how i spent my summer vacation essay in french

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How to Write an Essay on How You Spent Your Summer Vacation

Last Updated: January 4, 2020

This article was co-authored by Alexander Peterman, MA . Alexander Peterman is a Private Tutor in Florida. He received his MA in Education from the University of Florida in 2017. This article has been viewed 52,562 times.

Writing an essay on how you spent your summer vacation is a classic way of starting a new school year. Think about this essay as an opportunity to tell a story about your summer while reflecting on the experiences you had. Choose a memorable moment you had this summer and start crafting your essay, giving as many details as possible.

Choosing a Topic

• These can also make nice visual aids if you are asked to present your essay.

• A list might be full of things like babysitting, attending a camp, working at a local store, taking a road trip, etc. This type of brainstorming can help you pick major events and other important moments from your summer.

• For example, maybe you spent your summer traveling around Japan. Think of a memorable moment you had while traveling — maybe you walked up a mountain in the pouring rain — and write about this moment, adding lots of details.

• For example, if you're writing about spending time at the beach, your outline could remind you to talk about the sandcastle building contest you entered, the dolphins you saw, and the ice cream you ate every day.
• Details might be what the other sandcastles looked like, how far away the dolphins were, and what kind of toppings were on your ice cream.
• Your outline is just to help you organize your thoughts — it can be written by hand or typed.

Crafting the Essay

• Instead of saying that you worked in a pet store, ate a PB&J sandwich, and walked home every day, talk about more than just your actions. You could talk about which pets are your favorites to work with, how it felt to eat the same sandwich every day, or what you thought about on your walk home.

• Using sensory details like these will help your readers visualize and engage with your writing. These help your audience make your experiences feel real to them, even though they weren't there.

• For example, instead of saying “I went to the beach this summer,” try saying “I spent my summer swimming in the frigid water at Virginia Beach.” The more details you can provide, the more engaged your reader will be.

• Instead of saying “the burger was really good,” you could say, “the burger was juicy and filling.”

• Don't just rely on spellcheck. It will help catch some errors, but it will miss some things, too.
• Ask a parent or other adult to read over your essay too, if you'd like.
• Setting your essay aside for a little while will give you a fresher perspective when you go back to revise it.

Structuring Your Essay

• Make sure your conclusion doesn’t just copy the introduction.

Community Q&A

• Write your essay from the first person point of view, using "I." Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1

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• ↑ http://www.citationmachine.net/resources/student-blog
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/personal-essay/
• ↑ http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/grammar-rules-and-tips/tips-for-writing-a-personal-narrative-essay.html
• ↑ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-smock/8-tips-for-dazzling-an-ed_b_5498918.html

About This Article

If you need to write an essay on how you spent your summer vacation, there are simple ways to take your writing to the next level. Choose a moment that stands out to you, like playing at the park with your friends or watching a movie you enjoyed. Think about all the feelings and thoughts you had, and use them to write sensory descriptions that will take the reader on the journey with you. Use your introduction to set the scene and draw your reader in. Then, use each paragraph to explore different aspects of your favorite moment. For example, if you won a video game competition with your friends, you can talk about the rivalry between you, the rounds of the game, and how you celebrated. For more tips from our Education co-author, including how to edit your essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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TALK ABOUT HIS VACATIONS IN FRENCH

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In this video, I tell you about my vacation in French. The goal is to show you how I talk about my vacation so that you can be inspired to do the same. Telling your vacation story is a great exercise to improve your French.

Test your understanding of the video. Take the quiz about my vacations in Bulgaria!

• She already lives in Bulgaria, she came by car.
• We arrived at the same time
• We ordered dishes.
• I told my friend about my day.
• We ordered a drink.
• We talked about the program of our three-day stay in Sofia.
• Hitchhiking
• A monastery
• The castle of the former queen of Romania
• A monument of the communist era
• A medieval fortress
• Dining in restaurants
• Eating ice cream
• A Bulgarian cocktail
• A Bulgarian yogurt
• The plovdiv, a Bulgarian specialty
• Fish caught on the island

Hello to all of you. I hope that you are doing well and that your learning of French is going well.

So today, I will tell you about my vacations in French. The goal of this video is for you to learn new expressions, new phrases, new vocabulary so that you too can tell your vacation in French. Don't hesitate to comment the words or expressions you don't understand so that I can explain them to you. You can also go to www.hellofrench.com to find the transcript of the video, so the text of the video, the vocabulary associated with the video, so I'll explain all the useful words to tell your vacations in French. And also, you can find a quiz to test your understanding of what I'm going to tell you about my vacations. Last year, I went on vacation in Bulgaria. I went with a friend. We made a road trip in the whole country by car. I I left Paris so I have flew in in Paris to go to Sofia and my friend was taking off of Brussels.

I was the first to arrive at the airport of Sofia. Once I have retrieved my suitcase I have been buy a metro ticket to go to the city center . Once in the center of Sofia, I used Google Maps to find the hotel that we had booked. At the hotel, I went to the reception and I spoke with the person at the front desk who gave me the keys to the room and who also gave me a map of the city.

We talked a bit, she told me about the sites to visit , of bars of restaurants that could be nice. I took advantage of the day by myself to walk around, to start visit the city waiting for my friend. In the evening, when she joined me, we went to a restaurant that I had booked during the day. We started by having a cocktail and I was able to tell him about my discoveries about the city. We spent three days in Sofia visiting the different cultural sites: museums, churches, parks and to walk around.

We also have tasted to many local specialties . At the end of the three days, we then rented a car to begin to visit the country and especially go to the sea . On the way to the sea, we stopped to visit different villages, different towns or monuments .

For example, we stopped in a town called Veliko Tarnovo to visit a medieval fortress. We also visited on top of a hill a monument dating from the communist era that looked like a huge flying saucer . Once we arrived at the sea, we stopped in the city of Balchik.

It is a very touristic city, because there is a castle, the castle of the former queen of Romania. She used to spend her vacations at the sea in this city. The castle is surrounded by a huge botanical garden and both the gardens and the castle overlook the beach and the sea. It is really beautiful. Then we went to a seaside resort for a few days. The goal was really to enjoy the beach. So we mostly tanned always with Sunscreen and an umbrella .

In the evening, we made walks by the sea and we dined in restaurants having cocktails or eating ice cream on the seaside. We then went to an island or rather a peninsula. It is a very very tourist But once we found some small streets with calm, it was really very pretty. So, we spent one evening on this peninsula where we had dinner in a restaurant which overhung the sea.

It was really beautiful and above all, we could taste our first and famous Bulgarian yogurt. It was really delicious. Then, we took the car again and we went for two days in the second biggest city of the country, Plovdiv. There was not much to visit, but we liked the atmosphere very much. There were a lot of young people, a lot of small bars, small restaurants on the terrace. Then, we took the car back to Sofia to return the car to the rental agency.

We then took advantage of the few hours we had left to go back to the places we had loved before going back to the airport to take our flights .

I hope you enjoyed this video, that you were able to learn some new vocabulary about the vacations. New words. Feel free to like this video if you liked it and follow the channel to see other videos. See you soon and have a good vacation!

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DELF A1: Writing a Postcard or letter in french about your vacation

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

How do you write a postcard or letter in french telling someone, such as a friend, about your vacation? This is a common question to be found on many french exam or test paper. Well this article a step by step guide on how to write a postcard or letter telling someone about your vacation.  

In the Production Ecrite section of your french exam such as the DELF A1 exam, you will be required to write a message, email or letter consisting of 40 to 50 words.  So lets begin!

How to plan your postcard or letter in french

It is possible to plan and practice various response to the possible exercises before the date of your exam.  In general, when you are writing a postcard there are certain information you may include, such as:

• How You went
• Where you went (montagne, plage, campagne, ville…)
• When / with whom you went
• Where or with whom are you staying? (à l’hôtel, chez l’habitant, dans un camping, dans un gîte…) Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
• What you saw or visit/did or are doing, etc
• Are you enjoying yourself?
• What is the weather and or the place like
• When are you coming back?
• Sign your name

While it is not necessary to provide all of the above information, It is important to note that DELF exam instructions, sometimes select from the list above and specifically ask you to include such information. As a result, it is important to practice different response which will include different combination of the suggestions above. The ones highlighted in red are the basics and should almost always be included in your postcard.

Writing your postcard or letter in french

Sample exercise: writing  a postcard or letter in french about your vacation.

Exercise 1                                                                                                   15 points  

Vous êtes en vacances à Nice. Vous envoyez une petite carte postale a un ami à Paris. Vous lui parlez de temps, de vous activités et vous lui donnez votre date de retour. (40 à 50 mots).

Sample letter in french about your vacation :

Bonjour Jean,

  (Word count = 49)

Sample Exercise for You!

Salut______________,

Je suis en vacances à _____________ pour _________________. C’est une ville très ______________. je visite_________________. c’est________________. Il fait______________ . Je rentrerai chez-moi _____________________.

________________

Evaluation:

• Greetings : Bonjour Jean ( We could also use: “Salut Jean Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ”  “ Cher Jean” . Use “Chère” only if it is a female)
• Where you are and for how long: Je suis en vacances à Nice pour cinq jours
• What you did or are doing: Hier, j’ai jou é au volley sur la plage . Maintenant, je prends le déjeuner dans un petit café.
• Are you enjoying yourself? Super!
• What is the weather and or the place like: Il fait très beau, avec beaucoup de soleil.
• When are you coming back?:  Je rentrerai chez-moi samedi prochain.
• Farewells: Bises ( We could also use: “ Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 A bientôt” “or “a samedi !” or “a la semaine prochaine !” or “au revoir”)
• Sign your name: Janet

There is agreement of adjective and verb: un petit café. Plus I have used three tenses:

• Le présent: je prends, Il fait ,
• le passé composé: j’ai jou é
• le futur: Je rentrerai .

I have included the specific information that they had asked for. I have also stayed within the word limit. 

Remember to stick to the word limit and follow the instructions that are given. If they want you to provide any specific information such as when you are coming back, the weather, what you visited etc this must be included in your postcard. You will lose points if this is not done.

Check for Errors

Remember to read carefully through your text. Check to ensure that plural words have a plural ending. Make sure that there is agreement between adjectives and the nouns they describe (such as une belle église , un beau chateau ). Check all to ensure that all verbs are in the right tense and that the endings match the subject (such as Je vais for the present but Je suis allé for the past ). Check to make sure you have followed the instructions and fully used all the structures that you have learnt during your study.

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How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on how i spent my summer vacation.

Summertime is the most awaited time of any student’s life . It gives them a break from the scorching sun and blazing heat. The summer months are quite hot, however, students love them because they bring a sense of calmness due to the vacations. It frees them from the monotonous and dull routine of school and studies.

Most importantly, summer vacations give us a chance to explore new things. We can adopt new hobbies like painting, dancing, singing and more during this time. Furthermore, it gives us a chance to visit our grandparents or to someplace abroad. Summer vacations bring all types of fun, however, these particular summer vacations were the most memorable for me. My parents made me join a summer camp which was too much fun and then we visited our grandparents’ place.

Summer Camp

As the first day of my summer vacations started, I started getting bored easily. Mostly so because all my friends had gone to someplace or the other. My parents noticed this and decided to send me to a summer camp. Our school itself was organizing one in which my parents got me enrolled.

At first, I thought it would be of no use and would be equally boring. However, to my surprise, I was wrong. The summer camp was one of the best experiences of my life. I got the chance to indulge in so many activities and in fact, it was the first time where I discovered my talent for painting.

We got up early in the morning at 7 o’clock, despite no school. We had trainers who would teach us different things each day. On the first day, I got to learn karate, which was very amusing and helpful. Further, I learned how to play sports like basketball , table tennis, and volleyball.

Finally, came my most awaited part. We were taught painting and unique tips to master this art. I learned it quickly and started enjoying painting. My passion for painting began from this summer camp , and I will forever be indebted to it.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

My Grandparents’ Place

After my summer camp ended, my whole family decided to visit my grandparent’s village . It is situated away from the city and is full of lush and greenery. I love spending time with my grandparents so I was very excited to visit their village.

We stayed there for over two weeks, and that throughout that time, I was at my best behavior. I used to get up at 7 o’clock in the morning to take a stroll with my grandfather. Then all the family members would get together to have breakfast full of healthy things and fresh fruits from the farm nearby.

In the evening, we would sit by our grandmother’s bed and listen to stories. Then, my siblings and I used to go to the terrace and play games. We would also gaze at their stars all night, as we did not get that in the city.

In short, this is how I spent my summer vacation. It was definitely one of the best times of my lives. I got to learn new things and spend valuable time with my grandparents. I feel blessed to have a loving family with whom I can enjoy my summer vacation.

Q.1 Why are summer vacations important?

A.1 Summer vacations are the most important and awaited time of a student’s life. It gives them a break from their monotonous routine. Furthermore, summer vacations protect students from the scorching heat and give them a chance to visit hilly stations.

Q.2 How can one utilize their summer vacation?

A.2 There a lot of ways to utilize a summer vacation. It can be done through indulging in many activities. One can join summer camps which teach new skills to students. One can also pay a visit to their grandparents or to some chilly place or abroad to enjoy it to the fullest.

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50+ Important French Vacation Words and Phrases (With Audio)

Whether you enjoy the feel of seawater and hot sand or the crisp mountain air, there’s nothing like a relaxing vacation.

However you choose to vacation, wouldn’t you love to do it all in French?

Here are 50+ useful French vacation vocabulary words and phrases , with example sentences so you can use them correctly in context.

So grab that passport and let’s get started!

French Vacation Vocabulary for a Smooth Trip

Talking about vacation plans, vacation accommodation, modes of transport, vacation activities, tips to learn vacation vocabulary, drill flashcards before your trip, visualize the vocabulary, watch authentic french videos, start using the words in your own sentences, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

This topic will require you to get comfortable with some basic interrogatives in French .

Common questions and answers

• où ? (where?)
• quand ? (when?)
• avec qui ? (with whom?)
• Comment voyages-tu ? (How are you traveling?)
• Je vais au / à la…  (I’m going to…)
• pendant (during)

Vacation seasons

• les vacances de Noël ( Christmas vacation )
• les vacances d’été ( summer vacation , also known as les grandes vacances )
• les vacances d’hiver ( winter vacation )
• les vacances de printemps ( spring vacation )
• les vacances de la Toussaint ( fall vacation ; All Saints)

Example sentences

Où vas-tu en vacances ? (Where are you going on vacation?)

Je vais à la plage / à la montagne / à l’étranger. (I’m going to the beach/to the mountains/overseas.)

Quand iras-tu en vacances ? (When will you go on vacation?)

Je voyagerai pendant les vacances d’été. (I will travel during the summer vacation.)

Avec qui allez-vous voyager / vas-tu voyager ? (Who are you going to travel with?)

Places people stay on vacation

• un hôtel (a hotel)
• une auberge de jeunesse (a youth hostel)
• un club de vacances (a resort)
• un camping (a camping ground)
• un appartement (an apartment)
• un gîte (a holiday home/cottage)
• une chambre d’hôtes (a bed and breakfast)

Phrases for making a reservation

• Je voudrais une chambre (I would like a room…)
• salle de bains (bathroom)
• pour une / deux / trois / quatre personnes   (for one/two/three/four people)
• du… au… (from [date] to [date])

Je voudrais une chambre pour deux personnes avec salle de bains du 5 août au 12 août. (I would like a room for two with a bathroom from August 5 to August 12.)

Pour mes vacances, je vais loger dans un hôtel. (For my vacation I am going to stay in a hotel.)

Je logerai dans une auberge de jeunesse. (I will stay in a youth hostel.)

L’année dernière, j’ai logé dans un camping. (Last year, I stayed in a camping ground.)

Getting to your destination

• en avion (by plane)
• l’aéroport (airport)
• en bateau (by boat)
• en train (by train)
• la gare (the station)
• le billet (the ticket)
• aller-retour (round trip)

Getting around your vacation spot

• en métro (by subway)
• en bus (by bus) 
• en taxi (by taxi)
• à pied (on foot)

Comment vas-tu en Belgique ? En avion ou en train ? (How are you going to Belgium? By plane or by train ?)

Où est l’aéroport, s’il vous plaît ? (Where is the airport, please?)

Je cherche la gare. (I am looking for the train station .)

À quelle heure est le départ de l’avion ? (What time does the plane leave?)

Combien coûte le billet pour Nice ? (How much does the ticket to Nice cost?)

Je voudrais un aller-retour pour le train qui va à Marseille. (I would like a return ticket on the train going to Marseille.)

This topic is a great opportunity to pick up common French nouns and verbs . There are hundreds of activities that you can add to your vocabulary list. Some common ones include:

• faire de la planche à voile (to windsurf)
• faire du lèche-vitrine (to go window-shopping )
• bronzer (to suntan)
• aller au restaurant (to go to the restaurant)
• nager (to swim)
• faire du ski (to ski)
• faire une randonnée (to go hiking)
• faire du vélo (to cycle)
• visiter des monuments / des musées (to visit monuments/museums)
• participer à une visite guidée (to join a guided tour)

Try to use this vocabulary with different tenses!

Aujourd’hui, je voudrais aller à la plage pour bronzer. (Today, I would like to go to the beach to suntan.)

Hier, je suis allé(e) faire du vélo en montagne. (Yesterday, I went cycling in the mountains.)

Demain, j’irai au restaurant avec mes amis. (Tomorrow, I will go to the restaurant with my friends.)

One of the best parts of going on a holiday in France is getting to eat out and sample food. So, food vocabulary should be in the cards. We’ll give you the basics for a vacation— for an in-depth guide to restaurant vocabulary in French, check out this article.

• le repas (the meal)
• le petit déjeuner (breakfast)
• le déjeuner (lunch)
• le dîner (dinner)
• la salle à manger (the dining room)
• le restaurant (restaurant)
• Qu’est-ce que vous recommandez aujourd’hui ? (What do you recommend today?)
• le plat du jour (today’s special)
• Je voudrais… (I would like…)
• L’addition, s’il vous plaît. (The check, please.)

À quelle heure est le petit déjeuner ? (What time is breakfast ?)

Comme dessert, je voudrais la crème caramel. (For dessert, I would like the crème caramel.)

Recommandez-vous le plat du jour ? (Do you recommend today’s special?)

Je voudrais des escargots. (I would like some snails.)

Make flashcards for the words above and go through them periodically before your trip. You don’t even need to carry around a stack of index cards—there are apps like Quizlet for creating flashcards online and even playing games to test yourself.

French vacation words tend to be highly visual, so consider  making mind maps , or visual diagrams that represent the words you want to learn. There are many examples of mind map templates online.

You can also create a memory palace . The idea of this memorization device is to visualize a location—say, your childhood home—and populate it with the relevant vocabulary. For example, you could visualize a building and each hallway, room or object would be associated with a word you wish to remember.

It’s a great technique for visual learners to create context for seemingly isolated terms.

The best way to remember any new French vocabulary is to learn it in context. And one of the best ways to do that is to watch videos in French from French sources. You can easily find French TV shows and movies on streaming services like Netflix. If you prefer shorter videos, you can find French videos about all sorts of topics on YouTube.

FluentU is another way to hear French how it’s spoken in actual French-speaking regions. It’s a language learning program that uses authentic videos with interactive subtitles as the core of its lessons, along with active learning features like flashcards and quizzes.

The videos on FluentU are sorted by topic, so you can easily find media that’s related to travel, such as news clips about French vacation habits or video tours of French open-air hotels.

You’ll be using the words and phrases below with real French speakers throughout your vacation. So, why not start practicing now?

For example, don’t just learn the word nager (to swim). Start creating sentences, like:

Où est la plage ? J’aimerais nager cet après-midi. (Where is the beach? I would like to swim this afternoon.)

Savez-vous nager ? (Do you know how to swim?)

To ensure your own sentences actually make sense, you can use a grammar checker like Bon Patron . 

Now that you’ve used all the tools and resources at your fingertips and you’ve prepared everything for your vacation, you’re ready to go.

Use your new vocabulary as often as you can and you’ll become good at communicating and recognizing repeated words.

Bonnes vacances ! (Have a good vacation!)

FluentU has a wide variety of great content, like interviews, documentary excerpts and web series, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native French videos with reach. With interactive captions, you can tap on any word to see an image, definition and useful examples.

For example, if you tap on the word "crois," you'll see this:

Practice and reinforce all the vocabulary you've learned in a given video with learn mode. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning, and play the mini-games found in our dynamic flashcards, like "fill in the blank."

All throughout, FluentU tracks the vocabulary that you’re learning and uses this information to give you a totally personalized experience. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)

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The Local’s Guide to Enjoying and Talking About the Summer in French

France has four seasons : spring ( le printemps ), summer ( l’été ), autumn ( l’automne ), and winter ( l’hiver ), and each one has its own significance in French culture and everyday life.  

While we mostly associate summer with the south of France, the location of the famous Côte d’Azur, the summer weather and mood does reach the whole country and affect it in some important ways.  Let’s talk about all things summer in France.

How to say “summer” in French

The word “summer” in French is l’été . Although the French word for season, la saison is feminine, l’été is masculine .

When you want to use “summer” as an adjective in French, you would either say d’été or estival(e) .  It’s hard to say exactly why you should use either one, but as a general rule:

d’été is usually used with things that aren’t exclusively associated with summer. For example, as you’ll see on the list below, you would use it when talking about clothes , time, or rooms in a house. Be careful not to confuse this with de l’été (of the (this) summer), which I’ll talk about in the next section. 

estival(e) tends to be used with things we’d more likely associate with summer – for example, summer weather.

Again, this is just a general rule. If you’re in doubt, the good news is, people will understand what you mean if you use either one.

If you want to say “in summer”, “over the summer”, or “during the summer” in French, that would generally be “ en été ” or “ pendant l’été ”.   For example: En été, on va à la plage. (In summer, we go to the beach). And Il a bien grandi pendant l’été (He grew a lot over summer).  

La fin de l’été is “the end of summer”.

Some common summer-related French words

Here are some common summer-related French words. As you read them, remember the general rule about using d’été or estival (e) that I mentioned in the previous section of this article.

de l’été – of the (this) summer. This is used when talking about the trends and tendencies of this particular summer. A very common example is the expression le tube de l’été – this summer’s hit song.

une robe d’été – a summer dress/a sundress.

l’heure d’été – daylight savings time. Passer à l’heure d’été means to switch to daylight savings time/set the clocks forward.

les vacances d’été – summer vacation. This can mean either a vacation from school or other organized activity, or an actual planned summer vacation getaway. 

une cuisine d’été – an outdoor, covered space for cooking, eating, and storing food. In addition to a standard indoor kitchen, this is a very common feature in lots of houses in the south of France , where, as other French people often remark, inhabitants like to live outdoors. A cuisine d’été lets them not only eat outside, but even prepare their meals and store food there, since it usually includes some kind of stove or oven as well as storage areas. You can see some examples of typical cuisines d’été here . 

How to say “Have a good summer” in French

Summer is a time of leisure, vacation, and festivities in France, but interestingly enough, it’s not extremely common for people to tell each other “Have a good summer!”, as you’ll learn if you do an internet search for it.

With friends who are going away for a long time in the summer, I usually say Passe un bon été or Passez un bon été if there’s a group of them. They always understand and appreciate this, but it’s not necessarily the way native French speakers would put it.

Instead, it seems if native speakers of French want to say “Have a good summer”, they would either be very formal and say Je te/vous souhaite un bon été (I wish you/you all a good summer) or they would focus more on the vacation aspect, and use a very common French saying, Bonnes vacances ! (Have a nice vacation!).

Summer weather in France

Culturally, summer in France starts around late June and ends at la rentrée – the period at the beginning of September, when most people are back from summer vacation and school and other activities start again. 

From an astronomical standpoint, summer in France is officially from June 21 to September 21. But the weather can be very warm before and after that period. For example, this year we had several days where the temperature reached 30 degrees Celsius (about 86 degrees Fahrenheit) in April and May, even though overall temperatures for these months were a lot lower, at times even a bit chilly.

Even summer itself can be a bit unpredictable in France. Sometimes, the days can start or end up quite chilly, even if it’s hot in the afternoon. So if you’re planning to visit, you may want to bring a light jacket or shawl with you if you’ll be out very early or very late.

What is France like in the summer?

By late June, French people are in the spirit of summer , with schools in their last weeks and travel plans fresh in many minds. People tend to want to spend more time outside, and in that spirit, most towns, cities, and villages will have some kind of festivities in the summer , from outdoor concerts and film festivals, to athletic competitions, novelties like Paris-Plages and more. If you’re traveling to France in the summer, definitely be sure to check the places you’re headed to see what’s on.

Two summer events that will definitely be going on to some extent, wherever you are in France, are the Fête de la Musique (Music Day) on June 21, and le 14 juillet (Bastille Day, July 14). 

La Fête de la Musique is a holiday celebrated in many countries, and quite the big deal in France. Anyone who wants to play music outside is welcome, and you can stroll the streets or even travel far distances across a region or city to attend concerts by amateurs and famous musicians alike.

“Bastille Day” in French is actually just called le 14 juillet (July 14), or sometimes La Fête Nationale (the national holiday). If you’re into history, this is because the date isn’t supposed to celebrate the storming of the Bastille, the event that kicked off the French Revolution in 1789, but the Fête de la Fédération, a sort of reconciliatory celebration celebrating the new nation, which occurred exactly a year later on July 14, 1790. If you’d like to read more about the turbulent and gruesome origins of the French Revolution and le 14 juillet , feel free to check out a blog post I wrote about it. The most common 14 juillet celebrations today are fireworks displays, which are put on by many French cities and towns .

Most French people have five weeks of vacation time, which they tend to spread out over the course of the year, but summer is when they tend to take the longest and most important trips. That’s why schools’ and other organizations’ summer breaks are often called les grandes vacances (literally, “the big vacation”) . 

It’s said that August is a time when things are dead in places like Paris, since so many people leave on vacation. It’s true that August is the most popular vacation month in France, but nearly as many people prefer to leave in July – and 31% of French people don’t go on vacation in the summer at all. 

So, if you visit France in August, especially if you’re in a major city or summer tourism area, you probably won’t find that the place has become a ghost town. That said, it can be harder or even impossible to make appointments with certain specialists, government workers, and so on.

Heatwaves and air conditioning phobia: How the French deal with summer heat

Summer weather in France can be pretty variable, from unseasonably cold days, to heatwaves ( la canicule ). Sadly, due to global warming, canicules have become much more common, even over the past few years alone. 

Even when summer temperatures are at their seasonal average in France, though, you might find them hard to bear, depending on where you come from. This is because the French have an aversion to air conditioning, and even to electric and ceiling fans!

The French will very easily admit that hot weather can be hard to get through. But they prefer to use techniques like keeping their shutters drawn and airing out the house in cool morning weather or taking cold showers and eating cold meals, rather than relying on AC or a fan. 

The reason behind this may not be what you’re expecting. Sure, the French are motivated by ecology to some extent. And sure, home air conditioning units do exist here but aren’t cheap (a small one currently starts at around 150 euros). But the main reason most French people don’t have air conditioning or possibly even an electric fan in their house – or, if they do, they use them sparingly – is…they’re afraid of cold air.

Most French people consider air conditioning a source of sickness, whether due to the contrast of a cool or cold interior and hot outside air, or the idea of recirculated air in general. Fans are a source of courants d’air (drafts), which most French people are convinced will cause colds and sore throats.

Although extreme cold can cause certain illnesses, it’s pretty much scientific fact that a draft or breeze on a hot day cannot.  Still, most French people are unconvinced. Even my French husband who, to my utter shock, insisted we buy an air conditioning unit a few hot summers ago, is wary of letting my son sleep with a fan in his room.  “He’ll get a sore throat!” he moans every time I turn it on in the stifling room.  

So far, my son has not had a cold or sore throat from sleeping with a fan blowing on him, and more importantly, he hasn’t suffered from heat exhaustion, stroke, or fever. 

Even if cold air did cause colds or sore throats, I can’t wrap my mind around why avoiding those usually mild conditions would take priority over avoiding overheating and all of the very serious conditions this could bring on. But that’s the way most French people think. Recently, during a heatwave, I was at a grocery store checkout line when the cashier sneezed. “It’s this air conditioning,” she grumbled. “I don’t know why they have to turn it on.” It was 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit) outside!

French people’s distrust of cold air in hot weather is a common complaint for visitors and residents from many other countries – especially Americans like me. I’ve spent significant time in places like Atlanta, Georgia, and various locations in Florida, where it regularly gets much hotter than a very hot day in France. But because air conditioning is just about everywhere in America – and it’s set to full-blast – you don’t really notice the outside temperature as much. In France, on the other hand, you have to learn strategies for keeping cool, and slog through the hot days.

This cultural difference makes for many amusing (and relatable) articles like this one . But there’s a darker side, too. That aversion to cool air can be lethal.

In August 2003, there was a two-week heatwave in France, with record high temperatures. Because of a lack of air conditioning even in places with vulnerable populations, like nursing homes, an estimated 14,000-20,000 people died . 

Let that sink in for a minute.

Up to 20,000 people died over two weeks, in temperatures that were high but not the highest on earth, because air conditioning and fans weren’t widespread or used by a majority of the population.

Some things have changed since then. For example, there are awareness campaigns and warnings when une canicule is coming, cool rooms in public places like city halls, and obligatory air-conditioned common rooms in nursing homes. But most French people are still at least a little bit wary when it comes to fans and air conditioning.

  How to dress like a French woman/man in the summer

In lieu of or in addition to relying on air conditioning, the French deal with the heat in a number of ways, including taking cold showers, drinking lots of water, splashing themselves with water or using a water mister ( un brumisateur ),keeping their shutters closed against the hot sun, and more. The way they dress can be another strategy.

You’ll see people wearing many different styles in France, from what you probably imagine when you picture a French person , to street or vintage or hippy clothes. Whatever the style, the general rule in hot weather is to favor light colors (making for a strange contrast from us Parisians’ usual “uniform” of blacks and grays), cotton, linen, and other light, natural fabrics, and light sneakers or sandals. People often wear hats or baseball caps, as well, especially children.

That being said, French people tend to wait until really hot weather to wear their absolute lightest clothing. I think it has to do with what I talked about before, that wariness of being cold. So, if you come to France in the summer, you’ll probably see people wearing sundresses and shorts, but you’ll also likely see at least a few others in long-sleeved blouses and trousers. Elderly French people often tend to stay covered up, as well, especially men. I know several older Frenchmen who wear a suit pretty much year-round. This isn’t for professional reasons; they’ve been retired for decades. It just goes back to another era, I guess. But I can’t understand how they don’t transform into a puddle of sweat.

One thing that you can be pretty sure of is that an overwhelming majority of French people don’t wear flip-flops. There are some exceptions, especially among younger kids who like streetwear and/or American culture. But in general, flip-flops are rare here, and until recently, even looked down upon as impractical and inelegant.

Still, if you come to France in the summer, your priority should be to enjoy the sites and culture, not to look like a native. So if you feel most comfortable in flip-flips and want to dress light even if it’s only in the low 20’s (high 60’s to low 70’s Fahrenheit), go for it. Don’t get overheated or uncomfortable and ruin your trip or stay.  

Well, maybe swap out flip-flops for more elegant summer footwear if you’re attending a formal event or meeting a client, celebrity, or other figure you want to show respect towards. 

One thing you should note, though, is that many churches frown upon mini-skirts and very short shorts, as well as plunging cleavage and uncovered shoulders. In general, French churches aren’t as policed as ones in places like Italy, so you may be able to get in regardless of how you’re dressed, but just so you’re sure not to miss out on admiring their beautiful architecture and artwork, if you’re not covered in those areas, make sure to bring a shawl or poncho that you can slip on over your clothes.    

French summer foods

As befits the French love of food, certain meals are another way the French keep cool in summer. In very hot weather, French  people will tend to eat cold foods that don’t have to be heated or cooked , like salads ( des salades ) that are filling all the same (for example, a recent meal I had with French friends involved a huge salad made up of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, shallots, mozzarella cheese, and olives, with cold cuts ( charcuterie ) and baguette on the side) , caprice ( tomate-mozza ), and avocados sliced in half and pitted, then topped with canned tuna and mayonnaise ( un avocat au thon ) or shrimp (often in a mayonnaise-based sauce) ( un avocat crevettes ), to name a few popular choices. 

And of course, fruit is always a favorite. While the iconic summer fruit in America is probably watermelon, in France it’s le melon . This word stands in for various regional varieties of melon. The most famous is from the Charente-Maritime region. Most melons taste similar to cantaloupe.  

Eating ice cream is another great way to keep cool. Ice cream stands can be found just about anywhere people are doing outdoor activities in France, and you can also find lots of different varieties of ice cream and sorbets in French grocery stores, not to mention frozen food chains like Picard ( this particular ice cream flavor is my personal favorite – it is amazingly delicious).

Italian ice drinks, also known as slushees or icees, are called granités in France. They’re somewhat popular in the summer, but they can be very pricey, especially when you consider they’re often sold in small cups, not the huge goblets you get at gas stations in the US.   

Despite the wide selection of cold desserts, most French people tend not to overindulge. As I’ve written before , regardless of the delicious pastries and other sugary delights here, the French seem to prefer savory over sweet.

When it comes to drinks, water is the go-to in very hot weather. But remember that most French people – and French restaurants – don’t put ice in drinks, so if you want ice water, you should ask for de l’eau avec des glaçons, s’il vous plait. (Water with ice cubes, please.)

An alternative to water that’s great for kids as well as adults with a sweet tooth (like me) is cold bottled water with a flavored syrup added to it. You can read more about that here . 

If you want something with a bit more of a buzz, a cold glass of white or rosé wine is a popular choice in the south of France, while a cold beer is a favorite in the north. 

There are, of course, lots of other cold drinks that you can enjoy in France, from une limonade (a carbonated beverage that tastes a bit like Sprite or 7-UP), to a range of cocktails (here’s a list of the French’s favorites).

How can you learn French during the summer?

Maybe summer means you’re on vacation from school or have more free time in general. This may mean you’re looking for a way to up the ante on your French learning. There are lots of ways to do this.

One option that many people consider is taking summer courses in France. An online search should help you find the right one for you. Remember to consider your budget, what’s included in the price (just lessons, or accommodations and other benefits like excursions, as well?), the timing, and other important factors, like whether or not it’s an immersive French language program. If you’re not sure about what’s important, an online search for “how to choose the best French summer program for me” will result in a bevy of helpful articles (just be sure none of them have the ulterior motive of trying to sell you their specific courses).

But what if you don’t have the time or budget to take summer courses in France?  Don’t worry! There are other ways you can practice and perfect your French. 

For one thing, see if there are local French learning programs at universities, schools, and French organizations near you.

You can also opt for personalized French tutoring sessions . Check out websites, community message boards, and printed-out job ads at schools and community gathering spots to find a local French tutor. Ideally, they should be a native speaker.  

An online French tutor is another option. One of the advantages of this is that the tutor is more likely to be a native speaker, since the distance from your house to France doesn’t matter. Another good thing: You don’t have to worry about issues like transportation problems, a noisy meeting place, etc.

Whether or not you opt for face-to-face French lessons this summer, don’t forget that there are also lots of online French learning platforms and courses that can help you boost your French skills, too (including the French Together app ). These can be used on their own, combined, or along with lessons, to really give you an edge on all things French. 

And one word of advice: Whether you go the distance, by signing up for a summer French immersion course, or use online resources to practice and learn, it’s your desire to learn and your curiosity that will give you an important edge. You could be in a total immersion course in France, but if you’re too tired or distracted, you may not learn as much as someone who’s doing online tutoring or using language learning platforms and is super-motivated back at home. 

I say this from personal experience. I wasn’t able to do immersion programs, and when I studied abroad, many of my classes were still in English. And yet, because I loved French and wanted to learn, I used all the other resources available to me and voilà – I’m a fluent French-speaker today. Well, okay, voilà is kind of a simple stand-in for years of work, but hopefully you get the point.

With that in mind, I’ll leave you with a famous French quotation about summer (sort of) by Albert Camus: Au milieu de l’hiver, j’apprenais enfin qu’il y avait en moi un été invincible. (In the middle of winter, I learned at last that within me there was an invincible summer.)

• What are the best French learning apps in 2024?
• The 16 best websites and apps for French conversation practice
• Duolingo French review: The good, the bad and the ugly

Alysa Salzberg

Alysa Salzberg is an American writer, worrier, teacher, and cookie enthusiast who has lived in Paris, France, for more than a decade. She has taught English and French for more than ten years, most notably as an assistante de langue vivante for L'Education Nationale. She recently published her first novel, Hearts at Dawn , a "Beauty and the Beast" retelling that takes place during the 1870 Siege of Paris. You can read about her adventures here , or feel free to stop by her website .

cover letter for visa rejection

How to write an appeal letter for schengen visa refusal.

Invitation Letter from a Company For Visa Process

Securing a Schengen visa is never a guaranteed outcome, despite your meticulous efforts in gathering documents, filling out forms, and composing the necessary correspondence. At times, your application may be rejected, leaving you perplexed, even when you believe you’ve followed every guideline correctly.

However, a visa rejection should not lead to despair. There are options available to rectify the situation. You can either reapply, addressing any potential errors from your initial attempt, or, if you believe the first application was indeed accurate, challenge the rejection.

Article 32(3) of the Visa Code within the Schengen Agreement explicitly outlines the right of individuals who have faced visa refusals to initiate an appeals process.

How to Appeal a Schengen Visa Denial?

Appealing a Schengen visa denial can be a challenging process that requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Firstly, it’s crucial to be confident that the rejection was unjust and that there were no valid reasons for it. Next, you’ll need to write an Appeal Letter for Schengen Visa Refusal, which must include strong and convincing reasons explaining why you believe your application was wrongly rejected and why the decision should be reconsidered. While the process can be complex, understanding the key steps and providing compelling arguments can increase your chances of a successful appeal.

If you’re facing a Schengen visa denial and wish to appeal, it’s essential to follow the specific procedures outlined by the Schengen country responsible for processing your application. Typically, these procedures involve submitting your appeal and supporting documents to the appropriate authority, adhering to deadlines, and attending any required interviews or hearings. The outcome of the appeal process can vary, but with a well-prepared appeal letter and a strong case, you may have a chance to reverse the initial visa denial and realize your travel plans.

What Is an Appeal Letter for Schengen Visa Refusal?

An Appeal Letter for Schengen Visa Refusal is a formal written document submitted by a visa applicant to challenge the rejection of their visa application. This letter serves as a means for the applicant to contest the refusal on valid and well-founded grounds, demonstrating why the rejection decision is incorrect. It involves identifying factual or legal bases for the appeal, and in certain cases, the appellant may have the opportunity to provide additional supporting evidence to substantiate the claim of wrongful refusal.

It’s important to note that each Schengen embassy or consulate has specific guidelines and timeframes within which the rejected applicant can submit the appeal letter. If your Schengen visa application has been declined, it is highly advisable to draft and submit an appeal letter within the designated period if you intend to pursue this option. Effectively crafted appeal letters can significantly improve the chances of reversing the initial visa refusal and realizing your travel plans.

How to Write an Appeal Letter for Schengen Visa Rejection?

Creating a compelling appeal letter after your Schengen Visa has been denied may seem challenging, but it’s crucial to follow the right approach. You’ll need to structure your letter properly, know who it should be addressed to, and understand what information to include. Remember, your letter should strike a balance – it should be comprehensive yet concise.

Writing a lengthy two-page letter is not advisable because embassy officials who review appeals have limited time and resources. Conversely, a single-paragraph letter merely stating that the visa rejection was unfair won’t be effective either. To make a persuasive appeal, you must provide clear and well-explained reasons for why you believe your visa application’s denial should be reversed.

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the essential information you need to know when composing an appeal letter following a Schengen Visa rejection. This guide will help you structure your letter effectively, ensuring it is both concise and persuasive, thereby increasing the chances of a successful outcome.

What Should Be Included in an Appeal Letter?

An appeal letter needs to include specific details to be considered valid. Here’s what you should include:

• Personal Information: Start with your name, date and place of birth, passport number, and current address. It’s also a good idea to provide your email address and phone number in case they need to contact you.
• Rejection Date: Mention the date you received the rejection letter for your visa application right at the beginning of your appeal.
• Reason for Rejection: Clearly state the reason provided in the rejection letter for the denial of your visa application.
• Why You Disagree: Explain why you believe the rejection was incorrect. Share your reasons for thinking that your application should be approved. If there is more than one reason, list them clearly. This part of the letter is vital, so be sure to express your thoughts clearly and convincingly.
• Your Signature: Once you’ve written your letter, print it out, and sign it at the end. An appeal letter without a signature may not be accepted.

By including these elements in your appeal letter, you can present a well-structured and persuasive case for reconsideration of your Schengen visa application.

Sample of a Schengen Visa Denial Appeal Letter

Below is an example of how to structure your appeal letter if you’ve never written one before:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Your Passport Number] [Date] [Embassy Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] To whom it may concern, **Paragraph 1:** I am writing this letter to appeal the denial of my Schengen visa application. My name is [Your Name], and I reside at [Your Address]. I was born on [Date of Birth] in [Place of Birth], and my passport number is [Your Passport Number]. I submitted my visa application on [Application Submission Date] at the [Embassy/Consulate Name] for the purpose of visiting the Schengen zone. **Paragraph 2:** I received the rejection letter dated [Rejection Date], which outlined the reasons for the denial of my visa application. The letter stated that [State the reasons for denial as mentioned in the rejection letter]. However, I firmly believe that my application was denied incorrectly. **Paragraph 3:** I would like to elaborate on these reasons and provide additional information to support my appeal. [Explain your reasons and provide arguments to show that your application should be reconsidered. Use references or examples to strengthen your case.] I kindly request that you reconsider my application and grant me a Schengen visa. My planned trip to the Schengen zone is scheduled for [Planned Travel Date], and any delay in the visa approval process would cause significant inconvenience. Therefore, I appeal to your understanding and urgency in reviewing my application. Sincerely, [Your Handwritten Signature] [Your Full Name] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number]

Following this structure can help you write a clear and persuasive appeal letter to challenge a Schengen visa rejection.

Supporting Documents for Your Appeal

The documents you need to attach to your appeal letter depend on the specific reason for your visa rejection. Since everyone’s rejection letter has different reasons, the documents you should submit will vary accordingly. Here’s a list of common reasons for visa denials and the supporting documents you might need for each:

• A more detailed travel itinerary, if you already submitted one.
• A letter of invitation from a friend, organization, or institution, explaining why they want you to visit.
• A cover letter in which you further explain your plans and reasons for traveling within the Schengen Zone.
• Current bank statements, and if possible, add extra funds to show you have sufficient money for your stay.
• A support letter from someone who commits to financially assisting you during your Schengen visit, along with their bank account statement.
• Purchase travel insurance from another provider or update your existing policy, then submit a document proving your coverage along with your appeal letter.
• An employment contract or a letter from your employer stating your obligation to return to work after your planned trip (if not previously submitted).
• Proof of your enrollment as a student (if you didn’t submit it before).
• Documents demonstrating property ownership, such as a business or a house.
• Certificates showing you have family members in your home country, like a marriage certificate or a child’s birth certificate.
• Carefully review the rejection letter to understand the specific issues or concerns raised.
• Provide additional or corrected documents that directly address the problems mentioned in your rejection letter.

By submitting these supporting documents alongside your appeal letter, you can strengthen your case and address the specific reasons behind your Schengen visa rejection effectively.

Where to Send Your Appeal Letter

Typically, you can submit your appeal letter either directly at the embassy of the Schengen country you intend to visit or at the embassy/consulate to which that country has delegated visa submission and processing.

However, the authority responsible for deciding on your visa appeal depends on the specific country that rejected your visa application. For instance, in Germany, it’s the Administrative Court in Berlin, in Italy, it’s the Administrative Regional Tribunal, in Norway, it’s the Directorate of Immigration, and in France, it’s the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and so on.

So, where you send your appeal letter will vary depending on the Schengen country involved, and it’s crucial to follow the guidelines and instructions provided by that specific country’s embassy or consulate.

Schengen Visa Appeal Process

After you send your appeal letter and supporting documents, the relevant authority in that specific country will review your case. A senior officer who handles Schengen visa appeals will make a decision on whether to overturn the initial rejection of your visa application.

The time you have to wait for a response varies depending on the embassy of the country you applied to. Some embassies may not inform you of the decision if your appeal is rejected again

Different Types of Entry in a Schengen Visa

Invitation letter from a friend for visa process.

Effective Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Templates for a Successful Application

Dear Reader,

Have you recently received a visa refusal and wondered what your next steps should be? Or, have you received a refusal in the past and struggled to draft a compelling appeal letter that would increase your chances of success?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you have come to the right place. In this article, I will share with you visa refusal appeal letter templates that you can use as a starting point to craft a winning appeal.

As you may already know, receiving a visa refusal can be a frustrating and discouraging experience. It can create uncertainty about your future plans and leave you feeling powerless.

However, it’s important to remember that a visa refusal is not the end of your journey. You still have the opportunity to challenge the decision by filing an appeal letter.

The good news is that writing an appeal letter doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using a template, you can save time and ensure that your letter covers all the important points that the consulate officer wants to see.

In this article, I will provide you with examples of appeal letters that you can use and edit as necessary. These templates have been proven to increase the chances of success in an appeal.

As you read on, you will discover how to structure your appeal letter, what to include, and what pitfalls to avoid. By the end of this article, you will have the tools and knowledge necessary to write a compelling appeal that could help you to secure your visa.

So, if you want to turn your visa refusal into an approval, keep reading to find out how!

The Best Structure for Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Templates

If your visa application has been refused, don’t lose hope. You can still appeal the decision by writing a compelling visa refusal appeal letter. In your letter, you need to explain your circumstances and why you believe the initial decision was wrong. Here is the best structure for visa refusal appeal letter templates, using the Tim Ferris writing style:

Start with a strong opening

Your opening should be strong and attention-grabbing. You need to make sure that the visa officer reading your letter is hooked and eager to read on. In your opening, state the purpose of your letter and express your disappointment at the initial decision. Be respectful but assertive, and avoid sounding angry or confrontational.

Provide an overview of your circumstances

In the next paragraph, you should provide an overview of your circumstances. Explain who you are, why you applied for the visa, and why you believe you are eligible for it. Give some background about your travel plans and any supporting documentation you submitted with your application.

Address the reasons for the refusal

In the next section, you need to address the reasons for the refusal. If the visa officer provided a reason for the refusal, make sure you address it directly. Provide evidence and documentation to support your case and show that the initial decision was wrong. Be clear and concise, and avoid making any unfounded claims or false statements.

Summarize your arguments

In the next paragraph, summarize your arguments and emphasize why you believe you deserve the visa. Remind the visa officer of your circumstances and explain how you will benefit from the visa. Be confident but humble, and avoid sounding arrogant or entitled.

In your closing, thank the visa officer for their time and consideration. Express your hope that they will reconsider their decision and grant you the visa. Provide your contact information and invite them to get in touch with you if they need any further information or clarification.

Final thoughts

Remember that your visa refusal appeal letter should be well-written, respectful, and persuasive. Use the Tim Ferris writing style to grab the reader’s attention and keep them engaged. Be honest, provide evidence to support your case, and avoid making any false statements or claims. If you follow the above structure, you can increase your chances of getting your visa application approved. Good luck!

Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Templates for Various Reasons

Appeal letter for visa refusal due to incomplete information.

I am writing to appeal the decision for my visa application for . I was informed that my visa application was refused due to incomplete information. Based on this, I have carefully reviewed my visa application and realised that I made an oversight in not providing all the necessary documents required for my visa to be granted.

I have now attached all the required documents known to me, and I ask that I am granted another opportunity to have my application reviewed and reconsidered.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Kind regards,

Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal Due to Criminal Record

I am writing to appeal the decision made concerning my visa application. I was informed that the reason for the refusal of my application was due to a criminal record check. I would like to clarify that this criminal record occurred a long time ago and I have since led an exemplary life.

Moreover, I have been working for years and I have never had any legal problems at all. I am a responsible individual who abides by the laws of my country and I will do anything within my power to be on the right side of the law anywhere I go.

I humbly ask for a review of this decision considering my entire circumstance, and I hope you can grant me another chance to prove my worth and travel to .

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal Due to Lack of Funds

I am writing to appeal the decision that was made concerning the refusal of my visa application. I was informed that my application lacked evidence of sufficient funds to support my travel and stay in your country. I accept responsibility for this omission and I now have more substantial proof of available funds.

I have been saving an adequate amount of money required of me to ensure a comfortable stay while in . I have attached the relevant documents as proof of my financial capacity to undertake this trip and request that my application is re-examined and approved accordingly.

Thank you for considering my appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal Due to Previous Visa Overstay

I was notified that my application for a visa has been refused based on my previous visa overstay. I fully understand the severity of such actions, and I want to take full responsibility for it.

However, I will like to appeal for a reconsideration of my application. I have a more extensive understanding of the consequences of my actions, and such events will not repeat themselves. I would like to stress the importance of obtaining the visa as I have significant commitments in which are time-sensitive.

Thank you for taking the time to review my appeal.

Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal Due to Misinformation

I am writing to appeal the decision made regarding my application for a visa. I was informed that my application was refused due to misinformation in regards to my education. I had no intention to deceive the authorities and, in good faith, provided what I believed to be accurate information concerning my education.

Further, I now understand the documentation required for this process, and I have attached a comprehensive report of my educational background in line with the right requirements. I plead for you to overlook my mistake and examine my entire application with the appropriate supporting documents, with the confidence that a visa can be granted.

Thank you for your time and consideration for this matter.

Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal Due to Medical Reasons

I am writing to appeal the decision made concerning my visa application, which was refused due to a medical condition. I have now received the appropriate medical attention to rectify this issue and I have included all supporting documentation in this appeal application.

Further, I have also included a letter from my doctor attesting to my mental and physical fitness and overall good health, which I hope should place my application in a positive light. It has always been my desire to visit and experience , and I will be grateful for a favorable consideration of my appeal.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal Due to Inadequate Travel Insurance

I am writing to appeal the decision made concerning the refusal of my visa application. The primary reason given was that my travel insurance was lacking rigidity and coverage, according to your regulations. Upon receiving this information, I immediately addressed this concern by amending my travel insurance policy and executed essential changes to ensure it meets criteria.

I request that my updated insurance policy is now re-evaluated concerning my application. I would not want to miss out on the opportunity to avail myself of the extraordinary experience awaiting me in .

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

With best regards,

Tips for Writing a Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Template

Getting a visa refusal can be a frustrating experience, especially if you are not sure why your application was rejected. However, don’t lose hope just yet. With a well-written visa refusal appeal letter, you could overturn the decision and get the visa that you want. Here are some tips to help you write an effective appeal letter:

• Figure out why your visa was rejected: The first step to writing an effective appeal letter is to understand why your visa application was rejected. Check the reasons given by the embassy or consulate and make sure you understand them. If you are not sure, reach out to the visa officer and ask for clarification.
• Give strong reasons for your appeal: When writing the appeal letter, make sure you give strong reasons for why you should be granted a visa. These reasons could include a change in circumstances since your initial application, new supporting documents, or a compelling reason for your travel.
• Be concise and to the point: Avoid rambling or going off on tangents in your appeal letter. Be clear and concise, outlining your reasons for appeal in a straightforward manner that is easy to understand. Avoid using complex language or terminology that may confuse the reader.
• Show that you understand the rules: Demonstrating that you understand the immigration rules and requirements will show that you are taking the application process seriously. Make sure your supporting documents and appeal letter are in line with the visa regulations, and that you have addressed any concerns raised by the embassy or consulate.
• Provide additional supporting documents: If possible, provide additional documents that were not submitted with your initial application. These could include bank statements, employment letters, or medical certificates. Make sure that the documents you provide are relevant and help to support your appeal.
• Be courteous and professional: Finally, it is important to maintain a courteous and professional tone throughout your appeal letter. Avoid being confrontational or aggressive, as this is unlikely to help your case. Instead, be polite and respectful, thanking the immigration official for their time and consideration.

By following these tips, you can create an effective visa refusal appeal letter that has a good chance of convincing the embassy or consulate to reverse their initial decision. Remember, however, that there is no guarantee that your appeal will be successful. Keep a positive attitude and be prepared for potential setbacks.

FAQs related to visa refusal appeal letter templates

What is a visa refusal appeal letter?

A visa refusal appeal letter is a formal document that is written to appeal a visa application that has been rejected by the embassy. The letter outlines the reasons for the appeal and provides new information that was not included in the original application to support the reconsideration of the application.

What are some common reasons for visa refusal?

Some common reasons for visa refusal include incomplete or inaccurate application forms, insufficient supporting documentation, lack of funds to support the applicant’s stay, misrepresentation of information, criminal records, and concerns about the purpose of the visit.

What should be included in a visa refusal appeal letter?

A visa refusal appeal letter should include the applicant’s name and contact information, the visa application number, the date of the decision, the reason for refusal, and specific reasons for the appeal. It should also provide additional information that was not included in the original application to support the reconsideration of the application.

How long should a visa refusal appeal letter be?

A visa refusal appeal letter should be concise and to the point, typically no more than one or two pages. It should include all necessary information, but be written in a clear and organized manner that is easy for the reader to understand.

How should a visa refusal appeal letter be formatted?

A visa refusal appeal letter should be formatted in a professional business letter format, including the applicant’s name and contact information in the header, and the recipient’s name and contact information in the salutation. It should also be written in clear and concise language, using proper grammar and punctuation.

What should be the tone of a visa refusal appeal letter?

A visa refusal appeal letter should be written in a professional and respectful tone, addressing the recipient formally and avoiding emotional or confrontational language. The letter should focus on providing new information and addressing any concerns that led to the initial refusal of the visa application.

Can a visa refusal appeal letter guarantee the approval of a visa application?

No, a visa refusal appeal letter cannot guarantee the approval of a visa application. However, it can provide an opportunity to address any concerns that led to the initial refusal, and provide new information that may support the application’s reconsideration.

Hope this helps your appeal process!

We hope this guide on visa refusal appeal letter templates was helpful for you. Remember, writing an appeal letter can be stressful, but following a template can make it easier. Just make sure to personalize the content as much as possible to make it your own. Thanks for reading and we hope you visit us again for more helpful tips in the future!

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Home > Blog > How to Reapply for a Schengen Visa After Rejection

How to Reapply for a Schengen Visa After Rejection

Uncategorized on 17 Dec, 2022

If your Schengen Visa gets refused, it’s natural to feel disappointed by the negative outcome. 

After dealing with a frustrating, imprecise, confusing and ineffective process due to inconsistent procedures, many rejected applicants contacted us asking for help. 

A common question we often get from them is, “ Can I apply for a Schengen Visa again after being refused? ”  

The simple answer is yes; you can apply for a Schengen Visa again after rejection.

In the unfortunate event that your application has been rejected, we’re going to walk you through all the actionable steps you need to take to reapply for a Schengen Visa and travel to Europe. 

So, without further ado, let’s take an in-depth look at the Schengen Visa re-application process, reasons for reapplying, and recommended time frames to ensure that you don’t raise red flags within the Embassy or Consulate. 

Table of contents:

• Reapplying to get a second Schengen Visa
• Reapplying after a Schengen Visa rejection
• Reapplying due to changes in your personal situation
• How to reapply for a Schengen Visa after refusal

1. Reapplying to Get a Second Schengen Visa

In rare cases, applicants who already got a Schengen Visa are looking to immediately reapply for the next trip. 

In that case, we are encouraging you to wait for at least one to two months before reapplying for a new Schengen Visa, as you can’t have two applications outstanding at one time. 

Suppose you apply for a Schengen Visa, and your application gets approved. If you go and apply for another Visa that backs straight onto your approved Schengen Visa, it can start ringing some alarm bells within the Embassy or Consulate.

Schengen Embassies and Consulates only allow you to have two applications outstanding at one time in the rare event that you need two different types of Schengen Visas. 

For example, you apply for an Airport Transit Visa to travel through a Schengen State, and then your second application is for a type-C Schengen Visa . 

Even so, it wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense to simultaneously apply for two different types of Schengen Visas. 

If you’re in that situation, you should rather ask for one multiple-entry Schengen Visa and save the headache of going in and out and providing supporting documents for two different applications. 

It’s much more convenient to maximise the use of a multiple entry Schengen Visa than it is to apply for two Visas that require two different sets of supporting documents and fees.

It is, therefore, very rare that if you’ve got your Schengen Visa approved, you’re going to need to apply for another one. 

However, in the situation that you’re asking yourself, “ Can I apply for two different types of Schengen Visas at the same time? ”, we suggest that you think about whether you should just go and get a multiple entry Visa.

2. Reapplying After a Schengen Visa Rejection

Now, let’s jump to a second scenario (the most common one) in which you need to reapply after your Schengen Visa has been rejected.

The actionable steps you must take depend mostly on whether or not you have submitted an Appeal Letter for Schengen Visa Refusal (an official letter you have the right to write to dispute your Schengen Visa rejection). 

• If you have submitted an appeal letter and haven’t been approved

If you’ve gone through that whole process and the Embassy’s decision was negative, please don’t submit a second appeal. You can only make one appeal against the refusal of a Schengen Visa. 

If you’ve got a negative response after appealing your Schengen Visa rejection, take heart! Stop, cool off, reassess and recalibrate yourself before you go and apply again.

• If your Schengen Visa was rejected and you haven’t submitted an appeal

Although in most cases you can reapply for a Schengen Visa immediately after refusal, the time frame that we usually recommend people to take is a one-month period.

However, we are strongly encouraging you to go through an appeals process instead of reapplying.

The reason for this is because an appeals process means that the Visa officers can go back to your previously provided documentation, identify the incorrect documents or the documents that were missing, and give you the chance to update your application.

3. Reapplying Due to Changes in Your Personal Situation

If you’ve got a situation where your complete Schengen Visa application changes, you might need to reapply for another Visa. 

For example, if you have applied for a multiple entry Visa, but your travel itinerary has changed, and you only need a single entry Visa, this is probably a good justification for reapplying.   

If that is the situation, your re-application needs to be around that type of Visa, which is a single entry tourist Visa where you don’t need to worry so much about validating that you’re going to travel between a whole heap of different countries. 

4. How to Reapply for a Schengen Visa After Refusal

Since reapplying for a Schengen Visa due to rejection is a very common scenario, let’s dive a little bit deeper into the re-application process and see what you need to do to remove the chances of failure. 

• Wait at least 30 days

When reapplying, there is no formal limit time that you have to wait. However, our recommendation is to wait at least 30 days. 

Suppose your Schengen Visa gets rejected, then you submit an appeal, and your application is still reviewed unfavourably after the appeal. In that case, you risk raising red flags if you immediately submit a new application, making it harder for you to get a Visa approval. 

Spamming Embassies and Consulates with applications won’t help. 

• Find out why your Visa was refused

If your Schengen Visa got refused, you should find out why the first one was rejected in the first place before submitting a new application. 

Please read this guide carefully and learn the most common reasons for rejection based on the standard Visa Refusal Letter (“Standard form for notifying and motivating refusal, annulment, and revocation of a Visa”).

Our guide will provide you with valuable advice on how to avoid making the same mistakes when submitting a new Visa application. 

• Correct the mistakes you’ve made in your first application or improve your situation

It is important that you always learn from your mistakes. 

Being rejected does not put a big black mark against your name or decreases your chances of getting approved later. 

Yes, the Visa officers do make a note of it. Nevertheless, if your Visa got rejected due to missing documents or otherwise, Embassies and Consulates are completely reasonable. So, you can go through the whole process again and reapply with confidence. 

If you correct the mistakes you’ve made in your first application and improve your situation, you have a high chance of success.  

• Don’t use the same documents (excluding birth certificate, passport, etc.)

Imagine you applied in June, and then you’ve got a rejection in July. By the time you understand why you were refused and what documents were missing in order to update your application, it’s in August. 

Therefore, you can’t resubmit the same documents, especially because some have already been flagged as inappropriate. 

When submitting a new application, you need to provide the latest photos, utility bills , bank statements , etc. If you applied on June 1st and now it’s the end of August, you can’t keep submitting the same documents. 

Conclusion : Gathering new documents to reapply for a Schengen Visa may seem a frustrating, tiresome process.

However, regardless of why you are reapplying for a Schengen Visa, you can maximise your chances of success if you ensure that all of your documents are complete and filled out correctly.

If you got rejected and need help reapplying for a Schengen Visa or simply want to avoid failure, the Visas Association ’s team of experts is always happy to assist you. Get your Schengen Visa personal plan toda y, and an expert will immediately review your situation and give you a list of exactly what to include in your application.

Remember, the number one reason your Schengen Visa is refused is due to missing or incorrect documents. We will provide you with a personalised list of requirements to ensure your application gets approved, and you will enjoy an incredible trip to Europe!  

Confused Where To Start?

If you are confused, worried or stuck, the best next step to take is to Get a Free Consultation .

The session takes 5 to 10 minutes, starts immediately and you will get our advice delivered to your inbox by a Visa Expert within 1-2 hours. This is not a video or phone call, it is just like a live chat, where we can understand your situation better and an expert shares what you should do next.

There is no commitment to use our services at all, we just provide you advice based on our assessment of your situation and give you the next steps you need to follow to get your Schengen visa.

Click the Free Consultation button below to get the information you have been searching for

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Sample of schengen visa rejection letter

If you have applied and been rejected for any Schengen visas, don’t worry— you have the right to an appeal. If your appeal is successful, you will receive a Schengen visa and be free to embark on your trip! The following blog will teach you how to write an appeal letter, and also contains a visa denial appeal letter sample for instructional purposes.

How to write an schengen visa rejection letter

• Ultimately, your appeal letter will be sent to the same country you originally applied for a Schengen visa from. For example, if you are an Egyptian citizen who applied for a Schengen visa to France via the French Embassy in Cairo, you will send your appeal letter there. 
• Regardless of where they submitted their application, everyone who applies for Schengen visas and is rejected will also be sent a formal rejection letter. This letter should provide instructions on how to submit an appeal, where to send it, etc. 
• Please remember that different countries have different appeal processes. Your specific process will be outlined in the visa rejection letter you received. 
• In addition to providing basic information about where to send your appeal, your rejection letter should also explain why your visa application was refused. The stated reason for your rejection is what you must contest in your appeal letter. 
• Your schengen visa rejection letter should therefore address why your visa was rejected and make a strong argument about why that specific reason is incorrect. 
• Please not that your argument should not be based on new information (i.e. information that you failed to provide on your original application). For example, if your visa rejection letter stated that you were denied because the consulate doesn’t believe you can financially support yourself in the Schengen area, you should not write about how you just received a salary increase that makes you more likely to afford your trip (even if this is true). Instead, you should go into detail about how you budgeted for your trip, and show concretely, how, using the facts and figures you originally provided, you are able to afford your all your travel, living, and supplemental expenses. 
• Schengen visa appeal letters should usually be written in the official language(s) of the country you are applying to (the majority of most consulates/embassies also accept English and occasionally other widely spoken European languages), but you should check with them on their preferred languages before writing your appeal. If you cannot write in English or any of the other official languages, you can write in your native language, so long as you provide a certified translation of your appeal letter. 
• Letters should be written using formal and polite language, and grounded in logical rather than emotional argument. 

Schengen visa appeal processing

• While different countries have different timelines for accepting appeals, in general, most countries will no longer accept an appeal letter for visa rejection after 30 days. This means that you have 30 days after receiving your visa rejection to submit your appeal. (Your specific timeline for submission should be outlined in your original visa rejection letter—some countries require a response within 15 days). 
• Depending on which country you are applying to, you may have to pay an appeal fee. Appeal payment fee information should be found on your visa rejection letter. 
• The Schengen visa appeal processing time can vary depending on the nature of your application and the country you are applying through.  
• In general, after receiving your appeal letter for visa rejection, a consulate will take under 60 days to come back with a response. 
• If your appeal was rejected, you should have the option of launching a second appeal, this time through the court system of the country you are applying through. Information on appealing a second time can usually be found in your appeal rejection letter, or via the website of the specific consulate you are applying through. 

Schengen visa denial appeal letter sample

[insert letter date]

[insert address of recipient] 

To Whom It May Concern, 

I am writing to appeal my Schengen visa rejection, which I received on  [insert date] . I applied for a  [insert type of Schengen visa you applied to]  from [ insert country where you applied for a visa to]  on  [insert date you submitted your application]. 

The visa rejection letter I received gave the following reason for refusing my application  [insert  stated explanation for your rejection] . I believe that the consulate/embassy of  [insert consulate/embassy you applied through]  was wrong to reject my Schengen visa application, for the following reasons  [insert why you feel your visa shouldn’t have been rejected].

Mindful of my legal and ethical responsibility to provide entirely truthful information on my Schengen visa application, I attest that this letter does not contain any falsehoods or exaggerations about my ability to [ insert reason you were denied, such as :  afford my trip, leave the Schengen area within the required period, etc].    

Please contact me if you have any further questions. 

Thank you so much, 

Sincerely, 

[Insert full name]

[insert email address] 

[insert cellphone number] 

Unlocking the Mysteries of Schengen Visa Rejections

Planning a trip to Europe? Excitement fills the air as you dream about exploring the Eiffel Tower, wandering through the charming streets of Rome, or savoring a croissant in a quaint Parisian cafe. But hold on—what if your Schengen visa gets rejected? Don’t let the fear of rejection dampen your travel dreams. In this article, we’ll unravel the common reasons behind Schengen visa rejections, guiding you through the process and ensuring a smoother journey to your European adventure.

Understanding the Schengen Visa

Before we dive into the reasons for rejections, let’s grasp the basics. The Schengen visa allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Area, comprising 27 European countries. It’s your golden ticket to explore the diverse cultures, landscapes, and histories these nations offer.

1. Incomplete Documentation

Picture this: You’re crafting a puzzle, and suddenly a piece is missing. That’s how immigration officers feel when faced with incomplete documentation. Ensure all your documents, from flight reservations to accommodation details, are in place.

2. Financial Insecurity: A Red Flag

Bank statements are the backbone of your visa application. They want to see you’re financially stable enough to fund your stay. A shaky financial history may lead to visa rejection.

3. Dubious Travel Itinerary

Planning a whirlwind tour across Europe? The authorities might raise an eyebrow. A well-thought-out itinerary is key. Make it clear, logical, and align it with your purpose of visit.

4. Ignoring the Importance of Cover Letter

Think of the cover letter as your travel story’s prologue. It sets the tone for your application, explaining your intentions and connection with the destination.

5. Inaccurate Personal Information

Details matter. Any inconsistency in your personal information can lead to rejection. Double-check your application, ensuring accuracy in names, dates, and other particulars.

6. Visa Category Mismatch

Selecting the wrong visa category is a common pitfall. Be sure you’re applying under the correct category based on your purpose – whether it’s tourism, business, or visiting family.

7. Appeal or Reapply?

Facing rejection doesn’t mean the end of your travel dreams. Understand your options: appeal or reapply. Each has its own process and timeline.

8. Learning from Rejection Feedback

Turn rejection into an opportunity for improvement. If provided with feedback, pay close attention. It could be the key to a successful application next time.

9. Seeking Professional Advice

When in doubt, seek guidance. Consulting with a visa expert can provide insights and strategies to enhance your application.

In conclusion, getting a Schengen visa is like preparing for a grand performance. Every detail matters, from the initial application to handling rejection. Stay meticulous, understand the process, and be resilient. Your European adventure awaits – make it memorable!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I reapply immediately after a Schengen visa rejection?

Yes, you can. However, it’s crucial to address the issues that led to the rejection in your reapplication.

2. Are there specific reasons for visa rejection that are harder to appeal?

While each case is unique, financial instability and incomplete documentation are often challenging to appeal. Ensure these aspects are robust in your reapplication.

3. Will a previous Schengen visa rejection affect future applications to other countries?

Not necessarily. However, it’s essential to rectify the issues that caused the rejection to improve your chances.

4. How long should my travel itinerary be for a Schengen visa application?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a well-planned itinerary covering your intended activities is crucial. Quality matters more than quantity.

5. Can I visit countries outside the Schengen Area with a Schengen visa?

Yes, you can, but ensure those countries are within the Schengen Zone or have agreements allowing entry with a Schengen visa.

Embark on your European journey with confidence, armed with knowledge about potential pitfalls and strategies for success. Bon voyage!

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• How to Write Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal with Sample? - GetGIS

How to Write Appeal Letter for Visa Refusal with Sample?

Updated On Aug 09, 2023

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How to Write an Appeal Letter for Visa Rejection

Draft a perfect appeal letter: format, sample appeal letter, 1. the purpose of the visit is not clear, 2. doubt that you may not return back to the origin country, 3. travel insurance coverage is not suitable, 4. insufficient proof of funds, complete your appeal letter strong and perfect with getgis.

Obtaining a visa to a foreign country is a time and energy-consuming task. The candidate needs to collect and submit the required documents , attend an interview, make the fee payments, etc in order to obtain a visa grant for the destination country.

However, even after going through this tiring process of visa application, there are chances that you might not be granted a visa. Irrespective of your purpose, the embassy of the foreign country can reject your visa, maybe because of missing documents, or because interview personnel feels there is something amiss.

That is the reason why many foreign countries provide applicants with an option to appeal for an application that has been denied a visa.

Moving further we will learn what is the step-by-step process that an applicant can follow for applicants who are searching for how to write appeal letter for visa rejection .

Appeal for Visa Refusal

The appeal eligibility is different for different countries, it is important for the candidate to check the requirement and the possibility of making an appeal for visa denial. There are three suggestive cases of visa denial by a foreign country

• The applicant receives negative remarks and he can proceed with the rectification and appeal letter for visa refusal
• No comments have been passed on refusal – enquire with the embassy to learn what would have been the reason and if you have the option of appeal for visa denial
• No chance of appeal, the applicant needs to re-apply for a visa – ensure you have identified and rectified your mistakes

As mentioned above it is important to verify the applicant’s eligibility and option by the country before proceeding with preparing a draft of your appeal letter. In this quest of writing an appeal letter, it is crucial to draft a strong letter to prove your appeal.

Make sure to take care of the formats (if specified), and well structured. It is also important to ensure your appeal letter is not a very long document and neither too short (one or one and a half para)

#Pro tip: Ensure to draft your appeal letter in such a way that it is argumentative yet convincing and not an emotional display of yourself.

Things or points to be included in your appeal letter include

• Applicant details – Full name, address, date of birth, place of birth, contact information
• Passport number
• Details of your visa application filing and the purpose of your visit
• Date your received visa refusal decision
• Details of the reason for visa refusal (mention is same as in the rejection letter by embassy – if provided)
• Explain your reason why you feel the decision is unjust
• Applicant signature

Strengthen your Appeal Letter: Supporting Documents

In order for you to strengthen your appeal letter for visa denial it is important to attach supporting documents. You might have to go through the collection or recollection of documents to prove the thus assumed situation by the embassy might not be the right one.

Here is a list of support documents that can be attached based on your reason of rejection

• Booked flight tickets – reshare your detailed itinerary
• Letter of Invitation – admission letters by the university, employment, etc
• Cover letter – explain why you have chosen the said country and the reason along with the why factor also explained.
• Student admission or enrolment
• Employment contract
• Documents stating your ancestral presence
• Certificates that prove that you will be back for your family ties like marriage certificate, etc.
• If you have purchased travel insurance coverage that does not suffice the travel requirements, submit the proof of new purchase of insurance made or have updated the current insurance as supporting documents.
• Latest bank statement – try depositing extra money
• Attach a letter of support – a person who is willing to support your stay in the foreign country financially, attach their current bank statement

Once you have submitted your appeal letter to the embassy or whoever is specified to, they would forward it to the decision-making personnel or body of the foreign country. This time the decision taken is directly by the higher (high-ranked officer) authorities and they would be responsible to revert back to you with further steps or processes.

Having said that, if you are worried about how to write an appeal letter for visa refusal which is strong and impressive, get GetGIS to assist you with the challenging task.

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Lakshmi Lavanya Pagallu , 

Sr. Content Marketing Specialist

Lakshmi Lavanya Pagallu has been working as Content Marketing Specialist with GetGIS since 2022 and has been extensively working to help candidates’ career transitions. Her experience spans across multiple industries in the fields of Sales and Marketing. Her core competencies include communication and research, which enable her to create and deliver in-depth guides as a Subject Matter Expert

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20+ Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Sample Format, Tips, Templates

• Sample Letters
• February 21, 2024
• Appeal Letters

Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Sample Format : A visa refusal can be a frustrating experience, particularly if you have planned and prepared for your trip. However, it is important to remember that you have the right to appeal the decision. Writing a Visa Refusal appeal letter can be an effective way to state your case and request a reconsideration of the visa refusal.

Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Writing Tips & Ideas

Content in this article

Here are some tips and ideas for writing a successful visa refusal appeal letter:

• Understand the reason for the refusal : The first step in writing a Visa Refusal Appeal Letter is to understand why your visa application was refused. The refusal letter should provide the reasons for the decision, and it is important to address each of these reasons in your appeal.
• Be respectful and professional : The tone of your appeal letter is crucial. Be polite and professional in your language and tone, and avoid making any accusations or being confrontational.
• Provide additional information : If there were any documents or information missing from your original visa application, make sure to include them in your appeal. This can help to address any concerns that the visa officer may have had.
• Highlight any changes or updates : If there have been any changes in your circumstances since you applied for the visa, be sure to mention them in your appeal letter. This can include changes in your travel plans, your financial situation, or your personal circumstances.
• Be concise and to the point : Your appeal letter should be clear, concise, and to the point. Avoid going into too much detail or including unnecessary information. Stick to the facts and present a clear and compelling argument.

Also Read: 15+ Resignation Acceptance Letter Format – Writing Tips, Templates

What should I include in my Visa Refusal Appeal Letter?

Your Visa Refusal Appeal Letter should include the following:

• Your name and contact information
• The date your visa application was refused
• The reason for the refusal
• A clear and concise explanation of why you believe the decision was incorrect
• Any additional supporting documentation that may strengthen your appeal
• A respectful and professional tone throughout the letter

Visa Refusal Appeal Letter

Here we have given a letter for Visa Refusal Appeal:

Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Sample Format

Here is a sample format for a visa refusal appeal letter:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Your Email] [Date]

[Embassy/Consulate Address] [City, State ZIP Code]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to appeal the decision to refuse my visa application. I am disappointed by the decision and believe that there may have been some misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the information provided.

The reason given for the refusal was [state reason]. I would like to address this issue by [state how you plan to address the issue]. Additionally, I would like to provide additional information regarding [state any additional information you want to provide].

I have attached all of the relevant documents to support my appeal, including [list any documents you are attaching]. I would be happy to provide any further information or clarification upon request.

I would be extremely grateful if you could reconsider my application and grant me the visa. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[Your Name]

Visa Denial Appeal Letter

his letter appeals a visa denial, includes supporting documents, and politely requests reconsideration of the decision.

I am writing to appeal the denial of my visa application to visit (country name). I submitted all the required documents and met all the necessary criteria, but my application was still denied. I understand that the decision was based on (reason for denial), but I respectfully request that you reconsider your decision.

I have a (relationship) in (country name) and it is important for me to visit them. I have never overstayed a visa or broken any immigration laws in any country, and I have a stable job and home in my home country. I believe I can provide sufficient evidence to show that I have strong ties to my home country and that I will not be a risk to overstay or violate any immigration laws.

I kindly request that you review my case again and grant me a visa to visit (country name). Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, (Your Name)

Appeal letter for rejected visa application

This letter is an appeal for a visa application rejection, including additional documentation and a polite request for reconsideration.

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number]

[Visa Officer’s Name] [Embassy/Consulate Name] [Embassy/Consulate Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Subject: Appeal for Visa Application Refusal – Application Reference: [Application Reference Number]

Dear [Visa Officer’s Name],

I am writing to appeal the recent decision to reject my visa application for [Type of Visa], dated [Date of Visa Refusal Letter], with the application reference number [Application Reference Number].

I understand that my application did not meet the necessary criteria, and I appreciate the time taken to review it. However, I believe there may have been a misunderstanding or oversight, and I would like to provide additional information to support my case.

[Explain briefly the reasons for your appeal. Highlight any discrepancies or provide new information that you believe could positively influence the decision.]

Enclosed, please find supporting documents that further illustrate my ties to my home country, financial stability, and the genuine purpose of my visit. I kindly request a reconsideration of my application, taking into account the new information provided.

I am fully committed to complying with all visa regulations and returning to my home country within the stipulated period. I understand the importance of adhering to the visa requirements and assure you of my sincere intentions.

Thank you for considering my appeal. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Appeal Letter for Rejected Visa Application

Visa refusal reconsideration letter

This letter requests the reconsideration of a visa application refusal, providing additional details for review and a polite appeal for reconsideration.

Subject: Request for Reconsideration of Visa Refusal – Application Reference: [Application Reference Number]

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally request the reconsideration of my visa application for [Type of Visa], which was recently refused with the application reference number [Application Reference Number].

I have carefully reviewed the reasons provided for the refusal and understand the concerns raised by the immigration authorities. I would like to assure you that I hold great respect for your country’s immigration regulations and intend to fully comply with them.

Upon further reflection, I believe there may have been a misunderstanding, and I would like to offer additional information to address the concerns raised during the initial assessment of my application.

[Explain concisely the points you believe were misunderstood or provide additional details that may positively influence the reconsideration.]

Enclosed, please find supplementary documents supporting my case. I sincerely hope that the additional information will provide a clearer picture of my situation and demonstrate my commitment to abiding by all regulations.

I appreciate your time and consideration of this matter. I kindly request that you review my application once more, taking into account the new information provided.

Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to a favorable resolution.

Visa Refusal Reconsideration Letter

Template for appealing visa refusal decision

This template provides a structured format for appealing a visa refusal decision, including a polite request for reconsideration and the submission of additional supporting documents.

Subject: Appeal for Visa Refusal – Application Reference: [Application Reference Number]

I am writing to formally appeal the recent decision to refuse my visa application for [Type of Visa], with the application reference number [Application Reference Number]. I believe there may have been a misunderstanding or oversight, and I am providing additional information to support my case.

[In this paragraph, briefly explain the reasons for your appeal, emphasizing any misunderstandings or providing new information that could positively influence the decision.]

Enclosed, please find supplementary documents and evidence supporting my eligibility for the visa. I respectfully request a reconsideration of my application in light of this new information.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I sincerely hope for a favorable resolution.

Template for Appealing Visa Refusal Decision

successful visa appeal letter

This letter acknowledges the successful appeal of a visa refusal, expressing gratitude and reiterating the applicant’s commitment to compliance with visa regulations.

Subject: Successful Appeal for Visa Refusal – Application Reference: [Application Reference Number]

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the reconsideration and subsequent approval of my visa application for [Type of Visa], with the application reference number [Application Reference Number]. I appreciate the careful review and the positive decision made in my favor.

[In this paragraph, express gratitude and briefly acknowledge the approval, showing appreciation for the decision.]

I am committed to abiding by all visa regulations and ensuring a smooth and responsible visit to [Destination Country]. Thank you once again for your understanding and consideration.

Also See: 20+ Employee Confirmation Letter Format – Tips To Write, Samples

Successful Visa Appeal Letter

persuasive visa appeal letter

This letter is designed to create a persuasive appeal for visa approval by highlighting key points such as the purpose of the visit, strong ties to the home country, and additional information supporting eligibility.

Subject: Persuasive Appeal for Visa Approval – Application Reference: [Application Reference Number]

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to appeal the recent decision to refuse my visa application for [Type of Visa], with the application reference number [Application Reference Number]. I understand the concerns raised during the initial assessment, and I am compelled to provide additional information to address those concerns.

[In this paragraph, present a persuasive case by emphasizing key points such as the purpose of your visit, strong ties to your home country, and any relevant personal or financial circumstances that support your eligibility.]

I have enclosed supplementary documents that further attest to my commitment to complying with all visa regulations and ensuring a brief and purposeful stay in [Destination Country]. I kindly ask for your reconsideration of my application, taking into account the new information provided.

Thank you for your time and understanding. I genuinely appreciate your consideration of my appeal.

Persuasive Visa Appeal Letter

Visa appeal letter

This letter is a general format for a visa appeal letter, expressing understanding of the refusal, providing a brief overview of the appeal, and requesting reconsideration with the submission of supporting documents.

Subject: Appeal for Visa Application – Application Reference: [Application Reference Number]

I trust this letter finds you well. I am writing to formally appeal the recent decision to refuse my visa application for [Type of Visa], with the application reference number [Application Reference Number].

[In this paragraph, briefly acknowledge the visa refusal, express your understanding of the decision, and state your intention to appeal.]

I understand the concerns that led to the refusal and would like to provide additional information to address those concerns. [Provide a concise overview of the key points you want to emphasize, such as the purpose of your visit, ties to your home country, or any discrepancies in the initial assessment.]

Enclosed, please find supplementary documents supporting my application. I sincerely believe that this additional information will provide a more comprehensive understanding of my situation.

I appreciate your time and consideration of my appeal and am hopeful for a favorable resolution. Thank you for your understanding.

Visa Appeal Letter

Appeal letter to embassy for visa refusal

This is an appeal letter addressed to the embassy or consulate regarding a visa refusal. It emphasizes providing additional information and documents to address concerns raised during the assessment process and politely requests reconsideration of the application.

I am writing to appeal the recent decision to refuse my visa application for [Type of Visa], with the application reference number [Application Reference Number]. I received the refusal letter dated [Date of Visa Refusal Letter], and after careful consideration, I believe there may have been a misunderstanding or oversight in the evaluation of my application.

I would like to provide additional information to address any concerns raised during the assessment process. [Provide a concise overview of the key points you want to emphasize, such as the purpose of your visit, ties to your home country, or any discrepancies in the initial assessment.]

Enclosed, please find supplementary documents supporting my application. These documents provide further evidence of my strong ties to my home country and my sincere intentions for visiting [Destination Country].

I kindly request a reconsideration of my application and would appreciate your thorough review of the additional information provided. I assure you of my utmost sincerity and commitment to comply with all visa regulations.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to a favorable resolution.

Appeal Letter to Embassy for Visa Refusal

letter to consulate for visa refusal

This is an appeal letter addressed to the consulate or embassy for a visa refusal, emphasizing the submission of additional information and documents to address concerns and requesting a reconsideration of the application.

Also Read: 10+ Letter Of Recommendation For Award – Office Of Merit, Examples

[Consulate/Embassy Name] [Consulate/Embassy Address] [City, State, Zip Code]

Dear [Consul General’s Name],

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to formally appeal the recent decision to refuse my visa application for [Type of Visa], with the application reference number [Application Reference Number]. I appreciate the time and effort put into the initial assessment; however, I believe there may have been a misunderstanding or oversight in the evaluation of my application.

I would like to submit additional information to address any concerns that may have led to the refusal. [Provide a concise overview of the key points you want to emphasize, such as the purpose of your visit, ties to your home country, or any discrepancies in the initial assessment.]

Enclosed, you will find supplementary documents supporting my application. These documents aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of my situation and establish my credibility. I kindly request a reconsideration of my application and would be grateful for your careful review of the additional information provided.

I understand the importance of visa regulations and assure you of my full compliance with the requirements. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. I look forward to a favorable resolution.

Letter to Consulate for Visa Refusal

FAQS for Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Sample Format, Tips, Templates

What is a visa refusal appeal letter.

A Visa Refusal Appeal Letter is a formal document that is written to challenge a decision made by an embassy or consulate to deny a visa application. Visa Refusal Appeal Letter explains why the decision should be reconsidered and provides any additional supporting documentation that may strengthen the appeal.

Why would I need to write a Visa Refusal Appeal Letter?

If your visa application has been refused by an embassy or consulate, you have the right to appeal the decision. Writing an appeal letter is one way to do this. Visa Refusal Appeal Letter gives you the opportunity to explain your situation and provide additional evidence that may not have been considered in your initial application.

When should I write a Visa Refusal Appeal Letter?

You should write an Appeal Letter as soon as possible after receiving the decision to refuse your visa application. Most embassies and consulates have a specific timeframe within which appeals must be made, so it’s important to act quickly.

How long should my Visa Refusal Appeal Letter be?

Your Appeal Letter should be as long as necessary to clearly explain your situation and why you believe the decision to refuse your visa application was incorrect. It’s important to be concise and to the point, but you should include all relevant information.

Is it possible to have a Visa Refusal Appeal Letter written for me?

Yes, it is possible to have a Visa Refusal Appeal Letter written for you by a professional immigration consultant or lawyer. However, it’s important to ensure that any service you use is reputable and experienced, and that they have a proven track record of success in visa appeals.

How long does it take to receive a response to a Visa Refusal Appeal Letter?

The length of time it takes to receive a response to an Appeal Letter varies depending on the embassy or consulate and the complexity of your case. It’s important to be patient and to follow up regularly with the embassy or consulate to ensure that your appeal is being processed.

A visa refusal can be a disappointing and frustrating experience, but it is important to remember that you have the right to appeal the decision . Writing an Appeal Letter that is respectful, professional, and includes all the necessary information can help to increase your chances of success.

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How To Write an Appeal Letter for a Visa Refusal?

Most of us are aware that filing a visa application can be a daunting task. From collecting the required documents and filling out the application form to paying the fee and attending an interview, one needs to do it all to get a visa.  

If you’re planning to go to a new country, let’s say Canada, to work, the very first thing that needs to be done is to apply for a Canada visa for work .  

Even after all this, one can never be sure of getting a visa to their destination country. Sometimes, it’s the unintentional mistakes done while filing the application form that gets your visa rejected. In this case, you can always apply again, but this time you must make sure to correct all the mistakes made in the first application.  

There may be times when you’re sure that you made no mistakes in the application process but still, your visa is rejected and thus the decision is incorrect. Feels bad, right? In such cases, there is a provision available for candidates with rejected visa applications to appeal the decision of their visa rejection.  

In this blog post, you will get all the information from understanding what is appeal writing to how to actually write an appeal letter so that you can appeal the rejection in the best possible way. In this article, you can also find a visa refusal appeal letter sample. Eg. a Canada visa refusal letter sample to make things simpler.  

How to Appeal In Case of Visa Rejection?

• To appeal a visa denial, first, you need to check and confirm that the country for which you’ve applied for the visa offers such an opportunity to a candidate whose visa is rejected. So, how and where can you find out about this?  
• Whenever you face a rejection for your visa application, the reason for your visa rejection and the provision of whether you can appeal this decision or not will also be stated.  
• You can also confirm this by contacting the embassy and asking if you can appeal the decision of rejection. However, it is recommended to do this only if you’re completely sure that the decision for rejection is incorrect.  

If you’re allowed to make an appeal, then you can go ahead with writing an appeal letter.  

  What Is Appeal Writing?

• The process of appeal writing is not simple. You should have strong points to support your claim that your visa rejection is incorrect. The letter shall contain valid points and strong reasons to claim your argument and why you believe that the embassy should overturn its rejection decision.  
• Also, each embassy has its set of rules and guidelines regarding visa rejection appeals, so it is advisable that you contact the embassy first and confirm where you need to file your appeal letter and within what time it needs to be done. 

  Appeal Writing Format for Visa Refusal

While writing an appeal letter, you need to take care of the appeal writing format for visa refusal and the tone of your letter. Your tone should be convincing but not emotional and the letter should neither be too long nor end in one paragraph.  

It must include:

• The letter must contain your personal details like name, surname, passport number, date and place of birth, full address, and phone number. 
• You should also mention the date when you filed your visa application, say the Canada visa application online , and the date when your application was rejected.  
• Also mention the reasons for your visa rejection as stated in the rejection letter you received from the embassy or any other information you got. 
• Now, with the help of strong and valid facts and arguments, explain why you believe that the rejection decision was incorrect.  
• After you write the letter, put your signature at the end and then print the appeal letter.  

  Visa Denial Appeal Letter Sample

Here is a sample visa denial appeal letter so that you can get a clear idea about writing an appeal letter. You can follow the structure of this sample letter before writing an actual appeal letter.  

Embassy address: 

To whom it may concern, 

 Paragraph 1: 

In the first paragraph or the introduction of the letter, you must introduce yourself and the reason for writing the letter. Include your name, current address, date, place of birth, and passport number. Also, mention the date when you applied for the visa and your purpose for visiting that country.  

Paragraph 2: 

Mention the date when you received the rejection letter or response from the embassy and the reasons for your visa rejection. Mention your arguments and with the help of valid facts explain why the rejection was wrong according to you. 

Paragraph 3: 

Here, you can elaborate on your arguments and explain why the embassy should reverse its decision. Your claims should be backed with facts and based on valid grounds. Your tone should be convincing.  

In the end, you can mention the date of your trip. This can help in creating a sense of urgency.  

 Sincerely,  

Hand signature 

Your full name 

Your email 

Your phone number 

  Supporting Documents

To make your appeal stronger, you should always submit supporting documents alongside your letter. These documents depend on and vary according to the reasons why your application was rejected.  

Depending on that, you need to submit documents that can prove that the embassy’s reason and decision for denying your entry to their country are wrong.  

We have compiled a list of some of the most common reasons for which visas are rejected and the documents you need to submit in that case are also mentioned.  

• Unclear Purpose of Visit: Submit the documents containing proof of the flight tickets you booked and a letter of invitation written by an institution or a friend in which they explain your purpose of visit. Also, include a cover letter in which you further elaborate on your purpose for visiting that country.
• Not Demonstrating Proof of Funds: Include your current bank statements, proof of funds rejection , and a letter of support from someone who says that they will support you financially during your stay.
• Suspicion of You Not returning to Your Home Country:   Include your student enrollment, employment contract, marriage certificate, or your business, or property papers.  

 You can contact the embassy of the country to confirm where you need to submit your appeal letter if you’re not sure about the same. 

