsha Khan says

March 15, 2019 at 10:55 pm

Hello please tell me my visa application is refused second time i just transferred some money 2 months back from my savings account to current account and they refused the visa due to large funds transaction i have not borrowed money from anyone it was my own account ? I dont think their refusal as a valid point what should i do.now ?

March 15, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Hi Rimsha! Large deposits in your bank account can affect your visa decision. You must provide proper documentation justifying such deposits/transactions.

In your case, I suggest reapplying for your UK visa with bank statements from both your current account and savings account. Attach a letter explaining the reason for the transfer from savings into current account.

If you have more such deposits in either your current or savings account, explain them in your letter along with relevant documentation.

And, in your cover letter, mention that your previous visa was denied and the reason for it. Also, mention that this time you have attached relevant documentation supporting your transfer of funds from savings into current account.

Shalini says

March 14, 2019 at 5:23 am

Hello, I had a visa refusal 2 days back, because f a simple reason that I forgot to submit my Police clearance certificate and UKVI IELTS report. Should I resubmit my application? Do I have to pay for the visa application again?What are the chances of me getting a Visa clearance if I resubmit my application and submit the two documents I forgot to submit last time?? Please advise

March 15, 2019 at 8:45 pm

Hi Shalini! If your UK visa refusal letter clearly says that your visa was refused due to (1) missing police clearance certificate and (2) UKVI IELTS report, then you have a high chance of approval if you reapply with those 2 missing documents.

You must mention in your cover letter that your previous visa was refused due to those 2 missing documents and you have attached those 2 documents this time.

Lediley says

March 13, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Hi I am a Philippine passport holder living in the Netherlands and wants to go to UK for a certain reason, this site is really helping me. But i have confusions with regards to Building Society book. It is written as one of the supporting docs in gov.uk. Is it really necessary to provide it with you? I don even know what that is.

March 14, 2019 at 3:26 am

Hi Lediley! Honestly, I don’t know either what Building Society book means. But a quick Google search reveals that it’s similar to a “credit union” which used to exist in commonwealth countries. But now they exist only in the UK and Australia. Therefore, if you are part of any credit unions, provide those details/books. Otherwise, ignore it.

April 15, 2019 at 7:51 am

Building society book is from the bank. It’s like a type of savings account I think. So go ask your bank about getting one, if you need it.

May 24, 2019 at 2:38 am

A building society is an account savings book issued by Building Societies in the UK. They are by de facto banks. This can be ignored as these kinds of banks are idiosyncratic to the UK.

May 27, 2019 at 11:56 pm

Thanks for the info, Leo!

May 21, 2019 at 11:21 pm

Hi, Above Article is very Helpful. Thank you for sharing. Actually I have 2 Questions. 1- I want to apply for Uk & Schengen Visa. Which one I applied first. As I am from Pakistan. 2- For UK visit visa I borrow ICC Cricket World Cup Ticket. As I watched a few matches in my home country but never traveled any other country to watch a cricket match. Is it gonna helpful for my visa?

May 22, 2019 at 3:06 am

1. Apply for your UK visa first. UK visa takes about 30 days and your passport will be with the consulate during those 30 days. Use a “UK only” itinerary for your UK visas. 2. Not really. But if you have ticket proofs from the matches you have watched in your country, you can attach those and mention in your cover letter that you enjoy watching cricket matches. This will strengthen your “purpose of travel” as you will be seen as someone with a genuine interest in cricket.

Ashish says

July 1, 2019 at 1:53 pm

Hi Thirumal, is it 30 calendar days or working days?

It’s 30 calendar days.

Preethi says

March 6, 2019 at 12:20 am

Great article. Thank you.

I’m planning a trip to UK and France and in the process of filling UK visa application. My travel itinerary is Toronto-London-Paris-Toronto. I am not sure if I should mention my complete itinerary in the UK visa application or avoid the hassle and provide itinerary and flight tickets for Toronto-London-Toronto. P.s I intend to apply for a France visa after I receive UK visa

March 6, 2019 at 4:54 am

Hi Preethi! I recommend providing a “UK only” itinerary for your UK visa. This, of course, is less hassle but also removes unnecessary dependencies on your Schengen visa.

For your Schengen visa, you can use “Schengen only” or “combined” itinerary. If you go with a combined itinerary, make sure to provide a copy of your approved UK visa.

preethi says

March 7, 2019 at 3:07 am

Thanks for your response.

Mary ann says

February 25, 2019 at 4:44 pm

Hi! May I ask this question Have you visited another country in the past ten years? Can I mention my work abroad before please help me tenx

February 25, 2019 at 4:55 pm

Hi Mary Ann! Yes, working and living abroad is also considered as “visiting another country”. If you have lived or worked in other countries in the last ten years, you should mention them in your application.

Jafar khan says

May 10, 2019 at 7:15 pm

Hi! May I ask the question? I have a sponsored visa application from my uncle. My visa has been refused from Turkey. For the question asked in the UK application form, I have mentioned that I haven’t been refused a visa from any country. So what can I do now? Should I attend my appointment? Should I submit my documents? I have my appointment in the upcoming days! Please help!

May 14, 2019 at 11:11 pm

Hi Jafar! It is very important that you disclose all your previous visa refusals. If you fail to do so, the ECO may use that information against you. I suggest resubmitting your application, otherwise, you will be taking chances.

May 20, 2019 at 9:46 am

Hi sir, I submitted my visa application 2 days ago. I mentioned all my refusals but forgot to mention one from Hongkong. Can you please tell me what should I do now? How can I update them or no need to tell update them?

May 20, 2019 at 2:33 pm

Hi Malik! You are supposed to mention all your previous visa refusals in your application. There is no way to update them after you have submitted your application. But if you have forgotten to mention some, don’t worry about it. Just wait for the result and see what happens.

Abdulla says

September 27, 2019 at 1:44 am

Hi, may I ask a question? Actually, before I applied for 6 months UK visa and I got it. I just went 1 time for 2 weeks in 6-month visa then another year I applied for 2 years and I went 2 times in 2 years. Now I want to apply for 5 years but I never been to another country except the UK and one more country will I get 5 years visa? I just like to visit the UK on my every yearly vacation so should I go and apply for 5 years?

September 27, 2019 at 4:16 am

Hi Abdulla! Though you lack travel history to other countries, you have a very good travel history with the UK. You have been to the UK 3 times and you have never overstayed. So in my opinion, you have a very good chance of securing a 5 year UK visa. I would say, go for it. Good luck!

Shubham Poddar says

August 22, 2019 at 5:51 am

Hi, Really helpful post. I have resigned from my job and would stop working in November. I plan to travel in December but since I have resigned there would be no leave approval letter. Also, I plan on traveling alone. What documents do you suggest I can add to strengthen my application without a leave approval letter and prove my ties to come back? Thanks.

August 25, 2019 at 3:30 pm

Hi Shubham! You can compensate for the lack of leave approval letter with decent travel history. After all, a leave approval letter ascertains that you will return back. Travel history does the same and proves that you have always returned back.

August 25, 2019 at 3:36 pm

Hi Thirumal, thanks for the prompt reply. I do not have a very expansive travel history, just one trip to the USA 2 years ago. Would that be sufficient? Also, I have enough financial leverage and I can attach my payslips as well? Do you think there still might be chances of rejection?

August 26, 2019 at 10:48 am

The travel history you have will not be sufficient. Leave approval letter is a strong document and without it, you will be risking your visa. I suggest taking a 4-6 days vacation in Sep/Oct and asking for a leave approval letter from your employer for those dates. Apply for your UK visa for those dates. The UK visas are usually multiple entry valid for 6 months. Instead of traveling in Sep/Oct, you can travel to the UK in December as your UK visa will still be valid by then.

August 25, 2019 at 8:58 am

I submitted my Ireland application on 21-8-2019, but in my covering letter, I mentioned the date as 20-8-2019 because I prepared that letter on 20-8-2019. Is that a problem sir?

August 26, 2019 at 10:31 am

Hi Kiran! The cover letter will, of course, have the date on which it’s prepared/written. So, there is nothing to worry about.

Ghizlane says

September 26, 2019 at 5:32 pm

Hi, I am living in the UK since 2015. Last month I applied for visa for my parents to come visit me for one month. The problem is that they are not working. They do have farm raising animals there. And I wrote a letter that I will pay for them everything. Today I found an unknown call called me 2 times. I am afraid now, maybe they will refuse the visa. Please, can you reply me?

September 27, 2019 at 4:41 am

Hi Ghizlane! You should pick up any calls from the home office. ECOs may call the sponsor to verify a few details. It’s very important to pick up those calls and respond to the ECO questions. I suggest calling back on those numbers to confirm if those calls are from the home office.

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UK visa refused: Find out why and plan your next steps

UK immigration authorities refuse many visas not because they do not want you to come to the United Kingdom. The reason why they do it is simple; people tend to ignore the established rules and requirements of applying for a visa and then question why they are not welcome.

We decided to list most common reasons of refusal of UK visas and what to do not to be refused. We will also focus a lot on what you can do after a refusal, with useful tips from our experts.

Can I apply for a UK visa after a refusal?

A refusal of your visa to the UK does not mean that you are banned for life from coming to Great Britain. Read the refusal letter from the Home Office carefully and you will find out the reason why you have been refused.

If you have made a mistake and you can correct it, do it and submit a new application. But bear in mind that you will have to pay the visa fee again.

All you need to know about UK visa refusal

What are the reasons for a UK visa to be refused?

Before we talk about most common reasons for refusal, let us mention four most extreme cases that make a legal entry to the UK impossible.

• False information has been provided, in which case, as has been already mentioned, you will be banned from entering the British Isles for 10 years.
• To become a persona non grata in the UK, you don’t have to be covered in blood or be on a public Red Notice. It is enough to become a member of a political or religious organisation that is considered by some countries as encouraging terrorist activities and you might not be even aware of that. Or you could have supported an extremist on the Internet once.
• Criminal record both in the UK and abroad. In the best-case scenario, you must have a 100% clean record, both from the point of view of the criminal and civil law, for example, no driving offences, civil court judgements, bankruptcy and debt proceedings against you.

Breaches of UK immigration rules that you have committed previously are one of the most solid grounds on which you will not only be refused a UK visa but can be also banned from visiting the country for the next decade.

• Previous visas refused to other countries. It also includes when you have been refused an entry at the border and all the measures that are being taken to remove you from the territory of a relevant jurisdiction, from a court notice to a deportation order.

The worst error you can make is not to disclose such information to UK authorities. If you have been refused a visa to any country for any reason, include it in your application with as much details as possible to avoid the 10-year ban.

A visa refusal to another country will not automatically lead to a refusal of a UK visa, but a case worker will pay extra attention to your application and documents.

Five most common reasons for a UK visa refusal

• Applying for a wrong type of visa that contradicts what you are going to do in Great Britain

An obvious, but a very common reason for refusal of a UK visa. It is common to get yourself into such trouble by applying through an unprofessional agency. For example, if you need to go to the UK for private medical treatment, it will be a mistake to apply for a standard visitor visa. A travel agency employee might not know the difference which will cause your visa to be refused.

• Failure to provide evidence to support the provided information

Applicants often forget that each word of their application must be backed by evidence. If not, a case worker will think it is false information or misrepresentation.

You must know what and how to include in your application. If you say a lot, be prepared to prove it. That is where professional advice and help are as invaluable as when you need to choose the right type of a visa category.

• Failure to mention a family in the UK; providing contradictory information; giving exaggerated periods of stay in the country

A case worker will not only check all the details of your application but will also assess it as a whole. If they think you have provided misleading or false information, they will take their time in double checking every suspicious detail and will refuse as soon as they find anything.

For example, they will question your intention to stay in the UK for a long time without enough money on your bank account or if you have an extended family in the country. If you fail to mention them and it is later discovered, you will be banned from the UK for many years.

• Financial inability to support yourself

There are a lot of legal and illegal migrants that are moving to the UK in search of a better life, and the HomeOffice has to be alert to everyone.

UK immigration authorities need to know and see that you earn enough money in your country to not only buy a return ticket, but also support yourself during your trip. Therefore, a low salary, a recently found job (less than half a year old) and a low bank account balance are red flags to them.

On the other hand, if a balance on your bank account does not match your level of earnings, the Home Office will be curious as to where you have got the money from. Our tip would be to show the required minimum and not all the savings.

• Inability of your sponsor to support you

If you are applying for a family visa, for example, to join your British spouse, they will be your sponsor and they must also meet the Home Office requirements. The current level of annual income that a British husband/wife must earn in order to sponsor their foreign spouse must not be less than £18,600.

What should I do when my UK visa is refused?

First, we can tell you what not to do – not to despair and give up. As we have already said, if your UK visa is refused, you have a few options to revert to in order to set things right.

There are 3 main courses of action after you get a refusal of a UK visa – an administrative review, a new application and an appeal. For your convenience, we have summarised all three of them, and how they are applied, in a table below (these rules apply since April 2015).

Administrative review

If you suspect that your application for a UK visa or submitted documents have been processed or assessed incorrectly by a case worker, which led to them refusing the application, you can apply for an administrative review. But bear in mind that in this case you can only refer to the documents that have been already submitted and cannot submit new ones.

There are deadlines to apply for an AR (the start date is the date on a stamped envelope):

• 14 calendar days, if you have applied from within the United Kingdom.
• 28 calendar days, if you apply from the country of your residence.

A new application for a UK visa

If you and/or your immigration lawyer see that a case worker is right in their decision and it is you who have made a mistake or forgotten to submit some required documents, the best thing you can do is to do your homework and reapply.

The same applies if your circumstances, that prevented you from getting a visa, have changed and you stand a better chance of obtaining it the second time.

If a specialist that supports you in your application has found mistakes made by a case worker that led to refusal, you have the right to appeal that decision.

It is also possible to appeal a Home Office decision if it breaches UK laws regulating immigration policies, interracial relationships and human rights, as well as international declarations (for example, European Convention on Human Rights).

To appeal, you need to fill in a special form. Based on where you have applied, you will have various deadlines for submitting an appeal:

• If you apply for a visa extension and are refused in the UK, you will be given 14 calendar days.
• If you submit an application and get a refusal outside Great Britain, you will have up to 28 calendar days to appeal.

Please bear in mind that a visa fee is not refundable. The only thing that is refundable, if you pay it on application, is the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge).

Appeals are heard in an independent court called a tribunal. After submitting a form, you have up to 8 weeks to prepare and file all necessary documents. In some cases, if your immigration lawyer advises to do so, you can also send an appeal bundle directly to the Home Office at the same time you send it to the tribunal. It might be enough for a decision to be changed in your favour which will save you time and money .

