Hello everyone! I want some info on how I can get a Family Visit Visa for my Mum to come visit us in UK. She is currently in Philippines and I have been here in UK for 9 yrs and been married to my British man for 9 yrs with 2 lovely kids. My Mum is single, currently self-employed, she lives with her sisters that are both single too but the house is not my Mum's but her sister, I send her money every now and then. I have a sister that works in RAF in Philippines (in a relationship) away from my Mum and I have a brother that lives with my Dad away from my Mum too. I would really love her to come and visit us so she can spend some time with her only gran daughters. Any info and help would be much much appreciated. Thank you so much.
This was something that we looked into but for various reasons we decided against it. A friend of ours is in the process of applying for such a visa. It seems like a lot of effort is required to make the case "water tight". The onus is on the applicant to prove that they intend to return to the Philippines and are not likely to overstay. The good news is that this type of visa, compared with spouse or settlement visas are relatively inexpensive. There are some threads on this topic dotted about the forum. Try these: http://www.british-filipino.com/showthread.php?5810-hi-to-all-the-members-of-BRITISH-FILIPINO-) http://www.british-filipino.com/sho...Kingdom-New-Requirements&highlight=visit+visa And also the UKBA: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/
Thank you for the reply JohnAsh, very helpful indeed. It may seem that we will be on the route of General Visitor Visa or Tourist Visa but I can provide supporting documents that even if she's getting the Tourist Visa we will sponsor her and she won't be just a tourist but a family that wanna spend time with family members. Would that have more chance of success? I mean she have to go back to Philippines as she have 2 kids in there and her whole clan lives there siblings etc. so as long as we can prove that she should be ok. One thing worries me tho is she do not have a property on her name as she lives with her sisters, but then can that be used as a stronger tie that she have more reason to go back to PI than stay in UK? Again thanks bunches
We didnt get to the point of compiling an application but it appears that the evidence your mother supplies is convincing to a sceptical UKBA ECO. The more convincing the better. So, yes, including the clan and siblings and kids is a good idea. Does she have a job or business there there?
She is self-employed so not as air-tight like an employed person would be but she pays for herself mostly. The money that will be used for her to come over would be provided by me and hubby, she's got bank account but I have no idea what goes on in there nor its my place to know lol. I have been wanting her to come over spend some time with me and kids as we don't go back to PI as much as we want or stay their longer either, tops we stay in PI is 3 weeks and I just don't think it's enough time for me and kids to bond with my mum. So it's really the only way but I wouldn't do it if her circumstances is not good enough to get visa.
As I mentioned above, a couple that we know are trying to get a visa for her mother to come to the UK. They are applying for a 6 month visa for the mother. They are actually using an Immigration agent for this purpose who are instructing them on what they need to provide for the visa. It is expensive for the agency fees alone ie about £700 however it suits them to use an agent and they can afford it. It sounds like they are collecting a lot of materials to try and make their case "refusal proof", if there is such a thing. I was wondering, could your mom provide evidence of her employment / business. I cant help but think that might help in lieu of materials from an employer?
I have talked to my mum and asked if she can find out how to get this kind of document and if it's possible. In the meantime I have another question about the requirements, what exactly is public funds? I know my mum won't be able to claim for a benefit of some sort but does this apply to us as well? Child Benefit for instance as we have kids Thank you xx
You haven't given a clue as to your immigration status which makes a difference on what public funds you can claim. Do you have citizenship? My wife is here on a spouse visa and cannot claim public funds. However, I claim child benefit for our child as she cannot. However if her mother came here on a visit visa our my wife's claim to public funds wouldn't change.
oh so sorry I thought I have given info about my status but anyway I am here 9 years so I am British citizen and I have British passport. Child benefit for our 1st child goes to my hubby's accnt as he claimed that while I was on Spouse Visa, our 2nd child's benefit goes to our joint account.
My Mrs applied for her Mother to come visit us us in the UK about 9 years ago for a six month visit. The Mrs said it was a piece of cake.. She stayed with us for 6 months. Apparently the UK have gone a bit draconian since then so not so sure these days?
Well, to prove it can be done first time, my wife's friend's mother got her visit visa to Britain, for 6 months, the first time of asking.
