Proof of Intent to Leave the UK - Standard Visit Visa

[Stevros3]

My brother-in-law is a Zimbabwean citizen (I am British). After having a number of trips out to Zimbabwe on holiday, we thought it would be nice if he came over for a holiday in the UK.

So he would need a Standard Visit Visa. I am able to provide sponsorship showing we can afford for him and his family to come for a holiday and proof of places to stay etc.

The only thing we may struggle on is "Proof of Intent to Leave the UK"
I am aware that this should not be a sole reason to deny an application, but we have very few ways of showing much proof of things like jobs etc, given most of his family now reside (legally) in the UK I feel that the Immigration services may feel he's higher risk at wanting to stay.

However he is also entitled to apply for an Ancestry Visa, which he would apply through if he was wanting to move here permanently, rather than decide to stay illegally on a Visit Visa. Therefore would showing he is eligible for an Ancestry Visa (but not applying for it yet) help towards proving he intends to leave the UK as it shows he has a much easier route of coming to the UK permanently if he intended to stay??

[CR001]

So he would need a Standard Visit Visa. I am able to provide sponsorship showing we can afford for him and his family to come for a holiday and proof of places to stay etc.

Not sufficient. Each applicant has to submit evidence of their personal and financial circumstances in their home country.

The only thing we may struggle on is "Proof of Intent to Leave the UK"
I am aware that this should not be a sole reason to deny an application, but we have very few ways of showing much proof of things like jobs etc, given most of his family now reside (legally) in the UK I feel that the Immigration services may feel he's higher risk at wanting to stay.

Yes, it can be the sole reason for refusal of a visit visa. UKVI are clamping down hard on applicants now, especially if they are unable to show intent to return/leave the UK.

However he is also entitled to apply for an Ancestry Visa, which he would apply through if he was wanting to move here permanently, rather than decide to stay illegally on a Visit Visa. Therefore would showing he is eligible for an Ancestry Visa (but not applying for it yet) help towards proving he intends to leave the UK as it shows he has a much easier route of coming to the UK permanently if he intended to stay??

Does he have a UK born grandparent? Showing he qualifies for this visa won't make any difference to the visitor visa application. Two separate visas with completely different rules and requirements.

Unfortunately, given the situation and poverty in Zim, an application for a family to visit the UK will be heavily scrutinised, especially if most of his family is already in the UK.

[Stevros3]

Many thanks for your response.

Yes he does have a UK Born Grandparent (in fact he has 3, two through his mother & 1 through his father)

I think his application may not be successful for a visit. It is frustrating as it would be straightforward for him to get an Ancestry Visa, but with that being a One Hit Visa (and if political situation declines in the future it he may require it may be his only chance of leaving) and all he wants is a holiday to visit his family.

It seems frustrating he would be able to immigrate here legally if he wanted but not visit here in case he may try to illegally immigrate here.

[CR001]

Are none of his parents born in the UK or became a citizen before he was born?

straightforward for him to get an Ancestry Visa, but with that being a One Hit Visa

What exactly do you mean by 'one hit visa'???

[Stevros3]

Sorry let me explain the situation a bit clearer:

His mother (my mother-in-law) is a British Citizen by Decent as she was born in Zambia, after she married her parents moved back to the UK. She then visited the UK with him when he was 3 (as her mother was passing), at which time she gave birth to her second child who therefore was entitled to a British Passport, after the funeral (I think about a total of 6 months in the UK) headed back out to her husband in Zimbabwe. Later she and her 1st husband split and she remarried and had more children (including my now wife) who were entitled to Irish passports through their father. In 2006 my Mother-in-law, husband and other children emigrated from Zimbabwe to the UK, he however remained in Zimbabwe as he as the eldest had moved out and had a fiancée.

Since then there have been a number of family holidays out to Zimbabwe (including visits to his wedding, and my mother-in-law going there for the birth of his child)

He is currently happily living out in Zimbabwe with his wife, however he would like to visit the UK to meet his nephew's and nieces for a holiday and his daughter is now old enough to cope with the long flights.

The visa that meets his needs is a visit Visa for a month long holiday.

The Ancestry Visa he's entitled to is a working visa which lasts 5 years, he doesn't intend to work while he's over here on holiday & from previously research the gov.uk site suggests that the Ancestry Visa can only be issued once per person which can then be extended once (what I meant by 1 hit).

[CR001]

An Ancestry visa can be issued and extended as many times as you like. There is no limit to this.

I know what an Ancestry visa is as this is the route I used to come to the UK.

