Well tomorrow I'm off to Thailand for five weeks. Wonderful I hear you say ? Yes but I was only down for three weeks, with the final two taking my autistic son and the wonderful maid we have had for twenty years to the UK.

The trip was for the maid to say goodbye to my daughter in the UK ( they are like sisters ) and my Dad who she loves when he comes to HK, as she is leaving our family to get married in the PI . I was hoping to give her a great send off, with West End shows, Oxford/London trips etal.

The reason I'm well into my malt, is the UK Immigration service have turned down her application for a holiday visa. We stupidly told the truth to " The Man " and outlined the reasons for the tour, gave them copies of my bank accounts and a dedication that I will be responsible for her stay, paying all bills, and giving them copies of reservations etc etc.

The bas$%^^ards had the nerve to say that as I had taken her to the UK as a maid before, they believed this was my intention again and she would stay in the UK illegally. "What about the tickets, the reservations the etc etc...." Said I. "Oh too good a story" say they.

If I would have lied, or she was not a wonderful straight up lady, she could have got in and been sitting in her own council house by now. As it is, she, my daughter, son father ( and me ) are heartbroken and her trip of a life time ruined ( never mind the expense of the non-refundable tickets).

Sorry Mods, but I have to say it " what a bunch of wanke_rs, those hypocritical tossers are ".

Agreed. It's the same in Canada. And yet the idiots allow radical Islamics to openly stand up and proclaim terrrorism and murder as a means to overthrow western governments. If we replaced the poiticians and immigration fools with Asian hookers the world would be a much happier place.

Hi s'

My immigration law is now a little shaky, but I do not think there is a right of appeal on a VV, if it was a family visa, there is, but I don't think you have used this route, mainly because you couldn't.

I can only suggest that you apply again addressing their points, that obviously doesn't help the present situation and by the sound of it, it would clash with your maids future plans as well.

Can I just ask, did you provide evidence of your 'reason to return' to HK and any kind of evidence for her marriage?

Not that it helps of course, but hey I will have a Single malt in Internet City, and just pass on my sympathies, knowing they are as bankrupt as the inadequate souls that now frequent the embassies ruling class.

I will ask Scouse tomorrow, but I see no way forward

Moss

If we replaced the poiticians and immigration fools with Asian hookers the world would be a much happier place.

Hear, hear!

Sad news Suiging. It was probably some <snip> a recently appointed British citizen who made the decision.

Sad news Suiging. It was probably some <snip> a recently appointed British citizen who made the decision.

i noticed last time i entered Heathrow there wasnt a ' white ' immigaration officer to be seen ( i dont intend this as being racist, just making a point )

Hi s'

My immigration law is now a little shaky, but I do not think there is a right of appeal on a VV, if it was a family visa, there is, but I don't think you have used this route, mainly because you couldn't.

I can only suggest that you apply again addressing their points, that obviously doesn't help the present situation and by the sound of it, it would clash with your maids future plans as well.

Can I just ask, did you provide evidence of your 'reason to return' to HK and any kind of evidence for her marriage?

Not that it helps of course, but hey I will have a Single malt in Internet City, and just pass on my sympathies, knowing they are as bankrupt as the inadequate souls that now frequent the embassies ruling class.

I will ask Scouse tomorrow, but I see no way forward

Moss

Moss and the Chaps

Thanks for kind thoughts. You are quite correct the only appeal is if you think they have erred in law. They have not, as they have the right of an arbitrary judgement. The lady is going back to the PI to arrange her marriage to a local lad from the village; no paper work available. Return tickets and proof of my Government ( continued ) service were provided.

Honesty just did not work. What the hel_l have we come to when illegal entrants are running amok, and a genuine application for a two week holiday is turned down because we went about it using the correct way to apply ?

