14 replies to this topic

[sangrams]

Hi,

I wish to apply for UK Visitor visa for my Parents living in India. I'm in UK since Aug 2012 on Tier 2 ICT (Short Term Migrant) visa expiring in Aug 2013.
Should I apply under General Visitor or Family Visitor (Earlier it would have been Family visa, but there have been some rule changes I hear). Could anyone please confirm?

[SteveG]

Hi,

Family visit visa would be better - there will be a right of appeal if the application is refused. Remember to include evidence of the family relationship (ie. your birth certificate showing your parents' names and an English translation).

[sangrams]

Thanks Steve.

On the site; the criteria for Family Visitor have below conditions

Additionally the family member you are visiting must :

• be a British citizen;
  
• be settled in the UK;
  
• have been granted asylum in the UK; or
  
• have Humanitarian Protection status.

I qualify for neither of them and that is what concerns me. Dont want it to be rejected for this reason.

[Gentleman of Leisure]

Yes, the rules quietly changed earlier this year so it was easily to overlook this.  Family visit is now only applicable to family members of settled residents.  Not that it really matters; you still have to meet all the requirements of a visitor and show you have strong ties to a homeland and motivation to return there.  Having settled family in the UK may (ironically) even serve to weaken your ties to your homeland in some situations.  The only real difference in the two types of visa is that you get an appeal right with a family-based application.

[Victoria]

It can only be a general visit with no right of appeal on refusal.

[sangrams]

Thanks all.
So just a final confirmation, I should apply under General Visitor category

[Victoria]

Yes.

[sangrams]

Thanks a lot...

[SteveG]

Of course! Note to self - read more slowly! Didn't click that you were Tier 2. Best of luck with the application

Edited by SteveG, 21 December 2012 - 03:48 PM.

[sangrams]

Thanks Steve