visa consultants

[rubarb]

Hi everyone my first post on here so be nice.

I met a thai girl last year and been over to see her 3 times now and want to bring her to uk for a holiday and dont know were to start with visa application. Im just asking if theres any good visa consultants anybody knows. ive been told theres a few cowboys who just give you all the talk and are not that helpful. Plus what are the sort of prices they charge. Thanks in advance

[theoldgit]

Why do you need a consultant, most people do it themselves, it's really not difficult, an honest agent would probably tell you that, also have a read through this forum.

If you do want to use an agent the only one I would recommend is the guy who sponsors this forum, they are competent and honest. http://www.thaivisa-express.com/uk-tourist-visa/

[rubarb]

Thanks for the reply. Ive been told its quite hard and a lot of paperwork and documents to gather. Like i said its all new to me and i dont no were to start. I'll have a good read through the forums see if i can get some more info thanks

[7by7]

Like theoldgit, the only agents in Thailand I know for sure are competent and honest are Thai Visa Express.

Have a read of the pinned topics:

UK visit visa basics

Visa agents.

[rubarb]

Ok thanks 7by7. Is it straight foward enough to try and do myself

[bobrussell]

It is very straight forward and can be done easily yourself. The challenge is to be able to convince the person processing the visa that the applicant meets the requirements!

If there are weaknesses in an application the best agent in the world is unlikely to make it stronger!

Look hard at the finished application - how strong is the evidence of a relationship? Is the visit affordable? Are there sufficient reasons for the applicant to return? This is what the Entry Clearance Officer is going to do.

The pinned topic linked by 7by7, covers what is required and many of the pitfalls so start there. We had the first visa refused because there was not adequate evidence of our relationship. Next application sailed through, perhaps because a bit of time had passed and we were still trying to get a visa!

Refusals will only impact on future applications if there is a suspicion of fraud in the application.

[Jip99]

Ok thanks 7by7. Is it straight foward enough to try and do myself

The websites and online systems are straight forward but a bit laborious for anyone unfamiliar with word processing or form filling.

The threads on Thai Visa will enable you to understand the 3 fundamentals of relationship/finance/reason to return. Essentially, if you can evidence a genuine relationship, show funds available to cover the costs and have reasons for your partner to return then you satisfy the criteria. Your job is to have all the supporting information available to enable an Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) to tick their boxes and approve your partner's application.

I endorse the Old Git's comment that any reasonably competent person can submit an application without the need for an agent. For a ball park figure for you, (DELETED)

PM for details

Edited May 15, 2015 by seedy
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[ThaiVisaExpress]

Ensure you cover the application as a whole explain the purpose of the trip etc.

[Kalbo]

It's not difficult, my wife did it by herself last year. The areas that the ECO looks at are the financial ability of the applicant (bank statements,employment certificate), evidence that she won't overstay the visa, (usually in the form of her return airplane tickets and her company letter stating that she's on holiday and will return to Thailand to work), and a viable sponsor in the UK who will, in writing, guarantee her stay and also state that she will not recourse to public funds during her stay). I've also heard of stories of people being rejected cos their hair has been dyed blonde in the application

photographs, or have had tattoos showing on shoulders in the photographs, but this has just been hearsay and I can't confirm how much influence that may have.

[theoldgit]

No, straightforward cases are not difficult and most applications can be submitted without the use of a qualified agent.

That said, the previous post highlights the dangers of inaccurate information that is often posted on Internet Forums.

Certainly the ECO will need to be satisfied that the proposed trip is affordable, affordability can be proved by either the applicant themselves or any sponsor they may have. Just supplying bank statements isn't sufficient, the source of the funds is also required.

A sponsor doesn't guarantee a stay as such but would need to satisfy the ECO that it's reasonable for them to provide financial support and it's affordable for them to do so. A sponsor doesn't need to say that an applicant has no recourse to public funds, that's written in law.

A reason to return is indeed vital for any successful application but a return flight ticket is not regarded as a reason to return, the UKVI actually specifically advises against purchasing flight tickets until a visa is issued.

Certainly evidence of an applicants employment could go towards convincing the ECO that they applicant is likely to return home, though I'm not sure what an employment certificate is, a letter from an employer will suffice.

You are right in saying that applications have been refused because the applicant has dyed their hair or has a tattoo is hearsay , it's actually scaremongering and not true.

[johnch1213]

No, straightforward cases are not difficult and most applications can be submitted without the use of a qualified agent.

That said, the previous post highlights the dangers of inaccurate information that is often posted on Internet Forums.

Certainly the ECO will need to be satisfied that the proposed trip is affordable, affordability can be proved by either the applicant themselves or any sponsor they may have. Just supplying bank statements isn't sufficient, the source of the funds is also required.

A sponsor doesn't guarantee a stay as such but would need to satisfy the ECO that it's reasonable for them to provide financial support and it's affordable for them to do so. A sponsor doesn't need to say that an applicant has no recourse to public funds, that's written in law.

