General Visitor to the UK - short holiday (1 month only)

Hi there,

I am in the process of planning a visit to the UK to see friends and family whom I have not seen in over 10 years, and some in over 16 years.

I am not employed as I am a mother on the Domestic Purposes Benefit in the country where I am a permanent resident (New Zealand) and am wondering what information/evidence I could provide as proof of my intention to return to New Zealand - not being able to supply evidence of returning to work.

I am full custodial of my children and one of them has a medical condition because of which she is heavily dependent on me. My family have afforded me this much needed vacation but it can only be for 1 month as I need to return to resume my care demands as regards my children.

Any advice here would be most appreciated.

Kind regards

PS.. I am not a New Zealand national so I do need a visitor visa to the UK.

If you are visiting any family members as defined on the web page following, you should apply for a Family Visit Visa:-

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/visita ... ansitvisa2

The significant feature of a family visit visa is that you would have a right of appeal against refusal, so you have a better chance. Have you much evidence of contact with any of the people you are intending to visit? On its own, a sudden desire to go half-way round the world to see someone with whom you've had no contact for 10 years or more would tend to raise suspicions in the mind of the ECO.

Your strongest point is that you are a full-time carer of your children, a duty to which you must return. Are there any special arrangements for their care whilst you are away that you can highlight? The proposals for financing your trip are also important.
I don't know if you previously had any qualification or profession, but the point might be made that you have no reason to go to depression-hit UK on your own to find work when you could more easily find work and stay with your family in NZL.

I trust this is of assistance