Afghanistan Visitor Visa for Family

[modamo]

Hello,

I have a couple of questions about getting a visitor visa from Afghanistan, I really hope someone can shed some light and clarify.

I am Dutch national with ILR/settled status and have a stable job. My wife has Afghan nationality and also has ILR/settled status.

My wife's father and brother (who is 14 years old) live in Afghanistan and want to visit her in the UK for 10 days. My father-in-law has a stable job and works in the Afghan government in a respected position.

As far as I know, the most suitable visa is just the normal standard visitor visa - is this right?

Also, if we do apply for the visa, what are the chances of acceptance or rejection at the moment? I know it all depends on the individual case and circumstances, but does anyone know generally the rejection/acceptance rate for Afghanistan? I have been told that Afghanistan Visitor visas are difficult to obtain.

Does the coronavirus situation and international travel restrictions mean that the UK automatically rejects visitor visas from Afghanistan?

Thanks a lot for your help!

[modamo]

And apologies I forgot to ask:

Is it better to wait until corona situation is over so the chances of acceptance go higher, or does it not make a difference if we apply now?

If in the worst case scenario the visa gets rejected, applying for it again will be even more difficult to get accepted, right?

Thank you!

[zimba]

Afghanistan is currently on the Amber list so visitors are allowed to arrive in the UK. However, UKVI often views certain countries as high risk due to the history of their citizens not returning home after visiting. I would say getting a visit visa would be quite difficult

[modamo]

Thanks for the advice Zimba.

The government really should have some better procedures or checks to differentiate the genuine visitors from the people that are trying to cheat the system, it's a shame that everyone gets treated the same.

Is there any alternative visa or route that can allow my in laws to visit for 10 days?

[zimba]

There is no alternative way. The standard visitor visa is the way forward. UKVI will grant visa on the balance of probabilities and risk assessments

[modamo]

Thank you for the information.

We now want to apply for the visa but Afghanistan is currently on the red list.

I have spoken to some solicitors and they said we can still apply for the visa even for a red list country like Afghanistan but the visitor would need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.

From an Amber list country they would need to quarantine at home for 10 days.

I have a feeling that they just want us to open the case with them so they get their money even though they know the chances of acceptance for a visitor from a red list country are extremely low right now.

Does anyone have any advice on this situation please?

Is it better to apply once Afghanistan is removed from the red list or does it not make a difference?

Thanks for the help!

[zimba]

They are of course talking rubbish. People with visit visas from a red list country will NOT be allowed to enter the UK. I suggest to go and read readily available information on GOV.UK website:

If you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-a ... list-rules