If you are in the UK all this time, you may be asked to attend a court hearing of your case as a witness. If you receive a refusal in the country of your residence, you don’t have to go to the UK – your lawyer can represent you. However, no matter where you are, you are not given any allowances or exceptions if not all documents are submitted on time, so make sure you are 100% ready. A decision on your case will be made at the hearing, but the court might take 2-3 weeks to prepare an official notice and send it to you.

In any case, an appeal is a long and tedious process that can run for 9 months and longer. It requires attention and careful preparation of all documents, cover letters and other paperwork that could defend your case in the tribunal.

Irrespective of what type of a UK visa you are applying for, if you do not intend to mislead the Home Office or make no mistakes in an application or documents, the whole process should be really smooth.

If you still get a UK visa refusal , this is not the end of the world. Mistakes can be corrected, and wrong decisions can be appealed in a tribunal that is independent of the UK government.

Both at the application stage and after a refusal you might need qualified legal advice from an immigration lawyer. Professional advisers at Imperial & Legal will give you advice on any matter related to a refusal, will help you take necessary steps to change the decision in your favour, will prepare all required paperwork and solve any arising issues.

FAQ about UK visa refusals

If we begin from the most common reason, a UK visa refusal is usually due to the applicant’s mistakes:

• Applying for a wrong type of visa or making mistakes while filling the necessary forms, or providing information that is not backed by evidence, or omitting any essential document.
• Life circumstances of the applicant which prevent the Home Office from giving the applicant a UK visa. For example, the applicant is on a rather low monthly income, has no savings and got a job only a month before.
• Providing contradictory information. For example, the applicant mentions a low salary, but a bank statement shows huge sums of money passing through, and no explanation is provided in the application.
• Previous legal offences, visas refused to other countries, bankruptcy, unpaid debts, etc.
• Considering some information about themselves or their families evident enough not to provide it in the application. The point is, if any information is not supported by evidence, it is not taken into account by the Home Office.
• Finally, intentionally deceiving a case worker by providing false information or evidence, trying to hide true information about themselves.

Definitely, case workers are just humans, and they might make mistakes. These things happen. But most commonly the applicant is the one to blame for the following difficulties.

The first thing that we recommend, if you haven’t approached qualified immigration experts yet, is that you do it on the occasion of getting a refusal letter. The refusal letter from the Home Office contains the clearly explained reason why you have been refused.

The reason determines what you should do next:

• If the mistakes you made are not too serious, you may set things right with the help of your legal expert and re-apply.
• If for the time being you do not qualify for the visa route you wish to obtain, you may try again as soon as all the obstacles are eliminated.
• If you are sure that you have done right, and it was a mistake of a case worker which led to them refusing the application, you can apply for an administrative review. You may believe us, the Home Office is fully impartial, and you are highly likely to get a positive decision.
• Finally, as a last resort, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber).

The only situation that leaves you with nothing to do is when you have tried to deceive the Home Office or when there is something in your record (e.g. terrorist-related offences) that makes the Home Office ban you from entering the UK for at least 10 years.

Can I recover the fee if I am refused a visa?

No, according to the legislation in force the money that you spend on the fee can’t be recovered. Moreover, if you opted out of applying for an administrative review and decided to re-apply, you will have to pay the fee again.

It is not a good idea to correct the initial application, add documents which have been omitted and apply for an administrative review denying any changes in an attempt to economise. This may result in you being banned for 10 years.

On the other hand, you still might be able to get back some of the money you spent. For example, the immigration health surcharge (IHS), medical insurance fee that every prospective resident is obliged to pay, can be recovered.

What are the common mistakes made by the applicants who have been refused incorrectly because of the Home Office case worker?

As a matter of fact, the most regrettable mistake will be to waste time, especially if to appeal is the only way to set things right. Remember, that once you have received your refusal letter, you only have 14 calendar days to appeal if you have applied in the UK, and 28 days if you have applied outside the UK. Do not throw away the refusal letter or the envelope because you will need the date on a postal stamp.

Besides, unless you are an expert in the British law and the immigration law, you will definitely need help of a qualified legal expert. Professional advisers at Imperial & Legal have necessary knowledge and experience to appeal a UK visa refusal caused by a mistake made by the Home Office.

Do I have to attend the Appeal Court proceedings if I received the refusal letter in my home country?

Since your lawyer will act on your behalf at the proceedings, there is no need for you to come in person.

It is crucial to prepare for the proceedings carefully, so that your lawyer can have all the necessary evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the refusal breaches UK laws regulating human rights. If you need more time to collect the evidence, your lawyer can file a special motion.

You will have to put up with the fact that appeal to the tribunal, preparation of the documents and court proceedings take a lot of time. It might take you up to 3 weeks even to get a tribunal ruling in writing.

Tired of getting general advice?

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UK Visit Visa Refusal: The Causes and Next Steps

If you have applied for a UK visit visa and received a refusal notice, you may be feeling disappointed and unsure of what to do next. It’s important to carefully review the refusal notice and understand the reasons for the refusal in order to improve your chances of success in any future visa application.

Why was my UK Visit Visa refused?

There are a number of reasons why a UK visit visa might be refused, including:

• Insufficient evidence of the purpose of the visit: The UK visa authorities need to be satisfied that the applicant has a genuine reason for their visit, such as visiting friends or family, attending a business meeting, or sightseeing. The applicant must provide evidence of their travel plans, such as confirmation of accommodation and activities they will be participating in during their stay.
• Insufficient evidence of the applicant’s financial circumstances: The applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of their trip and their living expenses while in the UK. This may include evidence of employment, bank statements, and/or a letter from a sponsor.
• Insufficient evidence of the applicant’s ties to their home country: The applicant must show that they have strong ties to their home country and that they are likely to return after their visit to the UK. This may include evidence of employment, family commitments, and/or property ownership.
• The applicant has a criminal record or has previously breached immigration laws: The UK has strict rules about who is allowed to enter the country, and applicants with a criminal record or a history of immigration violations may be refused a visa.
• The applicant has previously been refused a UK visa: If an applicant has previously been refused a UK visa, they may have to overcome additional hurdles in order to be approved for a visa in the future.

I received a Refusal Notice, how do I proceed?

A refusal notice for a UK visit visa is a letter or document that is issued by the UK visa authorities to inform an applicant that their visa application has been rejected. The refusal notice should explain the reasons for the refusal in detail, as well as any options that are available to the applicant to challenge the decision or reapply for a visa.

The refusal notice may also include information about the applicant’s right to appeal the decision, as well as the deadline for lodging an appeal. If an appeal is possible, the applicant will need to provide additional evidence or arguments to support their case.

If you have received a refusal notice and are unsure of what to do next, you may want to consider consulting with an immigration lawyer or a qualified immigration adviser such as Lexvisa . We can review your case and provide guidance on how to improve your chances of success in a future visa application.

It’s also a good idea to carefully review the refusal notice and address any issues that have been raised. This may involve providing additional documentation or explaining any discrepancies in your application. With careful preparation and attention to detail, we can help you overcome the reasons for your previous refusal and be approved for a UK visit visa in the future.

How soon can I reapply for UK visit visa after refusal?

There is no specific time limit for reapplying for a UK visit visa after a refusal. However, it’s generally a good idea to wait until you have addressed the reasons for the refusal and can provide a stronger application before reapplying. This will give you the best chance of success and may save you time and money in the long run.

If you are considering reapplying for a UK visit visa, you should also gather any additional evidence or documentation that may help to support your case which can include: proof of your financial circumstances, evidence of your ties to your home country, and details of your travel plans.

If you are unsure about the reasons for the refusal or have any questions about the process, you may want to consider consulting with an immigration lawyer or a qualified immigration adviser such as Lexvisa’s expert Immigration Lawyers who can provide guidance and assistance with your visa application.

Why instruct our specialist Immigration Solicitors?

Our  team of solicitors and barristers  represent your interests at all times. On initial consultation, our highly competent team will advise you regarding your immigration status and assist with your application from the very beginning.

We are based in the legal epicenter of London, just across the road from the  Royal Courts of Justice  in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  LEXVISA  is just minutes away from the  Royal Courts of Justice  and other central London courts. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation. Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our  contact form .

Authored by Tehreem Fatima, Paralegal

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The 10 Most Common UK Visa Rejection Reasons in 2024

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Most common uk visa refusals reasons 2024:, further information: 5 more reasons your application could be refused, closing thoughts.

When visa applications go smoothly, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the visa application process is easy and simple. This is rarely the case. There is a lot going on behind the scenes of your visa application to ensure that only authentic applications are successful.

Every year, thousands of applications are refused, and this is not always because the applicant is trying to deceive UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Many genuine applicants are refused simply because of mistakes in their documents or the application process.

To give you an idea of the scale of this issue, in 2019, the UK visa refusal rate went up by 13%. Of those refusals, the highest refusal rates were seen in applicants from Bangladesh, Ghana and Algeria. These nations faced visa refusal rates as high as 40%.

If your visa is refused, you may need to correct mistakes in your application and then reapply. However, there are instances when innocent mistakes in your application could lead to a 10-year ban on reapplying.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common UK visa refusal reasons in 2024. Hopefully, with this knowledge on your side, you can avoid making similar mistakes in your application. This should help you to prepare a clear, concise and compelling application that has a higher chance of success.

• Incomplete application form
• Mistakes in the application form
• Irregular fund transfers
• Unclear visa category
• Criminal record found against the applicant
• Inadequate funds to sustain your visit
• Unclear and disorganised documents
• Failing to provide evidence of a genuine relationship 
• Missing documents or incomplete paperwork
• Lack of expert guidance

1. Incomplete application form

One of the main reasons that UK visa applications are refused is simply because the application form is incomplete. UKVI will not chase you or follow up to get the information they need. 

If your application is incomplete, you can expect it to be automatically refused. If this happens, you will need to apply again and be careful to include all relevant information in your next application.

2. Mistakes in the application form

Mistakes such as spelling errors or inaccurate information could lead to your application being refused. If UKVI believes that the mistake is actually an attempt to deceive, you could face a 10-year ban on re-applying.

When preparing your application, it’s important to be careful and concise in your approach. A casual approach to preparing your application could be an expensive mistake, as you will have to submit your application – and pay the required fee – again.

3. Irregular fund transfers

You will need to show that you have the funds to support yourself for the duration of your visit. This is usually achieved by sharing your bank statements with evidence of available funds. If there are irregularities in the fund transfers, this can raise suspicions.

How you acquired the money is almost as important as having enough money for your stay. So, if you have made a bulk transfer from your savings, make sure you make it clear this is where your funds came from to avoid raising concerns from the UKVI caseworker.

4. Unclear visa category

Whether you are applying as a student, spouse, or business partner, the visa category must not be overlooked, as it reveals the most important part of your visa application. 

• The inability to state the correct visa category could lead you to trouble and eventually visa refusal. 
• Before you start the visa application process, look carefully at the visa guidelines available and make sure you select the right visa for your needs.
• Having no fixed plan or an unclear reason for visiting is another reason your application might be refused. For example, if you are applying for a UK Business Visitor Visa but state that you’ll be staying for longer than 6 months, you will automatically be refused. In this instance, you might need to apply for a Work Visa.

5. Criminal record found against the applicant

It’s very common for applicants to fail to mention things like driving violations when asked about previous criminal convictions. This is a simple oversight, as you might assume that mentioning this on your application could harm your chances of success.

However, if you fail to include details of your criminal record and this information is uncovered by UKVI during your visa application checks, this can be interpreted as an attempt to deceive. Even if you don’t think it’s relevant, make sure you follow the guidance and include any information that is requested for your visa category.

6. Inadequate funds to sustain your visit

The cost of living in the UK is quite high compared to some places in the world, so you need to show that you have the funds to support yourself (and your family if they are joining you) for the duration of your visit.

This can seem very unfair, as the amount required might be higher than you anticipate spending, but this is a key requirement of the UK visa application process. This is to ensure that you don’t have to rely on UK public funds during your visit.

You’ll need to show evidence that you have the funds to support yourself and your family for the length of your stay. These funds need to be genuine and you should avoid bulk money deposits, as this could look like a temporary loan to help you secure your visa. 

7. Unclear and disorganised documents

The documents you provide are essential to the success of your visa application. These are often required as evidence of things like your identity, your financial stability and your plans while you are in the UK. 

If your documents are unorganised or not clearly marked, they will be ignored by UKVI. The visa approval process is very intensive, so don’t make the person making a decision about your future have to work hard to understand your documents. 

Your visa category guidance will tell you how to provide your documents, including the order and format. If in doubt, providing more information about the documents is better than not providing enough information. 

8. Failing to provide evidence of a genuine relationship

If you are applying for a visa based on your relationship with an individual with UK-settled status, the key to success will be providing sufficient evidence. It can feel strange trying to document your relationship and prove that it is genuine, but this is an important part of the application process.

You’ll need to provide things like your marriage certificate, evidence that you have shared an address or evidence that you have shared assets. If you’re not sure what counts as evidence of a genuine relationship, reach out to our team for advice and support.

9. Missing documents or incomplete paperwork

Before you submit your application, you should double-check and then triple-check that you have provided everything you need. Forgetting to include vital documents can lead to your application being refused.

As we have mentioned above, you should try to make the decision process as easy as possible by including all the required information. You also need to make sure any scanned or photocopied documents are legible. If they are not in English or Welsh, they will also need to be professionally translated.

If you are struggling with any aspect of your application, we recommend you reach out for advice and support. Seeking support before you submit your application can save you time and money by avoiding the need to apply a second time.

10. Lack of expert guidance

You can certainly manage the visa application process alone, but if English is not your first language, you might struggle to understand the guidance offered by UKVI. Even those with an excellent grasp of the English language can struggle to understand the requirements.

To help ensure your application is comprehensive and supported by the correct documentation, we recommend seeking expert advice. Expert representation can help to streamline the application process and increase your chances of success.

In this video guide, we explore five common reasons that UK visas are refused. We also share our tips for reducing the risk of this happening.

The guidelines for UKVI caseworkers to approve or refuse visa applications are stringent and meticulous. When you consider that it could take up to 12 months to receive a decision on the outcome, it makes sense that applicants would want to get it right the first time.

Waiting for 8 weeks to learn the outcome of your Skilled Worker Visa, only to discover that it has been refused due to avoidable mistakes on your application could be devastating to your life and future plans.

While you can apply again once you have learned the outcome, in rare cases, you could be presented with a 10-year ban on further applications. To avoid this, we recommend taking care during the application process.

It’s essential that applicants avoid these common visa mistakes, and we can help you to achieve this. Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can guide your application process to increase your chances of success.

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8 possible reasons why your UK visa was rejected

• December 1, 2023

Woodcock Law discusses the 8 most common reasons for UK visa application rejections. We aim to advise you on how to avoid a visa refusal.

• Read all our guides
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Uk touristic visa rejection: common reasons and tips for success.

