Taking Niece To England For A Holiday

[mca]

Unfortunately my niece's father passed away recently so as we're a close family we'd like to take her to England ( me, my wife and daughter) for a 10 day trip in the summer as she's having a bit of a rough time coping with his death.

I haven't been home for a number of years so I've got a few questions. On the visa application website it says that each applicant must book a separate interview to submit their docs. My immediate family will be no problem. but what about my niece? Does she submit the same docs as my wife and tell them "I'm travelling with these people for a small holiday?" As she has to make a separate interview from my wife who's going to be there to guarantee she's genuine as I recall the website also mentioned that applicants must go in alone. Also what if her interview is booked for a separate day from my wife as I see they'll email you with an appointment date when you apply online. She's 16.

Sorry for what might be some dumb questions but like I said I haven't been home for a number of years. I thought you just turned up at the visa place, took a queue number and waited.

Thanks for any help.

[Morden]

UK visas seem to be increasingly difficult to get. My advice is to use a good BKK based visa agency. It will be costly for your large party but they will be very thorough and give you the best shot at success. DIY applications have a low success rate and the worst outcome for you would be some acceptances and some rejections.

[theoldgit]

First of all there is no interview, the visit to the VFS Visa Application Centre is just to hand in the hard copy of the application and supporting documents and to have the biometric details captured.

You should book a slot together as a family unit and whilst your niece is the applicant, in your sponsors letter, I'm assuming you're sponsoring her and the rest of the family, outline the circumstances and the details of the trip.

I'm also assuming that you live here in Thailand, which will make it a lot easier for your wife and your daughter, if she doesn't hold a UK Passport.

You will need to leave the ECO in no doubt as to why your niece is travelling with you and her reasons to return. If your niece lives with her mother you will need to submit evidence that her mother is content with the trip, and provide proof of her reasons to return.

I honestly don't see a problem.

Edit, in response to the previous post it is simply not true that "DIY applications have a low success rate", by all means use an agent if you don't feel confident, but I honestly don't believe it's necessary in the circumstances you describe.

[Morden]

Given the number of surprising acceptances and the strange rejections, there certainly could be a problem. Rejections of second and subsequent applications where the applicant was granted a visa previously are also common.

[JLCrab]

You really want to cheer the kid up? Take her and the family to Disneyland in Hong Kong -- no visa hassles at all. 10 days is a pretty quick trip anyway.

[bifftastic]

If you do your research there's absolutely no need to pay someone to fill in the forms for you (that's all they will do, all the necessary documentation is yours or your families, so you will have to get it all ready anyway).

If you have a lot of money to throw away, and just don't have the time or the inclination to do it yourself, then sure, give it to an agent.

Better still, give it to me! I'll do it for you.

[bifftastic]

Given the number of surprising acceptances and the strange rejections, there certainly could be a problem. Rejections of second and subsequent applications where the applicant was granted a visa previously are also common.

What is the number of surprising rejections (as in, how many have there been, and why was it surprising?)?

How common are the rejections of subsequent applications?

If you provide all the information that's required, and meet the requirements for the visa to be issued, it will be issued. Using an agent doesn't change your circumstances (apart from making you poorer, of course).

There are times when professional immigration advice is needed.

Going on holiday isn't one of those times.

[Morden]

Given the number of surprising acceptances and the strange rejections, there certainly could be a problem. Rejections of second and subsequent applications where the applicant was granted a visa previously are also common.

What is the number of surprising rejections (as in, how many have there been, and why was it surprising?)?

How common are the rejections of subsequent applications?

If you provide all the information that's required, and meet the requirements for the visa to be issued, it will be issued. Using an agent doesn't change your circumstances (apart from making you poorer, of course).

There are times when professional immigration advice is needed.

Going on holiday isn't one of those times.

'Going on holiday isn't one of those times.'

Well, actually it is. Outside of the VSF offices is a noticeboard displaying reason for rejection that you won't find on the government website. The scrutiny of 'reason to return to Thailand' is more strict. Applications must be prepared very carefully and expert visa agents will be more familiar with them than most applicants.

My assessment of the proportion of acceptances and rejections and the reasons for them is based on the regular feedback from people in my community. It's generally agreed that success is more difficult and that rejections more puzzling.

