Uk Family Visit Visa Application In Kl For Thai - Experience Yesterday

[soihok]

This is just a short account of our experience at the VFS office in Malaysia yesterday, I am British and my wife is Thai. I am working here and my wife is sponsored on a dependents pass by my employer. We have been married for 12 years.

Basically we didn't have enough documents and a wrong photo so were refused a visa application today. As the office on Jalan Ampang is only about 1km from our apartment in KL it`s not such a problem, if we had travelled 600 km for the interview I think we would have shoved it today and spent the money / time in Thailand.

1. After providing three years of income tax returns, print outs of bank statements from banks in Malaysia and the UK, 7 months of wage slips, credit card statements--they told us it wasn't enough. The UK bank statements were not acceptable to apply for a UK visa as they are difficult to get endorsed, I was short of 1 pay slip and the local bank account statements need to be endorsed by the bank, so we failed there.
2. My contract of employment, my passport, our Malaysian i.d. cards and all my wife`s previous passports she has ever held , each with previous UK visas , were not good enough. They are demanding a letter from my employer, including one of many confirmations required that I am actually being paid while on leave for 2 weeks. This has been arranged already, but again, we failed there.
3. My wife's photo was refused as it didn't show her ears. Now then, most ladies applying there had head dresses on, couldn't even see their hair and their ears. So we failed there too. I was going to start kicking off a fuss at this, but I am a foreigner in an Islamic state, so thought better of it (would have probably got arrested actually). Looking at the web site for photo acceptance, there is actually a photo shown that is "good" where a ladies hair covers her ears. I will print this out and show them with the same photo when I go back (have got some more already, but will produce the old ones first).

I think that this will be the last time we go through this cr#p anyway, home is in Thailand. The only reason to go to the UK is to see the family that are too old to travel any more....don't care for the rest of the place.

Just for info, if you are in the same boat and making an application.

Cheers

[MrZM]

This is just a short account of our experience at the VFS office in Malaysia yesterday, I am British and my wife is Thai. I am working here and my wife is sponsored on a dependents pass by my employer. We have been married for 12 years.

Basically we didn't have enough documents and a wrong photo so were refused a visa application today. As the office on Jalan Ampang is only about 1km from our apartment in KL it`s not such a problem, if we had travelled 600 km for the interview I think we would have shoved it today and spent the money / time in Thailand.

• After providing three years of income tax returns, print outs of bank statements from banks in Malaysia and the UK, 7 months of wage slips, credit card statements--they told us it wasn't enough. The UK bank statements were not acceptable to apply for a UK visa as they are difficult to get endorsed, I was short of 1 pay slip and the local bank account statements need to be endorsed by the bank, so we failed there.
• My contract of employment, my passport, our Malaysian i.d. cards and all my wife`s previous passports she has ever held , each with previous UK visas , were not good enough. They are demanding a letter from my employer, including one of many confirmations required that I am actually being paid while on leave for 2 weeks. This has been arranged already, but again, we failed there.
• My wife's photo was refused as it didn't show her ears. Now then, most ladies applying there had head dresses on, couldn't even see their hair and their ears. So we failed there too. I was going to start kicking off a fuss at this, but I am a foreigner in an Islamic state, so thought better of it (would have probably got arrested actually). Looking at the web site for photo acceptance, there is actually a photo shown that is "good" where a ladies hair covers her ears. I will print this out and show them with the same photo when I go back (have got some more already, but will produce the old ones first).

I think that this will be the last time we go through this cr#p anyway, home is in Thailand. The only reason to go to the UK is to see the family that are too old to travel any more....don't care for the rest of the place.

Just for info, if you are in the same boat and making an application.

Cheers

Doesn't make sense.

Were you applying for a spouse visa or family visit visa?

Either or:

6 months payslips are suffice: you said you provided 7 months payslips.

UK bank statements, you can use online statements: as long as they show your name and address and headed with bank: they don't need to be endorsed.

A letter from your employer confirming employment is needed: I am employed in the UK but whilst residing in Thailand with my family, I had to prove I am still being paid, doing so with a letter from my employer.

If the picture was wrong they would have told you when you applied, the vfs office in Bangkok have a photo booth incase of such things.

Did you actually apply for the visa?

Or

were you told by the VFS office you were unable to do so? If this is the case then they have no right to tell you!

