Uk Visit Visa Vaf-1a Or 1b + +

[Freddie_fly]

My wife and Daughter have been invited to the UK in march to attend my Sisters wedding. I have a couple of questions that maybe knowledgable members can answer, (sorry I am currently stuck on a ship offshore Angola, so can't pop down to VFS to check myself).

They will be visiting family members (my family) and staying with my Parents, looking at the application forms I guess they should be filling in VAF 1B ??

Is it Ok to go in person to VFS and ask questions relating to application, or do they only want you there when you have filled everything in ??

My Wife is my second marriage, My daughter is from my first marriage, but I have Sole legal guardianship via thai courts.

a: Will I need to proved documents for this.

b: Will My wife (her stepmother) require any form of documents from me when she travels with my daughter (ie letter of consent from me).

lastly when we take documents to VFS, I will be taking Originals and photocopies, I assume from other posts that they will check the originals and return them, keeping the copies. In this case should they be attested copies, or just straight out of my Scanner/printer.

regards

Freddie

[7by7]

Yes, VAF1B is the correct form.

From VAT2 Visitors: Visiting family; friends; as a tourist

VAT2.4 What is a family visitor?

The same as for a visitor. Under the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations 2003, a family visitor is defined as:

2. the father, mother, brother or sister of the applicant's spouse;

I don't know if they will accept enquiries in person, but they will do so by e-mail or phone, see Contact Us

There are special rules regarding child visitors, have a read of VAT3 Special Visitor: Child visitors.

However, I am confused. If she is your daughter then is she not a British citizen with a British passport?

The guidance from the VAC and BIA is that they prefer original documents or certified copies if at all possible (to prevent the possibility of fraudulently altered documents). Anecdotal evidence suggests that if you take originals and copies then the VAC staff will check the copies against the originals and then return the originals. However this is only anecdotal, so it would be wise to check first or be prepared for them to keep the originals. If they do so then the documents will be returned once the application process is complete.

[Freddie_fly]

Yes, VAF1B is the correct form.

From VAT2 Visitors: Visiting family; friends; as a tourist

VAT2.4 What is a family visitor?

The same as for a visitor. Under the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) Regulations 2003, a family visitor is defined as:

2. the father, mother, brother or sister of the applicant's spouse;

I don't know if they will accept enquiries in person, but they will do so by e-mail or phone, see Contact Us

There are special rules regarding child visitors, have a read of VAT3 Special Visitor: Child visitors.

However, I am confused. If she is your daughter then is she not a British citizen with a British passport?

My daughter is 10 years old and was from a previous relationship. After we seperated I took my daughter and went through the courts to be declared sole legal guardian. When she was born the british embassy rule was that nationality was maternal, so she could not obtain a UK passport. I havnt yet got to the stage or applying to get her British citizenship, I think that they may consider it 'special circumstances' now I am sole legal guardian. Maybe you know something about this??.

regards

Freddie

[7by7]

If you were married to her mother at the time of her birth then she is British and you should contact the embassy for advice on getting a British passport for her. You will need your marriage certificate and her birth certificate naming you as the father; Thai originals plus certified English translations.

If you were not married to her mother then it is still possible to register her as British.

British Fathers, who are not married, can now apply to register children who are born abroad prior to 1 July 2006, with the Home Office. Please note this is discretionary. Those applying should expect to receive a decision in approximately 4 months. The fee for this will be £400 payable in local currency plus a Consular forwarding fee of Baht 3,245.(Source)

For details of how to apply see Can I register a person under 18 as a British citizen or for another form of nationality?

[Freddie_fly]

Thanks very much for that 7.

Her mother and I were not married at the time of her birth, I was unaware that the goalposts had changed here.

I will start on this when I get off theis bloody ship and out of Angola.

freddie