UK standard visa inquiry
I'm an Egyptian citizen applying for the UK standard visa this October and I'd like to know few things before I apply.
I'm visiting my girlfriend this Christmas for ten days.
I will be sponsoring myself as I work full-time job, I have properties as my own flat and other family properties.
I have suitable bank statement for the last six months. Also I take care of my sick mother and I have evidence for all of that. The relationship between me and my girlfriend is genuine, I can prove that and I have British friends who can testify to that.
My girlfriend told me that she will write me a letter to provide in the application that she will be depressed and it would affect her work if we didn't meet this year because it's been two years since last time we met.
The only problem I have is the HR letter I get from the employer is that it shows no salary section (how much I make per month) as in part five it asks about money and I'd have to estimate.
The whole trip will cost me 1/4 of my annual saving and 1/3 my bank statement. A friend of mine got accepted without showing them how much he makes. But I'm afraid of getting refused.
Please guide me what to do?
Best Answer
Interesting question and some very astute comments. I will merge in some of the comments and weave them together to present an answer.
You wrote...
My girlfriend told me that she will write me a letter to provide in the application that she will be depressed and it would affect her work if we didn't meet this year because it's been two years since last time we met.
This idea is nothing short of catastrophic. Full-on disastrous. It totally undermines your claim to having a genuine relationship. While some couples may indeed be apart for two years due to military duty or similar obligations, the normal pattern is that people in a genuine relationship will find a way to maintain the relationship at intervals of 4 - 6 months, or a year at the max. So it leaves you in the awkward position of either being addicted to cybersex over Skype or having to contrive a plausible explanation to answer the question: What has prevented your gf from visiting you in Egypt for two years?
And we have a comment from mkennedy (to whom thanks)...
Based on other answers, a person stating that he or she will make the visitor leave / follow the visa requirements is discounted, because most people won't actually do it.
According to anecdotal histories, the only time a gf/bf turns in a bf/gf who is in breach is when the relationship has turned sour and they are looking for some type of vengeance. UKVI believe the common pattern is that friends and relatives do not turn the person in to the authorities, instead they assist in harbouring the person.
There's another relevant comment from Michael Hampton (to whom thanks)...
The only thing that your girlfriend should send is proof that you are allowed to stay at her house.
If she does not own the premises, then it should be an attestation from the landlord or a relevant clause in the tenancy agreement. She also needs to show that she will be in the UK during the entire visit. They are entitled to refuse on these grounds alone if they cannot find another reason. They can be show-stoppers in their own right.
User DJClayworth (to whom thanks) asks the question...
Is your girlfriend genuinely depressed?
Nice one! So she will include a diagnosis from the NHS defining her condition and her treatment regime? Otherwise disaster looms when a sponsor attempts to elicit sympathy or some sort of human rights claim. It's a credibility hit.
User phoog (to whom thanks) puts a nice capstone on the whole issue of what the gf needs to do...
Above all, you should not include a letter from your girlfriend and a statement that her letter is "fake." That could get you banned for deception. It seems to me that the best course of action would be to omit the letter from your girlfriend altogether.
You also wrote...
I will be sponsoring myself as I work full-time job, I have properties as my own flat and other family properties.
They do not care about properties; there are tons of Brits who own properties abroad without ever visiting the locale. Local agents collect rent and make transmittals to the owner. Owning property doesn't help your case.
My own comment is that your narrative reads like someone who does not qualify as a family member under Appendix FM seeks to enter as a visitor and then go underground. And the best odds are that they will see it like that also and refuse under Appendix V 4.2 (a)+(c).
In the absence of hard evidence, they will revert to whatever 'pattern' seems apparent. In this case it's to circumvent the financial hurdles imposed by Appendix FM (link above).
Your other question...
The only problem I have is the HR letter I get from the employer is that it shows no salary section (how much I make per month) as in part five it asks about money and I'd have to estimate.
If the application appears credible (not your case at the moment), they will be happy to sync up your employment contract to your bank statements.
General note on the Visa Section in Cairo: it's a great location for young graduates on the ECO track to have their first assignment abroad. As a counter-weight, they have a huge battery of local hires (on track for a British passport for service to the Crown) who will verify everything. Upstairs, downstairs, under the bed, everything. Plus a cadre of heavy-weight veteran ECO's to act as mentors. Plus about two centuries of rock solid relationships with prominent Egyptian institutions to call upon if needed (see the classic Alexandria Quartet where it's described at length). Underestimate Cairo at your own peril :)
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How do I know my UK visa is approved?
If you are applying from the UK, then you should receive a letter or email that confirms that your application is approved. Once approved, your Biometric Residence Permit should arrive with you by courier within 7 - 10 days of receiving your decision letter.Can I track my UK visa application status?
How to Check UK Visa Status Online? Visit the British Consulate website for your city or log in to VFS Global. Provide the tracking ID you received through SMS and email after your visa application. Next, enter your date of birth in YYYY-MM-DD format and the captcha text.How long does it take for standard UK visa to be approved?
Visit the UK Standard visitor visa applications are currently taking on average 6 weeks to process.Can I track my GWF visa application?
GWF number is a unique application number issued to the applicant at the time of application submission. While checking the status of your UK visa status via email or telephone, you need to give your GWF number. The UK Visa and Immigration department can't give you an update on your visa status without a GWF number.UK Immigration : No More Delay for UK Visa | Fast Visa Processing for International Students | UKVI
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