[Stevros3]

Ok thanks for the clarification. It however doesn't help the fact that he only wants a visit visa because he plans on visiting and not working during the trip, which is a requisite of the Ancestry visa.

From your advice would you suggest it is maybe better for him just to apply for an Ancestry visa and do some work in the UK during his time here, then if he wishes to come again in the future just re-apply for a Ancestry Visa?

[CR001]

For Ancestry, he needs to show 'Intent' to work to get an Ancestry visa, not a confirmed job. He can travel in and out on an ancestry visa for the full 5 years that it is valid for.

Ancestry is expensive. £496 visa fee and £1,000 Immigration Health Surcharge for EACH applicant. He does however have to show quite substantial funds, currently around R25,000 (South African Rands) per applicant.

[Stevros3]

I'm in a position where I should be able to organise a job offer.

Does he need to be able to provide proof of funds or would it be possible for a sponsor to do this?

[Wanderer]

I'm in a position where I should be able to organise a job offer.

Does he need to be able to provide proof of funds or would it be possible for a sponsor to do this?

You'd need to be a licenced sponsor and prove no suitable local or EU candidate could be found and the applicant either highly skilled or in a shortage occupation.

There is no 'jobs for family' visa, or backdoor ways in.....

[CR001]

I'm in a position where I should be able to organise a job offer.

Does he need to be able to provide proof of funds or would it be possible for a sponsor to do this?

You'd need to be a licenced sponsor and prove no suitable local or EU candidate could be found and the applicant either highly skilled or in a shortage occupation.

There is no 'jobs for family' visa, or backdoor ways in.....

OP is asking about Ancestry visa not Tier 2

[CR001]

I'm in a position where I should be able to organise a job offer.

Does he need to be able to provide proof of funds or would it be possible for a sponsor to do this?

Yes, he needs 6 months bank statements to submit an Ancestry visa application. You cannot 'sponsor' him with your bank statements.

Intent to seek work does NOT mean he must have a job offer. It only needs to be evidence of communication with agencies etc in the UK.

[Stevros3]

Many thanks for your help & advice really appreciate it!

[Wanderer]

I'm in a position where I should be able to organise a job offer.

Does he need to be able to provide proof of funds or would it be possible for a sponsor to do this?

You'd need to be a licenced sponsor and prove no suitable local or EU candidate could be found and the applicant either highly skilled or in a shortage occupation.

There is no 'jobs for family' visa, or backdoor ways in.....

OP is asking about Ancestry visa not Tier 2

Not my week!

Was on the red-eye to Dublin this morning, head's going!

I'm going to get a packet of crisps.....

[Stevros3]

Sorry, one further question.

My Niece who will be 5 at the time of the application, are the fees for her as a dependant, the same as the fees for an adult.

[CR001]

Not my week!

Was on the red-eye to Dublin this morning, head's going!

I'm going to get a packet of crisps.....

Have a beer

[Stevros3]

Not my week!

Was on the red-eye to Dublin this morning, head's going!

I'm going to get a packet of crisps.....

Have a beer

I find if I have a headache on a Monday, beer is often the cause not solution...

[CR001]

Not my week!

Was on the red-eye to Dublin this morning, head's going!

I'm going to get a packet of crisps.....

Have a beer

I find if I have a headache on a Monday, beer is often the cause not solution...

[Wanderer]

I don't drink!

Dublin in the worst city to be teetotal....

[Stevros3]

Ok back to topic, does the approx. R25000 require for funds to support themselves go down at all even if I offer accommodation?

[Stevros3]

Just spoken to my brother-in-law.

He recently (not 6 months ago) got a bank account, he also is reluctant to put more in the account than he has to given the current withdrawal amount restrictions. What he has got is pay slips for over the 6 months required. Would these be considered sufficient or does he need to transfer funds into a bank account first??

[CR001]

He needs to submit bank statements unfortunately.

I appreciate things are difficult in Zimbabwe, is there anyway he can set himself up in SA?

Ok back to topic, does the approx. R25000 require for funds to support themselves go down at all even if I offer accommodation?

No it does not. That is the minimum (roughly) that HO expect to see PER PERSON APPLYING, so if 4 people it is R100,000 PLUS the visa fees PLUS the Immigration health surcharge.

[CR001]

I don't drink!

Dublin in the worst city to be teetotal....

Have some tea then and watch Corrie online

[Stevros3]

Would the bank statements need to have been around for 6 months before they can count? Or does the fact it was only set up a couple of months back count against him too?

[CR001]

For which visa are you asking?

Ancestry must be minimum 4-6 months with a steady, non declining bank balance.