A reason to return is indeed vital for any successful application but a return flight ticket is not regarded as a reason to return, the UKVI actually specifically advises against purchasing flight tickets until a visa is issued.

Certainly evidence of an applicants employment could go towards convincing the ECO that they applicant is likely to return home, though I'm not sure what an employment certificate is, a letter from an employer will suffice.

You are right in saying that applications have been refused because the applicant has dyed their hair or has a tattoo is hearsay , it's actually scaremongering and not true.

This part is not strictly true (Certainly the ECO will need to be satisfied that the proposed trip is affordable, affordability can be proved by either the applicant themselves or any sponsor they may have. Just supplying bank statements isn't sufficient, the source of the funds is also required.)

I have submitted a few family visit visa applications and I have only submitted my savings bank statement, No proof of where the money came from, No proof of having a job nothing like that and on each application the visa was granted without any problems

people really do seem to be making the whole application process sound much harder then it really is

Edited May 25, 2015 by johnch1213

[theoldgit]

@johnch1213, whilst I'm glad that you managed to obtain Family Visit Visas without all the recommended documents, advising people on the actual requirements isn't "making the whole application process sound much harder then it really is".

Unfortunately this forum is littered with posts from applicants who have had visas declined because they have cut corners and failed to supply recommended documents.

If an applicant has failed to supply the source of funds in their bank accounts the ECO could be forgiven for thinking that funds have been lodged in an account simply to obtain a visa and would be withdrawn once Entry Clearance has been granted.

This is the actual guidance provided by the UKVI.

Financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds available.

These must clearly show that you have access to the funds, such as:

bank statements

building society book

proof of earnings such as a letter from employer confirming employment details (start date of employment, salary, role, company contact details)

[7by7]

Indeed.

Over the years I have seen posts from people saying that they got the visa even though they didn't provide all the required documents.

But I have seen even more posts from people who were refused because they didn't provide all the required documents!

In my view it is extremely irresponsible to tell people that they can make short cuts in any visa application and get away with it.

[Seekingasylum]

Quite why follk assume that just because the applicant lives in Thailand they are compelled to seek professional advice in that country is mystifying. Finding a decent immigration law practitioner in the destination country where the sponsor resides is just as effective, and probably more so in many respects.

Essentially, in the UK all immigration advisors offering professional advice must by law be registered with their professional body, the OISC or the Law Society.

Most charge a fee of £500 - £600, or thereabouts, for representation in visit visa applications.

If an application is likely to have a few " wrinkles " then professional advice is sensible but the problem arises in that most lay people are not aware of the significance of those " wrinkles " and simply do not foresee any difficulties that ultimately may derail the application.

[HollyT]

Financial documents showing that you have sufficient funds available.

These must clearly show that you have access to the funds, such as:

bank statements

building society book

proof of earnings such as a letter from employer confirming employment details (start date of employment, salary, role, company contact details)

Should the actual bank books be submitted instead of just photocopies? (Sorry, I have asked about 100 questions about the application process now and I'm still not within the 3 month timescale to submit!)

[7by7]

Officially original documents should be submitted, with photocopies if you want the originals back.

Anecdotally, copies only have been accepted in the past; but there is no guarantee this will continue.

If submitting copies only of a bank book or bank statements you should certainly have the copies certified as correct by the bank concerned.

[HollyT]

Thanks 7by7, I don't mind submitting our bank books, just wanted to check this is okay to do and that we'd get them back! I'll submit originals and copies.

[bobrussell]

I suspect a number of the 'incomplete' applications are granted because the rest of the application is particularly strong. Missing a few bank statements or failing to write a good letter may not be considered critical if the applicant has an obvious settled life outside the UK. There may bean element of the luck of the draw.

For a new application the advice given by the more experienced and balanced posters should be taken. Assume nothing. Provide evidence covering all of the established reasons for rejection. These are clearly set out in the pinned visa basics topics.

An occasional decision by an ECO will appear strange and wrong but most rejections are because assumptions were made. Just because you know an applicant is law abiding does not mean an ECO can know that. They are forced to work on the balance of probabilities.

A sound application does not require an immigration specialist but many find it convenient to use one.

[Seekingasylum]

Just because an applicant thinks he or she has submitted a complete application is not grounds for assuming it will be granted. Increasingly, with the withdrawal of the appeal system, ECOs are interpreting rules incorrectly and in many instances are introducing requirements where none exists within the published Rules.

In order to deflect the ECO from embarking on some contrived refusal formulae it is increasingly important to draft a letter of submission accompanying the application that argues the merits of the case citing the significance of the enclosed evidence in support which demonstrates how the requirements of the Immigration Ruless have been met. This is crucial when a weakness exists that cannot be bolstered but nevertheless, by itself, would not constitute reasonable grounds for a refusal in the light of previous judgements that one may wish to cite.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Seekingasylum