After you have submitted your appeal letter, the embassy will pass it to the right authority who will then make the decision whether the rejection should be reversed or not. 

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

11 Reasons for UK visa refusal (and how to overcome them)

Updated: September 8, 2023

UK visa application is the most strict and highly scrutinized visa process. The UK Visas and Immigration receives thousands of visa applications every year that do not meet visa requirements.

Once you have a UK visa refusal, it remains permanently in the records of the UK Home Office. Each time you re-apply, your previous UK visa refusal comes up. It becomes an unavoidable hindrance to all of your future UK visa applications. Therefore, you must get approval in the first attempt at all costs.

According to national statistics published by the Home Office, the UK visitor visa refusal rate for 2019 was 13%. The countries with the highest refusal rates were Algeria, Ghana and Bangladesh with refusal rates over 40%.

This article walks you through the top UK visa refusal reasons. This list should also help if you are reapplying after your UK visa refusal.

The top reasons for UK visa rejection are as below –

• Long itinerary
• Unclear itinerary
• Lack of leave approval letter
• Lack of salary deposits in your bank account
• Large undocumented deposits in your bank account
• Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income
• Lack of travel history
• Lack of detailed cover letter
• Lack of proper documentation from the sponsor
• Not disclosing any previous visa refusals
• No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

Now, let’s take a deep look into each of these reasons and understand how to overcome these in your own UK visa application.

Go through and understand each of these reasons. Analyze your own visa application to figure what’s lacking and what needs to be done. It should help you build a strong case and get approval in your first attempt.

So, without further delay, let’s get started.

NOTE The visa refusal reasons in this article are actual reasons given by the UK visa officers in the visa refusal letters. After going through several visa refusal letters from my readers, I put this article together to help you all analyze your own applications and avoid future rejections.

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TOP 11 REASONS FOR UK VISA REFUSAL

01. Long itinerary

REASON “You have stated that you wish to visit the UK for 1 month”

Be realistic. The UK is small and you only need a few days to explore. A long itinerary looks suspicious. It looks as if you will be living or working in the UK rather than site seeing.

The UK is also expensive. You must have enough funds to justify your itinerary.

A 7-10 day itinerary works the best for the UK tourist visa . If you are only visiting London, probably less than 7 days is better.

Also Read: 11 mistakes that can get your visa denied. And how to avoid them.

02. Unclear itinerary

REASON “You did not indicate what you intend to do or where you intend to stay. The plans for this trip are unclear and lacking in detail.”

Specify a detailed itinerary in your cover letter. The itinerary should include the dates, cities and your day-to-day activities in each city.

If your itinerary is too long, attach an additional page to your cover letter.

03. Lack of leave approval letter

REASON “It is unclear if your employer has agreed for you to be away from work for the period of this trip, and therefore that you will return to this employment following this trip.”

Include a leave approval letter from your employer. A leave approval letter is the single most document that can strengthen your case. It indicates two things –

• You have strong ties with your country
• You have the obligation to return back to your country after your UK trip

Your leave approval letter should clearly mention that you have been granted leave to travel to the UK and you will return to your current job after your vacation.

This letter must be on the company letterhead with original HR or manager’s signature. You must have your HR or manager write this letter specifically for your UK travel.

If you cannot obtain a leave approval letter, have your employer at least mention your leave details in the employment letter.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I had my employer include my leave approval details in the employment letter for my UK visa. I haven’t seen a single UK visitor visa refusal from those who submitted a leave/vacation approval letter. In my opinion, it really is a strong document.

Also Read: UK Visa Guide – All about UK visa requirements, application process, documentation, etc.

04. Lack of salary deposits in your bank account

REASON “Your stated monthly income is not reflected in the history of the account”

It is not uncommon to have a UK visa rejected due to bank statements. Apart from your employment documentation, you must be able to show your monthly salary in your bank statements for UK visa .

Make sure your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. Your regular salary deposits indicate two things –

• You are genuinely employed and have a steady source of income
• You have genuinely saved up to travel to the UK and not borrowing money from someone

Have your employer deposit your salary directly into your bank account. It’s fine if you have to withdraw cash for expenses, family, etc. But, it is important to have your salary deposited directly into your bank account.

If you receive a physical paycheck, deposit the check yourself in the bank regularly every month.

05. Large undocumented deposits in your bank account

REASON “Large credits have been made which are in excess of your stated monthly income”

REASON “I am not satisfied with the origin of these funds or that they are genuinely available to you”

REASON “The sources of these deposits are not demonstrated by the documents provided”

As I mentioned in the above reason, it’s not uncommon to have UK visa rejected due to bank statements.

Large deposits in your bank account indicate that you have borrowed money to inflate the numbers in your bank account. Visa officers will not be convinced that the funds in your account are your own and are available for you to use.

Make sure there are no large deposits in your bank account. If you already have large deposits in your account, provide proof of the source of those deposits. Example –

• If you have received money from selling a property, attach the sales deed to the bank statement
• If you have received money from rents, attach the rental agreements from your tenants

Also Read: How to travel 40 countries VISA-FREE with UK visa in 2023

06. Exhausting all your savings or spending several times your monthly income

REASON “I don’t find it credible that you would exhaust nearly all the funds available to you”

REASON “This amount represents over half your declared savings or over x months of your monthly expenditure”

If the total expenditure of your UK trip is more than half of your savings or several times your monthly salary, your visa will be refused. It’s not realistic to exhaust all your savings on one trip to the UK. You would need to preserve at least half of your savings for emergencies.

If your savings are low, your UK visa may be rejected due to insufficient funds. Taking chances and applying for your UK visa will lead to refusal and also affect all your future visa results. So, take a few months to build your savings first.

It is not wise to spend more than 2 times your monthly income on your UK trip. If your monthly salary is low, wait until your monthly salary improves. Ask for a raise or take up a second job. But taking chances will only lead to refusal.

If you have received a gift or bonus from your employer or your sponsor is taking care of your expenses, you are still REQUIRED to show a saving that is more than twice your UK trip expenditure. This is to make sure you can support yourself during your trip in case your sponsor or employer decides not to support you.

07. Lack of travel history

REASON “I am not satisfied that you are a genuinely seeking entry as a visitor and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit”

REASON “I note that you have never traveled to the UK or anywhere else before”

Travel history indicates that you do not have illegal immigration intent. If you were to stay illegally anywhere, you could have done it so already in any of those countries you have been to so far.

If you do not have travel history, build your travel history first.

Travel to some visa-required countries. The more countries you travel to, the better it is for your UK visa.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I have traveled to over 30 countries so far. I have been to some countries multiple times. I have plenty of visas and stamps in my passport. My travel history helps in my visa approvals.

08. Lack of detailed cover letter

REASON “I am not satisfied that you have sufficient ties and would, in fact, leave the UK on completion of your proposed visit”

UK visa application forms may not ask for all the details that you want to convey. Therefore, a cover letter is a way for you to convey that additional information and convince the visa officer that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor.

Write a detailed cover letter mentioning your proposed itinerary, your financial situation, your travel history, your intention to return, etc.

Your cover letter should not exceed one page. Use bullets instead of paragraphs. The simpler, cleaner the better.

Keep in mind that the UK visa officers may not be familiar with terminology from your country. Do not use words, designations, addresses, etc. that are not familiar to them.

Visa officers may have lots of work on their plates. So, your cover letter should convey what you want to convey clearly and quickly.

09. Lack of proper documentation from your sponsor

REASON “I am not satisfied that your sponsor will be able to provide maintenance and accommodation during your sponsor trip”

If you are using a sponsor for your UK visa, you must have the following documentation from your sponsor. If you don’t have all of this documentation from your sponsor, you will be risking your visa.

• A letter from your sponsor undertaking that he/she would arrange your accommodation, transportation and other expenses while you are in the UK
• Your sponsor’s bank statements for the last 3 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits)
• Your sponsor’s British passport’s main page
• Your sponsor’s British postal poll card
• Your sponsor’s utility bill

Just having an invitation letter is not sufficient. An invitation letter is not legally enforceable and such letters will not help unless you provide additional documentation from your sponsor such as those mentioned above.

10. Not disclosing any previous visa refusals

REASON “I am aware that you have been refused a US visa and you do not declare this on your visa application form”

UK Home Office may have information sharing with other countries. You must enter only true information and must disclose any previous visa refusals from any country, not just the UK.

Pretty much all the information you provide is verifiable these days. Therefore, not disclosing your previous visa rejections can lead to your UK tourist visa refusal.

Also Read: How to turn your weak passport into a strong passport (with examples)

11. No change in circumstances since your previous visa refusal

REASON “I note that your were previously refused entry clearance”

REASON “You are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change”

If your circumstances haven’t changed since your previous UK visa refusal, your visa may be refused again. Multiple visa refusals can lead to blacklisting and permanent ban. It’s wise to not apply at all than dealing with a visa refusal again.

Reapply for your UK visa only if there is a considerable change in your circumstances.

The UK visitor visa refusal rate is very high these days. The UK Home Office has been refusing visas more frequently than ever before.

It’s your responsibility to make sure that you are eligible and meet the visa requirements. A UK visa refusal can be an unavoidable hindrance down the line.

The above 11 UK visitor visa refusal reasons should help you analyze youn visa application and overcome any hindrances that can lead to your visa refusal.

Have you had a UK visa refusal? If you did, what was the reason and how did you overcome in your re-application?

IMPORTANT This article is meant for UK visa applicants with “tourism” intent. My knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas. I will only respond to comments from those seeking advice on UK visas with “tourism” intent. I will not respond to comments from those seeking advice for purposes such as study, work, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, immigration, etc. I don’t have expertise in those matters. You would need to seek advice from immigration lawyers.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

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1,046 Comments

Tolulope says

August 3, 2022 at 1:14 pm

Hi, I’m from Nigeria. I applied for the UK visa in January and got a refusal because I address my sponsor as uncle in the form while my sponsor said he is my brother on the invitation letter. So I re-applied again in May, I didn’t get a response for more than a month, was worried so I sent an email to one of the UK email addresses and after a few hours, I got the refusal letter with no reason for denial. What could be the reason I will like to know the best time to re-apply?

Thirumal Motati says

August 4, 2022 at 8:33 am

Hi Tolulope! The point of the refusal letter is to tell you the reason for the refusal. Are you certain that there was no reason mentioned at all in the refusal letter? Can you send me a copy?

ismail akinkunmi says

June 22, 2022 at 3:20 pm

Hi, I need a clarification. I have applied for a UK visa before and I was given one. I traveled for a conference and I returned as indicated on my request. I later applied for a 2 years visa for another conference but, it was delayed. I got the visa after the conference. I was planning to make another visit to the UK to make use of the visa when the Covid was sent in and there was a traveling ban from Nigeria. When the ban was over, I was busy at work because some people have left my working place and I had to cover till there is a replacement. It was during that period that my visa got expired as well as my passport. I have renewed my passport now. To apply for a new visa, will they not refuse me based on the visa I did not use before it expired?

June 27, 2022 at 10:04 am

Hi Ismail! It is not compulsory to use a visa. Travel plans change and some can’t use their visas. So you not been able to use your previous visa will not afffect your current visa.

June 21, 2022 at 10:32 am

Hi Thirumal, thanks for your blog post. Was definitely helpful. While I was traveling back from Mumbai to Washington DC a few years ago, the immigration officers told me I did not have a “bonafide” job with my first employer. I was working with a different company when this happened. They asked me to apply to get my F-1 visa restamped from US Consulate, Mumbai. Which I did. While traveling again, they still asked me to prove that I hadn’t done anything wrong wrt my first employer. I couldn’t contact the guy who had started that company as his contact details were changed by then.

So they did nothing to this new visa but asked me to return from Abu Dhabi (US pre-clearance facility at Abu Dhabi). So I now have a canceled visa (my first F-1), a re-stamped F-1 which I have technically not used, and I’m not applying for a Visitors Visa to the UK for an 8-day trip where I wish to attend a concert and explore London.

What do I do in this case? Do I even apply? Will I even be considered for a UK visa ever? This issue happened in Dec 2019-Feb 2020 and I now work with a firm since March 2020 and have a steady and decent income. Please advise me.

June 27, 2022 at 10:25 am

Hi MK! You will have to explain what happened for questions on whether you have ever been refused entry or removed while entering the country. Answers to these questions sometimes play a significant role in visa applications. So it’s difficult to stay what would be the outcome if you were to apply for your UK visa.

Hassan Raza says

June 14, 2022 at 9:48 am

Dear Sir, I completed my master’s degree in the UK in 2012 (September) then I came back to Pakistan. My visa was still valid because it was expired in May 2013 but I came earlier. After 4 months I received email from university for my graduation ceremony. I applied for a visit visa and they refused due to my Bank statement. After that, I did not apply for a UK visa. Now 2022, my wife got admission to the UK for a master’s degree for September intake. I and my 3 kids will apply to the UK as dependants. Does this refusal affect my visa or not?

June 15, 2022 at 11:22 am

Hi Hassan! Your visit visa refusal was almost ten years ago, so it should not affect your current visa. But make sure to mention your previous visa refusal honestly in your UK visa application.

Yuvraj says

May 25, 2022 at 3:03 pm

Hi, my father applied for a visitor visa to the UK but was refused he couldn’t show funds and I only send him sponsorship but not my bank statements. My dad gets around 500,000 rupees per year pension from Govt and got approx 200,0000.00 Indian rupees in bank statement but officer calculated on only 249922.48 Indian rupees and told him not got sufficient money to spend but he missed one digit. Clearly, he got £20k in Indian rupees in his bank account. It’s an admin mistake. They say I got no right of appeal. Is there any way we can ask them to check it again cause it’s their mistake? Please advise.

May 26, 2022 at 8:03 am

Hi Yuvraj! You might benefit from a Pre-action Protocol (PAP). Clearly, it’s the ECO’s mistake so your odds of overturning the decisions are very high if you file a PAP. PAP is a simple word document that you will fill out and email them. It’s free. I believe you can do it yourself, If you can’t I know someone who can help. Here is the link to PAP .

Felicia Siameh says

February 25, 2022 at 6:48 pm

Good evening sir, please sir can I pass through Amsterdam to Heathrow with a Schengen visa of Germany or still have to get a transit visa? Thank you.

March 14, 2022 at 7:52 am

Hi Felicia! Yes, you can use your Schengen visa to transit through Amsterdam or Heathrow Airports. Keep in mind, for Heathrow, it’s airside transit only. You cannot leave the airport.

Nupur Sachdeva says

May 13, 2022 at 1:25 am

Hi, I’m currently residing in the USA on an F-1 student visa since January 2020. I graduated in December and now I’m working full time. I’m planning to visit my friend in the UK in September and would be applying for a UK visa from America but I’m an Indian citizen. I’m not sure if my visa status would create a challenge for me to get my tourist visa or if I should provide any additional documents to get it approved. Also, how in advance should I apply for the visa to be able to travel in September second week. Thank you!

May 13, 2022 at 7:36 am

Hi Nupur! If you leave the US to visit your friend in the UK, you won’t able to get back into the US on your F1 visa since you are not a student anymore. You must be holding an H1B visa in order to return. You can continue to stay in the United States on a status change, but to leave and come back, you must have the appropriate visa in your passport.

If UKVI notices that you do not have the correct US visa to return back to the US, they may assume that you intend to remain in the UK.

May 17, 2022 at 10:54 pm

I traveled to Dubai in 2007. Now I want to apply for a UK tourist visa, is this enough travel history?

May 21, 2022 at 8:02 am

Hi Nneka! Travel history to at least 5 countries will help. But if you are really good in other areas such as your employment, financials, economic and family ties, then you don’t need to worry much about travel history. Your lack of travel history is compensated by the other areas.

January 30, 2022 at 1:18 pm

Hello Thirumal, I’ve read most of the comments but I did not find the same as my situation. I am planning to visit the UK with an invitation letter from my friend/boyfriend. He was previously working in the same country where I am now.

It was stated in his invitation letter that he will support all my expenses (travel, food and accommodation and leisure of course). The issue is, since he is already retired and has no monthly income, he cannot provide below as mentioned in your listed requirements:

“Your bank statements for the last 3 months (should show your employer pay deposits and there shouldn’t be any large undocumented deposits)”

He has huge savings though which he saved from working abroad and he 2 owned houses where he lives and rented the other. Can he still provide his bank statement if it doesn’t generate monthly income anymore?

February 2, 2022 at 7:04 am

Hi Leila! The majority of us are employed, so I wrote this article keeping us in mind. But, of course, there are some exceptions and edge cases. That being said, UKVI would consider someone as retired if they have reached the retirement age and not because they don’t have to work anymore. If your boyfriend is retired because he doesn’t have to work anymore, then he would need to prove that his savings and houses earn him a steady income to sustain his livelihood. If he is simply dipping into his savings, UKVI will not be convinced that he should support your trip.

Comfort says

January 9, 2022 at 11:32 am

I just wanted to send a message to thank you for this blog. I recently helped my friend/potential bf to apply for a visa to the UK from Nigeria. He has never left the country before but we decided to take the risk and apply anyway. The decision was delayed way over 3 weeks and even missed the potential travel dates (the 1-week red list entry was partially to blame). However, he has just received his 6-month visa. Hooray! the whole process of making sure everything was up to scratch was a little stressful but with the intent studying of your blog, we made it work. Thank you again!!

January 12, 2022 at 7:08 am

Hi Comfort! I appreciate the kind words! Congratulations to your friend! I’m glad my blog was helpful. Safe travels to your friend and you both have a great time in the UK.

Adeniyi Olufemi biliamin says

August 28, 2022 at 8:49 am

Can a self-employed man use his company bank statements to apply or a personal account?

September 1, 2022 at 5:53 am

Hi Adeniyi! If you have a personal account and you pay yourself a salary, that’s much better. If not, you can use your company bank statement but you must write a letter on the company letterhead saying that you have access to company funds for personal use including the UK trip.

Emmanuel says

October 13, 2021 at 6:37 pm

Hi, I just applied for a UK tourist visa last night. During my application, I selected that I don’t have anywhere to stay though I wrote in the short notes that I will be staying with friends and hotel. I decided to check online to see if this can affect my application. Checking on this page, I also remembered that I did not include that I have been refused a visa to the Netherlands before.

When I made that application to the Netherlands, I was practicing as a dentist in my home country and I had to attend a conference. The reason given for my refusal was not proving enough funds and also not having strong ties in my country. Fast forward, I live in Canada now with my wife who is Canadian and I am also a permanent resident.

Will my past refusal and not stating where I will be staying during my 7 days tour affect my application? I meet all other requirements and I have proof of owning three houses in Canada. Is it a good idea to cancel the application and do everything all over again?

I am no longer practicing as a dentist in Canada and my previous application to the Netherlands stated that I am a dentist and attending an annual dentist conference. Will this affect anything if I do the application all over again and I try I include the refusal? Thank you for your time.

October 14, 2021 at 8:04 am

Hi Emmanuel! In my opinion, the two issues you mentioned may not be an issue. Although it’s necessary to mention any previous visa refusals, the information you have provided in the application is enough to demonstrate that you have strong ties with Canada. You own properties there and you are a permanent resident. You haven’t mentioned but I assume you do well financially as well. So, no need to do another application.

Georgette says

October 14, 2021 at 9:53 am

Hello, first of all, I’d just like to mention that I do not know how to start my own separate comment so I am using the reply option.

I plan on completing my application this weekend and I hope you can answer some of my concerns.

I’ll start off with a bit of background. I am a full-time student, unemployed and I plan on visiting my English Boyfriend over (hopefully) Christmas and New Year’s. I am applying for a 6-month visa and all my costs are covered by him and his family.

1) Will the money I have in my account have a strong influence on my application even though everything in my trip will be sponsored?

2) Is a 2-month stay way too long? Would 1 or 1.5 months be okay instead?

3) We do not plan on doing many sightseeings or touring around the UK, our plan is just to spend as much time together, how can I write an itinerary or cover plan if my main purpose of the visit is to just spend quality time with him and his family even though if it’s just in their home?

Lastly, I would like to know if you are at all active on Instagram? I would like to contact you there if I have any other questions.

October 15, 2021 at 7:52 am

Hi Georgette! 1. Since you have a sponsor, the money in your bank account does not matter that much. But it’s essential to show some money in your bank so that ECOs will be convinced that you can support yourself if your boyfriend decides not to support you once you land in the UK. 2. 2-month is definitely too long. Go for 1 month or less. 3. You can mention that in your cover letter. Not spending much time sightseeing is perfectly acceptable in situations like yours.

Yes. You can find my Instagram in the footer. Keep in mind that I don’t check my Instagram DMs that often. The quickest way to get my response is via email. My email is on my “About” page.

Farrukh says

November 4, 2021 at 3:36 am

Hello sir. I am a US Green Card holder with a Russian Passport. I have never been to any visa-required countries before. Overall my travel history is a little short. Do you know my chances of getting a UK visitor visa?

November 4, 2021 at 3:13 pm

Hi Farrukh, travel history helps but if you have strong ties with the US, you are fine. You hold a US green card, which means you will not jeopardize your path to US citizenship by overstaying in the UK. That’s a strong indicator of ties with the US. In my opinion, you have high chance of securing a UK visitor visa.

Ellen Rose Corpuz says

October 16, 2021 at 8:25 pm

Hi. I applied UK visit visa and did my Biometric last 14th September 2021. I emailed UKVI and I was informed that they already made a decision with my application but the visa application center where I did the biometric did not contact me yet for the collection of my passport. But before this, I had my first refusal because my residence card is only 1 month valid before I applied. I wanted to know if the first refusal will affect my second application since I have been waiting for my passport for more than 15 working days now even do UKVI informed me that they made already a decision regarding my application.

Further, UKVI told me as well that they don’t know where is my passport now. To whom I should ask where is my passport now? Thank you.

October 20, 2021 at 5:25 pm

Hi Ellen! It takes a few days for UK embassy to send the passport back to the visa application center. They are also sent in batches, so it can take a few days. When your passport is back at the visa application center, they will notify you that you can pick up your passport. So give it a few more days before enquiring again. Each UK visa is assessed on its individual merit, so your first UK visa refusal will not affect your second visa result unless you made the same mistakes in your second application that you did in your first.

Kelvin says

April 10, 2022 at 10:49 pm

Hi sir, my visitor UK visa expires in two months. Would I need again invitation letter and the supporting documents from my uncle as he did the first time? He only sent his bills and passport copy but I added my work contract, leave letter, payslips and bank statement. What documents do I need to renew my unexpired visa? Thanks!

April 22, 2022 at 1:18 pm

Hi Kevin! Unfortunately, there is no renewal for UK visas. You will have to apply for a fresh visa. If you need to travel soon and your current visa expires by then, you can apply for a fresh visa now. If you plan to travel sometime in the future, apply 3 months before your trip.

You have to submit the same documents again, but your chances are higher this time since you had a UK visa and have a travel history to the UK. Good luck!

James Clark says

September 20, 2021 at 11:05 am

Hi, I am from the UK and I am sponsoring my friend in India to come over for Christmas.

1) I have more than enough money in my accounts here and am being paid a salary, so does it matter if my friend has enough money in his account?

2) I’ve put he’s coming to visit me and my family and I’ve put the length of his stay will be 2 weeks over Christmas. Is this ok or too long?

3) If he is self-employed and not employed will this significantly reduce his chances of getting a visa, as he won’t have a leave approval letter?

4) He is also coming to visit a friend in Slovakia and I have put her down as somebody that will be sponsoring our friend also. Should I keep this information or is it not necessary?

5) There is a question – Does anyone rely on you for financial support? What is best answer yes or no?

6) We applied for my friend to get an Australian visa and it was rejected because of lack of ties to his country. I didn’t put his parents information on the form as he lives in an ashram. We have this information for this application, but what do you recommend to do when it asks about refused visa applications.

7) Do you think it’s worth applying, what are his chances?

September 23, 2021 at 11:36 am

Hi James! 1. No. If you are sponsoring him financially, he doesn’t have to meet the salary and savings requirements. 2. Considering all other factors, I suggest keeping his trip to just 7-10 days for the visa. He can stay longer when he actually travels. 3. Yes. Employment is the strong tie one can have with his country. The chances are lower if he is self-employed and much lower if he is unemployed. 4. It’s not necessary. Moreover, mentioning a friend in Slovakia will complicate his case. It will add another set of documentation. If the ECO is impatient, they can simply ignore the documentation and refuse the visa for a silly reason. 5. This question is for your friend. If there aren’t any dependents financially relying on him, the answer would be “no”. 6. From all your questions, I’m noticing that he lacks ties with his country, which would be an issue for this UK visa too. Yes, you will have to mention his Australia visa refusal in his UK visa application. 7. It’s difficult to answer this question unless I know more about your friend. You can email me with more details about your friend, so I can assess his situation and give you a more accurate answer.

Clement says

September 24, 2021 at 11:00 am

Hello, I wish I had found your page sooner. – I am a graduate student at a University in Rome, Italy – I recently applied for a UK visa on the 9th of September, however, I might have made an error where I chose my expected travel date for 25th September. – This means my visa is still being processed at the time of my expected travel date. – The duration of my trip is 14 days, and I aim to visit my aunt. – I have supplied all the information required, payslips of my aunt, utility bill, invitation letter and bank statement. – I’ve supplied all documents regarding my status as a student, with letters from my program coordinator and thesis supervisor. – I also supplied my bank statements, and other documents regarding my scholarship and accommodation. – I would like to know if the irregular expected travel date can affect my chances of getting the visa.

September 29, 2021 at 7:46 am

Hi Clement! No. Your expected travel date will not affect your visa result. If you qualify and meet all the visa requirements, you will receive your visa even if your intended travel dates have passed. From the information you’ve provided, I believe you have a higher chance of visa approval. Visa processing is taking longer these days due to COVID, but you will receive your result soon. UK visas are usually valid for 6 months so you can adjust your travel dates accordingly once you receive your visa.

Nuzeefa says

September 20, 2021 at 10:09 am

Hello Thirumal, I am planning to visit the UK with my sister as she is traveling with 2 children all under the age of 10 and one infant of 2 months old (all under dependent visa). The main reason for the visit is to assist with the travel and help her with the move to the UK I will get an invitation letter from my brother-in-law who is already in the UK on a skilled worker visa. For my proof of funds, my mother has given me INR 2 lakh for the trip. Will this be acceptable? Also, what are the chances of the visa getting rejected/accepted in such a scenario? Also, I have had a steady job for the past 5 years. Thank you.

September 23, 2021 at 11:22 am

Hi Nuzeefa! Since you are being sponsored, your salary and savings don’t have to meet certain requirements. But any cash deposits that you cannot explain with documentary evidence will raise questions, eventually leading to refusal. I suggest not depositing the cash from your mother. You can keep it in cash form and use it for your travel if you like. But for the visa, that cash deposit will cause issues.

The main important thing is the ties with your country. You have a steady full-time job which itself is sufficient to prove that you have ties with your country. You haven’t mentioned your salary, but if the salary comes into your account regularly, that’s great too.

Along with the sponsorship documents from your brother-in-law, make sure to provide the following as well. 1. Employment letter 2. Leave approval letter 3. Bank statements 4. Cover letter

September 16, 2021 at 12:46 am

Hi, I want to visit the UK around December this year with my mother. I am married and my husband is studying in my home country, and I am working full-time since 2019. However, my monthly income is around PKR 50000 (250GBP), I also have a savings account that has almost 22,000 USD in it for the past 2-years. My husband is a foreigner but ever since we got married (October 2019) we have been living with my parents and my father finances us. My father is a government official and has almost 2-million pounds worth of assets, moreover, he will be financing our (myself and my mother’s) trip to the UK.

Furthermore, I have traveled to the UK in the past for education (2017-2019). My parents have also been to the UK in 2019 just to visit. While we visit the UK, my husband will be at my home continuing with his Masters. Other countries that I have traveled to include; Turkey, Dubai and Albania. What are the chances that I will get the visit visa for the UK?

September 18, 2021 at 7:31 am

Hi Kinza! Your chances of visa approval are high. You and your mom have been to the UK before, which would work in your favor. You have considerable travel history as well. You are employed and your husband will remain in your home country during your trip, which again would work in favor as a strong tie with your country. Your salary is low, but your savings are good and your father will sponsor your trip, so I don’t see any issues financially as well.

Everything seems to be in your favor. Just make sure to simplify and organize everything so it would be easy for the ECO to assess your application. Good luck!

Ebenezer Ameyaw says

September 10, 2021 at 10:35 pm

Hi Thirumal, I would like to invite my sister to visit me here in the UK. Having read all your recommendation posts, I would like to find out what are the key documents I should include in the application as the main sponsor.

My next question is that I invited my family friend to the UK 7 years ago and the person refused to return back to the country she came from. Will that affect my chance of applying the visa for my sister this time? Thank you.

September 12, 2021 at 7:38 am

Hi Ebenezer! Below are the main documents you would need to provide as a sponsor.

-A sponsor letter indicating that you will arrange accommodation, transportation, boarding and other expenses for your sister while she is in the UK -Your bank statements for the last 3-6 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits) -Your British passport main page (or British Residence Permit) -Your apartment ownership or lease contract (if providing accommodation for your sister) -Your utility bill copy

Majority of the time, sponsored visa applications are declined due to issues from the sponsor and not from the applicant. If the person you have sponsored in the past has overstayed, it may affect the visas of anyone you will sponsor in the future. Since 7 years have passed, you should be fine. The only way to find that out is to apply for your sister and see how it goes.

Muhammad says

September 7, 2021 at 3:02 pm

Hi, I cancelled a visit visa application due to an error I made on the form. The application was for my mother and the biometrics haven’t been done yet. After requesting cancellation and refund online it said I will get a decision within 28 days. Can I still re-apply with a fresh application before?

September 10, 2021 at 5:21 am

Hi Muhammad! Since you haven’t given your biometrics and requested a refund, your application is canceled completely. You will need to start over again. You can ignore any of those emails from the canceled application.

Augustine says

September 6, 2021 at 10:07 pm

Please, I am Augustine from Ghana and am applying for U.K visit visa for 10 days. I will be staying at my mother’s house but will be sponsoring for my own trip, food and flight. I’m working in my country Ghana. I will provide my own bank statement. Will my visa be refused if my mother did not provide her bank statement? Please I need help.

September 10, 2021 at 5:26 am

Hi Augustine! If your mother will be providing you with accommodation, then she is considered a “sponsor”. In that case, she must provide her bank statements along with her employment proof, British passport or residence permit, house ownership or lease contract, etc. If she fails to provide any of these documents, your application may be refused. If you are earning a decent income and capable to pay for your own accommodation, I suggest not using your mother as a sponsor. Then you don’t have to provide any documentation from her. After you receive your visa and when you actually travel, you can stay with your mother. It won’t be a problem.

November 24, 2021 at 10:16 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have a quick question, my friend got his visitor Visa rejected in 2019 due to the lack of funds, now he has got a job offer in the UK, does that refusal have any effect on his new application? Your thoughts, please. Many thanks.

November 27, 2021 at 8:40 am

Hi Ankur! No. His previous visitor visa application refusal will not affect his work visa application in any way. His work visa will be assessed on its own individual merit.

February 24, 2022 at 2:52 pm

Hello Thirumal, would I still need a letter of invitation if I’m sponsoring myself?

February 28, 2022 at 11:07 am

Hi Temi! If you are going as a tourist and paying for everything yourself, no need for any invitation.

September 3, 2021 at 11:14 am

Hi, I’m applying for a visit visa for my mother to come over to the UK from Pakistan. Just want to ask if I state she’s coming to spend time with me and my children and the duration of stay will be 2 months – is 2 months too long? Will they accept that? Also is the family certificate sufficient to show ties to home country eg showing her other children and husband. Finally, the reason why she won’t be paying for her visit – can it be stated on the application that I will be paying for her as she is a housewife and has no regular income. Thanks in advance.

September 12, 2021 at 8:47 am

Hi Ali! I think 2 months would raise questions. I suggest anywhere between 15 to 45 days depending on her responsibilities back home in Pakistan. Merely showing that she has other children and her husband back home may not work. But if you can show that she needs to care for her children and husband would work. For example, the children are in school or her husband at work. It’s fine for you to sponsor her trip and undertake all her expenses while she is in the UK. But ECOs would like to see if she can support herself in the UK if you decide not to support her after she lands in the UK. For that reason, it would be essential to show some financial proofs from her side as well. They can be your father’s bank statements, any properties in her name, etc.

September 2, 2021 at 10:38 pm

Hi, I am sponsoring my mother to come over from Pakistan to the UK via visit visa.

Please could you clarify:

1. If I mention on the application her duration of stay will be 2 months and the reason for the visit is to spend time with me and my family. Is 2 months too long? Will it be an issue? Bearing in mind the purpose of the visit isn’t for tourism but rather to spend time with family grandchildren. She will be staying with us at our property.

2. In regards to ties to her home country and proof she will return, I will be submitting a family certificate showing my father and the rest of my siblings – 2 unmarried daughters and 17 yr old son. This will be mentioned in the covering letter. Is this sufficient?

3. In regards to financial circumstances. She does not have a bank account but my father does and he has savings of 32k PKR. This was deposited into the account a few years ago from a property sale. Do I still have to provide proof of the property sale?

4. She would be staying in my family home which I own. What should I put for her trip cost?

5. Do I have to provide an adequate accommodation cert to show the property won’t be overcrowded or is that not required for this type of visa.

Hi Muhammad! 1. For the visa, I suggest not going over 45 days for a family visit. But when your mother actually travels to the UK, she can stay with your guys for 2 months or even more since the visa will be valid for 6 months. If your mother is over retirement age, she won’t be scrutinized for staying longer in the UK. 2. Yes. That should be sufficient. 3. Large cash deposits only if shown within the 6-month bank statements need to be explained with evidence. Since the property sale happened a few years ago, no need for any proof of property sale. 4. ECOs expect about £150 a day for tourists staying in hotels. But your mother is not a tourist and will stay at your house. So, about £25 a day would be sufficient in my opinion. For 45 days, it would be about £1,125. You can add more if you will be paying for the flight too. 5. Nothing that sorts is necessary. But you must provide documentation proving that you own your house and hence you do not need to bear any accommodation costs for your mom.

March 5, 2022 at 1:30 pm

Good day! My uk visit visa was rejected last year without a refusal letter or e-mail. Please is their any way for me to know the reason why my visa was rejected?

March 5, 2022 at 3:26 pm

Hi Sam! You have to call or email UKVI customer service for that. Keep in mind that any calls and emails to UKVI customer service are charged.

August 28, 2021 at 10:45 pm

Hello, I’m from Algeria and I’m going to apply for a UK visa these days. I traveled before to Germany. I have just one problem with my documents that my boss pays me in cash, so every month I put my amount in my bank account. My boss says that he’ll pay me in cash. Do I have a chance to get the visa?

August 30, 2021 at 10:02 am

Hi Moh! It’s fine to get paid in cash. You just have to deposit the salary in your bank account regularly. That way, your salary can be shown in your bank account for your UK visa.

August 25, 2021 at 8:14 pm

Hello! Thank you very much for your information, they have been really helpful. I’m applying for 6 months visitor visa with an invitation letter from my boyfriend, who is British and had a stable job. From my part, I was a student in Poland for 3 years till now and my study is ended on this September. Unfortunately, my Polish residence card will also expire on December. I have travelled to Thailand and a couple of Schengen countries. Do you think that I will succeed in applying for the UK visitor visa? Thank you for reading and I hope to hear about your opinions soon.

August 26, 2021 at 2:04 pm

Hi Nhi! Since you are no longer a student and do not hold residency in Poland, you will have difficulty proving your ties with Poland or your home country. Unfortunately, this will lower your chances of UK visa approval.

Jude Ughanze says

August 18, 2021 at 7:48 am

Hello, I’m Jude, I recently applied for a UK tier4 visa the surname in my senior school certificate was wrongly spelled as Ughanle instead of Ughanze. I did an affidavit, in the affidavit, everything was properly stated except in a place where instead of my name was wrongly captured they wrote my date of birth was wrongly captured. What could be the fate of my application?

August 20, 2021 at 8:26 am

Hi Jude! Unfortunately, my knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas with “tourism” intent. I don’t know much about student visas. Sorry about that.

August 17, 2021 at 10:26 pm

Hello Sir! I was once refused a UK visa in 2017. But I got the UK visa when I applied for it in 2019 and visited the UK in July 2019. I want to know is it possible that I can apply for a 10-year visa. My source of income is also good. Want your thoughts on whether is it good to apply for a 10-year visitor visa.

August 20, 2021 at 8:47 am

Hi Heer! For a 10 year visa, you must justify that you have the need to travel to the UK regularly. If you just want to get a 10-year visa instead of 6-months, then it’s difficult to justify. I suggest applying for a 2-year visa for now. Once that expires, apply for a 10-year visa.

August 2, 2021 at 5:01 pm

Hi, I’m applying for a student visa. A few years back when we were visiting the UK we applied for an Electronic Visa Waiver to the UK and we had entered the wrong flight information by accident. We were stopped by immigration and given a verbal warning but we were still allowed into the country. Do I have to disclose this in my application? And will this have an effect on my visa application?

August 3, 2021 at 7:34 am

Hi Anas! No. You do not need to disclose this information. It’s neither a visa refusal, entry denial nor deportation, so no need to disclose.

September 3, 2021 at 8:07 pm

Hello! Please can you help me out with this tourist visa? So I am looking to apply for my auntie and her 2 children to visit the UK from Pakistan. I wanted to know what are the chances were of approval.

She was the sole carer for her father who passed away last week. Ideally, we want to call them here for a short break for their mental health and so they can move on from the death. My auntie is single but has her own house and has lots of land in her name and is financially stable to look after herself and 2 kids. We would sponsor her whole trip for the short time she is here. Her tie to Pakistan is that her 2 kids will need to return to Pakistan to continue with their studies. She also has a Newly refurbished home so has something to go back to.

Do you think this case will be strong enough to grant a tourist visa? Thank you in advance.

September 12, 2021 at 8:40 am

Hi Sania! Yes, I think her case is strong enough. She can use her properties on her name as an economic tie with her country. The kids in the school would work as a reason to return back to Pakistan. Also, in the cover letter, you can be honest and mention that you are inviting them for a short period so they can move on from her father’s death.

July 30, 2021 at 10:35 pm

Hello, thank you for your time! I am inviting my husband to visit in the UK (works abroad) he has been here but the second application got declined (we made an error calculating his income from a business we have and didn’t put a cover letter to explain money that I also send) so they believed it was somewhat inflated. They also stated that I didn’t add bank statements (our first successful application I didn’t submit bank statements). We are preparing to re-apply and plan to be putting in 3 months bank statements from myself (as I am the sponsor) and likewise him.

My question is: I have a stable job (over 10 years) working for the government earning between £2800-3200 a month after tax. I also have £2000 currently in savings (gifted to me from my mum’s pension payout) (before he comes this will increase as I’m working extra and saving). I want to state that this trip will cost £1500 in total (have my own house etc). What do they look at/for on the statement? will this amount be ok? I’m also looking to get a solicitor to support the application due to the decline is this needed? We are applying in October and plan for him to come in November. Thank you

August 3, 2021 at 8:22 am

Hi Emma! ECOs look for continuous income and enough savings in your bank statements in order to assess whether you can support your husband’s trip. If you have £2800-3200 income per month and savings about twice as that, you will be fine. But keep in mind if the £2000 gift from your mum appears in the bank statements, you will have to explain and provide documentary evidence. Since you will apply in October, this may not be an issue.

£1500 for the trip depends on many things. ECOs usually expect about £150 a day expenditure. Since you own the house, the expenditure can be lower. I suggest you adjust the itinerary depending on your budget. For example, £1500 is good for 10 days. Since you own the house (and make to explain this in your cover letter), £1500 is fine for a 20-day itinerary.

Chamundeswari Srinivas Rao says

July 14, 2021 at 6:12 pm

Dear sir, my transit visa was refused stating that the intention to leave within 48 hours is not clearly demonstrated in the application, though I have attached my work permit visa for the destination country and travel itinerary. I have to reapply. Can you please advise on how to go about it? Please share the template for the cover letter.

July 15, 2021 at 5:53 am

Hi Srinivas Rao! For transit visas, you must provide confirmed flight tickets. You can provide a “flight booking” from a travel agent too, but I suggest providing a “confirmed ticket”. I have a detailed article on cover letter , please refer to it for the template.

Jonida Katroshi says

July 9, 2021 at 10:02 pm

Hello! Can anyone tell me please my boyfriend is planning to visit me in Uk from Bulgaria with an Iraqi passport? He is studying dentistry in the 5th year and he has to go back for one more year of studies. At the moment, I work as a dentist for few months. He is planning to apply for a visitor visa. Do you think it is best to send him an invitation? And do you believe his application will be successful? His travel history is Bulgaria, Turkey and Iraq.

July 14, 2021 at 5:20 am

Hi Jonida! Your boyfriend is covered in terms of ties with Bulgaria (he still has a semester to go) and travel history (not enough but workable). If he has the means to travel and support his trip, then he has a higher chance of approval. You can send him an invitation letter, your UK passport and other documents to prove your identity. But if you also plan to support his trip, then you will have to send him your employment, financial proofs and rental agreement as well.

Jasmine says

August 31, 2021 at 1:21 pm

I currently want to get a UK visiting visa and I’m working in a place where they don’t give an introduction letter to non-full-time employees. I’m worried because I believe that’s a very important document that proves you have reasons to want to come back home. What alternatives can I have?

September 2, 2021 at 6:20 pm

Hi Jasmine! Yes, an employment letter is needed but most importantly a leave approval letter is the one that proves you have a reason to come back. So, if your employer can provide a leave approval letter that would be fine. An introduction letter may not be needed in that case. If you can’t get either of them, the chances of approval are low. But you can improve your chances by being strong in other areas such as income, savings, travel history and economic/family ties.

Michael says

June 27, 2021 at 2:18 am

Hello, I’m a Nigerian but currently residing in Jamaica, also a student and wish to embark on a UK tour with my football team. I was refused a South African visa 4 years ago but I have traveled to 2 other African countries after then and have the visas on my passport. Will the previous south Africa visa refusal affect my UK visa?

June 29, 2021 at 6:18 am

Hi Michael! No, your previous South Africa visa refusal will not affect your UK visa. But you will have to mention that you were refused a South Africa visa. Failing to mention your previous visa refusals in your UK visa application can affect your visa result.

April 28, 2021 at 4:25 pm

Hi sir, I’m planing to apply for tourist visa from morocco. I have 2 kids who just been granted UK passports through their dad who passed away. We all were living in kenya and I overstayed because my huband was not able to get me a pass dependant on him so we were just renewing the tourist visa until I left the country after he passed away. My worry is that would this be a problem? Can the UK immigration find out that I overstayed in Kenya? My second worry is that I do not have a sponsor so I will only do hotel booking. Will this cause a problem?

Thirumal says

April 29, 2021 at 9:32 am

Hi Janna! Sorry to hear about your husband. If you were renewing your Kenyan tourist visa, then you haven’t overstayed in Kenya. It would be overstaying if you remained in Kenya after your visa was expired without renewing it. Since we now know that you haven’t overstayed, you don’t have to mention it in your UK visa application.

Sponsorship is not necessary. If you can afford the trip yourself, there is no need for seeking sponsorship. Most times sponsorship can do more harm than benefit. Hotel booking is fine.

JEWEL KHAN says

April 11, 2021 at 5:56 pm

Hello sir, how are you? FDR can be an investment and income source? I have FDR and I am getting from this interest every month. How I can show this to ECO?

April 13, 2021 at 5:00 am

Hi Jewel Khan! A fixed deposit that pays interest can be used as an investment and income source. You must provide necessary documents to prove that it’s a fixed deposit and the interest is paid into your bank account.

Molly Shepherd says

April 14, 2021 at 9:25 am

Hello, my Partner applied for a UK visit Visa recently and it got refused. He is an Indonesian Citizen. The reason it got refused was that I said I was sponsoring him fully and financially for his trip here but failed to put my name on the bank statement. Another reason was that they believed he didn’t have enough reasons that he would return to Indonesia as he is currently unemployed. On the visa application, he was originally coming for 28 days.

He does not have a bank account or any source of income apart from Western Union payments from me to him (which we have proof of).

We are now reapplying for his Visa on the grounds that even though he is unemployed currently, he does have work to return to in August. What is your advice? Shall we put that he is staying for only 2 weeks on the application? Is my bank statements enough (as I do have over double the finances needed). Thanks.

April 19, 2021 at 5:59 am

Hi Molly! Apologize for the late response! If he has a job offer to start in August, then yes, it will work as a reason for him to return. He would still need to show bank statements from his side. UKVI needs to confirm that he can support himself in case you decide not to support him after he lands in the UK. This actually happens quite a lot and therefore, UKVI is quite strict about it.

Mohsin Rasheed says

March 25, 2021 at 10:05 am

Hello Thirumal, hope you well and safe. By way of introduction, my name is Mohsin Rasheed from Pakistan. I am a sportsperson. I just need to know from you, I visit Australia 5 times as a temporary worker, 2 times Qatar, 1 time India, 1 time Saudi Arabia, 3 times England, I came back from Australia last year in march before lock-down in Melbourne. I have 5000$ in cash I withdraw from my bank account in Australia. I convert only 100$ last year in April and still have 4900$. I have a family business in which I was working with my father part-time but from last September full time. Every month my salary of 75000pkr cash is deposited from my father into my account. I just received invitation documents from a cricket club in London. In 2019 I got a UK visa for 6 months. Will you please suggest to me how to plan this time to get the visa? My sponsor provides me everything, accommodation, food, air flights, local travel, and I have my 15000$ contract with my Australian-based club as well. I’ll be waiting for a response from you. Thank you!

March 25, 2021 at 10:27 am

Hi Mohsin! You are a professional sportsman. You shouldn’t have trouble securing a UK visa. You seem to have everything in order for your visa. Just a couple of things to keep in mind though –

(1) Do not deposit the 4,900$ cash in your account. If you do, you will have to prove the source of those funds (which shouldn’t be an issue either), you will have to provide bank statements from Australia and explain them in your cover letter. To avoid all that trouble, simply show the income you earn from your father’s business. Deposit that amount only if you are low on cash in your account for your visa.

(2) Provide any/all documentation to prove that you are a professional sportsman including certifications, awards, current/previous contracts with clubs in Australia, UK and India. This will emphasize that you are a professional sportsman and your purpose of the trip is to play for the club.

(3) Finally, if you have a signed contract with the cricket club in the UK, provide that too. If not, the invitation should work as well.

March 25, 2021 at 11:28 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thank you for your kind reply and I understand. Sorry I forget to tell you that I’ve already downloaded my Australian account statement and already convert the dollars to PKR and get the customer convert recipient slip. If you suggest then I will deposit the amount in my account, and yes I have my current signed contract with the Australian club, a proper invitation from the UK club. Let me know can I deposit the amount in my account and show account statement and convert recipient as a proof, or just mentioned in the cover letter I have savings? I’ll be waiting for your kind response.

March 26, 2021 at 3:33 am

Hi Mohsin! For large deposits, you must provide documentary proof, which you already have – Australian bank statement and currency conversion receipt. Since you have the proofs, you can go ahead with depositing the amount in your account. Make sure to mention this transaction clearly in your cover letter with details such as Australia payment date, withdrawal date, currency conversion date and Pakistan deposit date. Otherwise, ECO may assume this an “undocumented” large cash deposit.

March 22, 2021 at 11:44 am

Thanks for this really useful information. My partner (not yet married) and myself have not submitted the visitor visa application yet because we’re pretty sure it will be rejected!! I am fully sponsoring his trip here for two months, he is coming here to meet my family and spend the summer with us so we can decide on the next step i.e. marriage. He needs to get along with my family and see if he can cope in the UK, he comes from Tunisia. He is currently unemployed but gets a very small income from his sister in France from her business he invested in. This money he receives is ad-hoc when his parents visit Tunisia from France at least twice a year and he gets this cash so doesn’t have a bank account. He has lived and worked in the US for a few years and returned voluntarily when his visa expired and also recently visited turkey for a holiday. 1) Does he need to open a bank account and deposit funds even though I’m sponsoring and because he’s unemployed this won’t be regular income or enough to cover the trip? 2) Sounds like two months is too long, even though the reason and request are valid, for our relationship to succeed he needs to see if he can live here in the future and then we apply for a fiance visa when he returns to Tunisia after this visit.

We have been very honest and transparent on the application form and covering letter but I do feel that the application will no doubt be rejected on the above two points having read your blog on here.

Please advise whether we should just not bother with this visitor visa and maybe risk it with going straight for the fiance visa (even though the bank account and income will still be an issue).

March 23, 2021 at 5:03 am

Hi Aliya! Your intentions are good, but UKVI has to make sure that your partner will return back to Tunisia in case you two decide not to get married. He doesn’t have strong ties with Tunisia, so UKVI would assume that he has no reason to return back. This reason will alone lead to his visa refusal.

I suggest taking about 6 months of time and have him build strong ties with Tunisia. Employment is definitely the most important one. Usually, 2 years of continuous full-time employment is necessary, but 6 months or more is still better than nothing.

Now, coming to your questions –

1) He needs to open a bank account. The funds must be his own income or allowance from parents/relatives if he is a student. It’s fine if the savings aren’t enough for his trip since you will sponsor his trip. What’s important is his income and savings.

2) Two months is quite long. UKVI uses a £150 daily budget per person. The income or savings requirements can get unrealistic. I suggest asking for a maximum of 2 weeks. When he actually travels, he can stay up to a month and that should be fine. If necessary, he can do another trip for another month since his visa would be multiple-entry and valid for 6 months.

I don’t know much about a fiance visa, so probably I can’t say if that’s a better option for you guys. Hope that helps! Let me know if you questions.

Cynthia Rose says

August 12, 2021 at 6:27 pm

Hello sir, thank you for this wonderful write-up. I am a doctor based in Nigeria and for the past one year I have been unemployed because of pregnancy challenges and I just gave birth. I intend to travel to the UK for Plab 2 exams. My husband will sponsor my trip. Do I need to show my bank statement since he is the one employed and he has the money? I don’t have any savings to show. Will it be a problem?

August 16, 2021 at 4:19 am

Hi Cynthia! Unfortunately, I think that would be a problem. Let me explain. Assume, your husband is a UK citizen and living in the UK, it would be quite easy. If your husband is non-UK citizen but living in the UK, it wouldn’t be that easy, but still manageable. But your husband is a non-UK citizen, living in Nigeria and will not travel with you to the UK, so it would be very difficult to satisfy the ECO.

ECOs would like to see some financial stability from your side just in case your husband decides not to support your trip after you land in the UK. Therefore, it’s important to show some income and savings in your bank account too. With no income and no savings, it can be extremely difficult.

March 19, 2021 at 4:30 pm

Hello Thirumal, I understand your busy schedule but I would appreciate your kind advice here as I need your help and guidance.

I had applied for UK Visitor visa for both my wife’s elder sister and her son (1 year 9 months) and got refused recently. I had mentioned in the visa application that I need their help for my wife during her pregnancy delivery time and also stated that we have are planning to visit UK attractions. In the refusal letter, they had mainly stated that they don’t believe that my sister-in-law was a genuine visitor and she might not leave at end of her visit to the UK. But mentioned that they appreciate she is coming to help my wife during pregnancy and also from my sponsor bank and other documents they are happy.

I think the mistake was from my end as I had nowhere mentioned that my Sister-in-law is having 5 years daughter going to school and also about her husband that he is doing a software job. So I’m submitting a new visa application again for their visa with few more documents that should make them confident that she will return back. Can you please help me with what chances are there to get approved this time and what additional justification required from my end further?

1. As my sister-in-law is a housewife, I’m mainly planning to add her husband’s bank statements and salary payslips. 2. Do I need to change their purpose of the visit as tourism now, but that might contradict what I said in the recent visa application? 3. I’m planning to add land property documents that are in her name as that will be helpful 4. Also will add her daughter school ID card and recent mails from her school as a proof 5. She is not having much balance in her account, will that work if I’m depositing money into her account? My friend said that might create further problems as they might look for the source of funds and refuse again. 5. Thinking to add their family photos as well 6. Anything to be added specifically for the child as he is 1 year 9 months and I have only the birth certificate with us?

Can you please check and advise me as their travel is important for me. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

March 22, 2021 at 5:23 am

Hi Babu! It’s important to mention the family members remaining at home while the applicant travels to the UK. This demonstrates strong family ties and helps convince that your sister-in-law will return after the trip. But don’t sweat it, you can fix these in her re-application.

1. Yes. Apart from those two, I also suggest adding the following documents – – Her husband’s employment letter. This will help to show that he must remain in India while his wife travels to the UK, again demonstrates family ties. – A letter from her husband stating that he has no objection to her traveling to the UK to help her sister, she needs to take her son with her as he is young and needs her attention and their daughter will remain in India to attend school. Also, have him mention in the letter that he has attached his employment proofs, bank statements and payslips.

2. NO. Do not change the purpose. It’s a genuine purpose and there is nothing to hide about.

3. YES. If your sister-in-law has any properties, fixed deposits, etc. please attach them to her application. This will demonstrate her economic ties with India.

4. YES. Apart from those, see if she can add her school fee receipts. Again, these demonstrate her family ties.

5. NO. Your friend is correct. If unexplained, such large deposits of cash usually lead to visa refusals. For the UK visa, she must show enough funds in her account. This is to prove that she can support her trip in case her sponsor decides not to support her. I usually advise such applicants to wait a few months and slowly build their savings. But your sister-in-law’s trip is time-sensitive (pregnancy/childbirth), so we can’t wait a few months for her to build her savings. I suggest going with whatever she has at the movement. She has strong family and economic ties, so I think she will be fine with her bank statements.

6. Nothing really. The birth certificate will prove their relationship.

IMPORTANT: Your sister-in-law must attach a detailed cover letter, explaining her purpose of the trip, the number of days she will remain in the UK, her previous visa refusal, that she is a housewife, that you or her husband is sponsoring her trip, her daughter and husband will remain in India and her intention to return back after the trip. I have a detailed cover letter template, email me if you need a copy.

March 22, 2021 at 10:40 am

Thanks you so much for your detailed response. Please share me cover letter template, that would be helpful. I had mailed you separately. Thanks

Kennedy says

June 29, 2021 at 9:16 am

Hi, Mr. Thirumal.This is Kennedy from Kenya. Need to apply UK visit visa but some requirements such as bank statements are a hindrance since am still in college not yet employed. It’s my family catering for every expense from traveling to accommodation. Kindly help.

July 2, 2021 at 4:53 am

Hi Kennedy! As a student, you can seek sponsorship for your trip from your family. Since someone else will be paying for your trip, UKVI will put more emphasis on your ties with Kenya. If you have more semesters remaining to graduate, then it can work as a tie with Kenya.

Mehreen says

January 12, 2021 at 9:59 am

Hello, I had reviewed your entire blog and looks really informative. I would like to visit the UK for my US nursing license Exam. I have few queries particularly to UK Visa Application are as follow:

1. I am a Pakistani citizen, currently living in Portugal with my husband on a residency card. I am unemployed and my husband will sponsor me but due to covid he lost his job on march 2020-July 2020 then he got a job in august 2020-November 15,2020 then for about 1 month he has an employment gap now he is working from this new year. Does this affect my visa application? As you know about the situation of global Pandemic.

2. I am a registered nurse, experienced in this field from Pakistan but unfortunately due to the Portuguese language I am not able to continue with this career in Portugal. That’s why I am unemployed does unemployment would affect my Application? What things that I can show them that I will return back to Portugal. My husband will remain in Portugal during my trip.

3. I traveled to Germany on a Schengen visa and then come to Portugal and got TRC on the basis of my husband. Portugal comes under travel history or only I put Germany as travel history?

4. In the UK visa application form, they asked about the living situation as I am living with other 7 family member including husband in the shared apartment so how can I mention in this form and how should I proof it as the home contract is on me and my husband name only and rent we are paying is 950euro/month, here the basic salary is 635euro/month, bills are deducting from my bank account with my husband name. so How I can prove this situation that we are living with 3 more families. Also, it’s written in the contract only 5-6 family members allowed but names are not mentioned. Kindly guide me on this.

5. I visit the UK most probably in April for 2 nights only including 10 days of quarantine like it would be a total of 13 days of the trip. I would be staying in a hotel. How much trip expense should be mentioned and how much total saving available for this trip?

6. What are the visa chances and when should I apply to get the visa as there is a lockdown in the UK nowadays so I am afraid about the refusal but I have a genuine reason to visit the UK for an exam with proof of appointment.

7. I have my husband’s job contract, salary slip, job declaration, residency card, tax return, bank statement all these in the Portuguese language do I require to translate all of them to English?

kindly address my queries. I look forward to your positive response. Thanks!

January 15, 2021 at 8:45 am

Hi Mehreen!

1. We all understand the havoc the pandemic had on us, but for UKVI it’s important to have continuous employment. ECO’s suspect that you do not have strong ties with Portugal if they see gaps in your husband’s employment. Your husband’s employment gaps can lessen your chances of securing your UK visa. There is no way around it. You just have to take chances.

2. Being employed shows that you have ties with Portugal. It also shows that you have your own income, savings and can support your trip financially. Being unemployed can lessen your chances of securing your UK visa. Again, there is no way around it, so you will just have to take chances.

3. Portugal is your “country of residence”. Your travel history must include all countries excluding your country of residence. So in your case, it would be Germany only.

4. You will be fine if you or your husband’s name are on the contract. You can divide the monthly rental by 5 or 6 depending on how many are on the contract and quote that much as your monthly rental. But if the contract is in someone else’s name, then it’s really difficult to convince the ECO.

5. Usually, it’s 150 GBP per person per day. For a 13 days trip, your trip expenses should be around 1,950 GBP. In your husband’s bank statements, the savings must be double your trip expenses, about 4,000 GBP.

6. Usually, you can apply up to 3 months in advance. You should apply for your visa as soon as possible. In case of rejection, you will have enough time to re-apply.

7. Yes. You must provide certified translations of all those documents. Google for certified translators in your area, they will do the translations for you.

On the positive side, your husband will remain while you travel to the UK, which works as a tie with Portugal.

Write a detailed cover letter explaining your husband’s employment situation, your employment situation, why you would need to travel to the UK, etc. Keep the cover letter in an easy to read format with bullets, short paragraphs and highlights. Good luck!

Sahiba says

December 3, 2020 at 8:42 am

Hello, it’s me Sahiba. I’m planning to travel to the UK on a visit visa in Feb along with my daughter. I have monthly salary deposits in the bank, no other transfers. I traveled to the UK last year in June for a week. My monthly salary is 5,000 AED and my deposits in the bank are around 9,000 pounds and I’m planning my trip for 5-7 days. Will it be easy to get the UK visit visa again?

December 4, 2020 at 4:30 am

Hi Sahiba! In my opinion, you meet the financial requirements for the UK visa very well. You should be able to get another UK visa without any issues. For more information on the financial requirements, refer to my bank statements for UK visa article.

edwardo says

December 6, 2020 at 8:16 am

Hello there! I applied for a tourist visa to the UK a year ago but, unfortunately, it was refused. I am planning to reapply again hopefully by next. The problem is, I don’t have anymore the refusal letter with me. How can I reason out why I was refused on my next application? Do you think it will affect on my next attempt?

December 8, 2020 at 5:02 am

Hi Edwardo! If you don’t remember the reason, you can mention “ECO discretion”. It’s important to mention your previous refusal. The reason itself is not important. And, it won’t affect your next visa attempt.

Harini says

December 9, 2020 at 7:56 pm

Hello! We live in the UK and my parents are planning to visit us. But my father is retired and my mother is a homemaker. The monthly source of income for them is interest on fixed deposits and help from us when required. They live in their own house and have 20 lakhs fixed deposits. Could you please advise how much balance they need to show in the account and can the amount be shown in the form of fixed deposits or it must be liquid cash in the account? Thanks.

December 10, 2020 at 7:28 am

Hi Harini! Generally, applicants over retirement age are not scrutized. They have higher chances of approval with minimal documentation. Here are a few points to keep in mind. Income: They can show the interest on the fixed deposits and the occasional cash from you. If the cash deposits from you were large and random, they need to be properly explained in their cover letter and in your sponsor letter. Funds: They have to show some liquid cash in their account. Usually, applicants have to show at least £150 per day budget. Since they are retired and you will take care of their expenses, a bare minimum budget would work fine. I would say about £30 a day is good enough. Economic ties: They can show their house ownership and fixed deposits as their economic ties with their country. This works in their favor. Cover letter: Make sure they write a detailed cover letter explaining their purpose, itinerary and circumstances.

Along with the above, you must provide the following from your side -A letter from you undertaking that you will bear all their expenses in the UK -Your bank statements for the last 3 months (should show your employer pay deposits and there shouldn’t be any large undocumented deposits) -Your passport copy -Your visa/ILR copy -Your house ownership/rental proofs

November 30, 2020 at 8:17 pm

Good evening! How much should be my monthly income and how should be the balance in my bank account before applying for a UK visa?

December 1, 2020 at 3:41 am

Hi Peter! UKVI does not provide any guidelines on the income and funds required for a UK visitor visa. This lead to a lot of confusion and many wouldn’t even though the issues with their bank statements until they see the refusal letter. So, from my own experience and readers’ experience, I wrote a detailed article on bank statements for UK visa . Please take a look, that should answer all your questions.

Amankwah says

November 24, 2020 at 5:26 am

Hello! Nice work and responses so far. I plan to join my spouse who is currently on a tier 4 student visa as a dependant partner. I have a travel history to neighboring African countries and a previous UK refusal. I have my savings slightly above the required amount. Want to know if this is okay and also if a leave letter would be required from current employment since my stay would be for more than eight months. Also if am writing a cover letter, what are the major narratives I need to highlight.

Lastly, am I able to make multiple trips using the dependant visa?

November 26, 2020 at 6:19 am

Hi Amankwah! My knowledge and experience are mostly in tourist visas. I don’t know much about dependent visas. As far as know, your partner must satisfy UKVI that he/she has the capability to accommodate you in the UK for that long. Therefore, your travel history, savings and employment information may not be that relevant.

November 23, 2020 at 12:35 pm

Hi, our visit visa got refused. I really don’t know how ECO has calculated our monthly expenses.

Decision. “You state your expenditure is SAR 3500 per month. I note on your bank statement provided that your expenditure each month is more than your stated amount declared. As such I am not satisfied that you provided an accurate portrayal of your current personal circumstances or the balance shown in your accounts will genuinely be available to you in the UK”

I have mentioned SAR 3500 and given the detail in my application and cover letter as well. Total Expense SAR 3500 (SAR 2400 average shown in statement and SAR 1125 house rent per month which paying quarterly)

Statement shows: June 2,173.51 July 2,457.77 Aug 2,345.80 Sep 2,435.83 Oct 6,106.08 (Paid 3 months rent (Oct, Nov & Dec) receipt was attached along with the rental agreement)

Total = 15,519.80 Average = 15,519.80 / 5 = 3,103.96, which is less than SAR 3500. How he has calculated? Any idea, please? What I have to do now? Can I go for PAP?

November 26, 2020 at 5:01 am

Hi Sana! The ECOs interpret the bank statements in their own way. They are familiar with the UK lifestyle and quarterly rent may not be common in the UK. I’m assuming that ECO paid close attention to your October statement and obviously, the expenditure was higher due to quarterly rent. This made the ECO think that your expenses are much higher than what you have mentioned.

You cannot appeal (or PAP) your UK visitor visa decision. You can only re-apply. In the “other information” box of your re-application, mention your previous refusal and the reason. Challenge the refusal with your explanation and use the above calculation. Do the same in your cover letter too. It must be the first section of your cover letter. This will take the new ECO straight to the point and will make him/her pay attention to your previous refusal and the new information/explanation/documentation provided. Use subheadings, bullets and screenshots to get your point across quickly and clearly.

Clarks says

November 18, 2020 at 10:30 pm

Hello, I was just refused a visa today, I was applying to attend a conference and my refusal from the Officer was he was not satisfied with the origin of funds in my account. I am the CEO and managing director of the company, I attached a copy or receipt of a car I sold and a couple of payments received from my clients. Management came to an agreement that there will be no salary from March until October when things picked up and receive my salary. What is your opinion on reapplication again? Thank You.

November 23, 2020 at 4:33 am

Hi Clarks! You haven’t mentioned whether your UK visitor visa was for business or tourism. If traveling for business, you can reapply by explaining the cash flows in detail in your cover letter. Bold/highlight the text and add screenshots if needed to make it more detailed. But if your purpose is tourism, then ECOs would want to see personal bank statements with steady cash flow. ECOs will not be satisfied with business bank statements as they believe that cash flows in business accounts fluctuate a lot and you may not have enough cash when you actually travel.

October 19, 2020 at 9:38 pm

Hello Thirumal, my tourist visa was rejected a week ago. I realized I had done a lot of mistakes and didn’t send enough proofs about what I was saying in that application, this time I’m trying to send all the documentation to avoid failing.

1. Family ties: I have a son, I showed his birth certificate but it seems they overlooked at it. This time I will send a school certificate where says he is at school. would I need something else? I don’t have school receipts cause he is studying there as a scholarship he won this year and I don’t pay anything. I have a notarial agreement where it is said I have the custody of my son, it means I’m responsible for his wellbeing, this document has 3 pages and also says the amount of “extra money” I get every month from my son’s father and I wrote as part of my income last time. My son’s father sends this money to me through Western Union because he is living in his country now. What do you think about this document? I thought to show it and highlight the part where says I have the custody and the extra money I get.

2. My cover letter has 2 pages and a very small paragraph in the third one. Is it too much? I bought your cover letter model but this is very specific and I need to explain some points carefully this time.

Thanks in advance.

October 21, 2020 at 4:23 am

Hi Ruth! Sorry to hear that! Regarding 1, Family ties, you haven’t mentioned whether you will be traveling by yourself or with your son. If you will be traveling with your son, you must show his school fee receipts or scholarship document. This will work as proof that you have to return back to your country for your son’s school. But if you will be traveling by yourself, it can get a bit complicated. ECOs may question you on why you are traveling by yourself, who will take care of your son while you are on your trip, etc. You must explain these things in your cover letter.

Regarding 2, the cover letter template is meant for general cases. Yours is a bit unique and you may have to explain a few things in detail. That being said, I still suggest not going over 2 pages. If you can’t bring it down to 2 pages, at least, mention the important points on the first page. That way, ECOs will not miss any crucial information.

November 7, 2020 at 1:46 pm

Thank you very much for your response, I will travel alone, my son will remain in my country with my parents. I have one more question. Do you know in which section I should upload the cover letter? I mean, in the part to upload there are some sections like employment evidence, sponsor evidence, educational evidence, additional document/others, etc I suppose it should be upload in “additional documents” but this section is almost at the end, they wouldn’t read my letter at the beginning that is what I want because I need to clarify some points of my application or it doesn’t matter at all?

November 13, 2020 at 4:23 am

You’re welcome! In that case, mention the reason why you would be traveling by yourself, who will take care of your son, etc. in your cover letter. You can upload your cover letter in the “additional documents” section. A cover letter is not mandatory and therefore it has to go in the last section. ECOs pay attention to the application and supporting documents first. Then they would look at additional documents such as a cover letter. That’s the order they follow and we can’t force them to read the cover letter first. That’s why we have to keep the cover letter short and concise.

If you have to convey something very important, use the box for the question “Is there any other information you wish to be considered” in the application. You can easily write a few paragraphs here and that would be enough for the most important information. Put the remaining information in your cover letter.

October 18, 2020 at 8:26 pm

Hi, I have a sponsor who lives in the UK on PR. And I intend to visit him. He wishes to fund my trip and provide accommodation and all possible expenses. I am looking to get permission from my office, I also intend to submit a cover letter, proof of relationship and payslip. Do I still need to submit a bank statement if I already have a sponsor?

October 21, 2020 at 4:06 am

Hi Fk! Yes, you would still need to submit bank statements from your side. ECOs would want to see if you can support yourself if your sponsor decides not to do so. You may not be subject to the minimum spend limits (such as 150 GBP per day), but showing some savings, salary deposits in your bank statements will definitely work in your favor. Good luck!

October 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm

Hi Sir, me and my husband living in Saudi and planning to visit the UK. Could you please advise us on below?

1- As we are expats so what kind of ties we can show in Saudi. We don’t have kids and no other family member is living with us. 2- Do we need to provide flight and hotel reservations because as per gov.uk flight and hotel bookings should not be sent unless specifically asked.

October 12, 2020 at 4:36 am

Hi Sana! 1- You have strong ties with Saudi if you are living in Saudi for more than 2 years, employed full-time and own any property. There is no need for other family members living in Saudi. You just have to prove that you have a good life in Saudi and you will not jeopardize that by remaining illegally in the UK. Also, providing a leave approval letter from your employer and a detailed cover letter will help. 2- Correct. You DO NOT need to provide flight and hotel bookings for UK visa. Only a few nationalities are still being asked to provide these, but you will see that in your document checklist once you submit your online application. Even if you are asked to submit one, it’s quite easy to get a flight itinerary from British Airways website for free.

October 24, 2020 at 7:09 pm

First of all thanks for your time and reply, sorry if I am disturbing you but I need your advice on the below points. 1- Our total expense for (two-person) will be GBP 2000 so do we need to write a total 2k in both applications or 1000 in each application? 2- As you have advised daily expense GBP 150, is this including Air Ticket or without? 2- In travel history we have mentioned that we were frequently traveling to home country so do we need to make copies for all exit-entry stamps and attach with the application or they can check themselves from our passports?

October 26, 2020 at 4:01 am

Hi Sana, 1- You must write 1,000 GBP in each application. Total expenses are per person, so 1,000 GBP would be appropriate in your case. 2- The daily expense of 150 GBP is NOT including the air tickets. This is the approximate amount per day WITHIN the UK, such as accommodation, food, transportation, sightseeing and shopping. 3- No need to attach copies of entry-exit stamps. You just have to mention your travel history for the last 10 years in your application. If you have traveled to a country multiple times in those 10 years, mentioning your most latest trip would be sufficient. If you have any old passports that show the travel history in the last 10 years, you must submit those old passports as well.

September 22, 2020 at 9:51 am

Hello. Thanks for this article. It was very helpful. My situation is somewhat different.

I am a British citizen and my husband is Egyptian. We were both expats working in Saudi ( where we met and got married) until the end of 2019. I moved to Malaysia when I received an English teaching job in October 2019. My husband joined me in December 2019. He found employment in February 2020 just before the COVID/lockdown situation. This company has been setting up its branch in Malaysia but issuing work permits to their employees was delayed due to COVID.

My husband was granted permission by the Malaysian government to extend his social visit visa and stayed there until August 2020. He has been working remotely with his company and they have been paying him into my Malaysia bank account ( We have full bank statements which show this).

We both returned to Egypt together so he could renew his passport. I am on maternity leave from my job in Malaysia, 7+ months pregnant and want to go back to the UK to give birth with my husband.

He applied for a visit visa providing the reason that he wants to accompany his British wife to the UK, showed his company letter confirming his salary, marriage certificate, his Egyptian savings account (which has more than double the amount he’ll need for his trip) and my UK bank account.

His visa was refused because his statement did not show his monthly income from his current employer. They also said they were not satisfied he could fund his 2.5-month stay (he needs to stay for that long because I’m having a baby).

In the last submission, we didn’t think it was necessary to show my Malaysian bank account statements which include both our income. We will resubmit and I will include details of my employment, his pending Malaysia work visa e.t.c.

Do you think this will clear their doubts? Can you advise on anything else we could include?

September 26, 2020 at 6:08 am

Hi Sara! Yes, I think that should clear their doubts. But keep in mind that ECOs have limited time to spend on each case and they could easily overlook crucial documentation if it’s buried down other documentation. To make things clear and get to the point quickly, I suggest writing a detailed cover letter with subheadings and bullets to point out his previous refusal, the reason for refusal and new/additional documentation to address the refusal.

Also, have his employer mention in the letter that his salary is currently deposited into your account with details such as your account number, country, dates of salary deposit, the reason for depositing his salary into your account, etc.

Have your husband write in his cover letter that he is providing two sets of bank statements – one from you (Malaysia) to show his salary from his employer and another (Egypt) to show his savings that are more than enough for his stay in the UK.

And finally, look into applying for a spouse visa which is more straightforward since you are married already.

September 30, 2020 at 6:47 am

Thank you so much for your reply. Re submitted and waiting.. its nerve wrecking!

Unfortunately, I cant apply for the spouse visa because I work and live abroad.

Hopefully, I can try for the 2 year one next.

September 17, 2020 at 5:12 pm

Hello sir, please do I need a transit visa when going to the UK through Amsterdam since Brexit has come to stay?

Sir, I was asked by T L S contact in Accra to book a new appointment date for my visa application because I couldn’t make it to my appointment before the office closed in March 2020. Please my worry now is I was using my 2020 annual leave for holidays in the UK. Now my leave is already over so if I will make any trip, it has to be next year June 2021 since there is no date appearing for next year to be booked. Should I attach a cover letter asking my visa to take effect from next year? Please sir, your advice will be of help and welcoming. Thank you.

September 26, 2020 at 4:53 am

Hi Felicia! The UK is still in the transit period of exiting from the EU. Therefore, till the end of this year, you can still transit through any Schengen country with your UK visa. You do not need a Schengen transit A-type visa. But if you will be traveling to the UK next year (2021) and would need to transit via Amsterdam, you would need a transit visa.

I think UKVI will come up with special provisions for visa applications affected due to COVID travel restrictions. Therefore, you may be able to get a visa valid for next year. Attach a cover letter explaining what has happened and request for the visa to take effect from next year.

Another option is to cancel your current application and apply again close to your travel dates next year. Since you haven’t given your biometrics yet, you are eligible to cancel your application and get a full refund of your visa fee. Keep in mind that it can take up to 8 weeks to receive the refund.

Daniel Quayson Sackey says

September 16, 2020 at 6:50 pm

Hello sir, T L S contact office was closed a day before my appointment and an email has been sent to me last month to book a new appointment date for which I have booked a new date. Please sir, I have a few problems that I want you to help me solve them.

1. My annual net income in my introductory letter will be different from the one on my online application form due to the Coronavirus Tax rebate from my government to all health workers from May to December 2020 because I am taking a new introductory letter from my boss with a current date. My payslip will also show an increment in my monthly salary. Sir, please advise me on how to go about it.

2. I am using my annual leave to travel to the UK for holidays but my leave is already over so I have to make my travel next year June 2021. Please sir do you think attending my appointment in November 2020 can have a negative effect on my application? I tried booking a date next year to attend my appointment but the 2021 dates were not showing.

3. Please do I have to book a new flight reservation, new hotel and go for a new Tax Clearance Certificate or I should use the earlier ones to attend my appointment? Sir, your advice will help.

4. There was no barcode on my new booking sheet, please sir, should I attach the old one to the new one when attending my appointment.

September 22, 2020 at 4:40 pm

1. Usually, this shouldn’t be a problem. It would be a problem if you have a large deposit in your bank account and you have no document to prove it. But salary increments and tax rebates are perfectly fine. Just to be on the safe side, I suggest mentioning your salary increment and tax rebate due to COVID in your cover letter.

2. I’m not sure if UKVI has made any special provisions for visa applications affected due to COVID travel restrictions. In normal times, you can only apply for your UK visa up to 3 months prior to your travel. Check with TLS if it’s ok to attend your interview even though the travel dates have passed or planning to travel in June next year.

Another option is to cancel your current application and apply again close to June next year. Since you haven’t given your biometrics yet, you are eligible to get a full refund of your visa application fee. It can take up to 8 weeks to get the refund.

3. If you change your flight and hotel reservation, then the dates will not match with the dates on your application. Check with TLS. They may suggest what to do in this situation.

4. I suggest attaching both.

Mohammad Jasim says

August 28, 2020 at 9:45 am

I would like to thank you for providing such valuable information. I will apply by next year for the UK visit visa by keeping all these points in my mind. Best Regards!

August 31, 2020 at 3:53 am

Hi Mohammad! Thanks for the kind words! Please do keep those points in mind. If you have any other questions for your visa, feel free to ask.

Jackilyn Buance says

September 2, 2020 at 11:36 am

Hi Thirumal, I am grateful that I read this. I just want to ask some queries and I am thanking in advance. I am planning to visit my bf in the UK and my target is on Nov 21 – Dec 04, 2020. I chose this date because it is our semestral break from school. I have a verification letter from our head in our school.

I am shouldering my flight ticket and my bf will take care of the rest. I have a 1,450 GBP on my account and I will spend 560 GBP. My appointment will be in October. And I am planning to get my bank statement on October 1. I am in Thailand working here but I am originally from the Philippines. What are the possible recommendations that you would suggest to me? Thank you so much. God bless.

September 9, 2020 at 5:59 am

Hi Jackilyn! In my experience, sponsorships work best with immediate family members. I suggest showing enough savings from your side as well. This way, your application will not be completely dependent on your BF’s sponsorship. Try to save more by then. If not, reduce your itinerary to 7 days or less. This is only for the visa. You can stay a few extra days when you actually travel to the UK. You will not be penalized for that.

Keep in mind that the ECOs will expect at least 150 GBP per day budget. You must have at least twice the total expenditure in your bank. That would be about 2*150*7=2,100 GBP savings in your bank.

From your side, provide documentation related to your school, employer and status in Thailand. And for your BF, check “09. Lack of proper documentation from your sponsor” in the article. I have mentioned the documentation needed from the sponsor.

October 23, 2020 at 10:39 pm

1- I’ve applied for a visit visa before but this time they have added a new page of documents to select. I don’t really understand what kinds of documents could prove this? Evidence that your sponsor is not, or will not be, in breach of UK immigration laws at the time of your visit. 2- My boyfriend will be sending an invitation letter but my mother will be the only one paying for my trip. Does that make my mother a sponsor? Thank you for your time.

October 26, 2020 at 3:44 am

Hi Dima! 1- Previously this information was verified by UKVI through background checks. But now they seem to ask for documentary evidence. This applies only if you have a UK based sponsor and that person is not a UK citizen. In your case, you don’t have to do anything for this since you will be using your mother as a sponsor who lives outside the UK. 2- Yes, your mother will be your sponsor. If your boyfriend will not be bearing any of your trip expenses, then you don’t really need to mention him in the application.

Shan Malik says

August 28, 2020 at 7:43 am

Hello dear, I wanted to have some information regarding my case. Basically I and my mother have got the visa. But my dad has to apply later due to get confirmation of his leave from work. So in the form there it’s written that are we (me and my mom) who are his dependents are traveling with him. Because we might be traveling on different dates. So what should I write there?

August 31, 2020 at 3:50 am

Hi Shan! It’s better to keep the application simple and avoid complications. Even though you guys plan to travel on different dates, I suggest you mention in the application that you all will travel together. After your dad’s visa is approved, you can either choose to travel together or separately. It won’t be a problem.

Nikhil says

August 6, 2020 at 3:16 pm

Hi Thirumal, I’m planning to apply 5 years UK Tourist visa for my parents (60+) with a start date of 15 September and end date as 15 December for now, assuming flights will be soon operational between India and the UK. My brother is already in the UK under a valid work visa.

All the documents are ready but since the cost of this 5 years visa is very steep (Rs65k per person) and I just want to cross-check if I should delay filing the tourist visa considering COVID situation and rejection due to non-essential travel (tourist) or I should proceed with tourist visa application if all the documents are in place?

They have already been to the UK before for 1 month on a 6-months tourist visa. Appreciate your help. Thank you!

August 11, 2020 at 4:46 am

Hi Nikhil! I suggest delaying your parents’ visa applications. UKVI is, of course, actively processing visa applications, but in most cases, they verify certain details on the application. This requires them to contact people, agencies or banks. Some of these people/agencies may not be available in these COVID times, which might cause issues or delays in processing. If it’s not urgent for your parents to travel, I suggest delaying their visa applications until travel resumes.

felicia Siameh says

March 18, 2020 at 4:18 pm

Hello Sir, I know you are a very busy person but please I need your kind urgent advise. My appointment for UK tourist visa application is on 26/03/2020. Sir do you think the outbreak of Coronavirus can affect the decision of my application? I went to UK for vacation last year October. Please sir, your advise will be helpful. Thank you.

March 21, 2020 at 11:20 am

Hi Felicia! The Coronavirus outbreak will not affect your visa result. But keep in mind that all businesses/offices are shut down everywhere. The UK consulate or VFS/BLS office may not even be open to accept your documents. Please check with them prior to your appointment. If they are closed/shut down, I suggest booking a later appointment or canceling your UK visa application. You can also request refund for your UK visa fee.

Charles says

March 15, 2020 at 2:05 pm

Hi Thirumal, I want to do vocational training in the UK, a soccer coaching course to be precise. Which type of visa can I apply for and do I need my bank statement or my financial sponsor bank statement?

On the UK government website, it looks like a visitor visa will do but someone told me a short term study visa. Please what should I do?

March 17, 2020 at 10:20 am

Hi Charles! A short-term study visa would be the most appropriate for your purpose. Though it’s not mandatory, I suggest providing your bank statements along with your sponsor’s. Clearly mention this in your cover letter so the ECO will be aware that you have provided two sets of bank statements, one from you and one from your sponsor.

Ralpheal says

March 12, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Dear Thirumal, I know you got a very tight schedule. Please I need your kind urgent advice. I am planning to re-apply for the UK tourist visa this month as all my documents are ready. Do you think the outbreak of Corona will affect my visa application or do you suggest I should pend the application?

March 15, 2020 at 5:04 am

Hi Ralpheal! The current virus situation affects travel but not visa applications. If the visa applications were to affect, the UK immigration portal will stop accepting visa applications. Or, if the portal determines that your nationality falls in the list of countries temporarily suspended from entering the UK due to virus outbreak, the system or someone will let you know before you even make your visa fee payment.

Shilpa Sri Karra says

February 28, 2020 at 11:12 am

Hi, my name is Shilpa. I am a single woman who loves to travel. I am a working woman and I live with my parents in Hyderabad. I have been travelling in India a lot and am planning to go for my first International trip to London this April. My sister and her husband will be joining me from the US for the trip. I have applied for the visa recently. Just getting done with the online process. I am showing investments in my mutual funds and supporting it with my bank statements. I do not have any property on my name. Will it be a problem in getting my Visa approved? Also, I do not have any prior international travel visits. Will that also be a problem?

February 29, 2020 at 5:01 am

Hi Shilpa! Property ownership is not mandatory but it helps demonstrate your ties with India. This won’t pose a problem since you are strong in other areas such as employment and finances. But I think your lack of international travel history could pose a problem. I strongly feel that building travel history is essential before attempting visas for the US, Canada, Schengen or UK. These visa applications specifically ask for the list of countries traveled in the last 5 or 10 years. This is to asses if the applicant is a genuine visitor.

Since you are already in the process of finishing up your UK visa application, so I suggest going ahead with it. But if you can hold off for a while, I suggest building travel history first. Travel to some VOA countries to fill your passport with visas. Countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam offer VOA stickers which would make your passport look very good.

Rapheal says

February 22, 2020 at 9:32 am

Hello Thirumal, I understand your busy schedule but I would appreciate your kind advice here as it would really help.

I was refused a UK visa in June 2019 due to a large sum in my account. I got an invitation from my younger sister in the UK and her name was filled in the family member box.

My question is that I am planning to re-apply with my wife and son again. and I have explained all cash credit in my account and I decide not to get an invitation letter from my sister since I have the fund to sponsor my family and myself though my sister has a resident card.

1. Do I have to fill my sister’s name in the family member in the UK? 2. My purpose of the visit is tourism but do I have to add that I would also visit family 3. Do I have to add her name and her residence permit in my cover letter to show that I will use the opportunity to visit the family?

Please your advice would be highly appreciated. Thanks with God bless.

February 27, 2020 at 5:19 am

Hi Rapheal! 1. Yes. If you have family in the UK, you have mention their names in your application for the question “Do you have any friends or family in the UK?”. Withholding information can be used against you. So make sure you mention all your family members living in the UK. 2. If you will not meet your sister in the UK, you don’t have to mention meeting up with your sister on the itinerary. But you do not have to mention that your sister lives in the UK. 3. No. If your sister is not sponsoring you, then you don’t have to add any documentation from her. It’s perfectly alright to meet up with friends and family. You don’t have to provide any documentation from them.

Shreyash says

February 13, 2020 at 12:15 pm

Hi, you are doing a great job but I came across your blog a bit too late. I applied for a visitor’s visa of my parents and got refused. Have a few questions, 1. In reapplication should we address the issue of fund parking (for which visa was refused earlier)? 2. How to prove that the funds were repayment of a personal cash loan by an extended family member? 3. In case of self-employed if we start depositing money from business account to personal account from now in the same savings account where there was fund parking, can we reapply after 6 months?

February 17, 2020 at 5:05 am

Hi Shreyash! 1. Of course. But keep in mind that you must justify your issue and provide documentary proofs. You can do this in the “additional information” section and also in your cover letter. 2. Cash loan repayments are extremely difficult to prove. You can try with an explanation in your cover letter and maybe a letter from the person that received the cash loan. Keep in mind that the chance of convincing the ECOs this way is very small. 3. Yes. Once you have the minimum required 6 months of bank statements, you can reapply.

February 11, 2020 at 7:53 pm

Hi Thirumal, we have recently received Canada PR and during my(& my wife’s) maiden visit to Canada for permanent movement, we would be halting for 5 days in London to visit my brother & sightseeing London.

We both have quit our current jobs in India and would be moving to Canada & afterwards look for jobs. Hence we cannot show leave approval letters. But we would be attaching the relevant Canada PR & Immigrant visa documents along with our confirmed tickets from India to UK & then 5 days later to Canada

Please let us know if you think our above circumstances could lead to UK visa refusal.

Thanking you in anticipation!

February 17, 2020 at 5:17 am

Hi Nikhil! You currently do not have strong ties with either India or Canada. It would be difficult to convince the ECO that you will continue your journey onward to Canada after your UK trip. You can try with your current circumstances but it’s really difficult to predict the outcome.

August 9, 2020 at 8:48 am

Hi Thirumal, I hope you are doing well. In order to update folks reading this webpage, I did successfully receive my tourist visa in March 2020. Although it has been rendered useless due to the corona situation but your blog definitely helped in making a thorough case for my visa application. Thanks a lot!

August 11, 2020 at 4:39 am

Hi Nikhil! You’re welcome! I’m glad the blog was helpful in your case. I’m sorry that you couldn’t use your visa due to the corona situation. I hope UKVI reissues such visas when travel resumes. Let’s wait and see. Meanwhile, stay safe!

February 4, 2020 at 2:40 pm

Hi Thirumal, I’m from Ghana and would like to visit my cousin in the UK, for say a month. These are the documentations I intend to use for my application, please advise me on the strength of my intended application.

I have travel history of having been to the UK for holiday in 2005. I’ve also been to Germany and Switzerland in 2006. I’ve never been refused a visa before.

I have a business in Ghana and I intend to use my business registration documents, bank statements of my business account, of the last 3 months (because that is what is available), and a tax clearance certificate.

I also intend to indicate in my cover letter that I do monthly transfers to my Mom who is retired (which is a social tie).

My cousin and I use the same surname, so truly indicating that she is my cousin.

Do I need to use just my business account for my bank statements, or I should add my personal account statements? Is 3 months bank statement enough to show my financial credibility?

Waiting to hear from you soon. Thank you.

February 27, 2020 at 6:53 am

Hi Nana! You must use both business and personal bank account statements. If you are employed, you will show your employment letter, leave approval letter and payslips. But if you are a business owner, you must show your business registration documents, business bank statements and business tax returns.

ECOs assume that cash in business accounts are for business purposes and therefore they would prefer to see your personal bank statements. Providing personal bank statements will convince the ECO and help avoid visa refusal. 3-month bank statements should be enough but the document checklist in your visa application should tell you whether you need to submit 3-month or 6-month bank statements.

Areeba says

February 4, 2020 at 11:01 am

Hi, I had previously been refused for my UK visa and the reasons were, we are not sure of your parents’ financial circumstances. That is because my dad is my sponsor. However, my main concern is that now I hold a valid US visa which I obtained after the refusal of the UK but did not go there yet. Would this be a negative for my application?

February 7, 2020 at 7:28 am

Hi Areeba! Not at all. Not using a US visa (also Canada, UK and Schengen) actually works in your favor. It shows that you are not desperate. It builds your credibility as a genuine visitor.

Susan Karungi says

January 30, 2020 at 10:49 pm

Hi, I highly appreciate the great job you’re doing, thanks. I recently applied for a Schengen visa for I had plans to meet with my boyfriend in Italy but unfortunately, I was advised to withdraw my application by the Italian embassy to avoid getting visa refusal history. The reason was because of my bank statements. I receive my salary through a salary card, they advised me to get a real bank account in the country where I’m working which I did last week. To cut to the chase, my boyfriend wants to invite me to the UK all expenses on him for I will be staying with him at his house. To be honest my travel history is not that good and I just transferred all my money from my salary card to my bank account that I just acquired which leaves me with no 6 months bank statement.

Question: Do I have to mention the application withdrawal and reason in my cover letter? Will it be a problem to provide my card statements and also my new bank account statement? My boyfriend will send me his bank statements and necessary documents from his side, will that be enough or I still need to provide mine? Please advise on what documents I need to provide. Thank you so much.

February 2, 2020 at 7:50 am

Hi Susan! You don’t have to mention your Schengen visa application withdrawal. You have to mention any “refusals” but NOT “withdrawals”.