Obtaining a UK tourist visa can be a challenging process, and unfortunately, many applications are rejected. Here are some common reasons for UK tourist visa rejection and tips to increase your chances of success.

Insufficient Financial Resources

One of the main reasons for UK tourist visa rejection is insufficient financial resources. The UK government wants to ensure that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the country. To increase your chances of success, make sure to show that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses, such as accommodation, food, and travel.

Lack of a Strong Reason to Return Home

Another common reason for UK tourist visa rejection is a lack of a strong reason to return home. The UK government wants to ensure that you have strong ties to your home country and will return after your visit. To increase your chances of success, make sure to show that you have a job, home, and family in your home country, as well as any other ties that demonstrate your commitment to returning.

Inconsistencies or Inaccuracies in Your Application

It is important to ensure that your UK tourist visa application is complete and accurate. Any inconsistencies or inaccuracies may cause your visa to be rejected. To avoid this, make sure to double-check your application for accuracy and completeness before submitting it.

Previous Immigration Violations

If you have previously violated immigration laws or overstayed a visa in any country, this may lead to your UK visa being rejected. It is important to disclose any previous immigration violations in your application and provide an explanation for what happened.

Health Concerns

If you have a serious or contagious medical condition, your UK tourist visa may be rejected for public health reasons. To increase your chances of success, make sure to disclose any medical conditions in your application and provide any necessary documentation.

Tips for Success

Here are some tips to help increase your chances of obtaining a UK tourist visa:

• Gather all necessary documents: Make sure you have all the required documents before you apply.
• Be honest: Be honest in your application and do not try to hide any information.
• Demonstrate ties to your home country: Show that you have strong ties to your home country, such as a job, home, and family, to demonstrate that you will return after your visit.
• Show sufficient funds: Show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK.
• Follow the rules: Make sure you follow all the rules and regulations for obtaining a UK tourist visa.

By following these tips and understanding the common reasons for UK tourist visa rejection, you can increase your chances of success and have a smooth and enjoyable visit to the UK.

UK Temporary Work Visa: A Guide for Foreign Nationals in the UK

UK Health and Care Visa: Who Is Eligible and How to Apply

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UK Returning Residence Visa Guide in 2023

A UK Returning Residence Visa is a type of visa that allows British citizens or permanent residents who have lived outside of the UK for an extended period of time to return to the country. This visa is especially useful for those who have lost their permanent resident status due to long-term absence from the UK. In this guide, we will go through the eligibility criteria, requirements, application process, and other important information about the UK Returning Residence Visa.

Who is eligible for a UK Returning Residence Visa?

To be eligible for a UK Returning Residence Visa, you must have been a British citizen or have had indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK before you left the country. You must have also been living outside the UK for at least two years before you apply for the visa.

What are the requirements for a UK Returning Residence Visa?

In order to obtain a UK Returning Residence Visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have previously been a British citizen or have had indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK.
• You must have been living outside of the UK for at least two years.
• You must have strong ties to the UK, such as family or property.
• You must have no criminal convictions or pose a threat to national security.

How to apply for a UK Returning Residence Visa?

To apply for a UK Returning Residence Visa, you must complete an online application form and provide the required documents. You can apply from outside the UK or from within the country if you have a valid visa. It is recommended that you apply at least three months before you plan to travel to the UK.

What documents are required for a UK Returning Residence Visa application?

The following documents are required for a UK Returning Residence Visa application:

• A valid passport or travel document
• Proof of residence outside the UK for at least two years
• Evidence of ties to the UK, such as family or property
• A tuberculosis (TB) test certificate (if applicable)
• A criminal record certificate (if applicable)
• Bank statements or other financial documents to prove that you can support yourself during your stay in the UK

What is the financial requirement for the UK Returning Residence Visa in 2023?

To meet the financial requirement for the UK Returning Residence Visa, you must have a certain amount of money in savings or income. The amount you need to have depends on your circumstances, such as whether you are returning alone or with a partner and/or children. Here are the current financial requirements for the UK Returning Residence Visa:

• If you are returning alone, you must have at least £1,890 in savings.
• If you are returning with a partner, you must have at least £2,640 in savings.
• If you are returning with a partner and one child, you must have at least £3,290 in savings.
• If you are returning with a partner and two children, you must have at least £3,890 in savings.
• You can meet the financial requirement through income from employment or self-employment, pensions, or other sources of income.
• If you do not have enough money in savings, you can combine income and savings to meet the financial requirement.
• You must provide evidence of your income and savings as part of your visa application.

How long does it take to process a UK Returning Residence Visa application?

The processing time for a UK Returning Residence Visa application varies depending on the country you are applying from. In some cases, it can take up to 12 weeks to process the application. You can check the processing times for your country on the UK government website.

Can I work in the UK with a Returning Residence Visa?

Yes, you can work in the UK with a Returning Residence Visa. However, you must not start work until your visa application has been approved.

8. Can I bring my family with me on a Returning Residence Visa?

Yes, you can bring your family members with you on a Returning Residence Visa if they meet the eligibility criteria. Your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and children under the age of 18 can apply for a visa as your dependents.

• What happens if my visa application is refused?

If your visa application is refused, you can apply for an administrative review or make an appeal. It is important to carefully review the reasons for the refusal and address them in your appeal or review application.

How long can I stay in the UK with a Returning Residence Visa?

You can stay in the UK with a Returning Residence Visa for up to 5 years. After that, you can apply for settlement, which will allow you to stay in the UK indefinitely.

• Can I apply for a Returning Residence Visa if I was previously a permanent resident but lost my status due to long-term absence from the UK? Yes, you can apply for a Returning Residence Visa if you were previously a permanent resident but lost your status due to long-term absence.
• Can I apply for a Returning Residence Visa if I have a criminal record? It depends on the nature and severity of the offense. You may be ineligible if you have committed certain crimes or pose a threat to national security.
• How much does a UK Returning Residence Visa cost? The fee for a UK Returning Residence Visa is currently £516.
• How long does it take to get a decision on a Returning Residence Visa application? The processing time varies depending on the country you are applying from, but it can take up to 12 weeks in some cases.
• Can I travel to the UK while my Returning Residence Visa application is being processed? It is not recommended to travel to the UK while your application is being processed, as it may affect your application.

Obtaining a UK Returning Residence Visa can seem like a daunting process, but with the right information and preparation, it can be a smooth and successful experience. Remember to carefully review the eligibility criteria, requirements, and application process before submitting your application.

What is the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

UK Displaced Talent Visa .As the world continues to change, so does the job market. The UK Displaced Talent Visa is a new initiative aimed at attracting top talent from countries affected by conflict or natural disasters. This visa offers a unique opportunity for individuals to start a new life in the UK and pursue their careers. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the UK Displaced Talent Visa, including eligibility, application process, and benefits.

The UK Displaced Talent Visa is a new visa category that allows talented individuals from countries affected by conflict or natural disasters to come to the UK and work. This visa is aimed at individuals who have exceptional talent in fields such as science, engineering, and technology, and who have been displaced from their home countries due to conflict or natural disasters.

Who is eligible for the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

To be eligible for the UK Displaced Talent Visa, you must be able to demonstrate exceptional talent in a field such as science, engineering, or technology. You must also be able to demonstrate that you have been displaced from your home country due to conflict or natural disasters.

How do I apply for the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

To apply for the UK Displaced Talent Visa, you must first apply for an endorsement from a designated endorsing body. The endorsing body will assess your application and determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria. If your application is successful, you will be issued with an endorsement letter, which you can use to apply for the visa.

What are the benefits of the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

The UK Displaced Talent Visa offers a range of benefits to talented individuals who have been displaced from their home countries. These include the opportunity to work and live in the UK, access to world-class research facilities and universities, and the chance to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in your field.

How long is the UK Displaced Talent Visa valid for?

The UK Displaced Talent Visa is initially granted for a period of 3 years. After this period, you can apply to extend your visa for a further 2 years. After 5 years, you may be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK.

What is the application process for the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

The application process for the UK Displaced Talent Visa involves several steps. Firstly, you must apply for an endorsement from a designated endorsing body. Once you have received your endorsement letter, you can then apply for the visa itself. As part of the application process, you will be required to provide evidence of your exceptional talent, as well as evidence that you have been displaced from your home country.

How long does it take to process a UK Displaced Talent Visa application?

The processing time for a UK Displaced Talent Visa application can vary depending on a number of factors, including the complexity of your application and the number of applications being processed at the time. In general, you can expect the processing time to take between 3-8 weeks.

Can I bring my family with me to the UK on a Displaced Talent Visa?

Yes, you can bring your spouse, partner, and dependent children with you to the UK on a Displaced Talent Visa. Your family members will be able to live and work in the UK for the duration of your visa.

How can the UK Displaced Talent Visa benefit the UK economy?

The UK Displaced Talent Visa can benefit the UK economy in several ways. Firstly, it allows the UK to attract and retain some of the world’s top talent in science, engineering, and technology, which can help to drive innovation and economic growth. Additionally, the visa program can help to address skills shortages in certain sectors, particularly those that have been impacted by the pandemic.

What are the challenges associated with the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

While the UK Displaced Talent Visa offers many benefits, there are also some challenges associated with the program. One of the main challenges is ensuring that the visa program is accessible to those who need it most, particularly those who may not have access to the resources needed to apply. Additionally, there may be challenges in ensuring that individuals who come to the UK on the visa are able to integrate successfully into UK society.

What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the UK Displaced Talent Visa program. While the pandemic has highlighted the importance of attracting and retaining top talent in fields such as science and engineering, it has also made it more difficult for individuals to apply for the visa. Additionally, the pandemic has created uncertainty around the future of work and migration, which may impact the visa program in the long term.

What are the key takeaways from the UK Displaced Talent Visa?

The UK Displaced Talent Visa is a new visa category aimed at attracting top talent from countries affected by conflict or natural disasters. The visa offers a unique opportunity for individuals to start a new life in the UK and pursue their careers in fields such as science, engineering, and technology. To be eligible for the visa, individuals must be able to demonstrate exceptional talent in their field and must have been displaced from their home country due to conflict or natural disasters.

• Can I apply for the UK Displaced Talent Visa if I am already in the UK?

No, the UK Displaced Talent Visa is only available to individuals who are outside of the UK. If you are already in the UK, you may be able to apply for a different visa category.

• What documents do I need to provide as part of my visa application?

You will need to provide evidence of your exceptional talent in your field, as well as evidence that you have been displaced from your home country due to conflict or natural disasters. You will also need to provide evidence of your identity and a valid passport.

• How long does the endorsement process take?

The endorsement process can take up to 8 weeks. However, it is important to note that the process may take longer if additional information is required.

• Can I work for any employer on a Displaced Talent Visa?

No, you can only work for the employer who has endorsed your visa application. If you wish to change employers, you will need to apply for a new visa.

If your visa application is refused, you may be able to apply for an administrative review or an appeal. However, it is important to note that there is no guarantee that your application will be successful on appeal. It is therefore important to ensure that your application is as strong as possible before submitting it.

The UK Displaced Talent Visa is a promising initiative that has the potential to benefit both the UK and talented individuals who have been displaced from their home countries. By attracting top talent in fields such as science, engineering, and technology, the visa program can help to drive innovation and economic growth in the UK.

However, there are also challenges associated with the program, particularly around ensuring that it is accessible to those who need it most. Overall, the UK Displaced Talent Visa is an important step forward in promoting international cooperation and talent mobility.

UK Government Authorised Exchange Visa Guide

The UK Government Authorised Exchange visa is a visa category that allows foreign nationals to undertake work experience or training in the UK for a temporary period. This visa is designed to promote cultural exchange and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills. It is a popular choice among students, recent graduates, and young professionals who want to gain international work experience and improve their employability. If you are considering applying for this visa, this guide provides all the information you need to know.

What is the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa?

The UK Government Authorised Exchange visa is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals to undertake work experience or training in the UK. This visa is specifically designed for those who want to gain work experience or training in their field of study or expertise. It is open to people aged 18 to 30 years old from selected countries, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Taiwan, and the British overseas territories. The visa is valid for up to 24 months, depending on the type of exchange program.

Who can apply for the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa?

To be eligible for the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries.
• Be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application.
• Have a valid passport and enough funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK.
• Have a letter of endorsement from an approved sponsor organization in the UK.
• Meet the English language requirement, which is at least CEFR level B2.
• Meet the maintenance requirement, which is having at least £2,530 in savings in your bank account for at least 28 days before you apply.

How to apply for the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa?

To apply for the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa, you need to follow these steps:

• Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements before you apply.
• Find a sponsor: You need to have a letter of endorsement from an approved sponsor organization in the UK. You can find a sponsor organization through the official government website or by contacting your embassy or consulate.
• Prepare your documents: You need to prepare all the required documents, including your passport, letter of endorsement, and evidence of funds and English language proficiency.
• Apply online: You can apply for the visa online through the official government website. You need to create an account and complete the online application form.
• Pay the application fee: The application fee for the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa is currently £244. You can pay the fee online using a debit or credit card.
• Attend a biometric appointment: You need to attend a biometric appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre in your country. During the appointment, your fingerprints and photograph will be taken.
• Wait for a decision: The processing time for the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa is usually around 3 weeks. You will be notified by email when a decision has been made.

Q: Can I work in the UK on the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa ? A: Yes, you can work in the UK while on the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa. However, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson, a doctor or dentist in training, or as a paid entertainer.

Q: Can I bring my dependents with the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa ?

A: No, you cannot bring your dependents on the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa. This visa is only for individuals who want to undertake work experience or training in the UK, and it does not allow for dependents to accompany them.

Q: How long can I stay in the UK on the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa? A: The UK Government Authorised Exchange visa is valid for up to 24 months, depending on the type of exchange program. However, you cannot extend this visa or switch to another visa category while you are in the UK.

Q: Can I travel in and out of the UK while on the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa? A: Yes, you can travel in and out of the UK while on the UK Government Authorised Exchange visa. However, you must make sure that your visa is still valid and that you have all the required documents, such as your passport and letter of endorsement, when you re-enter the UK.

The UK Government Authorised Exchange visa is a great option for individuals who want to gain work experience or training in the UK. This visa allows you to work and live in the UK for a temporary period, and it can be a valuable addition to your resume or CV. If you are interested in applying for this visa, make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements and follow the application process carefully. With the right preparation and planning, you can make the most of this opportunity and enjoy all that the UK has to offer.

What is UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa .Are you a highly skilled worker looking for new job opportunities in the UK? The UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa might be the right choice for you.

What is a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

The UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is a type of visa that allows highly skilled workers to come to the UK to work. This visa category is for workers who have been offered a skilled job in the UK and have the relevant skills, qualifications, and experience.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

You must have a job offer from a UK employer who is willing to sponsor you. The job offer must be for a skilled job that meets the minimum salary threshold.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience

You must have the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience to do the job. The job must be at RQF level 6 or above, which means it requires a degree or equivalent.

