Uk Visotor Visa Conditions Letter Question Help?

[topchilla]

Hi my girlfriend will be coming to the UK on a visit visa soon first time she was refused because she did not say enough about where she wanted to go, we are new to all of this! Anyhow this second time the visit application was successful, she wants to come to see me for a couple of weeks. She got a letter with her 6 month visa stamp saying that she should stay no longer than the couple of weeks she asked for. My problem is what if she gets ill due to the cold or we need a few more weeks to do all that we want, its a pretty hectic schedule to fit in all I have planned and if she even got ill for one week that could scupper all our plans of seeing everything. Can we ask for permission whilst she is in the UK and who from?? The visa stamp says 6 months but she also has this letter that says just a couple of weeks then back to Thailand! We dont want to do anything wrong and this trip is just a holiday. We may want to live together in the future and at least want her to be able to visit UK again, we dont want to scupper our future changes. Please advise me on this one on what to do IF we need more time.

[the scouser]

If the visa is valid for 6 months, then, irrespective of what she told the visa officer, your girlfriend can lawfully stay for that 6 months. However, should she apply for another visit visa, she will have to explain to the visa officer why on the first occasion she said she would stay 2 weeks and ended up staying longer.

Cheers,

Scouse.

[topchilla]

Thanks for the info, has anyone else had experience of this type of situation or found it difficult for their friend to get another visa in the future if they stay longer than the specified time in the letter even if the visa says six months? I dont want to create a problem for the future but if we dont have enough time in the weeks that she is here to do all that we want to do, see tourist places etc surely that should justify extra time or if she got ill etc? Let me know please. I really appreciate your help.

[the scouser]

It does appear that you're seeking justification for your intention to have your girlfriend stay longer in the UK than the 2 weeks which she applied for.

As I said in my previous post, there is nothing stopping her staying for the 6 months allowed by the visa, but she could face difficulties when seeking a subsequent visit visa. If, upon a subsequent application, you wish to seek to persuade the visa officer that your g/f had to stay longer than 2 weeks in the UK because she fell ill, you would have to provide evidence of the illness; i.e. either a doctor's letter or medical bills. Also note that, as a visitor, your g/f will not qualify for NHS cover, so the cost of any treatment would have to be paid by either you or an insurance policy.

To suggest to the visa officer that your girlfriend did not have enough time to visit all that she wished to see is a non-argument, as it was she who asked for 2 weeks and, even so, if there is more she wishes to do, she can always stay 2 weeks and then come back later on.

Scouse.

[iainiain101]

Topchilla

My girlfriend was turned down for not having a thorough plan for her holiday in the UK.

How long did you wait before reapplying?

Iain

[GU22]

To suggest to the visa officer that your girlfriend did not have enough time to visit all that she wished to see is a non-argument, as it was she who asked for 2 weeks and, even so, if there is more she wishes to do, she can always stay 2 weeks and then come back later on.

But not on the same visa. If the embassy ask someone to sign an undertaking to return then the visa is usually limited to a single entry. An undertaking to return is asked for when there is some doubt in the ECOs mind about the genuineness of the applicant, but not enough to warrant a refusal. When the person next applies for a UK visa the appropriate entry/exit stamps in the passport will be checked to see if the undertaking was abided by.

Breaking the conditions of the undertaking will only confirm those doubts and make future applications very difficult.

However, if she abides by the conditions of the undertaking this will be a very positive move and should mean that future applications will be a formality.

[the scouser]

Yes, that's correct.

I should have made it clear that when I wrote "come back later on" it was with reference to a second visa application.

Scouse.

[silomfan]

GU22 is right ..... years ago my then partner got a letter with his visa stating he must return within i think it was 6 weeks . What it means is that your g/f got this visa by the skin of her teeth. They have given her the benefit of the doubt and you must stick to what you agreed. If you said 2 weeks then 2 weeks it is . As GU22 says, that will then give you massive credability for your next application.

In my case, my partner did return exactly on the date requested by the Embassy and went to see them to prove it . His next application was refused (unbelievable isn't it?) but i went to see the ECM by appointment (and was invited into his office !!), pointed out that he had returned exactly as asked for , and result...visa issued. Having said that , the current ECM tends to back her staff irrespective of fairness , so there is always doubt. Nothing about getting a visa for the UK is certain ....unfortunately.

SILOMFAN