[mca]

Many thanks for the prompt replies and good info

[theoldgit]

@ mca, in your post you mentioned that you believed that VFS emailed you an appointment, that is not the case, you actually book the appointment yourself online.

I'm sure that Tony M or Paul, the agents and acknowledged experts, who regulary post on this forum, will advise whether they feel you need to use an agent at some stage.

[UbonOz]

You don't mention how old she is. Is she at school, working, unemployed?

If she is school age I don't think there will be a problem, from my past experience.

First, get her a passport.

Make sure you have plenty of documentation. A supporting letter from you explaining the full circumstances of her visa request.

You need plenty of photos, with your family, bank details with sufficient funds to support whilst in the UK. If not an adult you will need her mothers approval, copy of her mother's ID, a letter from her school would help(in English).

If you are staying with family in the UK you will need an invitation from them, photos of them in their home, copy of telephone account, copy of deeds if they own their home, or, rental agreement, copy of their passport if they have one, or, copy of driving licence.

The more you give, especially on the first visa application, the better your chances.

When you have completed the online application you then book an appointment(online) at VFS in Bangkok, the staff will check that all documents are provided, there is no interview. Only the applicants can enter the VFS office.

I do not see you having a problem.

If it all seems overwhelming, do as suggested in Post #5.

Good Luck.

[UbonOz]

You don't mention how old she is. Is she at school, working, unemployed?

If she is school age I don't think there will be a problem, from my past experience.

First, get her a passport.

Make sure you have plenty of documentation. A supporting letter from you explaining the full circumstances of her visa request.

You need plenty of photos, with your family, bank details with sufficient funds to support whilst in the UK. If not an adult you will need her mothers approval, copy of her mother's ID, a letter from her school would help(in English).

If you are staying with family in the UK you will need an invitation from them, photos of them in their home, copy of telephone account, copy of deeds if they own their home, or, rental agreement, copy of their passport if they have one, or, copy of driving licence.

The more you give, especially on the first visa application, the better your chances.

When you have completed the online application you then book an appointment(online) at VFS in Bangkok, the staff will check that all documents are provided, there is no interview. Only the applicants can enter the VFS office.

I do not see you having a problem.

If it all seems overwhelming, do as suggested in Post #5.

Good Luck.

Sorry, just noticed where you say she is 16.

[mca]

More good stuff thanks a lot lads

[bifftastic]

@ Morden.

I disagree. I think the only circumstances that professional immigration advice is needed is if there are unusual, or legally complex reasons. Such as previous refusals, issues such as long term care of relatives and so on.

When a family that lives in Thailand, has evidence of their strong links to Thailand, has money and property in Thailand and provides evidence of that. Along with evidence of adequate finance and accommodation for a two week holiday in the UK. It is extremely unlikely that their application will be refused.

It's not a difficult thing to do. It just takes a bit of research and some good advice from people who've done it before.

Advising people to get professional immigration advice for what is basically a form filling and evidence gathering exercise makes the whole thing look more daunting than it actually is.

We've successfully applied for three visit visas for my wife which, if I'd taken your advice and paid someone to do for me, would have cost me ฿90,000 plus the visa fees.

With the help of people who had already done it themselves, it cost me the visa fees alone.

Reason to return can be tricky, but there's no 'magic fairy dust' that a visa agent can sprinkle on your application.

Your circumstances are what they are.

They don't improve by chucking ฿30,000 at them.

[Morden]

@ Morden. I disagree. I think the only circumstances that professional immigration advice is needed is if there are unusual, or legally complex reasons. Such as previous refusals, issues such as long term care of relatives and so on. When a family that lives in Thailand, has evidence of their strong links to Thailand, has money and property in Thailand and provides evidence of that. Along with evidence of adequate finance and accommodation for a two week holiday in the UK. It is extremely unlikely that their application will be refused. It's not a difficult thing to do. It just takes a bit of research and some good advice from people who've done it before. Advising people to get professional immigration advice for what is basically a form filling and evidence gathering exercise makes the whole thing look more daunting than it actually is. We've successfully applied for three visit visas for my wife which, if I'd taken your advice and paid someone to do for me, would have cost me ฿90,000 plus the visa fees. With the help of people who had already done it themselves, it cost me the visa fees alone. Reason to return can be tricky, but there's no 'magic fairy dust' that a visa agent can sprinkle on your application. Your circumstances are what they are. They don't improve by chucking ฿30,000 at them.