Sad news Suiging. It was probably some <snip> a recently appointed British citizen who made the decision.

i noticed last time i entered Heathrow there wasnt a ' white ' immigaration officer to be seen ( i dont intend this as being racist, just making a point )

Yep, my last altercation with Croydon was on the introduction of LITUK test and how it affected my wife. I couldn't understand a word of what this UK citizen, recently passed his English test, guy was talking about

As for your maid. Sorry to hear that Suig's. I don't know why but the Saudi's over here never have a problem getting visa for their nannies. My Saudi friend got a Phillipine nanny only 18 months ago and they have already been to the UK, with another trip planned.

Sad news Suiging. It was probably some <snip> a recently appointed British citizen who made the decision.

i noticed last time i entered Heathrow there wasnt a ' white ' immigaration officer to be seen ( i dont intend this as being racist, just making a point )

Yep, my last altercation with Croydon was on the introduction of LITUK test and how it affected my wife. I couldn't understand a word of what this UK citizen, recently passed his English test, guy was talking about

As for your maid. Sorry to hear that Suig's. I don't know why but the Saudi's over here never have a problem getting visa for their nannies. My Saudi friend got a Phillipine nanny only 18 months ago and they have already been to the UK, with another trip planned.

That's the problem mate, she is not a nanny anymore, we were just trying to give her a grand send off, end of contact and a genuine holiday. If i would have lied and said she was still a nanny no probs. They claim they don't believe she is not going to be a nanny and I am trying to smuggle her to the UK for that purpose. I have given them more evidence than I give in most court cases and they seem to feel that all the truth points to lies.......

I am absolutely DISGUSTED at what has happened to you Suiging. You should be sure to make a lot of noise over this sort of thing, its just not right.

Sad news Suiging. It was probably some <snip> a recently appointed British citizen who made the decision.

i noticed last time i entered Heathrow there wasnt a ' white ' immigaration officer to be seen ( i dont intend this as being racist, just making a point )

Yep, my last altercation with Croydon was on the introduction of LITUK test and how it affected my wife. I couldn't understand a word of what this UK citizen, recently passed his English test, guy was talking about

As for your maid. Sorry to hear that Suig's. I don't know why but the Saudi's over here never have a problem getting visa for their nannies. My Saudi friend got a Phillipine nanny only 18 months ago and they have already been to the UK, with another trip planned.

In Saudi the visas were still issued by Consular staff about three years ago, when I left. Probably still the same.

In Thailand and Philippines (also Singapore) the work is sub-contracted to a civilian firm (VSI??) who like to play God. They are not FO staff, or any permanent civil servants, but clerks working for a commercial company.

I have had run-ins with this company, reverted to consular officials that I personally know to resolve the problem. Also had good friends in Saudi consulates who very proactive in solving problems.

Haven't been in Croydon since the seventies. Was bad then, expect it is much worse now.

Suiging - where did you apply?

My girl-friend (hopefully soon wife) is in Cebu, with our baby daughter. I want to take them to UK next year - applying through Manila, but wondering if it would be better to go through Vietnam (where I work) as again, I know some consular staff and embassy personnel (commercial attache and so on)

Sad news Suiging. It was probably some <snip> a recently appointed British citizen who made the decision.

i noticed last time i entered Heathrow there wasnt a ' white ' immigaration officer to be seen ( i dont intend this as being racist, just making a point )

Yep, my last altercation with Croydon was on the introduction of LITUK test and how it affected my wife. I couldn't understand a word of what this UK citizen, recently passed his English test, guy was talking about

As for your maid. Sorry to hear that Suig's. I don't know why but the Saudi's over here never have a problem getting visa for their nannies. My Saudi friend got a Phillipine nanny only 18 months ago and they have already been to the UK, with another trip planned.

In Saudi the visas were still issued by Consular staff about three years ago, when I left. Probably still the same.

In Thailand and Philippines (also Singapore) the work is sub-contracted to a civilian firm (VSI??) who like to play God. They are not FO staff, or any permanent civil servants, but clerks working for a commercial company.

I have had run-ins with this company, reverted to consular officials that I personally know to resolve the problem. Also had good friends in Saudi consulates who very proactive in solving problems.

Haven't been in Croydon since the seventies. Was bad then, expect it is much worse now.

Suiging - where did you apply?

