How I applied for family visitor visa in Kiev Ukraine

[AndrewUA]

Hello everybody,
In March I applied for a 6 months family visitor visa in Kiev (Ukraine). My sister is married to EU citizen and lives in the UK. I wanted to visit her over Easter holiday (for 10 days) but my visa application was refused.

I planed to spend Easter with my sister, made all arrangements a work, bought presents, booked flights etc.
And then - BANG! - your application has been refused.
In application i stated that my sister will provide me with food and accommodation and I will have some money for my personal use.
The reason for refuse was that I have not submitted enough information about my sister’s and employment/accommodation status and also I have not submitted my bank statements so they did not believe I can afford myself to travel.

I decided to appeal against that decision. Together with the appeal form I submitted copies of sisters land registry, mortgage agreement, pay-slips(she is full time employed) All that are documents which address the refusal. Also I tried to explaine to them that I do not keep my money in the bank because of the problems I experienced a year ago when I had greatest difficulties withdrawing my own money from the bank due to Nationals Bank moratorium about suspending all accounts. After days spent queuing at the bank to get my money becouse there s an urgent need I promised myself I would never ever keep my earned money in bank after it again because I can not be sure it does not happen again during this volatile economics situation.

I mean is that a MUST HAVE a bank account otherwise the UK is closed for you?? I do not think they clearly understand why ordinary people in Ukraine are afraid to keep money in bank. Even now there are loads of people who still can not withdraw money from the dodgy banks! I know it might sound strange to british but that the way it is in Ukkraine – Nadra Bank, Rodovid Bank and others they all owe people loads of money! My friend has not been able to take his money back from the bank for more then a year now and he even has a court decision in his favour! Will he ever trust to put his money in a bank again?!

I am in full time employment as a Sales manager. I submitted a proof of my employment and my wage (which is much higher then average wage in my country) together with visa application form.
Also I live in my own place in Kiev, therefore I do not pay rent or any loans. My salary is for my personal pleasure use only. I certainly can afford myself to buy return tickets and take some money with me.. I have visited EU countries before where I had to pay for my accommodation and food and I never was refused a visa and my income was regarded as sufficient. But not the UK, where I wouldn't even pay for accommodation and food.

Moreover, last year I applied for the UK visa and submitted exactly the SAME documents, and I got visa without any problems!! I did not submit bank statements but the proof of employment only and that WAS enough to issue the visa... but not this year!

I thought they would reconsider their decision "at the point of issue" without sending it to the UK so I’d be able to visit my sister at the beginning of May.

Today I got a call from UK border agency in Kiev and they said that immigration manager did not approve the appeal and it will be sent to the Tribunal in the UK and it might take UP TO 6 MONTHS.

UP TO 6 MONTHS! and I am not even sure they've sent it yet.


Loads of negative emotions, spoiled holiday, wasted money, refuse stamp in passport which might (and most probably will) affect my future travels -- that what it takes to visit sister in Britain. I am SO SHOCKED AND UPSET!

[UKBAbble]

Loads of negative emotions, spoiled holiday, wasted money, refuse stamp in passport which might (and most probably will) affect my future travels -- that what it takes to visit sister in Britain. I am SO SHOCKED AND UPSET!

That's the consequence of the UK's "tick box" visa system I'm afraid. No longer can the ECO use discretion.

[AndrewUA]

Loads of negative emotions, spoiled holiday, wasted money, refuse stamp in passport which might (and most probably will) affect my future travels -- that what it takes to visit sister in Britain. I am SO SHOCKED AND UPSET!

That's the consequence of the UK's "tick box" visa system I'm afraid. No longer can the ECO use discretion.

Last year I submitted the same documents and got a visa but this year it's not enough... where is rationality or logic behind that???
they think I can't afford myself to buy a return ticket for 100GBP !!
It's sooo WRONG !!