How Many Photos For Uk Visa?

[UbonOz]

Will be visiting VFS BKK on Tuesday.

This is the third UK Tourist visa that my wife has submitted, the previous two were approved and used. She has entered the UK on four occasions.

Could anybody please offer their opinion on how many photos we need to provide.

My thought was to only supply photos since the last visa was approved, just to show proof of us together since then.

If you keep providing photos from day one of the relationship the number supplied will just keep getting greater each time you apply for a new visa.

Do you think this will be OK?

Thanks for any assistance.

[beano2274]

I have never submitted photos for VFS, for a visa for my wife and that is twice now.

I submit photos for my extension in Thailand only.

[UbonOz]

I have never submitted photos for VFS, for a visa for my wife and that is twice now.

I submit photos for my extension in Thailand only.

The first time we applied for a UK tourist visa, it was rejected. Applied again straight away, with more information, and it was approved.

One of the reasons given for the rejection was the photos were not dated. My camera does not date photos.

I find it rather confusing, some people say "I don't do this", others say "I do this". Some are rejected, others approved. Never seems to be a standard format.

[VisasPlus]

I have never submitted photos for VFS, for a visa for my wife and that is twice now.

I submit photos for my extension in Thailand only.

The first time we applied for a UK tourist visa, it was rejected. Applied again straight away, with more information, and it was approved.

One of the reasons given for the rejection was the photos were not dated. My camera does not date photos.

I find it rather confusing, some people say "I don't do this", others say "I do this". Some are rejected, others approved. Never seems to be a standard format.

It is confusing. If you are making an application, and it is based on a relationship ( for instance, you and your girlfriend want to travel to UK together) then it is obviously a good idea to provide evidence that a relationship exists. However, there is no requirement in the immigration rules to prove that there is any relationship at all. There is also no requirement to provide any photos, but doing so can obviously assist the evidence of a relationship. However, an ECO cannot refuse an application ( although they do ) on the grounds that photos are undated, as, I say again, there is no requirement for any photos at all.

I accept that there seems to have been other reasons for the refusal in this case too, and we don't know what they are.

To answer the original OP, there is no set figure for the number of photos you may wish to provide. If you have previously supplied photos in applications, then refer to this in your supporting letter, and only provide more recent photos. However, if you have photos of you and your wife in the UK on her last visit, then they will assist the application, I'm sure. I think you have proved your relationship already !

Edited March 18, 2012 by VisasPlus

[UbonOz]

I have never submitted photos for VFS, for a visa for my wife and that is twice now.

I submit photos for my extension in Thailand only.

The first time we applied for a UK tourist visa, it was rejected. Applied again straight away, with more information, and it was approved.

One of the reasons given for the rejection was the photos were not dated. My camera does not date photos.

I find it rather confusing, some people say "I don't do this", others say "I do this". Some are rejected, others approved. Never seems to be a standard format.

It is confusing. If you are making an application, and it is based on a relationship ( for instance, you and your girlfriend want to travel to UK together) then it is obviously a good idea to provide evidence that a relationship exists. However, there is no requirement in the immigration rules to prove that there is any relationship at all. There is also no requirement to provide any photos, but doing so can obviously assist the evidence of a relationship. However, an ECO cannot refuse an application ( although they do ) on the grounds that photos are undated, as, I say again, there is no requirement for any photos at all.

I accept that there seems to have been other reasons for the refusal in this case too, and we don't know what they are.

To answer the original OP, there is no set figure for the number of photos you may wish to provide. If you have previously supplied photos in applications, then refer to this in your supporting letter, and only provide more recent photos. However, if you have photos of you and your wife in the UK on her last visit, then they will assist the application, I'm sure. I think you have proved your relationship already !

Thanks for the info.

I think I will only send a few photos which have been taken since the last visa approval.

Hopefully, should not be a problem.

[jojo90]

For me personally, given the 'reason to return' is on the strength of our relationship the bulk of our application is demonstrating our relationship... sponsorship, 100s of phone records, emails, and 35 sheets of photographs (8 per page) from the visits together! Luckily I've dated them all - PHEW! .

[David48]

For me personally, given the 'reason to return' is on the strength of our relationship the bulk of our application is demonstrating our relationship... sponsorship, 100s of phone records, emails, and 35 sheets of photographs (8 per page) from the visits together! Luckily I've dated them all - PHEW! .