No problem. You're entitled to your view as much as I am to mine. Many people apply direct and a good proportion of those I know have failed for reasons that they hadn't spotted in advance. I prefer to pay a professional and reduce the chances of failure. On our last trip to my homeland we had to be there by a certain date to complete a business transaction so I didn't take any chances.

I have never paid THB30,000 to an agent.

[7by7]

Morden, do you work for the rogue visa agent in Regents House?

You are certainly coming across as if you run their PR!

If you research the actual figures you will find that the UK visit visa success rate in Thailand is consistently around 95%.

mca, and any one else about to apply, ignore Morden's scaremongering; his posts have no relationship with the truth.

Having said that, if you feel the need to use an agent, that is your choice; but I suggest you read this first, and make sure you avoid those who claim to be VFS staff when they're not and/or use scare tactics and lies to frighten their victims clients.

Edit, Morden, you say above "On our last trip to my homeland." Are you British, or are you basing your comments on your experiences in applying for visas to a completely different country?

Edited March 30, 2013 by 7by7

[Morden]

Morden, do you work for the rogue visa agent in Regents House?

You are certainly coming across as if you run their PR!

If you research the actual figures you will find that the UK visit visa success rate in Thailand is consistently around 95%.

mca, and any one else about to apply, ignore Morden's scaremongering; his posts have no relationship with the truth.

Having said that, if you feel the need to use an agent, that is your choice; but I suggest you read this first, and make sure you avoid those who claim to be VFS staff when they're not and/or use scare tactics and lies to frighten their victims clients.

Edit, Morden, you say above "On our last trip to my homeland." Are you British, or are you basing your comments on your experiences in applying for visas to a completely different country?

What stupid comments. I merely write about my own UK visa experiences and those of people I know. Could you bring yourself to accept that people may have an opinion different from your own?

I don't understand your comment about 'those who claim to be VFS staff when they're not'. There are many legitimate agents with offices well away from VFS. Perhaps the number of them indicates that many applicants do use agents.

[theoldgit]

Can we all take a step back please guys, mca has asked for advice and guidance, not to watch a cat fight, it's confusing enough as it is.

Morden believes that the OP would be better using an agent, I don't agree and nor do a number of other posters, but that doesn't make him wrong.

I suspect that Tony or Paul will jump in at some stage, but they have lives and cannot be expected to be on this forum 24/7.

[Jay Sata]

MCA say's he is coming for summer. If it's anything like last year then forget it.

[Tony M]

I don't really need to comment on this, I think, but I will add a few words. The OP asked for adviec about the application procedures, andd nothing else. People have given the required information about that. Other posters have added their own opinions on whether a visa is likely to be issued or not, but as we have very little in the way of facts about the applicant, it is impossible to say. The OP has not even said that he is concerned about this aspect.

The arguments for and against using an agent are well known on this, and other, forums. It's personal choice. If the OP has doubts, then he can contact an agent, including the forum sponsor, and get a free assessment of his niece's chances. It is then up to him whether he applies using an agent or not. At least he will get an honest, non-biased, non-scaremongering opinion ( no offence to those who have already expressed their opinions here).

[bobrussell]

The visit visa application is very straight forward so I am amazed that a visa agent is being suggested.

A niece travelling with a family unit for a holiday should be pretty simple.

The reasons to return are fairly straight forward. The family live in Thailand, the child is schooled in Thailand and there is an extremely good reason for the visit! Just take time to document it properly!

Make sure the covering/sponsoring letter covers the situation adequately and the ECO should have little problem issuing a visit visa! A letter from the school giving permission and the date the child is expected to be back was helpful in our case.

Most rejections (and there are not many of them!) are linked to complicated family situations, settlement applications and (not least!) inadequate preparation of the application.

The visit visa basics in the pinned threads give all the information needed for a successful application. Not rocket science and the ECO is not there to be difficult, just to enforce the rules!

