PREPARING YOUR VISA APPLICATION

[dnataraj]

Hi All,

Below is the info I got from BHC/wpcustomers....usefull for preparing visa application

PREPARING YOUR VISA APPLICATION:

Why do I need to provide documents in support of my application?
UK immigration law says that it is up to you to satisfy the Visa Officer that you qualify for a visa. We aim to resolve your application without interviewing you, and so it is vital that you make sure that your application is properly documented when you submit it. If you do not submit the required documents, your application may be refused without an interview. Where possible, please provide documents which can be verified by a 3rd party. For example, it can be difficult to obtain independent verification that a mobile phone number belongs to the person claimed, whereas it is more straightforward to establish that a landline number belongs to that person. We appreciate that it may not always be possible for you to provide these kinds of documents, but please be aware that it helps us make the decision if you are able to.

What sort of documents do I have to show?
Everyone’s circumstances are different. This is why we don’t ask for a set list of documents. What we have done is give you a general idea of the kinds of documents which help the Visa Officer to be satisfied that certain requirements of the Immigration Rules are met. It is up to you whether you submit these documents, or different ones. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have read the available information on the category of visa you want to apply for – the list below does not cover every single eventuality, and producing all the documents on it will not guarantee you a visa. Please make sure that you include all supporting papers with your application, and don’t send, or fax, us any papers separately.

Will you accept photocopies of documents?
Where possible, please submit original documents. We see large numbers of forged documents, and it is easier for us to verify that an original document is genuine, than a photocopied one. But we recognise that some documents are too valuable for you to want to submit with your application, e.g. a US Green Card. In these cases, please submit a good quality photocopy of the original. Original documents can be examined to ensure that they have not been tampered with. In addition, please ensure that, wherever possible, you do not laminate your documents.

Will you accept documents which aren’t in English?
If you want to send us documents which are not in English, we strongly advise you to get them translated beforehand. It will help the Visa Officer to make a decision if all supporting papers have been translated into English.

Are there any documents which you don’t need to see?
Please don’t send us credit cards, or original airline tickets.

What happens if I don’t send the suggested documents?
If you have not included the required documents with your application, the VFS official will point this out to you. S/he will also ask you if you want to make your application, knowing that it is not fully documented. It is entirely up to you whether you go ahead with your application, or not. For more detailed advice on UK visa requirements, please visit our website at www.ukinindia.com, or speak to a VFS official.

What if I want to apply for a visa for my child?
If a child is under 18, then as well as meeting the requirements of the Immigration Rules, they must show that they have a parent or guardian who is responsible for their care, that they have suitable travel, reception and care arrangements concerning their travel to the UK. From 12th February 2006, the name of the adult accompanying them to the UK will now be endorsed on the visa, and the child must travel in the company of this adult. If travel plans change and it is proposed that the child will travel unaccompanied, or with another adult, then a new visa must be applied for to reflect this.

How do I make my application?
You can apply online, at www.ukinindia.com, or lodge your application in person, through your representative, or your travel agent. To protect you, we ask that if you are not making your application in person, you provide your representative / agent with a letter signed by you, authorising them to submit the papers on your behalf, and collect them on your behalf too, if that is what you want. Please note that you must be in India at the time that your application is lodged. Please allow enough time for us to process your application, and remember that at busy times of year, it may take slightly longer for a decision to be made on your application. We recommend that you do not buy your ticket before your visa has been issued.



WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED FOR A NON-SETTLEMENT APPLICATION?


You must provide these:

 A passport, valid for at least 6 months. The visa we place in your passport will take up one full page, so please make sure that your passport has at least one spare page with no stamps, visas, or endorsements on it.  The correct fee. You can get up-to-date fee information on www.ukinindia.com.

