Application was successful, however a Blunder.

I applied a Visa for my father-in- law. Please read the following 2 letters. I am astounded by their response.

My Letter

The Applicant of the above Application number, collected his passport and documents from your Islamabad offices on 15th December 2014. His application was successful and he has been granted a visit visa to the UK.

I write in great concern; the Applicant applied for a 2 years visitor visa (Long-term visit visa). The Applicant also submitted the required £300 fee. Unfortunately, you have by error provided him a 6 month visa.

I urgently request you refer to his case and the application he had submitted. I trust this error will be rectified immediately as he proposes to travel in 8 days.

Should you require to contact me, please kindly phone me on xxxxx

Yours faithfully,


Mr xxxxx
Sponsor


Response from Embassy

> Dear xxxxxx
>
> Thank you for contacting the United Kingdom Visas and Immigrations
> International Enquiry Service.
>
> In regards to your escalation, we have received a response from the
> authority. Please see details below:
>
> 'Applicant’s visa was issued with a validity of 6 months instead of the
> duration for which he applied. The expiry date of the visa was decided upon
> by the Entry Clearance Officer based on the documentation that the
> applicant provided and any other relevant information known to the Entry
> Clearance Officer. The decision to reduce the validity of his visa was
> reviewed by an Entry Clearance Manager who was satisfied that it was
> correct. In these circumstances the visa fee that he paid cannot be
> refunded.'


Are they permitted to do this? If they felt this was
Not to be a 2 year visa surely they would have refused
It instead. Or at least, wrote to me explaining the above
Beforehand. Please advise.

unfortunately application for a long term visa and payment of necessary fees don't guarantee such approval.

what's your status in the UK?
what's your father-in-law's travel history - to UK and elsewhere?
did you state any specific reason for the long term visa?

Yes they are.

Two, five and ten year visas are issued at the discretion of the ECO and are only usually issues to those with a long history of visits without issues.

Thank you for your reply.

I am a British National. Born here.

Father-in-law is Pakistani citizen.
He came under a 6 month visitor visa 6/7
Years ago. Came and left within the boundaries of the
visa date.

The requirements for a 6 month or 2 month visa are the same.
However, how can the thieves retain the money. At least they would reinburst the difference in 6-2 yr fee.

.

a visit 6/7 years ago is probably too long ago in this context.

for long term visa application is recommended to have alteast one or two short term visits in the recent past. unless the visitor plans to make multiple short trips during the validity of the visa, for just 1 or 2 trips a 6 month visa application is more economical (though you'll need to repeat the application process).

Thanks for your advice much appreciated.