Just a general query if I may

[Pendragon53]

I know I am probably worrying incessantly in regards to this, but I have had some awful dealings with Immigration in the UK, not myself as I am British Born and bred, but with my partner. However, that is not my query today.

My sister and brother in law are coming over for a five week visit from Australia in September, to celebrate my 60th birthday with me, my sister is British Born and bred, but does not have a British passport, so will therefore be travelling on her Aussie passport. My BIL is however Australian. This is his first visit to the UK, insofar as my sister she hasn't been back here since leaving in 1969. Now from what I have read they do not need a visitors visa via UKBA. Now they will be carrying their itinerary for the whole holiday, Travelling from Brisbane to Singapore and staying over night there, then travelling onto to Dubai, for a 2 hour layover, then onto Heathrow, Where I shall be picking them up and bringing them home to my flat. We have trips and hotels booked for Stonehenge, Paris, London and a week on the Norfolk Broads. which they have the print outs for. On their return to Australia, which they have return tickets for, they will be spending two days in Dubai, and have paid for their hotel and trips i.e. a 4 wheel drive trip into the desert etc

My questions are, would they or could they be questioned re their length of stay, (my BIL owns his own business, he is a mechanic and does mobile workshop from home), they own valued at $1 million Aus home in Queensland, and their three children who are all adults live in Queensland, including grandchildren, so they do not want to live here in the UK. They have paid for their own trip and paying their share of all the travels et al.

Should I draw up a letter of sponsorship sign and email it to my BIL? They have my name, address, home number and mobile number to bring with them.

I am just thinking of all the worse case scenarios, as I cannot afford to sponsor them monetarily, (a poorly mature 3rd Year undergraduate student), oh and they will also have their own health insurance and travel insurance. I would so hate for anything to go wrong as my BIL is so looking forward to this trip, I might add they are both in their late 50's

Thank You, any advise and reassurance would be helpful

[ban.s]

As per above don't foresee any issue with their visit.
They'll be questioned about the purpose of their trip, duration of visit etc - just ask them to keep all necessary documents (itinerary, hotel booking, tickets, proof of finance etc) handy as the immigration officer at the border may need to check.

Best wishes on your 60th.

[Pendragon53]

Thank You Ban.S.

Would they need to show bank statements or will their credit card and debit card be suffice? I know they have enough monies on it to sustain themselves here without a problem. However, my BIL said he feels a bit uncomfortable showing them his bank statements et al as they are private so to speak. And do they check to see the amounts on their bank and credit card, I mean it is not as if they are flush with money, but have enough to cover their expenses both in Singapore, the UK and Dubai. Should I also write a letter confirming all of this? I haven't seen my Sister and BIL for 17 years so rather excited and concerned in the same instance

[ban.s]

Normally the verbal affirmation will do and it's unlikely they would need to show bank statements etc.
They may not even be asked about finances. If asked they need to confirm that they would be using their credit cards / debit cards / travellers cheque / cash (as applicable to them) to pay for expenses incurred during the trip.
As they have already purchased return tickets and made hotel & trip bookings, plus have a local relative, I think it will be all OK.

[Pendragon53]

Thank You Ban S. Let us hope so on all accounts..... plus they have my name, address, home telephone number and my mobile number... I know they will have some cash on them, but the rest will be in their bank and their credit cards, as they do not like to carry too much monies on their persons..