Bringing Step Daughter To Uk

[mrbojangles]

Hi people.

Mr and Mrs BoJangles, along with StepDaughterBoJangles have decided to make an application to bring her to live and settle in the UK with us.

Daunting for MrBoJangles, as i have no kids (that i know of ) never mind bringing a 13 year old girl, who can hardly speak english.

MrsBoJ will have had her SV for a year in Sept.

We want to start getting everything ready now, for hopefully bringing TeenJangles back, late Dec early Jan. And Mrs BoJ will travel to LOS early November to try and sort anything out over there. Will this be enough time to apply and get the interview.

I am presuming that i submit the same sponsorship details as when Mrs BoJ applied for her SV, but what is need for the SD. I believe a letter or something from her dad but what else?

Also, I would appreciate any advise, not only Visa related, from you people who have done this, especially recently, on absolutely anything at all. i.e. me not having kids before, how do i get her into a school etc.

Much appreciated people and sorry about the many questions but if you have an answer to just one of the above, i would indeed owe you a Chang or 3

[vinny]

See also UKvisas' Chapter 14 - Settlement entry for children

British Embassy's Family Members

Home Office's Law and Policy on Chapter 8 Family Members, 5A - Children

Home Office's Chapter 8 annexes, Section 5 - Children/Adopted children, Annex M - General guidance part 1 & part 2 - guidance on interpretation of the rules

AIT's [2006] UKAIT 00049 TD (Paragraph 297(i)(e): "sole responsibility") Yemen 24/05/2006

[mrbojangles]

Thanks very much Vinny Top man.

[chonabot]

Mate , anything you want to know about just ask me.

We brought my wife's son ( 12 at the time ) from Thailand to the UK 3 years ago.

It's been a rocky road, every possible pitfall has been met and defeated.

PM me or ask on here , I could write a book.

It's been worth it though!

Chon

[mrbojangles]

Do i fill in the following form http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/vaf2_nov_2005,4.pdf VAF2

Or does she have to do it? And when filling it in, am I the sponsor or her mother?

Cheers

Edit// sorry Chon, you posted whilst i was

Edited July 31, 2006 by mrbojangles

[the scouser]

I know of an excellent immigration adviser in your neck of the woods. Cheap at half the price and consultations in the Dog and Partridge....

The application form you posted a link to is the correct one. You will, basically, have to show that:

1. your step-daughter and wife and, indeed, related as claimed;

2. You have the money to take care of her

3. You have big enough accommodation

4. Your wife has had sole responsibility for her upbringing.

If your step-daughter is currently in her father's care, it might be difficult demonstrating the last point, in which case all is not lost if you can show that there are compelling reasons why your step-daughter should stay with her mother.

You might find it useful to have a look at the immigration rules (para 301)

Cheers,

Scouse.

[chonabot]

MrB , Scouse is obviously the Man when it comes to the Visa/Official side of things.

Once your step-Daughter is in the UK you will find it is easy enough to register her with a school , get TEFL lessons etc, but if you need any advice along the way give me a pm or I can pm you my mobile number for a chat. My stepson, Andy, had very little English when he came here, after 3 years he is in the top 10 percent of his year. He's also fighting the girls off, lucky barsteward....

ps Scouse, any luck on the football forum name change ?

Edited July 31, 2006 by chonabot

[the scouser]

ps Scouse, any luck on the football forum name change ?

There's a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiation on the very topic. At the moment, the big guns are discussing whether it should be called "football" or "soccer".

Scouse.

[britmaveric]

Soccer???

[Totster]

ps Scouse, any luck on the football forum name change ?

There's a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiation on the very topic. At the moment, the big guns are discussing whether it should be called "football" or "soccer".

Scouse.

WHAT ??

No contest... it can only be football...!!

totster

[Mossfinn]

Hi Family Bojangles,

As stated by Chonabot, I will leave all matters legal to the link wizard Vinny or your buddy Scouse and your board meetings in the local watering hole, but as for other matters that can be just as daunting or worrysome, maybe I can throw some light on the matter in hand.

If it helps, my daughter was my first child too, and on the whole it has been an absolute joy.

My step-daughter was 13 when she arrived with almost no English to speak of, if you pardon the pun and it has been a roller coast ride for the last two and a half years.