English Language Requirement

You must meet the English language requirement by passing an approved English language test or holding a degree that was taught in English.

Financial Requirement

You must meet the financial requirement by having enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.

Application Process

To apply for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you must follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Check your eligibility by going through the eligibility criteria mentioned above.

Step 2: Get a Job Offer

Get a job offer from a UK employer who is willing to sponsor you.

Step 3: Gather Documents

Gather the necessary documents, including your passport, job offer letter, proof of qualifications, and proof of English language proficiency.

Step 4: Apply Online

Apply online through the UK government website by filling in the application form and paying the application fee.

Step 5: Biometric Appointment

Attend a biometric appointment to provide your fingerprints and photograph.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

Wait for a decision on your visa application. You should receive a decision within three weeks if you apply from outside the UK or within eight weeks if you apply from within the UK.

Benefits of a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

A UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa offers several benefits, including:

Work in the UK

You can work in the UK for the duration of your visa.

Bring Family Members

You can bring your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and children under 18 to the UK as your dependents.

Travel In and Out of the UK

You can travel in and out of the UK as many times as you like while your visa is valid.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

After five years of living and working in the UK on a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you may be eligible to apply for ILR.

1. How long does a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa last?

A UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa can last for up to five years.

2. Can I switch to a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa from inside the UK?

Yes, you can switch to a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa from inside the UK if you meet the eligibility criteria.

3. Can I apply for ILR if I hold a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

Yes, you may be eligible to apply for ILR after five years of living and working in the UK on a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa.

4. What happens if my job ends while I’m on a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

If your job ends while you’re on a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you have 60 days to find a new job and apply for a new visa. If you can’t find a new job within 60 days, you must leave the UK.

The UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is a great option for highly skilled workers who want to work in the UK. With this visa, you can work in the UK, bring your family members, and travel in and out of the country as much as you like. If you’re eligible for this visa category, we encourage you to apply and take advantage of the many opportunities the UK has to offer.

How to Apply UK Scale Up Sponsor Licence?

Scale Up Sponsor Licence.If you are a UK-based business looking to grow and expand, one of the key steps is to obtain a sponsor licence. A sponsor licence allows you to hire skilled workers from overseas, thus expanding your workforce and growing your business. In this post, we will discuss how to scale up your business by obtaining a sponsor licence, the requirements and procedures involved, and the benefits of doing so.

What is a scale up sponsor licence?

A sponsor licence is a license issued by the UK government that allows UK-based businesses to sponsor skilled workers from overseas. A sponsor licence is issued by the Home Office and is valid for four years. To obtain a sponsor licence, you need to meet certain requirements and follow specific procedures.

Who can apply for a scale up sponsor licence?

Any UK-based business can apply for a sponsor licence. However, to be eligible for a sponsor licence, you need to meet certain requirements. These requirements include:

• Being a legitimate business entity registered in the UK
• Having a genuine need for skilled workers from overseas
• Being able to provide evidence of your ability to offer employment to sponsored workers
• Being able to comply with UK immigration laws and regulations

What are the requirements for a sponsor licence?

To obtain a sponsor licence, you need to meet certain requirements. These requirements include:

• Providing evidence of your business registration
• Providing evidence of your ability to offer employment to sponsored workers
• Providing evidence of your ability to comply with UK immigration laws and regulations
• Designating key personnel responsible for managing your sponsorship duties
• Paying the appropriate fee

How to apply for a sponsor licence

To apply for a sponsor licence, you need to follow specific procedures. These procedures include:

• Completing an online application form
• Providing the necessary documents and evidence to support your application
• Submitting your application to the Home Office

What happens after you apply for a sponsor licence?

After you submit your application for a sponsor licence, the Home Office will review your application and conduct an assessment. This assessment may involve a visit to your business premises to verify the information provided in your application. If your application is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence.

How long does it take to obtain a sponsor licence?

The time it takes to obtain a sponsor licence can vary depending on the complexity of your application and the workload of the Home Office. However, the standard processing time for a sponsor licence application is approximately eight weeks.

What are the benefits of having a sponsor licence?

Obtaining a sponsor licence can provide many benefits to your business, including:

• Access to a larger pool of skilled workers from overseas
• The ability to fill skills shortages in your workforce
• Increased productivity and competitiveness
• Improved business performance and growth
• The ability to sponsor workers for permanent residency or citizenship in the UK

How to maintain your sponsor licence

Once you have obtained a sponsor licence, it is important to maintain it. To do so, you need to comply with the requirements and responsibilities set out by the Home Office. These responsibilities include:

• Keeping accurate and up-to-date records of sponsored workers
• Reporting any changes to sponsored workers’ employment status or circumstances to the Home Office
• Complying with UK immigration laws and regulations
• Cooperating with Home Office audits and inspections

Common mistakes to avoid when applying for a sponsor licence

When applying for a sponsor licence, it is important to avoid common mistakes that can lead to your application being rejected. These mistakes include:

• Providing incomplete or incorrect information in your application
• Failing to provide sufficient evidence to support your application
• Failing to designate key personnel responsible for managing your sponsorship duties
• Failing to comply with UK immigration laws and regulations

How to maximize the benefits of your sponsor licence

To maximize the benefits of your sponsor licence, it is important to have a solid recruitment strategy in place. This strategy should include:

• Identifying the skills and qualifications needed for your business
• Advertising your job vacancies in the appropriate places
• Screening and interviewing candidates thoroughly
• Providing training and support for sponsored workers
• Creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture

FAQs scale up sponsor licence

• How much does it cost to apply for a sponsor licence? The cost of applying for a sponsor licence depends on the size of your business and the type of licence you are applying for. The current fees range from £536 to £1,476.
• Can I sponsor workers for any type of job with a sponsor licence? No, you can only sponsor workers for jobs that are on the UK government’s list of eligible occupations.
• How long does a sponsor licence last? A sponsor licence is valid for four years.
• Can I apply for a sponsor licence if I have previously been refused or had a licence revoked? Yes, but you will need to address the issues that led to the refusal or revocation in your new application.
• Can I apply for a sponsor licence if I am a sole trader or a partnership? Yes, but you will need to provide additional evidence to show that you are a genuine business entity and that you can comply with the requirements of a sponsor licence.

Conclusion scale up sponsor licence

Obtaining a sponsor licence can be a great way to scale up your business by accessing a larger pool of skilled workers from overseas. However, it is important to follow the correct procedures and comply with the requirements set out by the Home Office. By doing so, you can enjoy the benefits of a diverse and skilled workforce, increased productivity and competitiveness, and improved business growth.

UK Student Dependant Visa Guide in 2023

UK Student Dependant Visa .Studying in the UK is a dream come true for many international students. However, leaving your family behind can be difficult, especially if you’re planning to stay for an extended period. Fortunately, the UK offers a student dependant visa that allows your spouse/partner and children to join you during your studies. In this guide, we’ll dive into the details of the UK student dependant visa , eligibility criteria, application process, and FAQs.

UK Student Dependant Visa: Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a UK student dependant visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have a valid Tier 4 (General) student visa or a Student visa .
• You must be sponsored by a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or a UK-based independent school that holds a Tier 4 sponsor licence.
• You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependants without relying on public funds.
• Your dependants must be your spouse/partner and/or children under 18 years old.

UK Student Dependant Visa: Application Process

To apply for a UK student dependant visa, follow these steps:

• Complete the online application form on the UK government website.
• Pay the application fee, which is currently £610 per dependant.
• Provide supporting documents, including:
• Valid passports and visa/entry clearance for all applicants
• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.)
• Proof of finances, including bank statements, payslips, and/or sponsorship letter
• TB test results (if applicable)
• Submit your application and biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) at a visa application centre.
• Wait for a decision, which can take up to 12 weeks.

UK Student Dependant Visa: FAQs

Q: How long is the UK student dependant visa valid for?

A: The UK student dependant visa is valid for the same duration as the student visa.

Q: Can my dependants work in the UK with a student dependant visa?

A: Yes, they can work in the UK, but they must apply for a separate work visa.

Q: Can I switch to a student dependant visa from another visa category?

A: Yes, you can switch to a student dependant visa if you’re already in the UK on a valid visa.

Q: Can I extend my dependants’ visa?

A: Yes, you can extend your dependants’ visa if you’re still in the UK on a student visa.

Q: Can my dependants study in the UK with a student dependant visa?

A: Yes, they can study in the UK, but they must apply for a separate student visa.

Studying in the UK can be an enriching experience for international students. With the UK student dependant visa, you can now bring your family along for the ride. However, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and follow the application process carefully to ensure a successful application. We hope this guide has answered all your questions about the UK student dependant visa. Best of luck on your journey!

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Most Common Reasons for UK Visa Refusal

Tell Us What You Think?  

A visa refusal or denial brings disappointment, frustration, and confusion over what to do next to enter the UK lawfully.

We are often asked how to “guarantee” that a visa will be accepted. The simple answer is: you can’t get a 100% guarantee because the Home Office are final decision makers. What you can do, however, is make sure your application as strong it can absolutely be.

The purpose or the intentions are not reliable

One of the main reason for refusal that leads the consular office to deny your UK Visa is failing to have the needed justification for your purpose and conditions of the planned travel and stay. Such are the cases of:

• Failing to present an employment and professional qualification that matches the presented financial situation
• Incapacity to provide documents that support the purpose of travel and stay in the UK
• The inability to offer unchanging declarations about the purpose of travel and stay

False documents

There is a common destiny for all the individuals (applicants) who attempt to present false travel documents to the embassy or consulate, trying to misrepresent their identity, using fake identity – and that is an absolute visa denial and other accompanying unfavourable consequences.

Documents NOT presented in the correct format

It’s not enough to simply send the documents in a bundle. They need to be placed in the correct, chronological order and presented exactly as required. This includes even using the correct colour ink to fill in the forms This might seem like a petty reason to refuse a visa, but the best way to look it is this: make the Home Office’s job of reading your application as easy and simple as possible.

Specified Evidence Missing

Visa applications might seem simple, and the advice given on Home Office website does make it appear so. However, the guideline notes only give a general outline, and do not go into enough detail. Even a single date or an original of an official document missing can lead to a UK visa refusal.

Believing the Home Office will be lenient or “understanding”: Not true. Even the very slightest error will not be met with flexibility. Treat your application like a fine, delicate Ming vase: there is simply no room for error.

Non-Disclosure of information

Often applicants have had previous immigration or legal issues that they decide not to disclose, such as bans or certain criminal convictions already spent — especially if a long time has passed. But the Home Office miss nothing and question everything. Worse still, if they believe an applicant has attempted to mislead or misrepresent themselves intentionally (deception) a UK visa refusal might be the least of your worries.

Applying for the wrong type of visa

A common example of this is when people from outside the UK wish to move to and settle in the UK. However, they mistakenly think they have to apply for a visit visa first, and then whilst the UK apply to switch to a settlement visa. “Switching” is not allowed for a visit visa, and any suggestion that this might be someone’s plan, the Home Office would also refuse the visit visa.

Relying on advice from Home Office/UKVI

It might seem like the best place to get advice is from the source itself. However, call handlers at the Home Office/UKVI are not trained or qualified to give legal advice, and at best all they will do is redirect you to their website, or give you the same general information. They will not be able to discuss merits of individual cases which might need specific expertise to carefully complete the application.

Of course, there are many other reasons for a UK visa refusal, and it is always worth remembering that each case is unique. The UK has some of the most stringent immigration laws in the world, and with Brexit, on the way, no-one really knows what effect that might have on other parts of immigration policy.

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You may also be interested in, new uk government abandons controversial rwanda asylum scheme, administrative review, ilr for children with 7 years residence in the uk, new changes impacting skilled workers and employers, sponsoring a spouse is getting more expensive., new changes to the immigration rules for students and their dependants., what is a judicial review and who can apply for it, what are the financial equirements for a uk fiance visa, requirements for 10 years long residence and the case of afzal v sshd, contact information.

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Legal Notice

Why has my UK visit visa been refused?

In this article we look at the most common reasons for refusal of a UK visit visa application.

What is a ‘genuine visitor’?

A prospective visitor to the UK must satisfy the entry clearance officer that they are a ‘genuine visitor’, and will meet the immigration rules governing visits to the UK.  The following (from the Home Office Guidance ) are the questions which will be asked in assessing whether the applicant is a ‘genuine visitor’:-

“if the applicant is a genuine visitor: 

• do they intend to undertake permitted activities and leave at the end of their stay
• are you satisfied they will not be living in the UK or making the UK their home through frequent and successive visits 
• will they be doing any prohibited activities
• do they have sufficient funds, maintenance and accommodation for the duration of their stay”

Common reasons for refusal of a UK visit visa application

The following sets out common reasons for refusal based on assessing whether the applicant is a ‘genuine visitor’ based on the above criteria:- 

“Do they intend to undertake permitted activities/will they be doing any prohibited activities …?”

Purpose of the visit.

Lack of detail about the purpose of the visit may lead to reasons for refusal which either question the length of the visit or the plans which have been made for the visit, including arrangements made for accommodation.  If the reason for the visit is not clear, there may be an assumption that the applicant is not being candid about wishing to come to the UK just to visit. The permitted/prohibited activities referred to generally mean taking up employment (paid or voluntary).

Reasons for refusal which question the applicant’s finances are likely to be rooted in the concern that the applicant may not be intending to visit but rather is intending to work – working is prohibited for visitors except in very limited circumstances. 

The reasons for refusal may challenge why an applicant’s employer has agreed to the length of the visit (is the employment at home real, or will the job be lost after such a long absence?), or why an applicant would spend the whole of their savings or so much of their income for the visit, or whether or not the funds belong to the applicant.  The origin of funds deposited in a bank account may come into question, and entries on bank statements in particular may be queried. It is therefore important to give straightforward and thorough information about all the financial elements of the visit, both in respect of how the visit will be financed (see below) and about the applicant’s financial affairs in their home country.

“(Do they intend to) leave at the end of their stay?”

“are you satisfied they will not be living in the uk or making the uk their home through frequent and successive visits” .

The essence of a visit visa is that it is a visit – and that the applicant will return to their home country at the end of the visit.  Frequent and successive visits will lead to considerations of broader questions about the applicant’s life in their home country and their travel history.

Ties to their home country

If an applicant has not indicated that they have active involvement with family and community in their home country, this may lead to an assumption that the applicant has nothing to return to and thus intends to remain in the UK, and a refusal for this reason.

