Question - Visa Extension: Sponsorship.

[Phil_C]

I can’t find much information about this on the internet, so I would appreciate anyone’s own experience or knowledge on the following.

I am in the process of helping my girlfriend to extend her student visa, I am going to be put down as the sponsor, i.e. provide supporting bank statements etc.

I have been advised by a visa agency that putting me as the sponsor is fine, however I am concerned that this may jeopardise her extension, particularly if the Home Office take the stance that if she has a boyfriend in the UK she will not go back to her Home Country once her visa extension expires.

I am not sure if this is a valid concern, it would seem like a weak reason to reject an extension but It’s worth checking, any comments / feedback appreciated.

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[Wanderer]

I did this for my gf and it was ok. I didn't say I was her boyfriend - I just kept the sponsorship letter brief and businesslike.

Got visa till Oct 2008.

[Phil_C]

Thanks for this Wanderer, glad you got the extension. I need to do the same in terms of keeping the letter business like, presumably you just state you are the sponsor, proof of finances etc and that’s it. The visa agency will no doubt advise on this. Thanks.

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[jes2jes]

PhilC:

If I remember right from your earlier posts, you have already stated the fact that you were going to act as a sponsor for her student visa (via Brazil) and this was refused. Do you think they do not have this record and can easily cross check and infer even if you do not state you are the boyfriend?

Ask one of your relatives for help or your colleagues but doing it yourself is subject to risk and can go either way.

All the best and let us know when she arrives safely.

Jes

NB: JamesC the post has been edited. Guess you were on my mind from yesterday

[JamesC]

Not me!

[Phil_C]

Hi Jes,

Thanks for your comment, much appreciated. last time round the advice on this board was valuable and feedback from postings helped me to establish a strong reason for my girlfriend to gain entrance through Immigration (she arrived back in the UK last week). I am concluding then that it is a problem for me to be the sponsor as the Home Office will infer that I am her boyfriend, and generally speaking it is not advisable for a partner to be put as the sponsor?

If this is correct I will think twice before doing so and consider other sponsors, although I am not clear on how this works. i.e. does she need to state that she will be staying with the sponsor for the duration of her studies? And do you need to explain how they know one another? i.e would my father, uncle or colleague (whoever acts as the sponsor) need to explain how they know her? It all seems to point back to me. Thanks

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[jes2jes]

she arrived back in the UK last week

Congratulations! Can you share her story on arrival i.e. in relation to IO questioning her visa refusal

I am concluding then that it is a problem for me to be the sponsor as the Home Office will infer that I am her boyfriend, and generally speaking it is not advisable for a partner to be put as the sponsor?

I don't think so but I will leave others to comment (JamesC can you comment since you are the man from the HO ). It would have been the case if she was re-applying in Brazil but whilst she is in England, what the heck? anyone can sponsor her so long as the financial and other factors can be met I believe this should be fine. But you never know.

does she need to state that she will be staying with the sponsor for the duration of her studies?

I do not think so. If I remember right, FLR (S) only asks for whether you own/rent the property you live in or a relative and I guess you would answer according (she in that case). I suggest you download the form and the guidance notes and familiarise yourself with it and if you have any questions then shout.

And do you need to explain how they know one another? i.e would my father, uncle or colleague (whoever acts as the sponsor) need to explain how they know her? It all seems to point back to me. Thanks

If I remember from my days on entering and renewing my student visa, my sponsor had to write a letter then and stated the relationship between us for the initial EC application but never had to send them again since my bank statements those days were enough to prove the financial burden and to pass that test.

Read the form and come back. Best wishes to you guys.

[Phil_C]

Jes,

Thanks again for all your help, it’s thoroughly appreciated. It sounds like you are well versed in thes processes. As advised I have printed out a copy of the FLR (S) Leave to Remain Documents from the Home Office Website, I will go through it in detail.

Congratulations! Can you share her story on arrival i.e. in relation to IO questioning her visa refusal

Thanks Jes, to cut a long story short the IO did question her refusal for a new visa and my girlfriend was completely honest, to the point where the IO was a bit baffled as to why she was refused a new visa in the first place. She was genuine, she had a good reason to re-enter the UK and her flight back is scheduled before her visa expires. They were satisfied with this, although several people in the same queue were taken aside to a room for questioning so a combination of luck and knowledge of the rules helped on this one. Thanks again, I will be even happier if she gets the extension.

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[Wanderer]

Thanks for this Wanderer, glad you got the extension. I need to do the same in terms of keeping the letter business like, presumably you just state you are the sponsor, proof of finances etc and that’s it. The visa agency will no doubt advise on this. Thanks.

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The advice I got (from here!) was not to give them any extraneous information, bf/gf relationship isn't asked for so don't volunteer it.

I just did a quick two para letter (I can PM it if u like - if I can find it!) and enclosed six months bank statements and payslips. And my finances weren't great then but I was earning and had about 2k in the bank.

We got the visa in three weeks without any fuss, bit of a surprise but it's always much easier in-country than from home countries.

[sip]

I have a same question too any anyone can give me advise. I am US citizen and I plan to apply for the student visa to go UK and my b/f can be my sponsorship for me but I dont know is it that is good idea. Should I apply by myself or through the cousultant in UK or US to help help to get the student visa will be better. All answer will be very helpful to me. Thank you so much.