Do we have enough to prove sole responsibility for UK Child settlement visa

[ironryon]

Hi

I'm almost at the point where we are going to send our printed application forms and supporting documents for my wifes daughters UK Child Settlement Visa application to Thailand.

I want to make sure lthat I've done everything possible to get this visa....I know proving sole responsibility is seriously important so I thought id ask for some advice about it from yourselves

A bit of info....

my wife came to the UK on a settlement visa in 2012

her daughter lives in my her house / cared for by her grandmother

she visited her daughter twice in 2013

she hasn't been able to visit since as she got pregnant and we had our son in July 2014

she has maintained phone calls to her daughter using Skype (call history printed off)

she sends money each month for her daughters upkeep (western union statements printed off)

she has a Kor Por 14 to confirm she has sole custody/responsibility

there has never been any involvement of her daughters biological father

she has a letter from the private school her daughter goes to confirming so and how much has been paid

she has a letter from her daughters grandmother to say shes happy for her to move to the UK

There is nothing else I can think of that we can include - we lost receipts for clothing and gifts that we sent over a while ago

We are really bad at taking photos...even in this selfie crazy world lol we just don't take many so there are none of me and her daughter together.

Any advice or suggestions welcome....I have a cover letter from my wife and my sponsor letter I can upload if that would help advice

[7by7]

My comments:

1) Provide a self certified copy of your wife's passport to show when and how often she has visited her daughter in Thailand. Explain why she has not done so since 2013.

2) In her letter your wife should say why her daughter did not move to the UK with her in 2012 and what has changed since to make her doing so now possible and desirable.

3) Does the letter from the school say to whom they send reports and who pays the fees? It should be the mother. Although, of course, no problem if you pay the fees; provide evidence of this if you have it.

4) The grandmother's letter should not, in my opinion, say that she is happy for her granddaughter to move to the UK as this could be taken to imply the grandmother is involved in the decision making regarding her granddaughter. That is, responsibility is shared rather than your wife having sole responsibility. Probably not a major concern, but better to be safe than sorry.

Instead, I believe the grandmother should say that she has been caring for the child on the instructions of her daughter, the child's mother, and it is the mother who has made all the important decisions regarding the child's life, such as schooling and now moving to the UK.

BTW, the Entry Clearance Office may want to briefly talk to the grandmother by phone to confirm the details of her letter and other points. If her letter is written in English then they will expect her to be able to talk to them in English and will doubt the authenticity of the letter if she is unable to do so. If it is written in Thai, with an accompanying English translation, they will be happy to talk to her in Thai.

5) I wouldn't worry too much over a lack of photos; I feel that people attach more importance to them than the actual ECOs do! Photos can be useful in showing a relationship over time. But in child applications there is no doubt about the relationship; your wife is her daughter's mother and the birth certificate proves that.

Finally, if you do decide to post any of your letters, remove all names and identifying info first. This forum can be accessed by anyone, and there are, unfortunately, a lot of weirdoes out there!

Edited March 18, 2015 by 7by7

[bobrussell]

Pretty much what you need but I would agree that a letter from the grandmother, in effect giving permission, would potentially be unhelpful. You have full parental responsibility therefore the decision to bring your daughter to the UK is yours 'alone'.

Clarify that the father has not been involved (is he on the birth certificate?).

A thorough explanation as to why the child did not travel to the UK with the mother will help remove a possible reason for refusal.