Last year and this year I have been out to South Africa 3 times, to stay with my girlfriend who lives there.... Now We have been planning for some time, for her to come stay with me for 6 months when I go off to University. The visa has been put on the back burner, because we have been told that the visa is valid from the date it is accepted... So it isn't really something we can apply for until the middle of September (for her to come down in October).
I have been reading so many 'horror' stories about visas that have gone wrong, people in similar if not better circumstances than us being turned down. So I thought I would post up our situation here and see if anyone had any advice and whether you think we will or wont be able to get a 6 month holiday visa.
Firstly, I am 20, from Wales and will be sponsoring my girlfriends trip here... I work for a charity at the moment, have done since February this year, I have saved all of my pay slips and I earn just over £530 a month. I have sent my girlfriend the money for the flights, and her passport and visa costs... and intend to pay for everything when she is here.
I will be going to university in Leicester in October, and will be sorting out rent on a flat later this month (I just need to sign the contract) the landlord has agreed to my girlfriend staying for 6 months, the flat is a one bedroom hosted by the student union.
We haven't yet booked any flights, because we were told not to book them until you have the visa.. but then we were also told a return ticket shows the people looking at the visa that the applicant intends to return home.
My girlfriend has lived in South Africa her whole life, this will be her first trip outside of SA. She has no job and no money other than what I have sent over to her. Her parents have said they will send their financial details with her application, as well as me sending mine.
My mum has agreed to my gf staying at our family home for 6 months IF something was to go wrong with the flat, so I will also be supplying a utility bill / bank statements (mine) and a letter of permission from my mum... As extra help.
My worry is with my girlfriend being 23 and unemployed.. They will see her as an immigration risk.. Also with the current political climate in SA this just makes it seem worse
Really though, I just want to show her what life is like in the UK. I would be taking her to see castles / London / museums / plays etc etc... Though we will be living to a very tight budget.
(I will have full student loan / grant... and intend to take up a part time job when I can find one).
any advice you could give us would be appreciated, We have been together a year, and I have been to stay with her family 3 times. It seems so unfair that I can go there and just fill in a tiny form on the plane, but she might not be able to stay here even with 6 months of planning under our belt.
.. I had assumed that aslong as they had proof of address and proof of a return ticket it would be fine