My Thai gf and I have taken a different tack from that of jojo90.

We submitted 2 pages of photos and, from memory, 6 or 8 per page as a 'Word' document.

The camera didn't date the photos, but we did include a timeframe as a descriptor for each photo.

What photos we did choose were self evidenced.

Christmas together - December

Songkran together - April

Loy Kathrong together - November

By choosing this specific time the reader can understand the timeframe and the photos don't become a blur.

Also included was a team photo from work which supported her Employment Letter.

A photo of me and her Family which showed commitment (it was taken at a Funeral so everyone in black and white) and the Thais would understand this customary dress and no descriptor was needed.

And finally a few us together, on holiday, just looking like a couple.

If you are updating the photos from the last application then you might want to put an opening paragraph before the photos, but included on the photo page in largish type font stating that these are the update photos.

Because she has had two previous Visas approved, do mention that a few times in various documents and certainly in your support letter.

... but I digress as you asked about the number of photos.

Everyone has a different approach, but a phone call to both VFS and the Embassy might prove fruitful as to asking what they require and report that back here so we can learn form your experiences.

David48

.

[beano2274]

The OP is on about his wife, a marriage certificate and a few other things are all that are required, like I have previously stated I do not give them any photos, my wife works for a British Company in BKK, and we have two condos in her name, and I am also registered at the Embassy. I see no reasons to prove my relationship if I am married, so no photos.

[theoldgit]

Given some of the bizarre decisions that Visa Plus and others have highlighted I would be inclined to provide a photo for every hour of your relationship, maybe with a dated newspaper to prove the date.

All joking aside I provide a selection of photos to prove the duration of the relationship, to get round the issue of undated photos, which all of ours are, I cross reference with passport stamps in both of our passports.

[rawhod]

The OP is on about his wife, a marriage certificate and a few other things are all that are required, like I have previously stated I do not give them any photos, my wife works for a British Company in BKK, and we have two condos in her name, and I am also registered at the Embassy. I see no reasons to prove my relationship if I am married, so no photos.

I have seen you quote that "I am registered at the Embassy" before. By this do you mean registered at the "FCO LOCATE Registration of British Nationals Overseas" website?

[beano2274]

The OP is on about his wife, a marriage certificate and a few other things are all that are required, like I have previously stated I do not give them any photos, my wife works for a British Company in BKK, and we have two condos in her name, and I am also registered at the Embassy. I see no reasons to prove my relationship if I am married, so no photos.

I have seen you quote that "I am registered at the Embassy" before. By this do you mean registered at the "FCO LOCATE Registration of British Nationals Overseas" website?

Yes, that is correct. It is meant to help when you require their assistance i.e official letters, but never really see it help in any way. But maybe when my wife applies for a visa they have a folder about me and cross reference details, am not honestly sure.....

[VisasPlus]

The OP is on about his wife, a marriage certificate and a few other things are all that are required, like I have previously stated I do not give them any photos, my wife works for a British Company in BKK, and we have two condos in her name, and I am also registered at the Embassy. I see no reasons to prove my relationship if I am married, so no photos.

I have seen you quote that "I am registered at the Embassy" before. By this do you mean registered at the "FCO LOCATE Registration of British Nationals Overseas" website?

Yes, that is correct. It is meant to help when you require their assistance i.e official letters, but never really see it help in any way. But maybe when my wife applies for a visa they have a folder about me and cross reference details, am not honestly sure.....

Consular Section ( with whom you registered) and Visa Section do not really share that much information, unless things have changed in the past year or so. Many ex-pats don't register with FCO LOCATE as they see it as the UK government keeping tabs on Brits overseas. All those Brits claiming to be in the UK, and getting their pension increases, winter fuel allowance etc, might find themselves in trouble one day if they register ! On the other hand, if there is an emergency, an evacuation from Thailand, for instance, then those who are registered will get informed first.

[beano2274]

The OP is on about his wife, a marriage certificate and a few other things are all that are required, like I have previously stated I do not give them any photos, my wife works for a British Company in BKK, and we have two condos in her name, and I am also registered at the Embassy. I see no reasons to prove my relationship if I am married, so no photos.

I have seen you quote that "I am registered at the Embassy" before. By this do you mean registered at the "FCO LOCATE Registration of British Nationals Overseas" website?