[soihok]

Oh dear, lets start again. It helps if you read the title of the OP.

My wife is applying for a visa to visit the UK with me for two weeks, under "family visit". I don't need a visa for the UK as I from England, innit.

Don't know what / where you are reffering to but I am not making this sh*t up.

Thanks.

[MrZM]

Oh dear, lets start again. It helps if you read the title of the OP.

My wife is applying for a visa to visit the UK with me for two weeks, under "family visit". I don't need a visa for the UK as I from England, innit.

Don't know what / where you are reffering to but I am not making this sh*t up.

Thanks.

Yes now that the title has been changed.

You wouldn't need a letter from your employer for a visit visa.

A visit visa is based on the fact that your wife has enough funds for the trip, and has valid reason to return.

[theoldgit]

The title hasn't been changed.

[MrZM]

The I use have just been tired when I read it.

Either way the whole thing doesn't make any sense

[soihok]

Look Pal.

Have you got beef wi me?

I am giving an account of our experience at the office in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, are you an immigration expert?

The account is fact.

I have checked the web site below about the photo

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/visa-photo-guidance.pdf

The photo on your right that is laballed "good" is the same as what my wifes photo was. Ok, my wife is not as scary looking as the lady in the photo (wouldn't be married to her for a start), but her hair is covering her ears. I have printed this official info out in colour and I really, really hope that we get the same Indian Malay guy on the counter that rejected it.

[theoldgit]

It does seem that the staff at the VFS office in KL were acting outside of their remit and deciding what supporting documents should or not be forwarded to the UKBA.

If anything it is a good example of when an applicant is confident of the correctness of the application and supporting documents they should insist that they are forwarded to the UKBA.

[soihok]

Agree.

Ok, I can accept that I didn't have a letter from my employer and thought that the work permit / employment contact would suffice. I will have the letter next week.

The bank stuff, well, pay slips, credit cards, etc. They wanted an endorsed statement from the bank, bit of a shock but not the end of the world.

As I stated before, we only live about a kilometer from the VFS office is. It's the last thing about the photo that's got me riled. Perhaps he wanted to look smart in front of the collection of people around him on his side of the counter (I thought they looked like trainees or new employees), as I was (literally), the only Farang in there.

I do hope we get the same guy in the next few weeks. Then again, I might be tempted to ram the photo down his throat, so maybe not a good idea.

I suppose if I had whipped my shirt off and tied it around my wifes head, only exposing her eyes, nose and mouth, it would have been ok?

[MrZM]

Sounds like a really bad experience.

Oldgit is correct and I also me ruined the VFS office have no permission to interfere, in your application.

[soihok]

Going back there this morning, with the info that VFS requires. Hopefully they will at least accept the application this time.

• Have a letter from my employer, stating the duration of my employment, position, salary, that I will be paid during the two weeks I am off work for the trip and confirmation that my employer is sponsoring my wife here in Malaysia under a dependents pass.
• Endorsed bank statement (well, as the bank only issues them quarterly and the date isn't due for them to be issued, it is a mini statement via the ATM with the banks endorsement).
• Three different sets of passport photos. This time I am taking UKBA passport photo guide with me, after being told a perfectly acceptable photo, wasn't acceptable.

All this for 2 weeks to visit old Aunts and Uncles in the UK.

I will post back later.

[theoldgit]

Nonsensical and off topic post removed.

[soihok]

Managed to get the visa application accepted, will find out in a few weeks if its successful.

So, as my post #11, it is important to get the local bank account statement endorsed at the bank for submitting, they were not interested in my overseas bank accounts (including those in the UK).

Your contract of employment , employment pass and i.d. card are not enough proof of your status in Malaysia, you must provide a letter from your employer.

We had a helpful lady this time, although the sh*t for brains we saw last time was around still.

[aliincm]

Thought I would let you know I had many problems getting a family visit visa for my wife. They said that she may not return to Thailand and she had too much money in her account. No valid reason to visit. The reason for the visit was , a marriage in the family, a grand child was due, a retirement party and my mother was 82 years old. The only other more important reasons to go would be a death in the family !!!

The family visa if rejected can be appealed. Your wife has full appeal procedures available to her. We appealed and after the visa was rejected. You need to submit everything they require to Loughborough tribunal. Some months later UKBA decided that they would grant the visa and the appeal stopped. I think what realy upset me was that at no time do you get to see anyone from immigration and have no chance to speak.