 A recent passport sized colour photo, on a white background, 45mm (2 inches) in height and 35mm (1.5 - 2 inches) wide. This should be glued, not stapled, to the application form.  A fully completed & signed application form (please ensure you use a current form, as we cannot accept the out-of-date versions).
Suggested documents

To satisfy the Visa Officer that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
You could show evidence of your personal circumstances in India, for example letters of employment; evidence of a regular salary (if you have one) in the form of wage slips / bank statements; 6 months itemised bank statements, evidence of assets.
To satisfy the Visa Officer that you have enough money to support yourself and live / stay in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds  If your sponsor, or employer, or anyone else, is supporting you, you could show evidence of his / her immigration status in the UK; 6 months itemised bank statements; payslips; evidence that they are willing to finance your stay in the UK.
 If you are paying for any part of the trip yourself, you could show evidence of your personal circumstances in India, for example letters of employment, 6 months itemised bank statements, evidence of assets
 If you are visiting the UK, then you could show evidence that you have somewhere to stay, for example a hotel reservation, or a letter from your sponsor confirming that you are staying with them.
 If you are spending a longer period of time in the UK, e.g. as a student or work permit holder, the Visa Officer needs to be satisfied that you have somewhere to live, that it is suitable for you and your family, and that the person who owns or rents it is willing to let you live there. You could do this by providing a Local Authority property report, or written confirmation from the mortgage lender.
If you are going to the UK as a work permit holder  You must present the original work permit within 6 months of the issue date, and travel to the UK before the work permit expires. We cannot accept photocopies or out-of-date work permits.
If you are going to the UK as a student  You need to show that you can pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants, and live in the UK without working or needing help from public funds – see above.
 You need to show that you intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies (see above), although if you are a degree student and you successfully complete your studies, you may be able to take work permit employment if you meet the requirements.
 A good way to show your academic ability is to provide any relevant diplomas or educational certificates that you have. If you have a degree, then it is helpful to submit any marksheet and passing certificates as well as your degree certificate.
 A good way to show that your English is good enough for you to follow the course is to provide an original IELTS / TOEFL Certificate
 A good way of showing that you have been accepted and that the course meets the requirements of the Immigration Rules is to provide a letter from the institution confirming this, together with a statement of charges for the course
 Your chosen educational establishment must be on the UK's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Register of Education and Training Providers (www.dfes.gov.uk/providersregister).
 You’ll need to complete an additional checklist along with your visa application form. Or you can apply online (see above).
If you are going to the UK as a dependant of someone already there
 You can show us that you are related to them by providing us with a copy of your marriage certificate, or – if children are applying to join a parent in the UK - their birth certificates.
 You can also provide us with evidence of their status there – a copy of their w/p, pages of their ppt, etc



WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED FOR A SETTLEMENT APPLICATION?


You must provide these:

 A passport, valid for at least 6 months. The visa we place in your passport will take up one full page, so please make sure that your passport has at least one spare page with no stamps, visas, or endorsements on it.  The correct fee. You can get up-to-date fee information on www.ukinindia.com.

 A recent passport sized colour photo, on a white background, 45mm (2 inches) in height and 35mm (1.5 - 2 inches) wide. This should be glued, not stapled, to the application form.  A fully completed & signed application form (please ensure you use a current form, as we cannot accept the out-of-date versions).

Suggested documents


To show that you are legally married to each other or are in a civil partnership recognised in the UK
You could show a letter from your official sponsor; evidence of your relationship; evidence of your sponsor’s immigration status in the UK; a copy of your sponsor’s passport
To show that your husband, wife or civil partner is present and settled in the UK (see below)
To show that your husband, wife or civil partner is not under 18
To show that you both intend to live together permanently as husband and wife or as civil partners If your relationship has lasted for some time, you could provide evidence that it is ongoing, e.g. letters, phone bills.
To show that you have met each other before You could show photographs, or your marriage certificate may be sufficient evidence
To show that you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds It helps if you show evidence that you and / or your sponsor will be supporting you. This could include evidence of your sponsor’s immigration status in the UK; 6 months itemised bank statements; evidence of your / your sponsor’s savings payslips; P60; letter from the Dept of Works & Pensions (if relevant).
To show that you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds You could provide evidence in the form of a letter from the mortgage company / tenant to show that the accommodation you intend to live in is owned outright; mortgaged; or leased. You could also provide a Property Inspection Report, or another form of independent verifiable report to show that the accommodation is suitable for your family circumstances, e.g. that there are enough bedrooms for you all.

Issued 10 February 2006