Settlement Visa For Step Daughter

[stevebow]

Hi,

The time has come for me to apply for a settlement visa to the UK for my wifes 5yr old daughter and i would like to know if it is possible for a friend of the family to submit the application to regent house? Also could anyone tell me the latest waiting times if the embassy need to see the applicant or do the embassy not interview chlidren? My wife will be going to Thailand but can only get 3 weeks holiday and we are scared if we start the application ourselves and we still havnt been given an answer before she is due to return to the UK.

Thanks in advance

Steve and Bow

[the scouser]

Steve,

There's no reason why a family friend can't accompany your step-daughter to the visa application centre, but she will need to go herself in order to give her biometrics.

You never can really tell with the interview waiting times: it's up and down like a yo-yo. However, last week a client of mine submitted her child's application and was phoned by the embassy to come in for an interview the next day. They shouldn't interview a five-year-old child, but they may wish to speak to either your wife or the child's current carer.

Scouse.

[stevebow]

Thanks for the quick reply Scouse but i have 1 more question

When the friend of the family sumbits the application will she be able to collect the passport (hopefully with the visa inside). Really what im asking is can we do the whole application whilst the wife and myself are in the UK and then fly to Thailand to get her once the application is approved or will this cause problems when submitting or collecting the application. Also will the embassy call my wife in the UK if they have any questions??

Thanks in advance

Steve

[the scouser]

Hi Steve,

I'm not sure what the collection arrangements are in relation to third parties, but if you have a word with visa application centre, they should be able to tell you.

In theory, though, there's nothing stopping the process being completed whilst you're in the UK. It is unlikely that the embassy will contact your wife in the UK, so ensure as far as possible that the supporting evidence demonstrates the case; i.e. that although your wife is currently living in a different country than her daughter, it is she who is primarily responsible for the child's welfare and upbringing.

Scouse.

[stevebow]

Nice one Scouse.

Ive emailed the application centre i will let you know what they say for future reference.

Steve