Good luck.

Edited June 22, 2013 by aliincm

[soihok]

Thanks, we will know in a week or two. I don't understand why there isn't a "short stay single entry" visa available though. We are only going there for two weeks, not six months.

As I said before, I think its the last time we will go through this. When there is a death in the family in the UK, the funeral would have been over by the time a visa would have been granted.

Another nail in the coffin for me returning to live in the UK, don't like the place anyway and reminds me of one of the reasons why I left there 20 years ago.

[7by7]

The family visa if rejected can be appealed. Your wife has full appeal procedures available to her.

Not for much longer.

The government are removing the right of appeal for family visits. They say this will happen in June 2013; but have yet to announce an actual date.

Not long left, though.

[7by7]

Soihok,
As has been pointed out by theoldgit, the staff member at VFS you originally dealt with was acting outside his powers.

VFS is merely a handling service; they have no part to play in the decision making process. They may advise if they think that some supporting documents are missing, but if the applicant insists they must accept the application and forward it to the appropriate entry clearance office; where the decision will be made.

Were I you then I would make a complaint to both VFS and the embassy in KL. If no one ever officially complains about such poor service, then nothing will be done about it.

Processing times do vary according to demand; my sister in law handed in her visit application on a Monday morning and received a text telling her that her passport was ready for collection the next day; but this was at a quiet time.

However, if there is an urgent, compassionate reason for the visit, such as a death in the family, then the applicant can request that their application 'jump the queue.' A request that is usually granted if the circumstances warrant it.

A standard UK visit visa is for 6 months, even if the applicant intends to stay in the UK for a shorter period. I, personaly, see no reason for complicating the process any more than it already is by introducing a larger range of options.

However, longer term visit visas are available for regular travellers; although a holder can still only spend a maximum of 6 months in the UK on any one visit and, usually, no more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK as a visitor.

Considering your circumstances, maybe next time consider applying for one of those.

See VAT1.4 Visa validity - What period for a multiple entry visit visa?

Edited June 23, 2013 by 7by7

[soihok]

Thanks for the info, I didn't realise that the waiting time could be shortened if there is an urgent need to travel, I will keep this in mind.

I would rather wait until the visa has been issued before I consider making a complaint, thanks again.

[soihok]

The visa has been issued and passport collected.

I don't have the time and can't be bothered with going back there to make a complaint.

All in all it took a month to get.

Why there isn't a short term visa of about a month is beyond me. Two weeks in the UK in a year is enough thanks.

As I said, we both don't need this b*llsh*t, and not keen on going to the dump anyway.

I left the Uk in 92 with 1800 quid and a one way ticket to New Dehli ( I was 26), never looked back since.

[7by7]

I don't have the time and can't be bothered with going back there to make a complaint.

If no one ever officially complains about such poor service, then nothing will be done about it.

Edited July 13, 2013 by 7by7

[soihok]

Noted mate.

I should go back there but this means more time off work and running around.

[theoldgit]

Noted mate.

I should go back there but this means more time off work and running around.

How to make a complaint, worth a read.

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/countries/malaysia/contact/complaints?langname=UK English

[2yearvisitvisa]

I left the Uk in 92 with 1800 quid and a one way ticket to New Dehli ( I was 26), never looked back since.

Ive never really understood the way some Expats 'don't care for' the UK. In my experience (and I am not saying this about you, I don't know you) its usually the ones who failed amount to much who hate the UK so much. They made no money and then reinvent themselves overseas where its easier to make a few bob. I see this a lot in the Dunes - folks who ordinarily would have had low paying jobs in the UK now driving posh cars and ordering their maids and jinglees around.

Personally, I love the UK - to me its the best country in the world and, I think, the reason why so many people - from all walks of life - are so keen to live there. The UK on 80k a year allows a brilliant life.

[2yearvisitvisa]

However, longer term visit visas are available for regular travellers; although a holder can still only spend a maximum of 6 months in the UK on any one visit and, usually, no more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK as a visitor.

'Usually'? This is incorrect.

[theoldgit]

Personally, I love the UK - to me its the best country in the world and, I think, the reason why so many people - from all walks of life - are so keen to live there. The UK on 80k a year allows a brilliant life.