Travel and immigration history

Considerations about whether the applicant has a ‘track record’ of visiting other countries, and the extent to which they have complied with the requirements of the visas issued for those countries (including during previous visits to the UK), may feature as part of the reasons for refusal.  This reflects a concern that the applicant wishes to come to the UK for more than a visit, and will not leave at the end of the visit. The Home Office guidance clearly sets out what will be taken into account, and why:-

“A pattern of travel that shows the applicant has previously complied with UK immigration law may indicate the applicant is a genuine visitor. As might travel to other countries, especially the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Schengen countries or Switzerland.”

Reasons for refusal from previous applications also are often repeated where there has been no reference to a change in the circumstances which led to the refusal.

Too many visits to the UK 

These refusals generally concern longer-term multiple visit visa holders, but will be attracted by applicants who have not provided evidence of the reason/s for visiting the UK for successive or lengthy periods within one year or successive years.

“Do they have sufficient funds, maintenance and accommodation for the duration of their stay?”

Such refusals can include questions about a sponsor’s ability to provide sponsorship for the visit.  Refusals may occur where straightforward and detailed evidence has not been provided about the funding for the visit, the costs of the visit (food, accommodation, travel within the UK etc) and what funds are available to the applicant from his or her own resources to meet these costs.  If detailed information about the finances available for the visit is not provided, a conclusion that the applicant intends to work in the UK or seek access to public funds may be drawn.

Can previous visit visa refusals be overcome?

A fresh application following a visit visa refusal must deal with the concerns raised in the previous reasons for refusal, as discussed above.  In addition, providing straightforward evidence with the fresh visit visa application using the visit visa rules, should satisfy an entry clearance officer or border official that the applicant is a ‘genuine visitor’ notwithstanding previous refusals.

Contact Our UK Visit Visa Immigration Lawyers

For expert advice and assistance with a visit visa application which will satisfy the criteria for a ‘genuine visitor’, please contact our Barristers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

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UK Visitor Visa Refusal Reasons and What to Do

By Amar Ali, Immigration Solicitor

If your UK visitor visa is refused by the Home Office you will receive a letter or email explaining the reason for the decision. There are several reasons why your visitor visa may have been refused, as we will explore in this article. Thankfully, by taking early and appropriate action, it is possible to overcome a UK visitor visa refusal, allowing you to come to the UK.

What to do if your UK Visitor visa is refused

If your visitor visa has been refused, it is important to check the reasons of refusal. You may have a range of possible options available based on the refusal reasons, such as:

• UK visitor visa refusal appeal

Judicial review

Reapplying for a uk visitor visa.

• Applying for a different visa

Can you appeal a visitor visa refusal?

In most cases, you will only have the right to appeal a visitor visa refusal UK on human rights grounds under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private and family life). To appeal, you will need to make a strong case that your intended visit should be approved because it invokes your human rights. Unfortunately, in many cases, appeal judges will simply decide that you do not have the right to appeal on human rights grounds. To make this assessment, they will look at whether:

• Your visit visa application states that it is a human rights claim
• Your human rights claim is implied or explicit
• You have a human rights case, and
• Your human rights claim has any real prospect of success.

If you didn’t make it clear that your visitor visa application was human rights related, there is a strong chance your appeal may be rejected.

If the decision to refuse your visitor visa was unlawful, you may be able to request a judicial review of your case. A judicial review may be an option if the refusal of your visitor visa was illegal, unreasonable, due to procedural impropriety and unfairness, or it breached the Human Rights Act 1998 or EU law.

However, in reality, bringing a judicial review for a visitor visa is not recommended in most cases. Judicial reviews involve a complex and lengthy legal process and, as such, should only ever be considered as a last resort.

It is often faster, cheaper, and easier to simply prepare and submit a new visitor visa application. This is especially so if you made innocent mistakes on your UK visa application or did not provide the necessary information in your original visitor application, which led to the refusal. On the other hand, if the reasons for a UK visitor visa refusal suggest that you are not eligible for this visa type, reapplying is not likely to lead to a different result.

Apply for a different visa

If you did not make any errors in your visitor visa application and there is no way around the reasons for your refusal, you may be able to apply for different UK visa types instead.

If you plan to come to the UK for a short stay, you may be able to consider visas such as the Paid Permitted Engagement visa or Youth Mobility Visa . If you would like to come to the UK for a longer stay, you may be able to apply for a UK work visa (e.g. the Skilled Worker visa ) or a family visa to join your partner or spouse in the UK. Depending on which visa you apply for, you may be able to extend your stay and even gain UK residency after a qualifying period (normally 5 years).

Common reasons for visitor visa refusal

Visitor visas may be refused for a wide range of reasons, including where the Home Office believes that you:

• Are not a genuine visitor
• Do not meet the suitability requirements
• Do not meet sufficient funds or accommodation

Genuine visitor

Permitted reasons to come to the UK on a visitor visa include tourism, visiting friends or family, volunteering for a charity, attending an interview, studying, or medical treatment.

The Home Office will refuse your visitor visa application if they reason to believe you are not a genuine visitor. This will be the case if they believe you will stay unlawfully in the UK beyond the expiry of your visa, you are not coming to the UK for a permitted reason, or you will use a visitor visa as a way of living in the UK.

When assessing if you are a genuine visitor, the Home Office may look at:

• Your personal circumstances, including your immigration history
• Whether you have family or economic ties in your home country
• The reasons you have given for your stay, and
• Whether there are differences between what you stated in your application and any statement made by your sponsor.

Suitability requirements

The Home Office may refuse your visitor visa application on suitability grounds if you:

• Have been deported from the UK in the past
• Have been sentenced to prison – whether you are refused will depend on the nature of the crime, duration of the sentence, when you finished serving the sentence, and whether you are a persistent offender
• Have been involved in a sham marriage in the past
• Have provided false information and/or documents to the Home Office in the past
• Did not provide adequate information
• Owe debts of £500 or more to the NHS

Sufficient funds or accommodation

Your visitor visa application may also be refused if you do not have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay or have suitable accommodation. Where necessary, you can ask family members, friends, and others with who you have a genuine personal or professional relationship to support you during your stay.

How can Reiss Edwards help?

Reiss Edwards is a leading immigration law firm based in Central London. Our immigration lawyers specialise in assisting visitors coming to the UK, whether for tourism, to visit friends or family, for medical treatment, or any other permitted person. Our team of immigration solicitors can help you with:

• Checking if you are eligible for a UK visitor visa
• Checking if you have any other UK visa options available
• Advising how to overcome any difficulties with your UK visitor visa
• Applying for your short or long-term visitor visa on your behalf and of your family members
• Dealing with any questions or requests for additional information from the Home Office
• Overcoming a refusal of your visitor visa

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What Should You Do If Your UK Standard Visitor Visa Is Refused?

• Posted on June 26, 2017

Summer is here and UK Visas and Immigration have experienced their usual influx of applications for the UK Standard Visitor Visa. Families who have spent the long, dark winter months separated from each other and friends excited about a long-awaited visit have been busy planning for summer visitors from abroad.

However, visitors from many countries must obtain a UK Standard Visitor Visa to gain entry clearance into the UK. And often, to the dismay of everyone involved, these are refused. Worse still, there is no longer a full right of appeal for a UK visit visa refusal and reapplying might be an appropriate option.

To help those making and application or who have been refused a UK Standard Visitor Visa, understanding what to do next can be perplexing. Should you appeal, reapply or challenge the decision via judicial review ? The best advice will come from an Immigration solicitor. This article is not intended to provide legal advice, it merely gives guidance on the current options which may be available to those whose application for a UK Standard Visitor Visa has been refused.

The basics of a UK Standard Visitor Visa

A UK Standard Visitor Visa will usually allow you to stay in the UK for up to six months. During this time you cannot:

• marry or enter into a civil partnership
• do paid or unpaid work
• receive any benefits
• use the UK Standard Visitor Visa to effectively live in the UK through frequent visits

It is the latter restriction that often results in refusals. One of the other main reasons for Immigration officials turning down an application is they do not believe the applicant will leave the country after six months.

Options if your application for a visa is refused

If your UK Standard Visitor Visa application is refused, you have three avenues to pursue:

• reapply for the visa
• appeal on Human Rights ground
• challenge the decision via judicial review

Reapply for the visa

In certain circumstances, reapplying for the visa is the simplest and most cost-effective option if your application for a UK Standard Visitor Visa has been refused. If UK Visas and Immigration has turned down your application because you filled in the form incorrectly or have not supplied the correct supporting documents, reapplying makes sense. To ensure your application is correct, it is always best to instruct an experienced Immigration lawyer to make the application for you. They can explain exactly what documents you need to include, such as bank statements, expediting the process.

Appealing on Human Rights grounds

Since 2013, refusals for UK Standard Visitor Visas can only be appealed on Human Rights grounds. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that when making your application, if possible, grounds for a Human Rights appeal are present. The best way to safeguard a Human Rights claim in your original application is to have an Immigration solicitor advise you on your original application. Failing to do so could result in you spending a great deal of time and money on an appeal, only for the judge to rule that no Human Rights grounds exist to make a legitimate appeal in the first place.

The Upper Tribunal held in the case of Mostafa (Article 8 in entry clearance) [2015] UKUT 00112 (IAC) that if a couple were married, then Human Rights are likely to be engaged. The threshold of when Human Rights will be engaged is relatively low; however, President McCloskey did state that it was not a given that simply because a family relationship was present, Human Rights would be engaged:

“It would therefore be extremely foolish to attempt to be prescriptive, given the intensely factual and contextual sensitivity of every case. Thus we refrain from suggesting that, in this type of case, any particular kind of relationship would always attract the protection of Article 8(1) or that other kinds of relationship would never come within its scope. We are, however, prepared to say that it will only be in very unusual circumstances that a person other than a close relative will be able to show that the refusal of entry clearance comes within the scope of Article 8(1). In practical terms this is likely to be limited to cases where the relationship is that of husband and wife or other close life partners or a parent and minor child and even then it will not necessarily be extended to cases where, for example, the proposed visit is based on a whim or will not add significantly to the time that the people involved spend together.”

judicial review

judicial review is a process by which the courts exercise a supervisory jurisdiction over the exercise of public functions by public bodies. judicial review can only be used when all other avenues have been exhausted. It is an expensive and complex action, available only on specific grounds:

• irrationality
• procedural unfairness

Proportionality is also increasingly seen as a ground for judicial review .

If you are thinking of taking a judicial review case, you need to seek the advice of an expert Immigration solicitor who can advise you on the best course of action to take.

Final words

To ensure you will have a right of appeal should your UK Standard Visitor Visa be refused, it is crucial to instruct an experienced Immigration lawyer to help fill in your form and set out the foundations for a Human Rights appeal should it be required.

If your UK Standard Visit Visa has been refused, contact an Immigration lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your best options.

OTS Solicitors is one of the most respected Immigration law firms in London. By making an appointment with one of our Immigration solicitors, you can be assured of receiving some of the best legal advice available in the UK today.

If you wish to discuss any of the points raised in this blog, please phone our London office on 0203 959 9123.

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How to avoid a UK visit visa refusal

We have helped a significant number of individuals who initially received a UK visit visa refusal decision to overturn that outcome. The reasons for refusal can vary widely and many people are left feeling that the decision is unfair.

With the only options after a UK visit visa refusal being to file an application for judicial review, which is costly and time-consuming, or to submit a new application, the process of visiting the UK can end up being very costly and frustrating for some. We see many individuals who have applied a number of times before deciding to seek professional advice.

The regulations governing the entry of visitors to the UK are set out in Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. A visitor is defined as “a person who is coming to the UK, usually for up to six months, for a temporary purpose, for example as a tourist or to carry out a business activity ”.

Whilst not everyone who visits the UK requires a visit visa, those who are not exempt from obtaining a visa, known as ‘visa nationals’, must satisfy the decision maker that they meet the eligibility requirements. As there is no set list of specific documents which an individual must include in their application, it is possible that any decision made is subjective and reflects the opinion of the decision maker, as opposed to the law.

As this is the case, we set out below some of the main reasons for a UK visit visa refusal along with some top tips for avoiding these.

1 . Intention to return home

When making an application to visit the UK, an individual must satisfy the decision maker that they “will leave the UK at the end of their visit” or in other words, that they intend to return home. As the Home Office advise individuals not to book their flights until after a decision has been made on the application, showing intention to return home can be difficult. In order to demonstrate intention to return home, the Home Office caseworker will expect to see evidence:

• that you have work, education or family commitments to return to;
• that you own/rent property in your home country;
• that you have future commitments at home;
• that you have family ties to your home country; and/or
• any other evidence that demonstrates that you intend to return to your home country.

2. Insufficient funds for the trip

When deciding an application, the decision maker will require evidence to show that the applicant has “sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit”. The exact amount of funds which an applicant needs to demonstrate is not specified but the Home Office suggest that evidence such as payslips showing earnings or bank statements are provided. An applicant can receive support from a third party who is in the UK and in this case, similar evidence from the third party must be included in the application along with information regarding the relationship between the applicant and the third party.

3. Previous travel history

When making a decision on an application, the decision maker will not only look into an applicant’s previous immigration history but will also take their previous travel history into consideration. Whilst a poor immigration history may have a negative impact on an application, where an applicant has not previously traveled, either to the UK or any other country, this can also surprisingly have a negative effect on the application. Where an applicant has not traveled previously, the decision maker may assume that the individual does not intend to leave the UK because they have no previous travel history. Whilst there is no simple solution to this issue, in such instances, it is important that the issue is addressed as part of the application.

4. Purpose of the visit to the UK

Finally, information as to the purpose of the visit to the UK should be provided. For a business trip, for example, a letter from whoever you are visiting would be wise. If you are coming for a show or performance, copies of your tickets would be helpful. We’ve seen a refusal recently where a mother had wanted to visit her son in the UK but the application had been refused simply because she had not provided a birth certificate demonstrating the relationship, even though you’ll find no mention in the rules that a birth certificate is needed (and we’ve dealt with many cases where no certificate has been provided but the outcome has been positive). We always advise a belts and braces approach is taken to minimise the risk of refusal.

UK visit visa refusal: How we can help

We have significant experience in ensuring that those who have had a refusal decision are subsequently granted a visa to enter the UK.

If you have had a UK visit visa refusal decision for the UK and wish to make a new application or require advice on your first application, please contact us or complete our enquiry form below. We will be able to review your refusal notice and provide you with an initial legal opinion at no cost. If a fresh application is your best option and you would like us to prepare that for you, we will be able to do so on a fixed fee basis.

This article was originally published in October 2019 and has been lightly updated. It is accurate as of the new date of publication shown.

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UK Visitor Visa Refusal

Anne morris.

• 12 November 2022

IN THIS SECTION

If you need a visa to visit the UK , you will have to show that you satisfy the visitor visa requirements or your application will be refused.

In this article, we look at the common UK visitor visa refusal reasons, and also consider what to do if your visitor visa application has been refused.