The Italian visa officers were nice enough to ask you to withdraw your application, so you will not have a refusal record. But the UK ECOs are not like them. The ECOs will simply refuse the visa and ask you to get a bank account in the refusal letter. They will like to see a real bank account. Your salary card statements will not work.

Sponsorships from friends, boy/girlfriends, acquaintances, etc. will not work. Sponsorships only from blood relations or close relatives will work. I suggest waiting 6+ months to build your bank statements before applying for your UK visa. That way, you don’t have to seek any sponsorship. You can also build travel history in those 6 months which would greatly help in your UK visa.

January 28, 2020 at 6:56 pm

Hello Sir, I went on holiday to the UK last October. I intended spending 10 days but I was called to come down for an emergency meeting at work so my holidays was cut short. I am planning to go on holiday this summer and I want to spend 14 days, do you think it is too much and how much do you think I should have in my personal bank account since my company is taking care of everything. I am a co-owner of the company too.

I want to apply for two years multiple visa because I like the place and I would like to be spending my holidays there. Please sir, do you think requesting for two years multiple will affect my application?

I already have schengen visa in my passport and i want to pass through Amsterdam to UK. Sir do you think I need transit visa to pass through Amsterdam? Please sir, your advice will be helpful. Thank you.

February 8, 2020 at 4:24 am

Hi Felicia! If you will be spending all your time in one city (ex: London), I suggest showing maximum 7 days. 14 days is too long to be in just one city.

Usually, the expected minimum daily expense is £150 per day. For 7 days, it would be 7*150=£1,050 and for 14 days, it would be 14*150=£2,100. Also, your total expenses cannot be more half of your savings or twice your monthly earning. Therefore it’s safe to have at least 1,050*2 = £2,100 for 7 days trip and 2,100*2 = £4,200 for 14 days trip in your personal savings account.

Since your company will take care of your expenses, you don’t have to show that much in your personal account. But if your trip is for “pleasure” and your company is paying for it, then it can complicate your application. ECOs might want to see your company income reports, bank statements, tax documents and even a letter from other co-owner that you are allowed to take a company-paid personal holiday.

Yes, you can apply for a 2-year visa. You had a UK visa before and you have UK travel history as well. So, a 2 year visa would be easy to secure.

If you already have a Schengen visa, then you don’t need a transit visa for Amsterdam. The Netherlands is part of the Schengen zone and you can transit using your Schengen visa.

Nidhi Dixit says

January 28, 2020 at 11:14 am

Hi, we have applied for a Standard Visitor visa. Our biometric appointment is on 31 Jan 2020. But our 6-month bank statements are two weeks old as we were completing all the documentation work. Will it be ok with visa authorities or do we need to have the latest ones?

February 2, 2020 at 8:55 am

Hi Nidhi! It depends on the country and the bank. Some banks issue statements with transactions “to date”. Some issue statements with transactions up until the last “statement date”. If your bank issues one “to date”, I suggest obtaining a new one. If you cannot, a 15-day old one will not be an issue at all. Good luck!

January 25, 2020 at 4:19 pm

Hi Thirumal!

I have read some of your posts, especially those that relate to obtaining a UK tourist visa, and thank you because I have learned a lot. However, I still have some queries if you do not mind:

– My planned travel is in November and it is a birthday trip/tour, which is also the main reason I will put in my visa application. I am applying for the visa in mid-August, and my target savings are around 3000 GB. It is going to be a 10-day trip. Since you said the est. daily budget is 150 GB and that the total trip expenses should not be more than half of the savings, do you think my savings will be enough to have a good chance for approval? In my case, the estimated budget is 1500 GB for 10 days, already half of my savings. Will they still add in the expenses for the flight tickets? Coz in that case, I will have less than half left in my account, especially that flight prices tend to be higher when buying close to the date after visa approval. Also, I have no plans of having paid tours. It will just be mostly walking around, free museums, parks, etc. and only in London. So I can actually make my daily expenses less than 150 GB.

– Do I need to include in my daily itinerary the detailed expenses, like for food, transport, souvenirs, beside the place/s I am going to visit?

– I am contemplating about which bank account to use for the bank statement, whether my salary account or savings/current in a different bank. It has been a habit for me to withdraw all from my salary account and transfer my monthly savings to that different bank account. That is why I originally planned to have the bank statement and certificate from it. But I read in your post about using a salary account. Which do you think should I really use?

– I am single (never married), no child, turning 40 this year, and a solo female traveler from the Philippines. I have only traveled 3 Southeast Asian countries and Japan, from which I got my first visa. I have a stable job for 11 years (BPO company), with around 451 GB monthly salary now. I have a mortgaged property. I have heard, though, that Europe/US visas are strict with single female travelers. Should I worry about this?

Thank you in advance.

February 27, 2020 at 7:46 am

Hi Kai! Usually the more savings you have the better it is. But if your current savings are twice your trip expenditure, that’s good enough. 150 GB per day is still a lot so the ECOs assume that you will be able to manage flights either from your daily budget or from the remaining in your savings. – Your daily itinerary should include places and activities such as sightseeing, walking tours, organized tours, watching a game, etc. You should NOT include expenses in it. – If you receive your salary in one bank account but build your savings in another, then you must provide both bank statements. You must also make this clear in your cover letter. Otherwise, the ECO may overlook one of your bank statements and draw conclusions based on that. – Single and female is fine. But you must build more travel history to strengthen your travel profile. Also, if your monthly salary is 451 GB, your trip expenses must not be more than 902 GB. Since you plan to spend 1,500 GB, it can raise questions on why would you want to spend almost 4 months’ salary on a short UK trip.

Rasika says

January 21, 2020 at 6:07 pm

Hi, I’m a Srilankan living in Dubai since 2006. We both are bankers in reputed banks. Husband working since 2005 and I’m working since 2007. In 2008, we planned an anniversary trip to the UK. Our visa was rejected due to a fund deposit in our bank account. After that we travelled to Malaysia and Singapore . My husband’s graduation is in the Uk this year. We are planning to visit the UK with my 8-year daughter for graduation and the same time a few more countries such as France, Finland, Switzerland and a few more. Kindly advise on the same.

February 29, 2020 at 5:09 am

Hi Rasika! I apologize for such a delayed response. Large undocumented deposits pose a problem which you already know from your 2008 visa refusal. It’s been over 10 years and your circumstances have changed since then. Therefore, I don’t think your 2008 visa refusal will have any impact on your upcoming UK visa application. Follow the points mentioned in this article, make sure not to make those mistakes and you will be fine. Good luck!

January 21, 2020 at 5:24 pm

Hi, I’m applying for the UK visa mainly to travel to Ireland. I have to apply for the visa this week (business visa to visit a client) and Ireland didn’t have the availability, therefore, I’m applying for the UK visa and with the short term visa, I can travel to Ireland as well. My question is that I’ve specified all the details in the application and I told them I’ll be in London one night and by using the visa I’ll go to Dublin for 3 days and fly back from Dublin to home. Do you oversee any potential issues?

Applying from USA (perm resident). Nationality is Turkish.

February 7, 2020 at 8:48 am

Hi Osman! I don’t see any issues at all. Since you have already mentioned your reasons in the application, there isn’t much to worry about. Good luck!

January 21, 2020 at 11:51 am

Hi, great post! My visa situation is a bit complicated. I am a high school student in Singapore from Indonesia, who is on scholarship. I was recently selected to go on a trip to the UK for an English studies trip. I submitted my application but it was rejected on the grounds that they can’t assess my financial situation in Singapore, therefore I might not be able to pay for my expenses in the UK. The thing is, I have paid fully for the trip (which includes tickets, accommodations, etc) and the money in my bank account is only for personal expenses like gifts, etc. to further complicate the situation, I receive allowances from my scholarship sponsor (Singapore’s Ministry of Education) and my parents. I am thinking of attaching the scholarship agreement (which states that I am entitled to allowances) as proof that I am supported by the Ministry, but its a bit hard to prove that my parents are the ones sending the other allowances. Please help! I am desperate and I have been really really looking forward to this trip

February 7, 2020 at 8:40 am

Hi John! Sorry to hear that. UKVI is not asking for flight tickets or hotel bookings anymore. Even if they do, they do not recommend purchasing flight tickets or booking “nonrefundable” hotels prior to visa approval. Because of this reason, they would assume that you haven’t spent money on flights or hotel yet. Therefore, they like to see that cash your account as well.

But, if your school/ministry has already paid for your flights/hotel, you must make that clear in your cover letter. Write a detailed cover letter, explain that the school/ministry has already paid for these and provide documentary evidence.

Yes, attach your scholarship agreement and any paperwork that specifies that you have been selected for the studies trip. For the allowance from your parents, provide a letter from your parents with their contact details. A copy of their source of income (employment/business) and bank statements indicating the allowance transfer from their account to yours.

January 16, 2020 at 1:52 pm

Hello, great information thank you so much. I have recently applied to visit the UK however I was refused. The decision was made based on bank statements being very complicated and there were many transfers to/from my savings account. I think it was my fault not stating that I have 2 bank accounts in relation to my application. Also, I did not state loud and clear that most of my money is in my savings and I only use current account for small amounts of money.

Here is my question: On refusal letter, it says ‘Your future applications are likely to be refused unless there was a change in your circumstances’. Do I have to worry about this line? My application was genuine and every word I said/provided is true. Please note I don’t have right to appeal or use admin review (apparently Egyptian citizens does not get that right if UK standard visitor visa got refused)

January 17, 2020 at 5:31 am

Hi Aymen! When you use multiple bank accounts, it is very important to mention that clearly in your cover letter. Otherwise, ECOs may overlook your statements.

For your reapplication, ask yourself if it’s necessary for you to submit both your savings and current account statements. If not, submit only the account that matters the most. If you get your salary in your current account but you build your savings in your savings account, then submit both. But make that clear in your cover letter.

UKVI has discontinued appeal for standard visitor visa application. You can only reapply. But write a detailed cover letter on why you are reapplying, what has been overlooked and your explanation. Use screenshots if necessary.

Sagar Tuteja says

January 14, 2020 at 10:33 pm

Hi! I’m Sagar and I’m planning to travel to London (3N) in the month of June with my wife followed by Paris (3N) and Switzerland (3N). I wanted to ask will a bank balance of 2.5 lakhs be sufficient for 3 nights in London for both of us if my hotel bookings and flight bookings are done? I’m a salaried individual with an ITR of 3.5 lakhs. Also, my wife is working but her ITR is not filed. She has an annual income of Rs. 2.16 lakhs. I will be showing only my account for both of our expenses.

My father can also sponsor our trip to a maximum of 1 lakh; he is a self-employed individual with a registered business and personal ITR of 3.15 lakhs. Looking forward to your suggestions and advice. Thank you.

January 17, 2020 at 3:29 pm

Hi Sagar! Usually, I suggest showing at least £150 (about 14,000 INR) per day per person. For 3 days for 2 people, it would be 84,000 INR. So, I think 2.5 Lakhs is more than enough for your trip together. But keep in mind that there must not be any undocumented large deposits in your bank account.

Your employment, income and savings are more than enough for your UK visa applications. No need for your father to sponsor your applications. It can only complicate your situation, lead to questions and refusal.

Muhammad Awais says

January 14, 2020 at 1:09 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have recently applied for the UK visit visa (06 months). My employer mention “Embassy of Britain” instead of “British Embassy”. will it be a problem? Unknowingly I submitted already online but still have to visit for my biometrics. Should I submit a revised copy there?

January 17, 2020 at 3:33 pm

Hi Muhammad! No need. It won’t be a problem at all. The ECOs don’t pay attention to those things.

January 12, 2020 at 11:24 am

Good information here. Thank you so much. Please how do I fill out the UK visit visa application for myself, wife and kid? How do I pay for our application fees and attend Bio-metric capturing the same day?

January 14, 2020 at 5:06 am

Hi Sam! You will have to fill 3 individual applications, one for yourself, one for your wife and one for your kid. If your wife and kid are dependents, then you can mention your details as the “person paying for the trip” in their applications. In the additional information section, you can mention each others’ GWF numbers so the ECO can link your applications and process them all together.

For the biometrics appointment, you will have to schedule a single appointment at the BLS or VFS depending on your country. On the day of the appointment, all 3 of you can give your biometrics and submit your applications.

January 14, 2020 at 5:27 am

Wow. Precise and informative. Shukran Bhai. lol

Nana ken kelly says

January 11, 2020 at 10:39 pm

I will be applying for the UK visa after being refused a Schengen visa. The reason being I did not provide a travel itinerary when I had provided all those details in my application. I have appeal to the case awaiting their response.

I am a full-time salary worker with travel experience because of my side business. I also have a cashew farm of about 20 acres. I plan on going to the UK to watch a football match in Manchester since I have full membership with that team. But there have been too many transactions in my bank account since all my business proceeds go through the bank account I use for my salary. Can I also include my business registration document I did recently and cashew farm documents as proof of my extra income in my bank account?

January 14, 2020 at 5:19 am

Hi Nana! Your employment/business background, income sources and bank accounts are too complicated for the ECO to understand. I am afraid that this complication will raise questions and may lead to visa refusal. If you are not in a hurry, I highly recommend consolidating your income sources and streamlining your bank accounts before applying for your UK visa or any other visa. Here are a few suggestions –

– Keep your salary bank account separate from your business bank account. If you earn a decent salary, you do not have to show your side business or cashew farm income as these will only complicate your application. – If you have a decent income from your side business, then pay yourself a salary from the business income into your salary account. But do not use your salary account for business. – If you own the cashew farm, provide your farm ownership documents as a proof of strong social ties with your country

Cylvia Manandhar says

January 9, 2020 at 5:57 am

Hi! I have applied UK visa tourist (3 months) for my mom but it got refused saying that they have doubt that she would live there for more than 6 months. My sister is in the UK. I have attached all the necessary documents but I did not attach my mom’s financial statements as she is a housewife so there is no other income source else than the pension as she is a widow. Can I reapply? Will there still be a chance of refusal? Please suggest me, what will be the best options to apply. I am from Nepal.

January 14, 2020 at 5:32 am

Hi Cylvia! You can reapply but you have to make certain changes to her application. Otherwise, her application will likely be refused again. A few suggestions –

– Reduce your mom’s itinerary to max 2 weeks (3 months is too long and ECO will assume that she has no ties back home and will remain in the UK) – Your mom has to show that she has some kind of obligation to return back to Nepal after the trip (otherwise ECO will assume that she will remain in the UK) – A cover letter from your mom explaining her purpose of travel, itinerary, any travel history, etc.

sydney says

January 8, 2020 at 1:39 pm

Hi! I’m 17 (a minor) and I’m trying to visit a friend in the UK. My visa has been refused twice last year. I have all the documents but will my previous refusals affect my chances of getting my visa approved this time? Thanks!

January 13, 2020 at 7:26 am

Hi Sydney! If your circumstances have changed since last time, then your previous refusals may not affect your new visa application. But nothing has changed since then and you are applying for the same type of visa, then you may be taking chances.

January 7, 2020 at 8:11 am

Hi Thirumal! Thank you so much for providing this platform. I am applying for a U.K Visitor’s Visa for my mum and I. We are planning to attend my graduation in London.

-1st of all the graduation is just for a day and we have indicated that we will be visiting the U.K for 6 days. Is that a long period to visit for a one day graduation. Won’t it be weird if we said that we will be visiting for 3 days only?

-My mum has a job but I want to pay for her trip. Will that seem off? I am currently not working as I just finished my Masters in the U.K but I have savings that will be enough for both of us.

-I wrote that I am planning to spend 2,500 pounds for me and another 2,500 pounds on my mum during our visit. Is that too much money for just 6 days? (I have enough money in my account to show this.)

-I am currently living in a house that I own and I have indicated that I own it as asked in my application. Will I need to attach the ownership statement of the house?

-As I said earlier that I just finished my MSc from London in November and am currently waiting to start my PhD, which I have not registered in yet. I am not working. I do not want to say that I am unemployed so I chose to write that I am a student because I have not yet graduated from my school in London. Is it okay for me to say I am a student and will they require a letter from my school?

(My school in London cannot provide a letter to say that I am a student because I have finished my course plus my student visa already expired but they have provided a visa support letter)

-I have a good travel history and I have travelled to most European Countries, U.S.A, and Canada more than 10 times in the last 6 years. I have never been denied a visa before. Do you think I have a chance?

NOTE: My mum does not have a travel history but she has a good job in the government and she has been working there for 30 years.

-I submitted our applications but we have not taken our biometrics. In case I want to cancel them and make new applications, how should I go about it? Thanks.

January 14, 2020 at 5:42 am

Hi Molly! You both have strong backgrounds. In your case, you have travel history to the UK and other countries. In your mom’s case, she has a long-standing stable government job. So, I think that you and your mom have a fair chance of getting your visas. Since you have already submitted your applications, let’s just wait for the result. Good luck!

January 6, 2020 at 10:25 am

Hi, I’m intending to travel to the UK with my wife for one week holiday. Can I make a joint application for the visa? I’m working in govt sector and my wife is unemployed. How will I show funds for my wife? Is it okay, if I attach my bank statement for her application? Will it be rejected saying that the account is not in her name? Further, the cover letter to be submitted online during application time or on the appointment day Thanks in advance:)

January 14, 2020 at 6:14 am

Hi Javed! You have to fill two individual applications. But you can mention yourself as the “person paying for the trip” in your wife’s application. Also, mention your GWF number in the “additional information section” of your wife’s application.

Yes, you can attach your financial documentation to your wife’s application. Make sure to mention this clearly in her cover letter, so the ECO understands that you are paying for her expenses as well. You will submit your cover letter on the appointment day.

Anneeee says

January 3, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Hi Thirumal! Good day! I’m a Filipino citizen and planning to visit my long-time boyfriend in the UK for 24 days during my holidays. I have enough funds for my trip. I will provide bank statements and bank certificate from a different account. Would that be a problem? But I will explain it through my cover letter. And another thing, does it really affect my application? Thank you in advance.

January 4, 2020 at 6:42 am

Hi Anneeee! It’s difficult to say if providing a different bank account will affect your application. But I suggest keeping the below points in mind for your application.

– 24 days itinerary is too long. It may raise questions and suspicions. – You may have to provide documentation from your boyfriend such as a copy of his UK passport, UK electoral ID, etc – You may have to provide proof that you have been together for quite some time including social media interactions, etc. – Your bank statements must be from your salary account. It’s important to show that you have a consistent income. If you have two accounts – one for salary and one for savings, you will have to make that clear in your cover letter. – If you have prior travel history to the UK or at least to other countries, you will have better chances of visa approval.

Tolulola Ade says

December 31, 2019 at 1:41 pm

Hello Good afternoon, I studied in the UK 2013/2014. I applied for a UK tourist visa and I included my UK visa refusal of 2011 but forgot to include my US visa refusal of 2010. I have already submitted and paid so my application cannot be modified to reflect the omission and I am to go for biometrics capturing next week. Is it ok to include the US visa refusal in the cover letter?

January 4, 2020 at 8:48 am

Hi Tolulola! You have to mention all of your visa refusals in your visa application. Not mentioning or forgetting to mention can be considered as withholding information which can lead to visa refusal. Since you have already submitted your application, your only option is to mention that in your cover letter. But make it clear in the cover letter that it was an honest mistake and therefore you are mentioning it here in the cover letter.

January 21, 2020 at 12:53 pm

Thank you so much for your advice. I did as you said and I got my UK visa today. Many thanks. God bless you.

January 25, 2020 at 9:56 am

Thanks for the update, Tolulola! Congratulations! I’m glad my advice was helpful. Have a great trip!

Peters says

December 19, 2019 at 4:54 pm

Hi. You are doing a great job I must confess. My question is this. Must I submit 6 months bank statement for my visa application? I have a sponsor who has agreed to take care of my expenses when I visit. However, I have enough money to take care of my visit but I have just 3 months evidence for salary payment from my new job. Will 3 months statement be enough to show my financial circumstances?

December 22, 2019 at 10:29 am

Hi Peters! How many months of bank statements you must submit depends on where you are applying for your UK visa. When you start your UK visa application, the list of documents that you must submit will be shown to you. If the list specifically asks for 6 months bank statement, then you must submit 6 months bank statements. If not, you can submit just 3 months and you will be ok.

December 2, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Question: Is it mandatory to apply for a visa again even if I have a valid visa until next year (Multiple Entry)?

Details: My visa was already approved. The purpose of my visit was to attend a conference in which I was unable to participate because of late visa confirmation. Since I have a valid visa, I am planning to visit my friend and cousin in the UK. So, my query is “Can I use my valid visa to travel in the UK before expiry?”

December 4, 2019 at 11:00 am

Hi Sabir! UK standard visa can be used for purposes such as family/friends, tourism, medical, business, etc. Therefore, you can use your valid UK visa to travel to the UK even though your initial purpose of the travel was “business”. But keep in mind that you may be questioned on your purpose of visit at the port of entry. Carry documentary evidence to prove that your visa was approved after the conference dates. That should explain why you couldn’t use your visa for the purpose you intended.

Lisy George says

November 7, 2019 at 3:55 pm

Hi! I have been living in Bahrain for the past 15 years and would like to visit the US. I have not traveled outside India except Bahrain. Will my application gets rejected because of that?

November 16, 2019 at 6:32 am

Hi Lisy! It’s difficult to say if your visa application will be rejected due to lack of travel history. Visa approval or rejection depends on many factors. But having travel history definitely helps. I suggest building some travel history before you apply for your UK visa.

November 3, 2019 at 3:37 pm

Hello sir! I just returned from the holiday in the UK last month. I am planning to visit the UK again next year when on my leave holidays but I have concerns that I want to put out for you to advise me on it. 1. I requested for 10 days but due to an emergency meeting at work, I have to leave the rest of my days and come back to work. Now because am planning to visit again, my fear is maybe they will think I lied about spending 10 days and I spend just 7 days. 2. I stayed in a hotel and this time a friend of mine I met there wants to accommodate me when I come next year. She has her papers and tenancy agreement paper to prove that she can provide me accommodation and my company will take care of the rest. How much do you think I should have in my personal bank account since my company is sponsoring me and I am also the co-owner of the company. I am planning to spend 14 days. Thank you.

November 15, 2019 at 12:00 pm

Hi Felicia! 1. Staying a few days less than the days in your visa application is absolutely fine. What puts you in trouble is staying too long. For example, you ask for 10 days in your visa application but end up staying in the UK for 3 months. Therefore, you spending only 7 days in the UK will not affect your future UK visa applications. 2. When you actually travel, you can stay at your friend’s but for the visa, I suggest using a hotel. When you mention your friend on the visa application, ECOs will run background checks on your friend and it can complicate your visa application.

October 26, 2019 at 8:14 pm

There was a mistake in my account statement which shows October salary instead of September salary. I’ve already applied. Please, what do I do? Should I erase it since documents are now scanned and not submitted unlike before?

October 27, 2019 at 2:02 am

Hi Bose! It depends on whose mistake it is. If it’s your bank’s mistake, then ask for a letter from your bank. If it’s your employer’s mistake, then ask them to provide a letter explaining the mistake. Then attach that letter and explain it in your cover letter. Erasing just that one transaction from your statement is forgery and it can have serious consequences.

October 23, 2019 at 1:53 pm

Hi Thirumal, I live in Canada as a permanent resident but my passport is from Pakistan. My employer in Canada wants me to send me for training to the UK for a week. The company in the UK and the company in Canada are both owned by the same holding company(ABC UK and ABC INC CANADA). Will I need separate letters from the UK company and my Canadian employer confirming my trip and the purpose? Also, the UK company is going to make all travel arrangements and bear the cost then expense it to my Canadian employer. Should this be mentioned in the letter? Please advise urgently.

October 27, 2019 at 4:59 am

Hi Ali! These kinds of arrangements might be common in business travel. But I am not sure what all documentation must be provided to make this arrangement quite clear to the ECO. If your company has a travel department, I suggest taking their advice as they may be experienced in applying visas for its employees.

From my experience and knowledge, here is what I think you should provide. – Letter from your company in Canada indicating the purpose of your trip, dates of your trip, travel arrangements they will make, the date on which you will have to report back in Canada, etc. – Letter from the company in the UK indicating their relationship with your company in Canada, travel arrangements they will make, undertaking that they bear your expenses, etc. – Financial documentation from the company in the UK (since they will bear your expenses first) – Financial documentation from you such as your bank statements and salary slips. – A cover letter from you indicating your purpose of travel, dates of travel, employment background, your status in Canada, any travel history you have, etc.

October 22, 2019 at 12:04 pm

Hello Everyone,

First, let me sincerely thank the author of this priceless article, as well as the invaluable comments from different respondents. They guided me through my recent visa application process, and wanted to comment further on the same just in case it might help someone else, like it did to me.

I noted that despite exhaustive online research that there was little coverage on child visitors. Most articles relate to families, spouses etc visiting but hardly anything to do with minors visiting their parent(s) in the UK. Nevertheless, I was able to piece together common themes from the articles and responses and this assisted greatly. I would hence like to share and give back advise and hopefully, this will assist someone somewhere.

I am settled in the UK and my teenage daughter lives in Africa with her mother. I applied for my dear child to visit me here in the UK as I have been visiting her there over the years. She doesn’t have much travel history and has only once left her Country X in 2010. I followed the advice here and provided a cover letter which I replicate below, which should provide insight as to what was provided;

This is to confirm that I, (my name and Passport Number with nationality), am the Father of (dear daughter or hereafter referred to as DD) and that I wish to invite (dear daughter or DD) to the UK for a visit. To support her visa application, I submit the following (documents grouped per point);

1. Reason for travel: An invitation letter outlining our planned itinerary for her 2 weeks UK visit. 2. Relationship with DD – DD’s birth certificate, passport copies of both parents, my flights to Country X to visit her, and my photos with DD on previous visits to Country X. 3. Approval from her mother: A No Objection Certificate from her mother (Name of Mother), confirming she is happy for DD to apply for the visa and visit the UK with me on the proposed dates between XXth and XXth Month 2019. 4. DD’s ties with home Country X: A letter from her current school as proof of DD’s current school attendance at XXX Academy, where she is in her final year in primary, as well and next year’s school YY Girls Secondary where she will commence her secondary school. Her mother’s latest employment contract (renewed on XXth Month 2019) Please note her mother has been working for the same employer since Month 2010 on contract basis, and will remain in Country X throughout DD’s travel to UK. I attach her latest bank statements and payslips (3 months). 5. Proof of Financial support: My latest 3 month’s payslips, and 6 months bank statements to demonstrate I can financially support my daughter during visit to the UK. I intend to travel with her from and back to Country X, and stay with her during her entire visit to the UK. 6. Proof of adequate accommodation: My most recent 3 months utility bills and Council tax bill in my name at my address, which I have lived since 1999 to demonstrate I reside at the above address, and I am able to adequately accommodate DD during her visit. 7. Additional points to consider: a) During our tour of northern UK, we intend to stay at Premier Inn Hotels (not yet booked). b) A certificate letter from PP Ltd to support the unusual amount of £XXX deposited in my account on XX/XX/2019. c) DD will not be staying at any other residential address apart from my address during her stay in the UK. – DD intends to return to Country X to continue with her studies, and live with her mother, who will not be travelling with us to the UK.

I am planning to travel with her on XXth Month 2019 and return on XXth Month 2019. I therefore kindly requesting a 6 month Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for my daughter.

I submitted her application on a Monday and booked a biometrics appointment with TLS the next Friday (please note I DID NOT book priority service). I ensured I scanned and uploaded all above mentioned documents by the appointment date. once the biometrics were done (very smoothly and within 20 minutes) the application was forwarded to UKVI that same evening (as per the email I received) and I settled in for a month or so wait. The very next Tuesday however, I was pleasantly surprised after I received an email confirming a decision had been made on my application, and the passport would be ready for collection as soon as I hear from my local application center. Two days later an email (and text message) was received from the local TLS center to collect the documents.

We collected the passport and am sure you, my dear reader, want to know if we got the visa!! well, all I can say is we are actually having dinner in Scotland with her right now as I type this! Many thanks to all you who took the time to advise others here and comment. I hope the above does indeed help someone in the same position and would be very happy to answer any queries to do with my application.

October 27, 2019 at 5:21 am

Hi Peter! I became quite emotional while reading your comment. I am happy for you and your daughter. Thanks a lot for sharing your story and the valuable information. I am sure this will help many seeking visa information/advice for their children.

Do you mind if I share this post on my Facebook group/page? I think your story will inspire many seeking visa help for their children. You can share your story yourself or I can do it on your behalf. Please let me know your thoughts.

October 31, 2019 at 6:39 pm

Hello Thirumal,

I have no objection for you to share widely, and anyone else who may want to for that matter. As such please feel free to share however and in whichever way you deem fit. once more, many thanks for you, and all those who have commented on this article, for their assistance.

All the best everyone with your applications.

November 16, 2019 at 4:55 am

Thanks a lot, Peter!

December 27, 2019 at 7:37 am

I am so happy for you Peter. This detailed response has been most helpful. My regards to your dear daughter.

October 19, 2019 at 10:53 am

Dear Thirumal! Firstly, I want to thank you for your efforts.

I applied two times to the UK visa and I got 2 refusals. I am a Tunisian citizen, married to a French woman and I live in France and work as a medical doctor. The first time, I applied for a EEU family permit because my wife is a European national, even if I had provided the translation of the marriage certificate and the French family book, the home office refused to give me the visa because they were looking for wedding photos or more evidence of cohabitation with my wife. I was surprised because It was not stated in the required documents in the application process and they didn’t give me the chance to explain the situation.

The second time (two months later), I applied for a visit visa (tourist visa), and I had an invitation letter from my oxford university to attend a medical course for 4 days, I also have a 10 years French resident permit. The reason for this time was the transfer of money from my old to a new bank account. The amount was about 10000 euros but the two accounts belong to me and I send them the bank statements of the 2 accounts, despite that the home office stated that I didn’t explain the origins of these funds, and told me that the bank statement didn’t show my monthly income; I was shocked because the bank statements were translated and showed my salary, but the home office didn’t look good.

I will try the third time but I am afraid that I will get another refusal, shall I explain my previous situations? And can I send the documents in French without translations, because it’s very expensive and it’s the third time? Thank you for your time and consideration

October 20, 2019 at 8:11 am

Hi Badir! Firstly, I suggest applying for the third time only if it’s absolutely necessary. You have two previous refusals and your chances of approval are small. Moreover, it’s can also get very expensive with the visa fee and document translation charges.

Secondly, it’s becoming quite common these days for ECOs to overlook crucial and important documentation. If you decide to apply the third time, I suggest writing a detailed cover letter with previous visa refusal reasons, the information/documentation that was looked, your explanation and any new information/documentation you have supplied to resolve it. Use bullets, highlights and screenshots to explain if necessary. Quite a few readers had success in their subsequent applications with this approach. Check out some of the comments here, you will get plenty of information.

Sukhminder Singh says

October 19, 2019 at 4:42 am

Also related to my earlier question: 2. Section – “Evidence of assets – Documents showing that you own property or land, such as: Property deed / mortgage statements / accountant’s letters / land registration documents” Will the evaluation of property from Architect be valid as an evidence of assets?

October 19, 2019 at 6:00 am

Ownership of the property is more important than it’s valuation. If you own a property, see if you can provide its registration documents. If you can’t, then a property evaluation document should work.

October 18, 2019 at 5:36 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for your quick replies. I have couple of questions regarding Standard UK Visitor Visa document checklist:

1. Section – “Home Address”. Can I provide one of Aadhar card, Voter Card, Driving License as Home address here? If not, what document is accepted then?

2. Section – “Evidence of assets – Documents showing that you own property or land, such as: Property deed / mortgage statements / accountant’s letters / land registration documents” Can I provide evidence of assets in the name of my parents?

October 19, 2019 at 5:23 am

Hi Sukhminder!

1. If this is to fill your address in the application form, I suggest using your current residence address. It can be different from the addresses shown on your passport, Aadhar/voter card or driving license. But if this is for “address proof documentation”, then I suggest using your driving license. 2. No. These assets must be on your name. If not, do not provide them.

October 17, 2019 at 10:37 am

Hi Thirumal, I really appreciate your work on providing such great information on visa refusals.

I am employed by a company in India. I am living in the UK from the past 5 months on a Short stay Business visit visa to attend some conferences and meetings with our clients. My visa gonna expire on Nov 9th, 2019. But the meetings are taking longer than expected. So I need to stay in the UK for another 3 months.

Can I come back to India in the first week of November and apply again for the same Business visa as soon as my current visa expires? My company in India is ready to provide all the required documents that I need for the visa.

October 19, 2019 at 5:53 am

Hi Imran! Yes, absolutely. If there is a business need to revisit the UK, you can apply for a new visa as soon as your current one expires. There are provisions to extend a UK visitor visa but that may not apply in your case and it’s also too expensive.

I suggest paying for expedited processing where your visa will be processed within 5 working days from submission.

David Maina says

October 11, 2019 at 1:02 am

Hi Thirumal. Back in 1981 I was barely a year old baby when my mom, my sibs and I visited my dad who was in London at the time. We were there for three months and subsequently returned to Nigeria. We’re from Nigeria. In my visa application, the UK Home Office has asked whether or not I have ever been to the UK. I’m not sure how to answer this as I have no evidence of my brief visit in 1981. How do I answer this? Many thanks.

October 11, 2019 at 6:07 am

Hi David! As far as I know, the question is “Have you ever traveled to the UK in the last 10 years?”. You don’t have to mention your 1981 UK trip as the question is for UK trips in the last 10 years only.

But if the question is different for you, I suggest using approximate dates. Then mention in the “other information” part of the application that you have used approximate dates for your 1981 trip since you cannot recollect the actual dates. You can mention this in your cover letter as well.

Devesh says

October 4, 2019 at 3:34 pm

Hi Thirumal! I applied for a US and Canada Tourist visa in Feb 2018. I had no travel history at that time and did not book itinerary at the time of application. The result: Denied for both.

I really felt very bad and travelled Singapore and Malaysia in April 2018, Russia in July 2018. Have plans for Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in October 2019 and Feb 2020. I plan to travel to Iceland in the summer 2020. I earn US $32000 (23Lpa), have a permanent job from 2011 and will have about $4000-$5000 at the time of applying for the visa apart from booked tickets and accommodation. I am 31 now, still single and want to travel solo. I have agricultural land worth 2.5 Cr, an ancestral home and a personal car. Do I stand good chances of schengen visa approval?

Also, say if I got a Schengen visa, will getting a UK visa in future be a problem as I have been denied US visa already?

October 6, 2019 at 6:08 am

Hi Devesh! A full-time job, good savings, decent travel history, strong family/social ties together are something I call a “strong foundation”. A strong foundation is very essential in securing visas successfully. I am glad you realized that quickly after your US/Canada visa refusal. Now, you have a good-paying full-time job, enough savings, built decent travel history and social ties.

Normally, the travel history you have is enough to secure a Schengen visa successfully. But since you have US/Canada visa refusals earlier, I suggest building more travel history. Apart from those countries you plan to travel, I suggest adding Nepal, Indonesia, Loas and Myanmar as well. These 4 countries are visa-free or visa on arrival for India passport holders. If you can travel these as well before your Schengen visa application, you will have a travel history of 10 countries. This would improve your chances of securing Schengen visa greatly.

October 3, 2019 at 10:51 pm

Hi! You have a great article! I am planning to apply for a UK Tourist visa. In the application form, it was asked if I have ever been refused a visa. I was refused a USA tourist visa twice last year and in 2016. Should I put both refusals in my application or 1 is enough?

October 6, 2019 at 6:19 am

Hi Ramen! You have to disclose both your visa refusals, from last year as well as 2016.

JULIET NAKAAYI says

October 1, 2019 at 4:33 am

Hello! This is Juliet from Uganda. Question: I am planning to travel in December this year to the UK for a visit to spend Christmas holidays with some distant relatives. I had an old passport which I acquired at a young age, as my ID but it expired before travelling to any country (no travel history). I never got free time to travel since I was busy in school pursuing my studies. I have a new passport (one year old since acquisition). How can I prove or convince the immigration office to grant me a UK visit VISA or is it necessary to state why it wasn’t possible for me to travel in the application/cover letter?

October 2, 2019 at 4:47 am

Hi Juliet! It’s not mandatory to have travel history. Also, you don’t need to explain why you haven’t traveled so far. But having some travel history will help strengthen your case. It will ascertain that you have no illegal immigration intent. Travel history is only one factor. If you are strong in other areas such as employment, income, savings, family ties, then you don’t really need to worry about travel history.

Mobileg says

September 27, 2019 at 4:27 am

I got an email from the UK Visa that my UK visit visa has been concluded and will be dispatched shortly. I received my documents on the 24th of September, 2019 but was refused. I submitted the evidence of the payments l made in the UK for the short courses l booked to attend. I stated that I will be spending £2100 for my 27days trip and this included my returned flight tickets.

I am from Nigeria but work in one of the Africa countries my salary is paid in either in USD, EURO or GBP. After which, I exchange to naira for daily living expenses. I saved £1300, $2400, €800 in the individual accounts and l had 150,000naira{£331} in my naira account for daily expenses in Nigeria. In approximately, I have a verifiable £3400 in my accounts. I submitted and uploaded all the account statements in Euro, dollars, pounds and naira. To my greatest shock, I got a refusal letter that I claimed to spend £2100 during my trip but I presented an account statement of 150,000naira(£331) and based on this, my UK visit visa have been refused due to insufficient funds for my trip. It was also stated that I have no right to appeal or administrative review.

I think there was an error in judging my application because I have more than enough for the trip. Does it mean that my other account statements were overlooked? It’s painful. I need advice. My courses will be starting in less than two weeks time and the fees are non-refundable.

September 27, 2019 at 5:14 am

Hi Mobileg! Your’s is a typical case of “documentation bloat”. You have 4 bank accounts. You have provided statements from all of those 4 banks. That’s too many bank statements. Unless you clearly indicate in your application/cover letter that you have provided bank statements from 4 different accounts, there is a high chance that the ECO will overlook those statements. Even if you indicate it in your application/cover letter, there is a high chance that the ECO will overlook them as it’s just too much documentation, too many currency conversions and calculations.

I suggest reapplying for your visa. Since you are short of time, I suggest opting for expedited processing. In your cover letter, write a section with subheadings/bullets/screenshots explaining the reason for your previous visa refusal, the fact that you have 4 accounts, the reason why you have 4 bank accounts and requesting the ECO to take a look at the attached bank statements from those 4 accounts. This way, you cut through the chase and have the ECO pay attention to your previous visa refusal and the documents they have overlooked. Good luck!

Ainura says

September 26, 2019 at 10:03 am

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for your useful post ;) I’ve got a question. I applied for UK visa Standard visitor visa (Business trip for 8 days) a few days ago. At the moment of filling my application, I did not have my booking and reservations. After I applied, the travel agent of our company sent me booked tickets and reservations at hotel. So I printed them out to show at consulate but my application states that I WILL MAKE BOOKINGS AFTER I OBTAIN MY VISA. I am going to attend business meetings, I have 2 USA visas, no refusals, all the documents are good, I also have an Invitation letter from the company in London. So, will I have problems? What should I say if they ask about bookings? The interview is tomorrow. Your help much appreciated. Thank you!

September 27, 2019 at 4:57 am

Hi Ainura! Flight tickets and hotel bookings are not mandatory for the UK visa application. Even if you are asked to provide them, you just have to provide a flight reservation (just a reservation, not a purchased ticket) and hotel booking. Therefore, no need to change anything in your application. Go to your interview tomorrow with your application as is and a copy of your flight/hotel bookings. Provide your flight/hotel bookings if asked.

Alexandra von Schelling says

September 21, 2019 at 5:06 pm

Hi Thirumal, very helpful post. Thank you. I have one question: If you have a financial sponsor, can you have insufficient funds for the trip and still get a visitors visa?

September 22, 2019 at 5:01 am

Hi Alexandra! It completely depends on the purpose of your trip. You must, of course, meet all requirements. But ECOs also closely study each case and issue the visa on its merit. So, you may be issued a visa even though you have insufficient funds.

September 20, 2019 at 12:19 am

I am applying as a self-employed applicant. Should I submit my business account in addition to my personal account statement? Is it okay to provide a two page covering letter since there are a lot to explain?

September 22, 2019 at 5:14 am

Hi Leo! Self-employment and business are different. If you are self-employed, then you can just submit your business account. Since you will have full access to your self-employment income, you will be fine.

But if you are a business owner, then the ECO will need assurance that you have full access to your funds. In that case, a personal bank statement would be helpful.

Yes. Your cover letter can be 2 pages. Just do not go beyond 2 pages, it can lead to what I call “documentation bloat” which will overwhelm the ECO. Good luck!

Savuah says

September 12, 2019 at 11:40 pm

Hi Thirumal. I have a question, I recently applied for my UK student visa and I was told within 15 days I’ll receive an email to go and collect my passport. But if I may say this is a 17th-day and have not received anything. Can it be a good sign or bad?

Also, do they send you an email to go and collect the passport after you submit the documents or you just after 15 days? If yes do they say if you have been granted a visa or not.

September 13, 2019 at 5:52 am

Hi Savuah! The visa processing times for UK visa are not accurate. I am not sure about the UK student visa processing but for a visitor visa, it can take up to 30 calendar days. I suggest not drawing any conclusions yet and waiting for a few more days.

You will receive an email notification when a decision is made. The email says that a decision has been made but it does not tell you whether your visa has been approved or denied. You have to collect your passport to see if your visa is approved or denied.

Kanwalpreet Singh says

September 7, 2019 at 12:03 am

Hi, Thirumal I hope you are doing good. Well, I’m an International Student here in Australia from India, and this winter I’m planning to visit the U.K as a tourist. My question is that do I need a prior hotel booking before applying for visa application. Thank you!

September 7, 2019 at 11:27 am

Hi Kanwalpreet! Usually, hotel booking and flight reservation are not required for UK visa application. But the document checklist is different for different nationalities and countries. You will know if you need hotel booking only if you start your visa application.

August 26, 2019 at 2:45 pm

Hi Thirumal, I have a question. My UK Visa Application was just refused, reasons stated:

1. You have stated that you intend to travel to the UK for 10 days to attend a wedding. — In my application, I had stated that my intention was to attend my cousin’s Wedding Anniversary as well as Tourism. They didn’t address the tourism part of my intention.

2. Insufficient funds in the account provided. — In my Application, I had submitted 2 bank statements. One of them had more than sufficient funds for the trip. Seems they never reviewed the one with sufficient funds as they only made reference to the other one.

3. My Sponsor didn’t include financial details. — This was not necessary as I had more than enough funds for the trip and I had also stated that I am solely responsible for the trip.

4. The Application was refused under Paragraph V4.2 (a), (c), and (e). There is no right of appeal or right to administrative review.

Kindly advise what I should do as I had submitted all the necessary documents but they were clearly not reviewed or processed correctly.

August 31, 2019 at 4:21 am

Hi Kemi! 1. I suggest using only “one” purpose for your travel. Often ECOs overlook multiple purposes. Even if they didn’t, it becomes difficult for them to evaluate your application if you are seeking entry for multiple purposes. 2. I suggest using only “one” bank account. Again, more documentation leads to ECOs overlooking crucial documentation. In your case, they looked at the account that didn’t have sufficient funds and overlooked the other one. 3. If you are paying for your trip on your own, there is no need for a sponsor. If you introduce a sponsor on your application, the home office conducts background checks on them that can complicate your application. 4. There is no appeal. You can only reapply. I suggest reapplying for your visa with the suggested changes above. Also, write a detailed cover letter explaining the reasons for your previous visa refusal, resolutions from your side and any supporting documentation.

August 26, 2019 at 11:32 am

Hi Thirumal, Probably you didn’t see my comment due to many messages. Thanks for the great work.

Anyway, I am planning to travel to the UK in late September and I am planning to attend a few fashion shows and have a meeting with potential clients. I own a modeling agency in Uganda, Africa and I want to get a Tourist Visa but as a work-related tour to see and learn how the fashion industry is in the Uk. I plan to stay there for 14 days. I have a friend with a company who is sending me an invite and will be sorting accommodation. I am to meet him as a business owner interested in having my models represent his companies.

My sister’s husband will provide me with a healthy bank statement with a reason that he is interested to invest in my agency and he would like to know if we can expand our clientele abroad.

Do you think this will get me a visa?

August 31, 2019 at 3:47 am

Hi Kelvin! Your purpose of travel and itinerary seem convincing. Showing your friend and sister’s husband as potential business partners is also fine. But seeking sponsorship from them can make the ECO question your agency’s business practices and profitability.

If you can pay for your trip, I suggest not seeking any sponsorship from them. You can introduce them as protention business associates/partners. You can also show their business proofs to ascertain that they are established business owners in the UK. You can, of course, accept accommodation from your friend or sister’s husband when you actually travel to the UK.

August 23, 2019 at 4:58 am

Hi Sir, I have filled and submitted the UK visa application form with some errors like “when they asked did you apply for leave to remain in the UK” I said NO but actually after my masters there I got a post-study work visa for 2 years but never stayed back I returned. Also my travel history I missed a few places to mention in the list. Also, are tax returns compulsory for a visitor visa? I have my company’s 3 years returns but do not have personal ready.

August 26, 2019 at 8:14 am

Hi Anil! If you haven’t given your biometrics yet, then you can cancel your UK visa application and request a refund. Refunds take about 8 weeks. A visa application cancellation is not considered as a “refusal” so there is no harm in canceling your visa application. After that, you can fill and submit a new UK visa application with correct information.

Tax returns are not mandatory but they will help you strengthen your application. If you are a business owner, then tax returns for your company are fine. For personal, you can just show your personal bank statements.

August 22, 2019 at 11:20 pm

Hi Thirumal, I must confess I am deeply impressed by your expertise. Please, I have a few concerns about my application.

4 Day tourist visit to the UK, Single application

1. Employment: I am a business associate. My job role is network marketing for a Chinese company in Nigeria for 5 years now, position as a DIAMOND 6 leader and as a stockist in-charge of undertaking registrations and issuance of company’s goods to the distributor’s within that region. We don’t receive employment letter but can receive a covering letter or an introduction letter, because we are not on a paid salary but commissions which are pretty good up to or more than £1300 in a month.

2. Proof of Funds: My 6 month Bank statement clearly indicates all commissions and bonuses coming in from this company. Balance in account £6000.

3. Family Ties: I am married with 2 children, my wife is an employee from Total Nig Plc, family resides in Nigeria. Supporting Document: Marriage certificate, children school fees, house rent.

4. Travel History: SouthAfrica, USA and China, and the company just renewed my Chinese Visa to embark on another all-expenses-paid trip to China by the company.

5. Sponsoring: Self-sponsored for UK application.

6. Visa Denial History: UK student Visa application in 2005 I can’t remember the reason again, Schengen Visa to France in 2014 insufficient, unsatisfactory documents.

7. Relations in the UK: Aunt and inlaw but wouldn’t want to mention or bring them in since I am the one funding myself.

8. Itinerary: My return ticket, My hotel reservations and places to visit within that 5days will be included.

9. Budget: I am budgeting not more than 20% for this trip from my bank statement balance of £6000.

Please do you think based from the above, am I eligible for entry clearance for a 4 days visit to the UK? Your response will be appreciated. Thanks.

August 26, 2019 at 6:28 am

Hi Bassy! Yes. You are eligible and you have a fair chance of visa approval. My only concern is your employment. Let me explain in detail below.

1. Employment: Since you are not on the payroll of the company, it can be difficult for you to prove that you are “employed”. It appears to me that you are more of a “single owner business” or “self-employed”. Quick question –

How do you pay the taxes? Does the company deduct and pay the taxes on your behalf? Or you pay them from your side? If you do, what’s your status in terms of taxes – employed, self-employed or business owner?

2. Proof of Funds: Your income and savings are very good. Just make sure that there are no large deposits in your account for which you cannot produce any documentary evidence. 3. Family Ties: Your family ties and supporting documentation are looking great. 4. Travel History: You have travel history outside your continent which is fantastic. 5. Sponsoring: Great. 6. Visa Denial History: Since you are strong in other areas such as financial solvency, travel history and family ties, your visa denial history will not affect your UK visa decision. 7. Relations in the UK: Agree. No need to mention them as you are funding yourself. 8. Itinerary: Great. 9. Budget: Budgeting 20% of your savings is fine. You can budget even lesser than that as the average daily travel budget in the UK is about £150 per day per person.

Margaret Jardim says

August 22, 2019 at 3:26 pm

Hi Thirumal,

Thank you for all the helpful information. I will be visiting a friend in the UK but will be paying for my own expenses. What do I need to submit for proof of accommodation?

August 26, 2019 at 5:11 am

Hi Margaret! The required document checklist is different for different nationalities. Usually, proof of accommodation is not needed for a UK visa application. But if your document checklist asks for it, you can provide a “refundable” hotel booking. You can book a refundable hotel on booking or expedia.

Sanjay kumar says

August 22, 2019 at 11:06 am

Hi, I would like to know would be able to visit France with a visitor UK visa only. I intend to visit the UK in the last week of September this year for 15 days. And please tell me the must-visiting places there. Hope for a quick reply! Thanks.

August 26, 2019 at 3:58 am

Hi Sanjay! You CANNOT use your UK visa to enter France. You would REQUIRE a Schengen visa to travel to France. Please refer to the below articles for more information.

– Countries you can travel VISA-FREE with UK visa – Schengen Visa Guide

August 21, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am not sure why you are removing my comment but I really need your advice for my UK visa application :(

August 22, 2019 at 9:29 am

Hi Mohit! I apologize for the delay. I haven’t removed any of your earlier comments. Every case is unique and my personal experience sometimes is not enough. I have to do more research which might take time. Please bear with me. I will get to your comment soon.

August 22, 2019 at 8:32 pm

Thank you, I appreciate it!

August 21, 2019 at 3:57 am

Hi! I’ve applied a couple of times for UK Visa in the past couple of years and been really quick on the turn around time. This year it has been 7 days since the consulate received my package and there has been no automated email stating they are even processing the package. On calling as well emailing the Visa status number, they assure that my application is under review. I am not sure that is really the case. Please share your thoughts. Thanks!

August 25, 2019 at 9:46 am

Hi DS! I have heard from other readers as well on not receiving the notification for several days. Either UKVI is forgetting to send the notifications or the notification are ending up in spam folder. But it appears that the applications are still being pickup and processing. So nothing to worry.

Kamran Ali says

August 20, 2019 at 7:14 pm

Hi, I have been refused due to one wrong document of my son school certificate (Bonafide) which in-fact was not confirmed school staff and would like to submit clarification to apply again and clear this objection. Kindly advise.

August 25, 2019 at 5:01 am

Hi Kamran! In your reapplication, write a detailed cover letter explaining the previous refusal reason, your clarification and new supporting documentation. Many readers had success in their reapplication with this approach. You can see quite a few comments on this topic in the article.

Telan thorn says

August 20, 2019 at 11:31 am

Hi Thirumal! We have applied for a visit visa for my parents from Sri Lanka with my sister-in-law and the baby. She got the visa but my parents didn’t.

Me and my wife runs a business and offers to sponsor them all in their visit but my parents visa was rejected on the reason of there is no family tie with Sri Lanka and they will not be returned but that was because they didn’t go through all the supporting evidence we provide. They missed the letter which provided by my brother who runs the family business in Sri Lanka and didn’t join with his wife on this trip.

Then we re-applied with the letter to point out the evidence that we provided then they rejected it again due to the lack of evidence that where the fund coming to my parents account and no evidence that the family business is still running.

1) My question is when that rejects it for the second time can they come up with new reasons and why didn’t they point out when they rejected the first application (we produced the same document) 2) If we applied again can they reject it again because of the 2 previous rejections? Thanks Telan thorn

August 25, 2019 at 4:13 am

Hi Telan! UK visa process is not the most efficient. The process is tedious, no tracking and there is no appeal. The only option is to reapply and point out the issues.

1) An ECO can re-evaluate the entire visa application rather than just looking at the refusal reasons from the previous application. I believe this is what happened in your second application. The ECO re-evaluated the entire application. The first ECO wasn’t too strict with financial evidence but the second ECO was.

Either way, make sure to provide documentation that your parents are still part of the family business and have access to the funds from the business.

2) If you provide substantial evidence for those two refusal reasons, then they cannot refuse on the same reasons. But they can dig and find a different reason. So, make sure your application is thorough and you have all the necessary documentation.

August 20, 2019 at 10:13 am

Hi Thirumal, I have been granted tourist Visa very recently but it doesn’t coincide with the dates of my Alumni event. Does it require me to reapply for the visa with the dates which covers my event or is there a way that the original issued Visa can be changed as far as dates are concerned?

I requested Visa from 27th Sept 19, however, it seems by mistake I have been issued the visa from 28th Sept for 6 months. I am actually thinking about reapplying for the visa as I need to be in the UK on 27th to attend the Alumni event. In that event, do I only apply for 1-day visa which is for 27th Sept’19. Eagerly waiting to listen from you as I am completely out of sorts here in terms of next steps as there is no way in India I can reach out to UK embassy.

August 23, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Hi Rahul! I believe there has been a mistake with UKVI. Usually, UK visas are valid from the “date of issue” rather than the “intended date of entry”. You can contact UKVI, but you will be charged for the email. You will only pay for the first email. Follow up emails are not charged. You can email UKVI here .

There is no 1-day visa option. You have to apply for a regular 6-month visa.

I suggest first contacting UKVI and asking for the best option in your case. If you don’t get any satisfactory response from them, I suggest re-applying for a 6-month visa. But this time, write a detailed cover letter explaining that you have been issued the visa but with a wrong “start or from date”. This way, ECO can issue another visa without re-evaluating your entire application which might take several days again. If you can afford, pay for expedited processing as well.

HAMMAD HASSAN says

August 19, 2019 at 7:45 pm

Hi, My UK visit visa got refused because home office didn’t receive any supporting documents except my passport. I had uploaded the documents on VFS global website but haven’t submitted as I chose to be a walk-in customer because no appointments were available for very next day.

How should I ensure that if reapply my documents will be received by the Home office? How should I take my refusal?

August 23, 2019 at 8:32 am

Hi Hammad! I suggest the following in your reapplication

1a) Online document submission – Upload all supporting documents yourself and submit them on the VFS website. This will ensure the documents will be sent to the home office. 1b) Offline document submission – If you decide to have the VFS staff upload your documents, pay the additional fee for them to scan and upload your documents. The VFS staff will go through all your documentation, take the ones that are needed, scan and upload them for you. 2) Write a detailed cover letter mentioning that your previous application was refused for not attaching the supporting documents and now you have attached all the required supporting documents.

Inohna says

August 19, 2019 at 12:58 pm

Hi Thirumal! Just wanted to say thank you so much for your help!! My Grandma’s visa got approved the following week after she did her biometrics!

August 23, 2019 at 6:09 am

Hi Inohna! That’s great news! Congratulations to your Grandma! I’m glad this article and my advice were helpful. Safe travels to your Grandma!

Gaurav says

August 18, 2019 at 1:56 pm

Hi, I am visiting Singapore with my family in Nov, and I am also planning to visit the UK with my wife in March.

Will a short gap between two foreign tours effect to get a tourist visa on hotel booking? As my friend suggested me that there should be at least 5-6 months gap for a middle-class salary employee to get the UK visa. Is it true? Does embassy concern this point and may cause of visa refusal Thanks!

August 23, 2019 at 5:00 am

Hi Gaurav! No. It’s not true. A short gap between your Singapore and UK trips will not affect your UK visa decision. It’s actually good as you will be able to show one more country (Singapore) in your travel history. But keep in mind that the following can affect your UK visa decision –

– Exhausting all your savings on your Singapore trip. You won’t be able to show enough savings for your UK visa application. – Overstaying your Singapore visa.

Ammad Javed says

August 17, 2019 at 2:27 pm

Hello dear. Do we need to have both a reasonable salary deposit and savings? I have a salary around 1800 pounds being regularly deposited to my account for the last 3 years. But I don’t have any savings at all. Will it work or having savings is a must. I intend to travel for 4 days only in order to sit in an exam. My wife and children are staying back.

August 17, 2019 at 3:24 pm

Hi Ammad! It’s not mandatory to have savings but without any savings, you will not be able to book your flight, pay for your hotel or food. Therefore, you have to show at least enough savings to convince the ECO that you can financially support your trip.

The daily budget to travel in the UK is about £150 GBP per person per day. For a 4 day trip, you would need to show at least 600 GBP savings in your account. Otherwise, ECO will not be convinced that you can afford your trip.

The safest option is to have savings of at least twice your trip expenses. In your case, it would be £1,200 GBP.

August 16, 2019 at 6:45 pm

Deal Thirumal, I am really pleased to inform you that I have successfully got a UK visitor VISA to attend an examination, which is very important for my career.

Firstly, This was my second VISA application since my first VISA application was refused based on the lengthy duration of stay for a one day examination. After encountering that refusal, I was honestly shattered and it created a huge dent in my confidence level. However, I managed to encourage myself and started preparing my next VISA application. That’s when I came to know about this awesome blog through Google. I had many doubts and concerns regarding my application and I raised many queries regarding them on this thread, which you happily and swiftly answered. Hence, I got a lot of clarity and I made sure that my application has got no errors to the best of my knowledge. As a result, I got my passport back with a beautiful UK VISA vignette on it.

I really appreciate the guidance and the help that you rendered and Thanks a ton for it. I am pretty sure that this blog will be of massive help for many VISA applicants in the future and I kindly request you to continue this awesome job. Bye and Have a NICE DAY!

August 18, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Hi Rahul! Thanks for the kind words! I’m glad that this article and my responses have helped you in securing your visa on the second attempt. Congratulations and have a great trip! Good luck with your exam as well!

Also, I apologize for the delay in responding to some of your queries. It’s taking longer for me to respond as each case is unique.

August 20, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Thirumal! Hope you are doing fine. No issues regarding the delay in response since I can understand that you get a lot of queries on a daily basis and Thank you for your wishes. Furthermore, I have come up with another query to trouble you more, Lol. This is regarding UK border clearance.

My UK VISA validity begins on August 24 and I have booked my onward flight from Bengaluru to London Heathrow airport on September 11. My query is do I mandatorily need a return ticket to show at the border control in order to enter the UK or does a document confirming my purpose of visit suffice?

August 25, 2019 at 4:52 am

Hi Rahul! Thanks for understanding. They asked me to show my return ticket when I entered the UK a couple of years ago. So the chances of them asking for a return ticket are very high. Therefore, I suggest having a return ticket. If your dates are flexible, there are many ways to get proof of return ticket without actually purchasing a ticket. Refer to my article on how to get proof of onward travel .

EDWIN JOSEP PEREZ AREVALO says

August 16, 2019 at 5:29 am

Hello! Thank you for your incredible work. I’ve got a question. The visitor visa is up to six months, does this mean if I said on my itinerary I was going to stay 3 weeks and ended up being 4 weeks, and I stayed in another city, changing as I said my itinerary. Is it ok? Can this cause any trouble? Please, I really appreciate it.

August 17, 2019 at 9:00 am

Hi Edwin! Asking for 3 weeks and staying 4 weeks is absolutely fine. Visiting different cities than what you have mentioned in the visa application is also fine.

August 14, 2019 at 11:12 am

Is there an instance the home office wouldn’t contact the person who sent you an invite yet your visa will be granted?

August 14, 2019 at 2:44 pm

Hi Lisa! Yes. The home office contacts the sponsor/inviter only if it’s absolutely necessary. They use other means to verify the information supplied first.

August 14, 2019 at 5:40 pm

Thanks so much! I have another question for you which I have sent to you earlier on.

August 14, 2019 at 3:18 am

Hi Thirumal, I applied for a standard visit visa to attend British Army Assessment but I was refused based on the reasons below;

I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) V4.2 of Appendix V: Immigration Rules for visitors because:  You have applied to visit the UK for 21 days to attend and complete an assessment at the National Recruitment Centre and to visit friends. I note a letter from the National Recruitment center. However In order to be able to make a decision on whether or not to grant you entry clearance in this category I have taken into account your stated circumstances in Ghana, the reasons for your visit and your proposed travel arrangements.  I recognize that you have stated that your stated uncle will fund your visit to the UK but I must take into account your personal and financial circumstances in Ghana when coming to my decision.  You state that you are currently unemployed. You have provided your personal bank statement from Cal bank Limited. There have been many large unexplained cash deposits over 3000 GHS (£438.36 at Oanda.com, 03/07/2019) made onto this account and I am not satisfied about the origins of these funds. On the evidence before me, I am not satisfied that these statements are a true reflection of your financial circumstances or that your circumstances are as stated.  You have also stated that you hold savings of £1820. From the information you have provided you have not demonstrated the origin of these funds and whether they are genuinely available for your exclusive use. The factors mentioned above have not been taken in isolation but considered collectively. They damage the overall credibility of your application. From the information on your application form and the documents you have submitted, I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the United Kingdom or that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph V4.2 (a) and (c)

I actually want to reapply because I really want to join the Army. What do I do to acquire the standard visit visa in my next application? Thank you

August 17, 2019 at 7:42 am

Hi Lisa! Your UK visa application was refused as you failed to show strong ties with your country. If you do not show strong ties with your country, the ECO will assume that you will remain in the UK and will not return back after your army assessment. If you pass the assessment, you will join the army which is great. But if you fail the assessment, you must promptly return back to your country. You need to show enough evidence in your visa application that you will return back if you fail the assessment.

I suggest improving the following prior to your next application-

Employment If you are unemployed, it’s unlikely to get your visa approved. You have to have a full-time job where you can provide an employment letter and leave approval letter.

Travel History You haven’t mentioned your travel history. But if you are lacking in your travel history, it can affect your visa result too. I suggest improving your travel history first.

Financial Solvency Even if you use a sponsor, you must still show a continuous source of income and decent savings. You must not have any large undocumented deposits.

Family Ties You haven’t mentioned anything about your family. But if you can show evidence of family members that will remain at home during your trip will help.

Sponsorship I suggest using an immediate family member for your sponsorship such as father, mother, sibling, spouse, etc. Uncle is a distant relative and it can be difficult to prove the relationship.

August 17, 2019 at 3:04 pm

Thanks Thirumal for your response.

My ultimate aim is to attend the assessment and within the assessment invitation letter I am to book a round-trip ticket after I’ve been granted the visa else my name and details will be given to the Immigration to deny me of entry. Details concerning my visa will have to be scanned and submitted to the assessment centre before I can leave my home country. This is to be done to ensure that I return to my home country if I don’t pass my assessment. Other details concerning my return in case I fail the assessment are all in the assessment invitation letter from the Army.

I’m unemployed, unmarried, no travel history.

Do you think if I’m able to prove the sources of funding for my bank account it can increase my chance of getting the visa?

August 18, 2019 at 11:21 am

I understand. The army is doing what they can from their side. They are assuring the home office that they will make sure you will return back after the assessment. But like the home office says in your refusal letter that things are not looking good from your side. There are a lot of things from your side that are damaging the credibility of your application.

Unemployed, unmarried and no travel history may not be an issue since the army is guaranteeing your return. I suggest, at least, fixing the things that the home office mentioned in your refusal letter.

– Have your purpose of travel to attend “only” the assessment. Do not combine with meeting friends. Pleasure and business do not work well. – Adjusting your number of days to match with the exact days you need for the assessment. Maybe one or two days extra to fly in and out but nothing more. – Use an immediate family member for your sponsorship. If you use a family member or your uncle, make sure to provide his/her employment and financial documentation. – Make sure your bank account is looking good. There should not be any large deposits that you cannot explain. For those deposits that you can explain, provide documentary evidence. – Finally, write a clean and legible cover letter explaining the issues in your previous visa application and the measures you have taken to fix them in your reapplication.

August 12, 2019 at 9:36 pm

Hi, I have submitted my application online, paid the fees and reserve an appointment to go to the visa center which will be on coming Friday. So I made every thing but still did not go for biometric: 1) Can I get a refund if I cancel the application 2) Can I apply for a visa in the future? Or this cancellation will be a problem for considering any application I make in the future?

August 14, 2019 at 7:58 am

1) Yes. If you haven’t given your biometrics yet, you can cancel your application and claim your visa fee refund. Refunds take 4-8 weeks. 2) Yes, absolutely. A cancellation is NOT a refusal and will not affect your future visa applications.

August 12, 2019 at 4:19 pm

Hi Thirumal, your article is really helpful and worthwhile! Thank you.

1. If I put 7 days staying in the UK in my application but spent 3 months there (2 times coming by 1,5 & 1,5 months), will it be a reason for a reject when I will apply again?

2. If I have only 2 months of the employment period after graduation from university, could it be a strong reason for going back to my country? Or is it better to say, that I am unemployed?

August 14, 2019 at 7:39 am

Hi Irina! In my opinion, asking for 1 week and staying 2 weeks is fine. But anything longer will raise below questions – How were you able to support your lengthy stay financially? Did you have to work in the UK? – How come your employer agreed for you to be away for that long? Did you quit your job before or while on the trip?

These are all red flags and therefore UKVI is looking into requested stay vs actual stay. If they think your actual stay was too long, they are using that as a reason to refuse future visa applications.

July 6, 2020 at 8:12 am

Hi sir, I read all Your good work here. You are doing great Sir. I applied for the UK Visa in 2007, almost 13 years ago. But I give the job to an agent but in the end, I was refused. I didn’t have any documents. He provided documents for me and he worked on my bank statement, etc. Since 2007 I haven’t applied for the UK Visa but I have been to many countries like South Africa, Kenya, Dubai, Benin, etc. My question is this – do I need to tell them that I was refused before because it was over 10 years ago anyways? Now I have my own company and travel history. I want to know if it’s important to submit tax documents? I have personal tax but not company tax. Please I need your advice.

July 20, 2020 at 5:59 am

Hi Eric! Thanks! You only need to provide your visa refusals in the last 10 years. Therefore, you don’t need to mention your 2007 visa refusal. Regarding tax documents, you must provide your company registration and company tax documents to show that your company is genuine. Personal tax documents are not that necessary if you are a business owner.

March 14, 2020 at 7:52 pm

Hi Thirumal, I’m Charles from Nigeria. I want to ask regarding the UK visitor visa. My sister lives and works in the UK and she is sending me an invite to come to the UK for a few weeks on a visitor visa. So she is sponsoring the trip and do I still need to submit my bank statement because, on the UK gov website, it’s either the visitor bank statement or sponsor. But I have been reading through comments that the visitor still needs to submit their bank statement when there is a sponsor for the trip.

And also for the fact that submitting 2 documents of the same statement can cause refusal as they will use one document over the other as they may use my bank statement which is not that strong and not the sponsor’s own. I just need some clarification on this, please.

March 15, 2020 at 4:59 am

Hi Charles! I have seen many refusal letters from applicants that are in a similar situation as yours. All these letters clearly indicate that the applicant failed to provide their bank statements or they failed to show enough disposable income/cash in their accounts even though they all have a sponsor.

My understanding is that there is no binding agreement/contract between the sponsor and the UK immigration that the sponsor must (and will) take care of the applicant’s expenses in the UK. Therefore, the ECO would want the applicant to be financially capable as well to support themselves in case the sponsor decides not to support them when they arrive in the UK.

Priyanka says

August 12, 2019 at 3:35 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am working in the UK from the last 6 months. My visa is valid till Jan 2020.

I applied for my father’s visitor visa, for 15 days to visit me. We got rejection letter 10 days before. The rejection letter says –

1. You state that you intend to visit your daughter in the UK for the period of 15 days to visit your daughter and I acknowledge that you have submitted the letter of invite from her. You state that you are retired and you have £2,500 pounds in savings and you will bear the cost of your visit personally.

2. To demonstrate your ability to fund the trip I acknowledge that you have submitted your own bank account statement for account **** that shows a closing balance on 5th July as 181,*** INR. I note that statement history from Jan to April 21st shows a total of 102,*** INR, however from 21st April till 5th July the credited amount is 250,*** INR. There is nothing to explain the origin of the funds in your application. I am not satisfied as this does not accurately reflect your financial position and etc etc..

The issue was we hired an agent to do this and in the application form, he mentioned that my father will sponsor himself. I actually sent my Invitation Letter stating that I will sponsor everything but form said something else. Also, I am sending my father money in his account on day to day basis, which I can explain in Point 2.

Can you please confirm what all docs I should again send and also what would be the best way to give the clarification on refusal?

I am putting – My salary slips, 6-month bank statement, Invitation letter, Rent agreement, Company letter, Visa Copy, BRP Copy, Passport copy and Reasoning letter for Refusal. Father’s doc – His bank statement and where the amount has come from, His ITR, House Property Doc and House evaluation documents, my mother’s death certificate. Also, need to check how much should I have in my UK Bank account to sponsor.

Last question, I have taken a loan in the UK. Do I need to specifically mention that in a letter or no need of amount getting deducted for that.

Also, I read many articles one of which states that I should change the statement for Sponsorship, and my father himself should do it. Can you please help.

Thanks in Advance, your feedback will be much appreciated.

August 14, 2019 at 7:19 am

Hi Priyanka! I apologize for not responding sooner to your previous queries. I have been swamped with many comments and emails, it’s taking much longer for me to get to all of them.

Documentation You have all the documents you need from your side. From your father’s side, I suggest including his retirement document (to show that he is retired) and a cover letter with the following details – His proposed dates of travel and what he will be doing in those 15 days – His employment status (retired) – His financial status (pension, monthly financial support from you, etc) – His travel history (if he has traveled abroad before) – His intention to return back (an activity back in his home country that needs his attention) – His previous visa refusal details, reason, additional info/documentation to resolve that in his reapplication

Clarification for the previous refusal To clarify the refusal, I suggest adding a section in your father’s cover letter and providing the refusal details, reasons and new info or documentation to resolve those issues. For example:

Previous UK Visa Refusal – My previous application for UK visitor visa with GWF number {GWF number} was refused on {date} – The following are the reasons for the refusal and my explanations for them in my current reapplication 1. Reason: ….. Explanation: …… Additional Documentation: X, Y, Z are attached.

2. Reason: ….. Explanation: …… Additional Documentation: X, Y, Z are attached.

Required balance in your UK bank account The usual travel budget in the UK is about £150 GBP per day per person. Therefore, you must have at least 150 * 15 = £2,250 GBP in your account in order to sponsor your father’s trip.

Your father must also have about the same amount in his account. ECOs would like to see if the applicant can support his/her travel in case the sponsor decides not to support their trip after the visa approval.

Loan in the UK You do not have to mention anything about your loan in the UK. Deductions are not an issue. Only large deposits are an issue.

Sponsor letter I suggest writing the sponsor letter from your side. Specify the list of supporting documents you are providing.

August 14, 2019 at 6:05 pm

Thanks Thirumal. I can imagine your mailbox full of comments and thus thought of sending my query again. Thanks again for patiently replying to my email.

Another issue is my father was a businessman and we have a shop which is not rented currently and we might rent it. So the question is does it right to say he is retired? And can a retired person file an ITR? If I change retired to self-occupied that can cause issues. And can we show the rent agreement next time once we get our shop rented on my father’s name?

Apologies for these many questions.

August 16, 2019 at 3:51 pm

Traditionally “retired” are those who were previously employed, currently retired and receiving a monthly pension. Though this has changed a lot in recent times, consulates haven’t caught up on it yet. So, they still consider “retired” in the traditional sense. Therefore, it would be difficult to convince the home office that your father has retired from running his business. You can probably convince them that he is not actively involved in the business anymore and living off of his rental income.

Either way, he has to show that he has a continuous source of income. It would work well if he shows his rental income rather than financial support from you. I suggest waiting until he can rent the shop and has a rental agreement. Rental income can strengthen his case in two ways –

1. He owns a property. It’s a strong tie to his home country. 2. He must be physically present in his home country to take care of the rental, maintenance of the property, etc. It’s a reason for him to return back to his country after his trip.

Priyanka Girdhar says

August 28, 2019 at 12:30 pm

Thank you much Thirumal. Your suggestions make a big difference.

August 10, 2019 at 1:45 pm

Hello Thirumal, Good evening. I have already made a lot of queries regarding my UK visa application in this thread and you have answered them all. I really appreciate this help and Thank you. However, I am facing another issue right now. I applied for UK Visitor Visa to attend an examination in the UK and unfortunately, the application was refused citing my long duration of stay for a single day examination. Therefore, I made another application recently stating I would be in the UK for only six days to attend the examination.

The issue is that I have submitted the documents and biometrics on 07/08/2019 (WEDNESDAY) and I have opted for priority service as well since my date of travel is 25/08/2019. However, I haven’t yet received any mail from neither the UK home office nor the VFS global regarding confirmation of my application and transfer of the same to the home office for VISA processing. As you very well know, usually UK VISA applicants receive an email after a day or two after their biometrics appointments which informs us that our application has been received at the UK home office and is going to be processed. Similarly, I received a mail after my first VISA application and so far nearly all of my friends have received that mail on the next day after their biometrics appointment. Therefore, I am very much worried that I haven’t gotten any response even after two working days in spite of applying under priority service. Therefore, please let me know asap whether this is normal or should I do something to solve this. Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

August 18, 2019 at 12:49 pm

Hi Rahul! You will receive an email notification when the consulate opens your package. If the consulate received many applications, it can take longer for them to get to your package. I suggest giving it a day or two more.

August 9, 2019 at 9:38 pm

Hi Thirumal, I recently applied for my UK visa and uploaded all my supporting documents but only just realizing my bank statement is not up to 3 months like it stops In April. My appointment for biometrics is coming up soon. What is your advice should I carry the updated bank statement? Can it be uploaded at the visa center with a fee? Is this grounds for refusal? Eagerly awaiting your reply as I’m very nervous about what to do or expect. Thanks

August 12, 2019 at 9:56 am

Hi Diana! No need to panic. The VFS center will scan and upload your documents for a fee. Carry a copy of your latest bank statements on your biometrics appointment. Ask them to scan and upload your bank statement.

If you or the VFS staff fail to upload your latest bank statement, then your financial information is insufficient for the UKVI to make a decision on your case. They may refuse your visa.

kamala says

August 9, 2019 at 2:02 pm

Hi Thirumal! It’s a great article and clarify many key items for everyone. Thank you so much. I need your help.

I would like to invite my sister and her husband in Oct or Nov time this year for 4 or 3 weeks. I tried visa for my mother & sister in 2012 which has been rejected. Reason home office gave “not enough documents and I’m single so they might stay back.

Honestly, my sister and mother have no intention of staying back. She has her family, lived all her life there and no intention of deserting my father and stay back. Anyway my mother passed away this year Jan.

Re. bank deposit I think my sister might have 3lacs. I am sponsoring their visa, flight tickets, food and accommodation here for 4 weeks or 3 weeks. They can show their bank statements, deposit, house, any other income if they have.

She has a married daughter living and working there. My sister is the guardian to my dad and my mom’s sister who is living with her. I think writing a good letter about these dependencies are a strong proof to the home office that my sister & bro-in-law will return back to India. 100% sure they don’t desert all these people and their own life in India and stay back with me. We are not that sort of people. I am inviting them because I buying a new home, my dad cannot make it, so I’m calling my sister in place of my parents. Is this enough for their visa successfully processed? Please, could you advise? I would be very grateful many more thanks for you.

August 12, 2019 at 9:21 am

Even if you take care of all of their expenses, your sister and her husband are required to have enough income and savings to support their trip. Since your sister and her husband can show their own bank statements, deposits, house, etc, they should be fine.

You haven’t mentioned if your sister and her husband are employed or retired. The documentation required is different based on their employment status. Please let me know their employment status and I will provide the documentation required from you and them.

Praveen Kumar says

August 9, 2019 at 10:15 am

I have the following concerns regarding my visa application:

1. Actually, on the 1st of August, I paid around Rs 1 lakh towards my credit card, which my friend had used. He gave me the amount back in my savings account on the 8th of August. Now, if I produce this bank statement, will it be considered as fund pooling? 2. I have B1/B2 business visa interview scheduled on Aug 20th, 2019. And I plan to travel to London on Sept 17th (personal trip). When do you think would be the suitable time to book my appointment for the UK visa and should I go for normal or express?

Looking forward to your reply.

August 9, 2019 at 11:18 am

Hi Praveen,

1. Yes. Rs. 1 lakh is about £1,100 GBP, which is a large deposit. This will definitely raise questions. If this is the only large deposit in all of your 6 months bank statements, then you should be fine if you just mention it briefly in your cover letter. 2. You would need 5-7 working days to receive your passport after your US visa appointment. I suggest booking a UK visa appointment on Sep 02nd Monday. 2 weeks is too short of normal processing. Go for express (expedited) processing.

August 8, 2019 at 11:38 am

Hi! I am from morocco. My monthly salary its £500 month. I want to visit my brother and his wife who are both British citizens. They are going to sponsor my visits. They invited my sister before when she was 18 and she went back. I want to try to apply. What do you think my chances to get the visa?

August 9, 2019 at 10:58 am

Hi Jawad! Your monthly income is fine. But it all depends on the trip length and the total trip expenses. Refer to point 06 in the article to determine your trip length and total trip expenses for your income. Even if you have a sponsor, you are still required to show a monthly income and sufficient savings.

August 9, 2019 at 11:41 am

Hi mate, I got like a £1000 in the bank. I am saving it for the trip like a month ago and wages went up to £500 three months ago. Before they used to be £400 a month. Do u think I have a chance there or I should wait another 3 months before I apply?

August 12, 2019 at 8:00 am

I suggest waiting for another few months. Save up to £2,000 GBP and then apply for a 7-day visit. Your salary and savings will then align better for a 7-day visit.

George says

August 7, 2019 at 1:52 pm

Dear Thirumal,

I had made an error in my UK visa application – instead of Trivandrum, I had selected Cochin as my Visa location. So after the payment and before the biometric appointment selection, I cancelled the application and requested a refund. They said I will get to know the status within 4 weeks. This was done on the 9th of June and I still havent heard back from them. Please, could you suggest what I should do?

The visa for my new application was approved.

August 8, 2019 at 2:39 pm

Hi George! You will receive a refund but it usually takes much longer than 4 weeks. Many applicants had success by reminding UKVI with an email. It costs about $5 USD to email them though.

August 12, 2019 at 2:16 pm

Thank you so much. Will email them right away.

SHIHAB HASAN CHOWDHURY says

August 7, 2019 at 7:28 am

Dear Thiramul, I got a scholarship from Prime Minister Office Bangladesh. I enclosed all sort of necessary documents with my visa application i.e. sponsorship, note verbal, government permission letter, etc. I faced interview on 11 July and on 14 July VFS gave me SMS about forwarding my application. I have not got any update after that time. I applied with the standard package. Actually how many days it will take to get visa decision? I have already emailed them about this which cost 5.5 GBP. Please give me some suggestion about this situation.

August 7, 2019 at 12:38 pm

Hi Shihab! UK visa application process takes up to 30 calendar days or even more in some cases. Emails and phone calls are useless and do not waste your money on them, at least as of now. Just wait till you hear back from UKVI or VFS. If you don’t hear anything until after 14 Aug, contact them to inquire the status.

Shihab Chowdhury says

August 17, 2019 at 8:04 am

Dear Brother, I enquired UKVI and the following reply was given:

Dear Shihab, Thank you for contacting the UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre. With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, I can confirm that we have made a decision on your application. We cannot discuss the outcome of your application on-line or by telephone. However, the visa application centre will be in contact with you in regards to collection or delivery of your passport. We strongly recommend that you do not buy a non-refundable, non-flexible ticket to the UK, until your visa application has been approved and you have received your documents.

Brother, is there any indication from this reply? Thanks in advance brother.

August 17, 2019 at 9:39 am

Hi Shihab! There is no indication of your visa result in this email response. UKVI will not disclose the visa result in emails. You will have to wait till you receive/pick up your passport. When you receive your passport, check for the UK visa sticker. If you see a UK visa sticker, then your visa is approved. If not, you will find a visa refusal letter enclosed, which means your visa is refused.

SHIHAB HASAN says

August 18, 2019 at 9:04 am

Dear Brother! Someone has told me that if UKVI takes much time, it means they are refusing the application. Is this true?

August 18, 2019 at 12:23 pm

Hi Shihad! It’s true to some extent. Applications that are complicated takes longer to process. A lot of background checks and verifications need to be done which can take longer than usual. Complicated cases have higher chances of refusal than simpler and straightforward cases.

Read my response to Sleiman’s question. I gave a more detailed explanation.

Mavin Jones says

August 7, 2019 at 12:54 am

Hello Thirumal! I’m a US permanent resident and I applied for a 6 months visa to go visit friends/tourism for 4 days during thanksgiving this year.

I mailed my application on July 27th, 2019 but I haven’t received any email/text/acknowledgment from the New York Office regarding receipt of my application. I just realized that I did not print out my application form and include it in my package. Will this result in a delay in processing or denial? Thanks.

August 7, 2019 at 1:05 pm

Hi Mavin! You will receive an email notification when the UK consulate receives and opens your package. If the consulate hasn’t opened your package yet, then you will not receive the email notification. Also, check in your spam folder as emails sometimes end up there.

UK visa application process is different from other visa applications. UKVI does not contact and request for missing documents. Instead, they simply refuse the visa and add the missing document list to the refusal letter. If they can access your GWF number from any other document in your package, such as biometrics confirmation, they may be able to retrieve your submitted form electronically. But it’s difficult to say if they will do that or will refuse your visa.

yasmine says

August 6, 2019 at 3:04 pm

Hi there, I just received my refusal letter and it’s due to: I applied for 1-month stay and also they don’t think that I am leaving the UK at the end of the travel knowing that I am now a minor? I just want to ask you if this refusal will influence my future visa applications (not only in the UK) and what do I have to do in my future applications knowing that this is my first time applying and I don’t want to reapply to UK for now. So do I have to send any letter or do anything after my refusal?

August 7, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Hi Yasmine! Unfortunately yes, your UK visa refusal will affect your future visas for the UK and also other countries. You don’t have to send any letter or do anything right now. But follow the below points to minimize the effect of your UK visa refusal on your future visas.

– Do not apply again for your UK visa for now. You do not want to come off as desperate. – Build a strong travel history meanwhile. Start with visa-free countries and slowly venture to visa on arrival and visa-required countries for your passport.

August 6, 2019 at 10:51 am

Hello Thirumal. Hope you are doing well. I have already applied for a UK Visa and my biometrics appointment is on Thursday (08/08/2019). But suddenly I got a small doubt regarding my financials. My elder brother is sponsoring my trip to the UK and he has around a total amount of money equivalent to around 3,900 GBP in his bank account right now. His monthly income is approximately 750 GBP. I have shown a trip expense of around 1,350 GBP. Is this sufficient? Kindly let me know your opinion as soon as possible. Thank you!

August 6, 2019 at 2:47 pm

Hi Rahul! I usually suggest (a) not going above twice your sponsor’s salary and (b) not going more than half of your sponsor’s savings. Your total trip expenses are within these limits and I think you are fine.

August 7, 2019 at 2:18 pm

Dear Thirumal, Thank you for the information!

August 6, 2019 at 6:11 am

Hi Thirumal. Do you know what is the minimum bank balance required to travel to the UK? Another problem I have is that both my managers who are responsible for my NOC letter are out of town. So is it ok if I give a coloured scanned copy of the NOC? Or it has to be original? My Fiance wants to join me on this tourist trip too so do I give his passport and bank balance copy to strengthen my visa applicantion? He is a German national.

Thank you! Looking forward for your reply

August 9, 2019 at 1:26 pm

Hi Rosh! It’s difficult to figure the exact minimum bank balance required for your UK trip. But from my experience, you will be fine if you follow the below three points. – The average daily expense for UK trip is about 150GBP per person per day – The total trip expenses should not be more than twice your monthly salary and – The total trip expenses cannot be more than half of your savings

Original NOC is not required. You will only upload the scanned copy.

Since you can support yourself financially, there is no need to provide any financial documentation from your fiance. A copy of his passport should be fine.

Sameer says

August 4, 2019 at 2:51 pm

Hi there, I and my mother are applying to visit. I am a student and my mother is a housewife. I just wanted to ask whether my docs are right or not.

1) My father is funding me from my home country. He has a decent amount to sponsor us. I have entered the cost £1500 per person for this trip. My father has around £7-8k in his saving account. There are casual small transactions like for shopping and all not big amounts deposited.

2) We are going to attend the wedding of my cousin. Groom’s brother is also sponsoring us.

3) Plus my sister also lives there with her husband so she is also sponsoring us.

I have all the details of their bank and employment gave by my sponsors. I also have my university transcripts and letter of me studying there.

So, there how much chances of me and my mum to get the visa. We have faced refusal in the past but we got the visa upon going through the appeal and then visited the UK and came back on time I have mentioned that in the application.

August 5, 2019 at 7:02 am

Hi Sameer! You and your mother have a fair chance of securing the visa. But I suggest using fewer sponsors. The UK home office runs background checks on your sponsors which can delay your visa process or even lead to refusal if something questionable comes up in those backgrounds. Probably, using your father and sister would be fine.

Dr Sonam says

August 3, 2019 at 9:14 am

Hi Thirumal, I am planning to apply for UK visa (standard visa) for an upcoming exam (by Royal college of surgeons England) in Glasgow in October. I got the visa supporting document from the concerned college.

But I have few issues. We recently shifted to my in-laws place & I joined a new job. My previous salary & income tax returns were very low. I will be travelling with my husband. My husband is not working currently. And I got just 2 months of salary. Our trip will be funded by my father in law (retired). I am really worried about what all documents should we apply so that we get the visa. Thank you.

August 4, 2019 at 9:54 am

Hi Dr. Sonam! You have way too many complications in your application. Some of them are –

– Your income is not sufficient, so you need a sponsor – You are taking your husband with you though your purpose of travel is to sit for an exam – Your husband is unemployed – Your sponsor is not a direct family member (husband, father or mother) – Your sponsor is retired

With so many complications, you are risking your visa. I suggest waiting until you fix the above complications. But if you have to sit for this exam at any cost, I suggest the following –

– Travel to the UK alone. This helps you to prove that you have family (husband) remaining at home during your trip. – Use your own family (father/mother/sibling) to sponsor your trip rather than your father-in-law

August 3, 2019 at 12:13 am

Hey Thirumal, I am planning to visit the UK next year and will be applying from Canada. I recently received my USA visitor visa and will be visiting the USA soon (to create travel history). Are there more chances if I apply in December 2020 (the reason will be Christmas holidays ) as I will be holding work permit so is there more chances of getting the visa from Canada?

August 3, 2019 at 5:24 am

Hi Johny! The chances of securing a UK visa are the same from any country. But the application process is somewhat quicker and less hassle when applied from the US or Canada.

No. Applying for your UK visa in December will not improve your chances.

August 2, 2019 at 7:18 am

Hi Dear, I am really sorry to disturb you but I am really worried about my second UK visa application.

In 2016 I had a UK visiting visa refusal when I planned to visit my uncle who is not my immediate blood relative but he was my sponsor. unfortunately, I did not submit my student ID card as I was unaware that They required my ID card as proof that I was enrolled in my college as a student. In addition, I was not able to show the strong financial ability for the visit as I was an unemployed student at the time of application

But right now I am applying for work visa tier two general visa with all required documents. While filling visa application I had a question “do you have any immediate family in the UK?” I answered that I don’t have any immediate family in the UK, because last time I planned to visit my uncle in the UK, who is not my immediate blood relative. I mentioned this extra info in additional information section in order to avoid unnecessary confusion for assessor.

Anything else do I need to produce? Please help.

August 3, 2019 at 7:35 am

Hi Hannah! When you introduce a new person on your visa application, the home office conducts background checks on them. If there are any red flags in their background, your visa application will be refused. If your uncle is not a relative and not paying for your trip then do not even mention him on the application.

August 3, 2019 at 2:53 pm

But I think if they check on previous visa refusal definitely they will get about my documents, the reason for refusal and the person who sponsored at that time. So if I don’t mention him also eventually they will find him out. But this time my hospital is sponsoring not him? Is that a problem? What I should do then? Please help me.

August 4, 2019 at 9:31 am

If you mention your uncle or not, you will face issues either way since it’s already in the records. Regarding the sponsorship, I don’t know much about work visas as my experience and knowledge are only in tourist visas with tourism intent.

August 1, 2019 at 9:15 pm

Hello Thirumal, my dad is applying for a UK visa and we have been asked to provide proof of our home address as part of the document checklist. Examples being property ownership documents, mortgage statements, tenancy agreements, accountant’s letters and land registration documents. Unfortunately, we have misplaced the property ownership documents and are trying to get the housing corporation to find their copy to give to us. What can we do if we don’t find it before our visa appointment? The only thing we have is a ground rent bill from the Housing corporation which is a yearly charge, can we present this instead?

Second, they have asked about evidence of family members remaining in our home country. I and my brothers are in our forties now, what sort of evidence can we provide?

p.s. my brothers don’t live with my dad, just me, he’s 86 and I look after him. He wants to go to the UK to visit my sister, his grandchildren and my brother who live there.

August 3, 2019 at 4:24 am

Hi Beey! You don’t have to submit the original document. If you have a scanned copy of your property ownership, that will work. If you don’t have that either, then submit the ground rent bill. I don’t know how a ground rent bill works, but I think at least something is better than nothing.

Usually, evidence of spouse, school-going children or elder parents remaining at home works better. You and your brothers are much older to show that you are dependents on your dad.

Partha Sengupta says

August 1, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Hi! I and my wife are applying for a UK visa. We already have collected the required documents like – bank statement, tax return, employment NOC letter, payslips, marriage certificate, etc. But still getting confused about two things,-

We are staying in our in-law’s house, hence the documents (utility bills, etc) are on his name. As a proof of residence we do have our bank account that mentioned the current address. Will it work for the needful? if not what else can we provide?