Edited March 30, 2013 by bobrussell

[mca]

Thanks all.

I've got all the paperwork covered with just a couple of further questions.

Regarding accommodation. We haven't actually decided the exact dates we'll be travelling. It's be sometime in June or July as both my daughter and niece study at international school so it's during their summer break as they follow western term times. When submitting the applications will no accommodation being booked be an issue? Basically all the other stuff including family permission for my niece should be sufficient as my wife could technically visit England on her own with both the girls even if she wasn't married to me owing to her job position, salary, assets, bank balance, iron-cast reason to return (letter from her western CEO etc) etc.She went to Australia a couple of years back with our daughter to visit an old school friend without me as I had work commitments and the visa wasn't a problem.

Also as it will be out of term time my niece won't need permission from the school to take leave. Would copies of the student ID card be enough or what other supporting paperwork should I supply regarding her education?

I've extended my Thai visa for the past 18 years first through work and then marriage via my wife's salary and then the 400k route when they didn't allow the wife's salary route anymore without having to resort to using an agency. I just want to make sure that we've dotted all the i's and crossed the t's regarding my niece and travelling to the UK because as I mentioned I haven't been home in years.

[Morden]

I think that you will be required to give a date even though there is no compulsion to travel on a particular date. I included in our application documents a on-line quotation for a flight, even though we were not intending to book until the visa was granted.

[mca]

Thanks

[UbonOz]

I assume you are not staying with family.

You could explain in your supporting letter what your intentions are. You will need a supporting letter for all three applicants. You could do one letter which cross refers to each applicant and submit the same letter with each application.

Most definitely include their school IDs. A letter from the school will make it more legitimate.

If you are going to stay in hotels it would not be advisable to book, the same as you would not book flights until the visa is approved.

The visa will be dated from day of issue, or you can request post-dated. It will be valid for six months.

A suggestion for accommodation is to ckeck out holiday cottages or apartments. As there are four of you it will give you more space, you will be together, have all the facilities of home, ie. laundry etc.

There are many websites to check, it will not be cheap at that time of year. There are sections on some of the sites for last-minute bookings which can be cheaper.

I am sure all will be OK.

[mca]

Cheers Ubon. We'll be visiting my folks but not staying with them. My concern is not showing any proof of accommodation on the application and being refused because we " don't have anywhere to stay". Like you mentioned I don't want to book a hotel/flight before the visas are approved. Years ago when I was went backpacking to the states the guy at immi there wouldn't let me and my brother in until we put where we were staying. Luckily he was a straight up bloke and when we mentioned we were going to Vegas just told us to put the name of a casino hotel for their records.

[UbonOz]

Cheers Ubon. We'll be visiting my folks but not staying with them. My concern is not showing any proof of accommodation on the application and being refused because we " don't have anywhere to stay". Like you mentioned I don't want to book a hotel/flight before the visas are approved. Years ago when I was went backpacking to the states the guy at immi there wouldn't let me and my brother in until we put where we were staying. Luckily he was a straight up bloke and when we mentioned we were going to Vegas just told us to put the name of a casino hotel for their records.

Just use your family as a contact address, with a phone number.

Again, the supporting letter, very important, should have all the relevant details which cannot be explained on an application form.

[mca]

Thanks

[theoldgit]

If you don't want to book non refundable hotels, and it's wise not to do so, the UKBA suggest that you may wish to include a planned itinerary and even email correspondence with hotels.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/out-of-country/visitors.pdf

What I have done in the past, though normally for Schengen Visas where evidence is required, is to actually book hotels guaranteed with a credit card and then cancelled the booking once the visa has been issued. I have rebooked hotels, at cheaper rates nearer the time, and carried that evidence with me.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[bobrussell]

A letter from the school, confirming attendance at the school and return dates will help and well worth the effort!

You are not expected to book accommodation prior to a visa being issued (in case they say no!)so provide a note of intended plans (a TravelLodge can be booked and cancelled if you are really worried!) but provide some evidence for payment method. It seems a bit over the top but you can show available credit limit on a card but if the application has been properly prepared the affordability of the visit will already be evident.

Really should be pretty straight forward. They really are not trying to catch you out!