I will not post all the details but if it might help prepare or give you some insight to what may occur I will pm you.

First thing, we were advised by the embassy staff, when we first applied that 12/13/14 was toward the middle to late time line to start preparing for a visa, once you get to 15/16 for the first entry they start scrutinising viability into intergration into British society.

This is where they start to refuse simply because of, in their opinion they will not intergrate satisfactorily enough for it to be viable.

Legally wise, I do not know but that is what we were told.

Secondly, I am not sure if your other half has sole responsibilty for the daughter or if the 'biolgical', father still has some contact, trust me I tread carefully on this matter, as sometimes I got a little agitated due to who actually is regarded as the real Father.

If your other half has not got sole responsibilty with papers from the court proving it, the 'biological father', can if he so wishes make things difficult.

I will post a little more later if it helps, I am not sure how much space you can use for one post,

Good Luck

Moss

[mrbojangles]

I know of an excellent immigration adviser in your neck of the woods. Cheap at half the price and consultations in the Dog and Partridge....

Cheers Scouse You know i'm always up for a pint of Boddingtons

Once your step-Daughter is in the UK you will find it is easy enough to register her with a school , get TEFL lessons etc, but if you need any advice along the way give me a pm or I can pm you my mobile number for a chat. My stepson, Andy, had very little English when he came here, after 3 years he is in the top 10 percent of his year. He's also fighting the girls off, lucky barsteward....

Excellent news about your lad Chon. Hopefully she will follow a similar route. Thanks for the offer of advise, i'd love to take you up on it in the near future

No contest... it can only be football...!!

Absolutely

[mrbojangles]

I will post a little more later if it helps, I am not sure how much space you can use for one post,

Good Luck

Moss

Thanks very much Moss and the rest of you guys. You are all top drawer, only on this site would so many people be so helpful. You have my gratest gratitude

Fortunately, the father has already consented and will sign whatever he needs to. He realises it is probably the best for her future and he's a decent enough chap. So hopefully there will be no problem in that dept. (where's that fingers crossed emoticon)

Edited July 31, 2006 by mrbojangles

[Mossfinn]

Boj Family,

Just a short reply this time!

We got the visa very easily with little complications and it went straight thru, a brief talk at the counter, where he stated he coundn't make a decision, he would look through the evidence and make a decision on Friday just a short few days later.

Turned up on that day, no interview, no more questions, just called the wife up and gave the file or part of it back and said come back later for the stamp.

Its now the fun really started!!

:D

So, in my limited opinion, you have a great chance.

It is good that you have the fathers consent and a good advisor, I have just reconsidered that last statement,( ' bloody english',)

So in my opinion you have a great application.

The school in our instance was also a very simple process, just make an appointment and they gave us a start date.

She picked up English so easy it was rather astonishing, but they say kids do that.

I will pm you with, what may cause other problems.

Good Luck

Moss

ps I am here on my own, they are in LOS theselves so other relevant info may be missing!

Edited July 31, 2006 by Mossfinn

[the scouser]

It is good that you have the fathers consent and a good advisor, I have just reconsidered that last statement,( ' bloody english',)

Coming from Liverpool, Moss, there's a chance I'm more Irish than you....

Scouse

aka Finbar O'Shaunessy

[Mossfinn]

One other quick point while I remember Mr B, your daughter, I believe is entitled to the same immigration status as your wife so the stamp should reflect this, there was an anomaly with my daughters stamp and it took an inordinate amount of Finbar and Vinny's time sorting it out.

Probabably an inconsequence but it may be worth knowing.

Moss

[Mossfinn]

ps Scouse, any luck on the football forum name change ?

There's a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiation on the very topic. At the moment, the big guns are discussing whether it should be called "football" or "soccer".

Scouse.

WHAT ??

No contest... it can only be football...!!

totster

We must be talking Rugby Football here then, anything else is soccer, surely.')

Edited July 31, 2006 by Mossfinn

[mrbojangles]

Thanks for all the info Mossfin. Much appreciated. I am going to start a list with tick boxes. The first being to get the SD a passport, as without that we can't even apply.

In section 14:5 "Sole responsibility" of the following, what proof or supporting documents did you guys provide http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pa...31#point%20five I vaguely remember someone telling me a while ago, that a letter from the village head will suffice but i'm not sure.