Secondly, We don’t own any property or land, in that case, is it mandatory to provide “evidence of Assets”? coz we don’t have any.

Can you kindly clarify these doubts? really looking forward to a prompt help, as our tickets are booked in September and really running out of time to submit the documents,

regards Partha

August 3, 2019 at 3:21 am

Hi Partha! It’s not mandatory to provide proof of residence or evidence of assets. But these documents will help prove that you have strong ties with your country, which is absolutely necessary for your UK visa. Otherwise, the ECO would think that you will not return back to your country after your UK trip.

You can compensate the lack of the above documents by being strong in other areas such as employment background, financial solvency and travel history. If you are not strong in your employment background, financial solvency and travel history either, I suggest the following –

– Have at least one utility bill on your name – Have a lease contract from your in-laws – Improve your travel history

August 1, 2019 at 11:25 am

Hi, I currently expired my 5-year visa to the UK. I’m planning to go back for renewal but I can afford another 5 years. Would getting a visa to be affected if I go for 2 years now?

August 2, 2019 at 2:50 pm

Hi John! Not at all. A longer-term visa is only a convenience and will not, in any way, affect your visa result.

August 1, 2019 at 4:23 am

Hi Thirumal, I am really thankful for the valuable input received via this page and especially the knowledge I have received through this page that helped me to secure my visit visa. Keeping in mind I got refused two times before so I was little nervous this time but you came as Angel and the cover letter played major role to secure my visit visa. Thanks again for your support and advice.

August 3, 2019 at 7:46 am

Hi Adbi! You’re welcome and congratulations! I’m glad this page and the cover letter helped you in securing your visa. Have a great trip to the UK!

July 31, 2019 at 10:38 am

Hello Thirumal, I have received a letter from the British army asking me to attend some assessments in September 2019 after which I’ll join the army. I’m planning of using my parent’s bank statement as I am only 24 and finished university last year in December. Which is the best evidence I can present to UK visa as a proof that I shall come back to Kenya apart from booking a to and from flight ticket just in case of anything?

August 1, 2019 at 7:38 am

Hi Sammy! If you are NOT currently working or studying, your visa will likely be refused. If you are currently studying or working, then you have an obligation to return back to Kenya. If not, I can’t think of any evidence that you can show to prove that you will return back.

For financial solvency, yes, you can use your parent’s financial documents.

July 30, 2019 at 3:12 pm

Hello Thirumal. Hope you are doing fine. I am Dr.Rahul. I applied for a standard visitor VISA to take the PLAB examination in the UK. Unfortunately, my application was refused. The reasons stated for my VISA refusal were the lengthy duration of stay and my relationship with my family friend, who extended an invitation to host me throughout my stay.

I am going to reapply again by stating that I will stay for only a few days. I will show a hotel booking confirmation for the same. I will also attach my family friend’s graduation certificate in India and a few pics showing my parents and my family friend together in order to establish our relationship. Would this suffice or should I change my approach?

July 31, 2019 at 9:22 am

Hi Rahul! Do not introduce people that you don’t know well or not directly related on your visa application. The home office conducts background checks on them and issues in their background can lead to your visa refusal.

In your reapplication, write a detailed cover letter explaining the two refusal reasons, adjustments to your itinerary and additional documentation. Explain why you had to shorten your itinerary and additional proofs to show the relationship with your family friend.

Debraj Jash says

July 31, 2019 at 10:03 am

What are you doing at present? I mean your employment? Are you married? How long did you plan to stay in your previous application? Did you mention your friend as the sponsor of the trip? I had a prior history of Spain visa refusal.

Sumeet Sharma says

July 30, 2019 at 8:38 am

Hi! So I had applied for my UK visa in the month of July and I was planning my trip with a friend in September.

My detailed documentation are:-

– I am into my own family business which is a proprietorship company on my father’s name, as per the travel agent’s guidance I declared myself as the employee of the company with an annual salary. – I had shown my father as the sponsor for the trip & attached his docs as well (which are very strong in terms of statements & passport itself). – I had attached my bank statement + ITR too – The mistake I made was to credit the annual salary at once just before applying.

Reasons for refusal are as follows:-

– The annual salary which was credited in lump sum didn’t satisfy them and created a matter of doubts. – Now my letter from the consulate says “any further application for the UK visa would be considered on its individual merits & it is likely to be refused unless the circumstances changes”

Please help me with how to proceed on further or what should be my next step. Thanks!

July 31, 2019 at 11:24 am

Hi Sumeet! Since there won’t be any changes in your circumstances, your reapplication will likely be refused again. Visa refusals stay permanently in your records and can hinder your chances of securing visas for other countries as well.

I suggest refraining from reapplying for your UK visa. Instead take 6+ months to work on your employment background, financial solvency and travel history.

Since you are an employee in your father’s company, wait 6+ months to build your salary history and savings. Make sure your salary is deposited directly into your bank account and is exactly same as in your payslip. Grow your savings slowly but constantly.

Meanwhile, grow your travel history by traveling to visa-free and visa on arrival countries for your passport. Travel history helps immensely for visa applications such as UK, US and Canada.

July 29, 2019 at 1:40 pm

Hi Thirumal, thank you in advance for taking out the time to answer the questions. I am a indian national holding valid USA, Canada visas with a decent travel history. I was issued a UK visit visa in Nov 2018 within 5 days of application and made two trip of 5 days each in last 6 months.

I again applied for a 6 month visit visa on 1st July and received email on 22nd July that your visa application process has not been straighforward. Have written to the UKVI to escalate the issue. The only difference in this application was that my husband transferred large sums from his account to mine, his name is clearly stated on bank statements as remittance sender.

I am getting worried as it will be a month since application. What do you propose can be done. The application is for me & my daughter. I have submitted all the required documents including a letter from her school. We have been living in UAE for last 23 years and have strong ties including property.

August 3, 2019 at 9:52 am

Hi Aksha! Your UK visa application will eventually be approved since you have a decent travel history to the UK and many other countries. But I believe that failing to explain the large deposit has made the home office verify the transactions, contact the bank, etc. This might have delayed your visa process and hence it’s taking longer.

August 9, 2019 at 7:52 am

Thank you Thirumal.

Received an email on 4th August that visa has been issued and SMS on 7th August that passport ready for collection. Collected passport same day and visa received for 6 months.

Your blog was a big mental support as one of your readers on top had a similar “application is Not straightforward” email and then went on receiving the visa.

I had applied for a visit visa to settle my daughter to university in the UK and was getting very worried because of the delay.

Any applicants who receive this email with the delayed decision, please don’t loose hope. The outcome can be positive.

August 9, 2019 at 11:06 am

Great to hear, Aksha! I’m glad your visa is approved. Thanks for your inputs for others in similar situations. Thanks again and have a great trip!

Arijit says

July 29, 2019 at 12:14 pm

I am planning to visit London and Scotland on 9th October 2019 for a vacation of 14 days (includes the two-way journey). I am working in a Spanish Consultancy firm and have an income of 15 lakhs per annum and my wife is a dance teacher running her own dance school and also working in a reputed school in Kolkata as a dance teacher for the last 12 years. We both have travel history in the US, Germany and countries like Thailand, Africa, Bangladesh etc. My wife has travelled multiple times to the UK but with performance VISA for several dance performances and also had been to the US and Canada several times. My queries are:

Since we have purchased a flat two years back we have invested the majority of our FDs and liquid cash towards the purchase. Now for the application, we will be showing liquid cash of 3 lakhs approx (combining both of our savings accounts) and 7 lakhs in PPF, 3 lakhs as Fixed deposits, few LICs and also our flat which is jointly in our name. The figures are combining both of our investments. We will also include our payslips, ITR and other financial documents. Will please let us know whether the amounts which we are showing is enough to get a tourist visa for the UK?

Please note: I have already booked our return tickets and accommodation in London and Scotland.

July 31, 2019 at 10:47 am

Hi Arijit! Usually, a budget of £150 per day per person is good enough for UK visa. For 2 of you for a 14 day itinerary, you would need to show about £4,200 or 3.5 lakh INR. Spending more than half of your savings is a red flag though. But in your case, you can convince the ECO in your cover letter that you already paid for your flights and accommodation, have a very good travel history, own a flat and have fixed deposits. I believe that you both have a fair chance of visa approval.

ademola adefuye says

July 31, 2021 at 8:47 pm

My application was refused recently 29th of July 2021 can I re-apply immediately and also use the same statement account although I deposited some money from my other account to my salary account which I did not add the particular account to my application but I want to add now while I re-apply?

August 3, 2021 at 7:24 am

Hi Ademola! Yes, you can submit bank statements from both accounts but you must explain in your cover letter how they are related and the reason for that large deposit in question.

July 25, 2019 at 3:21 am

I filled up the online application form for UK Visa today. I have my examination center in London to be held on 24th October. I wrongly typed 23 only on one part of the application form. I have all other supporting documents with me. Will this small mistake may result in visa refusal and can I rectify it during my appointment which I have on coming Friday?

I had a prior history of Spain visa rejection in 2013 but thereafter I travelled to six countries including France(2018) and Germany(2014). Also, my friend stays in London. I am giving his passport, invitation letter and residence permit as proof. I have an exam invitation letter, NOC, employment certificate with me. My wife will be staying in Kolkata. I will also give our marriage certificate and her passport as proof. Whether there is any chance of visa refusal?

Thanking You. Dr.Debraj Jash

August 1, 2019 at 11:31 am

Hi Debraj! For the typo, I suggest doing a manual correction before scanning your documents. And then, mention the typo and the manual correction in your cover letter.

In my opinion, your Spain visa rejection should not affect your UK visa application. You have very good employment background, financial solvency, excellent travel history and strong family ties (your wife remaining in your country while you travel). Good luck!

RICKY NEIL says

July 23, 2019 at 1:54 am

My partner and my son have a 2-year visitor visa. They have already visited the UK twice, (once with the latest 2-year visa and once on a previous 6-month visa) Their present visa expires on 7th August 2019. My question is – can they leave the Philippines before the visa expires i.e 4th August 2019 and return after the visa expires i.e 25th August 2019?

Regards, Ricky

July 23, 2019 at 7:08 am

Hi Ricky! Yes, they can enter the UK on the 4th of August (or even on the last day of their visa expiry) and can still get a 180-day entry. The immigration officers at the port of entry will determine the entry period, therefore it can be less than 180 days in certain cases. But seeking a 21-day entry (04 Aug – 25 Aug) should not be a problem.

Faysal says

July 22, 2019 at 3:29 pm

Your blog is a great guide to help people sort out requirements for a successful UK visa application. I hold Pakistani passport and have applied for UK standard visit visa for 6 months along with my wife and one son and it got refused. The reason for refusal is that I have received from my company the amount 4 times more than my monthly salary for the month of may 2019. Although my bank account looks pretty healthy and I am working as commercial manager in a company in UAE for more than 7 years but its also mentioned in reason of refusal that I don’t have strong ties to UAE.

What is your advice if I reapply the standard visit visa for 6 months again explaining the difference of amount that I have been paid annual bonus from the company and this letter should be from my company along with my salar slip? Would it help and any other precaution you advise?

Best Regards with bundle of thanks.

July 23, 2019 at 6:56 am

Hi Faysal! I suggest reapplying for visa with below changes/documents

Large Deposit – Provide documentary evidence for your bonus such as a letter from your employer, bonus payslip, etc – Explain in your cover letter the reason for refusal and the documentary evidence for the deposit.

Strong Ties – Provide rental agreement/contract (if renting) in the UAE – Provide property ownership (if owning properties) in the UAE – Provide receipts of your son’s school fee (if your son is of school-going age) – (IMPORTANT) A leave approval letter from your employer stating the dates of vacation, country of vacation (the UK), the purpose of vacation and most importantly, the date on which you have to report back at work.

July 20, 2019 at 5:17 am

I wish to commend you on the excellent work you are doing via this blog. I recently applied and got a UK visa. This was my first time applying for a UK visit visa.

The information on this blog especially your feedback to people’s questions was very helpful in my preparation.

All I want to say is thank you very much.

Thabo from South Africa.

July 22, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Hi Thabo! I’m glad this blog and my feedback were helpful for your UK visa. Readers like you and comments like these motivate me to do my best. Thanks again!

TAHSEEN DAWAWALA says

July 19, 2019 at 8:45 pm

I have about 6 lakhs in my account. I had made some cash deposits of 50,000 and 35,000 in my account in February this year and then a cheque from my mother of 1,00,000 in March which was a gift. Besides this, I have a steady income of about 50 k every month. Do you think the cash deposit and cheque from my mother will be a problem and could be a reason for visa refusal?

July 22, 2019 at 12:11 pm

Hi Tahseen! Two of those deposits are equal to or more than your monthly income. Those two deposits may be considered as large deposits. If you can provide documentary evidence of those deposits, then there isn’t anything to worry.

Nayiry says

July 19, 2019 at 9:23 am

Hello, my friend has applied for Visitor Visa to UK and submitted all that was needed on May 20, her travel date was 21 July, and till this moment she got no reply (approval or refusal), she had contacted the given phone numbers and emails many times already, and only yesterday she received an email that her case was escalated (although she was told it will be escalated one week ago, on phone), is there any explanation for this case? Obviously, she won’t be able to travel anymore as there is no time to purchase tickets or organize the travel.

July 19, 2019 at 12:05 pm

Hi Nayiry! Usually, the UK visa process takes up to 30 calendar days. Yours has been 60 calendar days already, which is unusual. The only option is to contact their customer support to see if they can figure the delay. I know it costs to contact their customer support, but I don’t see another option.

July 18, 2019 at 5:19 pm

I had applied for a standard visitor visa for a work trip, and have received an entry clearance, is this the same as a visa? How do I get a visa instead?

July 19, 2019 at 2:02 pm

Hi Komal! If you hold a passport from a “non-visa required” country for the UK, you may get an entry clearance to conduct business or remuneration activities such as a job. Without more information, I cannot say much. Please answer the below questions –

1. What country passport do you hold? 2. The entry clearance you have received is a document or a sticker in your passport? 3. Your purpose of the trip is to conduct business (meetings, conference, etc) or work in the UK (job)?

July 19, 2019 at 4:32 pm

1) I hold an Indian passport 2) Entry clearance is a sticker on my passport 3) My purpose is to visit my current employer’s head office for a period of 35 days to attend business meetings and get on the job training.

Is an entry clearance sufficient for this? Thanks

July 22, 2019 at 11:07 am

I see. Yes, your Entry Clearance is sufficient for your trip. Visas for purposes other than “visiting” are simply called “Entry Clearance” which are also visas. Therefore, your entry clearance is your visa and that is all you need. Enjoy your trip!

July 18, 2019 at 1:20 pm

Thanks for this useful thread.

We are applying for visitor visa for my parents for 6 months. The purpose of the visit is to spend time with our family and visit the places in UK. We are sponsoring them completely and have shown enough funds. I have mentioned the travel back date 176 days after entry date. Will this affect their application? Due to the dates I put in the form I need to maintain the same return date in invitation letter. Can the stay be entire six months? Please advice.

Also my father is retired and they have enough income through the interests from the savings deposits. Is it enough?

Kindly help me in handling this.

July 19, 2019 at 1:48 pm

Hi Meena! 176 days is too long and it can raise questions. It can appear to the ECO that your parents will be living in the UK rather than visiting. I suggest reducing their itinerary. If your parents are retired, a 90 days itinerary is fine. But 176 days is just too long.

Though you are sponsoring their expenses, your parents have to show that they have some income of their own. Since your father has his income through interests, they should be fine.

July 19, 2019 at 5:49 pm

Thanks for replying. I entered the dates as such in the online application. Hence unable to change now. They have an appointment on Monday. Just keeping fingers crossed.

July 22, 2019 at 12:07 pm

Alright! Hope your application goes through! Good luck!

Lavish Pate says

July 16, 2019 at 5:31 am

I want to apply for Group Visitor Visa Application for UK Trip. I have following confusion regarding Visa Application.

1. Can we submit a single cover letter for 4 Applicant or submit individually? If you have cover letter format then please share me. Please note that I am unable to download it from mentioned weblink https://gumroad.com/l/useu provided by you. I am ready to purchase it.

2. My father is a retired Agriculture Farmer and has sufficient fund & balance. So what document should I present as a proof of retired farmer?

3. I have a sufficient fund as a fixed deposit in the bank. is it acceptable? If I withdraw/overdraft this big amount of Fixed deposit and transfer it into saving account then what documents should I present for big lodgement of money in saving account and is it acceptable?

4. What documents are required for Minor Visa Application if minor want to visit without parents? If you have a consent letter format then please share me.

5. Are Air Ticket, Hotel Ticket, Travel Insurance, Health Checkup (Especially for senior citizen), Tuberculosis Test (For Minor) mandatory for UK Visitor Visa?

July 19, 2019 at 9:33 am

1. You have to submit an individual cover letter for each of the applicants. Applications may not be processed together. Therefore, you have to supply a complete set of documents for each of the applicants. 2. You have to provide documentation that proves that your father is an agricultural farmer, but I am not familiar with the exact documentation needed. 3. Liquidating fixed deposits just for the visa will not work. They will certainly raise “large deposit” issues. 4. You have to provide a consent letter from the parents (or legal guardian). Also, documentation proof to show the relationship between the minor and primary traveler. 5. No. You may be asked to provide flight reservations and hotel bookings. But health checkups and tests are not required for the UK visitor visa.

July 12, 2019 at 10:10 pm

Hello, it’s more than 30 days I applied for UK 6 months tourist visa and have not heard from them. What do you think I should do and what could be happening?

July 16, 2019 at 1:26 am

Hi Tosh! UK visa application process takes up to 30 calendar days. If you haven’t heard anything back from them, then you can contact their customer service. But keep in mind that you have to pay to contact their customer service.

Sourav says

July 11, 2019 at 7:14 pm

Hi Thirumal! Not a question per se, just wanted to let you know that I have received my UK Standard Visitor Visa & your help was invaluable throughout the process! Thank you so much!

July 12, 2019 at 12:52 pm

Hi Sourav! That’s awesome. Congratulations! I’m glad I was helpful.

Have a great trip!

Kashif says

July 16, 2019 at 2:08 pm

Hi Sourav, just wondering in which country did you apply?

July 10, 2019 at 2:51 pm

I have followed all the mentioned points and collected all evidence document to prove these 11 reasons. My UK visa got approved within 15 days and delivered to me in 2 working days.

I can’t thank you enough. Appreciate your help and information.

July 10, 2019 at 6:08 pm

Hi Don! That’s fantastic! I’m glad the points I mentioned here were helpful. Congratulations and enjoy your trip!

July 10, 2019 at 10:03 am

Hi Thirumal. I got a mail from the British High Commission saying a decision has been made on my application & my passport would now be returned to the VFS center “to process and forward to you in accordance with your instructions to them”. But it doesn’t state whether the decision is a yay or nay. Anyway, I can find out if the application was rejected or approved without having to wait for my passport?

July 11, 2019 at 5:32 pm

Hi Sourav! Your UK visa decision will not be disclosed in the email notification. You have to wait to receive your passport. If approved, there will be UK visa sticker. If not, there will be a visa refusal letter enclosed.

Sophie says

July 7, 2019 at 9:21 am

Hello Thirumal, It has been 14 working days since I submitted my application to VFS Global in UAE and I am still waiting for the Visa outcome. Usually how many days does it take to get a message from VFS regarding passport collection? Also kindly clarify if calling the UK Immigration office be helpful and will they will be able to track my application and give the current status? Your prompt feedback will be highly appreciated.

July 11, 2019 at 5:47 pm

Hi Sophie! UK visa application process can take up to 30 calendar days. UK visa customer service is very expensive to call and they are not helpful. They will not provide you with the status.

July 5, 2019 at 10:18 am

Hello Thirumal, Do you know which documents can demonstrate you have sufficiently strong ties outside the UK that would serve as an incentive for me to leave the UK at the end? That’s the reason which I got VISA refusal email today. PS: I have a permanent EU resident card and live in Slovakia. Thank you.

July 5, 2019 at 7:55 pm

Hi Kika! You must have the following to demonstrate that you have strong ties with Slovakia.

– Full-Time employment for at least 2 years – Source of income sufficient for your expenses and savings – Slowly and constantly growing savings in your account – Enough savings in your bank to support your UK trip – Decent travel history (no visa refusals or overstays) – Economic ties with Slovakia (ownership of properties, etc) – Family ties with Slovakia (family remaining at home while you take the UK trip)

If you lack in one or two, you are fine. But if lack in too many, it can be a problem.

July 4, 2019 at 12:15 pm

Query for a Friend who is under process of UK visa!

Would like to know the dependent birth certificate is mandatory to process UK visa? If can we proceed with birth certificate affidavit were Date & Month mismatching in the birth certificate and Passport – year is same.!

July 5, 2019 at 9:13 pm

Hi Ani! A birth certificate is not mandatory. You can provide any document that proves the relationship. If the birth certificate is the only document and birth date/month is mismatching with passport, I suggest getting that fixed first, either in the birth certificate or passport. I’m not sure if an affidavit would work in explaining the error.

Lavish Patel says

July 4, 2019 at 8:48 am

Hello Sir, I want to apply for the UK Visitor Visa. I have the following concerns regarding UK Visitor Visa Application.

1. Regarding Bank Statement, can we submit the Bank Balance statement on bank letterhead rather than submission of online self-generated bank statement? 2. For Minor Visitor Visa application, is it mandatory to present consent letter from parents if children want to visit with maternal grandparents?

July 5, 2019 at 9:09 pm

Hi Lavish! 1. You can, but it must show beginning balance, transactions and ending balance. Balances and transactions are more important. 2. Yes, a consent letter from the parents must be provided. Also, a relationship document for child-parent and parent-grandparent.

Mandeep MM says

July 3, 2019 at 12:26 pm

This was super helpful! Could you please also share an example template of the “cover letter” for reference – this will help in understanding how detailed it should be before one applies for the visa??

July 4, 2019 at 8:11 pm

Hi Mandeep! I used to share the cover letter freely to everyone before but it was abused. Currently, it’s only available for purchase. You can purchase it here if you are interested.

July 3, 2019 at 12:40 am

Hi, I submitted my application in Toronto for a 2-year visitor visa earlier today, but just realized my outgoing flight is booked for a day earlier than I realized, so all the documents (invitation letter from my friend, employment no objection letter) are a day off. What would you advise in this situation?

July 5, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Hi Maria! I think you are fine. The ECOs know that the provided flight itineraries are held temporarily and you will book your tickets after your visa. So, if they are off by one day, it should be fine.

Adenaiya oluwaseun says

July 1, 2019 at 11:34 am

Good morning, a country entered a wrong entry date on my passport, which I didn’t notice during the visit. It was later I saw it. Can that affect my UK visa?

July 4, 2019 at 7:41 pm

Hi Adenaiya! It won’t since it’s not your mistake. When you enter the dates in your travel history, make sure your entry date matches with the entry date on your passport.

Sastani says

July 1, 2019 at 9:49 am

Hi Thirumal! Is there an email address I can write to you personally on, please? I have an urgent matter, please.

Thanks, Sastani

July 4, 2019 at 7:38 pm

Hi Sastani! Sure! You can find my email and contact information on the “Contact” page.

Tahseen says

June 30, 2019 at 7:16 pm

How much bank balance should I show if I’m traveling with my child for a 14-day trip? My sister stays in the UK who would be providing me accommodation for the visit. I have maintained a balance of about 5 lakh for the past 6 months. Should that be fine?

July 4, 2019 at 6:29 pm

Hi Tahseen! In my opinion, a budget of £150 GBP per day per person is good enough. Also, it’s safe to have double the budget in your savings. A savings of 7 lakh rupees would be good. Since your saving is 5 lakh, I suggest reducing your itinerary to 10 days to be on the safe side.

Raj Cheriyan Vadana says

June 30, 2019 at 2:45 am

I am expected to travel to the UK in the coming days for an in-person meeting at an organization in the UK. The duration of the visit should not exceed 4 days. I have also travelled to 3 different countries in the last 10 years including the UK on a dependent visa and has lived there for 2 years on this visa before returning back to India.

Though I have obtained an employment letter from my employer, it only says that I am employed with the organization for about 6 years and the letter is issued for a “visa application”. It doesn’t explicitly mention that the visa application is for the UK and my leave is granted. Will this be an issue as my trip is only for 3-4 days?

My invitation letter is issued by the HR coordinator of a well-known organization in the UK. Still, should I get his/ her bank statements or utility bills?

July 4, 2019 at 6:17 pm

Hi Raj! What you currently have is an “employment letter”. You would also need “leave approval letter”. A leave approval letter is not mandatory but from my experience, it’s a powerful document which emphasizes your obligation to return back after the trip.

It depends on who is paying for the trip. If you are paying for your trip, you would need to submit your financial documentation. If the organization in the UK is paying for your trip, then you have to submit their financial documents as well as yours.

June 28, 2019 at 7:12 pm

Hello Sir, I attended my appointment on 10/06/2019 and submitted all my documents. I was giving a receipt for collection without a specific date, my travel date is 08/07/2019. Please should I go to the TLScontact to check? Your advise will help.

July 2, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Daniel! UK visa process can take up to 30 days. Since your travel dates are approaching, I suggest contacting TLS to check on the status.

Rajan Kanda says

June 27, 2019 at 8:41 pm

Hi Thirumal! I have applied for a visa for my father in law. In the section where it says have you been refused a visa before, I put No. But he was refused a visa around 19 years ago. Since then he has a new passport. Will this be ok?

June 28, 2019 at 6:31 pm

Hi Rajan! You must enter his visa rejection even though it was 19 years ago. If the application doesn’t allow you to enter a date past 10 years, then you can skip it. But if the application allows you to select the date 19 years ago, then you must enter his visa rejection.

S Singh says

June 27, 2019 at 10:50 am

Hi! That’s really a very very helpful post. Thanks for sharing.

I am working as a Software Engineer in a small company of 2 people in India having only one client which is based in the UK. The client wants me to be in the UK for about 10 days for training purposes related to the software I am working on. So I am going to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa in July’2019.

I have a couple of questions:

1. I have planned to visit the UK with my family i.e. my wife(not working) and 2 minor kids(7 years old, 1-year-old). One of them is school going. There will be 4 off days during my visit (2 Saturdays and 2 Sundays) and I am planning to get them around during those off days. Can taking my family with me on the trip go in favour OR against for getting a VISA?

2. Do I need to furnish some sort of letter/document to state that I’ll be financially supporting my family there?

3. Do I need to furnish some sort of letter/document from school as a NOC for my school going daughter?

4. Usually, sponsorship letter is from the employer but in my case as my employer’s company is small and the client is ready to pay for my accommodation and travel expenses; would it be ok If a furnish sponsorship letter from the client(based in the UK) instead of my employer?

5. Will I need to furnish the balance sheet of my client’s company to show that the client is capable of supporting me there?

6. If Invitation Letter, Sponsorship Letter, Balance Sheet of the client are given as supporting document; then is there any document needed from my employer apart from No Objection Letter?

7. Will 3 months of bank statement showing regular income be enough?

8. I am earning a salary of 60000 Rs./month which is being credited in my account. There was a deposit of Rs. 32500 in May’19 in my salary account from my wife’s savings account. It was done for buying AC and Medical policy renewal. Do I need to provide some sort of documentation so that it does not fall under “Large undocumented deposits in your bank account”? OR Rs. 32500 is not considered as “large amount”?

9. As mentioned in one of my previous comments, I am being sponsored by a UK company; I don’t have much in my savings account, but I do have investments in Mutual Funds in lacs. Will I need to liquidate some of the money in my savings account to show that I have enough to spend during my visit and furnish document of this large deposit OR mutual fund investment are also good to show access to my money?

Just to mention, I have a travel history of visiting the UK twice back in 2008 and 2009 on a business VISA which is now changed to “Standard Visitor VISA”.

Thanks.. S Singh

June 28, 2019 at 9:09 pm

Hi S Singh! Since there is a lot of personal information in your question, I have changed your name to S Singh to keep your question somewhat anonymous. Hope that’s ok with you.

1. I usually suggest keeping business and pleasure separate. It adds unnecessary complications when combined. For example, you have to provide all your documents, your employer documents and your client documents. If you are taking your family with you, then you have to provide your own financial documents, marriage certificate, birth certificates, school fee receipts, etc. That is a ton of documentation which could easily lead to the ECO overlooking some of it. Sometimes VOs overlook crucial documents and make decisions without them. You can’t blame them when the application looks like a 200-page binder.

2. Yes. Your client is only paying for you to be in the UK. Your family expenses are your own responsibility and you have to furnish evidence that you can support your family while they are in the UK. This includes the following documentation

– Your employment proofs – Your financial proofs – Your relationship to the family member – A letter from you stating that you will bear their expenses while they are in the UK

3. No. Not required. But you have to provide a set of above documentation for each of your family member. Sometimes applications are processed separately and you have to provide a set of documents for each applicant. Since there is no option to link applications, you must also provide the GWF numbers of other family members in each of the cover letters.

4. Yes. It’s absolutely fine. But you have to show proof that your client is a client for your company.

5. Yes. You have to provide financial documentation from your client. This is tricky as some companies do not like to disclose their financial statements.

6. Yes. They have to provide the documentation to show that your client is a client for them. Any client contracts, agreements, etc will work.

7. I think it’s 6 months. But refer to the checklist from the UKVI.

8. Yes. The deposit is more than half of your monthly salary. So it is large.

9. Similar to a large deposit, liquidating your mutual funds would seem that you have inflated your bank account for your visa. If you are not taking your family with you, low balance in your account is not an issue. But if you are taking your family with you, then you have to have a decent source of income, slowly growing savings and a decent ending balance.

Since you have a travel history to the UK, you will not have any issues securing a visa for the UK. But taking your family with you can add unnecessary complications. You may still have a fair chance but things can get a bit complicated.

peggylove says

June 26, 2019 at 11:07 am

When applying and you made a mistake in the date. You have been invited for a program which is in 2019 but you made a mistake of typing 2018, will that affect you getting the visa?

June 26, 2019 at 10:17 pm

Hi Peggylove! Yes, it can affect your visa result. If you haven’t submitted your application yet, then I suggest explaining the mistake in your cover letter. If you have already submitted your application, there isn’t much you can do. You just have to wait for the result.

Abhinav Sharma says

June 25, 2019 at 7:02 pm

Thanks so much for the Information Thirumal, I have few other doubts which are as follows: 1. Should I mention my layover at Turkey underTourism or Transit?

2. I am traveling for a Conference there and my College is completely funding me for the same under student foreign travel assistance scheme. Should I show the total required amount for the trip same as the funding I am receiving and which is also reflected in my Bank statement?

3. Should I choose the purpose of visit as Business and the main reason as Other (which I further explain in space provided)

4. My parents passed away during my childhood and I don’t know their dates of birth and there is no way I can know that. Should I fill some arbitrary date for the same?

June 26, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Abhinav!

1. Mention it as Transit. 2. Yes. Show all amounts the same. That way, there won’t be any confusion. 3. Yes. Explain that you are attending a conference. 4. Yes. You can use arbitrary dates for your parents’ date of birth.

Omobolanle says

June 25, 2019 at 1:42 pm

Hi Thirumal, My UK visa application was just refused. Reasons are as follows:

My brother whom I claimed to be my sponsor did not pick his call likewise myself (my brother was no vacation to Rome when he was called and I was out of the city to where there was no network on official assignment).

The balance on my bank statement is too huge compared to what I claim to earn as monthly salary (this account is actually my investment account which I have been saving for some couple of years now and also generating interest, also I do catering business, though not registered and my ex-husband pays my children’s school fees and monthly allowance). Please advise me, it was stated that I cannot appeal. Any options available or when can I reapply. Thank you

June 26, 2019 at 11:04 pm

Hi Omobolanle! Yes, all the people you have introduced in your application including yourself must be available when the home office contacts. If your phone service is capable to receive voice mail, the home office usually leaves a message saying that they have called.

You have too many complications with your financial documentation. With such complications, it’s highly unlikely to have your visa approved. If it’s not urgent, I suggest opening a bank account solely for your salary deposits. Wait for 6 or more months and then use this bank account for your UK visa. If you can’t wait, then provide documentary evidence for all non-salary deposits in your bank account.

There is no appeal. You can only reapply.

June 25, 2019 at 5:44 am

Hi, I have a technical issue while applying for UK visa. last year en route Belgium I transited through Istanbul, Turkey wherein I entered and exited on the same day. When I am trying to enter these details the system doesn’t take the same entry and exit date. It says ‘enter an end date that is after the start date’. What should I do?

June 25, 2019 at 6:17 pm

Hi Abhinav! There is no definitive answer to this question. My suggestion is to select the next day as your end date. Then mention in your cover letter that you entered and exited Turkey on the same day and couldn’t enter the same day as the application did not allow. Refer to the comment from “Karthik” in this article. I have explained in detail.

Amit Singh says

June 25, 2019 at 3:27 am

Hi Thirumal

I’m a British national living in India. I got married to an Indian girl and am visiting England for the first time with her for my cousin’s wedding. I have a sponsor letter from my uncle who is organizing the wedding for his son. He has also sent me his property documents, bank statements and salary slips. In addition, I have put my property papers in India plus bank statements and ITR returns in the application. You have mentioned giving a detailed itinerary in your article but my uncle has advised me to say you are visiting to attend the wedding in the family and for the rest of the month will be staying with them only. Are you sure I should put a detailed itinerary?

June 25, 2019 at 6:02 pm

Complication 1 If you are paying for your trip, there is no need to provide your uncle’s financial documents. If you do, the home office will verify those documents and it may cause delays in the process. It can lead to visa refusal as well since a lot of moving pieces are involved.

Complication 2 If you are already married and plan to spend a month in the UK, the home office would assume that your wife has plans to live in the UK. They may ask you to apply for a spouse visa instead of a visitor visa. If you are only planning to spend, say 10 days for the wedding, it sounds more realistic to the ECO. A visitor visa is appropriate in that case.

Regarding your uncle’s advice There are exceptions and the ECO might be fine for you both spending a month at your uncle’s. My experience and advice are mostly for those intending to visit the UK for “tourism” intent. Spending a month in the UK as a tourist requires to have a strong purpose, financial solvency and an employer approved time off.

June 23, 2019 at 10:04 am

Dear Thirumal, Thank you for all your kind assistance here. God bless.

I got a huge bank finance loan in my salary account from the bank with documentation and it is over 5 to 6 months which I transferred from my salary account to current/ savings account. Do I have to explain that in my letter since it might not show in the printed statement of account? I am trying to avoid the issue of money lodgement. But I get monthly deduction plan from my salary account for the repayment of the loan.

June 23, 2019 at 8:01 pm

Hi Rapheal! Only large deposits are an issue. But monthly deductions (loan payments) are not an issue. You don’t really need to mention the monthly loan payments in your cover letter.

June 26, 2019 at 11:13 am

Thank you so much. But should I attach loan documents/agreement received from bank to my application? I was thinking of attaching loan documents could be part of home ties. I have the loan in my savings account and I also transfer from my salary account to the same savings account monthly to increase the funds.

June 26, 2019 at 10:32 pm

You have two bank accounts. If you attach statements from these accounts, then you have to provide documentary evidence of transactions made between these accounts. All of this along with your loan documents could be too much documentation. Too much documentation leads to ECOs overlooking crucial documentation. It can also complicate your case as too many moving pieces are involved.

For home ties, you can attach your home/property documentation. Loan documents are not necessary.

June 22, 2019 at 1:00 pm

This is as a follow up to my previous comment for using FD as maintenance funds. I could not reply to the thread due to some reason.

Would it qualify if I had a letter from the bank saying that the money can be liquidated at any time? Would that work?

June 23, 2019 at 8:08 pm

Hi Nikhil! That’s a very specific question and only an ECO knows the answer. But as far as I know, they would like to see liquid cash in your account.

Ali Daud says

June 20, 2019 at 9:10 am

Hi Dear. Thanks so much for such a piece of detailed information. Really, it’s like most critical info and no one can find it at one place.

I need small help of yours. I am planning on visiting the UK with Family. I have my spouse brother in the UK holding a UK passport. We will be visiting him and couple of other cities. But he is not sponsoring my visit. I am sponsoring at my own. Should I mention him in visa application and show his UK passport, his bills, etc or should I just not mention him at all? Can immigration people know that we hide some info? If I show him, what are the pros and cons? He said that I should show hotel bookings instead of mentioning him for residency.

Further and last questions, I am working as consultant remotely for US company. I am attaching the employment certificate. I will be taking my Laptop with me. But should I mention in the application that I will not be working there? Should I show some leave approval document from my manager so that they know that I will not work?

Please help out. Your guidance is like gold. I really appreciate it.

June 23, 2019 at 8:59 pm

Hi Ali! You don’t need to provide any documents from him. But you must answer “Yes” to the question “Do you have any friends or family in the UK?” and provide his details. That’s about it.

From your side, provide your – Employment proofs (employment letter, leave approval letter and payslips) – Financial solvency (bank statements) – Travel history (copy of all pages in your old and new passport that has visas and stamps) – Social ties (property ownership, etc) – Family ties (proof that some family will remain home while you are on the trip) – Cover letter (clearly mention your purpose of travel, day-to-day itinerary, your employment situation, financial standing, travel history, travel companions, obligation to return back to your country, etc)

I suggest two things – Make sure you provide a leave approval letter. This is a powerful document. – Do not carry your work laptop on your vacation. Carry only a personal laptop.

June 19, 2019 at 1:56 pm

This is the 2nd time I am sending a message but nothing heard from you.

I have had my biometric done since 15th of May for Renewal. As I have been to the UK severally and other countries US inclusive. I still have a valid US visa on my passport whilst my 5year UK Visa expired in February 2019. I have applied for 10years renewal and uptil now nothing has been heard as it’s past a month already. Do you think something is wrong or why is it taking so long

June 19, 2019 at 5:01 pm

Hi Gyde! I apologize for not responding to your first message. There are 100s of comments on this article pending for my approval and response. Some of the comments are a life story in itself. It takes me immense time to understand, analyze, research and respond. Probably your comment is somewhere in those pending ones and I will get to it eventually.

UK visa process takes up to 30 days and in some cases even longer. Especially, due to the cricket world cup, the ECOs will be swamped with a large volume of visa applications. I suggest giving it another week and then contact their customer service for an update.

Uday Sharma says

June 19, 2019 at 1:04 pm

Hi Thirumal I applied for Schengen visa with Sweden Embassy under ‘visiting friends & family’ category, it got rejected stating that “your intention to leave the territory of member states could not be ascertained”. I appealed with few more documents, after sending a few follow-up emails, I got a reply that “Your appeal is under processing at the Migration Court in Gothenburg. You will be informed about the decision by email.”

I have my flights booked for 30th July, till when should I wait to re-apply freshly?

Your inputs would be highly appreciable.

June 19, 2019 at 4:49 pm

Hi Uday! I assume you must wait for your appeal decision before you apply again. Contact and put some pressure on them to expedite your appeal as you are running out of time. If they say they need more time, ask if you can withdraw your appeal and apply again freshly.

June 20, 2019 at 5:33 am

Thank you Thirumal! Can you guide me on how to reach out to migration court of Gothenburg? I mean is there any email-id specifically or I should email to where I appealed originally – ‘ [email protected] ’

Can you please also suggest any good visa-consultant in Delhi who can help me with a fresh application?

June 23, 2019 at 9:07 pm

Hi Uday! I have no idea. I suggest contacting the VFS office.

I don’t know any visa consultants in Delhi. I’m against using travel or visa agents for tourist visas. They are not competent.

June 19, 2019 at 10:12 am

Hi, Hope you’re okay!

I was rejected an E2 Visa for the United States for work purposes, under 214(b) – this was due to the officer stating the type of visa was right for my level of expertise and it was the incorrect visa for me which I completely understood. My concern is that I am travelling to Singapore next week (for leisure) and was curious as to whether this US Visa rejection will have an impact in terms of travelling to other places outside of the US and whether I should prepare anything prior to travel and landing in Singapore or if this will only have an impact on my future travel to the US?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.

June 19, 2019 at 4:52 pm

Hi James! Your US visa refusal will not impact your “travel” to any country (including Singapore). Your US visa refusal may affect your visa applications for the UK, Canada, etc. (if at all you need visas for those countries).

Bibian says

June 19, 2019 at 8:53 am

Hi good morning! I have applied for the UK visa twice and was refused the problem is that I can’t remember the reason for the refusal. I want to apply again what do I do?

June 19, 2019 at 4:16 pm

Hi Bibian! If you do not remember the reason for refusal, you can just mention that you don’t remember the reason anymore.

June 19, 2019 at 2:00 am

Hi Thirumal, thank you for your information This blog is very helpful. I’ve got my UK tourist Visa after being refused for 3 times :)

June 19, 2019 at 3:55 pm

Hi AG! That’s fantastic! I’m glad this blog was helpful to you. Congratulations and have a great trip!

June 19, 2019 at 12:15 am

Thank you for your help I just have one question, I recently got a large deposit which was an insurance claim, if my balance on statement includes part of it and am able to justify with a letter from insurers will it affect my application for visa?

June 19, 2019 at 3:53 pm

Hi Lixo! It WILL NOT affect your visa application if you justify the large deposit with documentary evidence (letter from insurers, etc).

June 18, 2019 at 8:47 pm

Really useful guidelines. Appreciated your efforts in preparing this list. I have biometrics appointment tomorrow in the USA and need to send docs to the consulate in 5 days. I am preparing a cover letter as per your guideline.

My query: (As per the form) Your planned travel information Date you plan to arrive in the UK: 4 September 2019 How long do you intend to stay in the UK?: 0 months and 8 days

Under the Accommodation section: I have mentioned one hotel details from 4th September to 8th September (which is 4 days) In my leave approval letter: I would like to take time off between 04/09 – 11/09. I will resume my work on 12/09 (which is 8 days as filled in UK application form)

1) Can I book the same hotel or next two days – 9th and 10th September or is it fine?

2) Will that create any confusion if I attach separate hotel booking for 2 days or do I need to mention something in the cover letter regarding those 2 days

By the way, I am an indian citizen and currently in the USA on a valid work permit.

June 19, 2019 at 3:50 pm

1) I suggest showing hotel booking/bookings for your entire say in the UK. You can book the same hotel or a different hotel for those additional 2 days. It won’t cause any issues. 2) It won’t be an issue as people change their travel plans and end up with multiple hotel bookings. But to be on the safe side, you can add a note to your cover letter that you booked two hotels as you adjusted your travel dates.

June 19, 2019 at 4:27 pm

Thanks for your suggestion. I will change the cover letter accordingly. I have one more query.

1) I am renting a house currently in the USA. I am renting the same apartment on a monthly basis hence I don’t have long term signed agreement. However, I can share the last 6 months Rental statement. It has appropriate information like my name, address and amount charged. The same amount deduction is showing up in bank statement. 2) Also, I have renters insurance document which is signed for 1 year. 3) Last 6 months Utility bills (like Electricity, Internet connection) are on my name with the correct address which I can provide.

Please suggest, above 3 documents will work for “Home Address”. Do I still need to check “Evidence of assets” for a rental apartment?

June 23, 2019 at 10:08 pm

Yes, you can use rental statements, renters insurance and utility bills for your proof of address. One thing though, I’m not familiar with the updated checklist of documents for UK visa. The checklist is now different for different countries. Can you please email me with the checklist so I can correctly point out the right documents? You can find my email on the Contact page.

June 18, 2019 at 6:45 pm

Hello, Thanks in advance for your valuable inputs. I have some doubts 1. Is travel history to UK mandatory for US visit 2. How much savings we should show for US /Europe visit 3. How many months in advance we can apply visa for US/UK travel

Intend to travel to the US and UK in the order of whichever possible first

June 19, 2019 at 3:40 pm

1. No. Prior travel to UK is not required for US visa. But, having some travel history (any country) will help in securing visas for the UK, US or Schengen. 2. You don’t need to show any savings for the US. The US VOs will not ask for any documentation including bank statements. They rely on other ways to verify the applicant’s source of income. For Schengen, about 150 EUR per day would be good enough. 3. For the US visa, you can apply anytime. But for the UK visa, you can only apply max 3 months in advance.

Emelia Attigah says

June 18, 2019 at 4:32 pm

Hello Sir, I and my husband work in the same company and we are entitled to fully yearly paid vacation abroad. We intend to visit Germany and a friend of ours is ready to provide us accommodation but the rest is taking care of by our company. Please, do we have to present separate documents such as company financial statements, tax clearance certificate, company registration documents and cover letter since we are applying together? Your advice will be useful.

June 23, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hi Emelia! Yes, each of you must provide all necessary documents as visas are issued on individual merit. You both can submit your visa applications together but have to provide a separate set of documents for each application.

Dilnoza says

June 18, 2019 at 11:39 am

Hi Thirumal, I only have 1 page left in my passport. And that is not back and front. Just a single page with visa stamp at the back of it. Is that ok or do I need to have more available pages?

June 18, 2019 at 4:35 pm

Hi Dilnoza! It depends on the ECO. If the ECO thinks that there isn’t enough space in your passport, they may send your passport back or refuse the visa. So, do not take chances. Renew your passport before your UK visa application.

June 18, 2019 at 6:43 am

Thanks Thirumal for information. I am planning not to use any VFS service and Send the documents to Newyork Visa office, directly using UPS along with 2 return labels one for me and my wife. Would that work?

Hi Ronak! You have to follow the procedure. If you are asked to send your documents only via VFS, then you have to do so. If you send them directly to the consulate, they may accept them.

I’m not aware of the current procedure for the UK visa in the US. When I applied for my UK visa in the US in 2014, there was no VFS. Even biometrics were taken by the USCIS (US government) processing center. Therefore, read through the instructions and follow the procedure.

June 17, 2019 at 7:24 pm

Hi Thirumal, Thank you so much for your great advice. I just got my 6 months tourist visa and this is my first time applying.

June 18, 2019 at 4:27 pm

Hi Ijay! Congratulations and thanks for the update! I apologize for not responding to some of your previous comments. I’m swamped with 100s of comments on this article and each comment is a unique case in itself. It is taking much longer for me to analyze, research and respond to each of those comments.

Congratulations again and enjoy your trip!

June 17, 2019 at 7:28 am

I have been staying in the US on an H1B work visa for the past 3 years. I & my wife have finished our biometrics for UK visa, and I need to send all the document in 5 days. I have the following questions –

1. My wife is dependent on me, and I will be sponsoring her trip. I read at a couple of places that I need to include my GWF number on her application and her GWF on my application, but I am not sure, which part of my application I can mention the GWF number. Should it be on the cover letter itself? I can not find any remark section on the UK visa application form. Also, should we have different cover letters? Also, do I need to include my financial documents as part of her application, to signify that I am sponsoring her trip?

2. Since we are going together, can we simply make 2 small envelopes and send them together with one cover letter, inside one larger envelope as a courier?

3. Can I simply purchase a UPS round trip courier, where I can send forms directly via UPS to New York office along with a return label?

June 17, 2019 at 10:22 pm

1. There is no place on the application to mention each other’s GWF numbers. Your only option is to mention them in your cover letter. Use subheading in your cover letter to mention each other’s GWF numbers. Example:

Travel Companions – I will be traveling with my husband – I and my husband are applying for the UK visas together. His visa application details are as follows – Name: {your name} – GWF Number: {your GWF number}

Yes, each of you will attach a cover letter of your own Yes, your wife has to attach your employment proofs, your financial documents, your US H1B visa and marriage certificate

2. Yes. You can send both applications together in one package.

3. Yes. You can request both passports to be sent back together in a single package.

June 17, 2019 at 12:58 am

Hi Avijit, last year I and my brother applied and we received such an email. It means 1) your application is in a complex state, extra background checks need do be done, (2) it will take longer to be concluded (3) give them time to decide on it there is nothing you can do. My brother got the visa and I didn’t.

June 17, 2019 at 9:39 pm

Thanks Ismah! I will let Avijit know.

Avijit says

June 16, 2019 at 5:06 am

I have received a message “your application processing has not been straightforward” while my application for a Visitor Visa is under process on 12th June. I had given my biometric on 28th May. Their customer service is like a sucker pump only for money, not for any tangible information. Do you have any comment on such wordings?

June 16, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Hi Avijit! I have never seen that kind of message. I have no idea what that means.

June 17, 2019 at 9:41 pm

Response to your query from another reader, Ismah – “Hi Avijit, last year I and my brother applied and we received such an email. It means 1) your application is in a complex state, extra background checks need do be done, (2) it will take longer to be concluded (3) give them time to decide on it there is nothing you can do. My brother got the visa and I didn’t.”

Ismah Nsubuga says

June 15, 2019 at 2:51 pm

Emergency. Hi bro Thirumal, I’m to submit my application on 17/06/2019. My only issue is I’m not sure how to arrange my supporting documents ready for scanning kindly advise soonest. Thanks.

June 16, 2019 at 9:23 pm

Hi Ismah! The VFS staff will arrange your documents, scan and upload them for you. They charge a fee for this. If you want to avoid any mistakes with the document upload, I suggest taking the help of VFS staff.

Ashutosh says

June 15, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Thanks for this post and answering all the queries, it is really helpful. I too have a query, could you kindly help me at earliest.

My wife and I had applied for Visa last month. She applied for Tier-2 Work Permit and I applied as Tourist as I wish to accompany her. She got her Visa approved just last week and I received mine yesterday and it is rejected for me.

Now I am planning to re-apply but with fast track application as her travel date is approaching.

The rejection reasons as mentioned in the letter are quoted here: 1) “I am not satisfied that you are a genuine visitor and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit or that you have sufficient funds available to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit whilst in the UK.” 2) “I am also not satisfied that your sponsor can and will provide the support to you for the intended duration of your stay.”

First thing I missed was the NOC from my employer, which I will request and add this time to mention my absence and return to work. I have a question on the second thing about the insufficient funds. Last time I had submitted my bank statement having 3.5 Lakh INR and also Certificate of Sponsorship which my wife got which mentions the salary promised to her whilst her stay in UK. Now during re-application, could I only show the Certificate of Sponsorship Or do I need to show some bank balance also, if Yes, then whose, mine or my wife’s and how much should be the minimum balance? I have some good amount in US dollars but in cash, could I show that by any means?

Also, I had already attached cover letter mentioning my wife is working and will be supporting, what additional documentation is needed to prove that my sponsor [my wife] will support me during my stay?

Thank you so much.

June 16, 2019 at 10:05 pm

Hi Ashutosh! You are complicating your application. First of all, you haven’t mentioned how many days you plan to stay in the UK.

If you plan to stay in the UK for more than 2 weeks, then you must apply for an appropriate “dependent” visa. If you apply for a tourist visa, your application will be refused.

If you plan to stay in the UK for less than 2 weeks, then apply for your tourist visa WITHOUT any sponsorship from your wife. You are employed and financially able, therefore there is no need for sponsorship. If you seek your wife’s sponsorship, the ECO will assume that your wife hasn’t even started her job and therefore she cannot support you. The ECO clearly mentions that in the refusal reason (2).

“Now during re-application, could I only show the Certificate of Sponsorship Or do I need to show some bank balance also?” Your wife’s sponsorship will not work. She hasn’t started working yet and she cannot support you financially. If she was working in the UK already, it’s a different case (her sponsorship may work in that case because she is already earning money in the UK).

For your re-application, you have to show your own financial proofs. You must provide the following – Your employment letter – Your leave approval letter – Your last 6 months payslips – Your last 6 months bank statements (must show your salary deposit, no large undocumented deposits)

“How much should be the minimum balance?” Usually, the expenses per person in the UK are about £150 GBP per day. If you plan to visit for 7 days, then you must have a savings of at least 7 * £150= £1,050 GBP. Along with the minimum balance, keep the below things in mind as well.

– The total trip expenses cannot be more than twice your monthly salary or – The total trip expenses cannot be more than half of your savings (whichever is smaller)

“I have some good amount in US dollars but in cash, could I show that by any means?” No. You cannot show cash.

“What additional documentation is needed to prove that my sponsor [my wife] will support me during my stay?” If you plan to re-apply for your UK visa a few months later, you can use your wife as a sponsor. She would be working by then and she would be able to support you financially. But if you plan to apply right now, her sponsorship will not work.

June 14, 2019 at 11:28 am

You are a good adviser but unfortunately, have written many posts but you did not respond and then the posts have been deleted! Anyway, thank you for your guidance.

June 14, 2019 at 6:49 pm

Hi Aq! First of all, I haven’t deleted any comments. There are over 200 comments on this article alone that needs to be approved and responded. Once I approve, your comment shows up on the article. But what is the point of approving it if I cannot respond to it? Therefore, I only approve your comment when I respond to it.

That being said, I make a priority to respond to those comments that I can answer with my personal experience. But some cases are too complicated and outside my experience (ex: visa overstay). I don’t want to give the wrong advice on such cases. Therefore, it requires me to do research and sometimes ask the authorities. It takes time and you may have to wait a few days or weeks.

Conclusion: If your question hasn’t been approved yet, then it’s too complicated for me to answer it right away.

June 13, 2019 at 3:34 pm

Thanks for your reply I have submitted my visa application and had my biometrics done on 22 May 2019 and the application was forwarded the same day. But till today I have not had any reply from the embassy or the visa office.

Can you guide me what should I do?

June 14, 2019 at 6:15 pm

Hi Heer! UK visa application process takes up to 30 days. Therefore, give it a bit more time. Try to contact UKVI or VFS on or after 22 Jun 2019.

June 13, 2019 at 2:56 pm

I am currently applying for a Tier 2 General Visa. My employer does not sponsor for maintenance funds in the certificate of Sponsorship. Can I show a fixed deposit as proof for maintenance funds?

June 13, 2019 at 9:34 pm

Hi Nikhil! Fixed deposits do not work as proof of financial solvency. The ECO assumes that fixed deposits are not readily available. You have to show cash in your savings which are readily available for you to use.

If possible, I suggest moving the cash from the fixed deposit into your savings account. Then, provide documentary evidence that you moved the money from your fixed deposit into your savings account.

Kaleem says

June 13, 2019 at 1:54 pm

Good Day Mr. Thirumal,

I have one question. To keep it in simple words, I have bank balance in statement for SAR 48,000.00 currently and my Salary is SAR: 9000 per month in that how much should I spend and how much should i save monthly out of my salary, to keep a good 6 months bank record to void rejection chances, Kindly advise please.

June 14, 2019 at 8:08 pm

Hi Kaleem! In my experience, the rule of thumb for your trip expenses is – The total trip expenses cannot be more than twice your monthly salary (2 * 9,000 = 18,000) or – The total trip expenses cannot be more than half of your savings ( 1/2 * 48,000 = 24,000) (whichever is smaller)

Therefore, your trip expenses cannot be more than 18,000 SAR. An amount at least 4-5 times your salary in your savings works the best. And, you already have enough in your savings.

But, if you didn’t have that many savings, I suggest saving 1/3 of your salary (about 3,000 SAR) a month until you have savings that are 4 times your salary (4 * 9,000 = 36,000 SAR). It takes about 1 year to get to that amount.

The only thing you need to focus is to grow your savings constantly at a slow pace. You don’t want to save too much too quickly. And, make sure there are no large deposits other than your monthly salary. Pay attention to these two and you will not have any issue securing a UK visa or any visa in general.

Nouzer says

June 13, 2019 at 8:24 am

Hi Thirumal, appreciate your great help. Please guide me for the below query. I got a schengen visa through France. I have 2 option of travel routes. 1. France- Swiss 2. France-Belgium-Netherlands I want to apply for the UK visa after around 6 months. Which option is good for supporting the UK application?

June 18, 2019 at 5:27 pm

Hi Nouzer! It doesn’t really matter as you will only gain one entry stamp. But if you prefer mentioning more countries as part of your travel history in your UK visa application, I would say go with 2. France-Belgium-Netherlands.

June 13, 2019 at 6:26 am

Thanks for answering my questions I have asked the VFS to scan and send my computation of income so that the visa officer has a clear indication of my income. But they did not scan the computation part.

June 14, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi Heer! There isn’t much we can do about it. The UK has outsourced the visa application submission to VFS now. Therefore, VFS staff will decide what documents are relevant and they scan only those.

June 12, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Dear Thirumal I was studying in the UK and I was over-stayer for 3 months. This was out of my control because of two reasons. My question is can I apply for a visitor visa and tell them the truth or not saying at all? UKVI does not respond to the truth they are ready to refuse the applications to take the money from the people under polite hypocrisy. I have experienced very bad events while I was studying. Really it’s unbelievable that this is the UK. To confirm, I have got two visas applications and I have 9 travel times UK while I was visiting my country home as I have my family there. I never ever have any refused applications either the UK nor the rest of the world. I have travel history too to Turkey and Beirut. I was never intended to stay beyond the visa has expired but this was out of my control. The truth is even you will tell them the truth they will not give you rights for your saying but they give the rights to their native citizens. I need your urgent advice before doing the application. In fact, I hesitate to apply since do not need to do any application will refuse in advance this is, of course, will affect future applications. I have noted that the voluntary return of over-stayer will be banned for 12 months. But need to visit the UK in the next months.

June 16, 2019 at 9:40 pm

Hi Aq Sw! Yes, you must, of course, tell the truth. If you can, try to justify the reason why you had to overstay in your cover letter. If it was out of your control, the ECO may consider your reason.

The hypocrisy is on both sides. You are putting the UK on the pedestal. If you are quite confident that the home office does not respond to the truth, then why apply and waste time and money. You are just a visitor and they have every right to deny you the entry if they think that you are ineligible.

June 17, 2019 at 9:31 am

Thank you so much for your reply and efforts. As have seen thousands of applications have been refused without reasons, sad they do not respond to the truth. Most of these applications have achieved the requirements so why they are refusing the visa. Actually, I just want to go to the UK to share my university event. Then I will never go there. Best regards to you.

June 18, 2019 at 3:51 pm

I agree that there is some level of non-transparency! But, after going through thousands of UK visa applications, refusal letters and my own visa application, I can certainly say that you will not have any issues securing a visa if you have the following – – Full-Time employment in your country – Decent monthly income and savings – Decent travel history – Have no family in the UK

Most refusals I have seen are only from those who are unemployed, students, using sponsors, have family in the UK. Nothing wrong about being a student or having family in the UK, but the UK home office scrutinize those applications and the refusal rate is very high.

Anyways, I wish you good luck! I hope you can make it to your university event.

Karthik says

June 12, 2019 at 8:21 pm

I plan to visit my wife who is currently living in the UK on a Tier 2 ICT visa for a week along with my daughter. Please help me with answers to following questions as I am planning to apply for the visa in the fast track which is gonna cost me 3x normal fee so want to ensure that there is no unintentional room for refusal.

1. I visited the UK last year on Business Visa and on my way back to India, I visited Qatar using on arrival transit visa. I spent approx. 10 hours in Qatar so my date of arrival and departure from Qatar is the same date. When I try to declare this while filling the visa application form, I get an error about arrival and departure date cannot be the same even though I choose transit as the purpose of visit. I’m not sure if I should just omit this trip as it was less than 24 hours or what to do. Please advise.

2. In my visa application, I chose “NO” for the question “will anyone pay the cost for my trip” and I entered my wife’s details under “family in the UK” section and under “Accommodation details” section. For the question “what permission do my wife has to be in the UK?”, I chose “temporary visa”. Besides, under “give details of main purpose of my visit”, I wrote that my wife is already there on T2 ICT and that our daughter and I are planning to visit her for a week to celebrate my wife’s birthday together and that my daughter and I will return back to India. In this section, I also mentioned my wife’s BRP ID no. My questions are: A) nowhere in the application did it ask for sponsor details. is this normal for my case? B) Do I need to submit any documents of my wife? If so, please list down the documents.C) will my wife come to know that I’m applying for this visa?

3. Under Personal Information, what should I choose under “Do you have a valid national identity card?” and what information will I provide as National ID? I am an Indian national – FYI

4. I was recently refused a B1 Business visa by the US when I applied through my employer for a business trip. Should I be worried? FYI – I have been to both UK and Australia last year on Business Visa respectively.

Really appreciate your valuable advice and guidance here, please.

Thanks, Karthik

June 14, 2019 at 5:09 pm

Hi Karthik!

1. If you have stepped out of the airport in Qatar, it’s considered as a “visit”. You should enter Qatar in your countries traveled. To address the departure date issue, you have two options –

a) If you have lots of travel history in the last 10 years, then don’t enter Qatar. Skipping one country will not pose any problem as travel to other countries will outweigh your visit to Qatar. b) Select the next day as your departure date. Then mention this in your cover letter. Example below:

Travel History

– I have traveled to {list of countries here} in the last few years for tourism and business purposes – PLEASE NOTE: I have recently traveled to Qatar where my entry and exit were on the same day. The visa application did not allow me to enter the same dates for both arrival and departure, therefore I had to enter the next day as my departure. The actual dates for arrival and departure are as below –

Country: Qatar Date of arrival: {date of arrival} Date of departure: {date of departure}

2A. If you had answered “Yes” for the question “will anyone pay for your trip”, then the application would ask for the sponsor details. Since you are paying for your trip, you weren’t asked any “sponsor” details.

NOTE: If you are financially able, do not use a “sponsor” for your visa. It will complicate your case. If you use your wife as a sponsor, you have to provide her employment and financial proofs.

2B. Your purpose is to visit her and therefore you have to disclose her details. Along with the details, you would need to provide the following documentation – Her passport copy – Her status in the UK (BRP)

2C. There is a slight chance that the UK home office may call her to verify certain details. If you plan to keep your visit a surprise, I suggest mentioning that in your cover letter. You can ask the ECO to not disclose that her husband and daughter are planning a trip to the UK to surprise her on her birthday. There is no guarantee that the ECO will honor your request, but you can try.

3. You should enter your Aadhar number for national id. I believe the Aadhar number is our (Indians) unique national identity at this point.

4. In your UK visa application, you must enter any visa refusals for the question “have you been refused a visa for any country”. But I believe this will not impact your case since you are strong in other areas such as employment, financial and travel history. Your stronger areas will outweigh your US visa refusal.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

Prakash A says

June 12, 2019 at 7:43 pm

Thanks for listing out the refusal reasons for UK visa. I am planning to visit the UK with my mother and I needed your advice. I am employed with an MNC and make good money. I have sufficient bank balance and savings to show my financial position. I have a visa letter from my employer stating all the employment details including my approved leaves for the visit. So I am hoping my application will be approved. However, I am not sure whether the visa application of my mother will be approved. She is a widow and entirely dependent on me. She stays with me and I take care of all her expenses. Being a housewife, I don’t have anything to show for her financial position. She doesn’t have any form of savings. I have mentioned in the application that I will be taking care of all her expenses. As I am also travelling, I have enough funds for both of us.

Do you think there could be an issue with the visa application of my mother? My only hope of getting the visa for her is that she is not travelling alone. She is travelling with me and I have enough funds to meet our needs,

Thanks for any advice you may have.

June 13, 2019 at 5:23 pm

Hi Prakash! I think your mother has a fair chance of visa approval as well since she will be traveling with you. Make sure you follow the below –

– Have her submit a copy of your passport, your employment proof, your financial proofs and a document showing your relationship (mother-son). – Provide a sponsorship letter to her stating that you will bear all her expenses during the trip – Have her submit a cover letter stating her travel dates, day-to-day itinerary, her employment status (housewife), her financial situation (dependent on you), your GWF number (so the ECO knows that you are the primary applicant), and most importantly the fact that she will be traveling with you. Use subheadings to clearly indicate different areas. Here is an example:

Travel Companion – I will be traveling with my son, Prakash A (Passport Number: Z123456, GWF Number: W81JF24) during the above-mentioned dates – My son will bear all our (his and mine) travel expenses during our trip to the UK – My son’s employment proofs, financial documents and a letter indicating that he will bear my travel expenses during our trip are attached

Sinead says

June 12, 2019 at 12:05 pm

Great article thanks for the information! I have a question which I can’t find the answers to, my husband is applying for a Tourist Visa whilst on his break from University, he’s planning to come for 5 months and then return when his term starts again. He is going to pay for his own trip he has enough savings to do so, up to 60k in savings, he’s going to provide bank statements. Does that mean i don’t need to hand in my bank statements.payslips as he’s paying for himself? Or do i still need too.

June 12, 2019 at 4:29 pm

Hi Sinead! If he can pay for himself, then you don’t need to provide any financial documents from your side. But you would still need to provide your passport copy, your status in the UK (visa, work permit, residence permit, etc) and your marriage certificate.

I personally think asking a 5-month entry would raise questions. This would sound that he would be living in the US instead of just visiting. Moreover, the daily expenses for a tourist in the UK are around £150. That means, he must have at least £22,500 in his account for this 5-month trip.

There are other visa categories that would enable him to stay longer without any questions such as spouse visa, dependent visa, etc. My knowledge and experience are only in short term C-type visa, so I can’t give you more information on those.

June 12, 2019 at 6:19 am

Thanks so much for answering my super long list of questions! Really appreciate it! I have just 2 follow-up questions.

1) You wrote- “Transit doesn’t count as a visit. So, don’t mention them in your visa application”. Unfortunately, I have already listed them in my application. I mentioned that I have been to the UK twice, that I had been in the UK for only 1 day each time & listed reason as Transit (Transit was one of the reasons listed in the dropdown menu). Will it be ok if I explain this clearly in the Cover Letter?

2) You also wrote that “LOA from your employer is extremely important. Make sure it states the dates of vacation, country of vacation (the UK) and the date of return to your work. “- Now my company’s LOA mentions the dates of vacation & other details like designation, employment start date, etc., but it doesn’t mention the country of travel. Is that OK?

June 12, 2019 at 4:03 pm

1) If transit is an option in the dropdown menu, then I guess it’s fine to mention your transits through the UK. But my understanding is that if you haven’t been through immigration in the UK airport, then they will not have a record of you. If you haven’t been through the immigration at the UK airports on those two occasions, explain it in your cover letter so the ECO won’t assume anything.

2) That’s ok. You will be fine. But for your future visas, I suggest including the country of vacation as well. Here is why, I think, having the country in LOA helps.

If your employer doesn’t mention the country, then it’s assumed that they don’t know what you will be doing during your vacation. Which is perfectly alright as it’s none of their business. You are entitled to take the vacation so you are taking the vacation. But for the visas, there is a slight possibility that the ECO/VOs may assume that you are hiding something from your employer. Having your employer know where you will be going and what you will be doing on your vacation will help ECO/VOs perceive you as honest. This is not a visa rule, but something I found to work well.

June 11, 2019 at 9:30 pm

Hi Thirumal, I got a Schengen visa (states). However, I mentioned only France in the application. Can I travel to other Schengen states? I plan to apply for the UK visa next year. Can I mention all the Schengen states I travelled, even if I enter & exit any Schengen state internally without immigration stamp?

June 18, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Hi Feda! Yes, you can travel to multiple Schengen countries with your current Schengen visa. If your Schengen visa was issued by France, then you have to make France as your first destination or the longest in your trip.

Yes, you can mention all the Schengen countries you have traveled in your UK visa application.

June 11, 2019 at 8:11 pm

Hi, I have applied for Uk visa I am employed with an income of 70K per month I receive 40k rent per month and have an agricultural income of 12L per year all in Indian money. I have stated I will spend 3500£ for a 7-day trip What are the chances of me getting the UK visa?

June 11, 2019 at 8:54 pm

Hi Heer! Your total expected expenditure is still less than twice your monthly income, therefore you are fine. I think you have a fair chance of approval, provided you have submitted all proper documentation.

June 11, 2019 at 6:23 pm

This is in response to Sheeyi Shay’s query. I can only speak for VFS in the GCC as I applied from here. There is no VFS appointment fee. If you do select any of their services, like document scanning, documents check, etc, then you have to pay for it. However, there is no appointment fee. When I applied, document scanning was provided free of charge, but now I see that that service is being charged. Alternatively, you can upload the scanned documents yourself. I did not opt for any paid services but at the VFS centre, I was charged $50 USD for documents check, which I had no option but to pay. Hope this helps.

June 11, 2019 at 8:58 pm

Thanks for the response, Sarah! I will convey this to Sheeyi Shay.

Edith Owusuaa says

June 11, 2019 at 3:38 pm

I am entitled to yearly fully paid vacation outside by my company and my company has provided every document concerning my vacation to secure a UK visa. They gave me about 8 months financial statement which is good. My only problem is my personal financial statement, it was 3 months statement. Do you think it can cause a problem? Apart from that everything is perfect.

June 11, 2019 at 8:36 pm

Hi Edith! You must be fine with just 3 months personal bank statement since your company is paying for all your expenses. Just make sure those 3-months bank statements accurately reflect your salary and there are no large deposits.

Sheeyi Shay says

June 10, 2019 at 12:36 pm

Are you requested to pay for the appointment fee? I was asked to pay for an appointment fee after paying for the VISA fee?

June 10, 2019 at 10:15 pm

Hi Sheeyi! Yes, UK has outsourced its visa application submission to VFS. VFS charges an appointment fee for that. Check the comment from Sarah as she explains the new visa application procedure.

June 11, 2019 at 9:00 pm

Response from Sarah – “This is in response to Sheeyi Shay’s query. I can only speak for VFS in the GCC as I applied from here. There is no VFS appointment fee. If you do select any of their services, like document scanning, documents check, etc, then you have to pay for it. However, there is no appointment fee. When I applied, document scanning was provided free of charge, but now I see that that service is being charged. Alternatively, you can upload the scanned documents yourself. I did not opt for any paid services but at the VFS centre, I was charged $50 USD for documents check, which I had no option but to pay. Hope this helps.”

June 9, 2019 at 11:45 am

Thank you very much Thirumal, that’s very nice of you. But it is you who deserves the biggest praise for your invaluable service. Your blog is like a free travel consultancy for ?? visa applicants. This is a relief because visa consultants actually charge over the moon for their services.

One more thing I can add and would be relevant to applicants in the GCC whose UKVI visas are processed at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi is that once a decision is made regarding your application they will send you an email. Through some research, and I believe I am right to a good extent but there can be exceptional cases as well, I found out that if your email says that ‘your UK visa application has been issued’ – then this means that you have been issued the visa

And if your email says that ‘your visa application has been concluded’ or any wording to that effect then, unfortunately, it is more than likely that your visa has been refused. This is my general understanding and I can be wrong.

When I got the email from the embassy that my ‘visa application has been issued’ I couldn’t make head or tail of it. What does a ‘visa application issued’ means? At the bottom of the email, it says not to make travel plans until you receive the passport in your hands as nothing is final until you receive your passport and it also says to check the visa before leaving VFS.

Through some other websites, I learned of similar experiences and learned that those who received that particular email got their visas and I too received that email and got my visa. So I can almost definitely say what that email translates into. Anyway, after the email, you have to actually wait for the SMS from VFS to collect the passport.

All the best wishes to you too, Thirumal. Keep up the amazing work. Cheers.

June 10, 2019 at 10:30 pm

Thanks again, Sarah! Readers like you make this blog very useful to our community of travelers. I share my experiences, but all our experiences put together can be a great resource for everybody. Thanks again for sharing the information and knowledge. Enjoy the trip with your family!

June 8, 2019 at 10:19 pm

Hi Thirumal, Thank you so much for this. I’ve read almost all the comments and It looks like the service is not good. I would like to ask if you know how much time they take to refuse an application. I applied on April 24th and 2 weeks after that I got an email that states that my application is under consideration. We were 4 applicants that were invited to a seminar to give some talks. Two of us already got their visas (almost a month ago). I’m really concerned because our trip is going to be next week and I can not get any kind of information from them (I emailed and called them but they said they don’t give specific information).

June 9, 2019 at 2:26 am

Hi Ceci! It takes the same amount of time as approval for refusal as well. It can take up to 30 days for the visa result. If you have less than 30 days available, then it can be a stressful situation. The customer service is practically useless. The only option is to wait.

June 9, 2019 at 2:53 am

Thanks Thirumal for the reply. Yes! I just have to wait. I think my application wasn’t good enough (young with not many reasons to come back). I hope the answer arrive soon in order to reschedule the seminar program and cancel my reservation (in the worst scenario). Anyway, thanks for helping so many people! You are doing a really great job! [You should be leading the UKVI :)]

June 10, 2019 at 2:05 am

Good luck, Ceci! I hope the result will be positive. You’re welcome!

August 10, 2019 at 1:34 am

Hi Thirumal! I just got my visa! After 3 and a half months I finally got my passport back with the visa.

I have to say that I did lose hope. I think I didn’t do a good application. I wrote a lot of paid (useless) mails because my expected trip date was in June. Then, because I got an email saying “We are unable to resolve your application within these customer service targets, as the processing of your application has not been straightforward. Please be assured that we will continue to progress your application to enable a decision to be made as soon as possible.” I changed the date. But I think they didn’t check on that information. Finally, at the end of July, I wrote to them again saying that it’s been 3 months since my biometrics. They said my case will be escalated and asked me for my application and passport number.

On Monday, I received this message: “Your UK visa application has been concluded by Visits UK and will shortly be dispatched.” I read somewhere that this means that my visa was refused, but not in all cases “concluded” means it.

I’m thinking that somehow this process depends on who evaluates your application. A co-worker did a shorter application, with less supporting documents and he got his visa in 10 days. Maybe, sometimes, it’s a matter of luck!

Anyway, as I said before, your advice is really helpful in order of not being struggling with delays because the application is not straightforward.

By the way, I am from Peru :) Good luck to all applicants and thanks again Thirumal for this great job!

August 12, 2019 at 10:08 am

Hi Ceci! I’m glad that the wait is over. I’m sorry you couldn’t make it to the seminar but I hope you can still use your visa since it’s valid for 6 months.

I have been hearing more cases that were “not straight forward”. I’m still researching on what exactly that means and what causes it. One thing that’s common with such applications is they are taking longer than usual.

I agree that the visa process depends on the visa officer to some extent. Some ECOs scrutinize the applicants more than the others.

Thanks for updating all of us on your experience and visa status. Congratulations again and have a great trip!

June 8, 2019 at 4:59 pm

I am Sarah, and I have previously asked you for advice on UK Visa application in order to sit for a medical exam in the UK.

Because you are providing such an invaluable service by dishing out free advise to everyone, I thought I might share some of the experiences I learned when I applied for my visa this time.

The first time I applied for the UK visa was 19 years ago from Russia where I was studying medicine, and the entire procedure was different.

When I applied again in 2017 it was a completely different experience. There was an online visa application and VFS.

I just want to concentrate on my application in May this year.

First, the visa application and submission was online, meaning that we don’t print the completed application form and take it to VFS. It is paramount that you don’t make any mistakes while completing the application form because once you submit there is no coming back to make corrections. Once you submit you will be automatically directed to make the payments to UKVI.

I learned from a lot of research that you can cancel your application and request for a refund before biometrics. Here again, I read from experienced people that the refund takes forever to be debited back to your account and some people had to make several paid calls and also some applicants simply gave up on the refund.

Second- now you don’t submit your supporting documents physically. Once you submit the application you will be automatically redirected to VFS website or you can manually register at VFS and then there you have to upload all your supporting documents in a preset file. Something like you have one file to give your financial documents, another for your employment, another for your property and so on and so forth. Any mistake you make while uploading your documents is at your own risk. Alternatively, VFS provides documents upload for a fee. I was really not looking forward to this document upload and I was fortunate that when I was submitting my VFS center was doing the documents upload free of charge. They covered up their costs by charging me the equivalent of about 50 US dollars for a documents check which I didn’t even opt for.

Anyway, if you are confident, then you can upload all your scanned documents on your own which had been previously saved in your device. When I was applying in 2017 I was very meticulous and made a detailed file, placing every document in order of relevance and having an index and contents page and numbering every page. I wrote a cover letter and then where ever relevant wrote detailed explanations regarding any documents needing an explanation.

This time also I prepared in the same way but at the VFS center, the agents there took everything apart and arranged everything according to their guidelines. I, however, insisted on including my explanation pages and they did it. For the four of us, my husband and two kids, I took four photocopied sets, but they only took one and scanned it for all four of us (a massive wastage of my printer ink and paper).

I have been to the UK twice before and obtained a Schengen visa from France and visited 10 European countries. I have also traveled in Asia and the GCC and I am currently a resident of a GCC country. I am a doctor of South Asian origin.

I genuinely wanted to visit the UK for a postgraduate medical exam which is 2 hours long. So I wanted to travel to the UK with my husband, who is also a doctor and my two school-aged children. We are all residents of this GCC country. I got a No Objection letter from my employer which is the equivalent of an employment letter which mentioned my designation, my duration of work with them and my leave period. I also got payslips for 6 months and then a six months bank statement. In order to establish ties with my home country I submitted my house title deed which my husband and I share as half shareowners and I also provided a remittance certificate from the agency through which I remit my savings to my home country and also a bank statement from my home country savings account. I also provided my present tenancy agreement for where I reside.

I applied for a tourist visa and gave my main purpose of visit as for sitting my exams and provided all documents regarding my exams and the visa letter from the examination board. In my cover letter, I mentioned that as the exams are just 2 hours I wanted to make the most of my trip and so my family would be joining me for a 5-day sightseeing trip. I mentioned their GWF numbers on my application and mentioned all 4 GWF numbers on my husband and children’s applications. Their main purpose of the visit was mentioned as tourism.

I applied priority for myself as (providing they issued me the visa I wanted to visit the UK for a medical course). Priority in my country of residence is in 5 days but I got my passport back with the visa in 3 working days.

My husband and children applied for normal service which is 15 to 17 working days, but they got theirs in 13 working days.

I am writing this in a hurry and hence there are a lot of grammatical errors. Kindly ignore them. If I remember anything else I will mail them later. Hoping you will find this useful.

June 9, 2019 at 2:42 am

Hi Sarah! Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience! Your information on the current UK visa application procedure is invaluable. I and the readers appreciate your efforts.

Congratulations on securing the visas! Good luck with your exam and enjoy your time in the UK!

June 7, 2019 at 10:28 pm

Hi Sir. I am receiving my monthly salary thru my savings account and sometimes I’m receiving payments from my client on that same bank some amount is more than my salary, I work as a travel consultant, some clients if they don’t have time to visit our office they opted to send/transfers on my account, maybe 1 transaction in a month or sometimes none. Also, my cousin is a British citizen, her invitation letter would that be enough to support my application? But I will purchase my ticket and hotel. Hoping for your reply, I know it will help a lot. Thank you!

June 8, 2019 at 7:02 pm

Hi Ann! If there are large deposits in your account, you have to provide documentary evidence that those deposits are from your clients for a certain purpose. But in the long term, I suggest using two bank accounts. Otherwise, you will face the same issue for every visa application.

You don’t really need an invitation letter if you can pay for your trip yourself. When you introduce new people on your visa application, the home office may conduct background checks on them. This creates unnecessary complications and could result in visa refusal.

June 7, 2019 at 2:27 pm

What do you consider large undocumented amounts? I applied for a visa and my bank statements showed deposits worth £97, £57, £18. These amounts are money I get from my side hustles. Money that comes with no documentation. Of course, I included my payslips to justify my salary deposits. But the other deposits have me worried. Is it enough reason for refusal?

June 7, 2019 at 3:42 pm

Hi Zase! The “largeness” of a deposit depends on your monthly salary. If your salary is £500, then £300+ can be a large deposit. But £97, £57, £18 aren’t in my opinion. But if your salary is £200, then £97 can be considered as a large deposit.

Also, nothing to worry if there are only a few small deposits in your bank statements. But if there are a lot of such deposits, then an explanation in your cover letter will help.

June 6, 2019 at 10:15 pm

I received my passport with Visa back today. I did follow your advise and used a cover letter to explain my tax return and also that everything else was already paid for. Thanks for the advise!

June 7, 2019 at 3:49 am

Hi Delon! Congratulations! Thanks for the update! I’m glad my advice was helpful. Have a great trip!

June 6, 2019 at 2:06 pm

Good afternoon Thirumal,

Thanks for sharing all these info, I am sure it has helped a lot of people. Having said that, I’m planning to apply for a UK visiting visa, my cousin is graduating and the University has agreed to send me an invitation letter. I am self-employed but it’s a small scale business and I don’t have any business account except my personal account which I am running very well. Please, can you advise the kind of docs I should submit while applying for the visa? I’ve my business certificate with the business name registered with the government and I am thinking of submitting that with a letter from the company/business. Do you I should also submit a tax clearance certificate to show I am paying tax for the government here?

June 10, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Sam! I apologize for the delay in responding to your comment. It’s fine to use your personal account as your business account. And yes, provide tax clearance certificate if you have.

– Make sure there are no large business transactions in your personal bank statements. If you do, then you have to provide documentary evidence of such deposits. Example: You received payment from your client. A copy of the invoice should work. – Write a letter on your business letterhead stating that you are entitled to use your business funds for personal pleasure trips. ECOs refuse visa applications if they think that business funds are not meant for personal expenses. – Provide your business registration, tax returns, office lease (if you have), any other documents that show that you run this business. – Write a detailed cover letter explaining your employment, financial, travel history and the obligation to return back to your country after the trip (if you need sample, email me)

June 11, 2019 at 2:17 pm

Thank you so much for the info! Is it reasonable to submit a business registration document that I just registered this week with the date on it even though I’ve been running the business for a long time? Is tax returns also same with tax clearance certificate? Are flight reservation and hotel reservation accepted or I’ve to make payment for them before applying? Do I need health insurance for such visa application? I am sorry if my questions are too much

June 11, 2019 at 8:33 pm

Hi Sam! The longer you have been the running the business, the better it is for your UK visa. If the document says that the business has been established last week, then the VO assumes that you have just started this business.

Tax returns and tax clearance certificate may be similar. They are called differently in different countries.

No. Flight and hotel reservations are not required for UK visa. If at all you are asked to provide those, just submit flight reservation and refundable hotel bookings. Health insurance is not required for the UK visa application.

June 5, 2019 at 11:45 am

I just received UK visa refusal for my aged parents. They run a hotel business in India. We supplied all the documents but the grounds of refusal were as follows:

1. Non-provision of day to day running proof of business 2. Supporting documents for funds shown in the account 3. They don’t have any past travel history

We do have many proofs for the above requirements. Should we immediately re-apply or wait for a few months?

June 5, 2019 at 6:11 pm

Hi Parul! If you do have proofs to explain those refusal reasons, I suggest indicating those clearly in your cover letter. This helps the ECO focus on the previous refusal reasons and the relevant documentation. It will speed up your visa application process as well.

You can reapply immediately. There is no waiting required.

Teanarh Ashlyn says

June 4, 2019 at 8:38 am

Can I provide three months financial statement since I was just employed about three months ago when securing the UK visa for a short vacation approximately 15 days?

Should my itinerary in the UK be on my company letterhead or any A4sheet?

June 5, 2019 at 5:38 pm

Hi Teanarh! Bank statement requirement is slightly different for different countries. Refer to the visa requirements and the document checklist for your country whether you would need to submit 3-month or 6-month bank statements.

Your itinerary can be on an A4 sheet.

Sleiman says

June 20, 2019 at 12:32 pm

Is it true that people whose visas have been approved get them within 10 days and anything above that is a rejection?

June 23, 2019 at 8:37 pm

Hi Sleiman! Yes, to some extent. Here is my explanation. The less complicated your case is, the higher the chances of your visa approval. Imagine an applicant with a fulltime job, steady income source, good savings, decent travel history, no prior visa refusals and visiting the UK strickly for tourism. The case is clean without any complications. The home office may have to contact the employer and bank. But, that’s about it. It hardly takes any time.

But on the other hand, imagine an applicant using a sponsor in the UK, funded by the parents, have prior visa refusals and visiting for suspicious reasons. The home office has to contact a lot of people (sponsors, parents, etc), verify a bunch of information (visa refusals, purpose of travel, etc). This can take much longer.

Esa Shemond says

June 3, 2019 at 12:41 pm

Just got an email stating that “Your UK visa application has been dispatched from the UK visa section”. Does that mean that the visa has been approved?

The wording of the email is strange, as it says in the same email ” ..and chose to have your passport mailed back to you directly, that will take place shortly, If you have not already done so, please ensure your passport is sent to the New York Scanning Hub to avoid any delays”. I hope they meant “was sent” which is the case.

Also wondering what shortly is. My departure is on Wed evening. Any ideas? or whom I should contact?

June 6, 2019 at 5:41 pm

Hi Esa! They don’t tell the visa result in the email notification. You have to wait till you receive your passport to figure the visa result.

In my experience, they mail the passport right after the email notification. The delay would only be from the postal/courier company. You have way too less time to have your passport delivered before Wednesday. I suggest contacting your postal/courier company to have it delivered sooner or arrange a pickup.

May 31, 2019 at 5:33 pm

Thanks for your help answering my inquiry. Is there any information on how long it takes to process after approval (stamping the visa). I called and they said they would escalate. They also said there is no way to expedite it. Their claim that they will respond to their email, they only respond to the first email and ignore any other subsequent emails. Everything they say is merely a lie.

I have called 3 times and emailed 2 times and that cost a fortune. After one month, it is still under review. I do not think it is just a matter of inefficiency but also it is a rip-off process planned to take advantage of people. Note that only people who have to apply are non-US, and non-Europeans. They think the rest of the countries are shit-hole countries and that is why they treat them poorly. I am very close to getting my US Citizenship and despite the wait, they respond and have some level of integrity. God Bless America.

May 31, 2019 at 10:46 pm

Hi Esa! After the visa approval, it’s only the courier time. Usually, you will receive your passport in 3-4 working days after your visa decision email.

Their email responses are mostly canned responses. Their customer service is outsourced and they do not have access to much information. Therefore, they always respond with the same message or status.

Well, I cannot comment on that. But I advise my readers to think about traveling to the UK only after traveling everywhere. Keeping time, money and frustration in mind, it’s not worth to have the UK on the top of the travel list. But surprisingly, there seems to be a craze for traveling/immigrating to the UK. Probably, the UK immigration is taking advantage of it. If you read the comments here, you will understand what I mean. I delete at least 50% of the comments that I receive for this article which are purely from applicants desperate to make it to the UK by whatever means.

June 5, 2019 at 6:31 pm

Hi, Just got the visa. I had to go get it from another city today to minimize issues with ups delivery. My flight is in 3 hours. The whole process took exactly 34 days from the day they received my application.

June 6, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi Esa! Congratulation! I know the entire process has been nerve-wracking for you but I hope you made it to your flight on time. Enjoy your stay in the UK.

Sidney says

May 30, 2019 at 7:58 am

Hi, this is a great blog firstly! I have a question I went to the Visa center on 13th of May. I still didn’t hear anything. Do I have to worry about it?

May 31, 2019 at 3:31 am

Hi Sidney! No. It’s too early to worry. UK visa process takes about 30 days. If you don’t hear anything from them by about mid-June, then contact their customer service.

May 31, 2019 at 5:35 pm

The customer service is useless. I have been waiting for a month and they said the escalated it. I just paid at least $50 in calls with no progress.

May 31, 2019 at 10:38 pm

Yeah, their customer service is not useful at all. You will only waste money by contacting them.

Mohammed says

July 20, 2019 at 4:21 pm

I applied for my visa in December 2018. It has been 7 months now and I still haven’t heard anything. I contacted the customer service a few months ago and they said they’ve escalated it but still nothing yet. What seems to be the delay and what else can I do?

July 22, 2019 at 12:20 pm

Hi Mohammed! UK visa process can take up to 30 calendar days for processing. 7 months is not normal and there is something wrong. It’s difficult to say why it’s taking so long. Technically, UK consulate cannot keep your passport with them for that long. It’s your document and it should be with you.

The only option for you is to contact their customer support and have them escalate it. It costs to contact their customer support but I don’t see another option. Good luck!

May 30, 2019 at 12:14 am

I learned the UK wipes visa applications after 10 years, How true is this, I had applied 2009 and applying again this year after 10years, do I need to mention the refusal or no need.

June 12, 2019 at 5:56 pm

Hi King! No, nothing is wiped out. All records are preserved forever. But for visa application, you only have to mention your previous UK visa refusals in the last 10 years. Therefore, if the refusal was on or after Jun 12, 2009 (10 years till today), you have to mention it in your visa application.

Dorcas says

May 29, 2019 at 4:04 pm

Hello Thirumal! When you are refused, how many months can you wait before applying again?

May 31, 2019 at 4:16 am

Hi Dorcas! There is no waiting period for the UK visa. You can apply as soon as you can. But keep in mind that if your circumstances haven’t changed, your application will likely be refused again.

May 29, 2019 at 2:03 pm

Sir, how can I get a flight itinerary without payment?

May 31, 2019 at 4:13 am

Hi Adenaiya! Please refer to my article on travel itinerary for visa applications . I have listed a few options there.

May 29, 2019 at 6:19 am

Hello, Thanks for the helpful article. I have an edge case. I will be employed during the Visa interview but unemployed during the travel. Right now I am on notice period of my current job. And my last day of the job is 28th June. I am planning to schedule a Visa interview for 10 June during which time I will be employed. But I am planning on travelling to the UK after 20 July during which time I will be unemployed.

My question is what should I fill in the Visa application form -> Employed or Unemployed?

May 30, 2019 at 2:58 am

Hi Purvi! You should fill as “Employed” since you will be employed at the time of visa application. You can mention that you will be “unemployed” at the time of travel in your cover letter. But mentioning that in your cover letter is up to you as it can cause complications and may affect your visa result.

juliet success says

May 28, 2019 at 4:42 pm

Hello sir, please how much do you think I should have in my bank account for a short vacation in the UK for twelve days when securing a visa?

May 30, 2019 at 2:47 am

Hi Juliet! I believe about £150 GBP a day per person would be sufficient. I suggest showing an ending balance of at least £150 * 12 = £1,800 GBP.

