5 Common Mistakes When Applying for a UK Visa
5. Failing to recognise the many TRAPS in the forms
4. Filling out visa applications IN A HURRY
3. Not demonstrating you’ll be able to SUPPORT yourself.
2. Weak or no EVIDENCE of your admittance (for example, as a student)
1. Not seeking EXPERT HELP!
Any one of the previous mistakes may cause a rejection. Don’t mess with immigration UK law. You may be banned from visiting the UK for 10 years or face deportation once you finally make it there. Immigration fees are expensive and minor mistakes make the process more expensive. On the other hand,
huge mistakes put you
or your relatives at risk.
Now, let’s review each mistake to understand why.
5. TRAPS. Immigration applications are filled with traps. Many questions ask for a Yes or NO answer and people are not aware that each answer needs supporting evidence. Others offer multiple choices.
Take this real question from a UK Visa application form:
Real Form Example:
“What is your marital status?”
You mark “Divorced/Dissolved Partnership” and move on to the next question, not realising you’ll be required to present documentation to prove your status.
4. IN A HURRY. Some people fill out their applications at the embassy. Even worse, some fill out applications at the embassy under the pressure of closing hours. Let’s state it once: never, ever, fill out visa applications in a hurry.
Visa applications are available online; print the forms and take them home. Then, gather ALL the relevant information (passport number, etc.) before returning to the website to complete the application.
Some questions have tremendous relevance and once you answer in a particular way, you resign certain benefits and opportunities. So, take the time to answer correctly.
Real Form Example:
“What is the purpose of your visit?”
If you answer this question to request a General Visitor visa, you can’t switch to student or other temporary visas later (only exceptions are parent visit or medical).
3. LACK OF SUPPORT. You must show you won’t need public funds. This includes financing your education or money for expenses while in the UK. Supporting bank statements will be contrasted to time you intend to remain in the UK as specified in the form. The UK Border Agency WILL ASK you when you intend to leave.
Real Form Example:
“On which date do you intend to travel to the UK?”
“On which date do you intend to leave the UK?”
2. LACK OF EVIDENCE. Have you been admitted to a university in the UK? You must show evidence of admittance.
And the number one mistake...
1. NO EXPERT HELP. Don’t rely on the past experience of your friends and colleagues. Each applicant has his or her own characteristics and needs. Only UK immigration lawyers can understand the complexities involved in the process. Remember that you have a right to a lawyer... to an immigration lawyer.
Please note that these articles and the information contained herein are purely for general guidance and do not constitute a professional legal or any other opinion as to the merits of a particular application or whether specific immigration requirements have been met of a particular category. This information is generic and should not be relied upon as a definitive guide to fulfilling specific category requirements. However should any individual do so it is at his or her own risk for which the author or publisher cannot be held responsible in any way.
By Gazala Rashid
4. Filling out visa applications IN A HURRY
3. Not demonstrating you’ll be able to SUPPORT yourself.
2. Weak or no EVIDENCE of your admittance (for example, as a student)
1. Not seeking EXPERT HELP!
Any one of the previous mistakes may cause a rejection. Don’t mess with immigration UK law. You may be banned from visiting the UK for 10 years or face deportation once you finally make it there. Immigration fees are expensive and minor mistakes make the process more expensive. On the other hand,
huge mistakes put you
or your relatives at risk.
Now, let’s review each mistake to understand why.
5. TRAPS. Immigration applications are filled with traps. Many questions ask for a Yes or NO answer and people are not aware that each answer needs supporting evidence. Others offer multiple choices.
Take this real question from a UK Visa application form:
Real Form Example:
“What is your marital status?”
You mark “Divorced/Dissolved Partnership” and move on to the next question, not realising you’ll be required to present documentation to prove your status.
4. IN A HURRY. Some people fill out their applications at the embassy. Even worse, some fill out applications at the embassy under the pressure of closing hours. Let’s state it once: never, ever, fill out visa applications in a hurry.
Visa applications are available online; print the forms and take them home. Then, gather ALL the relevant information (passport number, etc.) before returning to the website to complete the application.
Some questions have tremendous relevance and once you answer in a particular way, you resign certain benefits and opportunities. So, take the time to answer correctly.
Real Form Example:
“What is the purpose of your visit?”
If you answer this question to request a General Visitor visa, you can’t switch to student or other temporary visas later (only exceptions are parent visit or medical).
3. LACK OF SUPPORT. You must show you won’t need public funds. This includes financing your education or money for expenses while in the UK. Supporting bank statements will be contrasted to time you intend to remain in the UK as specified in the form. The UK Border Agency WILL ASK you when you intend to leave.
Real Form Example:
“On which date do you intend to travel to the UK?”
“On which date do you intend to leave the UK?”
2. LACK OF EVIDENCE. Have you been admitted to a university in the UK? You must show evidence of admittance.
And the number one mistake...
1. NO EXPERT HELP. Don’t rely on the past experience of your friends and colleagues. Each applicant has his or her own characteristics and needs. Only UK immigration lawyers can understand the complexities involved in the process. Remember that you have a right to a lawyer... to an immigration lawyer.
Please note that these articles and the information contained herein are purely for general guidance and do not constitute a professional legal or any other opinion as to the merits of a particular application or whether specific immigration requirements have been met of a particular category. This information is generic and should not be relied upon as a definitive guide to fulfilling specific category requirements. However should any individual do so it is at his or her own risk for which the author or publisher cannot be held responsible in any way.
By Gazala Rashid