One Way flight....

Hi,

my girlfriend from Peru has recently receieved her visit visa for the uk and intends to come to here for around 6 months. She wants to come within the next week or 2 but at the moment, can only afford her flight here. Will it raise suspicion at the entry point if she doesn't have a return flight ticket in hand? Aside from not being able to pay for the full return fare right now, we are also unsure if she will stay the full 6 months? Do they expect you to book an open return ticket in this situation??

thanks

That's good news Paul.

I'd put yourself in the position of the ECO. If you had a visitor arriving with little money, staying for 6 months, and no return ticket - would you be suspicious?

I'd go back and check those tickets again - we booked a ticket for my mother in law at a very reasonable rate which was semi flexible - e.g. she could change it for a $125 fee.

That was done direct on the BA website on Iberia and BA flights.

Keep in mind that if she goes via the USA - she'll need a visa for there too as she'll technically enter the US - so heading via Madrid is sensible. I've also seen routes via Caracas and Paris (which I wouldn't recommend) and also via Amsterdam. Finally - the last trip we did was via Soa Paolo - which worked nicely for us.

I'd write her an invite letter if she's going to be staying with you and have you financially supporting here (e.g. I'm expecting xxx to stay at my house and I will be financially supporting her - I earn ... at job ...) - it helps everything go more smoothly - but also make sure she fills out the landing card according to your story .

M

Thanks M.

having checked again, you were right the return flight is not a great deal more than a one way! I've flown the Lima>Madrid>UK and Lima>Amsterdam>UK routes myself and will probably go with KLM this time as she can fly straight into Edinburgh so its one less flight. Found that route better myself, wasn't a fan of LAN/Iberia long-haul.

Do you happen to know, is the General Visit Visa valid for 6 months from the date of issue, or 6 months from the date of entry to the UK?

Apparently the embassy in Lima kept her letters of invitation when she submitted her application but I'll send her copies just in case.

thanks

pauldm21 wrote:Do you happen to know, is the General Visit Visa valid for 6 months from the date of issue, or 6 months from the date of entry to the UK?

From the date of issue. The visa will have an expiry date mentioned on it.

See also ECB9.4 Validity of entry clearance

pauldm21 wrote: Apparently the embassy in Lima kept her letters of invitation when she submitted her application but I'll send her copies just in case.

We always write fresh letters anyway. Much more simple than our visa letters (which can get quite long explaining situations). Something along the lines of:

Dear sir/madam,

This is to confirm I am expecting xxxx for a visit from xxxx to yyyy.

I will be providing accomodation at the above address and financial support.

I am currently working at zzzz and earning aaaa per year. I have my most recent bank statement and payslip with me if required.

I am waiting in the airport and can be contacted on my mobile bbbb if needed.

M.

pauldm21 wrote:Hi,

my girlfriend from Peru has recently receieved her visit visa for the uk and intends to come to here for around 6 months. She wants to come within the next week or 2 but at the moment, can only afford her flight here. Will it raise suspicion at the entry point if she doesn't have a return flight ticket in hand? Aside from not being able to pay for the full return fare right now, we are also unsure if she will stay the full 6 months? Do they expect you to book an open return ticket in this situation??

thanks

It will likely be that she will not be allowed to board the plane unless she has a return ticket.
I have tried to travel to 2 different countries with single tickets and was refused by the Stupid concerned.I had to buy return tickets and then ask for a refund on the unused portion after I had finished my round the world trip.
The reason for the refusal was that there was no proof that I would leave the country

mochyn wrote:

pauldm21 wrote:Hi,

my girlfriend from Peru has recently receieved her visit visa for the uk and intends to come to here for around 6 months. She wants to come within the next week or 2 but at the moment, can only afford her flight here. Will it raise suspicion at the entry point if she doesn't have a return flight ticket in hand? Aside from not being able to pay for the full return fare right now, we are also unsure if she will stay the full 6 months? Do they expect you to book an open return ticket in this situation??

thanks

It will likely be that she will not be allowed to board the plane unless she has a return ticket.
I have tried to travel to 2 different countries with single tickets and was refused by the Stupid concerned.I had to buy return tickets and then ask for a refund on the unused portion after I had finished my round the world trip.
The reason for the refusal was that there was no proof that I would leave the country

The OP's lady has a visa. If I remember the 1971 Act correctly, if she were to be refused entry her removal would be at public expense (Schedule 2 Para 10), so the airline might not object to her travelling on a single ticket. On arrival, unless her ticketing arrangements and financial circumstances are different from what she declared when she applied, there would be no grounds to refuse her entry.