Remember that along with enough savings, you must also (1) show regular deposits of your salary and (2) no large undocumented deposits.

May 28, 2019 at 4:06 pm

Please do I need an employment letter to secure a UK visa since I am a co-founder of my company? I am entitled to fully yearly paid vacation by my company.

May 30, 2019 at 2:19 am

Hi Daniel! Employment letter is necessary only if you are employed. If you run a business, you can provide documentation that states that you are a co-founder and are entitled to fully paid vacation.

May 28, 2019 at 2:42 pm

Hi Thirumal, Nice work here. Just a quick one, I need your opinion on this, I had previously commented on your blog but no approval or response yet, I guess your schedule is tight. As a matter of urgency I’ll need to apply for a visitor visa to the UK to attend a seminar for the company I work with, Its an all expense paid trip by the company but going through your blog I saw emphasis on large deposits in the account and if I am to drop 6 months bank statement, I had a month that a large sum of money entered my account which was about 1.3million naira around February, this money was paid into my account by a friend who wanted me to keep it because he was saving up for a surgery. I earn about 100,000 Naira per month and I know this might raise flags. What document do you think I can provide? What is your opinion on this even though the money left my account totally in the early days of march? I will appreciate a response soon, Thank you so much. P.S- Six month bank statement will be from December to May.

May 30, 2019 at 2:16 am

Hi AL! I apologize for the delay. I just responded to your original query.

I’m overwhelmed with queries, so it’s taking much longer for me to respond. Especially, each query on this article are unique. I have to read, analyze, think, research and respond. Now, imagine about 50 such queries every day.

May 28, 2019 at 1:29 pm

Hi Thirumal! I was looking for a resource like this online & luckily found yours. Have a few questions.

1) A significant portion of my total compensation& savings is in the form of company stock, which vests annually. How should I mention this in the application? At present, I have mentioned it under Other Income.

2) Since stock awards are in USD, & USD to INR to GBP conversion rates & stock price fluctuates daily, there will be a difference between the figures I quote when I fill the form & the actual numbers when someone examines the forms. Is that OK?

3) There’s a section where you need to mention if you have been in the UK in the last 10 years. I have transited through Heathrow on my way to the US, but it was for a couple of hours only, & I didn’t need a transit visa. Should I still mention it? The field where you mention the duration of stay doesn’t have any hours field, only days & above.

4) How big a sum is considered to be too big & suspicious in savings bank statement? I will be submitting a 6 months statement from my savings account. Starting balance was around GBP 9k & ending balance is ~ GBP 12k. Most of this is because of documented monthly pay-check deposits, but I have 3-4 undocumented deposits around GBP 200-400 each (total around GBP 1K) from some company reimbursements. Should I explain these as well?

5) I will be submitting some proofs of investments, & the docs are very long ~40 pages each & I have 3-4 such sets. Now, most of this is just standard legal stuff – fine print, regulations & such. The actual monetary value is mentioned in the first page itself. So can I just submit just the first pages, or should I submit all the pages?

6) I will be submitting a bank statement dated 31st May & my biometrics appointment is on 14th June. So is that okay or do I need a more recent statement?

7) Is the bank statement supposed to be for 6 months or 1 year? I couldn’t find this data on the UK gov site. I’m applying for Standard Visitor Visa from India.

8) I will be submitting LOA from my employer. Do I need any other proofs of ties to my homeland? My parents will be staying back in India. If I also submit proofs of residence for them (house owner tax receipts, national id cards, etc.) will that also count? Is it needed?

Will be really helpful if you could help me out.

June 11, 2019 at 9:45 pm

Hi Sourav! I apologize for such an extreme delay in responding to your query.

1) Yes. If you have company stock, you can mention that for the question “Do you have savings, properties or other income?”. You can mention the details that it’s company stock, stock vest yearly, etc. in your cover letter.

2) It’s fine and there is nothing we can do about it. But you can mention this in your cover letter as well.

3) Transit doesn’t count as a visit. So, don’t mention them in your visa application.

4) Each of those deposits isn’t big but all put together is GBP 1K, which is big enough. So yes, mention that you have received company reimbursements in your cover letter.

5) Only the first page is enough.

6) Since bank statements are generated every month, the 31st May statement will be your recent statement. It’s fine. Nothing to worry.

7) Your bank statements should be 6 months.

8) LOA from your employer is extremely important. Make sure it states the dates of vacation, country of vacation (the UK) and the date of return to your work. Yes, you can submit those as the proof of family staying back in the home country during your trip.

A few important points

1) In your cover, use subheadings to explain various areas – – Travel itinerary (your day to day itinerary in the UK) – Employment (your job title, duration of employment, annual salary, approval of leave) – Investments (your company stock, vesting schedule) – Bank Accounts (mention your reimbursements here) – Travel history (your travel history) – Intention to return back (mention the date on which you have to report back at work, your parents staying back during your trip, etc)

2) Try not to provide too much documentation. There have been many incidents where the ECOs are overwhelmed and completely overlooked important documentation. If you have to provide a lot of documentation, make sure to highlight the important ones in your cover letter. Here is an example on how you can highlight such documentation in the “Employment” section in the cover letter.

Employment Information

– I work for in {city name} as a {designation}. – I have been working as a {designation} in {company name} since {employment start date}. – I draw {salary} per month/year after taxes. – I have attached an original letter from my employer, a leave approval letter and bank statements indicating my monthly salary deposits.

Christy says

May 27, 2019 at 6:30 am

Hello, well done!

I am a first-time traveler, and my company is sponsoring my trip to the UK as part of the incentive for long service. I have been provided a sponsorship letter, but the company refused to present account balance due to security reasons. I am worried if I should still go ahead, as I do not want to be denied on first trial. Thank you!

May 27, 2019 at 10:29 pm

Hi Christy! Even if you provide your company’s financial documents, you still have to provide your own financial proofs. If you are traveling for business purpose, then it’s a different case. You are traveling for tourism and your company is bearing your expenses. Therefore, you have to provide your own financial proofs as well. If your financial proofs are strong, then you don’t need to worry about your company refusing to present their account balance.

Aashish says

May 26, 2019 at 5:40 pm

Hi Mr. Thirumal,

I have applied for my Tier 2 visa. I have mentioned my travel history in the visa application but forgot to include the old passport which has the details.

Will there be a problem?

May 27, 2019 at 2:44 am

Hi Aashish! In my opinion, providing a copy of your old passport helps but it is not necessary. Just mentioning your travel history in the visa application is enough.

summer says

May 26, 2019 at 11:39 am

Hi. Is there a possibility that the GWF# is in the Refusal Letter different from the GWF# on my current application? I got refused for my TV application, upon further checking the wrong GWF# in the refusal letter is the GWF# from my last application dated Sept 2016 and that was approved. I find some errors too, my sponsor for my current TV application is my brother-in-law. But in the refusal letter the ECO clearly say that my sister is my sponsor (my sister is my sponsor from my 2016 visa) and 1 of the error I found is my brother does not employ in Royal Airforce, he was a US Airforce stationed in one of the Royal Airforce Base. I was thinking if the ECO mistakenly reviewed my previous application than my current application. What can I do? There is no right of appeal; or right of administrative review.

May 27, 2019 at 11:10 pm

Hi Summer! Yes, that’s absolutely possible. Lately, I have been hearing cases where ECO reviewed a completely different case, overlooked trivial documentation and even forgot to enclose the refusal letter with the passport.

Many of my readers had success by reapplying and pointing out the mistakes in their cover letters. There is no appeal for visitor visas anymore. Your only option is to reapply. I suggest reapplying with a cover letter clearly pointing out the review mistakes.

May 25, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Hi, I applied for a work-related visa sponsored by my employer. Gave them all info and did the biometrics. Has been 16 days and no response. My travel is in less than 7 working days. I emailed and the only response is that they are processing. Any advice?

May 27, 2019 at 12:56 am

Hi Esa! Unfortunately, there is no way to know the current status of your application. This is one of the worst things with the UK visa process. You have two options –

1) Pay of expedited processing. They will be able to locate your application and mark it as expedited in 2-3 working days. After that, they will process your application within a few working days.

They may be very close to processing your application as 16 days have passed already. But if money is not a concern, pay for expedited processing. It may help. You can find the procedure for adding expedited processing at my UK visa guide .

2) Have your employer delay your travel dates. You may receive your visa within the next 7 days but delaying your travel dates will give you some peace of mind.

May 24, 2019 at 4:48 pm

Hello, I just received an email where they refuse the visa. I would like to know if they mention the refusal on the passport? Thank you!

May 27, 2019 at 11:28 pm

Hi Lalou! No. Your visa refusal will not be indicated/mentioned on your passport. They will enclose a refusal letter with your passport in the package.

Lina Yassin says

May 24, 2019 at 2:42 pm

Thanks for your article.

I’m applying for a visa Monday from Kuala Lumpur (I’m originally from Sudan but will spend 2 weeks in Malaysia for a vacation with my family and I don’t have enough time to go back and apply there)

I already had a UK visa once and have 4 Schengen visas on my passport (one of them is still valid) but I had a US Visa rejection under section 214(b) last month because I forgot to show proof of my University enrollment.

I’m applying for the priority service because I only have 10 working days in Malaysia and don’t wanna risk not getting my passport back and therefore missing my flight back to Sudan.

Do you think my Visa can be processed within 10 working days with priority service because they mentioned that a previous visa refusal may affect the priority time?

Any feedback would be highly appreciated. Thanks!!

May 27, 2019 at 11:37 pm

Hi Lina! Usually, your application will be processed within 5 working days if applied for priority service. But one of the worst things with the UK visa process is their processing times are completely off from what they say on their website. Also, they don’t mention how previous visa refusals will affect the processing time. Therefore, it’s really difficult to say if your application will be processed within the 10 working days that you have.

May 23, 2019 at 2:28 pm

Hi, I must commend the work you do here. I want to apply for a visitor visa, well this came suddenly and the organization I work with wants me to travel by July for work. But the issue here is if I’m to submit 6-month bank statement, I had large deposits that came into my account around February, this was from a friend who wanted me to keep the money for a while so he wouldn’t spend it. Well, the money left the account the same month but the fact that a huge sum came in and I see most issues here about large deposits. I earn around 100,000 naira and the deposit was 1.3m naira. What do you think I can do about this? what documents do I provide? Will this affect the application?

May 30, 2019 at 2:11 am

Hi Sarah! Generally, these kinds of deposits cause issues. The assumption is that applicant inflated the available balance in order to convince the visa officer that he/she is capable to support the trip.

But in your case, that deposited amount was already withdrawn. This may not be a huge issue, but you would still need to justify why such a large amount was deposited and then withdrawn. I suggest having your friend write a letter with the reason for that deposit and withdrawal. Noterize the letter and provide a copy of his passport and surgery document.

May 23, 2019 at 11:50 am

Pls Thirumal, just a quick one, I just got my 5 years visit visa.

I booked a hostel for Visa application but I have an uncle that stays in the UK. I’ve always stayed at his place on numerous occasions. I hope canceling the hotel Booking wouldn’t cause an issue at the point of entry.

Please, what’s your opinion?

May 25, 2019 at 4:26 am

Hi John! You may be asked to show a hotel booking and return ticket at the port of entry. If you say that you will stay with your uncle, you should have some documentation handy to prove your uncle’s identity, your relationship, etc.

May 22, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Hi, sir thanks for your endless time in answering our Visa questions. Sir, kindly I need your guidance on how to create a powerful tourist day to day itinerary for Germany. Preferably 5-day trips. Do I need to include every little activity?

May 25, 2019 at 4:08 am

Hi Ismah! No. You don’t have to include every activity. Mostly the dates, cities and a couple of activities you plan to do that day.

May 22, 2019 at 1:54 am

Hello Thirumal!

Thank you for your detailed article and constant replies to the questions posed.

I have a question regarding the application – When asked which countries I have visited and for what reason. I selected the country and study but since I’m still currently in this country studying the online system isn’t accepting it. It demands date of leaving the country. How do I go about this since I’ve been here for 5 years and it’s a big chunk of time and important for the application?

May 22, 2019 at 3:14 am

Hi Ab! The reason for asking that list is to assess your travel history. Travel history doesn’t mean traveling to other countries. It means how promptly did you return back to your country after your trip. That’s why return dates are important. If you went to this country to study and haven’t traveled outside even once during these 5 years, then it cannot be considered as travel history. Either you have to skip adding this country to the list or make up a fake return date in the past.

May 21, 2019 at 6:22 pm

Hi Sir, I was previously granted a UK spouse visa January of 2017 but have since been living in America with my husband since February of 2018. Will this cause an issue for me to reapply for a spouse visa?

May 22, 2019 at 3:52 pm

Hi Tammy! There are NO repercussions of not using a visa. Your previously successful (but unused) UK spouse visa will not affect your future spouse visa applications.

May 21, 2019 at 1:21 pm

Hi, Thanks for your blog.

My visa was refused. The reason, I have traveled to the UK before, but on my last visit, I stayed longer than the stated period. However, it was way below the six months. The ECO claims I did not explain in my application what I was doing for those extra days.

Question is, what are the chances of future applications considering they will always refer to this refusal, should I just give up on the UK and just try other destinations?

May 22, 2019 at 3:21 am

Hi Oscar! Usually, a few days over your stated period is not an issue. If you stayed much longer than the stated period, probably it’s better to give up on the UK visa for now. They will always refer to your previous refusal.

If you have stayed just a few days over your stated period, I suggest explaining the reason in your cover letter. If it is a justifiable reason, you will be granted the visa.

May 22, 2019 at 4:12 am

Hi Thirumal, I was just reading the above question and answer and I was a little shocked. What does it mean over staying within the six month visa period? Is it like you say in your application that you are going to be there for a week and actually spend 2 weeks on the actual visit? Is that a problem? The visa is multiple entry as well, so if on our application we say 7 days for a particular visit and actually end up making 2 visits in that period, is that going to make a problem for future applications. I am talking about legitimate and genuine reasons. A bit surprised. Your thoughts highly appreciated because I have just applied and mentioned my stay is going to be 5 days. Once I do get the visa (hopefully-I have chosen priority) I actually plan on making 2 visits of about the same period. Now I’m wondering how this is going to affect any future applications

May 22, 2019 at 3:25 pm

Hi Sarah! First of all, you have to put yourself in the shoes of visa officers. Case 1: An applicant asks for 7 days entry and stays for 14 days Case 2: An applicant asks for 7 days entry and stays for 4 months

Which one do you consider as overstay?

In my opinion, Case 2. It raises several questions such as – How can the applicant afford to stay for 4 months in an expensive country – How can the applicant get 4 months off from work in his/her home country – Was the applicant involved in illegal work to fund his/her 4-month stay in the UK

The “4 months” is just an example. But, it’s you who has to decide what is “considered as overstay”. In my opinion, asking for 7 days and staying for 14 days is absolutely acceptable.

May 22, 2019 at 7:40 pm

Hi Thirumal, Definitely makes sense. But each time I get a new mail, I just want to make sure that I haven’t raised any suspicions in my application. I am a genuine visitor and I only have 48 days annual leave to spend anywhere. By the way, do you have any idea how long the entry clearance assistants will take to verify my documents and pass it to the ECO? and is it also true the ECO only takes 4 Mins to decide? Waiting for your reply.

May 25, 2019 at 4:11 am

Hi Sarah! I don’t know the internal process. Moreover, the internal process is not irrelevant to us as it won’t affect the visa result. All we have to do is to submit the application and wait for the result.

Ismaeel says

May 20, 2019 at 4:10 pm

Hi Thirumal, Than you for your help. I got my UK 2years Visa today. I followed your advice by disclosing my previous refusal both Germany and USA. I can’t express how happy I am now.

May 22, 2019 at 4:16 am

Hi Ismaeel! That’s great to hear! I’m glad my advice helped. Have a great trip!

nerissa says

May 17, 2019 at 4:28 am

Hi sir, I just want to ask because I already traveled to the UK last year and I got a 6-month visitor visa. Then this month I will apply again for a visit visa and I just want to ask if I Have a chance to get again a visit visa? Thank you.

May 20, 2019 at 12:14 am

Hi Nerissa! Each application is assessed individually. If your application and circumstances haven’t changed much since your last successful application, you have a fair chance of approval this time as well.

Ahmed Seifeldin says

May 15, 2019 at 11:23 am

My visa application was refused last week without declaring any reason or stating the decision basis. Is this a usual scenario? Is it possible to ask for the reason why the visa application was refused? Thanks in advance!

May 16, 2019 at 2:49 am

Hi Ahmed! Yes, this has been a common occurrence these days. The ECO probably forgot to enclose the refusal letter. There is not much you can do now. Contacting the UK home office will only cost you time and money.

Vineet Kumar says

May 14, 2019 at 1:39 pm

Hello! I am Vineet, I’m working in a private company as a Graphic Designer and I received net salary cheque is Rs. 40k (per month). I have visited with my family (wife and my baby boy-1 year) Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and after that, I went to Laos, Cambodia and Thailand alone with my official group. And, in March 2019 I have applied for Schengen visa with my family but it has been refused. Now my agent tells me he will plan my UK trip with family by 7-6-19. I wanted to know that I’m eligible with this salary to apply for UK visa. Please reply to me asap. It will really help me.

May 15, 2019 at 4:29 am

Hi Vineet! The first mistake you must stop making is to use travel agents. They have never been to Europe or UK. How do you trust someone who has never been to these countries apply for your visa? How do you know that they know better than you? You have better chances if you apply on your own.

Here is my analysis – Your monthly salary is £440 (equivalent to Rs. 40k). – In that case, your total UK expenditure cannot be more than £880 (twice your monthly income). – You have to show a daily budget of about £150 in your bank. For a family of 3, about £250 a day. – That means, with £880, you can only travel for about 3-4 days. If you show an itinerary longer than that, it will likely be refused.

Suggestions I suggest not applying for your UK visa at this point. Wait till your income increases. Meanwhile, build more travel history for you and your family.

May 13, 2019 at 5:18 am

Hi! How long does it usually take for a visa to be approved? I looked on here and it says 2,3,5,10 days (Vienna). Is it accurate? I‘ve been granted a visa before (2014) but don‘t remember how long it took.

May 15, 2019 at 4:38 am

Hi Marie! That is not accurate. The accurate processing time would be in the email confirmation sent to you when the consulate receives your passport and documents. Usually, the UK visa process is about 30 days. It can be much quicker or it can take 30 days.

May 12, 2019 at 11:36 pm

Hi Thirumal, It’s Sarah again. I want to know if we can enter the UK on a date prior to the date we have mentioned on our application as our intended date of travel. And if we do, can we also re-enter again on our intended date mentioned in the initial application. I know UK visa is multiple entry, but would we be raising red flags by entering before our stated date of entry. Is there any way for the immigration officers at the arrivals desk in the UK airports to know that we have arrived before our time. As always, your reply is highly appreciated. Thank you very much.

May 16, 2019 at 10:14 pm

Hi Sarah! You can enter the UK anytime after your visa is issued until the visa expiration date. You can enter multiple times as well. The only thing that gets you in trouble is staying much longer than the days mentioned in your application. For example, if you have asked for 7 days but you stayed for 3 months, it raises red flags. You will then be questioned when leaving, re-entering or applying for a UK visa in the future.

So, entering earlier than your intended date of travel is perfectly fine. And, entering multiple times is fine too.

May 17, 2019 at 12:44 am

Thank you very much Sir. You have put me at ease. I have applied for my visas and due to go for biometrics in a few days. Hope everything goes well. I really can’t say enough about your blog. An ocean of expertise. Will update on my visa status. Also, just on second thoughts, I am thinking of asking if you or any one of our readers know anything about documents upload on vfs. I don’t like that and I am wondering if I can simply hand over all my supporting documents in paper format as I did the last time. Has anyone submitted paper documents after the introduction of the online document upload, pls let me know. Thanks in advance!

May 17, 2019 at 1:29 am

You’re welcome and yes, please let me know your visa status. The document upload feature seems to be new. I don’t know if it’s mandatory to upload all your documents on their website. I suggest posting this question on my Visa Traveler FB group . My readers seem to respond on FB quickly than here.

May 17, 2019 at 6:07 am

Thank you again, Thirumal. I will do that!!!

Papilo says

May 12, 2019 at 10:10 am

Got a copy of Traveling on Visas. A great job well done. I’ve been refused (Denied) UK Visa 3x in the last 4 months with pains. Application 1 – 2 on Standard application while 3rd on Super Priority. – I’m on full-time employment with £337 monthly salary. – A registered family business where i paid myself £965 monthly as Allowance. – A single bank account accommodated the above stated salary/Allowance. – Submitted the above Account and Business Account + legal docs.

Here is the first refusal note:

The decision

I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) 4 of Appendix V: Immigration Rules for Visitors. I have considered your application in the context of your evidenced personal circumstances and funding. You have declared in your visa application form that you are employed full time earning £337 a month and that you are married with three dependent children. You also state that you propose to travel to the UK with your spouse and child as a tourist for six days, staying in hotel accommodation. You have further stated that you will meet the costs of your proposed visit. However: • I must also consider the evidence of your personal circumstances and funding as demonstrated by you. You have stated that you will personally spend £2850 on your proposed visit. I consider the personal cost of your proposed visit to be around eight times your stated net monthly employment income. Whilst I have noted that you state you have investments, it has not been sufficiently explained how such proposed expenditure is credible. • As evidence of your own funds and financial circumstances, you have submitted bank statements. However, whilst I have considered the documents submitted I am not satisfied that you have sufficiently demonstrated the origin of the funds shown in your personal account. I am not satisfied that these statements are a reliable reflection of your financial circumstances or your stated ability to pay for your proposed visit. • I am not satisfied that you have sufficiently demonstrated your personal circumstances and funds or that they are as such that you can be relied upon to meet the conditions of visit entry clearance. Taking the foregoing into account, I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. Furthermore, I am not satisfied that you have sufficient funds available to cover your costs whilst in the UK without working or accessing public funds. Your application has therefore been refused under paragraphs V4.2 (a) and (e).

Your advice is kindly welcome.

May 15, 2019 at 4:06 am

Hi Papilo! Looks like the entry clearance officer has completely overlooked your monthly allowance and it’s relevant documentation. Unfortunate, but this is a common occurrence these days. Many of my readers had success on their reapplication.

If you like to give it a try, then in your cover letter, clearly indicate the reasons of you previous visa refusal, your explanation on why it’s not justified and the list of documents that were overlooked. This will make the ECO focus solely on the previous refusal reasons and the documents overlooked. You will, therefore, have a fair chance.

Note: It is highly unlikely for the ECO to overlook your documentation 3 times in a row. There may be something wrong with your application itself. Check your application, documentation and cover letter if the “allowance” part is clear enough.

May 12, 2019 at 5:33 am

If I say I will attend a world cup cricket match in England, do I have to show a match ticket?

May 15, 2019 at 3:53 am

Hi Nouzar! No. Match ticket will not affect your visa result. As long as you show that you have strong ties with your country and have an obligation to return back, you are fine. Match tickets are not really required.

May 12, 2019 at 12:43 am

I am from The Gambia I applied for a UK visa which was refused. I got back my passport with no stamp. I don’t know or get any letter indicating the reason for my refusal. What should I do now?

May 15, 2019 at 3:52 am

Hi Muhammad! Sorry to hear that! But there isn’t much you can do. Quite a few of my readers had similar experiences where a refusal letter was not enclosed. Trying to contact the home office and asking for reasons will only cost you money. I suggest reapplying.

Ben Mehidi Salah says

August 10, 2019 at 3:23 am

Hi Muhammad! Since nearly a year ago the British Emigration Authorities do not deliver a paper document anymore. They send you instead a Refusal Decision through your email. Check your email.

SUBRAMANIAN says

May 11, 2019 at 10:31 am

You replied to my previous query. Thanks for that.

I completed my application as well as family’s application for a visitor visa. I am applying from the UAE.

1. The checklist does not mention anything about a cover letter. Is it a must? 2. The checklist mentions the submission of proof of owning a property. I have no property in the UAE. I have no choice to leave it blank. Would it affect the decision? (I rent an apartment and its contract is also asked for that I can provide) 3. Working for a govt. department, leave system is online on ERP. They do not issue any leave approval letter. Is it mandatory for the UK visa? There is no mention of that in the checklist I printed out. 4. I have a return air ticket. Is this not sufficient documentation to show I would return after the visit?

May 14, 2019 at 11:40 pm

Hi Subramanian!

1. No. But from my experience, a cover letter works really well in conveying additional information that was not asked in the application or through documentation.

For example, a detailed itinerary. Providing a day-by-day itinerary in your cover letter will mitigate the risk of refusal reason “unclear itinerary or unclear purpose of travel”.

2. No. You would provide property ownership documents only if you own a property. Otherwise, no need to provide anything and nothing worry. It won’t affect your visa result.

3. No. Leave approval letter is not mandatory as well. But again, from my experience, leave approval letter will mitigate the visa refusal reason “no intention to return back”.

4. Not really. You can cancel or forgo your ticket and simply overstay your visa. A return ticket is not an obligation to return back, but a commitment at your job or family is.

May 11, 2019 at 2:32 am

My parents are in the UK. Father is a British citizen (asylum). Mother went has applied for dependant visa and it is pending. I’m applying for a tourist visa. Should I mention them? I’m afraid that since my mother visa is under process, my visa may be refused. Please advise.

May 14, 2019 at 11:32 pm

Hi Feda! Your visa is very unlikely to be approved. Even if you don’t mention your parents, the UK home office may have your parents’ records. They may assume that you also have “immigration” intent and may overstay your visa. I suggest consulting an immigration lawyer. They can tell if your parents’ situation would affect your visa result.

Chen Nadan says

May 11, 2019 at 12:13 am

Hi Thiru, My husband and I would like to go to UK and Europe trip. I need to get both visas and my hubby does not want to as he can get on arrival visas.

My first UK visa has refused. 2 weeks later (now) I have obtained a Schengen visa. The main reason for UK visa refusal is I did not submit sufficient proof that I would come back at the end of the visit to the UK for a holiday (and in my previous application for 20 days visit to the UK, I did not mention this 20 days including the visit to Schengen countries).

I plan to reapply with improved supporting documents. (1) Do I need to explain in the cover letter what were the reasons for refusal last time and how I overcome them?

My itinerary seems first 2 days fly to and stay in the UK then travel by train to France & visit surrounding countries for a week then stay in the UK for 9 days.

(2) Do I need to work out and show the expenses that how my saving I have sufficient for the entire trip? What do you reckon about the daily expenses in London & France?

Thank you in Advance

May 14, 2019 at 11:26 pm

1) Yes. Reapply for your UK visa and clearly mention the reason for refusal and your justification. Explain that you will only be in the UK for 11 days and remaining in France. Attach a copy of your Schengen visa and the train tickets between the UK and France.

2) From my experience, the UK visa officers may refuse your visa applications if you intend to spend more than half of your current savings or more than 2 times your monthly income. Since you are combining both UK and Schengen, the visa officer may verify if you have enough income and savings for your entire trip.

In my experience, you must show an average daily budget of £150 in your account. Schengen is also similar (but in Euros). Therefore, 20 days * £150 = £3,000 total budget. Make sure your savings are at least double this amount and your monthly income is at least half of this amount.

Medcon says

May 10, 2019 at 12:08 pm

Does anyone of you had the same experience? I was asked to go back to do my biometrics again after a month. Does it mean they haven’t assessed my documents yet? And I have to wait for 15 working days again for the result?

May 14, 2019 at 11:06 pm

Hi Medcon! I haven’t had any such incidents myself or heard any from my readers. Let’s wait and see if someone responds that had a similar experience.

Siddharth S says

May 10, 2019 at 11:52 am

Thanks for the great information.

My query is: I am genuinely planning a 10-day solo vacation to London alone and have submitted documents accordingly. My hotels and flights are genuinely booked and I am going for 10 days because I feel London requires these days otherwise I cannot cover the many many sights. Do you think I am a case probable for rejection/refusal based on your 1st point here?

Regards, Siddharth S.

May 14, 2019 at 11:00 pm

Hi Siddharth! That’s absolutely fine. Make sure you – – Justify your request with a detailed itinerary. There is so much to see and do in London. It can take 10 or even more days depending on what you would like to do. – Have enough income and savings to support your stay

May 10, 2019 at 9:04 am

Hello! I’m a law student and my college organized an international trip to the Netherlands. Our trip was an educational trip and 20 people were about to go but all visa’s got refused. But I do not have any refusal or denied stamp on my passport. Will this create a problem in my future visa application to the UK?

May 10, 2019 at 9:55 pm

Hi Yammy! It’s difficult to say if your Schengen visa refusal will affect your UK visa decision. But in your UK visa application, you will be asked if you had any previous visa refusals for any country. For that question, you must disclose your previous Schengen visa refusal. Otherwise, they may use this against you as withholding/hiding information.

May 10, 2019 at 7:29 am

Hi Thirumal, you have not responded to my questions on here is this blog not meant Nigerians?

May 10, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Hi Idowu! This blog is for all travelers coming from developing countries, that means Nigeria as well. Currently, I have 58 comments to respond and it takes a while for me to get to every one of them. Please bear with me. Each comment is unique and I need to analyze, think, research and respond. Sometimes responding to a query can take hours depending on the complexity of the case.

That being said, if your question is about study/work/spouse or immigration visa, I will not respond. My experience and knowledge are only in tourist visas.

May 10, 2019 at 4:55 am

I applied for visiting visa since 14th of March 2019, and up until I haven’t gotten my passport back. Every time I call the UK embassy I’m being told they haven’t taken a decision. The last time I called I was asked if I wanted to escalate, I said yes. I got a mail shortly afterwards saying I should resubmit and resend previous documents submitted at the VAF office in my home country in Nigeria, which I have done already. Prior to this, I got a mail two weeks after my initial submission that my application wasn’t straightforward! I find this strange because I am not a first-time applicant. My application in the past has always been seamless, in fact, I schooled in the UK. I honestly can’t decipher the delay. Would appreciate if you can please shed more clarity. Many thanks!

May 14, 2019 at 10:50 pm

Hi Lola! This is one of the worst things with the UK visa. There is no way to know the status and you have to pay for everything, even asking a question.

I don’t really know why the delay either. Try contacting the consulate and VFS in every which way. Tell them you need your passport as you have to travel soon. In the worst case, apply for a “visa withdrawal” so you can at least get your passport back.

May 9, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Good day! Please, I sent an application on 12 April for visitor Visa and up till now, I have not had any message from the embassy.

May 10, 2019 at 9:38 pm

Hi Dorcas! The UK visa application process can take up to 30 days. In some cases, more than 30 days. You just have to wait till you hear back from them.

May 9, 2019 at 8:11 am

Thanks for your quick update, much appreciated.

I came across some forums on net where people have claimed that their application (2nd time) was refused by just mentioning wrong ‘date of birth’ for their dependents in previous application which was considered as ‘Deception’. Means, it seems that they are comparing the old and new application field by field and if any variation found they would straightaway reject the application.

I also came across Immigration rule 320 7B where it is clearly mentioned that an applicant will be refused visa and will be banned for 10 years if it is found that deception was used for ‘Entry Clearance for leave to enter’ in previous application (whether successful or not). Hence, I was worried that my case might also be used for deception. Below is quote:

You next application: applications are refused under 320(7b) if deception has been used in a previous application for 10 years unless:

(7B) The applicant has previously breached the UK’s immigration laws by overstaying; breaching a condition attached to his leave; being an illegal entrant; using deception in a visa application, leave to enter or remain (whether successful or not), unless the applicant:

…was unaware that the documents submitted or representations made were false;

Awaiting your comments on aforementioned case……

May 14, 2019 at 3:26 am

Hi Ahmed! My blog, as well as those forums, are mostly opinions. Only the Entry Clearance Officer will be able to tell what exactly is categorized as “deception”. If you read too much into this, you will overthink it.

My Opinion In my opinion, deception is a strong word. Using fake documents, fake purpose of travel, impersonating someone, scamming the visa system, etc are “deception”. Deception is something that’s done “intentionally”.

Personal Experience In fact, I applied for my first UK visa 4 years ago. I made a few mistakes myself and I was still able to get my visa. I filled the application as I understood it. I had a genuine purpose of travel, I applied for the visa and I was issued the visa.

If you are a genuine visitor, there isn’t much to worry about. If you make mistakes in your application form, your documents will auto-fix them. If you enter “permanent resident” in your application, a copy of your “temporary visa” will auto-fixed it. But if you intentionally enter “permanent resident” and provide a fake permanent resident card, that’s deception.

My Suggestion There are only options – (1) you don’t mention your previous application at all or (2) you mention your previous application and explain in your cover letter.

If you are concerned, go ahead with option 2.

vijaya says

May 9, 2019 at 7:52 am

Thank you for all the information on this page. I was looking to seek your quick opinion on my UK tourist visa application. I have been a very frequent traveller to the UK as my parents are settled there since 2009. Initially I was with them until 2010 and then I came here for my undergraduate course, and since then I was visiting them over the summer holidays until 2013. Then I moved to the UK to pursue my masters from September 2016 upon completion of which I got a job and switched to a work tier 2 visa until 2019 March, however now I am back and I am working here. I want to apply for a long term UK tourist visa to be able to visit my parents when needed (preferably 2 years). I can ask for an employment letter and leave letter from my employer to support my application. My father will be sponsoring the holiday and I also have savings in my UK account and I can also attach my salary account bank statements from now. I have also been travelling to other countries very frequently over the past decade and have never been refused a visa or entry to any country. Do you think there would be any issue?

My current income is INR 30,000 per month. However, I have a saving of over £3500 in my UK account and my father will be putting out a letter confirming that he will bear all costs associated with the holiday. Honestly, I will be staying at home with them and so no accommodation charges and he will be taking care of food. I will not be making much travelling except around London may be a couple of times and then to Harry Potter studios. All of which I can pay for comfortably and prove it through my income and old savings. I will not be doing any other touristy stuff and so no costs as such.

May 14, 2019 at 3:41 am

Hi Vijaya! You have employment, savings and decent travel history along with a history of travel to the UK. You lived there, studied there and your parents live there. You have plenty of reasons to ask for a long term visa. In my opinion, you have high chances of securing a long term UK visa. I don’t see any issues.

One thing I would like to point out though. Now that you are working and have your own source of income, ECO would like to see if you can support yourself during the trip in case your parents decide not to. Your monthly income is low at this point, therefore make sure your itinerary is not too long. You can make multiple visits with your long term visa, but the itinerary you show for visa can’t be too long which may look unrealistic for your income and savings. I suggest 10-15 days max.

I was refused a visit visa 13 years back, and the reason they mentioned was “I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the UK after the visit”. The new application asks details of the refusal (they don’t ask for the reason). should I mention the reason.

May 10, 2019 at 10:17 pm

Hi Feda! They may already have the reason for the refusal in their records. You just have to mention the type of visa, when did you apply and result.

May 9, 2019 at 2:56 am

I would like to take this opportunity to seek your advice, please. I am applying for UK Spouse Visa this week in Manila and I’m wanting to use the priority service but I have had UK marriage visit visa refusal 2017 due to lack of supporting documents to prove that relationship was genuine. I want to know if I am qualified to use this service?

Thank you so much for your help Jen

May 10, 2019 at 7:57 pm

Hi Jen! Yes, you can use the priority service. Priority service has no bearing on your previous visa attempts or their results.

May 8, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Hi! Thirumal

I’m from Algeria and from January to the current time, most of all applicants are getting refusal because of the Brexit. Do you think for my case as a new applicant I’ll be exposed to get refusal if I submit now?

Does really Brexit influence on the visas according to your experience?

May 8, 2019 at 9:14 pm

Hi Ahmed! No, Brexit has no effect on UK visas. All those applicants whose visa were refused probably did not meet the requirements. UK visa process is very strict and that’s why the refusal rate is high. I wrote this article so you don’t make the same mistake as others did.

Nana Aqwecy says

May 8, 2019 at 5:15 pm

Hello sir! Please, I applied for a visit visa (UK). I went for my passport yesterday but there was no visa in it and no reason for visa refusal. I got only my passport without any changes. Thank you!

May 8, 2019 at 9:07 pm

Hi Nana! If you see the comments here, quite a few readers went through the same situation as you. The ECO probably forgot to include the refusal letter. There is nothing you can do. If you try to contact for the refusal reasons, you will only be spending a lot with no success.

I suggest to move on or re-apply again.

May 8, 2019 at 4:50 pm

Thank you very much for your kind guidance Thirumal! I have some doubts.

1. We are Sri Lankan passport holders; I’m currently working in Qatar and applying for UK tourist visa from Qatar. Do I have to mention Qatar or Sri Lanka in Travel History? My son born in Qatar last year and we visited Sri Lanka once. How can I state his travel history? In the online portal, it’s mandatory to state entry and exit dates. 2. What to write in “describe the details of the purpose of visit and plans for the trip”? 3. They ask for the “intended expenses” for each application, the portal doesn’t take “0” for my dependents. Should I split the expenses by 3 and enter?

May 10, 2019 at 7:54 pm

1. Travels to your own country are not considered as travel history because you have (1) unconditional entry and (2) indefinite leave to remain in your country of passport. But if you are listing countries for the question “have you traveled to any country outside your country of residence?” then you must list Sri Lanka as well. Qatar is your country of residence and you will not list Qatar.

Same applies to your son as well. You must list all travels to Sri Lanka but not Qatar.

2. If your purpose of travel is “tourism”, you must mention that your purpose of travel is tourism, you travel dates, places or cities that you intend to visit.

3. Yes, split the expenses by 3.

May 8, 2019 at 3:31 pm

I am applying for UK Visit Visa from the UAE. I am an Indian passport holder resident of the UAE. Is it required to say in the application details of my bank account if I give a letter from my employer? Is it necessary to declare the NRE account I hold in India?

May 8, 2019 at 9:01 pm

Hi Subramanian! I suggest providing your bank statements only from the UAE. If you provide your bank statements from India, it can complicate your case.

Saanya Gandhi says

May 7, 2019 at 8:45 pm

Thanks a lot for all your help. This article and the comments and questions here helped me a lot. I got my Visa today!

May 8, 2019 at 2:53 pm

Hi Saanya! That’s fantastic! Congratulations! I’m glad that this article, questions and comments were helpful in securing your visa.

Have a great trip to the UK!!

CeeKay says

May 7, 2019 at 10:36 am

I’m about to have my visa appointment tomorrow, I am applying for a standard visiting visa.

I have visited the U.K. multiple times ever since 2006, reason being I have family and friends that are citizens and live there as well. In 2014 I was admitted to a University in England to study my undergrad degree and then went onto do a masters at the same university… One of my main reasons for applying for the visa is my graduation ceremony is in July this year.

Beyond traveling to England I have visited and lived in 4 other countries. Never overstayed or broke any immigration rules… So I have a decent travel history.

This is my first time applying for a visitors visa to the U.K as an adult seeing as every other time I had applied I was under 18 and I applied with family.

I was just wondering what are my chances of my visa being granted?

May 9, 2019 at 2:49 am

Hi CeeKay! You have a very good travel history including travels to the UK. Apart from that, you would need to show that (1) you have strong ties with your country and (2) you are obligated to return back after your trip. To prove these, you must have continuous full-time employment, a continuous source of income, enough savings in the bank and family ties.

Your travel history will definitely help you even if you lack some of these. But your chances will be higher if you are strong in these.

May 6, 2019 at 9:17 pm

I am a Pakistani national, living in Jeddah (KSA) and in the process of applying for UK Business Visa. There is a question regarding KSA Immigration status in visa application (GOV.UK). There are two options for this question: 1. Temporary Visa 2. Permanent Resident. I selected ‘Permanent Resident’ in my last application way back in June 2016 (and the application was successful). But this time after more research, I decided to choose the option ‘Temporary Visa’ as this option suits more to foreigners living in KSA. Also, this time if you choose the option ‘Permanent Resident’ option, it would bring another field to enter ‘In which Year you became Permanent Resident’? (which was not the case three years ago in GOV.UK application). So, obviously, I cannot go for the PR option this time.

So if I choose the ‘Temporary Visa’ option this time in the new application, would it make any problem for my new application since in my last application I chose different option (PR). They could reject the application by mentioning that I lied to them in my previous application. Should I offer an explanation in the ‘Additional Information’ page that why I chose ‘Permanent Resident’ option in the previous application and why this time I choose the option ‘Temporary Visa’? Or this Immigration status information (in KSA) would not matter to them much? Or shall I not mention at all about previous application where I mentioned ‘Permanent Resident’ option?

Please advice!

May 9, 2019 at 3:06 am

Hi Ahmed! Many use the terms “permanent residence” and “residence permit” interchangeably. But those two are actually different and that’s why that new question on the UK visa application.

You should choose “Temporary Visa” since that’s the most appropriate for your situation.

Do not worry about using “Permanent Resident” in your previous visa application. The Entry Clearance Officer would be interested in the result of your previous visa application but they will not be doing a field by field comparison. You don’t need to offer any explanation on that.

That being said, I suggest adding a section in your cover letter such as “Status in KSA” and briefly explain your visa status. Something on the lines of how long your visa is valid for and how often do you renew, etc. If the ECO is not familiar with visas in KSA, this explanation will help.

Janney says

May 6, 2019 at 2:57 pm

Hi, I have a large sum of money deposit in my account about £600. The money was deposited by my husband. I will be applying for a tourism Visa next month. The problem is how do I explain this large deposit. Remember I don’t have any proof of the deposit not even the pay in slip. Please, how can I explain this in my cover letter? Thanks.

May 14, 2019 at 10:24 pm

Hi Janney! You can have your husband write a letter explaining the deposit amount, date and reason. It will help if – – You can notarize this letter – Provide the bank statement of your husband where he withdrew £600 in order to deposit in your account

Patrick says

May 6, 2019 at 12:53 pm

Thanks so much for this site. Please, I need some help. I am trying to apply for a 2-week tourist visa to see my sister. 1. I have had 2 previous visa refusals in 2006 and 2007. As of that time I was 12-13 years of age, and I’m unable to find the reason for the refusal. 2. If I say I plan to stay at her house in Newcastle for most of the trip, what do I include in my itinerary, seeing as I don’t intend to do much? 3. She may have moved from Newcastle to London just before my intended entry date, how do I let the home office know so that I don’t seem dishonest/confused at border control?

Thanks for your anticipated response.

May 14, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hi Patrick!

1. You can just say that you don’t know or remember the reason. 2. In that case, shorten your itinerary. Have a few days for spending at your sister’s place and few days traveling (day trips, picnics, etc) with your sister. 3. This shouldn’t be a problem. You can change your itinerary when you actually travel. As long as you are not abusing the visa, you are fine.

May 5, 2019 at 6:29 pm

I entered The UK on Jan 19th, 2018 and travelled around Europe and outside Europe. On Nov 7th I entered the UK from Italy but was refused entry. I flew back to Italy and spent a couple of months. I had a flight scheduled for my home country on the 14/01 from Gatwick but it was not a connecting flight from Italy so I needed to collect luggage and check in etc. I was refused entry but was able to board the flight. I don’t need a visa to enter the UK but was advised by an immigration officer to apply for a visa if ever I’m returning to the UK. He also stated that I’ll need to show evidence that my situation has changed. I now have a job offer with clearance entry. Do I still need to apply for a visa or is the letter from the employer sufficient?

May 14, 2019 at 10:14 pm

Hi Jane! My knowledge and experience are only in visas with “tourism” intent. I don’t know how “work authorizations” function. You may not need a visa to enter since you are visa exempt. But you may need a visa to work in the UK. You must check with the employer or authorities on the exact requirement.

May 5, 2019 at 1:50 pm

So I’ll be travelling to the UK soon and applying for my UK visa. My uncle is inviting myself and my family. We are well travelled to the UK as well. My uncle’s British passport recently expired but he is about to renew it and wants to send us the bio-data page of the expired passport as well as evidence of his application for the new one, as we need to submit the application asap. Do you think this is fine or the expiration could affect us even though he will write in his letter that his new one is being applied for and show proof?

May 5, 2019 at 6:44 pm

Hi Abaks! It won’t affect your visa. You will be fine by submitting a copy of his expired passport and a proof of application for his new passport. If required, the home office will have a way to verify this information on their end.

May 5, 2019 at 6:11 am

I am planning to visit London along with Paris/Zurich in September along with my family(wife and 1 kid of 4 years of age) for a total of 10 days. I had booked flights and Hotels as well. Below is my itinerary :- Hyderabad -> London -> Paris -> Zurich -> Venice -> Hyderabad

I had travelled to the US 5 times in the past and also been to Paris once in the past.

Can you please suggest whether I should show the complete itinerary for UK visa application or only Hyderabad -> London -> Hyderabad?.

If I should be showing only London Itenary, then how should I mention it as I would be travelling back from Venice to Hyderabad, not from London to Hyderabad and tickets were also already booked for the same.

Should I show it as below:- Day 1: Arrival to London Day 2: In London…… Day 3: London to Paris by Eurostar Train. Day 10: Venice to Hyderabad

Thanks, Kunal

May 5, 2019 at 6:54 pm

Hi Kunal! First of all, you must not “purchase” flight tickets before your visas are approved. If your visa/visas are denied, you will have a hard time getting a refund on your flights.

I suggest applying for your UK visa with a “UK only” itinerary. This eliminates the need to show a copy of your Schengen visa (which you don’t have yet). Therefore, go for Hyd-Lon-Hyd itinerary.

UK visa application doesn’t ask for flight tickets or hotel accommodation. If at all you are asked to submit them as well, ask any travel agent to book/hold flight tickets for you. Flight tickets can be held for about 2 weeks. You can submit your booked/held flight tickets for your UK visa. Refer to my article on ways to get a flight itinerary for visa applications for more options.

Schengen Visa

Your UK visa will take up to 30 days for processing. After your UK visa is approved, apply for your Schengen visa as a combined itinerary of UK and Schengen. You can use your already “purchased” tickets for your Schengen visa. Make sure to submit a copy of your approved UK visa as well.

May 5, 2019 at 3:30 am

My visa was refused on April 23. I applied for a tourist visa staying there for 5 months. My bf sponsored me sending all his documents. I submitted all the requirements however, there was no letter from the employer stating that I was given a 6-month annual leave and that I still have a job to return to after my trip. I only submitted my certificate of employment. 1 more reason that they saw was the bank statement of my boyfriend. They saw that on the last day of the month, he had a deposit of 2k pounds (it’s his salary that’s automatically deposited in his account every 30th of the month).

Now, we are planning to reapply again this June, this time I will only stay there for 3 months. However, I already resigned from my job and currently unemployed. I don’t know what proof I should provide to show my intent to return. Friends told me that I shouldn’t apply for a tourist visa, but a fiancee visa instead. Does that make any difference? Do you think I’d be allowed to stay there for 3 months? Any advice on what I should do, please? The refusal stressed me out. Boyfriend said we will have to explain everything in the cover letter this time.

I am also staying at his own house. Boyfriend said his parents will write a letter to sponsor me, but won’t submit their bank details.

HI Jada! Your UK visitor visa will likely be denied if you seek a long entry such as 6 months or even 3 months. If you are unemployed and has a UK bf, it’s very difficult to convince the visa officer that you will return back to your country.

If you guys are intending to marry soon, then a fiancee visa is an option. My knowledge and experience are only in tourist visas. I don’t have expertise in fiancee or spouse visas for the UK. You may have to consult an immigration lawyer for that.

May 5, 2019 at 12:11 am

Thank you, Thiru. Your blog carries a lot of info for visa applicants.

I have another query for you.

If we plan to visit London and Europe from Australia do you recommend to apply for the UK visa and Schengen Visa by treating each one as independent travel from Australia? OR Can we show in our Schengen Visa itinerary that we are travelling from London to France by road?

May 5, 2019 at 2:03 am

Hi Chen! First, apply for your UK visa by treating it as independent travel from Australia.

Second, after you receive your UK visa, apply for Schengen visa as a combined itinerary of UK and Schengen. Since you will already have your UK visa by then, you can attach a copy of your UK visa with your Schengen visa application.

May 4, 2019 at 12:29 pm

Yes, I dont have documentary evidence to prove that those funds of my mother is a Gift :(

It’s fine thou

1) Is it okay to change the sponsor and make my Father as a sponsor since the date of refusal is in 2018

2) When we talk about economic and ties, do I need to show both my father’s ties and my ties also if I have it, knowing that the applicant is me and is not my father?

3) Do you think when a student submit ties under his name (such as a car, or any other property) the ECO will check them one by one?

I really need an answer for these and thankyou so much!!

May 5, 2019 at 1:53 am

1) Yes. You can use a different sponsor for your reapplication. 2) No. Just you. You have to show that you have strong ties to your country, so you will return back to your country after your trip. 3) They may. There are instances where third-party agencies have called applicant’s employers, schools, banks, etc. If they are charging £100 and taking 30 days, they are definitely verifying something.

Nousar says

May 4, 2019 at 9:39 am

I’m preparing to apply for the UK visit visa for me and my family. I have some confusions. 1. I have traveled around 10 times in the last 10 years to UAE, as I worked there. Do I have to mention all the date of entry and exit from UAE (currently I’m employed in Qatar) 2. In the online application, after employment and salary details, it is asked about any other investment or saving. I have savings in my salary account. Should I mention that in that part? 3. I have more than enough saving in that salary account in Qatar. Hence, I think, no need to state about my other small saving in my home country and share market investment there. What is your opinion? 4. I was refused Holiday working visa 16 years back (in 2003), Do I have to mention that. The actual reason for the rejection is too many people applied for that category visa. However, they mentioned in the rejection that “unable to explain the purpose of the application”. How can I describe in the application about this? 5. Do I have to state about my properties in my home county? If so, will they accept the copies of the deeds as proof?

May 5, 2019 at 2:00 am

1. Just mention the most recent visit to UAE. 2. Yes. 3. Yeah, don’t mention your savings in your home country. If you do, then you will have to show the transactions between these accounts and it will complicate your case. 4. Yes. Mention whatever they mentioned as the reason – “unable to explain the purpose of the application”. 5. You can. Yes, copies of deeds are enough.

Vishal K. says

May 4, 2019 at 8:21 am

Hello, I have submitted my application online at VFS with scanned documents. I uploaded bank statement etc. But I didn’t attach a scanned copy of my savings (demat) and source of income.

Can I submit a hard copy of this document during my biometric? Do they review hard copies or is decision done only on the basis of uploaded scanned copies?

May 4, 2019 at 9:26 pm

Hi Vishal! It has to be either one – online or offline. I don’t know if they can accept some online and some offline. I suggest carrying those documents with you on your biometric appointment.

May 4, 2019 at 3:21 am

Hi! I have travelled 8 countries including Turkey, Russia, Saudi, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Thailand and UAE in the past 5 years along with my spouse for tourism. Now I have match tickets for the cricket world cup. I have a valid US visa whereas my spouse does not. I will sponsor my spouse’s trip expenses. I have not travelled the US yet. I am planning to apply for the UK visa this month. Problem is I have multiple Schengen rejections. I have good funds assets and a stable job. Should I apply now or travel the US first come back and apply? Will previous Schengen refusals cause any problem? How to increase my chances as I have good travel history too?

May 4, 2019 at 8:13 pm

Hi Najam! It depends if your Schengen rejections were prior to building that travel history. If it was prior to building your travel history, it won’t impact your UK visa that much. You have already proved that you are a genuine visitor by securing visas, traveling to those countries and promptly returning back without overstaying.

Yes. I suggest traveling to the US first. This strengthens your travel history and builds more trust in you as a genuine traveler.

May 3, 2019 at 9:55 pm

His salary is 40.000 escudos monthly.

The first 7 day’s he is going to stay here in my house! Where I will be responsible for travel costs and food etc. Then we are going to London for 7 days. Then 7 days to Manchester.

How can we do this then?

And we did the application for 21 days. He has also a cover letter of his employer that he has right’s for 21 day’s to spend his holiday.

Are 2000 pounds not enough then? I am sponsoring 500 pounds as well

So only my payslip and bank statement and the tenancy agreement are enough to send? As approval.

I am very concerned regarding this refusal.

May 4, 2019 at 9:11 pm

Hi Dishy! I completely understand your concern. But it would be difficult to convince the visa officer. They weigh all factors including family and friends. They would think that he would starve or abandon his family if he uses all his savings on this trip. That is why there are those limits.

Raghav says

May 3, 2019 at 5:28 pm

Hi sir, I am earning 18,000 AED in Dubai (in Dubai since 2016) and my wife is earning 3,000 AED in Dubai (since April 2018). We both traveled previously countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Georgia together in last one year. We don’t have a marriage certificate at the moment.

I understand that 3000 AED is not enough for UK visa but will they consider my salary also if in documentation we show them marriage photographs or previous travel history. Please suggest what is the best option to avoid the visa refusal for both of us as my bank statements are showing regular salary deposits.

May 3, 2019 at 6:54 pm

Hi Raghav! Yes, that’s a workable solution. Clearly mention in your cover letter that you don’t have a marriage certificate (yet) but you have other evidence such as photos, travel history, social media communication, wedding invitation (online or offline), etc. That should suffice.

Apart from that, I suggest providing employment and financial proofs for both of you.

May 3, 2019 at 4:21 pm

I found one of the reasons for someone’s 2 consecutive UK Visa refusals is

* You state you wish to visit the UK for a period of 10 days with your spouse to visit your friend and for tourism.

In this case, how many days you recommended to apply the visa for?

May 3, 2019 at 9:06 pm

Hi Chen! 10 days is perfectly fine but it depends on your itinerary. If you plan to spend all those 10 days in London, it doesn’t sound realistic. It raises the question of why you need 10 days to explore London. But if you plan to explore multiple cities (or countryside) in those 10 days, it’s a believable itinerary.

That being said, your refusal could also be due to your friend in the UK. When you introduce new people on the visa application, the UK home office conducts background checks on them. If there is anything questionable in their backgrounds, your visa will be refused.

May 3, 2019 at 1:41 pm

Thank you for your help so far! :)

I am just wondering how to prove that my grandmother has family remaining back home (and in turn, intends to return home at the end of her stay in the UK). Is it as simple as providing a letter outlining this or do I need further documentation?

Thanks, Inohna

May 3, 2019 at 6:42 pm

Hi Inohna! It’s both. You can provide documentary evidence such as her kids’ (or whoever living with her in the house) current employment, business or school enrollment proofs. These documents will show that they are currently living in her home country.

You will then explain about her family remaining back at home during her trip in her cover letter.

May 3, 2019 at 10:02 am

Hi Thirumal My parents’ visa has been refused. They wanted to come to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary here on a tourist visa. Also, their visa for the long term has been refused back in 2014. I am so heartbroken. what can we do?

Please advise.

May 3, 2019 at 6:36 pm

Hi Tania! Without knowing your complete circumstances, I cannot advise on your case. Many factors affect UK visa result including any previous visa refusals. I suggest reading this article as well as the article on visa mistakes to avoid . After that, carefully review your case to figure any issues, mistakes or drawbacks.

Celine says

May 3, 2019 at 9:59 am

I am from Malaysia and have started my application for a Tier 5 GAE Visa. My starting date of work should be on the 13th of May, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, it will be pushed until the 25th of May. Hence, the change of the intended date of travel, leaving date and start of work date.

But on the other hand, my employer has already paid the IHS payment but not the final visa payment and I can’t seem to go back and amend my application unless I restart it (note that I don’t know if this would mean the IHS payment would be foregone).

I have also contacted my employer to have the certificate of sponsorship altered to note of the change of dates. Do you think my visa would get refused if I don’t make date amends on my visa application?

May 11, 2019 at 2:19 am

Hi Celine! I’m a traveler, so my experience and knowledge are only in tourist visas. I don’t know how UK work visas work. Your employer may have a legal or visa department, who can help with your queries. I’m not qualified to help with work visas.

May 3, 2019 at 9:06 am

In my child’s application by mistake, I have answered the question to “Will anyone be sponsoring your trip” as no? All of us are going together and I have mentioned that in the comments section of her application. Also, I have mentioned mine and my wife’s GWF Application numbers on her Application. Is it fine or will I have to redo the application? Would they be considerate enough to understand that a 19-month-old will definitely not pay for this trip?

May 3, 2019 at 6:32 pm

Hi Angad! I suggest making a manual correction on the printed application. Then mention the mistake and correction in the cover letter. That should be enough. There is no need to redo the application.

May 3, 2019 at 8:07 am

My friend is applying for a UK visa to spend holidays here for the first time.

He has. – Letter from his employer that he is all-out to spend holiday 21 days. – His contract from his employer that he reserves 40.000 escudos (Cape Verde Islands). – His tenant’s agreement what he pays 15700 escudos rental monthly. He.lives with his wife and parents so they share the costs but the contract is only in his name. – He had saved 1800 pounds for over 1 year. And he deposited in his bank account because he reserves his salary with pre-check.

– I will sponsor him with 500 pounds I send it by western union to him he has the approval from the western union. – He has his travel insurance. – And also the hotel reservations in London and Manchester because he stays for 1 week at my house for 1 week in London and 1 week in Manchester. – My employer has made a letter that I have the authorization to spend the holiday with my friend.

After reading this could you tell me if we are missing something can his visa be refused because of the money?

And what do we need more?

May 3, 2019 at 9:36 pm

– 21 days is too long, especially keeping his savings (£1,800) in mind. The average budget to travel in the UK is about £150 a day. – I don’t understand what “he reserves” mean. I’m assuming that it’s his monthly salary (£300). UK entry clearance officers usually refuse the visa if the total travel budget is more than 2 months of one’s salary. – Tenant agreement and family helps. It strengthens his ties with his home country, his family ties and his obligation to return back home. – His savings are fine, but he needs to reduce his itinerary. The UK entry clearance officer will refuse the visa if the total travel budget is more than half of one’s savings. If his savings are £1,800, then his total travel budget can be about £900. £900 would be good for 6 days. But his salary is £300. His total travel budget cannot be more than £600, which is enough for 4 days. Keeping his savings and salary in mind, he has fewer chances of visa approval.

– Sending money via western union can appear fishy to the entry clearance officer. There are a few negative points here — A “friend” is not a strong relationship. Sending money via western union for someone’s travel raises all kinds of red flags — Instead of sending money via western union, if you sponsor him by providing your employment, financial and other proofs, it still raises questions on your relationship. – Travel insurance is not required for the UK visa – Hotel reservations are fine but they may not be asked.

May 3, 2019 at 6:44 am

Hi Thirumal, thanks for sharing your great experience. I’m a poultry farmer in Nigeria, I applied for UK tourist visa in November 2018 but I was refused, the reasons for refusal are

• immigration history • you stated that you intend to travel to the united kingdom for the period of 10 days tourism • In your application, you stated that the cost of the trip personally to you will be £1000(463,985GN) • In support of your application you have provided personal bank statement from the first bank with a closing balance of 519, 253NGN (£1,119) taking into the account stated cost of your trip, this would leave you an available balance of £119( 55,269NGN). I don’t find it credible that you would exhaust nearly all the funds available to you on a 10 days vacation to the united kingdom. • Given the above, I am not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry to the united kingdom as a visitor nor am I satisfied that you will leave at the end of your visit I, therefore, refused your application under paragraphs V4.2(a) and (c).

Since then I have have been making all my transactions go through my account

Recently I intend to use my certificate of incorporation for some reason and discovered it was counterfeit and I paid the right amount for the agent that processed it. Now I have done the authentic one, will it has any negative effects on my next application as it was not even mentioned (I discovered it myself after the refusal)

On the immigration history I tried to visit Ghana as I am always a busy person will that solve the issue of immigration history?

Thanks so much hoping to read your reply as soon as possible.

May 10, 2019 at 10:48 pm

Hi Idowu! You already know the reasons for your visa refusal and it’s great that you have been working on fixing them yourself.

Along with making all our transactions go through your account, I suggest not depositing large amounts. If you do, make sure you have documentary evidence of what those deposits are and why.

You don’t have to worry about your certificate of incorporation. It’s hard to tell if the ECO has noticed or not. But mentioning that you figured it yourself and the one that you submitted now is the genuine one will definitely open up a can of worms. This may complicate your case. I suggest not mentioning it but instead provide your genuine certification of incorporation with your current application.

Travel history cannot be just one country. Travel history is not just traveling to a bunch of countries. It’s about abiding by the immigration laws of those countries. You have to travel to a lot more countries and especially to those countries that require visas.

Ben Amos says

May 2, 2019 at 11:22 pm

My spouse was refused UK visa and was told she might be refused unless her circumstances changed, I will like to ask what they mean by change in circumstances. I will like to add that she has travelled to another country since her last refusal from the UK embassy does this mean her circumstances have changed? and right now she has a more detailed reason for wanting to travel to the UK. your response will be highly appreciated.

May 3, 2019 at 9:51 pm

Hi Ben! Changes in circumstances mean the re-application cannot be exactly the same as the old application. A combination of changes in one’s employment background, educational background, marital/family status, type of visa requested, the purpose of travel, etc. are considered as changes in circumstances. Changes in circumstances also mean that you have an entirely different reason to travel to the UK.

It is difficult to say whether changes in travel history and purpose of travel can be considered as changes in circumstances. But you can give it a try by reapplying.

May 2, 2019 at 9:59 pm

I’m a student and my tourist visa got refused last year due to a large beginning balance in the bank statement of my mother (14k£). In fact, my mother had those funds for 6 years. But I couldn’t justify it because it is a gift of my grandfather who is dead in 2018. So I’m desperate because I’m unable to justify it since there isn’t any legal document.

1) How can I justify it? Can you suggest anything for me?

And thanks in advance

May 3, 2019 at 6:21 pm

Hi Ahmed! Unfortunately, you would need documentary evidence proving that those funds are a gift from your grandfather. I understand your personal circumstances, but the UK entry clearance officers only rely on documentary evidence. Sorry, I don’t have any suggestions for you.

May 2, 2019 at 6:55 pm

Thank you for your reply!

Do I need to provide a cover letter from my husband too stating his and our circumstances etc or is that not necessary

I am planning to tell the home office that I acquired all that money by saving parts of my monthly pocket money from family and husband. I have proof of money transfers from my husband but not from my family. Is there a way to provide some sort of proof or will the visa officers will take my word for it lol?

Would you say visiting the UK for solely tourism purpose has more success rate when it comes to granting visas compared to when you say you are being invited and sponsored by a family member?

May 2, 2019 at 11:07 pm

Hi Rasa! You have to provide a “cover letter” for your visa. But your husband can provide a “letter” introducing himself, his documents and the reason for travel.

You have to provide documentary evidence. In the worst case, try to convince the entry clearance officer in your cover letter.

An applicant with full-time employment, financial stability, travel history, strong family and social ties visiting the UK for the purpose of “tourism” has the highest chance of approval. All other variations introduce complexity and thereby affecting the visa result.

May 2, 2019 at 5:47 pm

Sir, I have applied on 17 April for a UK visitor visa, but haven’t received the result yet. How many days it takes? I have already visited the UK 2 times.

May 3, 2019 at 6:06 pm

Hi Raman! The UK visa process takes about 30 days or even more in some cases. You just have to wait till you hear the result from the UK home office.

Kunaal says

May 2, 2019 at 5:41 pm

2 questions – 1) If my passport has all names under the given names section, how am I expected to fill up the form? Do I type my full name both in the Surname & Given Names fields? 2) As we are a family of 4 ( 2 A + 2 C < 18 years ) traveling together and I am paying all the expenses, is the questions "How much money are you planning to spend on your visit to the UK?" & " What is the total amount of money you spend each month?" to be answered as cumulatively/totally for my family, or individually ? (We have booked a package and do we just split that cost by 4 persons?)

May 3, 2019 at 6:02 pm

1) First of all, you have to get your passport fixed. Your “surname” must be in the surname field and not in the given name field. You cannot have your “surname” field blank. This is causes a lot of issues for your visas.

Secondly, for your UK visa application, you can write your actual “given name” in the given name field and actual “surname” in the family name field. You cannot leave your “family name” field blank.

2) For the question “how much you are planning to spend in the UK”, you will put the cumulative total for yourself and zero for everyone else.

For the question, “total money you spend each month”, you will put the cumulative total for yourself and zero for everyone else (assuming your wife is a dependent).

In my opinion, you cannot split the cost by 4 since your family doesn’t have their own income. Your family becomes your own expense, therefore you will enter the total for yourself.

October 17, 2019 at 3:39 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for all of your help and inputs.

While filling in form I found out that It does not accept 0 as an answer to “how much you are planning to spend in the UK”. Can you please suggest what should be the input here for dependents when Primary applicant is mentioning the cumulative amount in his application?

October 18, 2019 at 3:20 pm

Hi Sukhminder! Yes, the application doesn’t accept 0. Divide the expected expenditure equally among you and your dependents. You can mention in your cover letter that you will be bearing everyone’s expenditure.

May 2, 2019 at 8:38 am

Wondering if you advise here. I’m sponsoring my sister with family for the UK visit for 10 days in summer vacations. After reading all the above comments, I’ve found one weak point in their file. There was a big cash deposit in their bank account last month. And they have rented land lease agreement to support that deposit but the lease has named to my sister’s father-in-law. Can you please advise what kind of doc they need from their father-in-law to support this. They already have a Will written to their name from him.

May 2, 2019 at 10:47 pm

Hi Jaz! Quite a bit of information is missing in your question, so it’s difficult to tell exactly what documents are needed. You mentioned “sister and family”. Who is the “family” in this case? You also said, “in their bank account”. Who is “they” in this case? Is it your sister or her husband?

With the limited information available, I think you should provide the lease agreement, a letter from your sister’s father-in-law on why the amount was deposited in her account and a copy of the Will.

May 2, 2019 at 7:50 am

Hi. I am planning to apply for a UK tourist visa. I got married a few months ago and my brother in the UK wants to host a dinner for my spouse and I. I am not from a visa exempt country. Which would be the best option to show as proof of funds out of the following:

1) My brother who is a UK citizen sponsoring me 2) My dad’s bank statements and a cover letter from him stating him as my sponsor 3) My spouse’s bank statements and a cover letter from him stating him as my sponsor (My husband is a Canadian citizen living and working in Canada and intends to join me there for four days once my application gets approval). 4) Bank statements of my own personal current bank account. I have around £8000 in my current account ( I have always been unemployed and acquired this money from my parents/family/husband over the course of a year and a half). If I use the 4th option as proof of funds how will I explain to the home office as to how I acquired this money?

I have been to the UK twice before (as a visitor and later as a student). Also been to Europe, South East Asia and Turkey. But nowadays I am not studying or working so would that be a problem?

I have an ongoing outland spousal visa application for Canada. If I mention that on my application would it be a good enough reason as to why I wouldn’t overstay or abuse the conditions of my UK tourist visa once it’s granted?

There is a section on the application form that asks if someone has utilized the NHS services in the past. I did twice but it was for minor, non-emergency reasons. Do I need to give information about that or just skip it as they might not have that on record

Should I mention that my spouse will be joining me there or not? If yes then do I need to provide some documents on his behalf? As mentioned above he is a Canadian and exempted from visa.

Thanks in advance

May 2, 2019 at 6:00 pm

1) Your brother is your best option as he is inviting you both. This also serves as your “purpose” of the visit. 2) No. Do not use your dad. When you introduce a new person on the UK visa application, the UK home office may conduct background checks on them. Background checks on those living outside the UK can delay your application and even lead to refusal for unknown reasons. 3) No. Do not use your spouse either. He is currently in Canada, you guys are recently married, etc will complicate your visa application. 4) No. Don’t use this option either. But you have to show your bank statements along with documentary evidence on where you have acquired those £8000 from. You will also need to disclose why you are currently unemployed. Using your brother as a sponsor will at least take some burden off from you and you will not be scrutinized that much. But again, you have to disclose your financial and employment situation.

Yes. It would be a problem. It would be difficult to show strong ties and intention to return back if you are neither employed nor studying.

Every information is trackable and verifiable these days (thanks to computers and the internet). You have to mention about your NHS use. Otherwise, it’s considered as withholding information or lying.

You should mention that your spouse will be joining you for two reasons – (1) the invitation for dinner is for both since you are recently married (2) strengthens your ties with Canada at least (if not with your home country). I suggest providing a copy of his Canada passport, your marriage certificate, your spousal visa application evidence and any other material (online wedding invitation/website, online wedding album, etc).

One suggestion I have is to apply for your UK visa from Canada after your spousal visa issuance. Your chances of approval are high since you will be together with your husband. Currently, you both are in different countries and it can complicate your UK visa application.

Salman says

May 2, 2019 at 2:44 am

Thanks a lot Sir.

Your previous reply was very helpful. One more query, please.

My actual travel plan is in September. But I would like to make the UK visa application immediately and to complete the biometric, etc within May 25 because my co-pax (parents) will be leaving to home town by May 25.

So, can I show the travel itinerary as July or August in Visa application and later make it in September? so that I can apply for the visa immediately.

May 2, 2019 at 5:39 pm

Hi Salman! Yes, you can apply early showing a Jul/Aug itinerary and travel later in September. The UK visitor visa is usually valid for 6 months. You can travel anytime within those 6 months.

May 2, 2019 at 1:23 am

Hi, I have applied for the UK visa and yesterday visited VFS center and provided biometrics and documents. But they gave back my UKVI IELTS. I am not sure why they did that. when I checked on the internet it is one of the mandatory document required for visa. So kindly suggest what should I do now? Does the visa officer get back to us asking the missing document?

May 2, 2019 at 5:35 pm

Hi NPB! IELTS report is not required for the UK visitor visa for the purpose of “tourism”. If your purpose of the visit is to “study” but mentioned as “tourism” in your application, the VFS staff will not accept IELTS as it’s not required for “tourism” purpose.

No. The visa officers will not get back to you. If the UK visa officers figure that a document is missing, they refuse the visa and mention what documents are missing in the refusal letter. Then, your only option is to reapply for the visa with all documents including the missing ones.

May 2, 2019 at 12:23 am

Hi Sir, I am planning to visit the UK at the end of June for the ICC cricket world cup. My trip will be for 10 days. The concern I have is my finances. I am a US permanent resident, originally from Guyana. I have a job, with an income of about $1800 USD (£1380) per month. My monthly living expense is about half my income. I am also in school doing my masters.

As stated, I’m worried about my bank balance over the last five months. The balance has been around $600 USD. The reason being, I already purchased my tickets to attend the games, my airline ticket (even though I read not to do so until Visa is granted), I already paid for my hotel, and I also purchased train tickets to attend the games. I plan to stay in Manchester, but the games I am attended are in different cities. I do plan to send to all these documents to strengthen my case. I read your blog and I created an itinerary for my trip and a budget. My budget for the trip is $1050 USD (£800), that is only for food and any minor shopping since everything has been paid for.

My plan was to use my income tax return to assist with the trip. However, my refund was delayed for two months because I made a mistake when filing. I finally received my tax refund today. I had planned to submit my visa application on the 12th of May, the day after my next bank statement will be processed. Even though now because of the refund my bank balanced will be $3,400, I’m worried because the money would have only been there for only 10 days they will think I don’t have access to these funds. The other option will be to wait for next month but that will be cutting it close. I plan to travel on the 29th of June.

Your advice would be appreciated.

May 2, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Hi Delon! You have paid for everything already, so make sure you (1) provide documentary evidence (tickets, etc) for those and (1) list out all those that are already paid for in your cover letter.

You can use your tax return for your travel. But you have to show documentary evidence of the origin of those funds. Your IRS tax return and bank statement will do. Again, clearly mention your tax return, amount and date in your cover letter.

May 1, 2019 at 10:21 pm

I am an Indian passport holder and wish to visit the UK with my wife. I will be accompanied by my son and his family who are residents of Germany (but Indian passport holders). I have following questions where your suggestions would be helpful:

1) I have visited my son in Germany 2 times in the past for a period of 60 and 75 days respectively. I currently have a valid Schengen Visa and am applying for a UK visa for 12 days. Do you think my previous long stays in Germany will have +ve or -ve impact on UK visa application?

2) I continue to work to keep myself busy but am generally living a retired life. Thus, I don’t have considerable regular income except for returns from my investments. How do I answer the below questions: a) How much savings do you have in GBP: Is this only cash in the savings account or also includes investments in shares and mutual funds? b) How much regular income you have: I have regular income from stocks but very difficult to show it as it comes as dividends which are taxed at source and hence never declared as part of my tax returns

3) I am showing that I would be travelling first to Germany to my son’s place and then we will all travel together back&forth to the UK before I return back to India. Is this going to impact my case in any way?

4) Do I need to attach any flight tickets or hotel bookings as part of the application?

I have one more point considering there is a heavy emphasis on ties with the home country. Now I am living retired life and my son and his family are also abroad. I own an apartment in my home country and I would be showing the document of ownership as part of my application. Would that be sufficient to show ties back to the home country or should I show anything else?

May 2, 2019 at 5:18 pm

1) These are long stays but not overstays. So, they won’t affect your UK visa result.

2a) This is only the cash in your savings account. Your investments and mutual funds will not count towards your savings.

2b) If you have consistent dividend income that you withdraw into your savings account (cashing your dividends), you can enter that as your regular income. But if you reinvest your dividends, then it cannot be considered as income.

3) Traveling from Germany with your son’s family is fine. But I suggest not mentioning back and forth. It can lead to questions on what exactly is your purpose, how many times you plan to enter, how long each time, etc. Unlike Schengen visa, UK entry clearance officers will not ask the applicant, instead, they deny the visa and put those questions in the refusal letter.

4) No. Flight tickets and hotel bookings are not needed for UK visa application.

If you are over retirement age, your application will not be scrutinized much. The entry clearance officers do understand that retirees are expected to enjoy their lives and travel. You should be ok by just showing the ownership of your house.

May 1, 2019 at 5:54 pm

Hi sir, I appreciate the quick response. Well, I’m self-employed so I will submit a business a/c and personal savings a/c. So the £4000 is as a result of partial profits from my business. I will declare £1800 monthly profits. So in brief, I save a 3rd of profits in my personal a/c. I hope it will a good case for me.

May 2, 2019 at 5:08 pm

Hi Ismah! That’s fine. Make sure you provide documentary evidence for all the deposits in your personal savings account.

May 1, 2019 at 1:10 pm

Hir sir, if I submit a 6 months bank statement by starts with £30 beginning balance and last statement balance at £4000. Would such a statement have a negative impact on my financial stability?

May 1, 2019 at 4:54 pm

Hi Ismah! No, it’s perfectly fine to save £4000 in 6 months. But you have to make sure –

(1) Your salary is much higher, so you were able to save £4000 in 6 months (2) You have to show documentary evidence of the deposits in your account (such as salary).

April 30, 2019 at 7:51 pm

Hello sir! Please, I applied for visitors visa. It’s been a month now. I haven’t heard anything yet. Is it normal for it to delay such a way?

April 30, 2019 at 8:18 pm

Hi Nana! Yes, it’s normal. UK visa application process can take 30 or more days. You just have to wait till you hear from them.

Muhammad Shahbaz Ahmed says

April 30, 2019 at 3:46 pm

Sir, I have applied for the UK visit visa. In the application form, I have mentioned a saving of around 2000GBP. However, in the sponsor section, I have mentioned that my company is sponsoring my trip. They have given me 1600GBP in form of cheque the same is deposited in my salary account. In the sponsor letter, stating that they are giving me that tour. Question is have I need to attach any additional document from my company, for example, bank statement or tax returns.

April 30, 2019 at 8:16 pm

Hi Muhammad! You don’t need to provide any bank statements or tax returns from your employer. But make sure your employer clearly indicates the cheque number, amount and issue date in the sponsor letter.

Sathya says

April 30, 2019 at 3:10 pm

I am an Indian citizen, and also I am a Permanent Resident (Green card holder) of the USA since 2015. I have only traveled between India and USA so far, multiple times, but haven’t traveled to any other countries.

How should I answer the question in UK visa application about “Most recent travel”? (I reside in the USA and visit India about once every two years). Should I write India as the country where I traveled or the USA? What should I write for ‘how many times have you visited the USA’ and ‘duration of travel to the USA’ because this is where I live as a Permanent Resident now.

Your insight would be helpful! Thanks, Sathya

May 1, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Hi Sathya! As long as you hold India passport, residing in other countries are still considered as “travel” for visa applications. Therefore, your “most recent travel” will be the US. You will simply enter the details on when you entered and how long you stayed. Ex: Entered: March 2015; Duration: 36 months.

April 30, 2019 at 1:12 pm

Hi! Nice article. BTW, I am planning to visit the UK for 4 days. June 4 to 7, 2019 but my residence permit in UAE will expire on Dec 4, 2019. Are there any implications on this? Thanks.

April 30, 2019 at 8:21 pm

Hi Rus! I don’t see any issues with that. You would still have about 6 months of your PR after your return.

April 30, 2019 at 11:38 am

Hi, I’m Emmanuel and a student at the university. I want to reapply for a visit visa after my application was refused 2 weeks ago. The reasons they refused my application are; 1. You have applied for entry clearance for 21 days to visit your step-sister and her family in the UK 2. I considered it reasonable to see satisfactory evidence of your personal and financial circumstances 3. You have not submitted sufficient documents to demonstrate your own circumstances. You have not evidenced any income or personal funds available to you- and importantly you have not, therefore, demonstrated how you pay for your day to day living expenses How can I overcome this in my next application?

May 1, 2019 at 5:21 pm

Hi Emmanuel!

1. 21 days is too long especially keeping how expense the UK is. I suggest 7-10 days itinerary. 2. You must provide your financial documents. If you are being sponsored, you must provide their employment proofs, financial proofs, relationship to you, etc 3. You must provide your financial proofs. If you have no income of your own at all, then it’s highly unlikely that your visa will be approved.

Ayodele A. says

April 30, 2019 at 11:17 am

Thanks for your guide. I was refused a UK visa twice in 2006 and I didn’t apply since then. I have secured a good job by a good company here in Nigeria since 2010 till date. I’m now planning to reapply for UK tourist visa again like I did in 2006. I traveled to Dubai in November 2018 for 7days vacation. I applied for USA visa in April 2019 but was refused. Can UK still have my refusal of 13years ago in their record so that I can mention it or not in my new application and can I mention my USA refusal too? Please, I need ur advice on these.

May 1, 2019 at 2:45 am

Hi Ayodele! UK and most other countries keep their visa records forever. Even though it was a long time ago, they may have your previous UK visa refusal in their records.

Yes, you have to mention about your UK and US visa refusals in your UK visa application form.

Calven says

April 29, 2019 at 5:05 pm

Hey, thank you for helping us.

I have been refused twice (student visitor visa) and the last time in June 2018. Then I traveled to Malaysia in June 2018. And I’m planning to visit Tunisia this summer and applying for a UK visa in October 2019.

My refusals were about that I’m not qualified enough and have no ties to my country, etc, etc.

But now I have changed my circumstances I’m a student, I have a car and I have a property (a piece of land) all these under my name. Also, I’m a student working part-time. All this happened after refusal do you think ECO thinks that I’m exaggerating by showing all this at once after refusal, knowing that the first time when I applied I was unaware that its all about evidence?

Do you think the ECO will check every single thing? Like all of what I have added and even call the other consulates of Tunisia and Malaysia to check whether my visas are real?

Or once he sees that I have a good sponsor and the previous travels on my passport that will impress him?

April 30, 2019 at 8:00 pm

Hi Calven! No. The ECO will not think you are exaggerating. Circumstances will change and sometimes those chances are much larger.

Yes. The ECO or the home office will verify the details you mention in your application. There is a reason why they charge £100 and take about 30 days to process the visa. They may not call consulates, but they may have access to certain databases that host visa and traveler information.

The ECO thinks logically than emotionally. You cannot impress them. If you are eligible and meet the requirements, they will issue the visa.

April 29, 2019 at 6:59 am

Hi, thanks for the response on my inquiry you suggested the following:

The two things you can do are – – Fix your documentation based on your last two refusals (I have fixed it, received the letters from universities for a visit) – Improve your travel history

For the second point, what exactly I should do? If I travel to other countries I won’t be able to reapply for the visit visa due to the limited time I have that is 1-2 months before I take a decision on selecting the university for future study and applying for my student visa.

I was planning to travel to the USA in June with my family should I still travel and apply for my student visa for the UK in July? Or I should cancel my plan for the USA and reapply for the UK visit visa with university invitation letters?

I really don’t want any issues with my student visa because I have been refused two times for the visit visa.

kindly suggestion: – should I reapply the visit visa and should visit the UK (if the visa is granted ) before I apply for the student visa? OR – I should travel to the USA in June and apply for the student visa in July (to improve my travel history)

Thank you very much for your suggestions Misha

April 30, 2019 at 4:15 am

Hi Misha! Travel history always helps. But if you don’t have enough time to build your travel history, you have no choice.

I think you should pick the best university based on the information you currently have and apply for your student visa. Your repeated visit visa refusals can ultimately jeopardize your student visa. In my opinion, studying in the UK is more important than merely visiting universities. Visiting the universities and taking a decision sounds great in theory but with our “weak” passports, it’s a lot difficult to make it happen.

April 29, 2019 at 5:44 am

I am planning an 8 days trip to the UK by September this year – this information is very useful. Thanks a lot.

Please guide us –

We are 6 pax – myself, father, mother, spouse, son and daughter. We are presently living in Mumbai.

The complete trip is sponsored by my employer under the Leave Travel Allowance (LTA).

We have earlier travelled to Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, UAE, etc under LTA.

While the trip would be funded by LTA advance, will my present bank balance of only Rs. 10 lakh be an issue.

Planning to stay with a friend in London for 5 days and to book accommodation thru AirBNB in Scotland for 3 days.

Family is here in Mumbai till May 31 only and they leave to hometown. Can I apply for the visa immediately for September travel plan?

How shall I present it?

April 30, 2019 at 7:43 pm

Hi Salman! You can apply for the UK visa up to 3 months in advance. Meaning, you can apply in June if you plan to travel in September.

LTA I don’t know how LTA works. I also don’t know if your company will provide a letter stating that they will bear your expenses or provide you with a post dated check. Either way, to avoid issues with visa, I suggest providing your personal bank statements as well.

Accommodation I suggest not mentioning your friend in London in your visa application. Instead, mention that you will stay in a hotel in London and Scotland. When you introduce new people on the application, the UK home office conducts background checks on them. This can delay your visa application and sometimes can lead to refusal.

April 29, 2019 at 4:55 am

Hi Brother, I am planning to apply for UK Visit visa for Honeymoon, and my sister & brother-in-law are giving a gift of Honeymoon Trip. Problem is they are not settled in India. They are living & working in Africa and having Resident Card. Can my sister sponsor us for UK trip?

April 30, 2019 at 4:02 am

Hi Sohil! Yes, of course, your sister can sponsor your honeymoom trip to the UK. But, you have to make sure you and your sister provide all necessary documentation. Some of it can be as below.

– Your marriage certificate – Documentation to prove your relationship with your sister

– Your employment proofs – Your financial proofs

– Your sister’s employment proofs – Your sister’s financial proofs – Your sister’s immigration proofs in Africa

– Letter from your sister stating that she is gifting you the honeymoon trip – Cover letter from you

April 29, 2019 at 3:59 am

Hello sir, what exactly is a large beginning balance? Kindly advise as it’s very Important to me.

April 29, 2019 at 9:29 pm

Hi Ismah! Let me explain with an example. Say, you provided 6 months of bank statements, the first (1st month) bank statement has a beginning balance of 10,000 pounds and last (last month) bank statement has an ending balance of 11,000 pounds. You saved 1,000 pounds over 6 months and there are no large deposits within that 6 months, which are good. But the amount in your first bank statement (10,000 pounds) will raise questions on how you acquired that amount. If it’s 2,000 pounds you will be ok, but 10,000 pounds is a large amount and you will be asked to show documentary evidence of that.

Ahmad KASSIR says

April 28, 2019 at 8:29 pm

I am going to apply for tier 5 visa UK for 1 year. I got a letter of sponsorship. I just have 2 questions. Is it necessary to secure accommodation in the UK before I apply for the VISA? May I get the VISA and once I come to the UK I look for accommodation? My second question is that I studied in France for 3 years but I travelled many many times to other Schengen countries for tourism. Should I include all the dates and the countries in the history of travel when I fill the form?

Thank you very much in advance Best regards, Ahmad

April 30, 2019 at 3:54 am

Hi Ahmad! My experience and knowledge are only in “tourist” visas as I’m a traveler. I don’t know much about work visas. Generally, for a tourist visa, accommodation proof (hotel booking) is not required.

You will enter all the countries you have traveled to so far. If you have traveled a country multiple times, enter the most recent visit to that country.

strgrdnd says

April 28, 2019 at 1:43 pm

Hi, thanks for sharing!

I’ve submitted my application. However, I have made a mistake in the application form.

I plan to go to the UK for a business trip, which I will be fully sponsored by my employer company (all of the expenses)

however, while filling the form, On the question,

2. “how much money are you planning to spend on your visit to the UK”

I answered it with the estimated cost of the whole cost of the trip. (Which is 3000 pounds). While in the details of my saving and my bank balance, it’s clear that I only have 1600 pounds (clearly couldn’t afford the cost of 3000 pounds)

Then, I was really not sure what the question really means, I really don’t know that the question is asking the money that will cost to me PERSONALLY. Should have I filled 0 instead of 3000?

It’s also stated on the next question that I will have a sponsor :

4. Will anyone be paying towards the cost of your visit? Yes

5. Who is paying towards the cost of your visit? My Employer

6. How much money will they be paying towards your visit? 3000 pounds

But, I’m really scared that my visa will get rejected due to the home office officer will assume that the cost of the trip will be 3000 from my personal + 3000 from the sponsor, which is impossible as I don’t have enough money.

How do you think my application would be? If there’s something unclear or not makes sense like this, is there a chance that the officer will call me for clarification first before making any decision to refuse?

April 29, 2019 at 9:19 pm

Hi Strgrdnd! My knowledge and experience are mostly in tourist visas with “tourism” as the purpose. But that being said, in my opinion, what you mentioned in the application was correct. The trip will cost you 3000 pounds of which your employer will pay 3000 pounds. So, there is nothing to worry about.

There were incidents where the VOs overlooked the documents (ex: employer financial documents). It would help if you had mentioned that your employer will bear all your expenses in your cover letter.

The UK home office will not contact the applicants. If they have questions, they will simply refuse the visa and put those questions as reasons in the refusal letter.

Mohamed elshenawy says

April 28, 2019 at 12:31 am

Hello, I got a refusal yesterday, I applied for a visitor visa for tourism as I’m going to take a course which isn’t accredited. I sent the course invitation letter. HR letter from governmental and private work. They refused under v4.2 as following: “I haven’t seen any evidence that this course is recreational and you intend studying in an accredited institution. I’m not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for a limited period”. So what shall I do to prove that I’m going to turn back?

April 29, 2019 at 8:00 pm

Hi Mohamed! Usually, the following two documents work well to prove that you will return back to your home country after your trip.

– Leave approval letter from your employer stating your dates of vacation (course), country of vacation (UK) and the date on which you have to return to work. – Documentation proving that your family will remain back in your home country while you are on the trip.

Hammad says

April 27, 2019 at 11:21 am

Thanks, Thirumal for the info. I am 17 and my sister is 23. We are planning to go to the United Kingdom with our parents. My sister studying in a University and I have given exams for my 12 grade (still awaiting result). I have not taken admission in any course yet. My father is sponsoring the trip. What are the extra documents that I and my sister have to show to get the UK visa? Thanks.

April 30, 2019 at 9:06 pm

Hi Hammad! Your sister may have to provide a letter from the university that she is studying there. You don’t need to worry much from your side as you are still minor.

Apart from the usual documentation, your parents have to provide documentation to show that you all are related to each other.

April 27, 2019 at 7:40 am

Hi, I applied for a standard visa on Friday. After completing my application and paying the visa fees, I realized that I had omitted an important information with regards to the inflow of my finances. I cancelled the application because I didn’t want to take chances. How long do you think that it would take before I can reapply for another visa? Also, do you think I made the right choice by wanted to start afresh?

April 29, 2019 at 3:31 am

Hi Ijay! There is no need to wait. You can fill a new one immediately. Yes, I think it’s a wise decision to cancel the old one and start a new one. Correct and accurate information is very important.

Deepak says

April 27, 2019 at 7:18 am

Hi, I want UK visa for me & my wife. we are Indian passport holders and living in Dubai on employment visas. We don’t have a marriage certificate. How can I sponsor my wife’s visa?

April 28, 2019 at 1:16 am

Hi Deepak! You have to provide your marriage certificate if you plan to travel together as a couple. It doesn’t matter if you sponsor your wife or not. There is no way around it. In the worst case, get a letter from the authorities endorsing your marriage and non-availability of your marriage certificate.

April 26, 2019 at 9:28 pm

I am planning to apply for my parents visit visa. They haven’t travelled to any other country before.

I can provide their property documents and state pensions and rest I can do my own statements as well. Can show rest of the family back home too. What else should I do? Thanks

Best Regards, B

April 29, 2019 at 1:38 am

Hi Bea! Apart from those documents, I also suggest the following

– Your parents’ bank statements showing the monthly pension deposits. If there is a large beginning balance, you must provide documentary evidence on the origin of those funds. – A cover letter stating their dates of travel, the purpose of travel (to visit you), detailed day-by-day itinerary, employment status (when did they retire, etc), financial situation (monthly pension details) and the obligation to return back on a specific date (due to family remaining back home).

Towfiq says

April 26, 2019 at 3:06 pm

After reviewing your comments, I just wanted to get your expert opinion.