Yes, that is correct. It is meant to help when you require their assistance i.e official letters, but never really see it help in any way. But maybe when my wife applies for a visa they have a folder about me and cross reference details, am not honestly sure.....

Consular Section ( with whom you registered) and Visa Section do not really share that much information, unless things have changed in the past year or so. Many ex-pats don't register with FCO LOCATE as they see it as the UK government keeping tabs on Brits overseas. All those Brits claiming to be in the UK, and getting their pension increases, winter fuel allowance etc, might find themselves in trouble one day if they register ! On the other hand, if there is an emergency, an evacuation from Thailand, for instance, then those who are registered will get informed first.

Would have thought they had a database which would be available to all for cross referencing

[VisasPlus]

There are all sorts of rules about who can officially access information on databases, and each department does actually try to ensure that the Data Protection Act is adhered to. If they were to be found to be abusing their guidance/instructions, it could be a problem.

[beano2274]

I would think that all members of the Embassy can access any information required, but that this information is not given to 3rd parties, hence the data protection act. Also held locally and not accessible to FCO London

[VisasPlus]

I would think that all members of the Embassy can access any information required, but that this information is not given to 3rd parties, hence the data protection act. Also held locally and not accessible to FCO London

Not strictly true. Consular Section have databases that are not accessible to visa section, and vice versa. I know that as I used to have to put in a special request to get certain information, even though I worked in the Embassy ( not Bangkok ). In addition, with some databases only certain people ( even if they work at the Embassy ) are allowed access, ie they have to have a certain security level.

I'm not sure that FCO LOCATE is available only locally. Why should it be ? It would be pretty useless held only locally if the Embassy burned down. I think London has access to all data, in one way or another, overseas or in the UK.

[beano2274]

I would think that all members of the Embassy can access any information required, but that this information is not given to 3rd parties, hence the data protection act. Also held locally and not accessible to FCO London

Not strictly true. Consular Section have databases that are not accessible to visa section, and vice versa. I know that as I used to have to put in a special request to get certain information, even though I worked in the Embassy ( not Bangkok ). In addition, with some databases only certain people ( even if they work at the Embassy ) are allowed access, ie they have to have a certain security level.

I'm not sure that FCO LOCATE is available only locally. Why should it be ? It would be pretty useless held only locally if the Embassy burned down. I think London has access to all data, in one way or another, overseas or in the UK.

Maybe it has been backed up in the UK, but is not accessed until something happens. Used to do the same thing in Germany for a telecoms company, take a DAT Tape of the different cities network, and keep it just in case a problem occurred.

Edited March 19, 2012 by beano2274

[VisasPlus]

I would think that all members of the Embassy can access any information required, but that this information is not given to 3rd parties, hence the data protection act. Also held locally and not accessible to FCO London

Not strictly true. Consular Section have databases that are not accessible to visa section, and vice versa. I know that as I used to have to put in a special request to get certain information, even though I worked in the Embassy ( not Bangkok ). In addition, with some databases only certain people ( even if they work at the Embassy ) are allowed access, ie they have to have a certain security level.

I'm not sure that FCO LOCATE is available only locally. Why should it be ? It would be pretty useless held only locally if the Embassy burned down. I think London has access to all data, in one way or another, overseas or in the UK.

Maybe it has been backed up in the UK, but is not accessed until something happens. Used to do the same thing in Germany for a telecoms company, take a DAT Tape of the different cities network, and keep it just in case a problem occurred.

You may well be right, then. I'll take your word for it as you seem to have more knowledge on the subject than me.. I'm not going to argue about it as we are pretty much off topic now.

[rawhod]

" All those Brits claiming to be in the UK, and getting their pension increases, winter fuel allowance etc, might find themselves in trouble one day if they register !"

A good point VP...

[beano2274]

yes back to topic.

Good luck with your application, seems different people different ideas about requirements, but as long as the outcome is what is required then no probs

[UbonOz]

Visited VFS BKK Tu 20 March, supplied photos only for the period since the last visa was issued, plus all other documents. Passport received at home by courier today, Th 29 March, approved to travel. Getting a two year visa will certainly reduce the number of visits to Bangkok.

Hunting now for a reasonable air fare.

[David48]

Well Done UbonOz, and thanks for coming back and reporting what happened ...