Is the visitor visa right for you?

Before making a visa application, it is important to ensure you select the most appropriate category for your circumstances.

So-called ‘visa nationals’ have to apply for permission to visit the UK. If you are planning to come to the UK on a short-term basis, there are four main types of UK visitor routes, depending on the purpose of your visit:

• The standard visitor route: to visit the UK for the purposes of tourism and leisure, for business, or to take part in sports or creative events, or for another reason, for example to receive private medical treatment or donate an organ.
• The permitted paid engagements ( PPE ) route: to visit the UK to do specific paid work without having to be sponsored under the points-based visa system, for example, giving lectures or chairing selection panels as an expert in your professional field.
• The marriage or civil partnership route : to come to the UK to give notice of a marriage or civil partnership, or to actually get married or form a civil partnership.
• The transit visitor route : to travel via the UK en route to another destination country.

For example, if you are travelling to the UK to work, you would not be eligible to travel on a visitor visa and would instead need to apply for the appropriate UK work permit.

Visitor visa refusal reasons

When considering an application for a UK visitor visa, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is looking to assess whether the applicant meets the eligibility and suitability requirements under this route.

Applications will be decided on the basis of the information given by the applicant on their application form, in their supporting documents and during the visa interview. This means that an applicant may be refused a visitor visa for a wide range of reasons, from failing to demonstrate that your activity is permissible under the route, to previously being in breach of the UK immigration rules.

Visitor visa eligibility requirements

Under UK rules, a visitor is a person who is coming to the UK for a temporary purpose, usually for up to 6 months. They could be, for example, a tourist, coming to visit friends or family, or to carry out a permitted business activity .

In all instances, for the visitor route you must be able to demonstrate that you are a ‘genuine visitor’. This means that you must satisfy the following to UKVI:

• Short stay: you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• Visiting only: you will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.
• Purpose of the visit: you are genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and you will not undertake any prohibited activities.
• Finances: you have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit without working or accessing public funds, including the cost of your return or onward journey, any costs relating to dependants, and the cost of planned activities in the UK such as private medical treatment.

For example, to prove your intention to return home after your UK visit, you should provide evidence that you have work, education or family commitments to return to; that you own or rent property in your home country; that you have future commitments at home; that you have family ties to your home country; and any other evidence that demonstrates that you intend to return to your home country.

In circumstances where travel funds, maintenance and accommodation are being provided by a third party, you must be able to show that a genuine professional or personal relationship exists between you and the third party; that person is not, or will not be in breach of UK immigration laws at the time of decision or your entry to the UK; and they can and will provide financial support to you for the intended duration of your stay.

Where the third party has been asked to provide an undertaking in writing to be responsible for your maintenance and accommodation for the period of your visit, your visa application will be refused if they fail to provide a valid written undertaking. Further, if sufficiently detailed information about the funding for your visit is not provided, either via a third party or your own resources, an adverse inference may be drawn that you intend to work in the UK.

UKVI must be satisfied that you do not intend to work (or study) in the UK, unless expressly allowed under the list of permitted activities. If it is apparent that you intend to undertake a prohibited activity, such as taking employment in the UK, your visa application will be refused.

It is important to remember that any lack of detail about the purpose of your visit may lead to reasons for refusal which either question the length of your visit or the plans which you have purportedly made. If the reason for your visit is not clear, UKVI may easily make an assumption that you are not being candid about wishing to come to the UK just to visit.

You must also be able to meet any additional eligibility requirements if you are under 18 at the date of application; you are coming to the UK to receive private medical treatment or as an organ donor; you are coming to the UK under the Approved Destination Status (ADS) Agreement with China; or you are an academic seeking a 12 month visit visa.

Suitability requirements

There are a number of suitability requirements set out under the Visitor Rules that can commonly give rise to a UK visitor visa refusal. In some cases your application will be refused on mandatory grounds, whereas in other cases this will be at the discretion of the UKVI decision maker handling your application.

Your application will be refused, for example, if you are currently the subject of a deportation order. Your application will also be refused where UKVI form the view that your exclusion from the UK is conducive to the public good because, for example, your conduct, character, associations, or other reasons, make it undesirable to grant your visa application.

This includes where you have been convicted of a criminal offence for which you have been sentenced to a period of imprisonment of:

• At least 4 years, or
• Between 12 months and 4 years, unless at least 10 years have passed since the end of the sentence, or
• Less than 12 months, unless at least 5 years has passed since the end of the sentence.

A visa application will also usually be refused if you have been convicted of or admitted an offence for which you received a non-custodial sentence or out of court disposal that is recorded on your criminal record within the last 12 months.

Other common reasons for a UK visitor visa refusal include the following:

• Where you have previously submitted false information, either by way of representations or false documents in support of an application, or where material facts were not disclosed.
• Where you have previously breached UK immigration laws, such as overstaying or breaching a condition attached to your leave, and your application for a visitor visa is made within the relevant re-entry ban time period. The re-entry ban time period will depend on the manner in which you last left the UK, from a period of 12 months if you left the UK voluntarily at your own expense, up to 10 years if you were deported from the UK at public expense.
• Where you fail to produce satisfactory identity documents or provide other information as required in support of your application for a visitor visa. This could be if you fail to produce a valid travel document that satisfies UKVI as to your identity and nationality, or you fail, without reasonable excuse, to attend an interview, provide your biometric information or undergo a medical examination or provide a medical report where required.
• Where you have failed to pay NHS charges and these have a total value of at least £500, or where you have failed to pay any litigation costs awarded to the Home Office.
• On medical grounds, for example, where you are suffering from tuberculosis.

You should typically get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. If your visa is refused, you will not be permitted to travel to the UK, and if you arrive in the UK without a visitor visa you will be refused permission to enter.

Can you reapply following a UK visitor visa refusal?

A new visit visa application following a refusal should address each of the given reasons for the previous refused application. This will include providing detailed evidence in support of each reason, which may require you to provide multiple pieces of evidence to support each ground for eligibility. Since there is no list of specific documents which an application should include in their application, providing more than one source can help to ensure you are fully evidencing your eligibility.

Need assistance? 

Travelling to the UK as a visitor generally entails a less intensive application process compared with other immigration routes. However, specific rules still apply and applicants will need to understand the limitations of this route and ensure their visa application sufficiently demonstrate eligibility and suitability under this route.

DavidsonMorris are specialist UK immigration advisers, providing guidance to employers and travellers on UK immigration routes and Home Office applications. If you have a question about UK travel visa options, contact us .

Visitor Visa Refusal FAQs

What to do if uk visit visa is refused.

If your UK visit visa is refused, you can reapply for a visit visa, this time providing detailed information and evidence in support of each and every eligibility and suitability requirement, and addressing all the previous reasons for refusal.

Can I apply for UK visit visa after refusal?

You can apply for a UK visit visa after you have been refused, although you will need to address any reasons for refusal by way of additional information, explanation and evidence. In this way, you may be able to persuade the decision maker that you satisfy all of the relevant eligibility and suitability requirements for a visa.

What are the reasons for UK visa rejection?

There could be a single or multiple reasons given for a UK visa rejection. This could relate to either the specific eligibility requirements for the visa, or the general suitability requirements. An applicant may, for example, have failed to provide sufficient evidence in support of a particular requirement, or it may be because they have serious or recent criminal convictions, or an adverse immigration history.

How do I challenge a UK visa refusal?

You can challenge a UK visa refusal by applying for a judicial review of the decision made by UKVI. To succeed, you must be able to show that the decision was in some way illegal or unlawful, for example, where the decision maker has not correctly applied the relevant rules or has not taken into account all material considerations.

Last updated: 12 November 2022

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Holiday Pay & Entitlement: Employers' Guide
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About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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Denied UK Visa – Common Reason for UK Visa Rejection [And What You Should Do About It]

Visas are scary, aren’t they? We’re afraid of rejection and the possibility of us not reaching our dream. We need to be prepared in our application. If you’re determined to visit the UK, this article will help you know common reasons for UK visa rejection and will learn how to avoid it.

If you would like to visit the following places, you need United Kingdom visa:

• Northern Ireland

If you would want to visit other countries like Italy, France, or Spain or the Schengen Area, you need a Schengen Visa.

We will discuss who is Eligible for UK Visa and discuss reasons why visas are rejected and I’ll give you some pointers.

For you to be granted a UK Visa, you must always show that:

You’ll leave the uk at the end of your visit.

If you don’t submit proof that you will go home at the end of your visit, you can be rejected. Embassies don’t like people who would be overstaying, so you need proof that you will go back. Here are documents that will be great pieces of evidence:

• Employment Certificate – include the start date of employment, salary, role, company contact details. A plus is a leave form that proves your employer knows you are in the UK and that you are allowed to take a leave.
• Business Documents – if you have a business at home, then you’ll surely come back to manage it. Bring your business registration documents with the owner’s name and the date it started and also tax returns.
• Properties or Investments – you can bring land titles, condominium titles, anything that ties you to your home country
• Flight ticke t – though not a requirement, you can show a flight ticket as proof of when you are going back
• Travel Itinerary – this will show what you will be doing and how many days are you targeting during your visit

You’re able to support yourself and any dependents for the duration of your trip

The embassy will look at your financial capacity to travel, if you can’t afford it, maybe you’ll be looking for a job in the UK or end up begging on the streets, which is a no-no. Show them proof that you could afford it:

• Bank Certificate or Bank Statements
• Proof of Earnings like Pay slips, remittances, Income Tax Returns (especially for business owners since it will show how much you are earning)
• If someone is providing you financial support – documents to show that they have sufficient money to sponsor you

You’re able to pay for your return or onward journey and any other costs relating to your visit

The same as above, you need to prove you are financially capable

• You can also include an Itinerary with a per-day budget

You have proof of any business or other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor Rules

There are some additional requirements; the embassy may deny you if your proof of visiting doesn’t coincide with your documents.

For example: if you are there for private medical treatment, then you need to provide a letter from your doctor or consultant in the UK. If there for performing, a letter of invitation from organizers and details of payments you received. Or if you are going for a research letter from your current employer about your leave due to your research and from the UK host confirming your research arrangements.

Incomplete proof may get your visa rejected.

Other common reasons for a UK Visa Rejection are:

Wrong visa type.

The first step in the application is selecting your visa type. If you choose the wrong one, it may be grounds for rejection. For example, you applied to be an Organ Donor; however you have no intention to donate instead you want to travel, you will be rejected. If you applied for a partner visa and you haven’t even met the other person yet, that will be a red flag. If you are there for tourism and pretended to be an Investor, you can be rejected especially if your documents are counterfeited.

False Documents submitted

If a person submits a documented or information that is verified as false, forged or not genuine. If you are found to do this, the application will be rejected and you’ll be banned for applying for visa in the next 10 years.

This will include:

• tampered or altered documents
• fake document 
• document used by an imposter
• document illegally obtained or issued

Inconsistent Documents

If the applications are good for a week, but you have an itinerary good for 10 days, then it may result in rejection. Make sure what you have typed in the application, the visa type, your cover letter, and your supporting documents are consistent – the same information, the same goal. Inconsistency will make you look like an unsure applicant or someone who is hiding something; the Embassy will not let you enter if they think you are a risk.

Invalid Passport

If your passport is damaged, you will be denied your visa application. Always keep it in good condition, no detached or missing cover, no watermarks or tear, and bio-page is without unnecessary markings.

Make sure that the passport has a blank visa page. Though the UK is not strict with the 6-month rule, your passport should be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK. However, make it valid for more than 6 months, even if the UK accepts it, you might not get out of your country.

Abnormal Bank Balance

If your bank balance is high, but your Average Daily Balance is below average then there’s a possibility you have deposited an amount the last minute and you don’t have bank transactions too. There will be a possibility of denial due to sudden influx and lack of activity. The embassy will probably worry where you got the money. So better deposit your funds slowly or just stick to the amount that you have based on what you declare as your source of income.

Criminal Actions

If the applicant is a threat to the UK, then you may be denied entry. If you have a record of terrorism, child abuse or trafficking, addiction, theft, homicide, it will be hard to enter the territory.

Bad UK History

If you had a UK visa before but failed to respect its rules, then you may be denied your second visa. Here are some examples that you should not be doing:

* paid or unpaid work (do not attempt to work in the UK illegally)

* Live in the UK through regular visits for lengthy periods

* request for public funds

* register a civil partnership or marry or give notice of either

If you want a better application, then here are some tips:

Cover letter.

You can attach a personal cover letter that includes the purpose of your travel, especially what you look forward to in the UK. Make it simple but with a personal touch. You can also add an explanation of some documents you are not able to provide.

Travel History

Showing that you are a frequent traveler and have a good travel history will be useful for your application. You can submit your issued visa or entry/exit travel stamps.

If your visa got rejected, you may submit an appeal. After you get your decision, you have 28 days to appeal . You can also do the whole process and apply again after your first one was rejected.

If you want to know more about UK visa, here is a UK Visa Guide . You can also avail our Visa application bundle pack where we will prepare all of your requirements to help you with your application. If you need a little more help, just let me know! I can personally train you for interview questions and go through your requirements one by one. We’ll both work hard for you to get that visa of your dreams! Set an appointment now 🙂

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5 thoughts on “ Denied UK Visa – Common Reason for UK Visa Rejection [And What You Should Do About It] ”

Hi po… Im planning to apply 10 years multiple entry visa to uk.

Im a traveller, but stopped last year due to pamdemic.

Plan to visit my sister and tita in UK next year,March to celebrate my birthday.

I travel 2x a year, during my birthday and mid year.

I have multiple 10 years multiple US visa.and travelled once in US last june 2019 and 5 years multiple Japan visa.

Is there still a chance, i might get denied po.

Thank u and God bless

It really depends po, you have good travel history but you need to have strong ties in PH so that they won’t suspect that you’ll stay permanently in UK as you have family there

Hi, can you apply for a visit visa for the UK if you are living in a red listed country, if you can show you will spend time in a green or amber country for 10 days before continuing on to the UK? I am fully vaccinated too. Thank you

Depends if the Embassy in your country is accepting applications po.

I Want to apply a standard visit visa in uk. my bf he wants me to visit there in uk. and it is a problem if I only deposit my money in my bank account for a one time. It’s still allowed.? and in about work Is it okay that your currently work is domestic helper in abroad.?

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UK Visa Refusal With No Right Of Appeal — What to Do

Once you have made an application for a  UK Visa , the decision of your eligibility will be made by the Home Office. For some applicants, the process is swift and they obtain their visa approval quickly.

However, visa refusals do occur, and they sometimes come with no right to appeal.

We can help give you when your UK visa application has been rejected. To get advice on your personal situation, call IAS on  0333 305 9375 .

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What are the benefits of choosing IAS’ Advice Package?