Complicated process, especially when trying to sort things from here but i'm sure it will be worth it.

Thanks again

MrBoJ

[GU22]

As far as I understand it, to show sole responsibility you will need either a set of sole custody documents, or the fathers death certificate.

Sole custody can be easy, if the father agrees, as both parents simply turn up at the Ampur and sign a few documents.

However, if the father doesn't play ball, as happened in my wife's case, then it can be a lengthy process involving several court appearances. This was in Bangkok, the system may be more flexible in country areas.

[mrbojangles]

Sole custody can be easy, if the father agrees, as both parents simply turn up at the Ampur and sign a few documents.

Thanks GU22

Would the Ampur have to be the one nearest to the village or can it be any? Although the father is being very co-operative at the moment, i don't want to put him out, unless we absolutely have to. He lives and works in Bangkok and the Village is about 5-6 hours north.

[GU22]

I don't have any personal experience of sole custody issued by an Ampur as my wife had to go to court. But, from what I have read, it should be done at the mother's home Ampur.

Maybe someone who has done this can confirm.

[Mossfinn]

I don't have any personal experience of sole custody issued by an Ampur as my wife had to go to court. But, from what I have read, it should be done at the mother's home Ampur.

Maybe someone who has done this can confirm.

I can't confirm either, the sole custody document was done in a court as well.

As an aside GU22, you talk of 'sole custody documents', as in plural, we only have one document from the court, just curious thats all.

Moss

[GU22]

Sorry, slip of the finger.

[mrbojangles]

Cheers guys,

Can anyone else confirm or not, as to wether the sole custody document can be done at the local ampur?

[saranagon]

Hi Mr Bo

I am about to go through the same process as yourself ,with my 5 year old step-son ,

His Grandparents have sole custody at the moment ,no Father to be seen at all ,My wife says she can change document at the village for sole custody to her at local amphur ,

What i don,t get is why do they ask for a travel date on the visa app if you don,t know the outcome of the interview,And if we do put a date can i book a flight for my wife and stepson from uk so they travel together ,as there is no way a 5 year old Thai boy can travel alone.

Headache it is !!!

[Pie Boy]

Cheers guys,

Can anyone else confirm or not, as to wether the sole custody document can be done at the local ampur?

Mr BoJ; me and wifey sorted the sole custody docs out at the local ampur so it certainly can be done.

I think we have been blessed with a great deal of luck as both of our kids have settled really well,I would take your time over choice of school and look at what support they can offer to your daughter in terms of additional english classes 1:1 teaching etc.I would ask about what funding is avaiable for them to provide this support and what experiance they have had.

There are also a number of excellent programmes for teenagers new to the country that are run in a sunny metropolis not too far from Dale - I can give you details of if your interested.

Best of Luck

Pie Boy

[mrbojangles]

What i don,t get is why do they ask for a travel date on the visa app if you don,t know the outcome of the interview,And if we do put a date can i book a flight for my wife and stepson from uk so they travel together ,as there is no way a 5 year old Thai boy can travel alone.

Headache it is !!!

I'm not too sure on that saranagon. Maybe Scouse or GU22 can explain.

Good luck though

There are also a number of excellent programmes for teenagers new to the country that are run in a sunny metropolis not too far from Dale - I can give you details of if your interested.

Hi PieBoy,

Long time no see or hear. Hope your all fine.

Thanks for that, i'll PM nearer the time if that's OK.

Cheers buddy

[the scouser]

What i don,t get is why do they ask for a travel date on the visa app if you don,t know the outcome of the interview,And if we do put a date can i book a flight for my wife and stepson from uk so they travel together ,as there is no way a 5 year old Thai boy can travel alone.

You only need enter an approximate date of travel on the application form, but I wouldn't actually purchase the ticket until such a time as your step-son has his visa.

I don't know if the various airlines still do this, but certainly BA and Emirates used to offer an "auntie" service whereby unaccompanied youngsters could travel and would be escorted through all the formalities, being delivered to a nominated meeter and greeter.

Scouse.

[saranagon]

Thanks Scouse

And everyone involved in sharing this information ,without all this info it would certainly be a daunting experience for all involved

Good luck to everyone going through the same process

[saranagon]

One more question,,

If all documentation is correct how long will the visa process take,start to finish