My girl-friend (hopefully soon wife) is in Cebu, with our baby daughter. I want to take them to UK next year - applying through Manila, but wondering if it would be better to go through Vietnam (where I work) as again, I know some consular staff and embassy personnel (commercial attache and so on)

Hong Kong mate, travel agent told me I am not the first, and wont be the last this has happened to.

Usually there is no right appeal for a VV as stated previously.

s', did you fully explain and show evidence of your present situation, your daughters position, in regard to the send off and your maids future intentions?

Because if you have made them clear, you still have no right of appeal, but you can go to Judicial Review, however this will cost, initially not too much, the problem being the timing, it may not be in your time frame.

But if you want to make a point...... What might happen is the complaint( I presume you lodged in HK, in that case it probably would have been passed to the Phillipines ) will pass it on to the relevant Authorities, they may ( probably ) decide it will not be won.

The visa may be issued on the balance it was a crock to start with, however it looks like it could take a month or so, is this outside your time frame?

Be careful of the statement 'erred in law' and 'arbitrary', they are probably working within their terms of reference and are not actually wrong in law, but on their interpretation and balance of probabilities, but this is beyond me.

It is your choice

Good Luck

Moss

Usually there is no right appeal for a VV as stated previously.

s', did you fully explain and show evidence of your present situation, your daughters position, in regard to the send off and your maids future intentions?

Because if you have made them clear, you still have no right of appeal, but you can go to Judicial Review, however this will cost, initially not too much, the problem being the timing, it may not be in your time frame.

But if you want to make a point...... What might happen is the complaint( I presume you lodged in HK, in that case it probably would have been passed to the Phillipines ) will pass it on to the relevant Authorities, they may ( probably ) decide it will not be won.

The visa may be issued on the balance it was a crock to start with, however it looks like it could take a month or so, is this outside your time frame?

Be careful of the statement 'erred in law' and 'arbitrary', they are probably working within their terms of reference and are not actually wrong in law, but on their interpretation and balance of probabilities, but this is beyond me.

It is your choice

Good Luck

Moss

Agree with all above, probably due my poor written response, as so angry. They have not erred and their decision is arbitrary unless they have erred. The catch is the law allows them to make a subjective decision, based on what you present. Their reasons for refusal were she did not provide evidence of future marriage ( from a village in the PI ? ) and her own personal monies were not sufficient. like all returning home ladies, all her money remitted to PI family, closing her bank accounts in HK in preparation for return, hence I gave guarantees of financial support by giving certified bank statements of my own and written statements of access, plus all flights ( returns ) paid in advance.

My main gripe is their ludicrous assumption that as she has been a helper for twenty years, that's all she'll ever be and she must want to get into the UK so badly that I am facilitating her illegal entry !!!

There is no time to appeal before this lady has to return home. Taking on the " man " in both time and money, when she has lost a once in a life time opportunity, not really an option, with the complainee the lady, in the PI and me being in HK . Bureaucracy wins,

Sad news Suiging. It was probably some <snip> a recently appointed British citizen who made the decision.

i noticed last time i entered Heathrow there wasnt a ' white ' immigaration officer to be seen ( i dont intend this as being racist, just making a point )

Yeah your right but you cant really say it without being labeled a racist which one of the massive problems the UK has no freedom of speech there even if its the truth.

but can only white british people do the job of entry officer effectively?

Shameful, easy enough to get in if you are not genuine - seems as always genuine people get screwed around by the morons. A price we have to pay for the shit policies form HM Governments over the past 20 odd years.

Shameful, easy enough to get in if you are not genuine - seems as always genuine people get screwed around by the morons. A price we have to pay for the shit policies form HM Governments over the past 20 odd years.

I think it is sometimes difficult for genuine people to get in because of all the non genuine people who have gained entry by nefarious means.

You'd think that with the current state of fiscal affairs in the UK they'd be welcoming tourists.

You'd think that with the current state of fiscal affairs in the UK they'd be welcoming tourists.

Nope, only welcoming economic asylum seekers.

Then the social services can give away all the tax money.