Our Advice Package is the ideal option if you are looking for expert immigration legal advice. With this service, you will have a one-on-one session with one of our immigration lawyers.

Your immigration lawyer will consider your case and offer bespoke advice, and they will advise you on the optimum route to take to achieve your desired result.

During your advice session, you will be able to discuss your case and get detailed information about your options to proceed with your case. We will:

Review your situation and explore your opportunities to get your desired immigration results.

Advice on the most appropriate documentary evidence required to support your case.

Discuss the requirements that you need to meet to qualify for your visa.

Outline the expected time frames to process your application.

Services we Provide

Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

What is a Visa Refusal With No Right Of Appeal?

When an individual applies for a UK visa, there is a possibility that their application will be rejected. In most immigration cases, it is possible to appeal this and the initial decision can be overturned.

However, sometimes, UK visa applicants are told that they do not have the right to appeal their visa decision.

What are the General Grounds For Visa Refusal?

Visas can be refused for a variety of reasons. Some potential reasons for rejection include:

• Staying in the UK on an expired visa
• Staging a relationship to try to stay in the country
• Not having a reliable income, or not having sufficient savings
• Having unspent criminal convictions
• Being unable to provide the requested documents by the Home Office
• Submitting an inaccurate UK visa application
• Being banned from the UK

In some of these situations, the client can appeal the visa refusal, and there is a chance that their application will be accepted at the end of this process. However, sometimes, appeals are not possible, and this is what we call visa refusal with no right of appeal.

Why Do Visa Rejections Sometimes Come With No Right to Appeal?

Visa rejections with no right to appeal occur for different reasons. Some visa types are simply not compatible with appeals. For example,  Visitor Visa  applicants cannot appeal a refusal letter, so they must instead reapply for the Visitor Visa (or for another visa) after a Visit Visa refusal.

In other situations, appeals are permitted, but they may not be the most efficient way for the applicant to establish the right to live in the UK. For example, if an individual has been rejected for a  Spouse Visa , it can take a long time for this to be appealed, so they may find it quicker to reapply instead – shortening the time they are away from their loved ones.

Contact us today on number for immediate advice and assistance with your visa refusal case.

What are the Options For Someone With a Visa Refusal Letter?

When a UK visa application is rejected, it is always recommended to involve a professional immigration lawyer. They are trained in identifying the possible next steps or actions, which include:

Requesting an administrative review of the decision

If there is reason to believe the Home Office made an error when processing the initial visa application then this could be the right option.  For example, if the Home Office ruled out an application for an irrelevant reason (e.g., they believed the individual has unspent criminal convictions even this was not true).

Occasionally, the Home Office makes a mistake that threatens the applicant’s human rights. In this instance, the individual can appeal the visa rejection to the First-tier tribunal. Again, it is advised to reach out to an immigration lawyer to do this, as they will be able to complete the process efficiently.

It is rare that individuals can appeal their application in this way, but they are permitted to do so if they have had any of the following revoked by the Home Office:

• British citizenship
• Frontier Worker Permit
• Protection status
• Humanitarian protection claim or asylum claim
• EUSS family permit
• S2 Healthcare Visitor visa
• A human rights claim

When an  administrative review  of a visa refusal is requested, it is sometimes possible for the applicant to submit additional evidence to help their case. This is particularly useful if they missed out key information in their first application that may have helped a different decision to be made.

Requesting a judicial review

It is also unlikely that a  Judicial Review  will be permitted. However, it can be carried out in circumstances involving immigration rules (laws) not being followed by the Home Office.

No new evidence can be submitted for a Judicial Review, so there is a greater risk that the decision of the Home Office will not change, particularly if there was an issue with insufficient evidence.

Judicial Reviews are a costly option and therefore, you should seek advice from an immigration specialist before making a decision to go forward with a review.

However, there are incidents where a Judicial Review has resulted in a visa decision being reversed.

What to Do When There is No Right to Appeal?

Visa applicants can be informed that they do not have the right to appeal their application, which is more likely to be the case if the application was for a short-term visa. When this happens, the options are:

Reapplying for the same visa

If the reason for rejection is something that can be modified, it is can be most sensible to reapply for the same visa. For example, if certain documents were missed and the second application would include all of the supporting documents.

However, some reasons for rejections may still be relevant when the applicant submits an application a second time. For example, if their relationship is believed to be false, reapplying will not change the stance of the Home Office, unless additional evidence is provided that demonstrates the relationship was infact genuine.

Applying for a different visa

Applying for a different kind of visa may be a more favourable option, especially if the refusal was based on not meeting the correct criteria.

It is important to remember that the process of applying for the new visa may not be the same as the visa that has been refused.

IAS can give advice on visa suitability, cost and the process of applying for a UK Visa. Call us on  0333 305 9375  to check you are make the correct application.

Get in touch with our expert immigration lawyers to receive assistance if you’ve had a visa refused.

How Can I Improve My Chances Of Getting a UK Visa After Refusal?

The most important thing to do is to find out the reason for the rejection, and whether this is something that can be resolved in the future. If it is something permanent, the next step will be to consider a different  type of UK visa .

However, there are circumstances in which clients can make changes in their life that boost their chances of a visa approval. Here are some examples:

• Establishing a consistent income, or boosting savings
• Resolving errors in the initial visa application
• Ensuring the translation of the visa application is accurate
• Gathering all of the requested documents for the application
• Providing further evidence of stable family life
• Working with an immigration lawyer

For help with visa documents, including documentation checking, get in touch with IAS on  0333 305 9375 .

How Can IAS Help?

At IAS, we have a wealth of immigration lawyers who are trained in immigration rules, including visa refusals. If you contact us, we will connect you with a lawyer who can advise you on whether you are permitted to appeal your visa rejection, what your other options are, and how you can maximise your chances of remaining in the UK.

Call us on  0333 305 9375  and we will take immediate action on your UK visa rejection.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Table of Contents

23908 86579 1 DEFAULT

Written by Immigration Advice Service

Editorial team.

This content was developed by a team of writers, SEO specialists, editors, and lawyers who provide valuable information to those with immigration queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can appeal a visa refusal.

Immigration advisers and solicitors can appeal visa refusals on behalf of their clients. Most professionals will appeal online, as paper appeals are only permitted when the client is in detention.

Some UK visa applicants choose to represent themselves instead of involving a professional. This is often a more affordable route, but it can lead to complications, as immigration lawyers can predict potential problems and prevent them from occurring, whereas an untrained individual may not be able to spot these issues ahead of time – meaning the whole process can be costly, lengthy and an unsatisfactory result

How Much Does it Cost to Appeal a Visa Refusal?

If the appeal has been made with the First-ter Tribunal then it costs £80 to appeal a visa refusal without an appeal hearing and £140 if a hearing is deemed necessary.

When a client is entitled to legal aid, they do not have to pay these fees or may be able to have the fees reduced. There are also other exemptions that remove the need to may the fee but it is dependent on the reasons for the appeal.

How soon can I reapply for UK visa after refusal?

As soon as the visa application is rejected, the applicant can make a start on submitting their new forms. The letter detailing the reasons for refusal will also give guidance on the timeline for appealing.  In most cases, if you planning to represent yourself at appeal you will have 28 days. It is possible to appeal after the deadline but you will need to show reasons for the delay

How long does it take to get a UK visa after an appeal?

The length of time between appealing a visa rejection and getting a new visa is unpredictable, as it is different for every case. However, it is recommended to plan to wait up to a year for the new visa, as this takes into account average waiting times and common delays.

What are the chances of getting a UK visa after refusal?

This depends on the reason for rejection. Generally, it is less likely that an applicant will be granted a UK visa if their first application was rejected. However, this does not mean it is impossible.

If the second application does not contain errors, and meets all the requirements, there is a good chance that the individual will obtain a UK visa.

What happens after an unsuccessful appeal?

If a UK visa appeal is rejected, the client has the same options as someone who has no right to appeal. They can either apply again for the same visa, or make an application for a different visa with different eligibility criteria.If a UK visa appeal is rejected, the client has the same options as someone who has no right to appeal. They can either apply again for the same visa, or make an application for a different visa with different eligibility criteria.

Get in Touch

Head Office:

Immigration Advice Service Ashwood House, Ellen Street Oldham, OL9 6QR, United Kingdom

Head Office Phone:

We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you.

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• Home Office

How many people come to the UK each year (including visitors)?

Published 22 August 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-system-statistics-year-ending-june-2024/how-many-people-come-to-the-uk-each-year-including-visitors

Back to ‘Immigration system statistics, year ending June 2024’ contents page .

Data relates to the year ending June 2024 and all comparisons are with the year ending June 2023 (unless indicated otherwise). All data includes dependants, unless indicated otherwise.

1. Passenger arrivals to the UK

Most passenger arrivals will be British nationals (many of whom will be returning from short trips outside the UK), and short-term visitors (such as those coming to the UK for a holiday). However, passenger arrivals also include people coming to the UK for other reasons (such as to work or study). More information on the data sources can be found in the ‘About the statistics’ section below.

In the year ending June 2024 there were 128.4 million arrivals to the UK, 11% more than the preceding year, and 3% higher than in the year ending December 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, when only taking air passenger arrivals into account.

Passengers arriving by air accounted for 88% of all passenger arrivals to the UK (across all routes) in the year ending June 2024, with 7% arriving via rail and 5% by sea. These are similar to the proportions for the year ending June 2023.

Figure 1: Monthly air passenger arrivals to the UK, January 2020 to June 2024

Source: Passenger arrivals - Arr_01

• Data prior to 2022 comes from Advanced Passenger Information (API) and is not directly comparable to data from Borders and Immigration Transaction Data (BITD).

From March 2020, following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a variety of measures were introduced to restrict global travel and the spread of the virus. These measures were phased out in the UK during the first few months of 2022, with travel to the UK now slightly higher (up by 3%) than pre-pandemic levels since. (Figure 1).

Figure 2: Monthly passenger arrivals to the UK, British and foreign, January 2022 to June 2024

Source: Passenger arrivals - Arr_02

In the year ending June 2024, 55% of total arrivals were British nationals. The monthly proportion typically remained between 50 to 60% throughout the year, with some fluctuations which may be due to seasonal trends or differing patterns in holidays.

During periods with notable COVID-19 restrictions, such as early 2021, the proportion of British nationals was as low as 31%, which aligned with the lowest overall air passenger arrivals with the number of foreign arrivals also decreasing. As passenger numbers increased from July 2021 onwards, the proportion of British nationals increased beyond 50% again, reflecting UK citizens returning ability to take holidays and other trips abroad.

2. Visitors and short-term stays

Only certain nationalities (‘visa-nationals’) are required to obtain an entry clearance visa before coming to visit the UK, which is one reason why there are considerably more non-British passenger arrivals than visas granted. Many nationalities, including US nationals do not normally require a visa to visit the UK; consequently, there are considerably fewer visitor visas granted than visitors arriving.

There are several ways a non-British national may get permission to visit the UK for a short, temporary period, (usually up to 6 months), for purposes such as tourism, visiting friends or family, carrying out a business activity, or undertaking a short course of study.

• visa nationals must apply online for an entry clearance visa in advance of travel
• non-visa nationals can be granted leave to enter on arrival at the UK border
• people with existing immigration status do not need additional documents
• the electronic travel authorisation ( ETA ) scheme is for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays to the UK, or who do not already have a UK immigration status prior to travelling

There were 2.1 million visitor visas granted in the year ending June 2024, 16% higher than the year ending June 2023 but 13% lower than 2019, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visitor visa grants have continued to increase post-pandemic but are still below their peak in 2019 (2.4 million). This difference is largely due to 134,699 fewer grants to Chinese nationals, but also 119,107 fewer grants to Saudi Arabians, who no longer required a visa to visit the UK from 1 June 2022.

In the year ending June 2024, Indian nationals accounted for 25% of Visitor visas granted (530,587), with Chinese nationals accounting for 24% (507,883). The next largest visa nationalities were Turkish (7%), Nigerian (5%), Pakistani and South African nationals (both 4%).

The increase in the latest year was largely accounted for by 264,832 more visitor visas granted to Chinese nationals, more than double the number in year ending June 2023, although still 21% fewer than in the year ending December 2019, prior to the pandemic. The next largest increase in visitor visa grants in the latest year was seen by Turkish nationals with 41,535 more grants.

The ETA scheme opened to Qatari nationals on 25 October 2023. From 1 February 2024, the scheme was extended to nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. To the end of June 2024, there had been 393,253 applications for ETAs and 388,021 grants since the ETA scheme started.

Table 1: Applications and outcomes for ETAs by nationality, from scheme commencement 1 to the end of June 2024

• The ETA Scheme commenced on 25 October 2023 for Qatari nationals only and was later opened to nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan on 1 February 2024

Additional information on visitors to the UK is published by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) in its publication ‘Leisure and tourism statistics’ .

3. Other grants of Entry clearance visas

There were 1.3 million non-visit visas granted in the year ending June 2024, 13% fewer than in the year ending June 2023, but 68% higher than in 2019. This was made up of Work (546,774), Study (530,496), Family (84,403) and ‘Other’ (114,763) visas, which includes the Ukraine schemes (28,491).

Figure 3: Entry clearance visas granted by route (main applicants and dependants) between the year ending June 2015 and the year ending June 2024

Source: Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes – Vis_D02

• Other includes Ukraine Scheme Visas, British National (Overseas), Dependants joining or accompanying, EEA and EUSS Permits.

There were almost 3.4 million visas granted in the year ending June 2024. The number of visas granted are now 7% higher than in 2019 – before the COVID-19 pandemic and while the UK was still part of the EU – due to more work and study visas being granted (1.1 million in the year ending June 2024 compared with 596,969 in 2019). The number of visitor visa grants are still lower than in 2019. Figure 3 shows that the increase within the last year is primarily due to 294,447 more visitor visas, which now make up nearly two-thirds (62%) of total entry clearance visas granted in the year ending June 2024.

4. About these statistics

The statistics in this section provide an indication of the number of people who enter the UK. The data does not show whether, or when, an individual arrived in the UK, what they did on arrival to the UK or how long they stayed in the UK. Many nationalities do not normally require a visa to visit the UK. As a result, they will be counted in the passenger arrivals data but not in the visa data. A list of designated nationalities referred to as ‘visa nationals’ who do require a visa to visit the UK can be found in Immigration Rules Appendix V: visitor rules .

For several reasons, data on passenger arrivals is not directly comparable with data on Entry clearance visas granted. A summary of what each dataset counts is provided in section 4.1 below and section 4.2 .

4.1 Passenger arrivals

The statistics in this release relate to the number of passengers crossing the border through legitimate routes. The method used to measure those arriving in the UK have been improved and differ from methods used previously and published regularly in the ‘admissions’ data tables, which are now a part of the ‘Passengers refused entry at the border’ summary tables. Further information on the differences between these methods can be found in the user guide . Any nationality breakdowns are based on the nationality associated with the passport used to enter the UK (regardless of any dual nationality held).

