Uk Family Visit Visa

[lungbing]

My father is 91 years old and quite well, but obviously anything could happen at any time. My wife of ten years knows dad very well after 2 vists to the UK of one month each, and, until recently, many visits by my father to us.

In preparation for a hasty visit to the UK, my wife is going to apply soon for a two year family visit visa. As sponsor I will explain in the covering letter that the visa will only be for use in an emergency and, God willing, may not be used at all.

Having read as much info. about the visa application itself, I don't think we'll have too much trouble.

What is worrying my wife is that it appears we must provide original documents in the visa application. As this will include her birth certificate, our wedding certificate, land ownerships papers etc the potential for our life to be disrupted by the loss of these hard to replace documents is immense.

When we last applied for a visitor visa, about 5 years ago, I am sure that we provided copies and official translations where necessary of all documents, and that I put in my sponsor's letter that the original documents were readily available and could be produced if desired.

Is that likely to work again, or must the originals be included? If so, what guarantee is there that they will be returned?

Thanks in advance,

[VisasPlus]

You will probably get advice which conflicts - some advice will say that you must provide original documents, others will say you don't have to provide originals. The official advice, from VFS, is :

Original documents & photocopies

You must provide original documents with a photocopy of each original document you are submitting (including your passport photograph page). In particular, you should include original documents relating to birth, marriage, divorce and death. If you are not able to include originals of these then you should send certified copies. Failure to submit original documents or certified copies may mean your application is delayed or refused. Your original documents might not be returned to you if you do not provide photocopies. For your convenience photocopying services are available at the visa application centre (fee payable).

You can see that there is the option to provide certified copies if you are unable to produce originals. Uncertified copies may mean your application is delayed or refused. Make up your own mind on what course of action you want to take. Don't rely only on the advice you receive here. That said, if you did provide only copies and the application was refused,you would have the right of appeal ( for a family visit ). Producing the originals, along with your appeal notice, to the Embassy should ensure that the decision would be reversed before it went as far as an appeal hearing in the UK.

[lungbing]

Thank you very much for your prompt help.

I have some thinking to do!

[VisasPlus]

Thank you very much for your prompt help.

I have some thinking to do!

Please bear in mind that " certified" in Thailand is not necessarily the same as certification in UK. For instance, passport copies are certified merely by the passport holder signing each copy. Pesonally, I think certified copies of documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates should actually be certified by a competent authority, but the British Embassy seems to accept " self-certification ". Remember what I said earlier; if the application is refused bcause you have only provided self-certified copies, and you have the originals to show, then I wouldn't worry overmuch as the refusal decision is almost certainly going to be overturned when you submit the originals ( if that is the only reason for refusal, of course ).

[Rayongy]

Why dont you just apply for the 5 year visit visa and have done?

[Rayongy]

Aside, I allowed the VFS sight of my investment bonds, shares etc originals and then included 2x self certified copies - I had real issues handing it all over also. They insisted that originals were required BUT did not want the blue and yellow house reg books but they did want the original investments, wifey's birth cert and our wedding certs (though you should have two, right?)

[VisasPlus]

Why dont you just apply for the 5 year visit visa and have done?

And how exactly is that helpful advice ?

[Rayongy]

It is helpful advice because many a poster makes the wrong assumption that 5 and 10 year visas are rarely granted in BKK. The OP says hes going for a 2 year family visit visa, I suggested that he just has done with what appears to be repeated applications (3 to date?) and just goes for the longer visa.

Is that clear? Is post 6 clear?

Edited October 25, 2010 by Rayongy

[Rayongy]

[Pesonally, I think certified copies of documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates should actually be certified by a competent authority, but the British Embassy seems to accept " self-certification ".

And what value does your personal opinion have within this context? All that matters is what the embassy clearly will accept not how you 'think' documents should be best certified. Embassy procedure is paramount, and, logically you should ask yourself how exactly is voicing your opinion helpful regards what you 'think' the embassy should or should not accept ?

Edited October 25, 2010 by Rayongy

[VisasPlus]

It is helpful advice because many a poster makes the wrong assumption that 5 and 10 year visas are rarely granted in BKK. The OP says hes going for a 2 year family visit visa, I suggested that he just has done with what appears to be repeated applications (3 to date?) and just goes for the longer visa.

Is that clear? Is post 39 clear?

It is not helpful advice when the poster is asking about documentation. Your attitude leaves something to be desired. It is confrontational and antagonistic. I suggest we both leave others to assist this poster.

[VisasPlus]

[Pesonally, I think certified copies of documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates should actually be certified by a competent authority, but the British Embassy seems to accept " self-certification ".

And what value does your personal opinion have within this context? All that matters is what the embassy clearly will accept not how you 'think' documents should be best certified. Embassy procedure is paramount, and, logically you should ask yourself how exactly is voicing your opinion helpful regards what you 'think' the embassy should or should not accept ?

But surely you voiced your opinion on what visa the poster should apply for, when it wasn't asked for ? Is noone else supposed to offer their opinions ?

I will not be continuing any further posts with you here. I apologise to lungbing, the original poster

[Rayongy]

It is not helpful advice when the poster is asking about documentation

.

Do you mean my point regards going for the longer visa or your input regards how you think the embassy should change its internal procedures? Would I be confrontational and antagonistic to suggest that your advice on how the embassy should change holds no value in this context? It won't change and your opinion on how it should change will not help the OP. However, perhaps he hasnt considered going for a longer visa and that advice may be , even slightly of some value?

Your attitude leaves something to be desired.

Well, thank you for your input.

I suggest we both leave others to assist this poster.

Why would you suggest that? If you don't wish to respond, then please don't. However, just as your opinion on improving embassy procedure has no value to the OP, your suggestion that I dont respond to him again is antagonistic and uncalled for.

Good day Sir.

[Rayongy]

But surely you voiced your opinion on what visa the poster should apply for, when it wasn't asked for ?

No, I voiced an opinion on a possible alternative route for the OP. You may also note that I also voiced on opinion on exactly what he asked for, that being the submission of original documents. Please re-read.

Is noone else supposed to offer their opinions ?

Yes, of course. Though I believe it was you who wrote And how exactly is that helpful advice ? I merely responded to you.

I will not be continuing any further posts with you here.

Thank you.

I apologise to lungbing, the original poster

I am sure he will forgive you. He atleast has some info to consider now