General Visitor Visa for friend

[pearsgb]

Hi, apologies if any of this has been covered before but my head is spinning trying to gather the info.

I want to invite my South American friend i met whilst travelling over to the UK for 6months. I am prepared to act as the sponsor, i have a 2 bedroom flat in which only i stay in and would issue a letter of invitation. Do i need to prove the fact that we actually know each other as well and its not contrived? If so, would itemised phone bills be enough as we only communicate by phone.

My question is finances and showing strong ties to her country.
My friend is 30, has a degree in Tourism and working for an airline and would be able to provide wage slips but wouldnt be able to show any savings. I am prepared to meet the flights and living costs when here but i was wondering how much i should show in my savings account to do so? i know there was a figure of £405 per couple per month after bills being banded around, is that still relevant?

I cant really provide wage slips myself as i am self employed and it varies so i am thinking if i show my savings account with frequent payments being made into it resulting in at least a four figure balance that would suffice and also submitting the invoices i have? I will also be working while my friend is across.

She has friends in Denmark also and knows she would need a schengen visa to visit them while here, would this be applied for in SA or UK?

The other question i have is regarding showing strong ties to her country. She has a brother and cousins etc and lives with her Mother and Aunt and sometimes cares for her Grandma. She would however be leaving her job and has also finished studies so what is the best way to prove intention to return, is family enough as well as return ticket?

I was also wondering if maybe she would fall into another visa category, maybe skilled worker as she can speak near perfect English, has her tour guiding card, completed her studies in Tourism, worked in the US on a visa in the past and holding down a job with a reputable airline?

Thanks in advance!

[peppekalle]

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... uirements/

You would need to show that you have as the minimum the amount the state gives as benefits ideally more.

If she wants to come as a skilled worker she must meet the requirements and i don't think from the brief information we have she will meet the requirements.

It is not a good idea that she is leaving her job.The job proves strong ties to her country.Has she got some property,business etc that indicates her strong ties to her country.

She could apply for the schengen visa in her country or she could apply for it here once she is given her visa.

[pearsgb]

Thanks very much for the reply.

I also think it is a bad idea to give up her job so i will speak to her about her getting granted a sabbatical although i am not so sure it would be granted and this may be the only way but its catch 22 as i see that could actually go against her!

I am pretty sure she doesnt own any property but her family owns land, would the deeds for this land do the job at showing ties and intentions to return? She mentioned she also has an option of getting a studio she had back if she repays money but i have no idea how the property and loan thing works over there so im not entirely clued up about this.

I will speak to her in more detail tonight regarding her degree, work experience and property/land but in the meantime thank you again.

[Mr Rusty]

Nearly everybody has family in their country of origin, that in itself is not much of a "reason to return". We're looking at a 30-year-old single female with no assets and no job, wanting to stay for 6 months - odds on a refusal, I would say.

You haven't stated her nationality, many South American nationalities do not require a visa to travel to the UK for a visit. But whether she has to apply for a visa or can just turn up at a UK airport, the same principles and comments apply.

[pearsgb]

Nearly everybody has family in their country of origin, that in itself is not much of a "reason to return". We're looking at a 30-year-old single female with no assets and no job, wanting to stay for 6 months - odds on a refusal, I would say.

You haven't stated her nationality, many South American nationalities do not require a visa to travel to the UK for a visit. But whether she has to apply for a visa or can just turn up at a UK airport, the same principles and comments apply.

Point taken Mr Rusty and that is why i want to gather as much info as possible before submitting an application that will point blank be refused.
Sorry i should have said she is Peruvian.

[vinny]

Hi, I was wondering if I could still sponsor my girlfriend from Peru to come over on a 6month visitor visa while being on benefits?

Unfortunately i was diagnosed with a mental illness and had to give up working and i am now in receipt of DLA middle care/lower mobility and ESA in the support group.

I am confident that after bills with the money i have coming in and some savings i can support us both for 6months but i dont know if it is allowed?

Thanks

[pearsgb]

Hi, I was wondering if I could still sponsor my girlfriend from Peru to come over on a 6month visitor visa while being on benefits?

Unfortunately i was diagnosed with a mental illness and had to give up working and i am now in receipt of DLA middle care/lower mobility and ESA in the support group.

I am confident that after bills with the money i have coming in and some savings i can support us both for 6months but i dont know if it is allowed?

Thanks

[vinny]

Mr Rusty's concerns are still applicable.