I have applied for priority visa on last 17 April to watch a Liverpool match and play over there which is fully sponsored by SCB. All documents (invitation, hotel booking, air ticket) has been provided. I have been refused due to an unaccounted transaction in my salary account. I didn’t provide any docs for that amount. Though my few other colleagues had the same issues. Some are refused(submitted same day). Some get the visa (submitted one day later). However, we have decided to re-apply again which is the day after tomorrow (28 April) as we need to fly on May 9. I have prepared my documents to clarify my funds. Half of that amount has been received from my father (I am showing the amount withdrawn from my father’s account and deposited to my account on the same day). Do I need to submit any letter from my father?

Rest half has been received from my office which I have expensed for the official purpose (I am submitting a letter from office finance stating the transaction number and amount and also will be providing the bank’s advise slip which mentioned that the amount was from my office.

Last but not least, last year I have been refused from Shenzen during world cup football but went to Russia. I have missed/forgot to mention that in my last application. What should I do now? Mention it this time? But what should I say about why I missed it in the 1st application?

I have very limited time in hand to get ur expert opinion.

Note: My justification is pretty big. The additional information may have 1000 character limits. If I can’t squeeze it in, then how I should place it to clear my standings?

April 28, 2019 at 12:45 am

“Do I need to submit any letter from my father?” Yes. Along with showing the origin of those funds, I think it’s helpful to indicate the reason for that transfer as well. Provide a letter from your father if you can.

“What should I do now? Mention it this time? But what should I say about why I missed it in the 1st application?” Yes. You should not withhold any information. If you don’t mention it because you haven’t before, that’s still withholding information. I suggest mentioning your Shenzen visa refusal.

“If I can’t squeeze it in, then how I should place it to clear my standings?” I suggest using your cover letter for this purpose. If you read the comments here, you will notice that many had success in their re-applications by clearing things up in their cover letters. Use screenshots, do comparisons, or whatever to convey your justification.

April 25, 2019 at 9:44 pm

Hi, I applied for UK visa recently to visit universities I received offer letters, the intent was to visit the universities and take the decision accordingly. My visa was refused because I didn’t submit the invitation letters from universities.

I was rejected last year as well on the bases of large funds available in my mother’s (my sponsor) bank statement which was the savings of the last 10 years. The statement submitted was of 6 months but the officer was not sure that the funds are genuine.

I need your advice on how should I re apply and what are the chances for acceptance. I really need to visit once before taking the final decision between two countries for my future studies. Also, I want to know should I resubmit all the documents again for the new application? Thank you for your help.

April 27, 2019 at 4:33 am

Your second visa attempt You already know the reason for your visa refusal. Make sure you include those letters in your next attempt.

Your first visa attempt Anyone can drop in a large amount of money in an account, wait six months and then use it for the visa application. Visa officers know all the tricks that scammers play. If you have a large beginning balance, you must show proof of origin of those funds. If your mother had those funds for years, a letter from the bank stating that she had those funds for many years will work as documentary evidence.

Since you are waiting to start your studies in the UK, it’s really difficult to show strong ties to your country. But you can make sure you are strong in other areas that can compensate for your lack of strong ties. The two things you can do are –

– Fix your documentation based on your last two refusals – Improve your travel history

April 25, 2019 at 12:59 pm

I am sponsoring my grandma’s visit from Morocco to the UK. I am currently gathering the documents for her to take to her biometrics appointment. With regards to bank statements, am I supplying mine, hers or both and for how many months?

It also requires documents to be in English. All her documents that she will take to her appointment (such as tenancy agreement or a bank statement) will be in Arabic or French. Who can certify a translated document?

Can you also suggest any other documents I should send her to support the application?

Thanks in advance!

April 26, 2019 at 4:19 am

Hi Inohna! Both. If your grandma has a source of income (such as a pension), then you have to provide her bank statements along with pension documents. If her statements have a high beginning balance, you must show documentary evidence of where those funds have come from. This applies to your bank statements as well.

Usually, you would need to present 6 months of bank statements.

You have to submit certified translations of those documents. Certified translations are done by document translators. Do a quick Google search for “document translation services near me”, you will see a list of document translators in your area.

If you are living in the UK, you must provide your employment proofs, financial proofs, status in the UK and invitation letter. Your grandma has to provide her financial documents, property ownerships (if any), family remaining in Morocco, etc.

Solomon says

April 25, 2019 at 12:39 pm

SINCERELY, YOU HAVE DONE A VERY FANTASTIC JOB.

You have encouraged me on what to provide when applying for the UK visiting visa again. But if I may ask, what happens if someone could not remember the reason why he was refused? I applied for the UK visiting visa in 2010. I was not married then and have no personal property. And I appreciate your emphasis on ties. So, just to say I didn’t have any ties then. But now I am married and have few properties. But I can’t remember why I was refused. Kindly advise on what to do.

In addition, as a self-employed person, and also doing legitimate buying and selling (land, cars, and supplying of promotional products), large amount of money drops often in the account, depending on how the market is. So from your previous various explanations, I should provide supporting documents for the transaction, right?

You don’t know how you have lifted the burden off so many people.

Thanks a lot.

April 26, 2019 at 3:43 am

Hi Soloman! If you don’t remember the reason, you can just say that you don’t remember the reason. It’s about 9 years ago, honestly, it’s difficult to remember the reason for anyone.

There are two ways to go about it. One way is to provide documentary evidence for those large deposits in your account. Other option is to maintain two different bank accounts. One specifically for your business and another for your personal. You can pay a certain amount to yourself every month and deposit this amount in your personal account every month.

April 25, 2019 at 5:55 am

I have been denied US B1/B2 visa U/s 214(b) in Feb 2019. I am applying for UK visa for my official trip. I am salaried employee, married, working in India since 2010 and my visit to UK is for meeting clients of the company and it wont be for more than 3-4 days. So want to know few things a) Does US rejection of business visa impact UK visa application? I am not going to hide about the US rejection. b) Also in the reason for US rejection what should we write – US visa rejected U/s sec 214 (b)..thats it? Because the US office doesn’t provide any detailed reasons? c) What all documents will be required to make my case strong that I intend to come back. Company leave letter/company will pay for my entire trip/ letter of invitation from the client.Any more docs? d) Also me and my wife, we stay with my mom(housewife) & dad (retired). My dad owns the property. I dont own the property. e) Any other thing which you think is required to make the case more strong for UK visa or you think that one should wait for applying for a UK visa? f) Also, my business travels will start only this year as I was promoted in 2018. I don’t have business travel history but I have visitor travel in mauritius/bangkok for toursim purpose.

Please request you to share your views.

April 25, 2019 at 10:14 pm

a) No. Your US visa rejection will not impact your UK visa application directly. The UK visas are issued based on individual merit, current circumstances and purpose of travel. It is mandatory to disclose any previous visa rejections, but they won’t impact your current UK visa application.

b) Yes, just mention that. As you said, US visa officers do not tell the exact reason for visa refusal. So, just mentioning the section details is fine.

c) Apart from that, provide your personal financial documents as well. Your employer giving their word to support your trip financially is not enough. They have to back that up with relevant financial proofs. If your company cannot provide those, the visa officers can fall back on your personal financial documents.

d) That’s fine.

e) When you start your application, you will be able to download the checklist of required documents. Since your purpose is “business”, the required documentation might be different. “Tourist” visa applicants are asked to provide documentary proofs of property ownership, family remaining back in the home country, etc. These documents may not be relevant in your case. So, take a look at that checklist and provide the required documents.

f) Your personal travel history is a bit weak. I suggest improving your travel history if you can.

April 23, 2019 at 6:20 pm

I’m planning to apply for a standard visitor visa. I am from China but now I am studying at a law school in the U.S. The summer job I applied has the location in London, where we will accompany pre-law students in London for a 4-week program. The company is supposed to provide housing and pay me. What documents should I ask the employer to prepare? I assume it is best I have a letter also from my U.S. law school. However, I don’t have an income except for part-time jobs. Do I also need to prepare my bank statements? What else should I prepare in particular?

Thanks a lot!

April 25, 2019 at 2:55 am

Hi Chen! First of all, check with your employer if a “standard visitor” visa is appropriate in your case. Since you get paid, you may need to apply for “permitted paid engagement” or “temporary worker” visa.

April 23, 2019 at 5:58 pm

Hi sir, thanks once again for this free visa guidance. I have a question for you sir. I’m planning to apply 4 a UK visa in June. I’m going to submit a 6-month bank statement from Dec 2018 to May 2019. My only worry is in Dec I overdrew the balance but the other 5 months I maintained at least reasonable balances. So my question, won’t I get a refusal because of that one month?

April 25, 2019 at 12:09 am

Hi Ismah! Usually, large deposits are an issue. Large withdrawals should not be an issue but we’ll never know. But if you can provide a documentary proof on why you had to withdraw that large amount, you should be good.

nauman says

April 23, 2019 at 5:15 pm

Hello sir, I’m applying for the UK visit visa for attending ICC world cup 2019 my purpose is clear that I wish to go there for watching cricket matches. I attached my match ticket. I’m planning to visit up for 7 to 10 days and I’m showing bank statement of 3500 pounds my financials are strong enough. I am leaving my wife in Pakistan and I give evidence of my every financial transaction but I have no travel history. What are the chances of my visa?

April 25, 2019 at 12:05 am

Hi Nauman! Travel history is important for the UK, US, Canada and Schengen visas. But if you can show that you are strong in other areas (employment, financial, family and social ties), you will be fine. Also, try to show that you are extremely interested in Cricket and this is a lifetime opportunity to watch the matches. For example, any matches you watched in Pakistan, matches you played, etc.

Bisbis says

April 23, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Good day! Would appreciate your input on my situation. I was rejected twice last year. The first rejection was for large irregular deposits.

I reapplied with a detailed cover letter explaining the funds but I was still rejected stating that they were not convinced I earn additional income from my investments even though I attached all relevant documents and also that my bank statements submitted is not up to date Should I forget about the UK for now? Whats your honest opinion. I admit I should have gone to the bank to get updated statements because I used the same statements for the first application even though there was about 2 months interval. Thanks!

April 24, 2019 at 4:44 am

Hi Bisbis! Honestly, I never understood the craze for the UK. I see people repeatedly applying, even after being refused 2, 3 or even 4 times. I feel that these people have other motives than just visiting the UK. Anyway, if you really don’t need to go to the UK, I suggest forgetting about it for now. Apply when everything is in order.

Meanwhile, there are so many beautiful countries in the world that welcomes travelers from all around the world. If you really need to take a vacation, visit those countries. It’s good for you (vacation) and for them (tourist revenue) as well.

April 23, 2019 at 11:20 am

If I have gotten rejected before and now want to apply for a priority is there a high chance for rejection? Or do they still give the application the same amount of time?

I’m applying for a short term student visa and I have already paid 4000 pounds for my tuition, My previous rejection was due to insufficient funds. How much do they expect in the account? My father (sponsor) recently also got a bonus other than his salary.

April 24, 2019 at 11:54 pm

Hi Emily! They provide the same amount of attention, either priority or not. They will only process it faster in priority.

Honestly, I don’t know much about UK student visas. My knowledge and experience are only in “tourist” visas.

April 23, 2019 at 6:09 am

Hello Thirumal

Thanks for the reply! These are the answers to your questions.

1. My current account is a card account issued by the cruise company. It is based in the USA. We receive salary and bonuses on it and they issue us card statements.

2. My next contract is still with the same company. I will travel to Italy on July 30 to join the ship in an Italian port.

3. I had legal status in Brazil but I left Brazil when I got my current job. I’m currently in my home country on vacations for 3 months.

Some other information. My company has given me my next appointment letter which states when my next contract will begin, the length of my vacation and my position.

I stopped working in Brazil in August 2018. So my bank statement in Brazil from September 2018 till now only shows my balance without any deposits and withdrawals. Do I need payslips from January 2018 to the time I stopped working there to show the source of my balance?

I hope this will help.

April 24, 2019 at 11:38 pm

1. I see. If you use your US bank statements, then the visa officers might want to know your status in the US. You are not a resident there and it creates all kinds of issues. If your account is a “Payoneer” account, then it may not be used for your UK visa. I don’t know if you the UK visa officials will treat Payoneer as a bank.

2. That’s good. It shows that you have the obligation to return back from the UK in order to join the ship in Italy.

3. I suggest not mentioning anything about Brazil. Otherwise, it will complicate your situation. You only need to provide 6 months of statements, so your Brazil bank account is not relevant anymore.

The situation is that you are all over the place. You don’t have ties to any single country. It would be very difficult for you to show ties to your home country, US or Brazil. I suggest first building ties with one of these countries and then apply for your UK visa.

April 23, 2019 at 4:38 am

My name is RAPHEAL. I applied for the UK visit with my wife and son. We all applied for Netherlands visa previously and we were given the visa but we wanted to route the two countries together. But we did not state in our UK application that we would visit Netherlands because I think VO might look deep into my finances. I saved 8400 pounds gradually in my bank account from my 3000 pounds monthly salary and I budgeted 4300 for our trip which includes flight, hotels and other expenses. Hope the visa officer would not think that I am spending half of my savings for 10days trip.

More so, I mistakenly added the Netherlands introduction letter given to me by company in my UK application when I did not state anything about Netherland but the VO might still realize we have Netherlands visa. Though I added UK introduction letter as well. Hope this will not raise any issues.

April 24, 2019 at 11:08 pm

Hi Rapheal! When any questions arise, the UK visa officers will simply refuse the visa and throw all those questions in the refusal letter. So, you must have to make sure no questions arise from your visa application. Anyway, I hope your Netherlands introduction letter will not affect your visa result.

Regarding your budget, I think a 3000 pound budget would have been perfect. You could have brought your itinerary down to 7 days to accommodate everything in that budget. This is only for the visa though. When you actually travel, you can extend your stay for a few more days and that wouldn’t cause any problems.

Daniel says

April 22, 2019 at 5:33 pm

Hi Thirumal! Thanks for your response, with regards to your questions –

I have no internship in Cyprus but my study here in Cyprus is being fully funded by my employer in Ghana, my wife and kid are back home in Ghana and I have my own house in Ghana to show as my ties in Ghana.

On completion of my studies here in Cyprus, I have to return back to my company back in Ghana to serve for 5yrs to compensate for the sponsorship offered to me.

My intended visit to the UK is purposely for tour and I would like to apply for just a tourist visa which will be sponsored by myself since I have some money in my bank account back in Ghana but the issue is the account has not been running for about 4months now since my departure from Ghana.

April 24, 2019 at 4:18 am

Hi Daniel! You have strong ties with Ghana and it’s easy for you to prove that. But the lack of a source of income can be an issue. Questions such as the below will arise and may lead to visa refusal

– Why do you want to spend money/savings especially when you don’t have an income? – Why do you want to travel to the UK when you need to be in Cyprus focusing on your study especially since it was employer-sponsored?

It is really difficult to answer these questions with documentation.

April 22, 2019 at 10:06 am

My actual monthly wages is about 811 pounds plus extra allowances give net about 1000 pounds. I will have to correct this on the next application. Is NOC document the same as the letter of consent? I will have this ready. Our host will be covering accommodation, food and transport in the UK and so I won’t be paying for anything apart from the air ticket and maybe do a bit of shopping and sightseeing. I have over 4000 pounds savings and should be able to spend about half or less bearing in mind that all other expenses are covered. I hope to get approval and take the 2 weeks holiday.

Many Thanks. MR

April 24, 2019 at 4:02 am

Hi MR! I see. In that case, make sure you mention your correct monthly income in your next application. Yes, NOC is the same as a letter of consent. Good luck!

venkat says

April 21, 2019 at 10:28 pm

My Aunt visiting visa got rejected twice in 2016, now wanted to re apply. We made some silly mistakes.

The first time we applied, her status as self-employed and shown some funds. That’s rejected saying annual income is not shown as balance at the time of visa application. A few weeks later applied with explanation and also with status unemployed. And also one of the rejection reason is as a sponsor I mentioned few days and visa application we mentioned different dates with 4 days difference. What are all steps required to get the approval this time? she is supported by her son and some pension she is getting in INDIA.

April 24, 2019 at 12:26 am

Hi Venkat! Sponsorships work well for relationships such as parents, children or spouse. Your aunt’s application may be scrutinized more as the relationship here is nephew-aunt.

That being said, if she is getting a pension then she is already retired. She can very well use “retired” as her status and show her pension as her financial support. Since you are sponsoring her trip, there is no need to introduce her son on the application. If you introduce new people, the UK home office conducts background checks on them. This can delay the application process and sometimes can lead to visa refusal.

I suggest the below documentation

– Your aunt’s retirement proofs and pension documents – Your employment proofs (employment letter, salary slips, etc) – Your financial proofs (salary slips, bank statements, etc) – Your status in the UK (visa, PR, passport, etc) – A letter stating that you will bear all her trip expenses – A cover letter from your aunt stating her dates of travel, the purpose of travel, itinerary, her employment status (retired), her financial situation (pension), any travel history and the obligation to return back after the trip.

April 21, 2019 at 4:38 pm

I’m planning to apply for a UK tourist visa. I need your advice. I work on a cruise ship and I’m currently on vacation. I want to go to UK for 6 days during this vacation. I lived in Brazil for 2 years and I still have a bank account there with a lot of money in it. I also have another bank statement which has all my salary from my cruise ship job.

Should I give both bank statements? I left Brazil more than 7 months ago, should I add my payslip from the job I had there. I ask the company to give me a letter that shows I worked with them in Brazil but hey refused. What documents do you think I need to use? What should I talk about in my cover letter apart from the itinerary and my current job? I don’t have a bank account in my country or any property in my country. Will it be a problem?

I have an appointment letter for my next contract and it states I have to be in Italy to join the ship. Is it enough to show that I will leave the UK

April 23, 2019 at 4:00 am

Hi Dark! Your information is insufficient for me to provide you with any advice. Can you answer the below questions?

– In which country is your salary bank account from your CURRENT cruise ship job? – Is your next contract in Italy with the same CURRENT cruise ship? – Do you have a legal status (permanent residency, etc) in Brazil?

Tufayel Islam says

April 21, 2019 at 3:47 pm

Hi, I got refused a UK visit visa in September. Currently, I’m living in Poland. I got a UK visit visa in 2016 while I was living in Denmark as a student. I went to the UK 3 times in 2016. When I applied again 7 months ago, they mentioned my financial situation doesn’t demonstrate that I will come back! Now I got a new job on a bit high salary. I didn’t bring any sponsor from the UK even though I have family there. Now I want to apply again to see the cricket world cup. Is it wise to bring a sponsor? Last time I didn’t mention that I have family there. Please let me know.

April 23, 2019 at 3:17 am

Hi Tufayel! I suggest not to use a sponsor if you can support yourself financially. If you use a sponsor, it introduces unnecessary complications. If the visa is refused, it’s difficult to figure if the reason was you or your sponsor.

I suggest waiting until your savings in the bank slowly but continuous grows to a point where it’s more than enough for your UK trip. Then apply for your UK visa. You will have better chances of approval.

April 21, 2019 at 11:49 am

I’m asked this question, have u traveled another country for the past 10 years. Can I answer it yes even if I started to work just in recent 2016?

April 23, 2019 at 12:59 am

Hi Mila! If you are working in a different country than your country of passport, then yes, you can answer “Yes” even if it is recent (2016).

April 21, 2019 at 10:23 am

Hello Sir, My UK Visit Visa application got refused due to unclear financial circumstances. I want to re-apply I have two options 1 – I can take my Provident Fund and Eid Bonus from company to support my visit 2 – My company can give me 300k with sponsor letter stating the company is gifting me this trip. What option would be better? I will write a detailed reply of the previous refusal with as much as possible evidences. Your kind advice is requested.

April 23, 2019 at 12:57 am

Hi Ahmed! Ideally, you must have a continuous source of income and slowly growing savings. Large deposits like PF or bonuses will raise questions on why you are using that money to travel to the UK. Secondly, if your company gifts you a trip, that raises questions as well. Therefore, both of these options are not realistic.

I suggest taking your time to grow your savings to a point where it’s more than enough for your trip. Then apply for your visa.

April 21, 2019 at 7:03 am

As a Ghanaian national and a student in Cyprus pursuing masters degree programs, I wish to tour the UK when my school vacates, how are my chances and what are the necessary documents do I need to put up to make a strong case?

April 22, 2019 at 4:57 am

Hi Daniel! Your chances of visa approval depend on the strength of your ties with Cyprus or Ghana. A few factors that indicate good chances of visa approval are – – Continuing your study in Cyprus after your return – An internship in Cyprus

You would need the following documentation

– A letter from the school stating that you are currently a student, semester of study, performance and conduct – A letter from the school stating that you are approved to take a vacation between those dates and have to return on a certain date to continue your studies – School Id card

You will need additional documents but that depends on your answers to the below questions

– Do you have an internship? – Who supports your UK trip financially (sponsor)? – What is your sponsor’s relationship to you? – Where does your sponsor live (Ghana, Cyprus or UK)? – What is the citizenship of your sponsor (Ghana, Cyprus or UK)?

April 19, 2019 at 7:57 am

I have traveled to the UK in 2009 on Student Visa but did not complete my degree and returned back to home country India due to some personal issue. I have traveled around 4 more countries since then. Can I apply for the UK tourist Visa? I am doing job in some company with salary of about 45k per month is this good enough for UK tourist VISA?

April 19, 2019 at 6:04 pm

Hi XYZ! You need to have a really strong purpose of travel to convince the UK visa officers. Otherwise, they may assume that you are going back to complete your studies and need an appropriate visa.

You did not specify the currency, so I’m assuming it’s INR. 45,000 INR = 500 GBP. That’s a good monthly income. It’s not just the monthly income, but you have to show a regular deposit of your salary in your account and there should not be any “undocumented large deposits” in your account.

April 18, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Please if I have been refused UK visa twice and US visa twice after about 6-9 years and I want to apply now for the UK visa and I have all requirements. Will my previous denials hinder me?

April 19, 2019 at 5:43 pm

Hi Nengi! Previous visa attempts and their results will be on the records permanently. They will, of course, hinder with your current attempts. But if your current circumstances are quite different than 6-9 years ago, your previous visa results should not affect you.

arman malik says

April 18, 2019 at 4:57 pm

Hello, I wish to travel to the UK to visit my elder brother and also for tourism for the 15-20 days. He is a student of a bournemouth university. I had just completed my studies and I am unemployed. The trip including tickets, expenses will be sponsored by my father, I am planning to go on 20th May to 10th of June. Please help me out regarding the documents which I have to submit. I am totally in dilemma and also tell me the format of cover letter. My intention is to only visit to my brother and for tourism not to search a job.

April 21, 2019 at 7:16 pm

Hi Arman! You just finished your studies and you don’t have a job back home. That means, there isn’t anything stopping you to find a job in the UK. There isn’t anything to bring you back to your home country either. I know you will visit your brother and return back but it’s hard to convince the visa officers that you have strong ties to your country and has the obligation to return back after your trip. If you were still studying or had a job, you would have had better odds of visa approval.

I suggest having a shorter itinerary such as 2 weeks. Anything longer will make the visa officers assume that you will search for jobs.

I suggest providing the below documentation – Your father’s employment proofs – Your father’s financial proofs – Your brother’s student proofs – Your brother’s status in the UK (visa) – Letter from your father that he will bear all your expenses – Letter from your brother that you will be visiting him – A cover letter indicating your current employment and financial situation, travel history, purpose of travel, detailed itinerary, etc.

April 18, 2019 at 4:47 pm

Thank you so much. No, I wasn’t the one who withdrew the application, but the Entry Clearance Officers, the British embassy. Because the date I applied had passed and they said I no longer have a valid reason to enter the UK and they withdrew it. Do you think this changes the situation? They said it doesn’t count as a refusal. I will ask the University to give me the letter which says that I am obliged to return to work after a vacation to the UK, thank you for this.

April 18, 2019 at 6:18 pm

Hi Mila! If they said that it wouldn’t count as a refusal, then you are fine. Yeah, the letter from the university will help. Good luck!

Alisha says

April 18, 2019 at 4:18 pm

How do I reschedule an appointment made at VFS global? By mistake, I have entered a wrong date which unfortunately won’t be able to go on that day.

April 18, 2019 at 9:00 pm

Hi Alisha! Unfortunately, I don’t know the procedure to reschedule VFS appointments. I suggest contacting the VFS customer service.

April 17, 2019 at 9:48 pm

Need your thoughts on this. I applied for a UK visa and got rejected this month with the below reasons. I would like to reapply as I plan to go on holiday with my son for 2 weeks then return to my home country. What are my chances?

Reasons for rejection; – You state that because you work in the tourism sector you like to visit other countries. In this occasion you are traveling with your son who is around 1.5 years old. You have not declared that you have a partner/spouse but I note from your son’s birth certificate details if the biological father have been registered.

– You earn about £311 per month. You have savings of £4000 and your plan to spend £2500 on your trip. This amount represents over half your declared savings or over 5 months of your monthly expenditure and you have not shown that you are able to spend such monies in holiday.

– Therefore i am not satisfied a visit to the UK for 17 days is proportionate to your economic or social circumstances. This causes me to question your reason for seeking entry to the UK and your intentions once there.

My son’s father and are not together and regarding financial situation, I have sufficient funds saved from a work bonus I received in December 2018 and I plan to use the same. I have provided a statement and hope new application will he approved. Please advise your thoughts on the above. Many thanks.

April 18, 2019 at 5:37 pm

– I suggest you provide these two documents in your reapplication- (1) your son’s birth certificate showing that you are his biological mother and (2) a NOC document from his biological father. These two documents are needed when traveling with children to rule out the possibility of human trafficking.

– Your monthly income is low and it would take a really long time to save that much. Spending half of your savings on a single trip do not sound like a wise decision. But if you have received a bonus that you would like to spend on this trip, you would need to provide documentary evidence of the bonus.

– 17 days is a bit long keeping how expensive the UK is. Especially, you are traveling with a child and it can be very expensive. I suggest going for 7-10 days itinerary.

Your chances of approval are still low keeping your income, expenses and family situation in mind. The UK may not a realistic destination for you at this point.

April 17, 2019 at 4:25 pm

Hello! I wish to apply for the UK tourist visa. I’d like to go to Edinburgh for 3-4 days.

I visited the UK 3 years ago as a student. Then, last year I apply for a Charity Worker Visa, but they withdrew my application and said it clearly in the letter that it won’t be counted as a refusal. This was probably my mistake because I should have applied much earlier, and not a month before.

Anyway, now I’d like to apply again. I started working 2 months ago at University as an Assistant Professor at the Department of English Language and Literature, so it is important for my profession and job to visit England. But some people from travel agencies told me that my short work experience could be a problem, is that really true? I have a one year contract, it lasts till February 2020 and I can obtain a letter from my employer that I work there as well as my leave of absence for those days, and by June I will have been working for 3 and a half month.

Plus, do you think that my visa being withdrawn last year could have some negative consequences now? Thank you in advance!

April 17, 2019 at 7:16 pm

Hi Mila! A withdrawal is NOT considered a refusal. So you are fine. But I didn’t understand whether you withdrew or the charity foundation withdrew the application on your behalf. Usually, it’s the applicant that can withdraw the application.

The longer the employment at your current company/employer the better. It shows that you have decent employment that you wouldn’t forgo by overstaying in the UK. But if you can produce a letter stating that you have a 1-year contract at the university and you are obligated to continue working there after your return from the UK may help in your application.

Jitin Yadav says

April 17, 2019 at 1:54 pm

I have two queries. 1. Last year my Schengen visa was refused but after appeal I got it. Will it be considered in visa refusal history as after appeal visa was granted.

2. If someone unintentionally overstays by 2 days in Schengen because of difference between duration and validity and had to pay a penalty at the time of exit, this information needs to be given while applying for UK visa.

April 17, 2019 at 6:12 pm

1. An “appeal” is considered as a “visa approval”. It’s the same visa that was denied previous was later re-assessed and approved. Therefore, it is considered as a “visa approval” and you don’t have to mention that in your UK visa application.

2. If the UK visa application asks especially for any “overstays”, then you have to mention your Schengen visa overstay. Otherwise, you don’t have to mention it.

Elizabeth says

April 17, 2019 at 1:11 pm

You seem to HAVE A LOT of knowledge when it comes to UK Visa’s :) I was on holiday to the UK in December – so my tourist visa was approved, I am now applying for a spousal Visa as my husband is a British Citizen and he lives there.

I seem to have all my ducks in a row and I am going through an immigration company. I just need to know – My husband house shares with 2 best mates and their names are on the lease agreement. They have written a letter of invitation, so has my husband. AND the landlord to state he is aware of me living there from a specified date. I have Utility bills, council bills and copies of their passport.

Could I possibly get denied because of this?

TIA Elizabeth

April 17, 2019 at 7:24 pm

Hi Elizabeth! Thanks! First of all, my experience and knowledge are only in Tourist visas. I don’t know much about spousal visa requirements. Therefore, I will try to answer your question from a tourist visa point of view.

I think the fewer people you introduce on your application the better it is. The UK home office usually conducts a background check on the people you introduce. Because of that, it sometimes can lead to complications or take too long to process.

I suggest providing the lease agreement and the letter from the landlord. Invitation letters and passport copies from your husband’s roommates is unnecessary in my opinion.

Priya Singh says

April 17, 2019 at 1:46 am

My son’s short term student visa was refused on April 1 because a letter from the university saying that he has to visit the UK to write exams had not been attached. The university has now sent the letter but on reapplying, the earliest appointment for biometrics that he has got is May 1st whereas the exams schedule is April 15 to May 15th. It appears likely that the visa will be refused once again. Should he ask the university to permit him to write the exams in the next diet ( August), and cancel his current biometrics appointment? Will, that has any impact on the short term student visa application he makes in July?

April 17, 2019 at 5:54 pm

Hi Priya! I think asking the university to permit your son to write exams for the next term would be the best option in your case. Withdrawal/cancel of visa appointment should not affect his future visa applications.

Nedra ROHAN says

April 16, 2019 at 6:38 pm

Hello Mr. Thirumal, I am applying for the tier 2 general visa I have all my documents except the old expired passport, I have scan details of expired passport but not the original OLD passport. Will it be an issue when they check for travel history, Please advise me.

April 17, 2019 at 12:00 am

Hi Nedra! You don’t need to submit your OLD passport with your UK visa application. You will only mention your travel history in your visa application. You don’t need to submit copies of your travel history. The UK home office may have other ways to verify your travel history.

Muhammad Ghoniem says

April 16, 2019 at 2:10 am

Thanks a lot for your reply Thirumal! One last question. If I reapply again and my documents are almost complete but I don’t have any travel history and keep in mind that I was refused in Belarus visa two years ago because my documents were not enough. Can I get the visa or should I build a travel history first? And should I mention my visa refusal in Belarus or not? Thanks a lot!

April 16, 2019 at 11:51 pm

Hi Muhammad! I always advise my readers to build travel history first. It helps a lot with visas, especially with US, UK, Canada, etc. So yeah, build your travel history first before attempting for UK visa again.

Yes, you have to mention any visa refusals you had in your UK visa application, including your Belarus visa refusal. Not mentioning previous visa refusals can be considered as “withholding information” or “lying”.

Rishabh says

April 15, 2019 at 10:40 pm

I’ve applied for a visitor visa. I am employed and have a salary of INR40K per month after taxes. Along with my employment financial details, I’ve attached my mother’s financial details. My father met an unfortunate accident and we were awarded a sum by the court which reflects on her statements. I have given her passport, ITR and bank statements along with a cover letter, should be fine?

April 16, 2019 at 10:54 pm

Hi Rishabh! You have to provide documentary evidence for the money that your mother was awarded by the court. Otherwise, the UK home office would refuse the visa based on the reason “large undocumented deposits in the bank account”. You have to provide this documentary evidence even if the deposit was not shown in the bank statements (but only if it was very large). A copy of the court letter detailing the case would work as documentary evidence.

Dr. Sohaib Anwaar says

April 15, 2019 at 11:04 am

I am a doctor currently working in the UK on tier 5 visa (temporary migrant’s exchange) for a period of 2 years. (trust MTI doctor – sponsored placement by College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan). I am originally from Pakistan. I am living with my wife here who is also a doctor and on the same visa for a period of 2 years. We had a baby born here 3 months ago. At that time, I applied for my mother’s visa as a standard visitor visa to visit us and help us with the newborn as we don’t have any relative or help here. It got refused.

My mother is elderly and a widow. She has 4 children. 1 son in Australia (permanent resident), 1 daughter in Saudia Arabia, 1 daughter in Pakistan and I, who used to live with her but then I requested her to let me go to the UK for just 2 years and she agreed. At the time of application, she was in Australia with her son who is a permanent resident there. We wrote in the application that she wants to visit her son, i.e, myself in the UK. We wrote duration as 5 months 20 days. And we said after that she will go to Australia again to visit her other son. We said that I can sponsor her for this trip and financial background is that the other son in Australia gives her money for day to day living. That was all. I thought it was straight forward. But it got refused.

I understand we failed to mention these things as I thought they are not relevant. she owns her home and few properties in Pakistan and has her own money in National saving from which she gets monthly profit and that 1 sister lives in Pakistan.

Anyhow the reasons for refusal are as follow 1. You have applied for leave to enter to visit the UK for 5 months and 20 days. 2. You have not provided evidence of your own personal and financial circumstances in your home country. 3. You have not provided documents to demonstrate your regular day to day finances. 4. You have not shown strong family, social or economic ties outside the UK or reasons to return to your home country at the end of the visit.

I really do not understand the 1st point at all. Visit visas are supposed to stay valid for 6 months. What is wrong in writing 5 months 20 days?

Regarding other points, please guide. My mother is really a sad woman with all the children in different parts of the world. I was reluctant to leave her but my friends reassured that you can get a visit visa for your mother whilst you stay in the UK for these 2 years. Why would they want her financial background when I am sponsoring. She is a widow and relies on savings from her late husband’s assets (I can provide the documents for that). I know I didn’t mention that in the application, but now I can. Actually, I didn’t write a cover letter because I thought everything is clear.

I am sad. Is that racism? What is wrong in a mother visiting a son who is on a temporary visa eager to go back. I will try again with a cover letter but please help, what more should I write or provide. I can’t see my mother all alone and sad. I just want her to visit the UK to see me for a couple of months and then she can go back to Pakistan and later on to Australia with the other son. And then in about 1 year, I will go back to Pakistan and she can come back from Australia to Pakistan. Should I write these things or just hold back as these ideas look negative?

April 17, 2019 at 9:09 pm

Hi Sohaib! I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s visa.

1. Call it hypocrisy but that’s how some countries are. They issue a visa for 6 months but they don’t like you to stay that long. You can probably ask 1-month entry for her and she can stay about 3 months max (since the visa will be valid for 6 months). Staying longer than that would affect her future visas to the UK.

2. Showing strong ties to Pakistan is very important. Avoid mentioning that her children are in various countries. Otherwise, UK home office would assume that your mother is probably not happy living in Pakistan and looking to emigrate.

3. The UK home office probably assumed that your mother has no income of her own. The only way for her to manage is to live with one of her sons abroad. Showing her ownership of properties and national savings in Pakistan will help.

4. Her daughter living in Pakistan works as a family tie in her home country. Providing your sister’s employment proofs will help.

I don’t know if it was racism or not. But we are part of the issue as well. We always seek opportunities abroad for a better life. We are migrating all the time legally or illegally. These countries are suspicious about us when we ask for entry. There is a reason why our passports are “weak”.

We must stop looking for better opportunities elsewhere. We must focus on creating opportunities in our own countries. Look at Japan, Korea and Singapore. They were nothing 50 years ago. Now they are superpowers and have the strongest passports. This is exactly we need to do with our countries as well, build them to become stronger, powerful and developed.

Lizani Bothma says

April 15, 2019 at 9:49 am

Thank you for a very informative article. My mother and her friend (South Africans) is planning on visiting their friend who lives in London after which she will join us in Scotland for a few days and fly back with us to South Africa. The friend’s daughter helped them with the online application but made some mistakes on my mother’s form.

1) They did not mention her traveling to Scotland for few days (only giving the friends address) even though return flight is from Edinburgh (suppose the friend can give her proof that she is staying with her all the time). 2) She answered “no” when asked if she had traveled to the EU in the last 10 years, but she has traveled to Europe in 2016.

Are these reasons to cancel the application and reapply?

April 16, 2019 at 7:31 pm

1. A detailed itinerary is important for visa officers to understand your travel plans. Sometimes they overlook at it or sometimes it becomes the sole reason for visa refusal. It’s really difficult to say if not mentioning her travel to Scotland will affect her visa result. 2. Withholding information is also one of the reasons for visa refusal. Again, it’s really difficult to say if answering “no” to that question will affect her visa result. You just have to wait and see.

Alina Ikram says

April 15, 2019 at 9:07 am

Hi, I had applied for the UK tourist visa along with my parents to attend my graduation ceremony in London, but unfortunately, we all got refused. As we all depend on my elder brother, he was financially sponsoring our trip.

Our refusal letter states that my brother has some large cash deposits so the decision maker was not satisfied from where the money came from. My brother owns a restaurant and he also has a real estate business. That money was from the property he sold as it’s his business but unfortunately, we just provided his restaurant but not his real estate business because we thought it won’t be an issue as he is not traveling with us and we weren’t aware at that time that we need provide proofs for those heavy transactions. They ask for last 6months bank statement, so how can we prove each transaction from the last 6 months it’s really hard.

At the same time, he is also a taxpayer but his NTN was not updated at the time we applied, but now its completely updated includes his both businesses.

I am thinking to apply in June as my next graduation is going to be held in July, this time I might apply alone not with my parents so I would like to know what steps should be taken to apply again and should I tell them about my brother’s real estate business we haven’t shown his real estate business last time when we applied. I hope it won’t be an issue? Is it necessary to provide full money trail when it’s understood that my brother has a real estate business?

Secondly, I don’t have any travel history, I just visited Dubai back in 2015. I just graduated, I was a distance learning student and I did LLB from a university in London so my university will be sending me an invitation for my graduation. So, I wanted to know what steps should be taken if I reapply.

April 16, 2019 at 3:36 am

Hi Alina! UK visa officers assume that business funds are for business and you cannot use those funds for personal uses such as vacations, trips, family, etc. Therefore, using your brother’s business bank statements can cause problems even if you provide evidence of all of those transactions.

If you reapply, you have to, of course, provide all documentation pertaining to your brother’s businesses and sources of income. But you will face problems again as his bank accounts are for business only. It would be really difficult to convince the visa officers that your brother uses his bank account for both personal and business.

The ideal solution is to have your brother maintain two bank accounts, one for business and one for personal use. Have monthly deposits in his personal account for family maintenance. In that case, you would need to wait at least 6 months to have 6 months worth of statements of his personal bank account.

April 15, 2019 at 6:07 am

Thanks for your reply. I want to visit the UK adding Royal Academy of music as part of my itinerary. Duration of the visit I used is 3 weeks (22 days). Should I maintain it or I should decrease it?

April 16, 2019 at 12:47 am

Hi Ben! In my opinion, 3 weeks is too long. 2 weeks or less is ideal in your case.

April 15, 2019 at 3:52 am

Thank you for the reply Thirumal! During my new application. Do I have to put up an apology or remorse letter for the past counterfeit documents submitted by the visa agent I used in my last application in 2009? Just to show remorse. please advice!

April 16, 2019 at 12:41 am

Hi Rapheal! Unfortunately, the visa offices do not sympathize or have a soft corner for mistakes. You can, of course, submit an apology letter but I don’t think it would make any difference.

Francis says

April 14, 2019 at 7:28 pm

Hello! Please, my wife applied for a UK visa in 2014 but unfortunately, her sponsor’s statement was fake and she didn’t know so they banned her for 10 years. Its been 5 years now and she has been working. She now wants to apply again. Will they refuse because of the ban or when she explains what happened, will they issue the visa. Her uncle in the UK is ready to invite her again. She has been to China for the travel experience. Please advice.

April 14, 2019 at 10:57 pm

Hi Francis! It’s highly unlikely that her visa will be approved again. Visa bans are very strict and the visa officers cannot overlook them. I suggest her waiting for the entire 10 years before applying again.

Shahbaz says

April 14, 2019 at 5:19 pm

Thanks for reply Sir, My purpose is tourism again. I will write a proper reply to refusal and will provide all possible documentary proofs of withdrawals or deposits as I recently come back from Saudi Arabia and UAE trip with my family. My company will mention in the letter that because of refusal of my visa is due to financial issues. That’s why they are gifting me the trip considering my services. As I want to go for ICC World Cup time is very short to maintain proper bank statements. Thanks!

April 14, 2019 at 9:04 pm

Hi Shahbaz! That’s great. Good luck!

Kanaan Raza says

June 1, 2019 at 10:39 am

Hi Shahbaz! Did you get your visa?

April 13, 2019 at 6:17 pm

Hello, I applied for the UK visit visa in Feb 2009 but I was refused due to some counterfeit documents used by my agent under 320 7A. Though I am taking responsibility because I signed. I am applying for another UK visit now with family because my status has really changed. I am sponsoring all the trip. All documents are intact and perfect. I would like to know if my previous refusal would not affect my application and that of my wife and son as it is over 10 years.

April 14, 2019 at 6:58 pm

Hi Ralpheal! If your current circumstances are completely different, you have fairly higher chances of visa approval. The visa officers may overlook your previous visa refusal if they see major changes in your circumstances.

April 13, 2019 at 10:56 am

Hi, I applied for UK visa last month and I was refused because they said a large deposit in my account and the money was paid in by my employer but I didn’t add the payment letter. I have reapplied again and added the payment letter and also taken my treasury bill receipt from my bank and added is it possible they will issue the visa?

April 14, 2019 at 6:44 pm

Hi Francis! If you have attached the documentation that you missed previously, then yes, you will be issued the visa. You could have made it easier for the visa officers by mentioning the reason and the newly attached documents in your cover letter.

Bobby Singh says

April 13, 2019 at 9:45 am

I am an Indian passport holder studying in Europe. I don’t have any other visa stamp beside my study visa so my questions are.

1. Is it fine to apply for a UK tourist visa without any travel history?

2. I am not working part-time although I am allowed to. Is that a negative point.

3. Although my father is sponsoring my studies, currently I have more than enough money to plan 10 days trip to the UK so is that necessary to attach documents of my father’s income or just an account statement or balance certificate of my account would be fine.

April 14, 2019 at 6:39 pm

1. Your chances for UK visa approval are less due to your lack of travel history. I suggest traveling to other countries before aiming for the UK visa. 2. This is not an issue. But you must demonstrate strong ties with your country of residence. You can do this by providing a letter from your school and fee receipts for future semesters. 3. Having enough funds is not enough. UK home office would like to know the source of those funds. You must provide your father’s employment documentation, financial documentation and a letter from your father stating those funds are available for you to use for your UK trip.

April 12, 2019 at 4:15 pm

I’m from Ghana applying for visit visa. I’m a student at University studying music education. The main reason is tourism and I have included that I will visit the Royal Academy of Music in my daily activities meanwhile I don’t have approval from their institution yet. Would you advise me to remove my visit to the Royal Academy of music from my application?

1. How do I provide a document showing family ties in the home country? 2. Evidence of family members remaining in your home country while you travel. 3. After getting a letter from my educational provider do I still need a leave approval from my department? 4. My uncle is in the UK(citizen) sponsoring me. what is the best reason to write in his letter of invitation to me?

April 14, 2019 at 6:26 pm

Hi Ben! You should have the visit to Royal Acamedy on your itinerary. Since you are a music student, a visit to the Royal Academy of Music will help you personally and for your visa as well.

1. Family ties can be shown by birth certificates, parent’s employment, sibling’s employment, etc 2. You can show this by documentation such as parent’s needing medical help, sibling’s in school, etc. 3. Yes. It should clearly mention the date of your return and reason/obligation for your return. 4. I suggest using the visit to the Royal Academy of Music as the reason.

April 12, 2019 at 10:42 am

Hello Respected Sir,

My UK visitor visa got refused yesterday. The only reason was the financials. I have a proper salary account but I was withdrawing almost all the money every month. I have 350k in my saving account. Visa officer objected that why you are withdrawing all the money. 2ndly I have a large deposit from my wife account 175k 2 months ago. He objected why you did not show the source of your wife income (My wife is a housewife). Now my company has decided to pay for my visit they agree to give a sponsor letter and cheque on my name. Will it work? And is it necessary to give a reply to refusal letter while reapplying? Thanks!

April 14, 2019 at 5:07 pm

Hi Shahbaz! Even if your company is paying for your trip, you will still be asked to furnish your financial documentation. Large withdrawals or deposits in your personal bank account will come up and may lead to refusal again. The best way to fix your visa issue is to fix your financial situation first. Withdrawing and depositing large amounts is not an issue if you provide documentary evidence.

Responding to your previous refusal is only needed if you will be applying for the purpose of “tourism” again. But if you will be applying for “business” purpose, you don’t need to.

April 11, 2019 at 3:58 pm

Hi Thirumal, This is the first website I came across with such detailed information both in the main website body and also from the question and reply section. A really invaluable service.

I have traveled to the UK for tourism 2 years back and prior to that 10 years and 19 years back also for tourism. My question is if I can enter the UK on a tourist VISA to sit for a major UK Medical Exams. The Leave Letter from my employer will be mentioning that I will be seeking a VISA to enter as a tourist. In my VISA application, however, I intend to declare that I shall also be sitting for an exam on top of doing some sightseeing. I shall enclose a VISA letter from my examination board and also my Examination Invoice.

Please advise me if my procedure is correct or if I should get my employer to mention that I am going to the UK for the examinations. My children and husband will also be accompanying me as tourists on this trip.

Thank you very much in advance!

April 14, 2019 at 12:03 am

Hi Sarah! I usually advise against mixing work and pleasure. Since you have a really good travel history to the UK, you have a very good chance of securing the visa for the purpose of “tourism”. That way, your current leave letter would work and you can travel with your family as well.

If you go with the purpose “to sit for an exam and also travel with family”, it can complicate things. My advice is to use only “tourism” as your purpose of travel rather than using “tourism and sit for an exam”.

April 14, 2019 at 1:56 am

Thank you very much Thirumal. However, I have one last question, if I mention only Tourism and then go and sit for an exam, will that affect my future visa applications in case the ECO comes to know that on one occasion I had come to the UK as a tourist and then sat for an exam? The customs officers at immigration that I have faced have never grilled me down but what should I tell them my purpose of visit is if I apply as a tourist and then plan on sitting for the exam. Your reply is invaluable and than you in advance once again. I really appreciate your feedback.

April 14, 2019 at 8:43 pm

Hi Sarah! The ideal situation for you is to travel by yourself and sit for the exam. You will still have to apply for a tourist visa, but your purpose of travel will be strictly “business”. There are no complications in that case.

It becomes slightly complicated if you want to travel with family. The visa officers may have questions on why would you want to bring your family along when you are sitting for an exam. Unlike with Schengen visas or other visas, there is no going back and forth with UK visas. If the visa officers have questions, they simply refuse the visa and throw those questions in the refusal letter. Therefore, my suggestion is to simplify your visa application in a way that there won’t be any questions from the visa officers.

Tourism is your main purpose of travel since you will be spending more days site seeing with your family than sitting for the exam (probably 1 day). If asked at the immigration, you can certainly say that you are there for tourism and will also be sitting for the exam on just 1 day. I don’t see any harm in doing that. It is less complicated to deal with this at the immigration level than at the visa application level.

April 15, 2019 at 2:31 am

Thank you very very much Thirumal for your invaluable advise. I think I will do what you have advised in the last paragraph because I want to make the most of this travel. Makes more sense that way in terms of finances as well.

April 11, 2019 at 1:38 pm

My Visa was refused yesterday, the reasons are stated below –

Please pardon me I don’t want to review the name of my employer and the name of the company that invited us for training in the U.K. So I will use XXY And XYZ thank you.

1. You stated that you will visit the U.K. for 7 days to attend business related training at XXY Group, I acknowledge the document from your sponsor. However, when assessing your application, the immigration rules require me to be satisfied that you personally qualify for a visa.

You state that you are employed by XYZ Nigeria limited earning 550,000 NGN (£1162.91 current exchange rate £1 = 472.95) a month. I have noted all supporting documentation in support of your application including employment document and bank statement however your application does not demonstrate that you receive a salary. In light of this, I am not satisfied that you have demonstrated that your employment and income circumstance in Nigeria are as claimed.

You state that you are planning to spend £1000 on your trip to the U.K. and that you have savings of £10428 however your application does not demonstrate that you have any income or fund available to you or how you will maintain yourself during your trip

Given the above reason, I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the U.K. at the end of your visit and you have sufficient fund to cover all reasonable cost in relation to your visit and that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph V4.2 (a) (c) and (e)

These are the reason for the refusal of my Visa.

The truth is that I actually lied about my salary because I believe I will not be expected to show my statement of account.

My employer submitted a statement of account both in USD and in NGN but not the one that carried our name and salary and we did not also submit our statement of account.

If I reapply with the truth status of my salary and then attach all the statement of account, what is my chance of getting the visa?

How long will I have to wait before reapplying?

Will they still have my first application on their system?

April 13, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Hi Sirol! In your reapplication, you may have to admit that you lied in your application. Admitting that you lied in your previous application can have serious consequences such as refusal of your re-application, blacklisting, etc. There is no right way to handle your situation.

I advise my readers to never have a visa rejection. It is better to “not apply” for a visa than getting a “visa refusal”. A visa refusal makes travel very difficult in the future.

You can re-apply whenever you want. There is no waiting required.

Yes. All your previous visa attempts will be in their records permanently.

April 11, 2019 at 8:48 am

Good morning and thanks for your tips! I have a question and I wish you help me.

I am from Egypt and I work as an ESL teacher in Turkey. I applied for a visa to watch a football game but they refused it because I applied the bank statement of my savings only and not the ones that I get my monthly salary on so they don’t know the origins of the money and expenses, etc.

Another issue was that there was a big mistake in the refusal letter because they saw my account with Turkish Lira and it is by GBP so it is a big difference in the amount of money.

Can I reapply again soon by the new bank statement and with a letter showing their big mistake? and when? Btw, I got the refusal letter two days ago. Thanks in advance!

April 13, 2019 at 11:35 pm

Hi Muhammad! Yes, you can reapply by pointing out the issues/mistakes clearly in your cover letter. That way, the visa officers can focus only on the issues/mistakes and make a decision on your visa much faster. I have seen a few readers have success this way. Good luck!

Siddhant Chopra says

April 11, 2019 at 6:00 am

Hi! I have my US visa refused a year ago. Then I applied for a Schengen visa in April 2019 from Ukraine as I study here medicine. I got the visa and I traveled and came without overstaying. Now I intend to apply for UK tourist visa. What are my chances for the UK travel visa? And any special document should I carry along for the UK application? I have my bank account and my father transfer funds in my account! I love traveling. Help me! Thanks

April 13, 2019 at 10:33 pm

Hi Siddhant! The visa chances are high for those applicants who have employment, a source of income, travel history, strong family and social ties. Others have slightly lesser chances but that doesn’t mean the visa will be refused.

You have to show that you have a genuine purpose for travel. You love to travel and that would be sufficient. Write a clear cover letter stating that you love to travel and you have traveled to quite a few countries.

You have considerable travel history as well.

You just need to make sure you show strong ties with Ukraine as you study there. Fee receipts for any future semesters and if you intern, provide the documentation for your internship as well.

Adebayo says

April 10, 2019 at 12:43 am

Hi, I had a refusal last year in December with my own document, now I wanna take it in again. But I’ve someone living in the UK sending me invitation letter and other documents to submit. I wanna know if is going to be approved with someone in the UK inviting me to come for a week. Please reply to me.

April 10, 2019 at 11:00 pm

Hi Adebayo! Invitation letters do not work. You have to show that you have strong ties to your country, financially able to support your trip and have the obligation to return back after your trip.

April 9, 2019 at 11:14 pm

Hello. I and my brother are traveling to the UK on the same dates itinerary and going for the same exam although we are not going hands joined together. Do I need to fill yes on the visa questions asking will you be traveling to the UK with someone who is not your partner, spouse or dependent?

April 10, 2019 at 10:58 pm

Hi Sarah! You may be flying on different flights and staying in different hotels, but you will be meeting in the UK from time to time during your stay. In that case, you must mention that you will be traveling with your brother. If you are given the option, you can mention that you will be traveling individually but will meet a few times during the stay.

But if you will not be meeting your brother at all in the UK, then do not mention anything about your brother on your application.

June 7, 2019 at 4:09 am

Thank you very much for your help. I have gotten my visa.

June 7, 2019 at 3:26 pm

That’s awesome. Congratulations! Enjoy your trip!

June 7, 2019 at 3:36 pm

April 9, 2019 at 10:20 pm

Hello, thank you for your feedback and advise! I submitted my documents today so fingers crossed.

April 10, 2019 at 10:54 pm

Great! Good luck!

April 9, 2019 at 3:04 pm

Hi, I applied the UK Visitor Visa for me and my family members, all of us have traveled to the UK before.

After completing the form and paying the VISA fee, it says for biometric they will transfer me to VFS-Global page. What to do in VFS-global page? Do I need to fill a fresh form for an appointment and take the appointment? In their website, if I use my GWF number to take appointment they are saying invalid reference number at the time of selecting the appointment date. Shall I fill a form on VFS-Global page and book appointment and take my visa form along on the date of appointment or shall I complain to VFS-global as they are not allowing me to book an appointment using GWF number?

April 10, 2019 at 9:53 pm

Hi Jay! The UK has outsourced not only biometric but also application submission to VFS global. Currently, it’s only in a few countries but it will be implemented everywhere.

VFS was not involved when I applied for my UK visa, so I’m not sure about the procedure. But what I heard from my readers is that you have to create an account on VFS global, upload some documentation (not sure which docs) and make an appointment. Your GWF number will not be asked. On the date of appointment, you will have to appear in person, give your biometrics and submit your documents including your original passport. VFS will then send the documents and biometrics to the UK consulate on your behalf. VFS will charge a fee for their service.

April 8, 2019 at 11:35 pm

Hi, I’m an unmarried partner of a British woman. She is UK born and I have a baby, also UK born. I would like to apply for a visit visa to visit them. I previously overstayed my visa period in the UK. However, I have left the UK voluntarily with my own expense. I may receive a re-entry ban? Thank you for your time.

April 8, 2019 at 11:54 pm

Hi Ycef! If you have previously overstayed your visa, your current visa may not be approved. Re-entry ban depends on the overstay period. The re-entry ban can range from 1 year to 10 years, so it all depends on your overstay period. I really don’t know the rules for re-entry bans.

Francisca says

April 8, 2019 at 10:02 pm

Thank you for the much needed advice. I will take all you have said into consideration and hope for a positive outcome.

April 8, 2019 at 9:32 pm

Hi Thirumal, i submitted my application online and now they gave me all the information and are asking me to register with VFS and print courier services. but i am confused as when i register myself for VFS,i get to apply as a family group and then it asks me to upload documents in which it asks me tuberclosis certificate although i have been living in USA since 2015. Do we have to register for VFS ? and do we need to upload Tuberclosis cert ? How do i proceed now ? What steps are there after application submission and booking biometrics ? Especially in relation to VFS Thankyou sir

April 8, 2019 at 11:06 pm

Hi Randy! Yes, VFS handles the biometrics for UK visas. Registration for VFS may be needed. I’m not aware of TB cert though. You would need to contact VFS on that.

April 8, 2019 at 8:27 pm

Hello! I have applied for a UK 6 months standard visa and also paid for the visa online (meaning I can’t change any details) but then I noticed that my flight itinerary does not tally with my hotel reservation. Flight says entry 19th of June 2019 to 29th of June 2019 but hotel reservation says 19th of June to 28th of June. Please advise what to do. Should I cancel and do the application again or it is negligible?

April 8, 2019 at 8:59 pm

Hi Sarah! Make a manual change in your printed application. In your cover letter, clearly mention the section, question number, corrected information and the reason.

April 8, 2019 at 9:24 pm

Okay, I am not required to take the printed application to the biometrics center but for my situation are you saying I print the application, make a manual change on the same application then attach a cover letter?

April 8, 2019 at 11:09 pm

I believe you need to submit your printed application, supporting documents, cover letter, biometrics and passport at either UK consulate or VFS. At that time, make a manual correction in your printed application.

April 8, 2019 at 11:20 pm

okay thank you

Daniel Afriyie says

April 8, 2019 at 6:07 pm

Thanks for your swift response! To give you a clear view of the refusal reason, I have managed to copy it here for you to have an insight and advice me if I am also to reapply how my chances are like.

kindly find below the refusal reason I received from the home office:

The decision I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) V4.2 of Appendix V of the Immigration Rules because:

 In considering your application, I have to consider whether you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit. As part of this, I have to consider the information provided by you about your personal and economic circumstances.

 You state that you will visit the UK for 6 days

 You state that you are employed as a Technical Support Manager in Ghana and earn 5,330.00 GHS (£814.41) per month. In support of your application, you have provided an employment letter and payslips that demonstrate your income and that you are employed as stated.

 You have also provided bank statements from Aspet A Microfinance Limited in your name (account number ending in 0148) with a closing balance of 76,629.54 GHS (£11,708.8) on the 4th of December 2018. These statements show a number of large deposits being deposited into your account between 01/15/2018 and 04/12/2018. The documents you have provided do not demonstrate the origin of these funds. Given this, I am not satisfied that the funds in your account are genuinely available to you for your exclusive use or that this bank statement is an accurate reflection of your current financial circumstances.

 Each of the factors above have not been taken in isolation but considered collectively. I am not satisfied your personal or financial circumstances demonstrate that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor, that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit, or that you have sufficient funds available to you. Your application is therefore refused under paragraphs V4.2 (a) (c) and (e).

April 8, 2019 at 11:16 pm

Hi Daniel! Clearly, your visa was refused on the reason that there have been “undocumented large deposits” in your bank account. You have to provide documentary evidence for such deposits. If those are due to your salary check deposits, a copy of those checks, a copy of your salary slips and the deposit slips (if you still have them) will help.

I also suggest providing a leave approval letter from your employer indicating your dates of vacation, country of vacation (UK) and the date of return to the job.

Anonymous says

April 8, 2019 at 6:34 am

I am working abroad and make 1500USD per month. My company has provided me with food, accommodation, medical and transport. This is my first job and I have been working since November 2018. My company has been offering me hand cash since up to now as I did not open a bank account until now. I am planning to open a bank account this month and will start saving money from now on. Currently I don’t own much money with me but will have about 8000USD in my account by August. Regular savings from my monthly salary. I will have all the deposit record from my employer. I am planning to visit during the last week of November, during my annual leave, which will be a paid one month leave. I will request all required documents from my employer. Please note that it is a 2 year contract.

Do you think I have a chance to get the UK visit visa? or should I not apply this time, wait and save a little more before I apply.

April 8, 2019 at 11:28 pm

Hi Sewwandi! If you start working on it right now, yes you will be fine by November. Usually, you need 6 months of bank statements. If you have regular deposits of your salary, salary slips and slowly growing savings in your account, then you have good chances of visa approval.

April 9, 2019 at 9:35 am

Thank you, Thirumal for giving me a feedback on this.

Since I have provided with numbers and stuffs, can you kindly erase my post. Thank you again, for your valuable time.

April 10, 2019 at 9:46 pm

Hi Sewwandi! I think other readers may benefit from your question and my response. Many might be in your situation and this question/answer will help them. I will change your name to “Anonymous” so you will remain anonymous. Is that fine?

April 8, 2019 at 4:59 am

Your blog is such an educative one. Thanks for all that you do. I was refused a visa on 25-3-2019. I am holding a Nigeria passport and applied from my home country. I am CEO to a company and which I have stated and submitted all necessary documents but I believe my application was not carefully examined and the reason for refusal below:

* You stated that you are self-employed and with earning a yearly income of 12,580GBP and that you receive 10,483GBP from investments. In support of your application, you have submitted a letter regarding your employment issued and signed by yourself.

*I note that you have provided a bank statement from your company. However, business funds are used primarily for the day to day running of businesses and not for private vacations or visits. Business account balances can vary greatly with the variations of daily trade and expenses salaries and purchases. I am therefore unable to conduct a meaningful assessment of your financial circumstances based on this business account

*I have considered the documents and information you have provided about your personal and economic circumstances. However, I have noted that you have demonstrated no savings, properties or income. Furthermore, I am not satisfied that you have demonstrated sufficiently strong social, economic and personal ties to Nigeria or another country outside of the UK to satisfy me that only a short visit is intended.

*Given the above and on the balance of probabilities, I am not satisfied that you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor for a limited period not exceeding 6 months and that you intend to leave the UK at the end of the visit or that you will be maintained and accommodated in the UK without working or having recourse to public funds or are able to meet the cost of return journey. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph 4.2(a),(c) and (e)

This was basically the reasons given but

1; I have clearly supplied my personal bank account statement which had 15,000GBP and I had declared spending 2,000GBP for my trip expense but on the refusal note it seems the officer did not look at my personal account

2; I had supplied original building document of property on my name I own and get rent from annually but he also stated I did not demonstrate savings and properties.

Please, can you advise what I should do to reapply because this will be the 3rd time I am been refused but the two previous refusals were in 2012? Reasons then were because my invitee was not credible. Please kindly advise. Thanks so much!

April 8, 2019 at 11:44 pm

Hi John! If you read the comments here, you will see quite a few applicants had the issue of UK visa officers overlooking the supplied documents. Some had success by writing a detailed cover letter, copy pasting the reason and the list of documents that were overlooked, etc.

I suggest doing the same. Write a cover letter with each reason and the list of documents that were overlooked for that reason. This way, the UK visa officers can focus on the refusal reasons and the overlooked documents than going through your entire case again.

Also, I suggest bundling documents together and labeling them clearly. For example, bundle/staple your business documents together with a white sheet/paper on the front. Write in big bold letters “Business Ownership Proofs”. This will reduce the entire documentation into a few bundles and avoid confusion/overlooking.

April 7, 2019 at 9:28 pm

I have applied for a tourist visit visa on 11/12/2018 together with my wife to enable us to spend 7days in the UK, our proposed plan itinerary was scheduled to start on 20/02/2019 and return back to our home country on 27/02/2019. the standard time for decision elapsed and I only had my refusal decision which stated that there have been some large deposits of money in my account, however, I explained in my cover letter that I am being paid by check and due to the busy nature of my job, I delegate my wife most often to deposit into my account which always reflects her name on my bank statement.

My decision came without my wife’s decision and we have waited till 27/03/2019 when we sent them a message to escalate. And after them requesting for the application ID and passport number of my wife, they have asked my wife to go back to the UK application center with the documents she used for the application to be rescanned to enable them to make a decision. Meanwhile, the entire schedule and intended purpose for the trip has changed for now even though my wife still wishes to visit. In the application too, I state and confirm to support my wife partially in fund. Now I have been refused so I want to know if you can suggest how to better my wife chances of getting the visa been approved.

April 8, 2019 at 12:06 am

Hi Daniel! If you are a partial financial sponsor for your wife, you would need to provide your financial proofs as well. This will again raise questions on the origin of deposits in your bank statements. I suggest you provide documentary evidence of those check deposits. Either a copy of the checks itself or salary slips that indicate the check numbers.

April 6, 2019 at 7:26 pm

Thanks for your advice. I have cancelled my VISA(for a refund) and reapplied. Do I need to reapply in VFS as well? My previous VFS appointment is related to an FRM number and not the GWF number. DO I still need to reapply with this new application? I have some paid services in my earlier VFS application so I am not sure , if I should cancel all of that and re-do VFS also. Thanks.

April 7, 2019 at 11:37 pm

Hi Saanya! I’m not aware of FRM number for VFS. But if that is independent of GWF number, then keep your VFS appointment and submit the new application.

April 6, 2019 at 12:11 am

Hello, I am applying for a UK visa. I have a couple of questions for you please.

1. I have submitted the form and paid the fee and have an appointment for Tuesday but I noticed I entered the wrong month on my previous trip to Uk (instead of July 2016 I wrote April 2016) how do I rectify this? 2. I am currently unemployed so my father is sponsoring my trip. I indicated I have savings of 500 pounds and monthly expenses of 70 pounds (would I have been better off saying I didn’t have any?) and how much do you consider as huge deposits? 3. I have some travel history which includes: Kenya visit visa, UK tier 4 student visa, Schengen visa (traveled to Italy and France), transit visa for Turkey and a 2-year visit visa to Uk. I applied under similar circumstances for the 2-year visit visa and was given. Do you think I am likely to be refused now considering my travel history? 4. I have put my dad’s details as a sponsor, I am currently unemployed. I have also included his bank statement, his international passport and my birth certificate as proof. However, my dad’s bank statement is from a merchant bank and the statement format does not show the inflows and outflows (I asked about this and they informed me they have been presenting them that way to the high commission). The balance is sufficient but I am a bit worried that they may have some doubts because this statement doesn’t show details. It only states how much he has in the account (its a joint account with my mum), how long he has had the account for and that he has access to the funds. 5. I would be staying with my sister in the Uk for 4 weeks (she’s currently a student), I have included an invitation letter from her, her UK visa, school ID and her lodger agreement as proof of her status and accommodation. 6. My dad is retired and he is my sponsor. Is there a separate document I should provide to indicate that?

Do you think I have a good chance of approval? If no, what do you think I can do better?

April 7, 2019 at 11:17 pm

1. Make a manual correction in the printed form and specify in your cover letter. In the cover letter, have a side heading as “Manual correction made in the application form” and below it indicate the section and question, explain the reason why you had to make that manual correction and the document to prove the corrected information. The document would be a copy of your previous UK entry and exit stamps in your passport.

2. If you are currently unemployed, you would need to show proof of your beginning balance (500 GBP) in your account. If it was from your salary from your previous job, you must provide the statement from the day the salary was deposited.

3. If you were previously given UK student and visit visas under similar circumstances, you are likely to be approved this time as well.

4. Normally, transaction history is important for UK visa. But if the same statements worked fine for your previous student and visit visas, then they may work fine this time as well. UK home office may have ways to verify the origin of funds and transactions with the merchant bank.

5. I think those are enough from your sister’s side.

6. You may have to provide your dad’s retirement documents as well.

I think you have a very good chance. You secured UK visas twice and you never overstayed. It’s a good indicator that you have no intentions of overstaying, which is very important for your visa decision. Good luck!

April 5, 2019 at 10:33 pm

Sir thankyou so much for the advice. I wanted to confirm sir, my monthly salary is around 5000 USD, i mentioned that i spend around 3000 USD on my monthly expenses, Now the amount of money that is to be spent on a 10 day trip with my wife and daughter , can this be 5000 USD and does that figure seem fine ?

April 5, 2019 at 10:32 am

I have already paid the VISA and VFS (services) fee. But now I need to change my application as my friend is not coming along and I had mentioned her name.

Should I cancel and take the refund and re do the application. Will that be a problem?

April 5, 2019 at 11:17 pm

Hi Saanya! If they refund the fee, go for reapplication. That’s the best option. Otherwise, clearly, indicate in your cover letter that you will be traveling by yourself and your friend will not join you as she has family obligations.

April 5, 2019 at 7:43 am

Hi Thimural, I’m a Zimbabwean national working and living in Namibia for the past 7 years on a work permit. My current work permit is expiring in August 2020. I’m in the process of applying for a UK visitors visa for the first time and could use your advice with my situation. My intended stay is for 27 days:

1. The purpose of my trip is for a cousin’s wedding, I’m in the bridal party and at some point we are going to travel to Greece for the bridal shower. Is it necessary to mention all of this in my itinerary? And will I need to submit a wedding invitation & proof of payments for the Greece trip? I haven’t applied for the Schengen visa yet (I want to get the UK one first before I apply for it).

2. I have been supporting and living with my 2 sisters for the past 2 and a half years, who are at University and have included them in my application. Will they need any documentation regarding that?

3. My current salary is not enough for me & my sisters and I receive a monthly allowance from family to substitute my income. Because of that I currently spend more than I earn, which can be seen from my bank statements. Do I need to explain all of this in my cover letter? And will I need to provide supporting documents of the family member who provides additional support? How far Bank should my bank statements be?

4. Can you also advise how much money will be sufficient for such a stay? I have indicated that I will be staying with my cousin, so food and accommodation will be covered. Will I need to provide their documentation and explain this in my cover letter?

April 8, 2019 at 8:29 pm

Hi Francisca! A couple of suggestions before I answer your questions.

– I advise you to adjust your intended stay to 10 days or less. 27 days is way too much and it raises red flags on why you would need 27 days and how you will support yourself in case your cousin decides not to support. – The fewer people you introduce on the application, the better it is. When you introduce people on the application, the UK home office digs into their backgrounds as well. You are introducing your cousin (sponsor in the UK), your parents (sponsor in your country) and your two sisters (dependents on you).

1. Do not mention your travel to Greece as it will complicate your application. It may create dependency on your Schengen visa, Greece itinerary, etc. UK visas are usually multiple-entry with a validity of 6 months. Therefore, you can travel to Greece and re-enter the UK.

2. You won’t be asked any documentation regarding your sisters. If your document checklist specifically asks for “family members remaining in your home country during your trip”, then you can provide evidence of your 2 sisters in the university. The documentation needed for the UK visa is different for different countries.

3. You would need about 6 months of bank statements. You would need to have a slow-growing savings in your account which shows that you have been saving for this trip. But if your expenses are more than your earning and receive an allowance from your family, you will have to show additional documentation regarding the origin of those funds (allowance). Documentation showing that your parents provide this allowance and the origin of those funds for your parents.

4. Yes. If your cousin is going to provide you with accommodation and food, you will have to provide your cousin’s financial proofs, employment proofs and status in the UK.

April 5, 2019 at 12:25 am

Hi sir, thanks for your advice yesterday. I just want to confirm that can I mention this in my extra information that:

I am applying for 2-year long term visit visa as I intend to travel to the UK again to visit my family.

Can I write this, or should I give more detail or no detail at all?

April 5, 2019 at 10:04 pm

Hi Randy! Yes, you can write that as your “reason” for requesting a two-year visa.

But again like I mentioned earlier, if you have been traveling regularly to the UK, visa officers are likely to issue you a 2-year visa. Otherwise, they may issue you a 6-month visa. Either way, there is no harm in asking for it.

April 4, 2019 at 5:58 pm

Thanks for all your responses. Unfortunately, my friend decided not to join me but I have already mentioned her name in the initial application form. I have not submitted my biometrics yet.

Should I cancel it and re do the application now?

April 5, 2019 at 12:15 am

Hi Saanya! Yes, if you haven’t submitted your application or paid the fee yet, I suggest re-doing your application. Otherwise, the UK visa officers will dig into your friend’s background and it can complicate your case.

Parvathi says

April 4, 2019 at 12:44 pm

The question asked is “Will anyone be paying towards the cost of your visit? ” If I say Yes, then the next question is “Who is paying towards the cost of your visit? ” – Options are:

Someone I know (for example, family or friend)

-My employer or company

-Another company or organisation

-The next is ” Why are they helping to pay for your visit?”

Do I mention my husband under “someone I know”? Or do I just say no to all this and show the Joint savings account ?

Thanks again.

April 4, 2019 at 8:22 pm

Hi Parvathi! UK home office is quite strict about the source of income. Having a savings account is good but they also want to see if you have a source of income if you say “self” to the above question.

My suggest is selecting “someone I know” and mentioning your husband. For the question “why are they”, explain that you are all traveling as a family and your husband is paying for the entire family.

In your cover letter, mention your husband’s full name and passport number. That way, they can consider all 3 applications as one entity.

April 4, 2019 at 12:25 pm

Hi Thirumal! I was rejected visa yesterday. I just wish I knew all these before applying. Their reason:

I stated I was employed at spacewebconsultingltd earning 145600 but that amount did not reflect in my bank statements. But in my application, i stated I am to resume my work in May and I also attached my letter of employment stating the salary. The intention was to travel for 11days before resuming work.

Secondly, I just finished my MBA program and my uncle is gonna be sponsoring the trip. I’ll be staying at his apartment in UK. So I have no income. I stated all these in the additional information. But they didn’t mention anything about that.

The letter also mentioned not having a strong tie to my home country. I live with my parents and I am resuming work at my uncle/sponsors company in May.

My uncle/sponsor wants us to reapply. My question now is: How do I prove I have ties in my country?

I am 24yrs old and I have a 6-year-old son though I didn’t put that in my initial application because they asked if anyone was dependent on me financially. My son and I are dependent on my parents so I didn’t see any need to include him. Can I change the narrative now and add that I have a son? Is that enough tie to my home country?

The reasons for refusal also didn’t mention anything about my sponsor and at the end of it all, they said I don’t have sufficient fund to cover all reasonable costs. Why didn’t it mention my sponsor at all?. Would you advise me to even reapply at all because I don’t want another refusal. Thank you.

April 5, 2019 at 1:18 am

Hi Bisi! Sorry to hear that! But if you are not “currently” employed and do not have a source of income of your own, it’s very likely your visa will be refused again. Sponsorship applications rarely work. Employment and income are first and sponsorship comes after.

To prove that you have strong ties with your country, you must prove that you have continuous employment, regular source of income, decent travel history, strong family and social ties. I know you have strong families ties but you are missing the rest. The reason why the UK home office insists on having all the above is to avoid human trafficking and illegal immigration. I know you do not have any intention of staying illegally in the UK, but it appears that way to the UK visa officers.

I do not suggest reapplying for your visa. Your visa will likely be denied again based on your current situation.

Anubhav says

April 4, 2019 at 10:19 am

Thanks, Thurumal for all the help. I reapplied through express service and got my VISA today. I had attached a point to point clarification of the rejection in my cover letter with all the supporting documents.

April 4, 2019 at 8:16 pm

Hi Anubhav! That’s fantastic! If you are a genuine traveler and be specific with your purpose and documentation, you will not have any issues. Congratulations and enjoy your trip!

April 4, 2019 at 1:27 am

But is there any problem if i and my wife apply together but apply for two different durations that is i for 2 years and my wife for 6 months as its her first visit. I have family in UK is that enough to justify my frequent travels.

April 4, 2019 at 2:12 am

There is no problem. You can apply for 2 years and your wife for 6 months. In my opinion, having family itself is not a justification, but traveling frequently is. If you have been traveling frequently to visit your family, you can definitely request for a long term visa as applying for a visa frequently is a pain.

April 4, 2019 at 1:11 am

Thanks Thirumal.

Just 1 last one. I’m a stay at home mom, so there is no source of income to show, though the bank accounts are in our joint names. There is a question if anyone else is sponsoring the trip, but it doesn’t have an option of “Spouse” to click on. How do I go about this? In my husband’s application, we have shown that we are dependant on him. So do I still show the savings in our joint account in my form too or just his?

April 4, 2019 at 2:16 am

Hi Parvathi! What other options are available for “anyone else is paying”?

Yes, when it comes to financial documents, I suggest showing your joint account as well.

April 3, 2019 at 6:59 pm

Good day! I’m from Nigeria, planning to apply for UK visa with my sister and aunty. My uncle would sponsor us.

I would like to know if it is necessary we submit our individual bank statement (since I only earn fifty thousand naira a month)? And my uncle is a US citizen so which of his document should we attach when submitting our application. Is it also advisable we apply together since I and my aunty have been denied US visa before? I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you.

April 5, 2019 at 1:37 am

Hi Bee! In my experience, sponsored applications rarely work. It creates all kinds of complications and eventually the visa will be refused. I suggest applying on your own. You can apply as a group if you all want to travel together. But you all must have employment, enough funds, travel history, etc.

SULTAN says

April 3, 2019 at 5:54 pm

HI THIRUMAL.

I APPLIED FOR VISIT VISA ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS ONLY FOR 10 DAYS. BUT GOT REJECTED. WE PROVIDED THE BANK STATEMENTS, ME MY WIFE, AND JOINT ACCOUNT, SALARY CERTIFICATES. KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATE,

THE FIRST REASON, THEY SAID WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FUNDS. I ATTACHED MY WIFE’S BANK STATEMENT AND OUR JOINT ACCOUNT STATEMENT. BUT THEY OVERLOOKED IT.

AND MY MISTAKE WAS ALSO NOT TO MENTION MY PROPERTIES IN UAE AND HOME COUNTRY. THIS WAS SECOND REASON THAT WE DONT HAVE STRONG TIES IN OUR RESIDING COUNTRY AND HOME COUNTRY.

WAS SO DISTURBED AS WE WERE PLANNING TO TRAVEL the FIRST WEEK OF APRIL. WE WILL APPLY AGAIN THIS WEEK.. CAN YOU PLEASE GUIDE ME ABOUT THE COVER LETTER, HOW SHOULD WE ASSEMBLE THE DETAILS. PLEASE HELP.

April 5, 2019 at 1:31 am

Hi Sultan! It’s quite common for the visa officers to draw the conclusion without looking at all documents. In that situation, you can reapply with a cover letter explaining what documents have been overlooked. If you read the comments of this post, you will see people have done that successfully.

You can also reapply and explain what additional documentation you have provided for those two reasons of refusal. This way, the visa officers can focus only on those reasons and the provided documentation.

If you need help with the cover letter, email me.

Lyton Pervin says

April 3, 2019 at 5:21 pm

I am a US permanent resident (Green card Holder) single but have 2 kids (both US citizens). I am planning to travel to the UK for a week vacation. I was denied a UK visa like 15 years ago when I was still in Africa. I don’t even remember the reason because someone helped me. Anyways, my status changed because I came to the US, got green card though I am divorced now, have a great job in the hospital. My question is; do I need to mention that I will be traveling with my 2 kids when am applying for a UK visa because they are US citizens and do not need a visa? If I don’t mention it in the application will this increase my chances of getting a UK visa?

April 4, 2019 at 1:58 am

Hi Lyton! If you will be traveling with your 2 kids, you must mention that in your application. Failing to mention this information and showing up with your 2 kids in the UK may raise questions at the immigration. You have nothing to worry as you are genuinely seeking entry as a visitor. Good luck!

April 3, 2019 at 10:29 am

I understand from your post that the lesser people we mention in our application, the better it is. But, I have already mentioned my friends name under “Will you be travelling to the UK with someone who Yes is not your partner, spouse, or dependant?” She was declined a UK visa earlier, because she is single and was travelling solo.

Now, what all documents do I need to show so that I have good chances of VISA, we both want to go together. Should we have the same cover letters and all to prove that we are friends and are sponsoring ourselves.

Thanks for your earlier comments.

April 4, 2019 at 1:41 am

Hi Saanya! In that case, mention in your cover letter that you will be traveling with your friend. Mention her full name and passport number. She can do the same too. Have the same itinerary as well.

Try to submit the following documentation

– Employment letter stating your name, job title, duration, salary and duties – Leave approval letter from your employer stating the dates of vacation, country of vacation (UK) and date of returning to the job – 6 months bank statements (must show your monthly salary deposits and should not have any large deposits) – 6 months salary slips – House ownership documentation – Mutual funds and shares ownership documentation – NOC from your parents – Cover letter with dates, detailed itinerary, employment background, financial solvency, travel history and obligation to return back.

Kannan Srinivasan says

April 3, 2019 at 10:09 am

I am planning to apply for a UK visa to attend the marriage of my niece (own sister’s daughter). I am a self-employed person.

Last time I was denied a UK visa under paragraph(s) V 4.2 of the appendix V immigration rules. I have no real intention to overstay in the UK beyond my VISA period. My Plan is to be for the marriage. The travel schedule is just 3 weeks.

Are there any chances they reject my application even now?

My Niece is a Doctor and has a Resident permit and who is ready to sponsor for the travel.

Please advise what Precautions I have to take this time around.

April 4, 2019 at 1:32 am

Hi Kannan! There is “real reason” and there is “perceived reason”. You may not have a “real reason” to overstay, but the UK home office may interpret that you may overstay based on your visa application. Therefore, you have to provide documentary evidence that demonstrates that you have no reason to overstay.

This documentary evidence includes proof of your continuous employment, your obligation to return back to work after the trip, your ties to your family that demand you to be physically available, etc. If you fail to show such documentary evidence, the UK home office would assume that you would overstay your visa.

If you are self-employed, you must show that you would need to be physically available in your country to carry out your work. You must also show that you would need to back in your country physically to continue working. Finally, you must change your itinerary to 7-10 days. 3 weeks is too long for a wedding and it may get your visa denied.

April 3, 2019 at 10:01 am

Thank you for all your blogs! Im an avid traveller and I had no clue that one could travel to other countries using Schengen/ UK visa!

I am currently applying for a tourist visa for UK, for my family and I. I had a couple of queries, 1. We live in Singapore, but hold an Indian passport. We have travelled quite extensively in Europe and the Asia region. A few of them repeatedly. So I just mention my most recent visit to that country? My husband travels to 2 countries every month on work from Singapore. For this too, do we follow the same rule?

2. Do we mention Singapore in the countries we have visited?

3. Nowhere is it mentioned that we need to buy a travel Insurance (like with Schengen visa application it is compulsary). Would submitting a travel insurance be better?

April 4, 2019 at 1:03 am

Hi Parvathi!

1. Yes. You just have to mention your most recent visit to those countries. 2. Yes. You must mention Singapore as a country visited as well. 3. No. Travel insurance is NOT REQUIRED for the UK visa application. Even if you submit, the consulate will not consider it.

April 3, 2019 at 8:03 am

Please I need advice. I have travelled to UK with 6 months Visa. But I applied to Germany and was refused. Now I wish to renew my UK Visa. The travel agent who helped me with Germany visa used different information I provided to the UK in my Visa application. Can l disclose it in my UK renewal now?

April 4, 2019 at 1:23 am

Hi Ismaeel! There is no such thing as UK visa renewal. You have to apply for a fresh visa. And yes, you have to mention your Schengen visa denial in your UK visa application.

April 3, 2019 at 3:49 am

Hi Sir, I am in the US on an F1 visa. I am applying for the UK visit visa for 2 years and I am applying for 6 months for my wife. I have studied and lived in the UK for about 6 years and I have good travel history but my wife has only traveled to the US. She has never visited the UK. I am visiting the UK to meet my sisters as they are settled there.

Do you recommend applying for 2 years for my wife or 6 months? I will apply for 2 years as I have already been to the UK multiple times. Also, what can I put as a reason that I want 2 years visa so that this request is justified? What words should I use as I don’t want to imply anything wrong . You know this is a critical piece. Thank you!

April 4, 2019 at 1:17 am

Hi Randy! I recommend applying for a 2 year UK visa for your wife as well. That way, you both don’t need to worry about applying again for the next two years.

Usually, frequent travelers to the UK apply for visas longer than 6 months – 2 years, 5 years or 10 years. If you haven’t been to the UK frequently, say twice a year, you cannot justify a 2-year visa. UK home office would understand that it’s a hassle to apply for visas couple times a year, so they usually issue the visa for whatever period you ask for. So, it all depends on how frequently you travel to the UK.

April 2, 2019 at 5:02 pm

Hi sir, thanks once again for your free visa consultations! My question is in 2016 I was denied a Germany visit visa on grounds that the reason for the visit wasn’t clear. The reason I failed to produce an internal transport means while in Germany. I wish to apply again in June where I will be invited to a religious conference. So do I need to address the reason in the previous refusal like it’s done while applying for u.k visas?

April 3, 2019 at 2:18 am

Hi Ismah! Invitation letters and religious reasons do not work well for visas. You will only be taking chances again. If you do decide to apply again, then it depends on the visa application. If the visa application asks to explain your previous visa refusal, then yes, you have to explain your previous visa refusals.

Emmanuel Grant says

April 2, 2019 at 1:37 pm

I’m applying for the visa in another country. What should I write in the “countries I have visited space” since I am still in that country i am applying in legally?

April 3, 2019 at 2:10 am

Hi Emmanuel! Yes, you will mention that “another country” in your countries visited.

Saanya says

April 2, 2019 at 6:08 am

Hi. Thanks a lot for this. I have some other questions too.

1) I am a single woman as of now, I will be getting married later this year or early next year. I have heard that it is difficult for single women to get UK Visa. Do you think I should mention that I will be getting married later? -Although I cannot prove it as of now. 2) My father will also be giving me some money for the trip as a birthday gift. Should I mention this too? – Would it help? And Again would I need to prove it somehow? 3) A driend of mine will be traveling with me. She will take a flight from Mumbai and I will be taking it from Hyderabad. We will meet only in the UK. Should that be an issue?

-Thanks so much for taking your time in reading and answering these questions. I really appreciate it.

April 3, 2019 at 1:43 am

1. If you cannot provide proof of your upcoming wedding, it’s better you don’t mention it as it can complicate things. I suggest you provide a No Object Certificate (NOC) from your parents that they are fine with you traveling to the UK on your own. It’s really silly in this day and age but I have seen a few UK visas refused on the reason that the applicant hasn’t provided a NOC letter from their parents. This is applicable to only female applicants.

2. I suggest (a) not mentioning the gift of cash from your father and (b) not depositing that money in your salary bank account. If you mention the cash gift from your dad, you will be introducing a new person (your dad) in your application. The UK visa officers will then want to look into your dad’s financial situation on how he earned that money and why is he giving you that money. This would really complicate your case. Similarly, any large deposits other than your salary in your bank account can be suspicious and can lead to visa denial.

3. It won’t be an issue. But I suggest not mentioning your friend in your visa application. Introducing a new person on your application complicates your case.

Angel Tan says

April 2, 2019 at 5:48 am

Hi, I will be applying for UK visa and my sister is sponsoring my trip, she’s living in UK. I just want to ask if all the documents coming from her should be original?thank you!

April 3, 2019 at 1:32 am

Hi Angel! No. Just the scanned copies are enough.

April 1, 2019 at 6:49 pm

Hi. A very informative post. I Plan to go to the UK and Ireland using a BIVS visa. I am an Indian Passport holder. I plan to land in the UK first. I have three questions.

1) I was applying for the UK standard tourist visa, but it does not mention anything about BIVS. Is there a separate link to apply for BIVS? 2) I have a house on my name and I am a salaried person from the last 4 years. I have a home loan and I am unmarried. Will having a loan reduce/increase my chances of VISA acceptance? 3) I have savings in the form of mutual funds and shares. Should I include those in my application?

April 2, 2019 at 2:28 am

1. There is NO separate link for BIVS. You just have to mention in your cover letter that your itinerary includes Ireland and request for UK visa with BIVS.

2. Home loan is a good thing as you have the obligation to return back to your job in order to pay your monthly loan payments. Make sure you provide your house documents with your visa application.

3. Yes, definitely. Include your mutual fund and stock investments.

Licia Santos says

April 1, 2019 at 1:46 pm

My boyfriend has Angolan citizenship and has been living, studying and working in Portugal for the past 5 years.

Since I live in the UK, he applied for a 6 month (multiple entries) visa to visit me when he can. He waited for 2 months and today he received his passport in a bag with no stamp and no refusal letter. He contacted the Uk services and as always the only thing they say is “we are going to escalate the situation and you will receive an email within 15 days.” Not to mention that he has never received an email, his application tracking number did not work, and he spent a total of 70£, on top of the application costs, for calling them to get information.

It is unacceptable!! My boyfriend and I are extremely disappointed with the immigration services. Not only we’ve wasted money and time but it has been a humiliating and disheartening process.

Since we don’t know what to do. I was hoping to get some advice or information from people who have experienced the same.

We appreciate your help. Thank you

Lícia Santos

April 5, 2019 at 1:48 am

Hi Licia! I have never seen a case similar to yours. Usually, the UKVI includes the visa refusal letter in the package.

I usually advise my readers to apply for a UK visa only if they have plenty of time on their plate and have no real urgency to visit the UK. Leaving passport at the consulate for an unknown period of time is extremely excruciating since you never know when you would need to travel to your home country or internationally.

There is not much you can do. The only option is to reapply by explaining/questioning in your cover letter. Contacting customer service is a waste of money. You can probably use that money to reapply.

Barnabas says

July 29, 2019 at 12:14 am

Hello! Can I submit a 3 months bank statement for UK visa application? I had to change the bank account for some personal reason. Do you think it’s a problem as I have a secured job and earn about $750 monthly after tax? I want to visit UK for 6 days visit. Do you suggest I proceed with the 3 months statement or wait for 6months statement? Thanks!

August 3, 2019 at 10:10 am

Hi Barnabas! The UK home office does not ask for missing documentation. They simply refuse the visa and mention the missing documentation in the refusal letter. A UK visa refusal stays in your records permanently and affects all your future UK and other country visa applications. If your 3-months bank statement is not enough, it would lead to a visa refusal. Don’t take chances. Wait for 3 more months and use a 6-month bank statement.

Mariam Assem says

March 31, 2019 at 6:36 pm

Hello! I just got rejected for the UK visit Visa. Reasons are 1. I only applied one reference letter from my work, they said it wasn’t enough to show my employment circumstances – I will apply more paperwork and a leave approval letter 2. My father gave me as a gift an amount of money in my bank statement (many years ago) they said that my salary is not consistent with my bank statement – If I told them my father gave it to me is that enough proof? 3. My father was my sponsor, to that I gave them his bank statements but I forgot to give anything to prove his employment status they said they need a proof for the origin of his funds he’s currently a retired physician – I am giving them proof of retirement and his last 10 years employment experience 4. I am adding that my mother is my other sponsor with a work reference letter and bank statement 5. Lastly, my brother lives in the UK and I am going to be with him. He provided all the papers needed and the refusal didn’t mention anything about him.

Is that enough to reapply for the visa? Thank you!

March 31, 2019 at 11:46 pm

Hi Mariam! The more people you introduce in your application, the more complicated it gets. The UK home office would conduct background checks on all of them and if something is wrong even with one person, your application will be denied.

