Visa Application Centre Checklist Sheet

[Thaiverymuch]

My partner recently took her application in to the VAC and was given a sheet with a check list on, written in English. She speaks and understands English very well but is still learning to read and write the language. (Like me, I can speak and understand a lot of Thai but cannot read or write a word of it)

She asked the lady who gave her the sheet to help translate and was told "If you cannot read English why are you going there" and would not help her.

Because of this I understand relevant documents were removed from her application and her visa refused.

Where can we see this sheet that is handed to applicants and why was there no help for a national from the VAC???

Bloody annoyed ;-(

Thaiverymuch

[nzexpat]

Wrong Forum ?

[ubonjoe]

Moved to the visas for other countries forum.

[NanLaew]

If her visa was refused, there's a letter returned with the passport that clearly itemizes the reasons for refusal.

What does that letter say?

[bigyin]

If her visa was refused, there's a letter returned with the passport that clearly itemizes the reasons for refusal.

What does that letter say?

Yes this is the key question here. My wife was there 3 weeks ago and there was no checklist handed out and I have never heard of this. When she went the staff were extremely helpful and checked for the absolutely must have documentation.

[7by7]

First question; which country was she applying to?

Second question; what type of visa was she applying for?

[NanLaew]

The only 'checklist' I have seen was when my wife applied for a UK Visit visa over 2 years ago at the old Regent House location. Between the time she had filed online and attending the submission appointment, the UK visa office had added 2 or 3 additional questions to the application. The VFS guy gave her a printed copy of the new application form and we all sat down outside and I filled in the new form as I was quicker. They were happy with that and a few weeks later, she got her visa.

I have an idea that there was something amiss with the OP's partner's application and she maybe had to fill in a new one? Otherwise, no clue.

But every visa refusal comes with a printed reason why, so let's hear about that first.

[Thaiverymuch]

First question; which country was she applying to?

Second question; what type of visa was she applying for?

Uk visiting visa

[7by7]

Fine, then as NanLaew says, she would have been given a written reason detailing the reason for the refusal; so if you want comment on that and advice on how to proceed we need to see it.

But before posting it you should remove all names and other identifying information.

To add to comments of others, my sister in law attended the UKVAC in early February and her experience was similar to that reported by bigyin; and she was not given a supporting document check list, nor was she questioned about her English ability (none!). There is no English requirement for visitors.

Are you sure your partner was actually in the UKVAC and had not been hijacked by a dodgy visa agent on her way there?

[Tony M]

It is not a supporting document checklist as such. VFS are supposed to list each document that is submitted, and the applicant then signs the check list to agree that he/she agrees that the list is complete. From my own experience, applicants are often too scared to say that they weren't allowed to submit a particular document, and that VFS advised them to withdraw it. The applicant, by the way, does not get a copy of the list.

[Thaiverymuch]

It is not a supporting document checklist as such. VFS are supposed to list each document that is submitted, and the applicant then signs the check list to agree that he/she agrees that the list is complete. From my own experience, applicants are often too scared to say that they weren't allowed to submit a particular document, and that VFS advised them to withdraw it. The applicant, by the way, does not get a copy of the list.

Yes this is where the whole process of using a professional company for your Visa application falls down as they cannot represent you all the way ;-(

My partner was given the checklist to sign which was in English and offered no help with the translation.

We later got a email after a complaint was made, stating that there were no documents provided about her Tabian Bann and my partner had signed a form that they were not included as supporting documents because she was unable to read it.

The applicant should get a copy of everything they sign ;-(

Supporting documents were included for her Tabian Bann as they were very relevant to her application. but the ECO say's NO

Edited March 28, 2015 by Thaiverymuch

[NanLaew]

It is not a supporting document checklist as such. VFS are supposed to list each document that is submitted, and the applicant then signs the check list to agree that he/she agrees that the list is complete. From my own experience, applicants are often too scared to say that they weren't allowed to submit a particular document, and that VFS advised them to withdraw it. The applicant, by the way, does not get a copy of the list.

Yes this is where the whole process of using a professional company for your Visa application falls down as they cannot represent you all the way ;-(

My partner was given the checklist to sign which was in English and offered no help with the translation.

We later got a email after a complaint was made, stating that there were no documents provided about her Tabian Bann and my partner had signed a form that they were not included as supporting documents because she was unable to read it.

The applicant should get a copy of everything they sign ;-(

Supporting documents were included for her Tabian Bann as they were very relevant to her application. but the ECO say's NO

This may get back to what some were saying earlier about some applicants feeling intimidated by the VFS clerk (that's all they are) but the applicant has the right to insist that documents be included despite any RECOMMENDATIONS that the VFS clerk makes towards their worth to the application process. The VFS clerk is not the ECO and can only RECOMMEND and has no right to remove documents without the applicants approval. For some reason, this VFS clerk thought the tibian bahn documents being submitted were either incorrect, insufficient or in some other way deficient. We cannot offer any view on this since only the OP's partner and the VFS clerk saw them. This doesn't help the OP now but should if there's a subsequent, renewed application made.

How come I get the feeling that the OP wasn't (still isn't) anywhere near his partner applicant?

