Applying for a UK visitor’s visa for a foreign friend to go to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland can be very stressful. I am also certain that it is more difficult for people from some countries than for others. This is because the staff are concerned about the applicant’s ability to support him/herself. This is government policy and you must not hold it against the embassy staff – they are only doing their job! It is well worth remembering this when talking to the embassy staff about a UK visitor’s visa.

You should take note here that a UK visitor’s visa is usable for six months and not only that but the recipient can enter and leave the UK as often as he/she wants within those six months. However, in practice, for the first UK visitor’s visa at least, restrictions may be imposed. For example, if you state that you want to go for six weeks, a note may be pinned into the passport advising customs of the 6 week restriction. You must also ‘promise’ not to try to stay longer than that!

The stipulations of the visa also forbid you from claiming social benefits such as social security and national health. Very often, applicants are refused on their first try, because they do not present a strong enough reason for wanting to go to the UK. If the reason is to visit a friend, then the onus is on the applicant to prove a continuing, long-lasting relationship. This should have continued for at least 6 months and you should devote your attention to proving it

Now we will look into proving this relationship. Prospective visitors from poorer countries will usually need a sponsor. This sponsor will have to provide overwhelming evidence of a ‘long-standing continuous relationship’. After all, they don’t want your visitor doing a disappearing act just before their UK visitor’s visa expires! As evidence, you can provide, for example: photos, restaurant menus, phone cars and bills, travel tickets, ATM receipts etc. You have to persuade the embassy staff, but they are receptive.

You could then obtain the application form (VAF) either by writing to or visiting the nearest British Embassy or Consulate or downloading it from the Internet. Most embassy sites provide excellent advice on what is required or recommended to put in the envelope with your UK visitor’s visa application form, but it will include: two colour, passport-size photos; the application fee (about 50) in local currency; the applicant’s passport; proof of the applicant’s address; proof of a continuing relationship of at least six months; the sponsor’s letter; proof of the sponsor’s means of support; proof of the sponsor’s accommodation and possibly, the sponsor’s passport to prove entry stamps.

So, you must realize that the sponsor is crucial to a successful first application for a UK visitor’s visa. Your sponsor will be required to make up any shortfall in money that the applicant has and the British embassy staff will need to be able to satisfy themselves that he/she has the wherewithal to do it.

This means that the sponsor has to provide a letter from his/her employer proving continued, stable employment and/or a bank book, proving that he/she has enough money to provide what he/she has pledged on the UK visitor’s visa application form; and proof of accommodation in the form of paid council tax bills, property deeds or a letter from the mortgage provider. Proof of marital status does not seem to be an issue for the sponsor or the applicant, although the question is asked of the latter. Some applicants are refused for apparently strange reasons such as:

“the applicant for a UK visitor’s visa has never left the country before ” this is easier for some to remedy than others by hopping over the nearest border.

“the applicant for a UK visitor’s visa has not displayed a strong enough economic or social bond to his/her country” meaning that they do not trust him/her to return to his/her native country. A letter from a relative, proof of children and a letter from the applicant’s employer can help, although proof of children is not considered a compelling social reason to return! Proof of property ownership is useful.

Approach the application for a UK visitor’s visa with caution; do not rush. It is better to get it right first time. Think about why you want to go to Great Britain; determine a ‘good reason’ and remember it – you will probably be asked. Be a solicitor for a day and support everything you say with irrefutable, written evidence.

Run through applicant’s story until he/she has it well-rehearsed (they will not want to see the sponsor and sometimes, he/she is not even allowed to wait on the embassy compound). The applicant for a UK visitor’s visa will be required to attend an interview the first time and this can be held in English or the applicant’s native tongue. The UK visitor’s visa will normally be available for collection the next day.

Tip: ask for a stay permit for longer than you require, because a UK visitor’s visa runs from the day you get it and you can’t book a flight until you have the visa, can you? Similarly coming back, you may be delayed. You will probably need to cancel the remainder of the 180 day multiple entry UK visitor’s visa to prevent you going back to the UK on that visa. If this required, don’t arrive back on a Friday, unless you want to wait until Monday for the embassy to open.

Finally, the best tip of all: do not lie, they will find out; it is their job!