1. You need to provide – (a) employment letter – (b) leave approval letter – (c) 6 months salary slips

2. If you have a very high beginning balance, it can be suspicious. You have to provide proof of the origin of those funds. The evidence for the gift would be – (a) your bank statement from that year indicating the deposit – (b) your father’s bank statement from that year indicating the transfer – (c) a letter from your dad declaring that as a gift to you

3. If you are employed and can support your travel, I suggest not using your dad as a sponsor. The fewer people on the application, the better it is. If you still want to use your father as a sponsor, you must provide – (a) his retirement proof – (b) his monthly pension details – (c) his 6 months of bank statements

4. If you are employed and can support your travel, I suggest not using your mom as a sponsor. The fewer people on the application, the better it is. If you still want to use your mother as a sponsor, you must provide – (a) her employment letter – (b) her 6 months salary slips – (c) her 6 months bank statements

5. Probably it was way too many people for the UK home office to keep track of. That is why they couldn’t even get to your brother’s documents. Like I mentioned above, use fewer people. Since you are employed and can support yourself, you don’t even need to have all these sponsors. You can mention that you will meet your brother but you don’t have to use him as a sponsor. If you still like to use him as a sponsor, you need the following –

– (a) A letter from your brother undertaking that he/she would arrange your accommodation, transportation and other expenses while you are in the UK – (b) Your brother’s bank statements for the last 6 months (must indicate employer pay deposits and have no large undocumented deposits) – (c) Your brother’s employment letter – (d) Your brother’s 6 months salary slips – (e) Your brother’s British passport main page (if he is a British citizen) – (f) Your brother’s British visa or residence permit (if he is not a British citizen) – (g) Your brother’s British postal poll card (if he is a British citizen) – (h) Your brother’s utility bill

March 30, 2019 at 6:49 pm

Hello sir! Thanks for the quick response to our visa questions! Well, I’m intending to apply for the UK visit visa. Is it ok if I submit a 4 months current and savings account bankstaments?

March 30, 2019 at 7:07 pm

Hi Ismah! The requirements vary slightly from country to country. If you are asked to provide 4 months of bank statements, then you are fine. If you are asked to provide 6 months of bank statements, then you have to provide 6 months of bank statements.

Tarsia says

March 30, 2019 at 5:35 pm

Hello, I have been refused twice and my reason for applying for the uk visa was for a job interview in the British Army. I am married now and my husband is based in the Uk now. We have applied for a visa for me to join him and the problem I have now is that i changed my maternal name on this application because of some family issues. I didn’t use the same name for my mother on this application. Will this have any effect on my visa application

March 30, 2019 at 7:04 pm

Hi Tarsia! First of all, I don’t understand your question well. I’m not sure whether you are referring to your name or your mother’s name.

If you are referring to your name, then your name must be same as it appears in your passport.

If you are referring to your mother’s name, then it’s fine to change it slightly but not completely. UK home office will have your previous records and if they see a different mother’s name, it may raise questions. Slight changes are fine.

March 30, 2019 at 1:50 pm

Hi sir again! My visit UK visa was rejected due to insufficient docs, that I provided last March 25 2019.

This is from vac – “In support of your application, you have provided a post office bank statement from the period of 01.10.2018 10.3.2019 in your name showing a closing balance of xx you have also provided an employment letter and a payslip for jan.2019. I note you have provided an Israeli work permit valid until 2.8.2019 and you state you have been employed in this capacity since oct.2015. However, there are not official documents which demonstrate how long you have been employed in Israel. I am also not satisfied that you demonstrated your income from your employment as there appears to be only one deposit into your account which is named (my employer). I am therefore not satisfied that your personal and financial circumstances in Israel and the Philippines are such that you have sufficient intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit as stated.”

Please help me! I want to reapply after I renew my work permit in August. Thank you very much!

March 30, 2019 at 9:47 pm

Hi Mary! The refusal letter clearly says that you failed to submit your employment and financial proofs. Next time, make sure you submit the following –

Employment Proof Work permit Employment letter Leave approval letter Payslips

Financial Proof 6 months bank statements clearly indicating your salary deposits every month (no undocumented large deposits)

Geralyn Lopez says

June 1, 2019 at 2:40 am

My salary usually deposited to a different bank and what I do is withdraw them and transfer it to my personal savings account which is a different bank, will it affect my application? or do I have to declare that I have a personal savings account and I do transfer portion of my income to my account? does it needs to have withdrawals coz I don’t take any amount from it for the past 1year

June 3, 2019 at 8:25 pm

In that case, you must show statements from both accounts – your salary account and your savings account. Also, mention in your cover letter that you transfer money from salary account to your savings account. Give examples such as the dates when the transfers have been done.

No. Your lack of withdrawals in your savings account will not affect your visa result. It’s only “large deposits” that’s the problem.

Mulinde herbert says

July 14, 2019 at 3:34 pm

How do you define ‘large deposits’ often times clients deposit sales money on my personal account up to 3000 USD for my company? Will this be classified as a huge deposit especially knowing that I earn less than such deposits evidenced in my bank statement.

July 16, 2019 at 1:16 am

Hi Mulinde! If the deposit is larger than your monthly salary itself, then it is a “large” deposit. You have to provide documentary evidence for such deposits. I suggest separating your accounts so you will not have such problems in the future.

March 29, 2019 at 6:47 pm

Thank you for the helpful post!

I have been to the UK twice. First time was tourism. Second time was when I did 1 year masters in London last year. I am now in Lebanon and have been invited by a company for onsite interview of 2 days in London and they are paying all expenses. I do have a good travel history (been to the USA twice, France, Sweden…). However, I am currently unemployed and I am not a student. So I am concerned that my visa will be rejected due to my ties to my country not being strong enough. The consultant helping me with my visa application raised this concern.

What do you think my chances are for getting the Business visit visa? Should I take the risk? Do you think a rejection will be affect my future travel though I have been to the UK twice already?

March 30, 2019 at 6:02 pm

Hi Joe! Ties with your home country are very important and take precedence over travel history. I would advise against taking the risk. It can ruin your future travels as you have a good visa and travel history so far.

As an additional suggestion, you can raise this concern with the company and have them make alternate arrangements for you.

March 29, 2019 at 3:34 pm

Hi Thirumal, I am really hoping you can shed some light on my situation.

I am a South East Asian citizen currently living in Hong Kong, where I am a permanent resident. I applied for a visitor visa to the UK in February and was refused under the following reasons:

1. I said I was employed, when in fact I meant to start work at the end of my travels (letter proof) 2. I gave in a bank balance certificate with my savings instead of bank statements 3. I don’t have any assets or property in Hong Kong that would require me to return 4. I am staying for 1 month and a half which is a long time 5. They aren’t sure I will return at the end of my stay, and 6. They are not sure I have sufficient funds (when in fact I have close to 9600 GBP in that account)

I reapplied with more details this time, referring to my previous application and how I have provided or amended anything missing on there. I handed in my proof of education, including an offer of acceptance to a Masters course starting this September, financial statements of up to 6 months for both my bank accounts, an invitation letter from a friend there offering accommodation for me and my bf, his utility bill, pay slips. passport copies, WhatsApp chat convos from when we met until now with a few months apart each of them.

I clarified in my application this time that I am taking time off work to use my savings to travel and will be visiting my bf whom I met in Hong Kong now halfway through his masters program for spring break and provided a letter from him, his student ID, uni acceptance letter and proof of our relationship (WhatsApp, facebook convos, photos).

Letter from my previous employer, who is a UK citizen, vouching for my character and my bf’s and my relationship as we met at the same workplace, his passport and ID.

A letter from my father vouching for my return along with his employment details here and our tenancy agreement. The identification document of my sister and mother that also live with me. I also provided a detailed provisional itinerary and a letter offering me employment at the end of my visit.

I submitted my application as a priority application yesterday evening and I got an email today saying that a decision has already been reached and I should wait for the documents to arrive here from Manila before I go to pick it up. I am just a little shocked at how quickly the application was processed, as it should take up to 5 days at least.

In your opinion did I provide enough documentation this time. It is what I have, as owning property here is close to impossible and I am indeed taking time off from work to travel, reflective I hope in a month long trip to Asia I took just before this. And before that to Europe a couple of times.

Really sorry about the long post.

March 30, 2019 at 11:02 pm

Hi MJ! A few things that might have affected your previous visa denial

– Your purpose of travel is not clear. You can, of course, travel and also meet up with your BF. But for the purpose of visa, sticking to one would help. – You introduced two additional people in your application, your friend and your BF. UK home office would conduct a background verification on them. There may be complications if either of them has any background issues, thereby leading to visa denial. – Lack of employment is highly negative. Without employment, it’s highly difficult to secure visas for any country.

A few suggestions

– If there aren’t any changes in your circumstances, your visa application is likely to be denied again. Change in circumstances includes applying for different visa category, change in marital status, etc. – You said you lodged your application in Manila but you live in Hong Kong. Isn’t there a UK consulate or VFS/BLS office in Hong Kong? – If you go through the comments of this blog post or any other blog you will see many comments from applicants in similar situations as you. Meeting a UK bf in the UK is very difficult these days. It’s a lot easier to meet elsewhere. The same money you spend on the UK visa applications is enough to fly somewhere and spend quality time with your BF. Even the UK home office knows this and scrutinizes the applicants on why they want to meet in the UK.

March 29, 2019 at 9:21 am

Hello Sir, I am employed in MNC in Dubai. I am on an employment visa in UAE from last 7 years. I have not visited any country other than the UAE. I am intending to visit the UK as a visitor for holiday purpose during Eid holidays 10 days. Can you help me in clarifying my following queries?

1. Shall my travel history affect my Visa? as I am from India and I have been in UAE from 7 years and have not visited any other country yet. May I use UAE as an answer for, if I have visited any other country than India?

2. I have my cousin settled in London. Is it ok to mention his name and details and mention I will meet him also?

3. Does police clearance certificate is required?

4. Can I apply for 15 days instead of 10?

5. Does bank statements need stamps from the banks?

6. Do I need to submit also My house contract/tenancy contract?

7. My family and child will not be visiting. Do I need to mention the reason?

8. Can let me know the list of documents to support my application, please?

I will look forward to hearing from you.

1. Yes, travel history definitely affects your visa application. The more travel history you have the better it is for visas such as the UK, US, Canada and Schengen. You can use UAE as one of the countries you have visited so far.

2. I suggest not mentioning your cousin in your application unless you are asked to. If you introduce your cousin, the home office may verify his background as well. It not only delays your visa process, but it can also complicate your application if your cousin has any background issues.

4. I suggest using an itinerary of 10 days or less. You will be issued a 180-day visa so you can definitely stay longer. But for the visa, use an itinerary that is 10 days or less.

6. Yes. Your rental agreement for any future months or years shows that you have the intention to return back.

7. Yes. Not only mentioning the reason, submit any relevant documentation that shows that your family will remain in the UAE while you are on the trip. Documents can be your wife’s employment documents, your kid’s school fee receipts, etc.

8. Go through the required documents list on the UKVI website. Along with those, I suggest the below

a. Employment letter stating your name, title, salary, duration, duties, etc b. Leave approval letter from your employer stating your dates of vacation and the intended return date c. Bank statements that clearly shows your salary deposits (make sure there are no undocumented large deposits) d. Salary slips e. Rental contract f. Wife’s employment documentation g. Kid’s school fee receipts

March 28, 2019 at 9:06 pm

My work permit application for Australia had got denied. I am applying for a UK short visit stay visa. I have stated the application form honestly. Would I be getting the visa granted?

March 30, 2019 at 1:36 am

Hi Anonymous! If you have strong ties with your home country then your Australia visa denial may not affect your UK visa application at all. It’s necessary to disclose any previous visa denials but they may not have any bearing on the current application.

Bidhya says

March 28, 2019 at 6:05 pm

Hi there, Im going to apply my uk visa for the first time next week. I’ve been to few visa required countries before so I don’t think there will be problems with my travel history. but my only fear of rejection is the bank statements. I have a stable job and my salary is credited to my account every month, but last month I deposited some money in my account which could be suspicious for the immigration officer. it not huge sum of money to doubt but still , Does it gonna cause trouble to my visa ? Thanks much !

March 30, 2019 at 1:31 am

Hi Bidhya! If it’s not a large deposit, then you don’t need to worry about it. If it’s a large deposit, then you must provide relevant documentation for evidence.

Examples: – If that deposit was from your rental income, you must provide a rental contract, payment receipt, etc. – If that deposit was from another account of yours, then you must provide a bank statement of the other account and clearly mention the dates and transfers in your cover letter.

ALEXANDER MAAR says

March 28, 2019 at 9:41 am

Hello I apllied for a UK visa to relocate and work in the UK. I have secured a job there and currently has a sponsor. I have provided all the documents asked of me. The problem is that I had to resign from my work to pave way for me to move to the UK. I am a registered nurse and currently has no money in my accounts, but I would get money to sustain me fas requested by homeland office. My employer has given a certificate of sponsorship and maintenance letter to cover my accommodation and other stuff. Can I be denied this visa on the basis of no money in my accounts?

March 30, 2019 at 1:02 am

Hi Alexander! My expertise is only in tourist visas. Work visas may have different requirements and documents. I don’t have enough knowledge to answer your questions. Sorry!

Ademoka oluwole says

March 28, 2019 at 4:23 am

Hi l just want to know if necessary to disclose the Precious refusals on UK visit Visa application. I was refused both US and schengen Visa . I had travelled to UK for 2years before and when applied for US and schengen Visa l was still hold UK valid visit Visa but still my application to US and schengen rejected. I am scared to say this in my application for UK 5years Visa now because this could result in refusal if l disclose it. This is because What should l do please.

March 30, 2019 at 12:58 am

Hi Ademoka! Yes, you are required to disclose all your visa refusals (all countries) in your UK visa application. Even if you don’t disclose, UK home office has ways to figure previous visas and travel information of the applicants. If they figure that you have a US and Schengen refusals and you haven’t disclosed them on purpose, they may deny your visa.

March 27, 2019 at 5:28 pm

I applied for a uk visa today. I have obtained 2 uk visas in the past and i have been to several other countries.

I however thought that I will be allowed to submit my previous passport which has most of my travel history with my application but this was not accepted at the visa application centre and I was told i should have uploaded a copy online

I detailed my travel history in my application but now there is no evidence to back it up.

Is there any way to send this supplemental information to the home office, and do you think this will affect my chances?

March 29, 2019 at 11:54 pm

Hi Bunmi! If you had 2 previous UK visas, the Home Office may not scrutinize your application as they may have your records already. Since you have mentioned the countries you have traveled in your visa application, that’s sufficient in my opinion.

March 27, 2019 at 12:55 pm

My application refused 10 days ago. There were two reasons:

1- I mentioned din my application that I have X euros while when I printed my bank statement there was X euros+ 1000 euros.

2- I paid tuition fee for my friend and this extra 1000 euro had been sent by him when I applied for the Visa.

I have an invitation letter from a conference and letter from a sponsor that mention all travel costs will be paid. I have an Iranian student in Portugal who receives salary and registered at university.

Do I have chance if I re-apply? and mention that my friend give the money back?

March 28, 2019 at 3:22 am

Hi Hadi! Those two reasons seem to be the ones you interpreted. Do you know the exact reasons that the UK visa officer mentioned?

I don’t understand about the Iranian student. How is that relevant?

If you have received money back from a friend, you need to provide the evidence that you gave him the money first and he transferred it back. Example: The bank statement showing your transfer to your friend. A notarized affidavit from your friend that he borrowed money and returned with exact dates of transactions.

Deshani says

March 27, 2019 at 10:20 am

Hi Thirumal, Thanks so much for your great article. I wish that I saw your article when I apply UK standard visitor visa first time. In fact, I got rejected first time because I haven’t provided enough documents to prove my genuine intention of the visit. Then, I did a research and prepared almost all the necessary documents to respond ECO’s objections. I applied second time via priority service. However, there was a sentence saying that even though I applied via priority service the decision can be delayed due to my application once rejected. Now I am waiting for the response. I am so stressed because I have a feeling that I will get the response late so that I will not be able to attend the conference. I prepared all the documents very clearly this time. In your experience, how long does it take for second time decision if we say they grant visa? Thank you so much in advance for your reply.

March 28, 2019 at 3:07 am

Hi Deshani! Unfortunately, I don’t have a second-time decision experience. UK home office conducts a thorough background verification on the applicant and it can take days even though you have requested for priority service.

If you have applied from a country such as the US or Canada, the background verification takes a day or two as they have to call your employer, bank, etc. But in some countries, they heavily rely on third-party agencies for background verification. It can take days in such situations.

March 27, 2019 at 10:07 am

My question is: what will I write in the cover letter about previous applications refusal?

# Sir, we will add next time all missing documents for my husband and mine.

# we have the agreement with our all tenants, but on my husband name in the contact. Also, we have every month house rent payment receipt slip.

# the house owner is my husband, so my husband needs to give me any declaration?

Every month (3-10 date) I get the house rent every month from our tenants, so I have to deposit the house rent money in my personal bank account?

March 28, 2019 at 2:56 am

You must write in the cover letter that your previous application was refused based on the reason provided. You are supporting your case this time with all relevant documentation. You ask the officer to review your supporting documentation and validate the case.

Yes. Your husband must write a letter mentioning that you are dependent and he will support you financially on the family trip to the UK. Along with that, he must provide the following

1. All documents related to business (business registration, annual revenue reports, tax returns, bank statements, etc) 2. All documents related to his rental incomes (rental contracts from your tenants, rent payment receipts, etc) 3. Personal bank statements indicating his rental incomes (if that’s personal income) 4. Your marriage certificate

If the properties are on your husband’s name, you must deposit the rental incomes into your husband’s personal bank account. You must provide a copy of his personal bank statements.

March 26, 2019 at 6:33 pm

hey thirumal sir, sorry for disturbing you, my application is refused, and this is my refusal latter…

The decision :

i have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph 4.2 of appendix V : immigration rules for visitors because:

* you stated that you wish to visit the UK for 6 days as a tourist.

* under the UK immigration rules you must show that you are qualify for a visa by explaining your own circumstances and the plans you have for visit.it is your responsibility to satisfy me that they are such that if guaranteed leave to enter you will abide by all of the conditions attached to any such leave and that you will leave the United Kingdom on completion of proposed visit.

* You state that you are unemployed. You have stated that you are traveling withe your spouse and that he is funding your visit.you have not stated that how you are supported.you have provided property documents withe your application but this documents do not dimostrareate that you drive an income from them.i also note that when your spouse received his uk visa last October he stated that he had an online business. The documents you have provided do no demonstrate this business or that you or your spouse receive and income such a business. The documents you have provided do not demonstrate how you support your self in bangladesh and as such I am not satisfied that they are an accurate reflection of your financial circumstances in bangladesh

* On the evidence available to me today, I am not satisfied that your circumstances are as stated in your application. Therefore I am not satisfied that you are a genuine visitor to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitors rules or that you intend to leave the uk at the end of your proposed trip (appendix V: 4.2 a c

March 26, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Hi Rumpa! Sorry to hear that! What I have understood from your refusal letter is that you have not provided enough evidence that your spouse has a continuous source of income and he supports you financially.

If you are dependent on your husband, you must provide his financial documents as well. That way, the visa officers can validate that your husband has a steady income and capable to support you during the trip.

March 26, 2019 at 7:32 pm

I am going to reapply after 3-4 months . What was wrong with my previous application? What do I need to provide in addition to other documents so as to ensure that I get the visa? What was wrong with my earlier application and what corrective steps should I take for my next application?

my husband have business in italy

we have a house here in bangladesh (owner is my husband) and we get house rent every months 95,500 bdt ( 860£ ) so we are spending this money for us,

we have agreement withe tante and every month we given them rent recipet

so now my question is , i can show sorce of income from our house rent and i need to diposite this money in my own bank account .. as a sorce of funds – House rent

and i have some FDR, fixd diposite in postal bank bangladesh. i am getting from there every month. 36,000 bdt (324£)

so i can add allso this sorce of money comeing every months?

please sir , when u free give me a answer…

March 26, 2019 at 7:40 pm

Hi Rumpa! Like I mentioned in the earlier comment there wasn’t enough evidence that your husband has a source of income and capable to support you financially. You need to provide your husband’s financial documents such as business registration, annual income reports, tax returns, business bank statements and his personal bank statements.

If you prefer to show your own rental income, you would need to provide tenant contracts, rent receipts and bank statements. Your bank statements must indicate your monthly rental income.

Fixed deposits may not help that much as they do not draw monthly income.

Kathy@DavesTravelCorner says

March 26, 2019 at 10:17 am

I am planning a trip to the UK later this year – this was a timely post :)

March 26, 2019 at 5:46 pm

Hi Kathy! Great! I’m glad the post was useful to you. You have a great trip!

March 25, 2019 at 11:04 pm

Hello Thirumal ! I submitted my uk visa application today, I have a valid US visa (5 years) travelled once on it, travelled to UK some 10 years back, I submitted all the required documents , there’s just one area that I am doubtful about, I claim in my application I earn 22,000 pounds a year, I actually earn more than that, my bank statements show more money, some large deposits 9 months back , I have showed enough savings, but my income tax returns is low, it shows 5500 pounds a year, but my tax wealth statement shows I have assets money around 400,000 pounds, I have 4 valuable properties, that I have attached documents of, I am a genuine visitor. what do you think will be the outcome of my application??

March 26, 2019 at 4:37 am

Hi Saad! If the numbers do not tally up, it can raise questions on the source of your incomes. The outcome depends on how much they focus on your financial documents. Therefore, it’s really difficult to tell what the outcome would be.

April 26, 2019 at 6:15 pm

Greetings! I’m a lady. Today I took the passports of my children who had applied for a visa, but when I saw the passports within the visa was rejected, while I did not receive the reasons for the refusal by e-mail. Is there a similar case and how can I resolve it?

April 29, 2019 at 1:32 am

Hi Era! Yes, I have seen a few cases similar to yours. Passports were returned back but there wasn’t a refusal letter. There is nothing you can do about it. You can try contacting UKVI but you will end up with a huge bill.

Orjana says

March 25, 2019 at 5:53 pm

Hi! I am a non EU citizen from Albania. I am a student since 2013 at Florence Italy. My standard visitor visa to uk was refused because my resident permit expiry date is 30/04/2019 and for the home office my degree finish in that date.But the resident permit for student here is annual. So since now i have had 5 resident permitt and i will have other resident permit until i finish my degree. Another reason was that i didnt show significant ties . What this means? I show that i study and work here. Thank you

March 26, 2019 at 7:29 pm

Hi Orjana! You must clarify such things (yearly permit) in your cover letter. Otherwise, UK visa officers simply assume certain things and make a decision. Unlike other country visa applications (ex: Schengen), UK visa officers do not go back and forth with the applicants for additional information. If any information is unavailable, the visa is denied. The only option then remains is to reapply explaining what was missing in the previous application and what additional information has been provided in the new application.

Strong ties (or significant ties) means that you have a reason to go back to your country (Italy or Albania) after your trip. If you don’t have ties, then there is nothing that is stopping you from remaining in the foreign country (the UK).

You work permit expiration is definitely an indication that you have no reason to go back to Italy. Explaining this clearly in the cover letter along with the copies all previous 5 permits will help. Along with that, provide the following documentation to show strong ties with Italy.

– A letter from your school stating that you are a student, length of study, field of study, how many semesters still left, etc – A letter from your school stating that you have been given permission to take the vacation to the UK for those days and you are required to come back on a certain day to continue your studies – Fee receipts for all future fee payments – If interning, provide an internship letter and a leave approval letter

March 25, 2019 at 4:14 pm

What about age? I am 80 an English man from Leeds and I have met a lovely 19 year old Filipina I would like to bring her back to the UK to meet my grandchildren. Do you think that they will reject our visa application based on our age gap?

March 25, 2019 at 7:24 pm

Well, they may. Only one way to know. Give it a try.

March 25, 2019 at 1:31 am

Hi, I have been living in Singapore for the past 15 years and have made a LOT of trips to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan (apart from Visits to Europe and Americas). The visa application requires filling out travel details in the past 10 years. Is it really necessary to submit ALL the multiple visits to the same country? I was thinking of including the last unique visit to each of the countries I have visited in the last 10 years

I will be submitting all my previous passports anyway.

March 25, 2019 at 7:03 pm

Hi Kush! You only need to mention each country once. So yeah, just include the last unique visit to each of those countries.

Ajesh Sebastian says

March 24, 2019 at 1:21 pm

Hi there, I have lived in different Schengen countries for more than 3 months in each for study and job purpose. So, while applying for UK visa, do I need to get individual police clearance certificate from each of those countries or is there any possibility of using a common police clearance for all the schengen countries? could you please comment on this if you have knowledge about it? Thanks in advance.

March 24, 2019 at 11:31 pm

Hi Ajesh! As far as my knowledge goes, you don’t need a police clearance for the UK visitor visa.

Saswat Sahu says

October 17, 2019 at 5:31 pm

I am planning to apply for UK Visitor Visa and planning for around 4 weeks from Dec mid till Jan mid. My wife is currently residing in the UK with a Tier 2 ICT Visa. I should mention 4 weeks or 2 weeks for the visa? I can get a leave letter from my current employee. Let me know what should be the best thing to do? My travel history is fair. I have traveled to few countries like Thailand, Canada, Malaysia, Vietnam, Germany, Paris and the UK. I have traveled to the UK for 2 weeks in December 2017 with a visitor visa. Recently a year back I was refused for US B1/B2 visa, 214(b) refusal. I should mention this in my application, right? And also let me know if this will not hamper my UK Visitor Visa?

October 18, 2019 at 3:16 pm

Hi Saswat! I suggest a 2 week itinerary for your visa application. When you actually travel, you can stay for 4 weeks without any consequences. In your leave approval letter, make sure your employer indicates your dates of vacation, country of vacation (UK) and the date on which you have to report back at your job.

You have to mention your US visa refusal in your UK visa application. It may not directly affect your UK visa result since you are strong in all other areas – employment, financial and travel history.

Alastair says

March 24, 2019 at 6:45 am

Thank you so much Thirumal, for reading my long post and your quick, extensive response. We are very grateful for your suggestions. I had hoped that all the Facebook postings that I had sent previously was a public enough response to validate the relationship publicly with all our family and friends. We greatly appreciate all your ideas. The idea for the web page is one which we had certainly not considered and I will be sure to get that in place. As a side note, we had certainly never applied for a lengthy stay before, but I was surprised to see you say that 7-10 days was sufficient for a ‘small’ country like the UK. Having had prior girlfriends and ex-wife visit previously for 2 weeks+, we had always felt that only allowed us to see a tiny part of the UK, so that was fascinating to see that on your notes. Congratulations on such a fantastic website and enormous, best wishes for continued success with it.

Alastair and Hanna.

March 24, 2019 at 8:20 pm

You’re welcome! FB posts are still private as only friends of you or your GF can see those conversations. You can only send the screenshots to consulate. But a webpage would be public and the consulate would be more satisfied with your relationship.

It’s a common assumption by the home office that applicants seeking such long stays would be involved in remuneration activities. It’s not that they won’t issue a visa for someone asking for a 20 days stay. They do, but they like to make sure the applicant has enough funds, their employer agreed for them to be away for 20 days, the places they intend to travel really require so many days, etc. It all depends on how well the applicant can convince the home office.

Thanks again and good luck!

March 23, 2019 at 7:58 pm

Thanks thirumal for the prompt reply. Even though I have understood the first part of my refusal I am scared to reapply coz if this time it doesn’t get approved I might not get to travel with my family . The second reason of refusal also states about my genuine intentions to come back even though I have already given my employment status. Also I made a mistake of not providing my salary acount satement. Thirdly I would like to know should I wait for my family passports to return as they have also applied for the same visa as we are travelling together. So that it gives more credibility to my application about me travelling for travel only along with my famy . Or should I reaply before it. Iam also thinking of applying for schengen visa as i am returning from EU . Will this help make my application genuine. Lstly should I include my financial supporting such as credit card statements (amex, HSBC) and my car loan details along with a policy document through which I got a bulk amount in my account . This was invested for me by my dad 10 years ago. I am supposed to travel on may 3rd may should I go for 5 day express un visa first or apply for schengen first I m confuses scared . Should I seek seek some legal help . I don’t know anyone in delhi for this purpose kr should I carefully draft my reapplication. Should I get all documents notarized by a lawyer

Shahzad says

March 23, 2019 at 6:38 pm

Hi, I have been refused a visa two times in the last two months. The first time was my mistake. I did not submit all supporting documents and because of that I re-applied again and made a good application with complete documentation. But unfortunately again refused on the wrong basis. Refusal letter is totally different from my application. I think they did not get my documents or not read properly. I disagree with the decision. What should I do?

March 24, 2019 at 1:38 am

Hi Shahzad! The UK home office is not considering visitor visa appeals anymore. Your only option is to reapply. But first check your refusal letter for details. If it says “appeal”, then maybe be able to appeal or ask for reconsideration of the visa decision.

But if you decide to reapply, I suggest clearly indicating that you believe that your previous visa decision was a mistake and request to re-evaluate your current application.

March 23, 2019 at 9:16 am

I am a dual UK/USA citizen, born and bred in the UK for my first 35 years, with UK parents. I have lived in Laos with my gf for the past 18 months and before that in Thailand for a few months. I had a 1 year Laos business visa and on my application, I itemized all our trips together over the preceding 2+years together, showing all trips for each of us had matching visa stamps, which were to Thailand and Malaysia with the exception of 3 trips I made to the UK for a few weeks each time to see my Mum, for which my gf could not come because of no visa. I desperately wanted her to meet my Mum who is old and frail and unable to travel, and worries about me despite not having lived with her for over 20 years. I always took my girlfriends from the US to visit her. So we applied for a visa for my Laos gf. I included on my cover letter, shots from our FB posts every few day + sample LINE (messaging app) of us in contact every day when I was in the UK and I also stated emphatically that we were together every day and night except when I traveled back to the UK. Yet, on the refusal. We still got the following point and I just don’t know what else I can do, other than putting everything into a legally binding affidavit from me stating this again and a formal invitation from my Mum + our lease. If you have any suggestions, they would be enormously appreciated. This last rejection was almost 1 year ago and aside from having our home/business joint lease (website is for our business), I do not know what else to prove our relationship. The point read as follows, which in itself was completely wrong, as I made no mention of seeing my Mum for marriage approval, only that I wanted her to meet my gf for her personal comfort as she worries about me too much. I simply said on our relationship that I hoped one day we would get married. No mention of my Mum in that regard at all. Many Thanks for any thoughts:

You wish to visit the UK for 21 days to visit your partner’s family members. I am aware that you have previously been refused when applying to visit the UK for this purpose. I have taken into account that you have provided details of your partner. I note that he is a British National and you state that you intend to marry but you wish to visit his mother before marrying. Your application does not demonstrate that your partner’s mother has invited you to the UK for this purpose. With your application you have provided a copy of your passport and travel history, as well as social media screenshots. Your previous refusal notice outlined concerns over the nature of this relationship, and the documentation provided with this documentation does little to address those concerns. This undermines your intentions in travelling to the UK at this time.

This is an awesome and so helpful website.

Many Thanks for your consideration.

March 24, 2019 at 4:08 am

Hi Alastair! After reading your story and the last visa refusal reason, I can think of a few things that may have affected your GF’s visa result.

1. If there is an age gap between you both and if that’s quite large, your relationship may be seen as a business relationship rather than personal especially as you both are also business partners. 2. Your nature of the relationship was a concern in the first visa attempt. This reason will remain in the records and will pop up every time. It’s really difficult to convince the home office on this reason unless you both are legally married.

A few suggestions for the next visa attempt

1. Include a formal invitation from your mum. Alert your mum as the home office usually calls the inviter to verify. In the letter, have your mum clearly mention your’s and your GF’s full names, passport numbers, how long you guys have been together and the reason why she wants your GF to visit her. 2. If possible, have your GF interact with your mum over WhatsApp (or similar platform). Provide those screenshots as well. This indicates that your mum knows your GF. 3. Have a small background story and a picture of you both on the “about us” page of your business. Lease documents are still private documents whereas having some kind of public evidence on your relationship will help in my opinion.

March 22, 2019 at 4:33 pm

Hi my tourist visa application got rejected yesterday because by mistake I submitted the income tax form instead of acknowledgement receipt. The foem shows all the breakup of salary while the acknowledgement shows only gross income. As I was a consultant not an employee in my last organisation my itr form showed income from other sources but in the uk form I mentioned I am salried as in my current organisation I am an employee. If I would have submitted the acknowledgement of itr instead of form all my income would have been under gross income. This was the reason the embassy pointed that my salary slip doesn’t justify the income from other sources. In this case should I reaply explaining everything and submitting the itr acknowledgement along with supporting again

March 22, 2019 at 4:45 pm

Hi Anubhav! You already seem to know the reason for your visa refusal and how to fix it. So, go for reapplication. Make sure to mention clearly why you are reapplying in your cover letter. This makes it easy for visa officers to pay attention to your new documentation and justification. Good luck!

August 18, 2019 at 8:03 pm

Hi, thank you for the post. I also have a question. I’m a British/Turkish Citizen living in Turkey for the past six years. I’ve been married here with a Turkish citizen for over four years now and we’re also expecting a baby. I want my child’s birth to take place in London and need to apply for a visa for my husband. We will be staying for a maximum of 3 months (2 months before birth and a month afterwards). Can you give me some advice on the type of visa we should be applying for and what do you think will make the chances higher of us getting approval? I will also try to arrange an invitation letter from a family friend. Thank you in advance :)

August 23, 2019 at 5:21 am

Hi Betul! You will have to apply for a standard visitor visa for your husband. An invitation letter is not necessary. You are married and that’s enough. I suggest to provide the following documentation for your husband –

– Your husband’s employment documentation (employment letter, leave approval letter, payslips) – Your husband’s financial documentation (bank statements) – A detailed cover letter indicating his purpose of travel, dates of travel, employment background, financial information and your info (your passport number, national id, etc)) – Your marriage certificate – A letter from you stating that you and your husband will be traveling together to visit family and friends

Prashant says

March 20, 2019 at 2:02 pm

I am planning to apply for 10 year UK tourist visa for myself and my wife. We have been to the UK twice in the last two years as tourists, have also travelled to Thailand,Europe, USA, Canada in the last ten years. Both of us hold a 10 year US tourist visa. What are our chances of getting the 10 year UK tourist visa ?

March 21, 2019 at 10:18 pm

Hi Prashant! Long term UK visas (short-stay) are issued if you have the need to travel to the UK frequently. Based on your travel history, you seem to be a frequent international traveler. In my opinion, you have high chances of getting the 10 year UK visa. Make sure to clearly justify the need for a 10-year visa in your cover letter. Good luck!

Rimsha Khan says

March 15, 2019 at 10:55 pm

Hello please tell me my visa application is refused second time i just transferred some money 2 months back from my savings account to current account and they refused the visa due to large funds transaction i have not borrowed money from anyone it was my own account ? I dont think their refusal as a valid point what should i do.now ?

March 15, 2019 at 11:49 pm

Hi Rimsha! Large deposits in your bank account can affect your visa decision. You must provide proper documentation justifying such deposits/transactions.

In your case, I suggest reapplying for your UK visa with bank statements from both your current account and savings account. Attach a letter explaining the reason for the transfer from savings into current account.

If you have more such deposits in either your current or savings account, explain them in your letter along with relevant documentation.

And, in your cover letter, mention that your previous visa was denied and the reason for it. Also, mention that this time you have attached relevant documentation supporting your transfer of funds from savings into current account.

Shalini says

March 14, 2019 at 5:23 am

Hello, I had a visa refusal 2 days back, because f a simple reason that I forgot to submit my Police clearance certificate and UKVI IELTS report. Should I resubmit my application? Do I have to pay for the visa application again?What are the chances of me getting a Visa clearance if I resubmit my application and submit the two documents I forgot to submit last time?? Please advise

March 15, 2019 at 8:45 pm

Hi Shalini! If your UK visa refusal letter clearly says that your visa was refused due to (1) missing police clearance certificate and (2) UKVI IELTS report, then you have a high chance of approval if you reapply with those 2 missing documents.

You must mention in your cover letter that your previous visa was refused due to those 2 missing documents and you have attached those 2 documents this time.

Lediley says

March 13, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Hi I am a Philippine passport holder living in the Netherlands and wants to go to UK for a certain reason, this site is really helping me. But i have confusions with regards to Building Society book. It is written as one of the supporting docs in gov.uk. Is it really necessary to provide it with you? I don even know what that is.

March 14, 2019 at 3:26 am

Hi Lediley! Honestly, I don’t know either what Building Society book means. But a quick Google search reveals that it’s similar to a “credit union” which used to exist in commonwealth countries. But now they exist only in the UK and Australia. Therefore, if you are part of any credit unions, provide those details/books. Otherwise, ignore it.

April 15, 2019 at 7:51 am

Building society book is from the bank. It’s like a type of savings account I think. So go ask your bank about getting one, if you need it.

May 24, 2019 at 2:38 am

A building society is an account savings book issued by Building Societies in the UK. They are by de facto banks. This can be ignored as these kinds of banks are idiosyncratic to the UK.

May 27, 2019 at 11:56 pm

Thanks for the info, Leo!

May 21, 2019 at 11:21 pm

Hi, Above Article is very Helpful. Thank you for sharing. Actually I have 2 Questions. 1- I want to apply for Uk & Schengen Visa. Which one I applied first. As I am from Pakistan. 2- For UK visit visa I borrow ICC Cricket World Cup Ticket. As I watched a few matches in my home country but never traveled any other country to watch a cricket match. Is it gonna helpful for my visa?

May 22, 2019 at 3:06 am

1. Apply for your UK visa first. UK visa takes about 30 days and your passport will be with the consulate during those 30 days. Use a “UK only” itinerary for your UK visas. 2. Not really. But if you have ticket proofs from the matches you have watched in your country, you can attach those and mention in your cover letter that you enjoy watching cricket matches. This will strengthen your “purpose of travel” as you will be seen as someone with a genuine interest in cricket.

Ashish says

July 1, 2019 at 1:53 pm

Hi Thirumal, is it 30 calendar days or working days?

It’s 30 calendar days.

Preethi says

March 6, 2019 at 12:20 am

Great article. Thank you.

I’m planning a trip to UK and France and in the process of filling UK visa application. My travel itinerary is Toronto-London-Paris-Toronto. I am not sure if I should mention my complete itinerary in the UK visa application or avoid the hassle and provide itinerary and flight tickets for Toronto-London-Toronto. P.s I intend to apply for a France visa after I receive UK visa

March 6, 2019 at 4:54 am

Hi Preethi! I recommend providing a “UK only” itinerary for your UK visa. This, of course, is less hassle but also removes unnecessary dependencies on your Schengen visa.

For your Schengen visa, you can use “Schengen only” or “combined” itinerary. If you go with a combined itinerary, make sure to provide a copy of your approved UK visa.

preethi says

March 7, 2019 at 3:07 am

Thanks for your response.

Mary ann says

February 25, 2019 at 4:44 pm

Hi! May I ask this question Have you visited another country in the past ten years? Can I mention my work abroad before please help me tenx

February 25, 2019 at 4:55 pm

Hi Mary Ann! Yes, working and living abroad is also considered as “visiting another country”. If you have lived or worked in other countries in the last ten years, you should mention them in your application.

Jafar khan says

May 10, 2019 at 7:15 pm

Hi! May I ask the question? I have a sponsored visa application from my uncle. My visa has been refused from Turkey. For the question asked in the UK application form, I have mentioned that I haven’t been refused a visa from any country. So what can I do now? Should I attend my appointment? Should I submit my documents? I have my appointment in the upcoming days! Please help!

May 14, 2019 at 11:11 pm

Hi Jafar! It is very important that you disclose all your previous visa refusals. If you fail to do so, the ECO may use that information against you. I suggest resubmitting your application, otherwise, you will be taking chances.

May 20, 2019 at 9:46 am

Hi sir, I submitted my visa application 2 days ago. I mentioned all my refusals but forgot to mention one from Hongkong. Can you please tell me what should I do now? How can I update them or no need to tell update them?

May 20, 2019 at 2:33 pm

Hi Malik! You are supposed to mention all your previous visa refusals in your application. There is no way to update them after you have submitted your application. But if you have forgotten to mention some, don’t worry about it. Just wait for the result and see what happens.

Abdulla says

September 27, 2019 at 1:44 am

Hi, may I ask a question? Actually, before I applied for 6 months UK visa and I got it. I just went 1 time for 2 weeks in 6-month visa then another year I applied for 2 years and I went 2 times in 2 years. Now I want to apply for 5 years but I never been to another country except the UK and one more country will I get 5 years visa? I just like to visit the UK on my every yearly vacation so should I go and apply for 5 years?

September 27, 2019 at 4:16 am

Hi Abdulla! Though you lack travel history to other countries, you have a very good travel history with the UK. You have been to the UK 3 times and you have never overstayed. So in my opinion, you have a very good chance of securing a 5 year UK visa. I would say, go for it. Good luck!

Shubham Poddar says

August 22, 2019 at 5:51 am

Hi, Really helpful post. I have resigned from my job and would stop working in November. I plan to travel in December but since I have resigned there would be no leave approval letter. Also, I plan on traveling alone. What documents do you suggest I can add to strengthen my application without a leave approval letter and prove my ties to come back? Thanks.

August 25, 2019 at 3:30 pm

Hi Shubham! You can compensate for the lack of leave approval letter with decent travel history. After all, a leave approval letter ascertains that you will return back. Travel history does the same and proves that you have always returned back.

August 25, 2019 at 3:36 pm

Hi Thirumal, thanks for the prompt reply. I do not have a very expansive travel history, just one trip to the USA 2 years ago. Would that be sufficient? Also, I have enough financial leverage and I can attach my payslips as well? Do you think there still might be chances of rejection?

August 26, 2019 at 10:48 am

The travel history you have will not be sufficient. Leave approval letter is a strong document and without it, you will be risking your visa. I suggest taking a 4-6 days vacation in Sep/Oct and asking for a leave approval letter from your employer for those dates. Apply for your UK visa for those dates. The UK visas are usually multiple entry valid for 6 months. Instead of traveling in Sep/Oct, you can travel to the UK in December as your UK visa will still be valid by then.

August 25, 2019 at 8:58 am

I submitted my Ireland application on 21-8-2019, but in my covering letter, I mentioned the date as 20-8-2019 because I prepared that letter on 20-8-2019. Is that a problem sir?

August 26, 2019 at 10:31 am

Hi Kiran! The cover letter will, of course, have the date on which it’s prepared/written. So, there is nothing to worry about.

Ghizlane says

September 26, 2019 at 5:32 pm

Hi, I am living in the UK since 2015. Last month I applied for visa for my parents to come visit me for one month. The problem is that they are not working. They do have farm raising animals there. And I wrote a letter that I will pay for them everything. Today I found an unknown call called me 2 times. I am afraid now, maybe they will refuse the visa. Please, can you reply me?

September 27, 2019 at 4:41 am

Hi Ghizlane! You should pick up any calls from the home office. ECOs may call the sponsor to verify a few details. It’s very important to pick up those calls and respond to the ECO questions. I suggest calling back on those numbers to confirm if those calls are from the home office.

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GcmsNotes.com

Canada Visa Status Service

Guide to re-applying after a visa rejection

Visa applicants often look for advice on how to overcome a refused visa application; in some cases even two or more refusals. You might be wondering why someone would wait to ask for advice after receiving a refusal or why they would make repeated unsuccessful applications expecting a different result.

This frequently occurs when there is a lack of understanding about the visa application process and how an initial application might have been deficient. Below are some tips you may find helpful to get your application approved if you are planning on re-applying for a visa.

If you have ever had a visa to Canada refused or know someone who has, you are probably familiar with these words found at the end of a refusal letter:

You are welcome to reapply if you feel that you can respond to the concerns that are listed in the letter

Applicants are often genuinely surprised to learn that their application was refused and are anxious to act on this instruction to re-apply as quickly as possible. This is not advisable and can be a big mistake. Submitting several applications over a short period of time can severely hurt your chances of ever being approved for a visa!

Unclear reasons for visa refusal

After being refused a visa, the most common mistake applicants make is to re-apply without fully understanding the reasons why they were refused in the first place. IRCC refusal letters are generic template letters that offer only general reasons for the refusal and no substantive information.

If you have received a generic refusal letter and do not understand the specific concerns of the visa officer, it may be worthwhile to delay any further application until you can learn more so that your next application can address the visa officers’ concerns.

It is essential that you obtain the notes of the officer who refused your application in order to properly understand the reasons for the rejection. That way you will have access to the detailed reasons for the refusal and can address the visa officers’ concerns in a subsequent application.

The officers’ notes can be accessed by requesting the Global Case Management System or “GCMS” notes. These notes cannot be changed once they are entered into the GCMS system, and they offer the most insight into what the officer was thinking when refusing the application.

You can see a sample GCMS file  here  and the most important and interesting part of the file is usually at the very end in the Notes section. It is here that the immigration officers’ observations and reasoning for decisions made are noted. Such notes are easy to understand and you don’t need to pay someone to help you understand your GCMS notes .

What do refusal reasons by an officer look like?

The notes made by an officer in GCMS notes vary; in some cases it can be a few sentences long and in some cases it can be a page long or several pages long. As noted in a Federal Court decision ; “ Visa Officers face a deluge of applications, and their reasons do not need to be lengthy or detailed . However, their reasons do need to set out the key elements of the Officer’s line of analysis and be responsive to the core of the claimant’s submissions on the most relevant points.”

Below the top reasons for Study Permit refusals ;

• Financial Insufficiency
• Choice of Program
• Letter of Acceptance
• Dual Intent
• Intent of Return to Home Country
• Insufficient Family Ties to the Home Country
• Lack of Job Prospects in Home Country
• Incomplete Travel or Identity Documents
• Inadequate Travel History

Re-applying takes more effort

When re-applying for a visa that has already been refused it’s always advisable to supply more information instead of less, but you want to also lookout to make sure that any new information you provide is consistent with past application materials . If you don’t have access to all the information that was submitted with your prior application you can request that from IRCC or CBSA by ordering the Entire File . The Entire File includes copies of all the documents from your prior visa application PLUS the GCMS notes.

Since applicants are too focused on resolving the particular reasons for the initial rejection rather than strengthening the overall application, many applicants make the mistake of presenting less or even contradictory details in a subsequent application.

This approach is not correct since each new application is evaluated on its own merits. Moreover, it’s unlikely that the visa officer who refused your prior application will also review the subsequent application.

As a result, it is not unusual for a first application to be denied for one set of reasons while a second or subsequent application is denied for another set of reasons. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that each application submitted is accurate, complete and provides all the relevant information necessary for a visa officer to approve the application. A visa officer is under no obligation to tell you what information you need to submit in order to be approved.

As noted in a  Federal Court decision ; “The onus is on the Applicant to satisfy the Officer that they meet the requirements of the law that applies to consideration of student visas, including that they will leave at the end of their authorized stay.”

If your visa application has been refused multiple times, it is advisable to obtain the GCMS notes for each refusal. Ordering the GCMS notes multiple times has no negative impact. See the official response from IRCC

Preparation is the key to success

Applicants frequently wonder what sort of documents they need to submit to support their visa application. They often do not see the value of providing corroborating documents because they believe that some facts about their case are obvious and wonder why a visa officer would not just believe them when they say something. Sometimes applicants think that certain matters are private and do not need to be explained.

What is apparent to you might not be obvious to a visa officer who has never met you and is only familiar with your paperwork. When you can back up your claims with independent, corroborating evidence, they become even more convincing. Similarly, most claims would have more weight and credibility if they include as much information as possible.

There is never any guarantee that a subsequent application for a visa or permit is going to be successful. Conversely, simply because you’ve been refused before doesn’t mean you’ll not achieve success if you re-apply. Preparation is the key to success. Before re-applying for a visa you have to make sure that you understand the explanations for the initial refusal and gather additional supporting documents to reply to the visa officer’s concerns. In the re-application process, you need to ensure that all your new information is consistent with prior application materials and make sure that you provide sufficient details to make your case for why you meet the criteria for your application to be approved. That is why GCMS notes and Entire File are essential to successfully re-applying.

Case notes in Global Case Management System

According to IRCC; the visa officer should ensure that case notes in Global Case Management System (GCMS) are complete and accurate. The officer should do all of the following:

• outline the circumstances of the application
• outline the process followed in coming to or making the decision
• note the presence and identity of an interpreter, if applicable
• take into account any representations made by interested persons (or counsel) and make note of the nature and content of these representations
• detail the reasons for the refusal

Note:  Refused applicants may seek redress from the Federal Court of Canada and the Canadian Human Rights Commission . If applicants choose this recourse, officers will have to provide their notes.

What is Application for Leave and Judicial Review (JR)?

An individual who has received a decision from IRCC, and who thinks that an error was made in that decision, can generally apply to the Federal Court of Canada and ask that the Court review the decision. Making an application to the Court for a review of the decision is called an Application for Leave and Judicial Review . A review means that the Court will read the decision and decide whether an error was made or not. If the Court decides that IRCC made an error, it will usually mean that IRCC has to make a new decision.

If you are considering applying for Judicial Review (JR) then it is important to review the GCMS notes first and then determine whether an error was made in the decision from IRCC. GCMS notes are more than just a refusal letter, they contain the officers’ detailed reasons for the decision. The strength of a JR depends on the strength of the underlying visa application , so it’s important to have in possession copies of all the supporting documents submitted along with your application. If for any reason you don’t have these documents then the Entire File can be requested which will include the GCMS notes + copies of all the supporting documents.

If you have filed for Judicial Review it will also be noted in your GCMS notes like in the example below.

Submit your question

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Home » Visas » Sample Visa Rejection Letter

Sample USA Visa Rejection Letter

Consulate General of the United States of America Chennai, India

Dear Visa Applicant: Unfortunately, we are not able to issue you a visa today.

• You do not qualify for a nonimmigrant visa under Section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. This portion of the law states: “Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa… that he is entitled to non-immigrant status…” This means that each visa applicant must convince the Consular Office that he or she intends to return to his or her home in India following a temporary stay in the United States, that his or her financial situation is such that he or she can afford the trip without having to seek unauthorized employment in the US, and that the travel is for legitimate purposes permitted by the applicant’s visa category. For further information, please see the reverse side of this letter. 
• That you intend to return to India following the completion of your studies (please see the explanation of sufficient ties written above).
• That you have sufficient funds to cover the first year’s total expenses, plus access to a continuing source of funds to cover all subsequent years of study.  Please see the reverse side of this letter for more information on student visa refusals.
• You were unable to establish to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer that the purpose of your trip is consistent with the rules of the visa class for which you applied.

For further information on US visa regulations and application procedures, please refer to our website.

Further Information on US Visa Refusals

General 214(b) Information: One common misconception about 214(b) refusals is that overcoming the refusal is just a matter of providing more documents. The problem, however, is often not simply with the documents. Rather, your current overall situation was not adequate to overcome the presumption that you intend to immigrate. A letter, like other forms of written documentation, will be considered by the interviewing officer. However, a letter, even from a highly placed person, cannot establish the applicant’s ties outside of the United States. US law requires each applicant to qualify for a visa in his or her own right. Proof may come in many forms, but when considered together, it must be enough for the interviewing officer to conclude that your overall circumstances, including social, family, economic, and other ties abroad, will compel you to leave the United States at the end of a temporary stay. “Ties” are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your place of residence, such as your family relationships, employment, and possessions. In the case of younger applicants who may not have had an opportunity to establish such ties, officers may look at educational status, grades, and long-range plans and prospects in India. As each person’s situation is different, there is no single answer as to what constitutes adequate ties.

Students: Some students are confused when, after presenting an I-20 from their school, they do not obtain a student visa. Under Section 214(b), students, too, must show that they intend to leave the US at the end of their studies. In student cases, the applicant may intend to stay for years. Consequently, the Consular Officer must consider the overall circumstances when deciding whether to approve a student visa. Student visas must also be denied if the applicant’s primary purpose of travel is not to study, but to facilitate an indefinite stay in America. That a school has admitted a student to study and issued the I-20 is only one of the factors consulates must consider.

Answers to Common US Visa Refusal Complaints

Q:   The Consul didn’t give me time to explain. A: The consular officer who refused your visa is well trained. In a very short time, a consular officer will look at several aspects of your case: your situation in your home country, your stated purpose for going to the United States, your profession, your previous travel history, your family and financial situations, etc. Based upon the unique circumstances of your case, the consular officer asked you questions they deemed necessary. The consular officer weighed your answers to those questions with the specific facts of your case. The high volume of applications they receive demands that the consular officer examine your case only as far as it was necessary for them to make a determination as to whether you overcame the legal presumption of intending immigration to the United States.

Q:   The Consul didn’t look at my documents. A: Applying for a non-immigrant visa is not primarily a documentary process. Consular officers seldom dwell upon documents. What is at issue is intent. Documents alone will never establish applicants’ intentions. Documents which demonstrate that applicants are well established in their own country can in some circumstances help individuals to establish that their intent is to return to their own country after a short visit to the United States. Depending on the specifics of your case, the consular officer may or may not have needed to examine your documents closely to make a decision about your intent. You were correct to bring documents with you, in case the consular officer would have needed to refer to them. If the consular officer made a decision in your case without a detailed scrutiny of your documents, it was because other circumstances of your case were clear. If your visa was refused, it is highly unlikely that any document you could provide would significantly alter the consular officer’s decision about your intent.

Q:   I want my money back! A: The application fee that you paid is a fee that covers the costs of processing your application. Everyone who applies for a US visa must pay this fee. The application instruction form states clearly that this fee is non-refundable and will not be returned if you fail to establish that you qualify for a US visa. The consulates have no authority to refund an application fee. If you plan to reapply for a visa at any consulate, you will be required to pay an application fee every time you apply.

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Letter of Explanation for Refusal - Review & Thoughts

• Thread starter archit.shah
• Start date Jun 26, 2018

archit.shah

Star member.

You've misunderstood the travel history refusal. Ideally CIC is looking for previous travel to countries requiring visas such as the US and UK. The travel history refusal means that one of the reasons why you are being refused is because you haven't previously traveled to a country such as this. Based on that, I'm not sure you've included the right explanation in your letter. Similarly the purpose of visit refusal can refer to a lot more than just your planned studies. This can often mean that you didn't demonstrate sufficient ties to your home country and IRCC has concerns you have plans to remain in Canada long term.  

scylla said: You've misunderstood the travel history refusal. Ideally CIC is looking for previous travel to countries requiring visas such as the US and UK. The travel history refusal means that one of the reasons why you are being refused is because you haven't previously traveled to a country such as this. Based on that, I'm not sure you've included the right explanation in your letter. Similarly the purpose of visit refusal can refer to a lot more than just your planned studies. This can often mean that you didn't demonstrate sufficient ties to your home country and IRCC has concerns you have plans to remain in Canada long term. Click to expand...

archit.shah said: I have been admitted to University of Waterloo for MMath CS for Fall 18. I had applied for study permit on 24th May 2018 from India and my application was rejected (reasons below). I have put together a letter of explanation for the refusal. If interested, please review the same and post your thoughts, might be very helpful for me and other re-applicants. Really appreciate your time Here's the draft: Subject: Student Visa Permit Re-application Reference File no: *** Respected Authority, This letter is in reference to the re-application of my student visa. My previous application was returned with a couple of questions, which I have respectfully answered in this application. I have also made significant changes to my study permit application by adding new documents, as listed towards the end of this letter. Please allow me to address the reasons that were stated in the correspondence letter, which are as follows: 1. You have not satisfied me that you would leave Canada at the end of your stay. In reaching this decision, I considered several factors, including: · Purpose of visit · Travel history 2. Your proposed studies are not reasonable in light of one or more of: · Your language qualifications are insufficient. JUSTIFICATION : (a) Purpose of Visit I have been admitted to the prestigious University of Waterloo for Master of Mathematics in Computer Science (Coursework) program. This program is offered by University of Waterloo’s Cheriton School of Computer Science department, which is very well reputed globally and is home to several distinguished computer scientists. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & Engineering and for the past two years, I have been working as Business Intelligence and Analytics Consultant in Bangalore. My current job involves helping organizations extract useful information with data analytics and mathematical models. I have realized that in order to engage in challenging projects for data analytics, I need to undertake graduate studies and build upon my knowledge. There is a considerable overlap between Mathematics and Computer Science, especially when dealing with data analytics. Cheriton School of Computer Science offers several courses that incorporate this overlap very well. My sole purpose of visiting Canada is to attend University of Waterloo for this program. I wish to learn advanced computer science subjects specializing in data analytics as it will help me expand my knowledge & expertise in this field. I also wish to interact with the pioneers of this field at University of Waterloo, and learn from their experience. Upon completion of my program in Canada, I wish to return to my family in India and pursue a career in data analytics. India is an emerging data analytics hub for both private and government organizations. This field holds immense potential for professionals with an advanced skillset in data analytics. A graduate degree from University of Waterloo coupled with two years of work experience in India, will help me pursue a challenging career at research and development departments related to data analytics in India. To further underline my purpose of visiting Canada, I have attached the receipt of my first-year tuition fee payment from University of Waterloo along with a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from ICICI bank to cover my expenses for the first year. (b) Travel History As submitted with my application, I hold a single passport with number *** issued by Government of India on ***, valid until ***. I do not hold any passport from other countries. Also, I do not hold any expired passport issued by India or any other country. As shown in my submitted passport, I have not yet travelled to any other countries outside of India until now. I did not have any purpose to visit other countries until now as I have been focused on my academic and professional goals, preparing for a higher education. (c) Insufficient Language Qualifications To underline my English language qualification, I have attached my TOEFL scorecard with the application. I had appeared for a TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet based test) exam on 6th August 2016 and scored a total of 108 out of 120. Individual-section wise I have scored reading-28, listening-25, speaking-27 and writing-28. My TOEFL scores have been accepted by University of Waterloo as proof of my English language proficiency. The minimum required TOEFL score for my program is 100 (As mentioned on University website: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/future-graduate-students/applying-admissions ). Additional Information : New documents that are enclosed with this re-application are listed below. 1. First year tuition fee receipt from University of Waterloo – CAD 22,800 2. Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) – CAD 10,025 3. Family wealth statement from Chartered Accountant 4. Property Evaluation Document Copy To conclude, I would like to bring to your attention that I have got a confirmed admission to University of Waterloo for Masters of Mathematics in Computer Science course for Fall 2018. I would request you to kindly reconsider my study permit application and grant me the approval, so I can pursue higher studies in Canada. All the details furnished by me and all the documents attached with my applications are true and correct. For any further clarification, please reach out to me on the below details and I would be happy to address your concerns. Thank you very much for your valuable time. Yours Sincerely, *** Phone: *** Email: *** Click to expand...

Gayatriwilb

archit.shah said: I am applying tomorrow, and I am a bit nervous about this letter. Would really love to have some thoughts from people in the forum. Thanks. Click to expand...

Gayatriwilb said: I received a refusal on my application. While preparing a letter of explanation, I came across yours. What happened to your Visa? Did you receive an approval? Click to expand...

no.cap.alex

Full member.

archit.shah said: Yes, I received the approval and everything went fine the second time. Let me know if you need help. Click to expand...

no.cap.alex said: did you submit the exact letter you wrote above or were there changes you made on the letter to get approved the second time Click to expand...

archit.shah said: It was the same, I included the travel history as per the first comment. Click to expand...

no.cap.alex said: awesome, so, i believe theres no need to explain why you chose canada and the course you plan to pursue like on the first sop or loe. just to write about the refusal and how you tackle the refusal reason Click to expand...

Vedant46 said: Hi there , I need some help regarding the visa can you help me ? Click to expand...

archit.shah said: Yes, let me know how I can help? Click to expand...

Vedant46 said: My visa also got refused today . So I need to ask that how I can reapply for visa ? And here is my reason for my refusal :- • I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay, as stipulated in subsection 216(1) of the IRPR, based on the purpose of your visit. • Your proposed studies are not reasonable in light of: your level of establishment, language abilities, financial ability and I am not satisfied you are a genuine student and that you will depart Canada at the end of your authorized stay. So my question is what should I do now? Click to expand...

archit.shah said: I was in the similar situation as you are last year. You should re-apply as soon as possible with additional documents and countering their reasons, showing them why they are wrong, if you are a genuine student. Can you share your profile and documents that you submitted last time? Click to expand...

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Cover Letter For Visa Application

An in-depth guide for 2024.

Are you wondering what a cover letter looks like?

Worried about preparing a strong visa application letter ? 

Or are you here for writing guidelines to enhance your visa cover letter ?

If so, you have landed in the right place. Our team of professional writers can help you write the perfect letter to embassy for visa request . By going through this writing guide, you can easily write a cover letter to apply for any type of visa, be it tourist visa, business visa, student visa or a work visa.

Table of Contents

What is a cover letter for visa application.

Cover Letter for Visa Application is a formal document submitted to the corresponding embassy to explain your reason for visiting the particular country. It is written in a professional tone and is submitted alongside your visa application form and other supporting documents.

Why is a Cover Letter important for Visa Application?

A Visa Application Letter serves various purposes and is thus an indispensable part of your visa application process. We have listed below the reasons why a cover letter plays this crucial role:

• You can clearly state your purpose for visiting the particular country, whether it is for study, business, work or sightseeing.
• A cover letter gives you the opportunity to add more details than other documents, emphasising your reasons to visit the country.
• You can provide justification to any adverse events like gaps in resume, reasons for career switch etc, if any.
• You can prove your English proficiency, attention to detail, formatting skills, etc through a well-written visa application letter.
• Through a cover letter you can give a full account of your previous and current experiences that make you eligible for the visa.

Key Elements to Include in a Visa Application Letter

Besides your purpose for travel , most visa application processes outline a set of elements that you must highlight in your cover letter for embassy . Though it varies from visa types, your cover letter must include these important points:

• Personal information:

Your cover letter must include your full name, passport details, phone number, address, as well as your personal background. 

• Applicant’s background:

You should mention your educational and professional credentials in your cover letter for visa application . 

Together with your arrival and departure timings, your cover letter must provide details of your travel plan including the flight details, places you plan to visit, etc. 

• Details regarding accommodation:

You should mention the details of your hotel booking or other arrangements made for your accommodation in your visa cover letter . 

• Financial information:

You must demonstrate your source of funding for your visit to the country whether it is personal, bank loan, sponsor, etc. 

• Intention to return to home country:

Your visa application letter should clearly explain your ties with your home country and prove your intentions to return after the desired visa tenure. 

• Contact information:

Ensure that you provide your email address, phone number or address in your cover letter for any clarifications or further queries. 

• Supporting documents:

Your cover letter for embassy must also enclose documents like bank statements, offer letters, educational transcripts, etc. to support your statements. 

How to Write a Cover Letter for Visa Application?

Writing a visa cover letter is not a simple task as it requires a close eye for attention. However, we have got you covered as this guide is prepared for you! 

We have compiled the following to facilitate your writing process and build your confidence to produce a strong visa application letter :

• Writing Guidelines 

Cover letter format for visa

• Download Sample Cover Letter 
• Formatting guidelines 
• Additional Tips For Writing 

Guidelines to help you Write Your Personalized Cover Letter For Embassy

A cover letter for visa application must be personalised, making you stand out from the rest. We have prepared this list of guidelines to help you draft one seamlessly:

• Research the requirements: Ensure that you learn the requirements of your visa type you are planning to apply for. You can contact the embassy or consulate if you are getting confused by online resources.
• Provide address and contact information: Ensure that you include your phone number, residential address and email address before you start the cover letter
• Address the letter correctly: Use the appropriate salutation as well as mailing address pertaining to the recipient (visa officer or concerned authority).
• Demonstrate genuine interest: Do not forget to express your intention to abide by the visa regulations, respect the country and return to your home country after the visa period is over.
• Include your travel history: You can add your previous experiences of international travel where you have successfully adhered to the visa regulations and prove your authenticity.
• Add personal anecdotes: You can personalise your cover letter by mentioning incidents from your life circumstances, educational or professional achievements etc.

A cover letter format for visa would give you a roadmap on how to structure the elements in a professional fashion. Hence, using a good format and referring to one while writing can improve the quality of your cover letter. 

• Your contact information:

A cover letter is written in a professional business letter format that starts with your (sender’s) full name, address, phone number, etc. 

 Mention the date on which you are drafting the cover letter for visa application . 

• Recipient information:

 Correctly mention the respective embassy or consulate information like name of recipient, his/her job title, department etc. 

• Salutation:

You can start the cover letter with a formal greeting. You can address the reviewer with their appropriate title to show respect. 

• Introduction:

 You can start by introducing yourself, the reason for writing the cover letter and the particular visa you are applying for. 

Your body paragraphs can clarify why you intend to visit the country. You can address all the unique requirements like reason for travel, ties to home country, financial sufficiency, duration and itinerary of the trip etc.

• Attachments:

You must list the documents you are additionally attaching in order to support the claims made in the body paragraphs. 

• Conclusion:

You can conclude the cover letter by thanking the visa officer for considering your application. You can also express openness to provide any further detail if required. 

Use a formal closing to end the cover letter, and ensure that you leave enough space to put your signature.

Cover Letter For Visa Application Template

Now that you have referred to a cover letter format for visa , a template can give you a clearer idea of the structure. Our professional writers have prepared this template to show you how to go about the task at hand:

(Your Name)

(Your Address)

(Your Email)

(Embassy/Consulate Address)

My name is (your name) and I hold the (name of country) passport (passport number). I am writing this letter in support of my (business/student/work/tourist) visa application to visit (name of country). I am excited to travel to (name of city/cities) from DD.MM.YYYY to DD.MM.YYYY and would be much obliged to be granted the visa for the same. 

My intention to visit (name of country) is (description about the purpose of visit). I look forward to (details of travel itinerary, study plan, business meetings, employment contract). 

My visit to (country) is funded by (myself/name of sponsor and relationship with him/her). I have (your financial assets and how you intend on funding your trip using them). I have attached the bank statements and property documents for your kind perusal. 

As scheduled, I plan to return to my home country on DD.MM.YYYY by (flight details). (explain the ties you have to your home country and your motivation to return after the visa tenure). 

I would like to extend my gratitude for your consideration. Please find my (all the attachments) enclosed with this letter. 

Sincerely, 

(Your Signature)

Download Sample Cover Letter to embassy for visa request Pdf

A good sample cover letter for visa application can provide you with the right motivation to get started on yours. Through the sample given below, you will be able to get a clear picture of what a cover letter should look and sound like:

June 16, 2023

The Visa Officer

Canada High Commission

Subject: Anamika Singh, Passport XXXXX , Tourist Visa application

My name is Anamika Singh and I am an Indian citizen holding passport number XXXXXX. I am writing to apply for a Tourist Visa to visit Canada from DD.MM.YYYY to DD.MM.YYYY. The purpose of my visit is purely personal as I am looking forward to attending my friend, Satya Kumari’s engagement ceremony scheduled on DD.MM.YYYY and touring in Canada with her to explore the natural beauty fostered by the country. 

Travel Plan for 2 weeks

My intended period of stay in Canada is 2 weeks. I intend to arrive at DD.MM.YYYY at (name of airport) and head straight to (address) where my friend Satya stays. The next day we plan to go shopping at (name of place). I have set aside the next two days to help her set the operations and logistics of her engagement ceremony. After the engagement ceremony and after party on DD.MM.YYYY, I intend to spend the weekend in (name of city). 

On DD.MM.YYYY, both Satya and I have decided to visit (names of popular destinations). We have reservations at (name of hotel) and we intend to explore the picturesque and offbeat places in and around (name of city). On DD.MM.YYYY, I plan to board (flight number) (at flight timing) to return back to my home country.

Personal Information

I was born on DD.MM.YYYY to a middle class family in Mumbai, India. My father, Ravinder Singh is a retired defence personnel and my mother, Aarti Singh is a retired private school teacher. Though they have been the backbone of my entire existence, I have been taking charge of the responsibilities at home lately as they are approaching their old age with every passing day. 

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and am a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (UK) since YYYY. I am currently working with the Strategy team at KPMG Mumbai and am drawing an annual salary of XXXXXX. 

Details of my friend in Canada

My travel plan to visit Canada is primarily focused on celebrating my close friend, Satya Kumari’s engagement with Krish Sultania. My friendship with Satya dates back to our college days in YYYY and I am excited for her big day. She currently resides at (address) where I intend to spend my first week of visit. She works as a Finance Manager 2 at the Royal Bank of Canada and is available at (phone number) and (email id) for any queries. 

Incentive to return home

I have been raised in a very intimate and loving family. Hence, I cannot afford to prolong my stay in Canada. I have to return to my parents who will be depending on my cousin sister, Sheila Singh who is currently in town for her semester break from college. Moreover, I have to come back to take care of Casper, our 4 year old German Shepherd. I share an inseparable bond with him and neither do my parents nor Sheila have the energy to entertain him. 

Besides all these, I have to resume my job at KPMG after this 2 week break. I also have a close group of friends in Mumbai and I am very connected with the city. Hence, I intend to board the flight back to my permanent home on DD.MM.YYYY. 

Financial details 

My visit to Canada is fully funded by myself. I have estimated the total expenditure to be around CAD XXXXX and I have been maintaining a bank balance of Rs XXXXX in my savings account for the past 4 years. I have hereby attaching all the bank statements for your kind consideration. 

I have attached the following documents to this letter:

• Visa application form
• Passport size photographs
• Travel insurance 
• Confirmed flight tickets
• Hotel reservation details
• Bank statements

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to hearing a positive response from your end and being there for my friend on such a beautiful occasion. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Anamika Singh

Formatting guidelines to produce a strong visa application letter

A well-structured and formatted visa cover letter can increase the readability and enhance the credibility of your application. You must consider these formatting guidelines:

Cover Letter After Visa Refusal

Have you faced a visa rejection and delayed your plan to fly abroad? Don’t worry, writing a faultless cover letter after visa refusal can help you tackle the problem and make your path clear. A cover letter after visa refusal is a crucial document that helps you address the faults pointed out by the Visa officer while rejecting your primary visa application. So let’s look in detail at the common reasons for visa rejection and how they can be fixed.

What are the reasons for Rejection of your visa Application?

There can be numerous reasons for visa rejection, as each application differs in its nature, country being applied to, visa policies and requirements, types of visa being applied to, etc. Below is a list of the most common reasons for the visa rejections; understand them and take care to avoid them in your cover letter for visa application.

• Inaccurate or Incomplete Application: Failure to provide sufficient documents, inaccurate filling of application, omission of required information, etc. can be a major reason for visa rejection.
• Inadequate fund: The most common reason for a visa rejection is the inability of the candidate to prove their financial sufficiency to fund the trip.
• Inability to show strong ties to the home country: Candidate has to provide strong ties to the home country in terms of family, property, and employment. Failure to provide the same will result in visa rejection.
• Criminal record: Considering the security of the citizens of the host country, candidates with criminal history would be denied a visa to enter the country.
• Lack of clear travel purpose: Failure to provide a concrete reason to travel, like business meetings, tourism, function, etc. will lead to rejection of your visa application.
• Submission of fraudulent documentation: Submission of false documents, like invitation letters, travel itineraries, bank statements, employment records, can lead to immediate rejection of visa application and potential legal actions against the candidate.
• History of Overstaying on previous visa: Records of overstaying in the previous visa in any country including the one chosen may result in the denial of visa.
• Inadequate travel insurance: In order to travel to some countries, applicants may require valid travel insurance coverage and failure to provide the same would result in visa rejection.
• Health or security concerns: Health and security concerns of the candidate can also be a major reason for the visa rejection. If the candidate has a medical condition that could strain the health care system of the destined country, or if the candidate has a security concern, visa would be denied.

Remember, each country has their own visa requirements and criteria, so it is vital to understand and fulfill necessary visa conditions and requirements before applying for a visa.  Since a visa approval is solely based on the visa officer’s discretion, there would be cases where a visa can be rejected without a solid reason.  

How do I write a visa cover letter when a visa application has been rejected?

Write the below paragraph in Bulletpoints

Writing a visa cover letter after visa rejection is a challenging task. But with a positive and detailed approach you can address the reasons for rejection and write a compelling cover letter for visa application. Following the below mentioned steps will help you write an impeccable cover letter for visa application. 

• Address the letter properly
• Express your disappointment
• Understand and address the reason for rejection
• Highlight the changes made in the application 
• Conclude with a positive note

Additional Tips For Writing Your Cover Letter for Visa Application

Keep these tips in mind to help you draft a unique and personalised visa cover letter :

• Use clear and straightforward sentences in your cover letter. Do not provide any vague statements that give rise to circumstance for ambiguity.
• Follow the formatting guidelines and ensure that it is organised well. Make sure that the spacing and font is consistent throughout the document.
• Use a formal yet enthusiastic tone. Do not use colloquial terms or slang that may cause confusion.
• Proofread carefully and check for any errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation.
• Do refer to samples for inspiration, but ensure that you refrain from copying the same. Plagiarism will discredit your application.

What are the Types of Visa Cover Letters?

There are different types of visa categories and thus cover letters for each are unique to the same. Listed below are the various types of visa cover letters you will come across:

• Cover Letter for Tourist Visa: Tourist Visa requires you to produce a cover letter that clearly states your arrival and departures dates, details of your flight and hotel bookings, your itinerary, your travel history, etc.
• Cover Letter for Business Visa: Your business meetings, plans, and events that you expect to attend in the particular country should be highlighted in your cover letter. You must also mention how your visit would help the country’s business environment to impress the immigration officer.
• Cover letter for Student visa: You should stress your intention to pursue the specific study program in the concerned country in the cover letter for student visa. It must also include your prior academic and professional experiences, your links to your home country, and your career goals.
• Cover letter for Work Visa: Your cover letter must include details about your educational background, professional experience, employment offer to work in that particular country, etc., as well as how you could enhance the labour market there.
• Cover letter for Dependent visa: A dependent visa cover letter should essentially describe the applicant's relation to the principal visa holder. You can demonstrate both the applicant's economic dependence and the requirement that they stay with the primary visa holder.
• Cover letter for Spouse visa: Your cover letter for a spouse visa should emphasise your total commitment to relocating overseas with your spouse. In addition to proving the authenticity of your relationship, it should also mention your spouse's residency status.
• I-129F cover letter - This cover letter is submitted by a US citizen along with a Form I-129F to bring their fiance of a foreign origin to get married in the country. The cover letter must explain the couple’s individual personal information, history of their relationship as well as their intention to marry.

Visa Application Letters for Popular Countries

Every country has their unique set of requirements for the visa cover letters. We have listed below the most popular countries and the main elements to include in the same: 

• Cover letter for Schengen visa:
• Purpose of your visit in Schengen Area
• Detailed itinerary of your trip 
• Proof of financial sufficiency 
• Intentions to return to home country 
• Cover letter for Australia:
• Reason to visit Australia
• Reason why the visit will align with your future goals
• Itinerary of your trip
• Ties to home country
• Cover letter for Japan:
• Reason to visit Japan
• Travel plan and itinerary 
• Financial information
• Intention to respect laws, culture and regulations of Japan
• Cover letter for UK visa application:
• Purpose to visit the UK
• Itinerary and planned activities 
• Details of financial sufficiency 
• Strong ties to home country
• Cover letter for US visa application:
• Reason for visiting the US with specific details 
• Close connections in the US like friends, family, etc
• Understanding of the US culture, regulations and customs
• Previous visits to the US if any
• Cover letter for Canada visa:
• Purpose of visiting Canada
• Reason to choose Canada
• Detailed travel plan 
• Understanding of Canadian culture, tourist places, etc.
• Cover letter for New Zealand visa application:
• Purpose to visit New Zealand
• Your research on the offerings of New Zealand
• How the visit can contribute to your growth
• Commitment to comply with New Zealand’s biosecurity measures, immigration laws, etc. 
• Cover letter for France visa:
• Purpose of visiting France with specific details 
• Interest in French culture, history, etc. 
• Proficiency in French and previous visit to any French-speaking regions
• Any connections in France and how they plan to support your visit
• Cover letter for Turkey visa
• Purpose to visit Turkey and detailed itinerary 
• Knowledge and interest in Turkish culture, historical sites, etc.
• Any prior experiences or connections in Turkey 
• Any particular events or attractions in Turkey that piqued your interest
• Cover letter for Switzerland visa
• Purpose of visit and prepared itinerary 
• Reason why Switzerland is the preferred choice
• Knowledge of Swiss values, customs, etc. and respect for the same
• Any connections in Switzerland and how they will contribute to your experience

Final Checklist For Writing a Visa Cover Letter

A checklist will help you keep better track of your progress and let us help you:

• Have I clearly understood the specific requirements of the visa I am applying for?

Have I addressed the embassy or consulate in an appropriate manner?

• Is my purpose of visit clearly stated in my visa application letter ?
• Have I furnished all the supporting documents to support my claims?
• How many times have I proofread and revised the cover letter?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, you can refer to templates while writing a cover letter for your visa application. However, ensure that you tailor it to your application and include your personal experiences to stand out. 

Your cover letter should ideally be 1 – 2 pages long. 

No, it is not necessary to submit cover letters for every visa type. However, it is mandated by some countries. Consult with the consulate or embassy to learn about the requirements. 

Yes, a well-structured cover letter that clearly addresses every specific visa requirement can increase the credibility and authenticity of your application. 

Yes, you can definitely hire professional writers to draft a strong and convincing cover letter for your visa application.

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Mr. Sugathan is the founder of Professional Writing Services. He is an Army veteran who served the nation for more than two decades. During his tenure, he was involved in a lot of documentation and secretarial works. He has been drafting letters and documents on a daily basis.

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• Schengen Visa Travel Document Visa Guides

TIPS ON WRITING A POWERFUL COVER LETTER FOR YOUR VISA APPLICATION

Table of contents, introduction.

A well-crafted cover letter can play a crucial role in the visa application process. It serves as a personalized introduction to the applicant, allowing them to present their case more effectively to the visa officer. The cover letter provides an opportunity to highlight the key reasons for travel, demonstrate ties to the home country, and clarify any aspects of the application that might raise questions. By effectively articulating the purpose of the visit and reassuring the visa officer of the applicant’s intentions to abide by visa regulations, a well-written cover letter can significantly influence the outcome of the application.

This guide is particularly useful for a wide range of visa applicants, including those applying for tourist, student, and work visas. Each type of visa application has its unique requirements and challenges, and a tailored cover letter can address these specifics, enhancing the applicant’s chances of approval. Whether the applicant is planning a short vacation, seeking to study abroad, or pursuing career opportunities, this guide provides essential tips and templates to help them craft an impactful cover letter that resonates with their individual application context.

Understanding the Purpose of a Visa Cover Letter

Clarify Objectives

The main goals of a visa cover letter are multifaceted and critical to the success of the application:

Introducing the Applicant: The cover letter formally introduces the applicant to the visa officer. It’s an opportunity to present oneself beyond the facts and figures of the application forms. This introduction should convey a sense of the applicant’s character and reliability.

Outlining the Purpose of Visit: A key element of the cover letter is to articulate the reason for travel clearly. This could range from tourism, education, work, or visiting family and friends. It’s important to be clear and concise, providing enough detail to demonstrate that the plan is well thought out and credible.

Establishing Intent to Return to Home Country: One of the visa officer’s primary concerns is ensuring that the applicant plans to return to their home country after their visit. The cover letter should address this by highlighting strong ties to the home country, such as family, employment, or ongoing studies, which indicate the applicant’s intent to return.

Personalization

Personalization is key in a visa cover letter. Each visa type (tourist, student, work, etc.) has its own set of expectations and requirements:

Tourist Visa: Focus on the itinerary, places of interest, and the reason for choosing the specific destination. I think highlighting return tickets and hotel bookings can be beneficial.

Student Visa: Emphasize the educational goals, the reason for choosing the particular institution, and future career plans in the home country.

Work Visa: Outline professional objectives, the importance of this particular position, and how it fits into long-term career plans.

Moreover, personal circumstances should be taken into account. If there are unique situations like medical treatment, family reunions, or participation in specific events, these should be clearly stated. The more tailored the cover letter is to the individual’s situation and the specific type of visa being applied for, the more effective it will be in supporting the visa application.

Start With The Basics

When crafting a visa cover letter, beginning with the right format sets a professional tone for your application. Here’s how to do it:

Your Address : Start with your full address at the top left corner of the letter. This includes your street address, city, state, and zip code. This information should be aligned to the left margin.

Date : Below your address, leave a space and then include the current date. This should be the date on which you are writing or sending the letter.

Embassy/Consulate Address : After the date, leave another space and then write the address of the embassy or consulate to which you are applying. This should include the name of the embassy/consulate, its street address, city, and country. Align this address to the left margin, similar to your personal address.

Addressing the Visa Officer : The salutation should be formal. Typically, it’s advisable to use “Dear Visa Officer” or “Dear Consular Officer”. This is a respectful and general way of addressing the individuals responsible for processing your visa application. Avoid using generic salutations like “To whom it may concern”, as they can appear impersonal.

By following these basic guidelines, you ensure that your cover letter adheres to the standard norms of formal correspondence, reflecting your seriousness and respect for the visa application process.

Introduce Yourself

• Your Name and Nationality : Begin with your full name as it appears in your passport. Following your name, mention your nationality. This basic information establishes your identity for the visa officer.
• Main Reason for Visit : Clearly state the primary purpose of your visit. Whether it’s for tourism, education, work, or to attend a specific event, make this clear from the outset. This sets the context for the rest of your letter.

Background Details

• Employment or Educational Status : If it’s relevant to your visit, could you mention your current employment or educational status? For instance, if you are a student planning to study abroad, mention your current educational institution and what you plan to study. If you’re employed, state your job title and employer. This information can help the visa officer understand your ties to your home country and your reasons for returning.
• Relevance to Your Visit : Explain briefly how your employment or educational status is relevant to your visit. For instance, if you’re attending a professional conference, your job role and responsibilities might be pertinent. For a student visa, your current field of study and future aspirations could be relevant.

State the Purpose of Your Visit

This section is critical as it directly addresses the core of your visa application — the reason for your travel. It’s important to be specific and clear, providing enough detail to support your application.

Clear Intentions

• Purpose of Trip : Begin by explicitly stating the purpose of your trip. This should be a clear and straightforward declaration. For instance, “I am applying for a tourist visa for a two-week holiday in [Country],” or “I am seeking a student visa to pursue my master’s degree at [University Name].”
• Specific Reason : If there are specific reasons tied to the nature of your visit, such as attending a business conference, participating in a cultural event, or visiting family for a special occasion, mention these. The more specific you are, the clearer your intentions will appear to the visa officer.

Itinerary Details

• Travel Itinerary : If you have a travel itinerary, briefly outline it. Include key destinations, dates, and any booked accommodations. For business or student visas, mention the institutions or organizations you visit or affiliate with. We can help you plan your trip by availing our  itinerary service.
• Meetings or Contacts : If your trip involves meeting specific people or attending specific events, mention these. For example, “I plan to attend the International Business Conference held at [Venue] from [Start Date] to [End Date],” or “I will be visiting my brother, [Name], who resides at [Address].”

By providing a clear and detailed account of your travel plans, you demonstrate to the visa officer that you have a well-thought-out purpose for your visit and that your intentions align with the type of visa you are applying for. This clarity can significantly strengthen your application.  

Explain Your Ties to Your Home Country

A critical aspect of your visa application is demonstrating strong ties to your home country assuring the visa officer of your intention to return after your visit. Here’s how to effectively convey this:

Strong Ties

• Family Connections : If you have close family (like parents, spouse, or children) in your home country, mention them. Explain your role and responsibilities within your family unit, which indicate your need to return.
• Employment : Detail your current employment situation. Include your job title, the name of your employer, and how long you have been with the organization. If you have a letter from your employer granting leave for your travel, mention that as well.
• Property Ownership : If you own property, such as a house or land, in your home country, mention this. Property ownership is a strong indicator of your ties and intention to return.

Evidence of Return

• Ongoing Commitments : Highlight any ongoing commitments that necessitate your return. This can include a job that you need to return to, a business you run, or educational courses you are enrolled in.
• Future Plans : If you have specific plans upon your return, such as career progression, further education, or family events like weddings or anniversaries, mention these. Such plans can reinforce your intention to return.
• Supporting Documentation : If you can provide evidence of your ties, such as a job contract, business ownership documents, or family details, mention that these documents are available. You don’t need to include them with the cover letter but be prepared to present them if requested.

By effectively demonstrating your strong ties to your home country, you significantly enhance the credibility of your claim that your visit is temporary and that you intend to return after your stay. This is a key factor in the visa decision-making process. You can read more about  Proof of Strong Ties for Your Schengen Visa Application in the Philippines .

Financial Responsibility

When applying for a visa, demonstrating your financial responsibility is crucial. This section of your cover letter should clearly outline how you plan to financially support your trip.

Financial Stability

Self-sponsorship : If you are self-sponsoring your trip, asserting your financial stability is important. Briefly explain your financial situation, such as your regular income, savings, or investments, which indicate your ability to cover all travel expenses, including accommodation, food, and emergencies.

Sponsorship : If someone else is sponsoring your trip, state the relationship with the sponsor (e.g., family member, friend, employer) and their commitment to supporting you financially during your visit.

Supporting Documents

I’d like you to please mention that you have attached relevant financial documents to your application. This could include bank statements showing your savings, income statements, or a sponsorship letter if applicable.

Details of Documentation : If you are providing a sponsorship letter, ensure it includes the sponsor’s name, their relationship to you, their contact information, and a statement of their commitment to support you financially during your trip. If using bank statements, mention that they reflect your current financial status and ability to fund your travel.

Including clear and detailed information about your financial responsibility in your cover letter helps assure the visa officer that you are capable of supporting yourself during your trip and will not become a financial liability in the country you plan to visit.

Cover Accommodation and Health Insurance

In this section, you should provide details about your accommodation plans and health insurance coverage for your trip, as these are important aspects of your travel preparations.

Accommodation Details

Staying with Friends or Relatives : If you are planning to stay with friends or relatives, provide their names, addresses, and contact information. It can be helpful to mention your relationship with them and the duration of your stay.

Hotel Accommodation : If you will be staying in a hotel or rented accommodation, mention the name of the hotel or the address of the rental, along with the duration of your stay. If you have pre-booked your accommodation, stating this can add credibility to your travel plans.

Health Insurance

Travel Health Insurance Coverage : Clearly state if you have secured travel health insurance for the duration of your stay in the destination country. Include details about the coverage, such as medical expenses, emergency services, and repatriation, if applicable.

Insurance Documentation : Mention that you have attached or can provide documentation of your travel health insurance policy. This reassures the visa officer of your preparedness for any health-related contingencies during your trip.

Addressing your accommodation and health insurance arrangements in your cover letter adds depth to your application, showcasing your thorough planning and responsibility as a traveler. This information can play a significant role in the overall assessment of your visa application.

Conclude a Polite Request

The conclusion of your visa cover letter is an opportunity to reinforce your request and demonstrate your willingness to cooperate with any additional requirements. Here’s how to effectively wrap up your letter:

Request for Consideration

Polite Appeal : Conclude your letter with a courteous appeal for a favorable consideration of your application. This could be phrased as, “I respectfully request that my application for a [type of visa] be considered favorably.”

Expression of Gratitude : It’s also good practice to express gratitude for the time and effort taken by the visa officer to review your application. A simple statement like, “I appreciate your consideration of my application,” can be effective.

Availability for Further Information

Openness for Communication : Indicate your willingness to provide any additional information that may be required. This shows that you are cooperative and serious about your application.

Readiness for Interview : If applicable, state that you are available for an interview or any further discussions regarding your visa application. This could be stated as, “I am readily available for an interview or to provide any further information needed for my application.”

By concluding your cover letter with a polite request and showing openness for further communication, you leave a positive impression on the visa officer, demonstrating your earnestness and respect for the visa application process.

Attach Supporting Documents

Concluding your visa cover letter with a comprehensive list of supporting documents is crucial. This not only demonstrates your organizational skills but also makes it easier for the visa officer to review your application. Here’s how to do it:

List of Documents

Bank Statements : Include bank statements that demonstrate your financial stability and ability to support yourself during your visit.

Employment Letters : If you are employed, attach a letter from your employer. This letter should confirm your employment, your role, the duration of your leave (if applicable), and your expected return to work.

Itinerary : Provide a copy of your travel itinerary, which includes flight details, accommodation bookings, and a schedule of your activities or places you plan to visit.

Accommodation Confirmation : If you are staying with friends or relatives, include a letter from them confirming this arrangement. For hotel stays, attach booking confirmations.

Travel Health Insurance : Include documentation of your travel health insurance policy, showing the coverage details.

Sponsorship Letter (if applicable) : If someone else is sponsoring your trip, attach a sponsorship letter from them along with their financial documents.

Additional Documents : Depending on the purpose of your visit, you may need to include additional documents. For example, students should attach admission letters from educational institutions, and business visitors should include invitation letters from the hosting company.

End your cover letter with a statement like: “Enclosed, please find the following supporting documents for your review,” followed by a bulleted or numbered list of the documents. This clear and organized presentation of your supporting documents can significantly enhance the credibility of your application.

Proofread and Finalize

• Attention to Detail : Proofreading is crucial. Go over your letter multiple times to catch any grammatical errors or typos. These mistakes can make your application seem less professional and may negatively impact the perception of your attention to detail.
• Use Tools : Leverage tools like grammar checkers, but don’t rely solely on them. Sometimes, these tools can miss nuances in language or context-specific phrasing.

Professional Tone

• Respect and Formality : The tone of your cover letter should be respectful and formal. This reflects your seriousness and respect for the visa application process.
• Consistency : Ensure that the tone is consistent throughout the letter. Avoid using slang or overly casual language, as it may not be appropriate for a formal application.