[Thaiverymuch]

How come I get the feeling that the OP wasn't (still isn't) anywhere near his partner applicant?

No I'm in the UK - I commissioned a company to apply on behalf of my partner

[Paul888]

Just guessing but the problem could have been that the OP's partner only had a Thai copy rather than a copy and a certified translation?

Really though, these things are all about preparation and making sure that you read the requirements carefully and submit everything that the ECO could possibly need.

[Thaiverymuch]

Thank you Paul888 they had a certified translation as well :-(

[NanLaew]

I think the OP needs to clarify the EXACT reason for rejection with the "professional company" used for the visa application. The company should know by experience exactly what the VFS clerk wants to see and should have caught any deficiency in the tibian bahn support documents. The OP's partner was paying them to only to ensure the submission was correct and not in any way to 'guarantee' the issuing of the visa, be it implied or otherwise.

[bigyin]

I just checked with my wife and the only thing she had to do was state where she took her English language test and then sign that...no checklist. This was the case last year as well. There may well be an element of inconsistency here from VFS but as I said before they were helpful to my wife.

[NanLaew]

I just checked with my wife and the only thing she had to do was state where she took her English language test and then sign that...no checklist. This was the case last year as well. There may well be an element of inconsistency here from VFS but as I said before they were helpful to my wife.

English language test?

The OP's partner is seeking a UK Visit visa. They don't need any English language testing for that do they?

[bigyin]

No they don't. Last year was a visit visa and no check list. This year a settlement visa and just a form about the English test. Sorry if I confused anyone.

[7by7]

Yes this is where the whole process of using a professional company for your Visa application falls down as they cannot represent you all the way ;-(

My partner was given the checklist to sign which was in English and offered no help with the translation.

What her agent should have done, but apparently didn't, was stress to her that VFS staff have no business removing any supporting documents from the application and that any attempt by them to do so must be resisted.

We later got a email after a complaint was made, stating that there were no documents provided about her Tabian Bann and my partner had signed a form that they were not included as supporting documents because she was unable to read it.

What happened to the official refusal notice she would have been sent when her passport was returned?

BTW, I am not sure why a missing Tabien Bahn alone would be grounds for refusal anyway.

My sister in law did not supply a copy of her Tabien Bahn or similar in her recent visit visa application.

She was issued the visa and we picked her up from Heathrow last Tuesday.

I think there is more to this refusal than what you have posted so far indicates; which is why I think you should post the actual refusal notice as suggested earlier.

We may then be able to advise you on the next step.

[Thaiverymuch]

Yes you are absolutely right 7by7, my partner was intimidated & embarrassed she could not read so just signed. They obviously removed her Tibian Bahn original & translated scans. Perhaps I will give her a check list for them to sign as receipt lol

[NanLaew]

Yes you are absolutely right 7by7, my partner was intimidated & embarrassed she could not read so just signed. They obviously removed her Tibian Bahn original & translated scans. Perhaps I will give her a check list for them to sign as receipt lol

The only thing that is obvious is your assumption that the VFS clerk removed both original and copies of a quite important supporting document. Have you seen the actual refusal letter or relying solely on what your partner is telling you?

More important is to stress to her that VFS clerks have no right to remove anything from a submission and if she has to, use a different 'professional company' for assistance.

[AustralianVisa]

It is not a supporting document checklist as such. VFS are supposed to list each document that is submitted, and the applicant then signs the check list to agree that he/she agrees that the list is complete. From my own experience, applicants are often too scared to say that they weren't allowed to submit a particular document, and that VFS advised them to withdraw it. The applicant, by the way, does not get a copy of the list.

Yes this is where the whole process of using a professional company for your Visa application falls down as they cannot represent you all the way ;-(

My partner was given the checklist to sign which was in English and offered no help with the translation.

We later got a email after a complaint was made, stating that there were no documents provided about her Tabian Bann and my partner had signed a form that they were not included as supporting documents because she was unable to read it.

The applicant should get a copy of everything they sign ;-(

Supporting documents were included for her Tabian Bann as they were very relevant to her application. but the ECO say's NO

@ThaiVeryMuch - if you are getting an agent or professional company to do the application for you then they should be completing the process until lodgement - I know we do as otherwise you can not be sure of what happens. As an Agent I am able to sign and lodge clients applications and we deliver in person ourselves.

I would recommend to anyone that they take a photo of the completed form with their smart phone if they are doing it themselves before it is lodged but after being signed by the receving person.

[7by7]

As an Agent I am able to sign and lodge clients applications and we deliver in person ourselves.

While this may be possible for Australian applications; it is not for UK ones.

UK visa applications are made online, and the hard copy of form must be signed by the applicant.

Applicants must attend the UKVAC in person to have their biometrics taken and submit the hard copy of the application form and their supporting documents. Except in special circumstances, only the applicant is allowed into the VAC.

Thaiverymuch; I would still be very interested in what exactly the ECO said in the refusal notice. Refusing purely because there was no Tabien Bahn in the supporting documents seems very strange to me. As said, my sister in law did not include this and is currently in the UK with us.