Booking flights for and visa applications

Kido

My brother is coming back to the Uk to visit for a couple of weeks in the summer and he wants to bring his girlfriend with him. The problem is that she's Vietnamese and they won't grant her a visa unless she's got booked return air fares, however, there's no guarantee she'll be given a visa even if she can prove she's got seats on a flight.

Does anyone know of a way to temporarily book airfares or reserve seats without having to pay if she doesn't get her visa. If it's any help they'll be travelling with Qatar airways from Ho Chi Minh city to the UK.

Voyager2002

He needs to read the visa instructions with great attention. There is no need to buy air tickets before the visa is granted, for exactly the reason you highlight.

I suspect that he is trying to use a visa agent, and that the agent has mis-informed him. I suggest that he goes directly to the official website, reads the instructions there in detail, and ensures that he provides precisely the information and documentation that is requested.

Kido

Thank you Voyager2002, I'll pass your info on. I thought it was strange having to book tickets before you had your visa.

jammin_2

Voyager2002 wrote: »

He needs to read the visa instructions with great attention. There is no need to buy air tickets before the visa is granted, for exactly the reason you highlight.

Depends on the type of visa being applied for.

If it's a visit visa, the UKBA most definitely do want to see return tickets, among a lot of other documentation. Their primary concern is that a visitor will return home when they say they will and will not be tempted to stay on or work illegally.

If the visa being applied for is an unmarried partner's visa, fianc!e visa or other, then different rules and conditions apply.

Kido

It's for a standard single entry visa. She's planning on coming over for about 6 weeks with him then they will return to Vietnam together. I'm suspecting another problem might be that she is not working at them moment. She left her job and hasn't found another one yet. From what my brother has said I don't think she's really looking until after they get back as he's supporting her and apparently even if she does get another job, they won't keep it open while she comes over to England for that long.

jammin_2

A visit visa will almost certainly be refused.

jammin_2

Kido, how long have they been in a relationship and do they currently live together? Also, I assume your friend is a UK national. Does he hold any other form of EEA nationality?

Kido

My brother is a UK citizen only, but has leave to work in Vietnam. He and his girlfriend have been together about 5 months and started living together about 4 months ago. At this moment (as far as I am aware) they've no plans to marry or have kids. She's not looking to emigrate over here, he's teaching in Ho Chi Minh City for the rest of this year and next at least. He's coming back to the UK for about 6 weeks over the summer and he wants to bring her over for a visit to show her round England a bit. He's happy enough to sign anything saying he'll support her whilst she's over.

jammin_2

Ok, so no chance of benefiting from EC law then.

There may be a chance, based on what you've said, of an approval if all the required documentation is in order. More likely is it will be refused then approved on appeal (maybe).

Heliflyguy

jammin wrote: »

Depends on the type of visa being applied for.

If it's a visit visa, the UKBA most definitely do want to see return tickets, among a lot of other documentation. Their primary concern is that a visitor will return home when they say they will and will not be tempted to stay on or work illegally.

Where can this be confirmed, I have never heard of this requirement for a UK visit visa and a return ticket is not "reason to return".

http://ukinvietnam.fco.gov.uk/en/visiting-uk/visas/how-do-i-apply/application-process

There will be no right of appeal for this type of visitor visa.

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf19appeals#22323912

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/visitandtransit/vistortransitvisa2

OP I would try and track down a forum for Vietnamese people living in the UK and carefully read the visa requirements on the ukvisa website.

jammin_2

Heliflyguy wrote: »

Where can this be confirmed, I have never heard of this requirement for a UK visit visa and a return ticket is not "reason to return".

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/en/docs/1903073/supportingdocsvisituk

To the OP:

If your brother has enough funds on a credit card, an idea might be to buy fully refundable (try premium economy) air tickets, for the purpose of the visa application. Once the application is decided, the tickets can be refunded in full. KLM is usually good for this (no refund fees).

The ECO will check for strong ties to country of residence and for a strong reason for returning there. Naturally, your brother will step in at this point, providing clear evidence of the relationship and that he is working permanently in Vietnam and he will be the reason for her return to Vietnam after the UK visit.

In my experience, cases like these are refused then approved on appeal.