Declaring a visitor to the UK as my "girlfriend" - effect on getting a Visitor visa?
I have a Serbian girlfriend who I have visited in Belgrade 4 times now and she is planning a trip to the UK for her 2 weeks vacation in 2 months from now (more details here).
When applying for this visa she must state the main reason for her visit, which is for her to see me and stay with me, also some travel to meet my friends and family etc. Thus, she must also state her relationship to me.
However, various people who have some experience of/heard stories about UK visa applications for such reasons are constantly telling us that we should never mention that I am her boyfriend or that she is my girlfriend, as she may then be refused. However, we plan to marry after my divorce (in process) is completed in 3-4 months time, so I do not under any circumstances wish to be deceptive so as to risk jeopardising our subsequent application for her to come here on a fiancée/marriage visa, as I read about here.
Do the "rumours" hold any truth? Should we do as I suggest and declare that we are boyfriend/girlfriend? Is there anything specific we should be aware of to document and declare about our releationship for the initial Standard Visitor visa?
Best Answer
From personal experience I don’t believe this is true, and I do believe it is always best to tell the truth in any visa application.
My partner is Cuban. It is notoriously difficult for Cubans to get a visa for any destination, and it’s virtually unheard of for a Cuban to be able to meet the financial eligibility requirements in their own right. I have successfully sponsored him for two visitor visas (3 months and 10 weeks respectively) in the last three years. Both the application and my covering letter clearly stated that we are in a long distance relationship, where and how we met, and that my travel history going back several years shows that I regularly visit him in Cuba. He was able to demonstrate stable employment and family ties.
Edit: I believe the key point here is that my partner provided credible evidence to demonstrate his intention to leave. If that had not been the case IMHO the visas would have been refused, but on the basis of simple ineligibility rather than because of the relationship itself. “My gf/bf can pay for me to visit them but I don’t meet any of the other eligibility criteria” will likely lead to a refusal from pretty much anywhere, not just the UK.
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Does travel history matter for UK visa?
Yes. Travel history is an important factor in the UK visa decision. Travel history shows that the applicant is a genuine visitor and has complied with the immigration laws of the countries previously visited. Previous travel to the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Schengen countries is extremely important.What do immigration officers look for when assessing visit visa applications?
their previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries. the duration of previous visits and whether this was significantly longer than they originally stated on their visa application or on arrival. their financial circumstances as well as their family, social and economic background.How much bank statement is required for UK visit visa?
You must submit 6 months of bank statements that clearly show your monthly salary and financial commitments. There must not be any large deposits of cash other than your salary. Total savings must be at least twice your proposed UK trip expenses.Can I sponsor a visitor to UK?
If you want to sponsor their visit to the UK you should produce an invitation letter and supporting documents. An applicant is the person who will apply for a visitor visa. A sponsor is the person inviting the applicant to visit the UK.UK general visit visa for my girlfriend or boyfriend
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Answer 2
Yes and no.
In any case she should always tell the truth and not hide information.
Having a parent or a boyfriend could be a cause of denial or a help to get the visa. Such fact is not enough to have a decision, but it should be interpreted with all other information.
If she does not have a job nor connection to her home country (and especially if r comes from a much poorer country or where the law is not followed fully), the officer should check further the intention to return.
But in some other cases, it helps getting a guarantee of funds and not working in UK.
In your case: you say you plan to marry them. This will help: marrying a person who is in UK illegally is troublesome.
The important part: officers check that an applicant will not work in UK, and she will return home on time (with reasonable doubts). All information helps the officer to make the decision. Having or not a "boyfriend" is just extra information (which can work both ways).
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Markus Winkler, cottonbro, Olga Lioncat, Ketut Subiyanto