Most places in the world are pretty good on £80,000 a year, but that's over three times the average wage in the UK and not everyone earns that.

Anyway this thread is about the experience the OP had in the VFS office in KL.

[theoldgit]

However, longer term visit visas are available for regular travellers; although a holder can still only spend a maximum of 6 months in the UK on any one visit and, usually, no more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK as a visitor.

'Usually'? This is incorrect.

It's not incorrect at all, as usual 7by7 is spot on.

Most visas allow visitors to stay in the UK for up to six months at a time, some, for instance a visa if you are studying English, longer.

The UKVI recommend that you limit your stay to the period stated on your visa application or to a maximum of 180 days within a 12 month period. Whilst this is not law it's a guidline and lengthy periods spent in the UK as a visitor may cause an immigration or visa officer to doubt your intentions.

So yes, 7by7's advice is correct.

[soihok]

Pity the UK Border Agency don't issue short term via's. I mean we are only going there for 14 days, single entry. Not interested in 6 months multiple entry.

I see I can write in to complain, I better get writing then, thanks for the info.

[2yearvisitvisa]

Personally, I love the UK - to me its the best country in the world and, I think, the reason why so many people - from all walks of life - are so keen to live there. The UK on 80k a year allows a brilliant life.

Most places in the world are pretty good on £80,000 a year, but that's over three times the average wage in the UK and not everyone earns that.

Anyway this thread is about the experience the OP had in the VFS office in KL.

Nor do I - though I'd imagine it leads to a great existence. I disagree that most places in the world are pretty good on 80k. I get more than that in the Dunes and its <deleted>.

Anyway, back on topic.

[2yearvisitvisa]

However, longer term visit visas are available for regular travellers; although a holder can still only spend a maximum of 6 months in the UK on any one visit and, usually, no more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK as a visitor.

'Usually'? This is incorrect.

It's not incorrect at all, as usual 7by7 is spot on.

Most visas allow visitors to stay in the UK for up to six months at a time, some, for instance a visa if you are studying English, longer.

The UKVI recommend that you limit your stay to the period stated on your visa application or to a maximum of 180 days within a 12 month period. Whilst this is not law it's a guidline and lengthy periods spent in the UK as a visitor may cause an immigration or visa officer to doubt your intentions.

So yes, 7by7's advice is correct.

'Usually' IE 'Most of the time'.

Also, we are talking about visit visas, not student visas.

You are indeed correct in that there is not a rule to say you cannot stay for longer than 6 out of 12 months. And the key word you have mistaken here is 'usually'. You have no way of measuring or verifying this assumption regards the 'guideline'

There is no Rule that states a visitor can only remain in the UK for 6 out of any 12 months, but an ECO must examine the pattern and frequency of visits to see that it does not amount to de facto residence. There are a plethora of reasons as to why someone would stay longer which falls outside establishing a de facto residency, where the traveller has no intention of residing long term.

For example, when I was doing my PhD, my wife stayed in the UK for 10 months in 12 over a series of 3 visits. Another Thai friend develops property, she was in the UK for 9 out of 12 months last year over 5 trips, with no desire to live in the UK. Another associate, visiting his boyfriend, stayed for 6 months, went to Thailand for 1 and returned again and was allowed entry where he styed a further 6. When questioned, his simple response was 'I am deciding if we will get married and if I want to live in the UK, the first visit has not enabled me to do so'......STAMPED in.

'Usually', I am afraid, is the wrong choice of word. However, I will stand corrected if you can point me to any UKBA literature which uses this adverb of frequency within this context.

Edited July 15, 2013 by 2yearvisitvisa

[7by7]

2yearvisitvisa,

True, the word 'usually' does not appear in either the ECGs or the IDIs; nor, indeed the immigration rules themselves.

I used it for brevity rather than copy the official guidance in it's entirety!

You are quite correct when you say that in certain circumstances visitors may be allowed back into the UK when their entry would mean they would spend more than 6 months out of 12 there. It may be because they have an acceptable reason for spending so much time in the UK as a visitor, it may be simply because the IO at their port of entry hasn't checked the dates on the stamps in their passport properly; especially as the UK does not stamp passports on exit.

But this is not the norm; hence my use of the word 'usually.'

I am sure that the majority of members understood exactly what I meant.