UK Visitors Visa for Granddaughter (under 18)

[Stocky]

We (wife & I) intend visiting the UK later this year taking our 14 year old granddaughter with us. Just reviewing the required documents I saw point 4 below. I'm assuming the standard permission to travel document made by my step-daughter at the Amphur would cover this. In which case does it need to be translated, and if yes does it need to be a certified translation?

[Tony M]

That paragraph seems to apply to parents and/or guardians.  Are you the child's guardian(s) ?  This link might be more appropriate :

https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/if-youre-under-18

 

Other considerations in the applicant  should/could include the length of the visit, is the visit during the child's school term, who does the child live with in Thailand, where are the child's parents, does the child live with either of her parents, etc, etc. 

Yes, any documents need to be translated to English (or Welsh).

[Stocky]

2 hours ago, Tony M said:

That paragraph seems to apply to parents and/or guardians.  Are you the child's guardian(s) ?  This link might be more appropriate

Thanks, that's a bit clearer. Yes, our granddaughter lives with us, we've raised her since she was 3. It's April school holidays, just a 3 week trip. The letter sworn at the Amphur by her parents should be sufficient.

 

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[Tony M]

The letter on its own is not likely to be enough.  It depends, of course, on what the letter says.  In addition, if the letter was just to obtain a travel document (a passport) then you will need to evidence the relationship between you and the child if you are taking her out of the country.  A statement to the ECO saying that she is your granddaughter will not be enough.  It might seem a bit over the top, but Entry Clearance Officers have to consider such things as child trafficking.  Without evidence of the relationship, reasons for travel, etc, the visa will possibly be refused.

[Stocky]

21 minutes ago, Tony M said:

The letter on its own is not likely to be enough.  It depends, of course, on what the letter says.  In addition, if the letter was just to obtain a travel document (a passport) then you will need to evidence the relationship between you and the child if you are taking her out of the country.  A statement to the ECO saying that she is your granddaughter will not be enough.  It might seem a bit over the top, but Entry Clearance Officers have to consider such things as child trafficking.  Without evidence of the relationship, reasons for travel, etc, the visa will possibly be refused.

The letter from her mother would state her daughter has permission to apply for a visa and to travel accompanied by her mother (grandmother) and step father (grandfather). I have copies of mother's ID card and granddaughter's birth certificate. The letter will detail travel is for 3 weeks during April school holidays as well as giving the accommodation address in the UK.

 

I'm well aware of the Entry Clearance Officer likely approach, on the last trip with my wife she was questioned alone for 5 minutes, the line of questioning was apparently quite aggressive, it seemed to imply she'd been drugged and was travelling to the UK under my coercion. He seemed unwilling to accept she was simply drowsy from a long flight.

[Tony M]

 

10 minutes ago, Stocky said:

The letter from her mother would state her daughter has permission to apply for a visa and to travel accompanied by her mother and step father. I have copies of mother's ID card and granddaughter's birth certificate. The letter will detail travel is for 3 weeks during April school holidays as well as giving the accommodation address in the UK.

 

I'm well aware of the Entry Clearance Officer likely approach, on the last trip with my wife she was questioned alone for 5 minutes, the line of questioning was apparently quite aggressive, it seemed to imply she'd been drugged and was travelling to the UK under my coercion. He seemed unwilling to accept she was simply drowsy from a long flight.

 

 

Now I'm confused.  A letter saying that  she is traveling with her mother and step-father ?   But she is traveling with you, her grandfather ?

[Stocky]

1 minute ago, Tony M said:

Now I'm confused.  A letter saying that  she is traveling with her mother and step-father ?   But she is traveling with you, her grandfather ?

 

I clarified the original post, the document is from my daughter so it refers to her mother, who is the child's grandmother.

[Tony M]

10 minutes ago, Stocky said:

 

I clarified the original post, the document is from my daughter so it refers to her mother, who is the child's grandmother.

 

 

Well, good luck.

[Stocky]

Just now, Tony M said:

 

 

Well, good luck.

This is the letter I suggested, it would be sworn and certified at the Amphur and accompanied by copy of mother's ID and child's birth certificate. I can't think of anything more I can add.

[Tony M]

It looks okay, but if the mother has custody (legal or from the Amphur) you should include that with the application (with translation).  She should have something as she probably needed it to obtain her daughter's passport.

[Stocky]

11 minutes ago, Tony M said:

It looks okay, but if the mother has custody (legal or from the Amphur) you should include that with the application (with translation).  She should have something as she probably needed it to obtain her daughter's passport.

No, there's no sole custody, parent's separated and we offered to raise the child. Her passport needed amphur letter from both parents. I can get her father to supply a similar document if that's required.

 

Document from her father is easier as he lives locally, my daughter lives near Prachuap.

 

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[Tony M]

19 minutes ago, Stocky said:

No, there's no sole custody, parent's separated and we offered to raise the child. Her passport needed amphur letter from both parents. I can get her father to supply a similar document if that's required.

 

Yes, you should. Get it translated and submit with the visa application.  Include the father's contact details in his letter in case they want to contact him to check.

[Stocky]

18 minutes ago, Tony M said:

 

Yes, you should. Get it translated and submit with the visa application.  Include the father's contact details in his letter in case they want to contact him to check.

Thanks for your help, will include contact details for both parents.