UK VISA APPLICATION TIPS ( Part 2 )

I can't help you with the procedure of another countries visa. But as for the uk visa process, here are some additional tips. Thanks for my hubby for helping me with these.

1. Tell your partner to keep all the letters (including envelopes) you send her.
2. Make sure you have 3 to 6 months of bank statements to hand before the application.
3. If you are a homeowner have your deeds handy.
4. If you rent then have a letter from your landlord saying it's ok for your partner to stay with you.
5. If you work then have your salary slips available.
6. If you're unemployed, have proof of benefits. (Unfortunately if your income is too low you will most likely be rejected as you have to prove you can support your partner without claiming any more public funds for him/her.) A way round this is to get letters from family members (saying they will help support you) along with their bank statements. Due to illness I recieve Income Support and D.L.A. This was deemed acceptable and my 'then' fiancee was granted her visa.
7. Include pictures of you together with your partner.
8. Write a letter of invitation

If all of the above are followed then a finacee visa shouldn't be a problem. A few years back my wife was refused a visit visa, she wasn't my wife then of course but she was refused on 3 points. She mentioned looking for work (A BIG NO NO on a visit visa) I mentioned she was having problems at home in my invitation letter (ANOTHER BIG NO NO) They said that she had weak family ties which led them to believe she wouldn't leave the uk and would become an illegal immigrant. The final reason for refusal was just a document problem which wasn't our fault.

NOTICE TO SPONSORS OF FIANCEE OR SPOUSE VISAS FOR THEIR PARTNERS

If you are successful in your application, whatever you do DON'T just buy the ticket for the following Day. Your fiancee/spouse must attend a seminar and have her passport stamped. Nobody informed us of this, not even the Visa people so my partner had 2 trips through the seemingly endless security checks at Manila airport, the first time being refused at check in.

The new UK points-based immigration system

Many visitors have been searching on my page lately about the UK VISA. Here are other information that might be of great help to you.

The new UK immigration system, to be implemented in stages in 2008, combines all the current UK entry visas into five tiers. The five tiers have different conditions and criteria.

• Tier 1: Highly skilled individuals to contribute to growth and productivity; (implemented 29 February)
• Tier 2: Skilled workers with a job offer to fill gaps in United Kingdom labour force (being introduced in Autumn of 2008);
• Tier 3: Limited numbers of low skilled workers needed to fill temporary labour shortages (currently suspended);
• Tier 4: Students (introduced spring of 2009);
• Tier 5: Youth mobility and temporary workers: people allowed to work in the United Kingdom for a limited period of time to satisfy primarily non-economic objectives. (This will replace the working holiday visas in the uk being introduced in Autumn of 2008)

Source : WorkGateways

Type rest of the post here

UK VISA APPLICATION TIPS

Here are some tips to my fellow kababayan who wants to apply for UK VISA. I struggled applying for my Visa before getting approved. At first we tried applying for TOURIST VISA which I assume to be not advisable because of the tendency of disapproval. I got lucky the second time when I've read all the necessary things to do before applying. Heres what you must do:

• Make sure to collect all the pictures, proof that you are in constant communication with your hubby such as letters, emails, chats, webcam shots, postcards and proof that you hubby is sending some allowance or so. Thats important.
• Make sure you have all the letters that will prove that you will get married when you get to UK. That includes the letter from the registry office, Certificate of singleness ( both ), letter of support from your hubby and his parents or brothers, letter from the lanlord, and any other letters that will prove about your plan to marry.
• You hubby must have a good bank statement. It will help if your family can provide a letter of support with their bank statements that they will support you in case there will have a financial problem in the future. Bank certificate is a must.
• Make a letter to the embassy regarding your pure intention about the aplication.
• Make sure you have the renewed passport or not tampered passport as they won't accept passport with tamper. ( it happens to me so take my advice so you can save going to the embassy)
• When all your documents are ready make sure you filed it properly including all the small details you can attach. ( as to my experience, I even include all the chats and some flower tags when my hubby is sending me flowers at work as well as pictures with him and my family and friends.)
• Everythings ready! Make an appointment to the British Embassy. They will give you a reference number, date and time when will you submit all your requirements.

HE UKVAC contact details are:

VFS Philippines Services Private Inc.

Unit 2501 –2502

25th Floor Phil. Axa Building

1286 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue cor. Tindalo Sts.

Makati City 1200

Website: www.vfs-uk-ph.com

Email: info@vfs-uk-ph.com

Office Hours:

09:00 – 15:00Monday - Friday

Call Centre Hours:

08:00am – 08:00pmMonday – Friday

08:00am – 6:00pmSaturday

For PLDT/Touchcard Subscribers: 1-909-885-8472 or 1-909-885-VISA

For Bayantel Subscribers: 1-903-847285 or 1-903-VISAUK

This service is available nationwide through a toll charge costing Php32.00 per minute for landline calls (excluding VAT and applicable NDD charges for calls made outside Metro Manila). Additional rates may apply for calls made through payphones, prepaid phone cards or mobile phones. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Exchange Rate: Php 85.00 = £1.00 (with effect: 23 January 2008)

Remember that you will inquire everything on the address and telephone number above. Make sure you have your pen and paper as well as your passport ready when you call them. ( The call is really expensive). Might as well load 500.00 pesos card so the call won't be cut. You can browse the complete details HERE.

• Next, include the Postal Money Order paid to "The British Embassy-Manila" the sum of the money you will be paying for the VISA. For new visa fees please CLICK HERE.
• When all documents and appointment are sorted, have it phococopied. All you documents for they will ask you for it. All originals should be given to them for review.
  
• Make sure you go to the scheduled appointment 1 hour before the scheduled time. I've experienced it myself to be late because of Traffic. They are strict when it comes to Time and Documents. Also, get a checklist from their helpdesk to avoid being told of infront of other applicants. Got embarassed when one of the helpdesk told me why my documents are not filed accoording to their checklist. So be warned.
• Wear tops with collar, preferably white top with blazer, slacks and closed shoes.
  
• Be confident when they asked you something. It helps when you answered them straight. Don't show any nervousness or they might think you're hiding something.
• They will ask for you Biometric scans and its done. You'll wait for 2-3 weeks and you will finally know when you get your visa or not. Make sure you told them your mobile number coz you might receive the result thru text or call. Make sure its open 24 hours a day hehehe ( my phone got stolen when after I've applied for the Visa. good thing I put my brother's phone number on my passport. Theý've contacted me a month after my Visa approval.)
  

Thats it! All you have to do after is pray for the result. If you want to have more information about application CLICK HERE.