Visa refusals are not something that any applicant wants to experience, however, they can be common when mistakes are made in the application. We asked the Immigration advisor at Thomas Chase Immigration to let us know the most common mistakes that people make when applying for the visitor visa. Their answers may surprise you.
The visitor visa is often thought of as an ‘easy’ visa to apply for. As a result, some applicants make key mistakes during the application process which lead to refusal.
The most common mistakes that applicants make when applying for the visitor visa are:
- Providing incorrect documents.
- Providing insufficient financial evidence.
- Not being aware of the financial requirements.
- Not seeking credible immigration advice.
1. Not providing the correct documents for the visit visa
Not providing the correct documents is one of the top reasons why visitor visa applications are refused. Providing the Home Office with the correct documents is paramount to a successful application and approval.
To be granted a visitor visa for the UK, you need to prove that you are a genuine visitor. Showing that you are a genuine visitor encompasses three things:
You are genuine visitor coming to the UK to undertake a permitted activity.
That you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
You have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents for the length of your stay. You are able to pay for your return or onward journey and any other costs relating to your visit.
This is a faux application example
The ‘Other documents’ are an essential part of your Visit visa application. This is because it allows demonstrate that you are a genuine visitor to the Home Office.
What supporting documents you should include:
Proof of funds: Bank statements, savings accounts, current accounts or payslips that have been backdated for at least 6 months. This allows the Home Office to see a pattern of financial stability for potential visitors.
- Proof of invitation/Evidence of purpose: You need to prove that you are visiting the UK to do a permitted activity. If you are visiting as a tourist to see friends or family, you should have proof of invitation you are visiting to undertake a short course, you should have a letter of acceptance from an institution etc…
- Accommodation Proof: You need to provide the address of your accommodation. If you plan to stay in different locations such as hotels or different friend or family homes during your visit, tell the Home Office. Give them every address.
- Evidence of departure: You should either have evidence of that you have enough funds to book your flight home or have a departure flight booked.
- Proof of home residence: Proving that you have a stable address in your home country. This assures the Home Office that you have strong social and economic ties in your home country that incentivise you to leave the UK.
Additional documents may be necessary in some cases. For example, if you have visited the UK before, it is a good idea to include this in your supporting documents to strengthen your application.
2. Not providing sufficient financial evidence for your visit
Refusal example
Below is an example of a refusal based on failure to provide sufficient evidence of funds to the Home Office:
“After reviewing your personal bank statements for accounts ending … I note that the balance regularly drops to relatively low levels such as (£3.62) on 20/06/2023, (£11.10) on 20/08/2023 and(£51.20) on 23/10/2023 in account ending … and (£0.00) on 19/08/2023 in account ending … This pattern of activity would indicate that your monthly expenses are higher than you have stated. Therefore, I am not satisfied the documents you have submitted demonstrate your circumstances are as you have stated. This undermines the credibility of the information provided in your application and leads me to doubt the intentions of your visit. Prior to any applications, never move money about (App101), and if you do. Show the second account and have a cover letter to explain.“
As highlighted above, when the Home Office review your financial documents, they are primarily looking for evidence that:
You have enough money to support yourself throughout your visit to the UK.
That you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
The most important thing that you need to prove to the Home Office when applying for a visit visa is that you have strong social or economic ties to your country of origin/citizenship that would incentivise you to leave the UK at the end of your proposed visit.
3. Not being aware of/meeting the financial requirements of the visit visa
Not being aware of or failing to meet the financial requirements is one of the main reasons that applicants receive refusals.
Many of our clients have told our immigration advisor that prior to seeking advice at Thomas Chase, they were not completely aware of the financial requirements. Due to this, many received refusals.
There are an array of financial obligations that you need to meet when applying.
One of the most common reasons that people receive refusal letters for is written below:
“… I am not satisfied you have demonstrated strong social or economic ties to …(said country) that would incentivise your leaving the UK at the end of your proposed visit. This leads me to doubt your intentions in wishing to visit the UK on this occasion and I am therefore not satisfied that you are a genuine visitor who would leave the UK at the end of your visit.”
It is crucial to provide clear evidence to the Home Office that you have enough funds to support yourself and any dependents throughout the length of your stay in the UK.
Here are some examples/guidelines:
Example 1:
Miss Corolla is applying to visit family in London for 14 days. Miss Corolla needs to provide the Home Office with:
Her valid passport.
At least 6 months worth of payslips and/or bank statements to prove that she is able to support herself throughout her visit.
Proof of enough funds to book her flight home or proof of flight ticket home.
An invitation from the family member/s she intends to stay with.
Accommodation details of the family member/s she plans to stay with.
Her home address in her home country.
Proof of employment/financial stability in her home country.
Example 2:
Mr. Carbone is applying to visit the UK for 6 weeks for private medical treatment. He plans to bring 2 dependents, his partner and 8 year old child to accompany him. Mr Carbone should provide the Home Office with:
The valid passports of him, his partner and their child.
At least 6 months worth of payslips and/or bank statements to prove that he can support himself and his dependents throughout his visit.
A legal document showing the relationship between himself and his child, for example a birth certificate or adoption papers.
Proof that he has enough funds to cover the costs of the treatment.
A letter written by a doctor or consultant that includes the following 3 things. Details of the condition requiring consultation or treatment. Estimated cost and likely duration of any treatment. Details of where the consultation or treatment will take place.
His home address in her home country.
Proof of employment/financial stability in his home country.
Example 3:
Mrs. Akanji is planning to travel to the UK to study a 6 month mathematics course in Manchester. She is being sponsored to enter the UK. Her sponsor will provide her travel, maintenance and accommodation. Mrs. Akanji needs to provide the Home Office with:
Her valid passport.
An acceptance letter from her course provider confirming the details of the course.
Proof or sponsorship.
Evidence from the sponsor showing: What is being provided. How it is being provided. The person supporting you has enough funds to support themselves and any dependents. The relationship between you and your sponsor e.g.. employer. That the person supporting you is legally in the UK.
4. Not seeking credible immigration advice
The Visit visa has a relatively lower application fees, due to this, some applicants believe that it is ‘easy’. The visitor visa may appear to be more straightforward, but it still requires a great deal of precision. You must provide relevant additional documents and prove that you are a genuine visitor. If you do not, your application is likely to be refused by the Home Office. Seek immigration advice if you need help. Book a consultation with Thomas Chase Immigration for specific advice on how to submit a successful Visit visa application.
Written by Mya Alghali
Call to action
If you have questions or concerns or you would like straightforward immigration advice, or help with applying for a visitor visa, Thomas Chase Immigration can help. Our processes are tried and tested. We offer an individual touch when assisting you and presenting the matter to UKVI.