Additional Tips

• Second Opinion : It can be helpful to have someone else read your cover letter. A fresh pair of eyes might catch errors you overlooked.
• Read Aloud : Reading your letter aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing or tone inconsistencies.
• Formatting : Make sure the overall formatting of the letter is professional. Use a standard font, proper alignment, and clear paragraph separation.
• Length : Keep the letter concise and to the point. A long-winded letter can lose its impact.
• Final Check : Before submitting, do a final check to ensure that all the information is accurate and that you have attached all the required documents.

The final step in your visa application cover letter process is to ensure it is polished, professional, and error-free. This conveys your seriousness about the application and demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively in a professional setting. Remember, your cover letter is often the first impression the visa officer will have of you, so make it count.

Final Thoughts

Crafting a strong cover letter for your visa application is more than a mere formality; it’s a strategic component that can significantly influence the outcome of your application. By carefully presenting your case, explaining your travel purpose, demonstrating strong ties to your home country, and outlining your financial plans, you paint a comprehensive picture that goes beyond the basic documentation.

Remember, the goal of your cover letter is to provide context, add a personal touch, and preemptively address any questions or concerns that the visa officer might have. Your ability to communicate clearly and professionally through your cover letter reflects not only on your application but also on your overall preparedness for your journey.

In summary, the key to a powerful cover letter lies in its clarity, conciseness, relevance, and attention to detail. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you’re setting yourself up for success. Your cover letter is not just a letter; it’s a narrative of your travel intentions, a testament to your reliability, and a crucial step towards achieving your travel goals.

Common Reasons for Schengen Visa Rejection

Here are the common reasons a Schengen Visa application gets denied:

• No clear travel purpose —a detailed cover letter is a must!
• Lack of strong ties —reevaluate your application and prove why you must return to your home country!
• Insufficient travel insurance coverage —make sure you get the right policy!
• No proof of financial means —convince them that you can afford your trip! Provide bank or credit card statements, VUL, investment portfolio, etc.
• Passport does not have 2 free pages —where will they attach the visa if your passport pages are already full? You should get a new passport before applying for a visa if there are no more available pages on your old one!
• No proof of accommodation —you need to prove them that you have a place to stay in the Schengen Area.

Recap and Tips

So, just a recap and a reminder , please don’t forget these TIPS: 

If you ever need help, you can avail my   visa application bundle , and I will be glad to help you through the process!

Let Us Be Your Partner in Your Schengen Visa Journey

Applying for a Schengen Visa can be overwhelming, with all the paperwork involved and confusing information from different sources. We understand that—we’ve been there and have done that!

But through the years, we gained experience and knowledge on the ins and outs of the Schengen Visa application. We’ve helped countless satisfied clients ; we would like to invite you to be one of them!

With our Schengen Visa services personalized to your unique needs and circumstances, we will make your visa application less stressful and laborious, and more promising. Contact us to schedule a consultation or for other inquiries.

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Free Cover Letter for any Visa Application

Apr 25, 2019

What is a cover letter for a visa application?

In simple words, a cover letter that is required by the embassy when a person applies for the visa is known as a cover letter for a visa application.

Why a visa cover letter is required?

The necessary components of the cover letter:.

A cover letter for the visa application must contain a few important points – without which your application would be incomplete. The major components for the visa application are:

• Purpose of travel to your home destination
• A travel itinerary overview with the valid expression that why you have selected the particular place to travel
• Proof of funding whether you are being sponsored or funding your own trip
• If someone is sponsoring your trip then you need to provide the reason why a sponsor is doing that
• If due to any reason you are unable to submit any required documents, explain your reason and provide the details of the alternative documents that you have endorsed
• Your willingness to return to your home; you should tell about your responsibilities in your country

The cover letter is a very crucial part of your visa application and might completely impact the approval and rejection of your visa. Although it is not present on the list of the required documents it is an essential need and should be provided with your application.

Free Cover Letter for Visa Application for a Tourist:

Date in this format: Month Date, Year [April 6, 2019]

Embassy name

Subject: Issuance of tourist visa for visiting <Your destination>

I, <Your full name matching passport name>, like to spend my vacation in <country name> from <arrival date> to <departure date>. For that purpose, I would like a have a tourist visa valid from <expected arrival date> to <expected departing date>.

My traveling purpose is to visit the mesmerizing places of the <country name> including <major tourist destination places>. I look forward to experiencing the rich culture, tasty food, and the scenic beauty that the country has to offer.

Currently, I am working at <company name> located in <company location>. I have been working here since <employment date> as a <your job position>. My workplace has already approved the vacation covering my whole trip.

I will be sponsoring my own trip; I have attached the documents supporting my claim with my application. [Only add this when you are sponsoring your own trip].

My <relationship with the sponsor> <sponsor’s full name>, working as <sponsor’s title job> at <the company name> will sponsor me during my visit. He/ She will fulfill my food expenses, accommodation, and a plane ticket. [For those who are being sponsored].

Find all my documents with the letter to authenticate the presented information on the letter:

• Complete application form
• Leave certificate/letter of approval for vacation
• Credit information (payslips, credit card statements, bank certificates, bank statements, etc.)
• Flight itinerary showing booking reservation
• Travel insurance (benefits mentioned)
• Hotel reservations

If any more information is required, please contact me at the following:

• Your contact number
• Your email address

Please process my visa application soon. I will be very thankful to you.

Kind Regards,

<Your name>

DOWNLOAD SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

Free Cover Letter for Visa Application for a Student:

Subject: Issuance of business visa in the <Your destination>

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I, <Your full name matching passport name> need to visit <your destination> for short business trip. My business trip will initiate at <date>; thus, I need my visa validation from <date> to <date>.

My business there will be to meet [the person’s name] of the [company name] to finalize the deal (provide your reason here). I will be staying at [hotel name] during my whole trip.

• Invitation letter
• Credit information (pay slips, credit card statements, bank certificates, bank statements, etc.) (if required)

<Your address>

SCHENGEN VISA

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Sample Letter of Explanation (LOE) After Refusal for Canada Study Permit (Updated 2024)

by Shubham | Feb 9, 2024 | SOP Samples | 8 comments

Overview of Canada and Visa Refusal for Canada

Canada has become the most popular destination for students globally if they are seeking higher education and better job opportunities. This country, which is also referred to as the land of opportunities is a huge country in the North American Continent spread in 9.98 Million square kilometres making it the second largest country in the world after Russia. This huge country is divided into ten provinces and three territories and Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, but people often get confused for Toronto as the Capital. Canada has two main official languages – English and French which routes back from their colonial history. The Canadian healthcare system is an example to the whole world as they have a publicly funded healthcare system. The country is known for its multiculturalism giving it a cosmopolitan culture which welcomes people from all ethnicities to study, live and work there openly. With so much to gain from such a beautiful country, students and immigrants from all over the world wish to study, work and settle there. This is the reason why millions of candidates apply for Canadian visas for different purposes like work, study, travel and PR. 

With an increasing number of applications for Canada, the visa refusal rates have gone higher. After COVID, the Canadian High Commission rejected as much as 60% of the cases, which were again approved in most of the cases when the candidates applied again with an LOE after refusal . It is a very embarrassing situation when candidates have done all the planning, submitted the fees of the colleges and done all the preparations for flying to Canada and at the last moment they face a refusal. If you are also one among those who have faced Canada Visa Refusal, you should not worry at all as there are ways to fix this and convert your Canada Visa Refusal into approval by taking corrective measures. By drafting a well-written Visa Refusal Explanation Letter , you can reapply for the Canadian Study Permit again. If you are not very sure – How to write an SOP after refusal? Then you should surely consider hiring professional sop writers or Canada Visa Refusal Experts to get the job job. We have created the comprehensive blog along with a Sample LOE for Canada. There are various ways LOE is referred to – some people refer to it as a justification letter for visa refusal whereas others refer to the same as an appeal letter for visa re-application.

Some of the most common reasons cited in the Visa Refusal Letters of Canada are 

The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application.

• Your proposed studies are not reasonable in light of one or more of your qualifications, previous studies, missing marks sheets, academic record, level of establishment, language abilities, or your future prospects and plans.
• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as stipulated in subsection 126 (1) of the IRPR, based on your travel history.
• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as stipulated in subsection 126 (1) of the IRPR, based on the length of your proposed stay in Canada. 
• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as stipulated in subsection 126 (1) of the IRPR, based on your current employment situation.
• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as stipulated in subsection 126 (1) of the IRPR, based on your purpose of visit
• I am not satisfied that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay as stipulated in subsection 126 (1) of the IRPR, based on your family ties in Canada and in your country of residence.
• Your proposed length of stay in Canada is inconsistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application.

Canada Visa Refusal: Crafting an Effective Letter of Explanation / Justification (LOE)

Have you got your Canada Student Visa Refusal and you are not sure what went wrong and how to approach the Canada Student Visa Re-application Process ? Well, do not worry at all because Canada Student Visa Refusal Rates have really gone high, but there are ways to re-apply and get your student visa approved by taking the right steps. We do understand that getting a Canada Study Permit Refusal is a major setback for any student who has been dreaming of studying in Canada . Visa refusal for a Canada Study Permit often leaves the candidates in a state of utter confusion, frustration, and dismay. But, that’s not the end of your dream journey to Canada. It is important to understand – how to approach this situation and convert the Canada Student Visa Refusal into an approved Canadian Study Permit. First, one should leave the disappointment behind and develop a positive mindset because, after COVID-19, the rejection rate for Canadian Student Visa went as high as 65%, meaning almost 6-7 candidates were being rejected out of every 10 applicants globally. And what’s the good part is that almost 50% of the refusal cases get approved with a valid Canadian Study Permit after they apply with a properly written Letter of explanation after Canada Student Visa Refusal , along with a proper check of the required documents and enough proof of funds, college fees, GIC Certificate and proper academic credentials with certificates and marksheets. 

Also, check the Sample SOP for Canada Study Permit Visa After Refusal 2023  

We have created a comprehensive guide to the approach for your Canadian Study Permit Re-application along with an LOE for the Canada study permit sample and then we have shared a Sample (LOE) Letter of Explanation after the Canada Student Visa Refusal. An LOE is also referred to as a letter of Justification for a Visa Refusal or an Appeal Letter for a Study Permit in Canada. Please go through the article and carefully read the sample LOE. If in case you have any doubts, please write to us in the comments. 

Before planning to solve a problem, the first step is always to understand the problem and its root cause. Thus, our first approach before preparing a Letter of Explanation for visa re-application and filing it again should be to review the visa refusal letter provided by the Canadian High Commission and all the documents submitted along with the study visa application . They broadly mention the reason for refusal under a major category which needs to be interpreted well. The Visa Refusal Grounds may vary from case to case from issues like the financial ability to support your stay and tuition fees in Canada, lack of proper documentation, missing marksheets, work experience certificates, mismatch of the education from the previous academic history or job, lack of vision & career progression, improper justifications of study gap & low marks, and your unwillingness to come back to India after completion of the course. Once you check your documents and the quality of the Visa SOP for the Canadian Study Permit you have submitted, it is easier to understand the main grounds for your visa refusal.  A thorough understanding will help you to prepare the base of the letter of explanation/justification because visa application after refusal requires much attention. If your Education Consultants is not confident of what went wrong and what exactly is the cause of your refusal then you should hire a Visa Refusal Expert for Canadian Visa. 

Many students get embarrassed and stuck after their Canadian Visa Refusal and are frustrated but they reapply for the study permit immediately after a few days without doing proper research. It is very normal to feel embarrassed and have mixed emotions but at the same time, you have to stay positive so that you can take the right steps towards success. Figure out the entire step-by-step process, and make a roadmap by consulting with Visa Experts so that you know you are doing the right thing. If you are not able to make the right decision then talk to your seniors, parents, or visa consultants, but in any case do not leave this to your agency or education consultancy. They already have caused your visa to get refused and you never know what went wrong – they can tell you any story to justify that they did all things right. The problem is that leaving on to them may cause the same mistakes or different mistakes again at the second attempt and you can’t let that happen again. 

Once you have finalized your roadmap, you have to do good research and then prepare your file accordingly to file the visa again. You have to work all the refusal grounds mentioned in the refusal letter and justify the grounds by valid counters politely to keep your point. You have to work on gathering relevant documents to support your new points added which were missing in the previous Visa SOP for Canada Study Visa . For example – To show relevant certificates or awards that you missed mentioning but now wish to showcase in order to show your inclination towards a subject or a specific skill. If your mark sheets or some other documents are missing, furnish them with a new application. If they have given the grounds of financial ability then you have to work on your bank balance, ITRs, family income documents, proof of funds for expenses and always show a regular stream of income in your family along with savings and assets you are showing. Addressing each concern is the main task of LOE Writing and then keep all the other information as you write in visa sop .  

While writing a letter of explanation after refusal , it’s very important to follow a structured approach that should present your profile very clearly. Start with a courteous and respectful manner stating that your visa might have been refused due to your own mistake of not being able to define your profile clearly. Express your gratitude towards the consulate for providing the opportunity to provide additional information through re-application. After salutation and mentioning your application number, begin your letter of explanation by explaining each refusal in detail one by one. You have to be candid and honest in describing your profile in detail to clear your doubts and cite missing information and documents that might have caused refusal. You have to prepare a conceivable end by showing your family ties in India and their background so that the visa office will assume that you will return to your country since you have a lot to lose here. It should look to them as if your intentions are clear to come back (even if they are not 😛). Mentioning your future goals and aspirations is very important and it will showcase that you have a clear roadmap in front of you when it comes to your career path.

Conclude the letter of explanation/justification letter on a positive note, expressing your gratitude for the reconsideration of your Canada Visa Application. Reiterate your purpose/motive to visit Canada and your determination to meet all visa requirements. Ensure that as a law-abiding citizen, you follow all the immigration rules on the land of Canada. 

It is very important to always keep a professional and courteous tone while writing your letter of explanation for the Canada Study Visa. Since it is a re-application, the Visa Officer will double-check everything. Do not be over-emotional in your write-up and don’t beg for a visa, just try to show your genuine intent in a professional manner which shows that you just applied to study since you are seeking career growth. Your tone should actually reflect your understanding of your plans, your willingness to stick with the decision of the visa officer, and your desire to address the concerns of the office. Do proofread your letter of explanation multiple times to avoid mistakes, remove unnecessary repetition of words, and eliminate grammatical errors, typing mistakes, or anything that needs to be corrected. A well-written draft actually shows your approach and professionalism. 

If you find writing tasks tough then you should surely hire a professional sop writer who can draft your letter of explanation on your behalf by taking details from you and your resume. SOP Writing Professionals are experts in writing quality drafts and they understand what the visa officer is willing to hear from you. If you think that you are good at writing but you are not sure about the details and approach then you can surely contact a professional visa consultant or sop counsellor to suggest you the way forward. You can search for SOP Writers online to hire experts from all around the world but if you wish to meet in person and discuss your case then you can search for professional sop writers near me . These professionals have experience in dealing with visa refusals and can offer valuable insights to help you craft a persuasive letter.

Finally, when you are ready with everything, you can file your visa application again with all the supporting/required documents according to the Canada Visa Guidelines (Refer to IRCC) . Once you have filed the application, you have to wait for a few weeks or months, depending on the number of backlogs they have, and you get your visa application approved if all is done well. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and with the right approach, you can turn this setback into a stepping stone toward achieving your study, work, or travel aspirations in Canada.

Below is the Sample Letter of Explanation After the Refusal

High Commission of Canada

Sub: Application in response to study permit refused on 21/07/2021

  Dear Sir/Madam,

I am honoured to introduce myself as Naveen Sharma who is an experienced sales and marketing professional. I am willing to rise in my career graph by combining my previous exposure with formal training in business management. However, my intellect has advised me to pursue a Graduate Certificate in International Business Management based on my desire to cater to my export-related family business in the long run. I am also delighted to share that I have been presented with the Letter of Admission for the January 2022 intake. Unfortunately, my previous visa application was rejected due to not fulfilling the IRPA and IRPR conditions based on the following reasons:

I, therefore, represent my genuine candidacy through this medium which has honoured me for justifying my reasons to visit Canada and disclosing my plans to return home.

Motivation to pursue the program

My very interest in business and leadership brought me to the field of sales and marketing which is the backbone of any organized business. I served in the sales department of renowned companies like Colgate, Nestlé and Hindustan Unilever. Since these are the most well-known companies they are spread nationwide. Handling Inventory Management, Sales, Accounting Techniques, and System Management Procurement, over time made me accustomed to industry processes and the way expansion takes place. Also, my knowledge of customer handling and relationship management has broadened during my professional tenure. However, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I became quite intrigued with industrial operations and international business management which maintained swift industrial relations within the various industries even during situations of distress. From there, I became interested in pursuing my interest in international business management which was greatly piqued as a result of my family business of export. Due to having a long-established export business of spices, I grew up overhearing conversations associated with international trade policies, cross-border negotiation, etc. Having always been attracted to the way international businesses are managed, I tried my hands on tutoring myself online with the basics of international business which appeared as a true reflection of my potential career choice in the long term that resonates with acquiring a full-fledged training in international business. Hence, I began my speculation about finding a comprehensive course structure abroad when I finally came across the one available at Niagara College which seemed like the most beneficial study option for me.

If you have any queries, feel free to call us on +91-9811040414

Why canada and not india  .

Canada has emerged as a globally leading education destination which is most sought after due to its cutting-edge pedagogy which challenges the global education aesthetics. I am greatly intrigued by the way Canada provides its international students with a perfect cushion to study in a foreign land by offering appropriate counselling support. Also, the education environment in Canada is conducive based on its appropriate relevancy to industry standards. I have also made comparisons with other English-speaking countries and found Canada to be checking all the boxes for me fulfilling all the metrics associated with the education budget, openness of culture, peacefulness, low crime rate, warm and multicultural society, etc. Having also compared an opportunity to study in India with studying in Canada also motivated me to pursue my studies in Canada and not India. Especially because, if I study in Canada, I would miss an opportunity to get international exposure which is not available in India. Moreover, studying in Canada will provide me access to applied learning which is given least or no importance in our Indian study system due to being highly based on a merit system. Unlikely, in today’s business structure, we require practically oriented individuals who have studied in a practically enriching environment to meet the upcoming industry challenges. Therefore, I believe studying in Canada will augment my learning curve and also enhance my demand in the Indian corporate job market due to my foreign credentials. It will certainly create an edge for me back home as I position myself upward in the career graph.

Why International Business Management at Niagara College?  

Through pursuing international business management, I am aiming to acquire technical proficiency in the way international trade and business I carried out on a professional front. In my pursuit to gain further education, I compared through a lot of Canadian colleges but the curriculum available at Niagara College sufficed my expectations associated with a foreign study program. Niagara’s uptake in comprehending its international student population and learning atmosphere is unparalleled. The faculty at Niagara College is the most sought-after due to its exemplary teaching model and proven pedagogy to uplift student experience through industry-intensive training exposure. Topics available underneath the belt of this curriculum include Concepts of International Trade, Market Entry and Distribution, International Market Research, Global Logistics Management, Legal Issues of International Trade, Applied Research in International Trade Management, and Legal Issues of International Trade which makes a perfect fit for me based upon my study goals. As a result of this study program, I would be able to create a strategic business plan based on international trade policies and procedures and their implications on the existing business profitability and performance. The properly channelized classroom studies and industrial training will augment my performance and make me a more refined professional ready to embark upon a journey toward managing international business relations in the future. I am thus overwhelmed to have received admission to this esteemed college.

Reasons to return to India 

Future plans .

My entire focus on returning home depends upon my desire to fulfil my short-term and long-term career goals in India leveraging my international exposure and foreign credentials. Hence, I intend to seek career progression by becoming a valuable addition to the Indian corporate society upon graduating from Canada. My education in International Business Management will help me elevate my career graph as envisioned after quipping myself with industry-intensive training. I would be able to serve Indian corporates in positions such as Business Analyst, International Supply Chain Manager, Business development manager, Research Analyst, etc. To gain illustrative exposure, I focus on working with companies like Pepsico, Flipkart, Coca-Cola, etc. However, after collecting exquisite exposure in Indian corporates operating globally, I intend to expand my family business and make it a globally sustainable business organization based on my understanding of modern business operations.

Family ties

My family members are my closest family ties in India which include my father, mother, and sister. My father owns a family business, and as a result of this, I am greatly influenced to equip myself with specialized training in international business management. My mother is a housewife, and my sister is a Chartered Accountant and married. Being the only son or the male child of my parents, I am the sole heir of all the family riches. Hence, I am bound with great responsibilities on my shoulders too. I am required to take care of my parents who will be my sole responsibility in the future years due to aging. I cannot leave my parents alone as they have never left me while I was dependent on them. I am a responsible and sensitive individual who has planned to go back home soon after the completion of my studies in Canada so that I can take care of my parents, my sister, and our family business as my father attains a certain age. Hence, I will not stay in Canada beyond a certain point, especially because all my family ties are in India, not in Canada.

Conclusion 

I belong to a financially strong family background that owns immovable properties worth CAD 2216746.75 which serves as a strong financial backing. Also, we possess movable assets valuing CAD 125122 Please find enclosed a CA report for your kind reference. Owing to our wealth of assets and riches, my parents have sponsored my education and stay in Canada, also considering its benefit rewarding for our family business. Hence, I have already paid a tuition fee of CAD 17875 and deposited CAD 10000 into the GIC account. Proof of payment has been enclosed herewith for you to review and consider.

My overall IELTS test score is 7.0 without having any band less than 6.5 (Listening: 7.5, Reading: 7.5, Speaking: 7.0, Writing: 6.5). I have attached my IELTS scorecard for your kind reference.

With all my dedication and willingness to follow all the Canadian Immigration Rules, I hereby apply for the Canadian study permit which will help me in pursuing further study interests. I put my high hopes in you and I am sure my genuine candidacy will allow you to decide in favor of my application. Thank you in advance.

Yours Faithfully,

Naveen Sharma

Download Sample Appeal letter for visa refusal Canada pdf

The Letter of Explanation after refusal aka SOP for Canada Study Visa after Refusal can help you in getting Visa acceptance if prepared properly.  We, at Contentholic, have helped thousands of students in writing SOP / LOE and they have gotten their Study Visa successfully after the rejections. Contentholic is India’s leading agency for SOP Writing Services and we were the first to offer SOP as a service to the students formally. Our SOP writers in India are well-trained and aware of the information that must be written in an SOP after Refusal. Therefore, just connect with our team and take assistance.

Frequently asked questions related to – Letter of Explanation After Refusal

Why was my Canada Student Visa application refused?

Canada Visa refusals are very common and your visa application can be refused for numerous reasons listed below:

• Lack of required documents for visa application
• Insufficient Funds shown in the records provided 
• Concerns of the authorities for your intentions to study 
• Improper explanation of gaps or missing documents 
• Due to low marks in your academics 
• Low English Proficiency, as per your IELTS or OTE 
• Inconsistent study patterns and lack of relevancy of the course 
• Not defining the career progressions and long-term goals 
• Submitted plagiarized visa sop along with the application 
• Lack of strong ties to your home country & family 
• No reason to return to my home country 
• Lack of employment opportunities in your country of origin

Please go through your application and previous Visa SOP you or your agent have submitted and review the refusal letter to understand the root cause in detail. If you think you are not able to figure out the main grounds then you should hire a Visa Refusal Expert or a Senior SOP Consultant for better clarity and support in re-application. 

What should I do if my Canada student visa is refused?

If you have recently got your Canada Student Visa refused then you can plan for reapplying the visa again with an LOE After Refusal with a detailed explanation of your refusal grounds. You may also go for some expert advice through SOP counsellors or experienced Visa Consultants to ensure the right step forward. 

Can I reapply for a Canada student visa after refusal?

Yes, you can surely reapply for a Canada Student Visa after refusal . In fact, you can also re-apply for the same even after getting multiple refusals until it is written in your refusal letter that you may reapply. It is very important to thoroughly review the refusal letter before you reapply for a student visa after refusal .

When can I reapply once my Canada Visa is refused?

You can reapply for a Canadian Visa immediately and there is no time limit for re-application of a Canada Visa after rejection. You can go through the refusal letter again and there it is mentioned at the last the you may re-apply again if you think that this decision was incorrect. 

How can I appeal a Canada student visa refusal?

You can prepare an appeal letter against your Canada Student Visa Refusal and submit the same while raising a web form for reconsideration of your visa refusal. But, this appeal/reconsideration request doesn’t work now in more than 90% of the cases and thus it is better to re-apply your visa again with a convincing letter of explanation after refusal to justify your grounds. The Letter of explanation (LOE) is also referred to as a justification letter. You can search on Google for – Visa SOP Samples or LOE Samples to understand the format of LOE Writing. Canadian Immigration does not have a formal appeal procedure for students who have visa refusals, however, students can always apply for a judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada, if the candidate believes that the refusal decision was not correct and it is a kind of mistake by the officials. 

How long should I wait before reapplying for a student visa after refusal?

There is no specific wait time before you become eligible for reapplication of a Canadian Study Permit Visa . You can immediately apply again once you have figured out the shortcomings of your application and have prepared a convincing Letter of Explanation. 

What documents should I include to strengthen my Canada student visa application?

You should first review the main refusal grounds to understand – what was lacking. Once you figure out, you should actually provide those specific documents to make your application stronger. 

• For Proof Funds – you should provide extra savings, fixed assets, ITRs and CA Valuation reports 
• Missing Marksheets – You should check and re-verify your transcripts, and submit the missing one 
• Gap Justification – You can justify the gap by showing some relevant documents 
• LOE after refusal – You should include a well-written LOE or justification letter 
• Job Offer from the company – that will show that you have a reason to do this course 
• Letter of Acceptance – deferred admission letter from the university for next intake 
• Experience Letter – Work experience letters of previous employers if you have not given 

Do I need to hire a consultant or lawyer if my student visa is refused?

It’s not mandatory to hire professional assistance or advice, but a professional consultation can help you to have a better approach. Especially, in that condition where you can not figure out the main refusal ground and you find the given refusal grounds matching nowhere to the reality.  You can reach out to these professionals to seek professional advice and guidance –

• SOP Writing Agencies 
• Professional SOP Consultants 
• Senior Visa Counsellors 
• Immigration Lawyer 
• Immigration Agent 
• Education Consultants 

Can I study in Canada if my student visa is refused?

No, you cannot study in Canada without a valid study permit. If your student visa got rejected then you should re-apply for that same with corrective measures. There are some colleges and universities in Canada which can also offer you online classes but to obtain a valid work permit after the completion of the course, you have to be present in Canada 

Is there a fee for reapplying for a Canada student visa after refusal?

Yes, you have to pay the same fees as you pay for a fresh Canadian visa application. There is no discount if you are applying for the second, third or fourth time. If your visa is rejected by Canadian High Commission then your Visa Application Fees get forfeited. You can check the IRCC website for current visa application fees – https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/fees.asp  

If my Canada student visa is refused, does it impact my future visa applications?

Yes, it does impact your future visa applications as well. If you applied for a student visa and it was refused and then you get a job opportunity in Canada then you have to disclose the previous refusal and give clarification on why it was rejected. Otherwise, there are high chances of getting the visa refused again. Though each case is considered individually, they have your records with them and it is always honest to disclose the details rather than the visa officer figure it out on his own. 

What should I do if I disagree with the reasons for my student visa refusal?

If you disagree with your visa refusal decision by IRCC then you have three options

• You can appeal by raising the web form in the same application 
• You can reapply for the visa again with a letter of explanation 
• You can hire an immigration lawyer to appeal your decision in court 

How long does it take to process a Canada student visa application after a refusal?

Canada Student Visa Re-application is the same process as applying for a fresh student visa and thus the time taken is the same as a fresh application. Now the processing time of the same varies and mostly depends on the backlog the Canadian High Commission is having. If we talk about the current situation in 2023, it is taking 4 to 6 weeks on average, though it also depends on the province you are applying for and it may vary accordingly. 

Can I apply for a study permit extension if my initial application was refused?

Yes, you can surely apply for a study permit extension again after getting your initial application refused, but you must either resolve the reasons for the refusal or provide the proper justification for the same. 

Do I need to attend an interview if my student visa application is refused?

No. You do not need to attend an interview if your student visa application is refused. You need to simply review your application and reapply with a Justification Letter after the Canada Visa Refusal. There are some cases where the Canadian Embassy has asked for an interview in past after COVID, but now interviews are very rare and thus you should not worry about that. 

Can I study in Canada with a temporary resident visa (TRV) if my student visa is refused?

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) allows you to visit Canada for a short period of time as a visitor and it does not grant you permission to study or work in Canada. In order to study in Canada, you should reapply for a study permit again if your previous application was refused. 

Is there a specific format for the Statement of Purpose (SOP) in my student visa application?

There is no format or guideline released officially by the Canadian High Commission to write the statement of purpose for student visa applications. Thus, there is no fixed format for the same and there different agents who use different formats based on their experience and understanding. But, if you follow a structured section-wise approach then it will showcase you as a smart and deserving candidate. Your Visa SOP should clearly define your study goals, academic background, professional experience, financial establishments, family background and finally long-term goals and objectives. It all must start with an impressive introduction. Experienced SOP Writers have a fixed Letter of explanation (LOE) format for Canada which they find successful and thus they keep on using that with unique narratives for each candidate. 

Can I apply for a Canada student visa online, or is a paper application required?

Yes. Canadian Student Visa can be applied online through the IRCC website and there is no need for the paper application. The whole process is done online and once you get the visa approval you have to send your passport to the nearest VFS centre for visa stamping.  

Can a consultant or lawyer guarantee the approval of my student visa application?

No. No one can actually give you the guarantee of visa application approval because this process is the same for everyone and whether you apply yourself, through a visa consultant, through an IRCC Certified Agent or through an Immigration Lawyer, the process of application and chances of getting approval are the same. Mostly, the bigger agents, lawyers and consultants do not give enough time to your application and thus you should choose an agent who can properly give time to your application.

I applied for a business visitor visa to a conference and was refused insufficient funds and not enough assets but on the contrary, I have enough funds both in USD, personal and company accounts. I want to reapply to attend the next edition of the same conference in November. Can you be of help to assist in the cover/LOE?

Hi Mr. Henphis, To understand the problem of why your Business Visitor Visa was rejected, we need to have a look at the refusal letter and the Visitor Visa SOP that you had submitted. Sure, we can help you with the Letter of Explanation for the Visitor Visa. Please get in touch with our team to take it further.

I want a Guide on Canada visa.

The best guide for Canada visa is the official website of Canada Government. However, we have created a blog about how you can apply for Canada Visa. Here is the link for the same – https://contentholic.com/applying-for-a-canadian-visa-the-complete-guide-and-process/ .

I got a refusal for a Canada study permit based on my personal assets and financial situation being insufficient. I would like to have an assessment on what to improve before reapplying.

If they have rejected your application based on Financial situations then they think you are incapable of surviving in Canada. Therefore, you can talk to your Consultant and ask about how much amount you must show. Depending on the SDS or Non-SDS category, he will help you with the enough amount. You can get help from a CA to get a CA evaluation report and attach it to the application.

I got a refusal for Canadastudy permit based on personal assets and insufficientfinancial support. I would like to have an assessment on what to improve before reapplying.

Hi David, hope you have applied for your visa by now. We wish you all the best for that 🙂 Let us know if you need any help from us in future. We also provide assignment help for Canadian Colleges and Universities.

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Recent posts, recent comments, a well-written letter of explanation for refusal cases can help you in getting your visa acceptance. therefore, connect with specialized writers for loe at contentholic to get the visa acceptance. moreover, get free review to understand why you got the refusal. we can review limited profiles. so, hurry up, enquire about the sop, get started with platinum package, get started with gold package, get started with silver package, get started with bronze package, custom package plans.

Here you should present yourself as well as the reason why you are writing the letter. Include your full name, home address, place and date of birth and passport number. After clearing up the reason for writing the letter, mention the date when you applied for the visa and why you wish to visit this particular country.

Use the structure provided in the sample below as a guide. Address the appeal letter to the competent authority. Paragraph 1: In the first paragraph, you should introduce yourself, your name, home address, date and place of birth, and passport number. Tell the reason why you are writing this letter.

78 Bhulabhai Desai Road. Mumbai 400026, INDIA. Sub: Re-applying for a tourist visa for my mother-in-law. Dear Sir/Madam, I, (name of sponsor), work as (designation) for (Company Name) with an annual income of $ (amount). I would like to invite my mother-in-law, (her name), to visit us for 2 months. The purpose of her visit is purely tourism.

An Appeal Letter for Schengen Visa Refusal is a formal written document submitted by a visa applicant to challenge the rejection of their visa application. This letter serves as a means for the applicant to contest the refusal on valid and well-founded grounds, demonstrating why the rejection decision is incorrect.

A visa refusal appeal letter should be formatted in a professional business letter format, including the applicant's name and contact information in the header, and the recipient's name and contact information in the salutation. It should also be written in clear and concise language, using proper grammar and punctuation.

There are many reasons why a visa applicant may receive a visa rejection letter. Insufficient reasons for the purpose of your visit; Not having proof of funds to support yourself during your trip. These include documents like bank statements and payslips. Not having travel insurance coverage; Providing inaccurate information; Invalid travel ...

If they reply with a positive response, you can continue to write your appeal letter. Step 3. Analyze and Address the Reasons for Your Visa Refusal. In your refusal letter, the Member State will state the reasons why your Schengen visa was refused, so it is important that you address the reasons in your appeal letter. Step 4.

Reapplying due to changes in your personal situation. How to reapply for a Schengen Visa after refusal. 1. Reapplying to Get a Second Schengen Visa. In rare cases, applicants who already got a Schengen Visa are looking to immediately reapply for the next trip. In that case, we are encouraging you to wait for at least one to two months before ...

Appeal payment fee information should be found on your visa rejection letter. The Schengen visa appeal processing time can vary depending on the nature of your application and the country you are applying through. In general, after receiving your appeal letter for visa rejection, a consulate will take under 60 days to come back with a response.

4. Ignoring the Importance of Cover Letter. Think of the cover letter as your travel story's prologue. It sets the tone for your application, explaining your intentions and connection with the destination. 5. Inaccurate Personal Information. Details matter. Any inconsistency in your personal information can lead to rejection.

Section 1: This is your introduction section of the letter. Specify your details along with the reason for writing this letter. Include all your personal details - full name, address, place and date of birth, and passport number. Next mention the reason for your visa refusal, the date of visa application, and your purpose of visit (along with a ...

Visa Refusal Appeal Letter Sample Format: A visa refusal can be a frustrating experience, particularly if you have planned and prepared for your trip.However, it is important to remember that you have the right to appeal the decision. Writing a Visa Refusal appeal letter can be an effective way to state your case and request a reconsideration of the visa refusal.

Include your name, current address, date, place of birth, and passport number. Also, mention the date when you applied for the visa and your purpose for visiting that country. Paragraph 2: Mention the date when you received the rejection letter or response from the embassy and the reasons for your visa rejection.

A cover letter is not a mandatory document for UK visa. But in my experience, it's the most helpful document. The goal of the cover letter is to convince the ECO that you are a genuine visitor. Your cover letter must be simple, short and clear. Break the cover letter into sections, paragraphs and bullet lists.

This list should also help if you are reapplying after your UK visa refusal. The top reasons for UK visa rejection are as below -. Long itinerary. Unclear itinerary. Lack of leave approval letter. Lack of salary deposits in your bank account. Large undocumented deposits in your bank account.

Preparation is the key to success. Before re-applying for a visa you have to make sure that you understand the explanations for the initial refusal and gather additional supporting documents to reply to the visa officer's concerns. In the re-application process, you need to ensure that all your new information is consistent with prior ...

Consulate General of theUnited States of AmericaChennai, India. Dear Visa Applicant: Unfortunately, we are not able to issue you a visa today. You do not qualify for a nonimmigrant visa under Section 214 (b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. This portion of the law states: "Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant ...

Apr 11, 2018. 121. 67. Jun 26, 2018. #1. I have been admitted to University of Waterloo for MMath CS for Fall 18. I had applied for study permit on 24th May 2018 from India and my application was rejected (reasons below). I have put together a letter of explanation for the refusal. If interested, please review the same and post your thoughts ...

Writing a visa cover letter after visa rejection is a challenging task. But with a positive and detailed approach you can address the reasons for rejection and write a compelling cover letter for visa application. Following the below mentioned steps will help you write an impeccable cover letter for visa application.

The cover letter should address this by highlighting strong ties to the home country, such as family, employment, or ongoing studies, which indicate the applicant's intent to return. Personalization. Personalization is key in a visa cover letter. Each visa type (tourist, student, work, etc.) has its own set of expectations and requirements:

An LOE is also referred to as a letter of Justification for a Visa Refusal or an Appeal Letter for a Study Permit in Canada. Please go through the article and carefully read the sample LOE. If in case you have any doubts, please write to us in the comments. 1. Understand the Refusal Reasons for Canada Study Permit Visa:

Do you know Visa rejection and Cover letter is highly related? I reviewed more than 50 Cover letters and Realised what mistakes you do . Now you can write y...

Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Summer vacations for me bring lots of opportunities to get involved in a number of things that I have been wanting to do. It always reminds me that holidays are more useful when you utilize them properly by doing something good.

Short and Long Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation in English

Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation for students of class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and class 12 in English in 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 500 words. Also find short How I Spent My Summer Vacation essay 10 lines.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Every year I eagerly wait for my summer vacation.

2) I spent a few days of my vacation at home with my family.

3) I woke up early in the morning and helped my mother with her daily stuff.

4) I spent my day painting, watching cartoons, playing video games, etc.

5) I also went to my grandmother’s home during this summer vacation.

6) I played a lot with my friends whom I met after many days.

7) I used to go to the market with my Grandma and bought many toys.

8) My grandfather took me for a walk every day.

9) I visited nearby places with my grandparents and enjoyed it a lot.

10) I came back home before my vacation ended and I miss my grandparents very much.

Essay 1 (250 Words) – I Spent My Summer Vacation in Learning Guitar

Introduction

Every year before the final exams get over, I like to plan for the things I would be doing during the summer vacation. Gone summer vacations, I made a couple of commitments to myself and I am more than happy that I stuck to them.

I Spent My Summer Vacation – Learning Guitar

I had always wanted to play guitar. The instrument has always caught my fancy and is something that I had always wanted to own. After the exams, I requested my father for buying me a guitar which he very pleasingly accepted. Next, I joined a music class; fortunately, there was a music teacher in the same locality I live. Every single day of my vacation, I walked to the music class to learn guitar. Not a single class I missed. I must confess that playing guitar professionally isn’t easy; nevertheless, I enjoyed it as it was a passion.

Preparing in Advance

Apart from playing guitar I also prepared for the coming academic session. I had already purchased the books in advance and studied for a couple of hours every day. Though there was no compulsion on when to study, I preferred anytime during the noon as it was mostly quite. I planned it in such a way that I get some time to play after the music class.

Summer vacations are a part of the school schedule. Vacations will come every year, what’s important is how you spend them. The more usefully you spend your vacations, the more happy and content you would be.

Essay 2 (400 Words) – I Spent My Summer Vacation Visiting My Native Village

All of us spend summer vacations doing what we love the most. Some like to simply play at home while others prefer stepping out from the confines of their homes. I belong to the second type. I spent my last summer vacation in my native village and am more than happy that I did.

I Spent My Summer Vacation – Visiting My Native Village

My native village is quite a distance from the city. It is a five-hour journey by train through village landscapes. My grandparents stay there and my grandfather takes care of the fields and produces. I was ever excited to visit my village for more than one reason. The air is clean and the whole environment is so much relaxed in the villages that makes you slip immediately into the comfort zone.

I spent most of the time, visiting fields with my grandfather and learning from him about crops and the seasons they are produced in. I also played a lot with my village friends. It was routine every night to listen to a story from my grandmother and sink to sleep.

Meeting Old Friends and Making New Ones

Whenever I am in the village, I spare no time to meet my old friends. After reaching the village, and meeting my grandparents, I immediately set out to gather old friends. They knew about my arrival through word and mouth and were expecting me anytime. It was so good to see them after so long time. The best part was they were also having summer holidays, which meant that we could play for as much long as we want.

It was real fun to play with old friends. As it was the holiday season, some of my friends’ cousins were also there which gave me an opportunity to make new friends. When we got tired of playing, we chatted about our life and school. This conversation that we made helped me a lot in understanding the problems faced by my village friends. I hope that someday I will be able to help them and be a true friend. I also met the parents of my friends and was overwhelmed by the love that I got.

Visiting my village to spend the summer vacation was the best decision that I made and I am glad that I took it. I not only spent my vacation happily but also made new memories. It was a wonderful experience and had me feeling content at last.

Essay 3 (600 Words) – I went on a School Trip with Classmates This Summer

I love summer vacations and have lots of plans for it every year. I am also quite sure that every student like me loves summer vacation as I do. I will share in the essay, how I spent my last summer vacation and how it has enriched me personally.

A School Trip with Classmates

Last summer vacation, I had gone on a school trip to a distant historical monument, around 700 Km from the city. We started early as we had an early morning train to catch. It was a complete seven days trip away from home.

I remember that it was six in the morning when the school bus came to pick me up. It seemed that the entire world was still in sleep, but inside the bus, a completely different environment was witnessed. Everyone was fully awake and happy as well as excited. Nothing could beat the feeling of exams getting over and the vacations started. The trip was an additional bonus of happiness for everyone.

All of my classmates were present on the bus as well as a couple of teachers, including my class teacher. The teachers were chatting among themselves and the children were singing, chatting and laughing. All in all, it was a sight to behold and also the happiest moment I have had in months. Soon we reached the railway station and boarded the train.

Learning and Fulfilling Experience

A little before dusk we reached the place. Our teachers have already booked the rooms in a comfortable hotel, so we headed for the hotel as soon as we deboarded the train. The next morning we were off to the sightseeing. It was a big palace built around the 19th century by a King. The design of the palace as viewed from outside was breathtaking. Every part of it was screaming about the craftsmanship that was involved in building such a beautiful piece of art.

On the inside, the architecture was even more beautiful. To this day I very clearly remember every detail of the glass ceiling, the paintings and the large doors and windows. It was in all respect a King’s palace. We hired a guide as soon as we landed there. The guide was very experienced and learned. He told us about every detail, regarding the place and patiently answered all our questions.

After going through the palace I was feeling very happy and contended. It was probably the same feeling that you get when you learn something new. As if I had solved a puzzle or scored well in a test. I guess it was because I learned so much about the history of that place and the people who built it.

Lots of Fun and Enjoyment

The trip was great fun as after the tour of the place we were overwhelmed with good memories. We also played in its exceptionally large garden of the hotel. I love outdoor games and it was a pleasure to play with my classmates on bright sunny days. We played kho-kho and other games. We even had a sprint race and other competitions each day. Though I didn’t score in any game, nevertheless, it was fun to be a part of it.

After the games or the tour every day we sat together for lunch. Everyone was sharing food with everyone and it was a really good experience. We also took care not to dirty the place and dispose of every leftover or garbage in the dustbins. All the seven days of the school trip we visited a new place and enhanced our joy and knowledge.

Though the summer vacation was longer, the school trip is by far the most remarkable thing that I did during that period. I love the summer holidays and I have also the satisfaction of saying that I had spent my holiday in a fruitful and contending way. I learned and played with my classmates and in the supervision of respected teachers.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Ans . Summer vacations provide the time for students to learn something other than studies.

Ans . The Summer vacations are the best time to visit our village as there is peace, beauty, natural scenes, and fresh air.

Ans . The schools in South Korea provide the shortest summer break of only 4 weeks to students.

Ans . Yes, because of lockdown we had to spend our entire summer vacation at home.

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Results for essay on 'how i spend my summer va... translation from English to French

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essay on 'how i spend my summer vacations'

essai sur 'comment je passe mes vacances d'été "

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essay on 'how i spend my christmas vacations'

essai sur 'comment je passe mes vacances de noël'

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essay on 'how i spend my days

essai sur 'comment je passe mes jours

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essay on 'how i spent my holiday

essai sur 'comment j'ai passé mes vacances

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essay on how i spent my weekend

essai sur la façon dont j'ai passé mon week-end

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essay on 'how i spent my last as holiday

essai sur «comment j'ai passé mes dernières vacances

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how i spend my holiday

comment je passe mes vacances

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essay on 'how i spent my last christmas holiday

essai sur «comment j'ai passé mes dernières vacances de noël

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essay on 'how i spent my christmas holidays this year

essai sur «comment j'ai passé mes vacances de noël

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essay on how i spent my last christmas holidays

essai sur comment j,ai passe mes dernieres vacancies de noel

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essay on how we celebrated christmas in my village

essai sur la façon dont nous avons fêté noël dans mon village

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essay on 'how i spent the holiday easter holidays in french

essai sur 'comment j’ai passé les vacances de pâques en français

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and he could have written quite an essay on "what i did over my summer vacation."

et il aurait pu écrire une sacrée dissertation sur « ce que j'ai fait pendant les vacances d'été. » .

Last Update: 2015-10-13 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous Warning: Contains invisible HTML formatting

my summer vacation

mes vacances d'été

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i spend my nights in the silk factories.

"je passes mes nuits dans les usines de soie.

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composition on how i spent my christmas holiday

composition sur la façon dont j’ai passé mes vacances de noël

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it's my money, so don't give me flak for how i spend it.

c'est mon argent, alors ne me fais pas de critiques sur ma manière de la dépenser.

Last Update: 2021-02-26 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

i spend my time with the family, playing with my baby.

je passe du temps avec ma famille, je joue avec mon bébé

Last Update: 2018-02-13 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

his essay on how to make russia better repelled me immediately.

son essai comment réaménager notre russie ? m'a immédiatement rebuté.

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life in a research lab as an astronomer, i have complete freedom in how i spend my time.

la vie dans un laboratoire de recherche comme astronome, j'ai toute liberté concernant la façon d'utiliser mon temps.

Last Update: 2015-05-14 Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference: Anonymous

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How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay

Every student's most eagerly anticipated period of the year is summer break. Summer breaks provide every student with an opportunity to unwind from their regular schedule and spend time with family and friends. Every year, students look forward to their summer breaks. Here are a few sample essays on ‘How I Spent My Summer Vacation’.

100 Words Essay On How I spent My Summer Vacation

The ideal time to have true fun is when on a summer vacation. My vacation this time gave me the right opportunity to try new things and learn new skills. I enrolled in a summer camp during my break. I took part in camp activities including karate, yoga, painting, singing, and dancing. On the fifteenth day of the training, my trainers organised a trip to the nearby park. We all had a terrific time despite the bad weather. I had my first experience with animals up close. I had a lot of memories from camp. I made some new friends and participated in all the activities.

200 Words Essay On How I spent My Summer Vacation

All of the kids who have struggled all academic year with tests and homework look forward to summer break. During this time, kids are unconstrained and free from parental or academic pressure to spend their days doing whatever they like. Most students choose to take a relaxing trip to a hill station, a hamlet, or another location with their parents or friends. However, vacations can also be enjoyed when they are spent at home.

My Summer Vacation

I made the choice this year to remain home for the summer instead of taking a trip. To use my free time productively, I enrolled in programmes where I studied canvas painting and concurrently began learning table tennis. In the afternoons, I aided my mother in the kitchen and my father with a few accounting-related jobs. I felt the most connected to and engaged with my family during this period. I then went out with pals for the remainder of the evening. Additionally, I watched a few movies and web series. These TV episodes and films not only entertained me, but also gave me some valuable life lessons.

I used my summer break to spend more time with my family and myself than I could have during the school year. I came to see how productive and fulfilling spending vacations at home truly was.

500 Words Essay on How I spent My Summer Vacation

Since there is no academic pressure or mental stress over the summer, it is thought that this is the perfect time for kids to learn more about themselves and their environment. Additionally, this provides them with much-needed relief from the sweltering heat. Summer vacations provide a terrific opportunity for kids to take a stress-relieving excursion and be outside, something they can't do with their busy schedules during the year.

My Visit to a Hill Station

This year, our family decided to take a summer vacation to a hill station. The visual splendour of several attractive locations in India is well-known, including Mussoorie, Ooty, Wilson Hills, Kufri, Nainital, Manali, Kerala, and Rishikesh. We debated which hill station to visit for a while before deciding on Shimla.

Our Trip to Shimla

My family and I drove to Shimla in our car and arrived early in the morning. We then proceeded right away to the hotel that we had reserved. Shimla has everything to entice travellers, from opulent hotels to gorgeous settings, and mall lanes to retail streets teeming with people from many cultures.

The tour was scheduled to last five days. We visited Mall Road and Jhaku Hills, two of the city's most popular tourist destinations, on the evening of our first day of travel. There are several events taking place there in the evening. Experiencing Shimla's nightlife was also incredible. We went to the Footloose Discotheque, which was packed with lively people and humming with wonderful music.

We rode the toy train the next day. This miniature train travels between Kalka and Shimla. Only 3 such trains operate in our country, and this one is one of them. Even though they move slowly, passing through them is fun. Skiing and bungee jumping were among the winter sports we engaged in that evening.

The next days were spent travelling to towns close to Shimla including Chail, Kufri, and Chitkul. Along with admiring their stunning natural beauty, these locations may be visited for some snowy adventure.

For foodies like myself, Shimla is also a nice treat. Shimla's cuisine is peculiar in that there is no middle ground, with little eateries serving just quick food, fine restaurants serving costly booze, and cafés serving a range of teas and cold beverages. Indulgent salami burgers were what we enjoyed on weekdays on our evening stroll.

We used to become exhausted in the evening after all these days full of activity, but the nightlife there or just gazing up at the stars made us feel really happy and re-energized. Curvy roads force one to see those beautiful hills from all directions, big trees that are standing erect, and that brisk air that exalts one's spirit and emotions.

After five days in Shimla, full of enjoyment, we returned to Delhi. This trip's memories are still fresh in my mind and I have taken many pictures to show to my friends. Shimla is unquestionably the queen of the hill towns. I’m definitely looking forward to the next time we visit.

Explore Career Options (By Industry)

• Construction
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• Information Technology

Bio Medical Engineer

The field of biomedical engineering opens up a universe of expert chances. An Individual in the biomedical engineering career path work in the field of engineering as well as medicine, in order to find out solutions to common problems of the two fields. The biomedical engineering job opportunities are to collaborate with doctors and researchers to develop medical systems, equipment, or devices that can solve clinical problems. Here we will be discussing jobs after biomedical engineering, how to get a job in biomedical engineering, biomedical engineering scope, and salary. 

Data Administrator

Database professionals use software to store and organise data such as financial information, and customer shipping records. Individuals who opt for a career as data administrators ensure that data is available for users and secured from unauthorised sales. DB administrators may work in various types of industries. It may involve computer systems design, service firms, insurance companies, banks and hospitals.

Ethical Hacker

A career as ethical hacker involves various challenges and provides lucrative opportunities in the digital era where every giant business and startup owns its cyberspace on the world wide web. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path try to find the vulnerabilities in the cyber system to get its authority. If he or she succeeds in it then he or she gets its illegal authority. Individuals in the ethical hacker career path then steal information or delete the file that could affect the business, functioning, or services of the organization.

Data Analyst

The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.

Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.

Geothermal Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Geotechnical engineer

The role of geotechnical engineer starts with reviewing the projects needed to define the required material properties. The work responsibilities are followed by a site investigation of rock, soil, fault distribution and bedrock properties on and below an area of interest. The investigation is aimed to improve the ground engineering design and determine their engineering properties that include how they will interact with, on or in a proposed construction. 

The role of geotechnical engineer in mining includes designing and determining the type of foundations, earthworks, and or pavement subgrades required for the intended man-made structures to be made. Geotechnical engineering jobs are involved in earthen and concrete dam construction projects, working under a range of normal and extreme loading conditions. 

Cartographer

How fascinating it is to represent the whole world on just a piece of paper or a sphere. With the help of maps, we are able to represent the real world on a much smaller scale. Individuals who opt for a career as a cartographer are those who make maps. But, cartography is not just limited to maps, it is about a mixture of art , science , and technology. As a cartographer, not only you will create maps but use various geodetic surveys and remote sensing systems to measure, analyse, and create different maps for political, cultural or educational purposes.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Product Manager

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Operations manager.

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Bank Probationary Officer (PO)

Investment director.

An investment director is a person who helps corporations and individuals manage their finances. They can help them develop a strategy to achieve their goals, including paying off debts and investing in the future. In addition, he or she can help individuals make informed decisions.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

An expert in plumbing is aware of building regulations and safety standards and works to make sure these standards are upheld. Testing pipes for leakage using air pressure and other gauges, and also the ability to construct new pipe systems by cutting, fitting, measuring and threading pipes are some of the other more involved aspects of plumbing. Individuals in the plumber career path are self-employed or work for a small business employing less than ten people, though some might find working for larger entities or the government more desirable.

Construction Manager

Individuals who opt for a career as construction managers have a senior-level management role offered in construction firms. Responsibilities in the construction management career path are assigning tasks to workers, inspecting their work, and coordinating with other professionals including architects, subcontractors, and building services engineers.

Urban Planner

Urban Planning careers revolve around the idea of developing a plan to use the land optimally, without affecting the environment. Urban planning jobs are offered to those candidates who are skilled in making the right use of land to distribute the growing population, to create various communities. 

Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Naval Architect

A Naval Architect is a professional who designs, produces and repairs safe and sea-worthy surfaces or underwater structures. A Naval Architect stays involved in creating and designing ships, ferries, submarines and yachts with implementation of various principles such as gravity, ideal hull form, buoyancy and stability. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Veterinary Doctor

Pathologist.

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Speech Therapist

Gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

Hospital Administrator

The hospital Administrator is in charge of organising and supervising the daily operations of medical services and facilities. This organising includes managing of organisation’s staff and its members in service, budgets, service reports, departmental reporting and taking reminders of patient care and services.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Videographer

Multimedia specialist.

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Linguistic meaning is related to language or Linguistics which is the study of languages. A career as a linguistic meaning, a profession that is based on the scientific study of language, and it's a very broad field with many specialities. Famous linguists work in academia, researching and teaching different areas of language, such as phonetics (sounds), syntax (word order) and semantics (meaning). 

Other researchers focus on specialities like computational linguistics, which seeks to better match human and computer language capacities, or applied linguistics, which is concerned with improving language education. Still, others work as language experts for the government, advertising companies, dictionary publishers and various other private enterprises. Some might work from home as freelance linguists. Philologist, phonologist, and dialectician are some of Linguist synonym. Linguists can study French , German , Italian . 

Public Relation Executive

Travel journalist.

The career of a travel journalist is full of passion, excitement and responsibility. Journalism as a career could be challenging at times, but if you're someone who has been genuinely enthusiastic about all this, then it is the best decision for you. Travel journalism jobs are all about insightful, artfully written, informative narratives designed to cover the travel industry. Travel Journalist is someone who explores, gathers and presents information as a news article.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

Merchandiser.

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Metallurgical Engineer

A metallurgical engineer is a professional who studies and produces materials that bring power to our world. He or she extracts metals from ores and rocks and transforms them into alloys, high-purity metals and other materials used in developing infrastructure, transportation and healthcare equipment. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

ITSM Manager

Information security manager.

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

Business Intelligence Developer

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How I Spent My Summer Vacation – Sample Essay

3 Tips on Pre-Writing an Essay “How I Spent My Summer Vacation”

• Spend the summer really amazingly to have what to share in an essay. It is quite evident to enjoy every moment of the summer. But if you tend only to enjoy it lying on a sofa or walking in the park, you risk to struggling with writing your essay. For example, you may be asked to write a 500-word essay, how do you think if it will be possible to meet a word count easily? It is supposed no. So plan your summer in advance. According to Undiscovered Sunsets created by the girl who has the curiosity for the world, each trip you plan is an investment. Besides, you’ll find there as well the answer to the question – “ How far in advance should I plan my vacation? ” There are 15 summer experiences you need to book right now no matter what season is now – fall, winter, or spring. Make your summer unbelievable and write a great essay about it.
• Record the summer in a diary and take as many photos as possible. Nobody says that you won’t be able to recollect the summer moments. But still, you may get lost in your memories and miss something interesting to share in your essay. You can recollect the trip to France but can forget the names of some beautiful streets you would like your friends will visit as well. Remember the more details you include, the more specific your essay will look. Moreover, it is so easy to record some important events in life today – on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Upload a picture and a brief description – what you feel at the moment, what do you see around, what it looks like, etc. This way, you’ll spend less time on recollecting “What did I do last summer?” At the same, don’t risk enjoying all the summer moments with a smartphone in hands. Sometimes, put it away for a while. Additionally, you can use 12 creative ideas to make your travel memories last forever .
• Practice essay writing every day of summer. It is no secret practice makes perfect. Regular writing in summer will make you perfect at essay writing. One of the ways to improve your writing skills has already been introduced you – posts about summer days on Instagram or Facebook. However, there are other 27 ways to improve your writing skills and escape content mediocrity . Try out them for your own benefit!

The Essay Written an Example to Write Your Own One

There is a person who followed all the above-mentioned pre-writing tips and spent the summer well to share the great moments with the others at the highest possible level. Look at the essay below and start working on your own one!

“Last summer was the most amazing one I have ever had in my life! And I’m not going to lie – I want the time back and go through all of this once again. First of all, I was on my summer vacation, which is already a great “plus” for you have neither classes nor duty to wake up in the morning every single day with pleasure. And secondly, it was warm and the weather was all about enjoying every minute of free summer! It was that we did every day. And what is the summer without trips? The trip to the City of Light was planned carefully and in all related details. I and my best friend took into account every single detail to have a never-to-be-forgotten traveling. We booked tickets, chose the hotel, bought a detailed map of the city with all the famous places to dive into the global capital of haute couture!

The day we were supposed to set off, we got to know the weather in Paris was rainy, which means we had to re-pack our stuff in order to have enough clothes that are suitable the weather conditions. I’m not a big fan of long-lasting flights, but this time everything ran smoothly and I quickly got used to the plane. In some hours, we were in France! We easily found the place, where we were supposed to spend our vacation – the hotel called “Hôtel Hélios Opéra”. A really comfy and home looking place located in the rue de la Victoire. The staff was really friendly with us and I finally had an opportunity to practice my French. It turned out that it was pretty good, I must say. Just a quick shower and with a fresh mind, we were ready to have a date with the city!

The first day we dedicated to La Tour Eiffel and the place called Les Champs-Élysées. The famous Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a well-known boulevard that is 1,9 km long and 70 m wide and is located in the 8tharrondissement of the city. The place is famous, first of all, for its cafés, theaters and the luxury shops. What is more, each year a military parade takes place exactly here. As for La Tour Eiffel, I guess, this place does not need any introduction! The symbol of France is sparkling with a bunch of lights as the night falls and the view is terrific! Here and there you can see couples in love, cuddling and watching the massive construction. It’s a really nice place to meet your friends or to have a romantic promenade with the one you love.

As the day was slowly flowing into the nights, we were pretty tired. Plus, we were ready to sell our souls for some food. There are thousands of cafés and restaurants in Paris! No matter what preferences you have – you will definitely find what suits you the most. We picked a small café near our hotel. As we got to know, the place was a family-owned one and belonged to a kind and friendly man Jacque and his family. The Mediterranean cuisine presented on the menu was just what the doctor ordered! We had two big dishes full of sweet and sour Sicilian rabbit stew and a glass of red wine. That was a perfect ending for a perfect first day in one of the most beautiful cities on the globe. As we were done with the dinner, we thanked Jacque and made our way to the Moulin Rouge…The great time was just ahead!”

No matter how you spend summer, it is possible to describe it so that your essay will look brilliant – good memory or creative imagination, solid writing skills and enough time to deal with an essay. If that all is in your arsenal, you are lucky. Don’t put off the task to write an essay on “How I Spent My Summer Vacation”. Alternatively, you can always rely on our writing service. Good luck!

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How To : Talk about what you did during your vacation in French

Talk about what you did during your vacation in French (especially if you are going to, or have gone to, France, n'est pas?)

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Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Essay on how I spent my summer vacations: Summer vacations are near and dear to almost everyone, especially children. It is the most awaited time for the students as well as small kids. In the precious time of summer breaks, we get to spend a lot of time with our family, friends and loved ones and we can focus on ourselves.

We can focus on ourselves by embracing our talent, skills and hobbies. Summer breaks induce new hobbies in people. Hobbies are an essential part of life as they stimulate growth and sometimes it turns into a passion.

Hobby can be a way of learning things and gaining knowledge about different things. Children prefer to play all day long and get tanned during their summer breaks. It is the most loved time period of the children. 

In this article we will discuss the topic of ‘how I spent my summer vacations’ in english in four sets of different essays of 150, 250, 350 and 500 words. The essays provided are in easy and simple language for the kids, students and children to understand and improve their writing skills. 

Table of Contents

How I Spent My Summer Vacations Essay 150 Words

Summer vacations are the best part of the summer season. There is a two month summer break in my school. I spend my summer break playing different kinds of sports with my neighborhood friends. I played cricket every evening with my best friend Daksh and other friends.

I play cards with my younger siblings. I learned painting in my summer break class. Painting has become my hobby since the summer vacation. I learn a lot of things everytime during my summer vacations. I am not the only one waiting for the vacations to come but my entire group of friends await this time of the summer.

Me and my family travel together during the summer break. To take a break from the hot weather, we usually plan a trip to northern India. Last year, I went to Srinagar with my parents. It was the best trip of my life. Moreover, I learned to speak English with good fluency and I also learned the game of scotch. It was a good time both for me and my family.

Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacations 250 Words

Summer Vacations are the best part of the year that everyone awaits. Even the adults wait for their summer off. It is the best time where one can learn about different things, enjoy and spend quality time with their family and friends.

I get a two-month summer holiday at my school. I get mad about these little vacations. I am not the only one in my class waiting for the vacations to come but everybody waits eagerly for the vacations to start. This summer I joined various activity clubs during my summer break. I got to learn so many things about the world. I took summer classes in singing and I also learned to play guitar.

I love music and everything related to it and I want a career in this field that’s why I utilized this time of the year. In the morning I used to play hide and seek and football with my friends. Summer break of school for almost all my friends usually starts around the same week as mine. So we get a lot of time to play and spend time together.

In the summer vacations, me and my family visit our grandparents every time. They get so happy to see us all and I love visiting my grandparents as they are full of love. I spent the summer break at my grandparents house eating lots of food and candies.

They never deny any of my demands. This summer, we went to Dehradun and the weather was so pleasant there. We love going out and we plan a trip every time I get a break from my school. 

How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay 350 Words

In the precious time of summer breaks, we get to spend a lot of time with our family, friends and loved ones and we can focus on ourselves by giving time to ourselves. Summer vacations are the best time of the entire year. I enjoy and live life to the fullest in the summer vacations.

The best part of the summer season is the summer vacation. Everyone gets to do whatever he/she wants to do in his/her free time. During the summer season, the days or the light hours become warm and extremely long and the nights or the dark hours are comparatively short.

This gives the children more time to spend in the playground with their friends or to stay outside and have fun. There is a two month summer vacation break in my school. The teachers give us the holiday homework in which different types of practices and activities are performed by the students.

This thing helps us to gain knowledge about different things and learn to independently do the work. I do my holiday homework sincerely and complete it on time. My father lives in Singapore and my mother and I visit him every time in the year during my summer break.

I love spending time with my family and my father lives in a big mansion. I love that house so much. My father has a Play Station there. I play video games from morning to evening with my father and we love to spend time with each other.

Every year I and my family travel to different countries together during the summer breaks. Last summer, when I went to Singapore, my family and I planned a trip to Dubai. It was the best trip and the best place I have ever been. I ate different types of cuisines there and rented a farmhouse.

There was a big pool and all I did was swim all summer. I got tanned after the summer break. But it was the best time of my life, I will always remember my summer vacations. I love my summer vacations so much that I even pray to god for a never-ending summer break. 

How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay 500 Words

Summer Vacations are the best time of the year. The summer break gives a person a time to relax and explore different things and learn from them. It gives a break from the daily routine of an individual like studying or working. It is a time for fun activities and adventure.

Wise people utilise this precious time in their development by learning about different things, working as an intern and people often research about different things that will be going to help them in their future.

People get to know themselves a lot during these breaks and adopt new hobbies like gardening, painting, photography, travelling and many more. And the people with hobbies usually keep themselves entertained by doing what they love the most.

My name is Ujwal Sharma and I am in 12th class. Unlike the other children, I did not get to enjoy my summer break freely because of my higher studies. But I really love summer breaks because they give me a time to relax.

I do not get exhausted easily because it is not compulsory to wake up early and go to school. I woke up late in the morning and had breakfast with my family. Then I started to study with a fresh and clear mind. I studied till the evening and then I went to play with my friends.

My neighbourhood friends and I played cricket all summer in the evening. We laughed a lot together and roasted each other. These little things enlightened me so much. I love the summer season. The main reason I love the summer season is that in this season the days get longer.

I get more time to spend outside with my friends and my parents also don’t scold me. For the whole month, I studied and took regular online classes of my main subjects. This thing not only helped me get good grades but also stayed ahead of my classmates in every aspect.

We should study regularly to get good marks in our class. I got a 2-month summer break from my school. For the first month I studied and in the next month I went out on a trip with my family. The thing I love the most about travelling is that a person gets to learn about many different things by seeing the world and it helps in gaining knowledge.

It helps an individual to explore themselves and become a part of nature and get free in the environment. This summer, I went to Kerala with my family. I never knew Kerala was this beautiful. I took photos of nature’s beauty. I ate south Indian food and it was so tasty.

We also went to Pondicherry, it is a small territory in India situated near Bangalore. This summer, I tried scuba diving and it was my best experience. I did what I feared the most and I loved that I was finally able to do something adventurous. This is how I spent my summer vacation with my family and cousins. I love this part of the year so much that I pray for it to come back again and again. 

Summer breaks are an important part of everyone’s life. People get to know themselves a lot during these breaks and adopt new hobbies like gardening, painting, photography, travelling and many more. This is important for the overall development of a person and it is necessary to make changes accordingly.

Most of the people love summer only because of the summer breaks. Summer Vacations are undoubtedly the most beautiful part of the year. I hope this article helps you in finding what you were looking for. 

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• How I Spend My Summer Vacation Essay for Kids

Introduction

One of the ways to reminisce about the vacations and improve skills for kids is to write a summer vacation essay on topics like “how I spent my summer vacation essay.” Writing short stories like “my summer vacation short story” is also a very fun and creative way to document the vacation.

The article below provides a sample essay on how I spent my summer vacation. We hope that this will help kids to be imaginative and draft their rendition of an essay on summer vacation.

A Long Essay  on “How I Spend My Summer Vacation”   

Summer vacation is one of my favorite times of the year as almost every year me and my family make plans for long vacations. Summer is an ideal time for us to go on stress-free trips and get closer to nature, something we are unable to do throughout the rest of the year due to our hectic schedules. 

We generally go to meet our grandparents or go on a trip with family and friends. This year, I went on a trip to the hill stations of Ooty along with my parents, grandparents and cousins. The most important thing about these vacations is the time spent with family during these vacations we make life-long memories.

We started the vacation by going to the native village of our grandparents, which is around 100 km away from the city in which we reside. My cousins and our extended family also joined us in our ancestral home. We then took a train to Ooty. 

The train ride was filled with laughter and songs, and I greatly enjoyed the ride. We got to see the beautiful landscapes of India on our way to the destination. We reached our Ooty in the evening. It is a small hill station with beautiful natural scenery and vegetation. 

I started the next day with an early morning walk with my grandparents and cousins. I then ate my breakfast after which the whole family traveled around the town. I learnt about the birds and trees of the hill stations. During nights I and my cousins would hear stories from my grandparents. I thoroughly enjoyed these stories. At the end of my trip, we went shopping to take some mementoes to my hometown. 

Despite the fact that my summer vacation was longer, the trip was by far the most memorable experience I had at that time. I am very grateful for the time I spent with my family. During the vacation, I not only learnt new things about the natural and cultural heritage of the place but also had a great time with my family. I like summer vacations and have the satisfaction of knowing that I have utilized my time productively.

How I Spend My Summer Vacation Paragraph for Kids

Summer vacations are the most fun time of the year as I get to enjoy my time with my family and friends. I start planning my summer vacations as soon as the final exams end. Our family usually goes together for a vacation during the holidays. We also visit our grandparents during the summer vacations. 

This summer vacation we traveled to the hill station of Ooty, along with our grandparents and cousins. I had a great time watching the scenery around the hill station and being in nature. We learnt about the different types of vegetation and the cultural heritage of the place. My grandparents helped me in learning the names of different trees. 

We went bird watching with the whole family. I learnt about the different birds that are found only in the Ooty. We would start the day with an early morning walk with my cousins and then we would play and travel through the city for the day. Towards the end of the trip, we also went shopping to take souvenirs of the place. I am very grateful for the love of my family, and I had the best time during this summer vacation. It was one of the most memorable vacations.

FAQs on How I Spend My Summer Vacation Essay for Kids

1. Why are summer vacations important for kids?

Summer vacations are times during which kids get to relax from the hectic daily schedule. Summer vacation provides a chance for kids to explore their interests and creativity. It is during this time kids tend to develop their hobbies. Also, summer vacations are the time when kids can get to spend relaxed time with their family which helps in their overall emotional development.

2. How does writing a summer vacation paragraph or short stories on summer vacation help in the development of kids?

Writing a short story or essay on summer vacation helps kids to document their experiences during the time. It also helps kids to boost their creativity. Apart from this, writing short stories and essays are creative ways to reminisce about memories. This also helps in their academic development. 

How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay for Children and Students

Table of Contents

Summer holidays are considered to be the best time for students to explore themselves and their surroundings more as they have no study pressure and mental stress. This also gives them the much-required respite from the scorching heat. How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Different students have different ways of spending their summer holidays. While some visit their grandparents, others join summer camps, yet others like to stay at home and catch up on their studies. Here are essays of varying lengths on How I Spent My Summer Vacation to help you with the topic of your exam. It is written in very easy and understandable language. It may be a better reference point for you, and you can also add your own experience to make your essay the best.

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Long and Short Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation in English

Below are short and long essays on how I spent my summer vacation essay in English.

The essays have been written in simple yet effective English so that you can easily memorize them and present them when needed.

After going through these how I spent my summer vacation essay, you will know what I did during vacation, what was our experience at our grandparent’s place during summer vacation, what I learned during vacation, etc.

The essays will be useful for your school and college assignments when you need to speak on something or give a speech on the subject.

Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation At Home – Essay 1 (200 words)

Introduction

Summertime is a treat for all the students struggling the whole year with exams and assignments. This is when they can spend their days doing whatever they want without restrictions and pressure from parents or teachers. Most students and their parents or friends prefer to go to some hill station or village or for other outings to relax. But holidays can also be fun when they are spent staying at home.

Things I Did Staying at Home

This summer, I decided to stay at my home during summer vacation instead of going anywhere for the trip. To spend my time fruitfully, I joined classes where I learned canvas painting, and along with it, I also started learning table tennis. I helped my mom in the kitchen afternoons and assisted my dad with some accounts-related tasks. This was the best time when I felt close to and involved with my family. Then, for the remaining time, I went out with friends. I also spent some time watching movies and web series. Besides entertainment, these shows and movies also taught me some life lessons.

So, this summer vacation was spent getting closer to myself and my family, which I couldn’t do during my academic year. I realized how fruitful and satisfying it could be to spend holidays at home.

Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation with My Grandparents – Essay 2 (300 words)

Summer vacation is the most awaited time in a student’s life. It is the time to relax and explore the world around us. This time I decided to spend my summer break with my grandparents. Here’s a brief account of my stay at my grandparents’ house during my summer vacation.

Our Experience at our Grandparents’ Place

My sister and I decided to spend summer vacation with my grandparents this year. They live in a small village near Kutch district, Gujarat. We were unsure about this trip because we had never visited any town before and knew nothing about their lifestyle. But as days passed, we adjusted to their way of living and enjoyed it.

Our stay was full of fun. My grandmother told us funny incidences about my dad as a little mischievous and a notorious kid. She told us how he used to play pranks on his school teachers and their neighbors. She also told us how my sister and I behaved when we were young. She told us we were as notorious as our dad.

One day my grandfather took us to the Great Ran of Kutch, located in the Thar Desert and one of the world’s largest salt deserts. We took a camel ride and stayed there till the sunset. After spending some quality time there, we went to the main market. My grandma told us about Kutch’s unique handicrafts and how many women make their living by selling different embroidered clothes. We bought an embroidered kurta for dad and a sari for mom. After this, we headed back home and helped grandma with dinner. The next day we went with our grandpa to a farm, and he taught us various farming techniques, which was fun. We indulged in different activities each day.

This was one of the best trips where we had loads of fun and learned about Kutch’s culture and heritage. I am looking forward to more trips like these.

Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation in My Village – Essay 3 (400 words)

For those living in metropolitan cities, summer holidays mean watching movies and television series, hanging out with friends, or surfing the internet. This consumes all of our time. But, this summer, spending time at my aunt’s place in Bhiwani village was an enthralling experience. It seemed like a different world to me.

Knowing Village Culture

The houses in the village are as big as palaces, but still, people are emotionally attached and aware of what is going on in each other’s life. Eating together, understanding situations and opinions of other people, and working together are some of the small things that add to beautiful village life .

Waking up early in the mornings is a practice that most villagers follow. It keeps them healthy and makes their day more productive. So, all the people in the house are required to be awake by 6 in the morning, which initially seemed like a curse to us. My uncle owns a kitchen utensils shop; he opens it at 7 in the morning daily. He left for work before 7 am each day. Most people were seen heading for their work around the same time.

I spent my mornings in the kitchen with all the ladies of the house, doing preparations for breakfast and lunch. I also helped them clean up the house after the kitchen tasks. In the afternoon, my brother and I took a round of the village and delivered lunch at my uncle’s shop. The rest of the afternoon was spent in slumber after having a heavy diet and loads of gossip.

The evening time in the village was the time for which I waited with a lot of excitement. One evening we went to the village well where women went to fetch drinking water. It was great to see them balance the pots full of water and walk back in a row. But the main treat was to see the confidence and happiness on their faces. The village also encompassed a big playground that used to be full of kids during the evening hours.

Our aunt and uncle also took us to the farm to show us the beautiful process of growing and nurturing fruits and vegetables. Looking at the farmers putting so much effort into their harvest and faces during the harvesting time was a great sight.

I also went to one of the panchayats going on in the village under a banyan tree, where issues of the village were being solved by the elders of the village with the consent of all other people of the village. This is where I witnessed a small example of democracy.

The simplicity of life in the village is where its beauty lies. My visit to the village always teaches me compassion and love towards our family.

Essay on How I Spent My Summer Vacation in Hill Station – Essay 4 (500 words)

The summer season is mainly known for the heat waves and holidays we students get. It’s a great time for students to go for a stress-relieving trip and to be closer to nature, for which they don’t get time during their hectic schedule throughout the year.

We Decided to Go to a Hill Station

Our family decided to go for a summer trip to a hill station this year. Many beautiful places in India are known for their scenic beauty, such as Mussoorie, Ooty, Wilson Hills, Kufri, Nainital, Manali, Kerala, and Rishikesh. After a long discussion about which hill station to go for, we finally settled for Shimla.

Our Trip to Shimla

We all went there via road in our car and reached there in the morning. Then, we directly went to the hotel that we had already booked. Shimla has everything to lure the tourists, from lavish hotels to picturesque locations and mall roads to shopping streets full of people from different cultures.

We had planned the trip for 5 days. So in the evening of our first day of the trip, we went to the mall road and Jhaku hills which are known as the main tourist spots in the city. In the evening, many different activities are going on there. It was amazing to witness the nightlife of Shimla. We visited the Footloose Discotheque, full of vibrant people and buzzed with great music.

Our next day included traveling on the toy train. This toy train here runs from Kalka to Shimla. There are only 3 such trains in our country, and one of them is here. It’s an amusing experience to travel through them irrespective of the fact that they are slow. The evening was spent doing snow adventures such as skiing and bungee jumping.

The next days were spent visiting places near Shimla, such as Chail, Kufri, and Chitkul. These places can be visited for some snow adventure besides enjoying their beautiful scenic beauty.

Shimla is also a good treat for foodies like me. A bizarre thing about Shimla’s food is – that tiny diners or cafes are offering just fast food, a variety of teas and cold drinks, or fancy eateries that have overpriced alcohol on the menus – there is no ground in between. We had salami burgers at Beekays, which were delicious.

During all these days filled with loads of activities to do, we used to get tired in the evening, but the nightlife there or just staring at the starry sky gave us an immense sense of joy and filled us with new energy. There is enchanting music from tall trees standing upright there, curvy roads that make one look at those beautiful hills from all angles, and that lively breeze that fills one’s soul and heart with ecstasy.

We came back to Delhi after spending five fun-filled days in Shimla. The memory of this trip is fresh in my head. Shimla is indeed the queen of hill stations. I would love to revisit the place.

Essay on How I Spent My Last Summer Vacation – Essay 5 (600 words)

Summer is the most awaited time in any student’s academic year. Despite the scorching sun and blazing heat, these months have always brought a peculiar type of calmness to my soul that oozes freedom from monotony and dullness. As it is time for vacation, it is the time to explore, wander, plan, and much more. Summer vacations are always fun, but my summer holidays were especially memorable. What made it special was that it was my first advent on foreign land or, I might say, “lands.”

My First Foreign Trip

The year 2017 was my last academic session in school. So, before going to college, a complete family gateway to exotic lands was the gift I got from my family. I could not have asked for more. Our travel plan was a perfect mixture of fairy Disneyworld and glamorous Hong Kong and then to the multi-ethnic country island of Malaysia.

On the very next day, when my summer vacation began, I found myself at terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji airport, Mumbai, looking for my flight boarding pass and posting stories about it on my social media accounts. My parents, siblings, and cousins surrounded me. There was excitement on everyone’s face. Being a full extended family vacation with all my cousins, aunts, and uncles, it seemed super fun from the time we set out in cabs to the airport. It was not my first time being amidst the clouds, but it was my first international flight giving a magnificent view of the night lights of the complete city, and looking at that, I knew that this trip was going to be a one-of-a-kind experience for me.

Landing in Hong Kong, I was taken aback by the mere sight of their airport. I think they lived to the “first impression is the last impression.” I was amazed beyond imagination, but somewhere, I knew this was just the beginning. The first day at this beautiful place mainly consisted of exploring the streets of this breathtaking city, which was rich in fashion, food, tech, and everything that screamed modern and at the same time archaic in their way of life.

The next place we visited was what all of us had dreamed of visiting for a long. It was the mesmerizing Disneyland. The first thing that caught my attention was not the people around dressed in Disney characters or the marvelous expanse of the space and rides and shops but the castle at the far end – The Disney Castle. It was just spectacular. The very charm and enchantment of it knocked me out of breath. The fireworks at night after a complete parade show make you wonder if you had crossed a line and entered the fantasy world. It had been much more than I imagined, even in my make-believe.

The next was a traveling day as we moved to our next destination Malaysia. The City gateway was the complete opposite of where we came from. This city did not have many skyscrapers, but the beautifully spread horizontal city was rich in culture and diversity. The exquisiteness of mosques, museums, and heritage sites perfectly blend with the city’s modern lifestyle and layout. The hilltop parts of the country, like Genting Highlands, could be called heaven on earth. The beaches here offer a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. I am glad we choose this as our last destination during this trip.

This has been one of the best holidays I have ever gone on. I saw so many beautiful places, had great experiences, and spent a lot of time with my loving family. My last summer vacation was indeed the best so far.

Long Essay on How I Spent my Summer Vacation – Essay 6 (800 Words)

Summer vacation is the most awaited time of the year by the students. With almost a year of classes, schedules, tests, and examinations behind them, they look forward to a joyous and relaxed month. Summer vacation could be spent in many ways, depending on your choices and preferences—some like playing and visiting places, while others prefer watching TV and their favorite movies.

I wouldn’t say I like watching TV, even when my parents don’t object. My heart craves the woods and the serenity of nature, away from the hustle-bustle of everyday existence. I have always wanted to visit forests and similar landscapes in the lap of nature.

Below I have narrated a journey to a few places I took during my last summer vacation. Though I returned and joined the school after that, the memories of the journey and the places are deeply engraved in my heart.

The journey started with a visit from my town to my ancestral village and then to a wildlife reserve, which I am sure you too will plan to go on this vacation, after going through my experiences.

At Village with my Grandparents

The journey began on the next day of my summer vacation. My father made these arrangements well in advance, supposedly when I was preparing for my exams. When I came back home after writing my last exam, my mother and sister were already packing for the journey. Though I knew we would visit our grandparent’s village and stay there for a couple of days, I had no idea about the further planned trip.

The journey to the village was smooth. We started well ahead of the train’s arrival time and reached the platform before its arrival time. It is three hours of a train journey from my city to the grandparent’s village, passing through lush green agricultural fields and glimpses of village life.

When we got off the train, I saw my grandfather waving and walking toward us, accompanied by my cousins. After exchanging initial greetings, we walked towards our house a couple of kilometers from the station. Though there is a road to reach the house, we took rather secluded trails, passing through the fields.

Something is mesmerizing about an Indian villages ; the cool breeze, the peace and calm, the smell and sound of cattle, and the distant sound of a pumping set from the fields entices you and makes you cherish every passing moment.

The food, milk, and even water taste much better in the village than in the city. We stayed in the village for four days, during which I met many of my relatives, elders, and friends from the village. I even went to our family’s agricultural field and learned a few tips for farming. Four days passed quickly, and the day soon arrived when we had to move on a further journey. However, it appeared that a few surprises were waiting for me.

Trip to the Dudhwa National Park

When the day arrived, I was in for two surprises firstly, that we were going to “Dudhwa National Park” and secondly that my grandparents were also going with us.

Dudhwa tiger reserve is a protected area spanning over 1280 sq km in Uttar Pradesh. It stretches across the districts of Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich, sharing the northeastern boundary with Nepal.

We boarded the train to Bareilly from Varanasi, an unforgettable overnight journey spent with family and like-minded wildlife enthusiasts, traveling to the same destination as us. From Bareilly, we took a connecting train to Dudhwa, which is approximately a distance of 12 kilometers.

We reached the park in the evening and stayed in a simple yet comfortable resort, having all the comforts and basic amenities. The staff was accommodating, and the food was simply delicious. The resort was securely surrounded by forest on all s, use and was well guarded. We fell to sleep listening to the voices of jungle fowls and animals from a distance.

The next morning we all woke up early and got ready for the jungle safari. The forest deforests deforest department organized the safari in anth a guard and an experienced guide onboard. As soon as we entered the forest, we started seeing birds and animals, which we had only seen in books and television. Birds like Bengal Florican and great slaty woodpecker were a delight to watch. Different species of lizards were also seen crawling to cover.

As we progressed deeper, many species of deer- swamp deer, barasingha, and chital came into view. We were also lucky enough to spot barking deer, which is very difficult due to its shy nature. We were lucky enough to spot a tiger lurking in the bushes on our third and last day. With this last sighting, our journey ended, and we headed back home on the same evening.

Summer vacation is the best time in any student’s life. A month or more of a fun time at your disposal is nothing less than a blessing. There are several ways to spend a summer vacation, although we must spend it in such a way that we learn new things and gain new experiences. Also, take care not to harm or disregard anyone during your enjoyment.

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• School Education /

Essay on Summer Vacation: Samples for Students

• Updated on  
• Jan 8, 2024

Summer vacation offers a cherished break from routine. It’s a time to unwind, explore, and create lasting memories. Whether relaxing on sandy shores or venturing into new cities, the freedom of summer allows for rejuvenation. Activities like swimming, hiking, or simply reading a book by the pool offer a sense of bliss. 

It’s a chance to bond with family and friends, sharing laughter and experiences. As the warm sunsets, the moments lived during this break become stories that enrich our lives and fuel our dreams until the next summer adventure arrives.

This Blog Includes:

Introduction, activities and destinations, quality time with family and friends, reflection on memories, returning to school, things to include in essay on summer vacation, essay on summer vacation in 100 words, essays on summer vacation: 200 words sample, essays on summer vacation: 400 words sample, a journey of self-introspection, in conclusion.

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Summer Vacation Essay for Students: How to Write 

When writing a summer vacation essay for students, it’s important to include a variety of points to provide a well-rounded perspective of the experiences and emotions associated with the break. 

Here are some key points to consider including in your essay:

• Introduce the concept of summer vacation and its significance for students.
• Set the tone for the essay by expressing the anticipation and excitement of the break.
• Describe the different activities you engaged in during your summer vacation.
• Discuss any trips you took, whether it was a family vacation, a road trip, or a visit to a new place.
• Mention specific destinations, such as beaches, mountains, cities, or cultural sites.
• Emphasize the importance of spending time with loved ones.
• Share anecdotes and experiences of bonding with family and friends during the vacation.
• Reflect on memorable experiences and moments that stood out during the vacation.
• Share stories or incidents that left a lasting impression on you.
• Transition to the end of the vacation and the feelings associated with going back to school.
• Express a mix of nostalgia and renewed energy for the upcoming academic year.
• Summarize the various aspects of your summer vacation and its impact on you.
• Conclude by highlighting the value of breaks like these in shaping holistic growth.
• During my summer vacation, I do a lot of new things and have fun.
• Doing artwork and playing with my friends are two of favourite things to do in summer vacation.
• During my summer vacations, I usually visit my grandparents and spend some days with them.
• Me and my sister help our grandfather to water plants. His hobby is gardening.
• At bedtime, I love to hear stories from my grandmother.
• One of the favourite thing of mine is the delicious food that my grandmother makes during summer vacation.
• During my summer vacation, I love to spend time with my family and watch movies with them.

Use descriptive language to make your experiences come to life for the reader. Additionally, aim for a balanced mix of personal reflection and broader insights into the significance of summer vacation for students.

Also Read – Essay on Waste Management

An incredible time to visit hilly destinations with family are holidays. They give an escape from the same monotonous life schedule. The summer season is an incredible time to have those stress free excursions and get in touch with nature which is nearly impossible in our daily schedules for the whole year. I visited my grandparents last year and stayed with them for two weeks. In contrast with the word summer, the cool thing about summer vacations is discovering new trails, creating new things, etc. During my stay with my grandparents, I also read novels and other books that helped me expand my knowledge of the world. For the remainder of the vacation days, I spent them playing games and cooking my favourite dishes.

Summer is a time to bask in the warmth of the sun, explore new horizons, and create lasting memories.

During this break, I embarked on a journey of relaxation and adventure. I had the opportunity to visit the serene beaches of a coastal town. The soothing sound of waves and the gentle caress of the sea breeze offered a perfect escape from the bustling city life. The sand between my toes and the sun kissing my skin provided a sense of tranquillity.

Holidays are an amazing time for us to visit hill stations with family. The summer season is a great time for us to take stress-free trips and get to trek in nature, which we aren’t able to do in our busy schedules for the entire year. Last year I visited my grandparents and stayed with them for 20 days. The best thing about the summer holidays is creating and discovering new things in the village. While enjoying my stay, I also learned some new things that expanded my knowledge. I spent the rest of the summer holidays playing board and video games and cooking under my mother’s supervision.

As the summer days slowly waned, a sense of nostalgia crept in. The memories and lessons from this summer vacation will continue to shape my journey as I return to the world of academics with renewed vigour and a heart full of gratitude.

Summer vacation, that much-awaited break from the mundane routines of school and study, is a time of rejuvenation, exploration, and personal growth. It offers the perfect opportunity to unwind, reflect, and create lasting memories.

During this past summer vacation, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. The journey began with a sense of anticipation and excitement, as I bid adieu to textbooks and classrooms. My destination was a coastal paradise, where golden sands met the azure sea. The tranquil rhythm of the waves provided a serene backdrop for relaxation, reflection, and renewal.

The break also provided ample time for cultural exploration. I wandered through quaint streets, explored historical sites, and engaged with locals to gain insights into their way of life. Trying local cuisine became a delightful adventure in itself, as I savoured flavours that were a symphony of tradition and innovation.

Amidst exploration, I found time to reconnect with my family. Shared laughter, deep conversations, and moments of camaraderie became the heart of the vacation. We hiked through lush trails, picnicked in meadows, and watched sunsets that painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. These experiences solidified the bonds that make family the cornerstone of our lives.

Beyond leisure, the vacation allowed for personal growth. I pursued hobbies I had set aside during the academic year, from painting to playing musical instruments. I also volunteered with a local community organization, an experience that not only gave me a sense of purpose but also introduced me to remarkable individuals and stories.

As the vacation drew to a close, a sense of nostalgia settled in. The days had flown by, leaving behind memories etched in the sands of time. The journey, both physical and introspective, had transformed me. I returned with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the world, the importance of relationships, and the significance of taking breaks to recharge.

A summer vacation is more than just a break from school; it’s a transformative experience that encompasses relaxation, exploration, and growth. It’s a canvas upon which we paint our memories, our passions, and our connections. As I stepped back into the world of academics, I carried with me the lessons and experiences of this summer, poised to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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Summer vacation denotes the period of leisure in the summer season. Due to the elevated environmental temperatures, particularly in late May and throughout June, educational institutions such as schools and colleges remain shuttered during this interval.

Summer is a period of prime significance for children. Children have the freedom to engage in activities of their choice. During the break, they have the opportunity to revel in the company of their parents, closest companions, neighbours, and more.

Opting to frequent hill stations annually can provide respite from the unbearable summer heat.

We hope that this blog essay on summer vacation has given you some known and unknown facts and secrets about summer vacation. For more amazing daily reads that will help you build your IQ and improve your reading and writing skills, study tuned with Leverage Edu . 

Aditi Gupta

A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

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