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Regular
Posts: 51
| Hi all, I would really appreciate some help on these few questions! I am trying to help my friend get her UK tourist/visitor visa.
My friend from Moscow is coming to visit me on August 18th. I'd like to know, does she need to tick Tourist Visa or Visitor Visa on her application? I'm assuming the latter but I don't want to take any chances! She is going to spend a few days at our house, then we are going to Reading festival for 3 days.
I am inviting her, but I live with my parents who will technically be the ones accommodating and supporting her. She has her own funds, but she will also receive our help. My Dad pays the bills (I pay a bit of keep every month), and she will be a guest in our family home. I have read I need to provide the consulate with bank statements proving that I (or we), the host, can provide for her during her stay. Can my Dad provide these statements, as he is the homeowner?
Lastly, I'm confused about writing her invitation letter. How formal does this have to be? Does anyone have a template or advice on how it should be laid out? Sorry if this sounds dumb, this is completely new to me and I'm scared of letting her down.
Thanks! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 413
Location: Edinburgh/Tula/Bogoroditsk | Afraid that I understand the processing for a Visitor Visa is about a month at the moment so I wouldn't count on your friend's visa being processed in time, however I have just supported my MIL application for that I supplied evidence of my friendship with my MIL(a selection of photos) plus 6 months worth of payslips plus bank statements plus I used the services of Real Russia to check the application before submitting. |
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Member
Posts: 33
| I agree with Neil I think August 18th is really pushing it. My girlfriend has just had her visitor visa granted in 14 working days so unless you get it in in the next few days I think you might struggle.
Is she your partner or just a friend?
The letter below (which I think I got from here ) is the one I use
Entry Clearance Officer
Visa Section
British Embassy
Moscow
Russian Federation
Dear Sir/Madam
I am providing this letter in support of the application for a UK visitor visa for xxxxx (international passport number xxx) to come to the UK in August 2012 for xx days.
I am a UK national, in full time employment as an Astranaut for NASA .
I have known xxx for over 2 years and have visited her in Russia xxx times in that period.
xxxx will again stay at my(parents) home and I/we am/are happy to provide any financial support necessary during her stay in the UK.
I trust that this letter, along with the sponsor documents provided is sufficient to successfully support her application for a UK visa, although if you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me on my mobile phone no xxxxxxxxxx
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Regular
Posts: 51
| Thanks for the feedback guys.
irish, she is just my friend. Is there a difference between a Tourist Visa and a Visitor Visa? Which Visa is processed quicker? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 604
| A tourist visa is just for those who come to the UK purely for the purpose of tourism not to visit with friends and do a little sight seeing. For you and your parents to sponsor her, she'll need to apply for a visitor visa. You are aware of all the supporting documentation she will need to provide? |
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Regular
Posts: 51
| I'm aware of the documentation, my Mum is working on it.
What I'd like to know is if the visitor visa will take more time than a tourist one. Naturally I'd assume so as there is more paperwork involved and more to scrutinize.
If this is the case, she said she will stay in a hostel rather than staying with my family. We want to take every opportunity that get us the visa as quickly as possible. |
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Member
Posts: 33
| Hi
I think Michael is probably referring to the documentation she would need to provide (i.e. proof that she will return) does she work, own any property, dependent children etc?
Remember the tourist visa is for those people who are part of an organised tour group or travelling individual tourists staying in pre-booked accommodation. |
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Expert
Posts: 3863
 
Location: In the Windmills of my mind... | Celestica - 2012-07-27 3:37 AM I'm aware of the documentation, my Mum is working on it. What I'd like to know is if the visitor visa will take more time than a tourist one. Naturally I'd assume so as there is more paperwork involved and more to scrutinize. If this is the case, she said she will stay in a hostel rather than staying with my family. We want to take every opportunity that get us the visa as quickly as possible. For this she will need a tourist visa, she must provide sufficient proof of reason to return, and you/mother will not need to supply anything.... Probably the quickest and easiest route to take within your timeframe, though its not 100% the correct way... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 413
Location: Edinburgh/Tula/Bogoroditsk | Mel - 2012-07-27 11:41 AM
Celestica - 2012-07-27 3:37 AM I'm aware of the documentation, my Mum is working on it. What I'd like to know is if the visitor visa will take more time than a tourist one. Naturally I'd assume so as there is more paperwork involved and more to scrutinize. If this is the case, she said she will stay in a hostel rather than staying with my family. We want to take every opportunity that get us the visa as quickly as possible. For this she will need a tourist visa, she must provide sufficient proof of reason to return, and you/mother will not need to supply anything.... Probably the quickest and easiest route to take within your timeframe, though its not 100% the correct way...
Mel is probably right here, however do the UKBA still have a perference for Single, Young, White females to be booked on a package tour, recall someone I knew years back having problems as there were not on a package deal. |
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Regular
Posts: 51
| Really appreciate all of your input, good to know I can always turn to this forum for help. Thanks again guys. We will take all of this into consideration for our final decision today. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 413
Location: Edinburgh/Tula/Bogoroditsk | For info Visitor visas are being turned around in about 3 weeks as my MIL got hers today. |
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Member
Posts: 30
| There is no real difference between a 'visit' and 'tourist' visa they are both '6 month visit visas' they will both be identical when issued. However there is a question on the visa form asking if you know anyone in the uk if they tick no and are since found to have lied the visa will not be issued and she could face a visa ban. If you apply for a visa for one purpose and then do another UKBA will not like this. |
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Regular
Posts: 51
| muffy - 2012-07-31 11:10 PM
For info Visitor visas are being turned around in about 3 weeks as my MIL got hers today.
Thanks muffy!
Is this 3 weeks as defined by the UKBA? i.e. 5 working days for a week?
My friend applied on 1st August and wants to be here by August 18th, but can delay it a few days if required. Very cynical about our prospects, but fingers crossed.  |
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Regular
Posts: 51
| Just to update...
My friend just phoned to tell me, she got her visa today! She put in her application on August 1st, am I right to feel that we are exceptionally lucky in this case? Either way, I'm over the moon. 
Cheers! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 413
Location: Edinburgh/Tula/Bogoroditsk | Celestica - 2012-08-13 11:51 AM
Just to update...
My friend just phoned to tell me, she got her visa today! She put in her application on August 1st, am I right to feel that we are exceptionally lucky in this case? Either way, I'm over the moon.
Cheers!
I just think they have got quicker at issuing visas since the Olympics/Summer rush is over. My MIL visa was issued quickly. |
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New User
Posts: 4
| Hi, nice to hear you're friend got the visa. I'm trying to do the same for my girlfriend! She wants to come over for the christmas holidays! Did you end up applying for the visitor or tourist visa, both of these come under the general visitor visa right?
In relation to the question Where will you stay in the UK? Did you select family since she would be staying with your parents because this is baffling me, I've been told on the forum I should select family since in this case I will she will be staying with my family. Originally we selected other as we will be staying with my parents whom she hasn't met and doesn't know!
Cheers for your helps!
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Writing an invitation for a friend