The statistics include people entering the UK on most air, sea and rail routes, and while they include the vast majority of arrivals, there are some coverage gaps. For example, people entering the UK via the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the UK and Ireland are not required to present their passport on entry to the UK and will not be included in the data.

Previous Passenger Arrivals reports used Advance Passenger Information (API) data, which primarily relates to passengers coming to the UK via commercial aviation routes. The data does not include those arriving by sea or rail routes, by private vessel. As a result, figures in this report may differ from passenger arrival statistics published elsewhere, however, the levels should be broadly comparable.

4.2 Entry clearance visas

Data on Entry clearance visas in this section refer to the number of visas granted for all reasons within the period. References in the statistics to ‘visas’ will also include Entry clearance ‘permits’, such as EEA and EU Settlement Scheme Family permits, or Frontier Worker permits. If an individual was granted multiple visas in a given period, this will be counted as multiple grants in the statistics. If an individual entered the UK multiple times within the period for which a visa was valid, this will be counted as one grant in the visa statistics, but multiple arrivals in the passenger arrivals data.

Year-on-year comparisons of the number of decisions can be affected by quarterly fluctuations in the data. Such fluctuations can be examined in more detail in the quarterly data that is available in the published tables.

Several known factors may have affected the number of applications and outcomes of visit-related visas over time. For example, the Home Office launched a 2-year Chinese visa pilot in January 2016 for Chinese nationals. The increase in longer-term Visitor visas may affect the number of subsequent re-applications by Chinese nationals.

More information on non-visitor arrival and visa data by category is included in ʻWhy do people come to the UK? To work’ , ʻWhy do people come to the UK? To study’ and ʻWhy do people come to the UK? For family reasons’ .

For more information on specific routes to the UK, including Ukraine Visa Schemes and British National (Overseas) ( BN(O) ) visas, see the ‘ Safe and legal (humanitarian) routes to the UK ’.

4.3 Electronic travel authorisations ( ETAs )

Data on ETAs in this section refer to the number of ETAs applied for, and either granted, refused, or rejected within this period. If an individual was granted multiple ETAs in a given period, this will be counted as multiple grants in the statistics. If an individual entered the UK multiple times within the period for which an ETA was valid, this will be counted as one grant in the ETA statistics, but multiple arrivals in the passenger arrivals data.

An ETA application is rejected if it does not meet the validity requirements set out in paragraphs ETA 1.1. – 1.2. of the Immigration Rules: Appendix ETA , specifically ETA 1.1. (d) and/or (e). Following a rejection, applicants are able to reapply for an ETA .

An ETA application must be refused where one of the reasons outlined in paragraphs ETA 2.1. – 2.7 of the Immigration Rules: Appendix ETA , is met. If an ETA application is refused, if the applicant wishes to travel to the UK they should make an application for a visitor visa.

Further information can be found on the electronic travel authorisation ( ETA ) guidance page .

5. Data tables

• Sponsorship summary tables
• Detailed sponsorship datasets
• Entry clearance visas summary tables
• Detailed entry clearance visas datasets
• Passenger arrivals summary tables

We welcome your feedback

If you have any comments or suggestions for the development of this report, please provide feedback by emailing [email protected] . Please include the words ‘PUBLICATION FEEDBACK’ in the subject of your email.

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of our documents. If you find any problems or have any feedback relating to accessibility, please email us.

See section 6 of the ‘ About this release ’ section for more details.

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Money blog: One of country's top restaurants reverting to 1994 prices

Welcome to the Money blog, a hub for personal finance and consumer news and tips. Today's posts include Nationwide slashing mortgage rates and a Michelin restaurant reverting temporarily to 1994 prices. Listen to Ed Conway's analysis of UK borrowing and potential tax rises as you scroll.

Friday 23 August 2024 06:19, UK

• Nationwide trumps rivals to offer new lowest mortgage rate
• One of country's top restaurants reverting to 1994 prices

Essential reads

• Savings account that could put your child on strong financial footing at 18
• 'I cook with air fryer in living room after kitchen win went wrong'
• Ed Conway : Are tax rises inevitable - or is chancellor considering another way?
• Listen to Conway on the Daily above and  tap here to follow wherever you enjoy podcasts

Tips and advice

• How to get money back when purchase over £100 goes wrong
• Cheap Eats : Top Yorkshire chef shares Yorkshire pudding secrets
• 'Should I top up my NI and could it really get me £6,000 extra?'

Every Friday we take an overview of the mortgage market, hearing from industry voices and getting a round-up of the best rates courtesy of the independent experts at  Moneyfactscompare.co.uk .

Slightly under the radar this week was a call for the chancellor to stop a rule change that will add thousands to stamp duty charges next March.

First time buyers currently pay stamp duty if their home costs more than £425,000 - the threshold having been temporarily lifted by the previous government to help people get on the housing ladder.

The uplift is set to end in March and Labour has previously said it would not intervene - meaning the threshold will reduce to £300,000 in spring.

Jonathan Stinton, head of mortgage relations at Coventry Building Society, said: "The chancellor should see the October budget as an opportunity to level the scales and announce changes which will stop the tax on an average priced property jumping up by £2,500 overnight. 

"Short-term pain for the chancellor could result in longer term gain for the broader economy."

We've written extensively in the Money blog about the unequal impact of stamp duty on buyers across the country - with an inflexible threshold meaning most buyers don't pay it in areas where house prices are low, for example the North East, whereas in London the majority of buyers are caught.

On to the wider mortgage market, and Moneyfacts finance expert Rachel Springall says: "It has been another exciting week for fixed-rate mortgage reductions, with cuts from prominent brands such as TSB of up to 0.25%, Nationwide by up to 0.26%, Yorkshire Building Society by up to 0.20%, NatWest by up to 0.16% and HSBC of up to 0.24%."

As we outlined yesterday, the lowest UK-wide deal on the market is now a five-year fixed from Nationwide - at 3.78%.

Brokers quoted by the Money blog yesterday said they hadn't seen rates like that for at least two years.

Here's how average rates looked as of Thursday morning - though it's worth saying that many buyers will be able to find deals lower than these averages...

Away from the overall market and honing in on first-time buyers, Moneyfacts has looked at the best rates currently on offer...

The comparison site also looks at what it calls "best buys" - which considers not just the rate, but other costs and incentives. These are their top picks this week...

Nutella ice cream is making its UK debut.

The Ferrero Group is first selling the flavour in Morrisons, with a wider rollout planned for later this year.

You can expect £1.8m-worth of marketing on TV, social media and other avenues to support the launch.

Abolishing the two-child benefit cap is unaffordable due to an  unexpected increase in government borrowing, a Treasury minister has said.

Darren Jones conceded it was not a decision the government wanted to make "in our hearts".

Borrowing in July stood at £3.1bn - £2bn more than most economists expected.

Asked about the prospects of abolishing the two-child benefit cap in the autumn budget, Mr Jones told the BBC: "You have to just look at the economic statistics that we're talking about today to understand why we just can't afford to do that right now."

Britain's competition watchdog has dropped investigations into Apple and Google for alleged anticompetitive behaviour.

The two tech giants previously came under fire for imposing charges on app developers and for holding a monopoly over the distribution of apps in the UK.

In a market study published in 2022, the Competition and Markets Authority concluded that both companies had too much influence, restricting open and fair competition in the marketplace. 

The watchdog has now decided to drop its investigation pending new laws governing digital markets that may affect the outcome of any case.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act is expected to come into force later this year. 

Apple has recently made changes to its app store policy to allow developers to communicate with potential customers and promote products outside the Apple store.

A Google spokesperson said it had made "a number of significant commitments to further broaden the billing options" available to developers.

Parents may struggle with the cost of school uniforms this year, figures suggest.

Half of UK parents say school uniforms and supplies are either very or too expensive, a Loqbox survey found.

Another survey conducted by Moneyboat found parents spend on average £122 on school uniform, rising to £150 in London.

Parenting coach Isobel Mary Champion has shared six tips to make them last longer...

1. Don't tumble dry uniform items or wash them with bulky items like towels - this will make your uniform bobbly and age more quickly. Line dry if possible.

2. Don't wash your child's uniform every day unless it's absolutely necessary - most items (especially in the cooler months) can be worn a couple of times at least before they need washing. This will also extend their lifespan.

3. Most schools have a "nearly new" sale a few times a year where parents can sell used uniform that is still in good condition. Think sustainably and save money by not always buying brand new.

4.  Yes, you can buy your branded items (those with the school logo) from the official retailer - but all other bits and bobs you can usually find cheaper elsewhere - shirts, shorts, trousers, skirts.

5. Mend small rips, fallen hems and loose buttons as soon as possible to prevent the damage from getting worse and rendering the item unwearable.

6. Get your child to change out of their uniform as soon as they get home - this will reduce damage from carpet wrestling, "floor is lava" furniture climbing, dinner spillages, garden play, and all kinds of extra curricular movement.

Asda has introduced a new range of wines from lesser-known regions - all costing £7 or less. 

The Wine Atlas range combines "impressive quality and great value", the supermarket said. 

The wines come from lesser-known grape varieties: Carricante in Sicily, Greece's Rhoditis, Feteasca Regala in Romania, Monastrell Rosado in Spain, Portugal's Jaen and France's Ile de Beaute Corsican Rose.

The supermarket said in a statement: "It's time to put a pause on pinot grigio and say see you soon to sauvignon blanc, because the new range is all about encouraging Brits to broaden their wine horizons by discovering new favourites from lesser-known regions."

The Money blog asked Tom Tryon, the founder of the wine club Vinetribe, for his view, and he said Asda's range was "a great way to showcase some lesser-known grape varieties that will really surprise you.

"We've all had enough sauvignon blanc to last a lifetime, so why not go for it and try something new? 

"Best of all, wines with less famous grapes have to really prove themselves to get on the shelf, so I generally think you get far more for your money," he added.

Economics and data editor Ed Conway   has warned there's going to be "a lot of bad news" in the autumn budget.

Tax rises will feature, but with the chancellor having ruled out raising income tax, national insurance and VAT, what could be set for a hike?

Inheritance tax

One of the taxes most likely to be hiked - the threshold could be lowered from £325,000 when someone dies, or people could pay more than 40% on some inheritances.

A leaked recording of Treasury minister Darren Jones, from before he was in government, suggested he favours such a change.

Council tax

There is speculation council tax is viewed as "out of date".

While Labour said before the election it would not change the banding of council tax, there may be other updates on the table.

Capital gains tax

This levy is imposed on the profit of a sale of assets.

The government could reduce the minimum limit, or raise the percentage of tax levied - with some calling for it to be set in line with income tax.

Business rates

This tax is what business pay instead of council tax on their properties.

The calculations for how much people pay could be updated to reflect a more current situation with property prices.

A tax paid on properties over £250,000, which increases for second homes.

Changing this could increase the volume of transactions and raise more money.

Political reporter Alix Culbertson  goes into more detail on the topic of taxes in the piece here...

One of London's most lauded Michelin star restaurants is turning the clock back on its prices by 30 years next month.

The nose-to-tail cooking specialists at St John, in Smithfield, will charge diners what they would have paid when the eatery first opened its doors in 1994.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, St John will offer the same dishes it served up in the mid-90s for as little as £3.50 (Welsh rarebit, if you were wondering).

Roast bone marrow and parsley salad will set you back just £4.20, while pheasant and trotter pie comes in at a very reasonable £18 between 9 and 27 September.

The Michelin Guide describes the restaurant as creating a "joyful experience" with "very little ceremony".

"As one of the foremost proponents of nose-to-tail cooking, this is the place to try new things," it reads.

The restaurant puts seasonality "at its core", said the guide, which recommends ordering the warm madeleines for the journey home.

Nationwide today slashed mortgage rates across its range - with one of its deals now the cheapest on the UK-wide market.

A rate of 3.78% is now available to any new and existing customers looking to move home on a five-year fix. 

This is how that compares...

The building society says other cuts apply across buyer types.

Justin Moy, managing director at EHF Mortgages, told industry news agency Newspage: "These are significant headline-grabbing rates from Nationwide. These are rates we haven't seen for at least two years. 

"They will give borrowers plenty of confidence to get back into the property market."

Rates have been edging down in recent months as lenders price in forecast cuts in the base rate from the Bank of England.

Here's how average rates currently look - though it's worth saying that many buyers will be able to find deals lower than these averages...

McDonald's is to open more than 200 new restaurants across the UK and Ireland over the next four years.

It will be the fast-food chain's largest expansion programme for more than 20 years and will create 24,000 jobs.

New restaurant formats will be tested as part of the rollout, McDonald's said, including trials for smaller site formats and  "drive to" restaurant sites.

"We have come a long way since we first opened our doors in Woolwich 50 years ago," said Alistair Macrow, chief executive officer of McDonald's UK&I.

"I'm delighted that in this milestone year we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to growth, and announce the creation of new jobs across the country."

The growth plan is driven by a £1bn investment by the chain and its franchisees.

McDonald's revealed a target of building 10,000 more restaurants globally by 2027.

It currently has 1,435 restaurants in the UK, with around four-fifths owned and operated by franchisees.

But this year it was overtaken by Greggs in the breakfast market - with the bakery chain now turning its focus to evening meal customers.

By James Sillars , business reporter

It's a positive start on the FTSE 100.

A 4% rise in JD Sports stock helped the index climb 0.2% to 8,300 points at the open.

Sports fashion retailer JD had earlier reported a 2.4% rise in underlying sales during its second quarter.

That uptick was not enough, however, to bolster the company's annual profit forecast.

Shares fell sharply in January when JD issued a profit warning, blaming higher costs and poor demand.

They remain about 20% down in the year to date.

Elsewhere, oil costs have continued their decline of the past week.

A barrel of Brent crude currently costs $76.

Fears of weak global demand have been largely responsible for the recent easing.

On the face of it, yesterday's public finance numbers provide a clear rationale for the course of action the chancellor has (according to those I talk to in Whitehall) already decided upon: more taxes and more spending cuts in this October's budget.

It will, I'm told, be pretty grim.

However, it's worth saying there is one other way for the chancellor to create extra headroom against her fiscal rules, which is to change the particular measure she's judging that headroom against.

A lot of economists believe the net debt statistic she inherited from the Conservatives is the wrong one to use in her fiscal rules - and that she should use the country's total national debt, not excluding any debt owned by the Bank of England.

Long story short, if she uses this other measure (and I'm told this is something she is considering) then she suddenly has a lot more headroom.

Even so, don't expect her to change the tune at the budget in October. There will be more bad news to come.

Read my full analysis here ...

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