Hello folks!
If you live in UK and want to invite your parents for a visit, but it's their first time abroad and you're nervous how is it all going to happen, you're in the right place! A friend’s mother was rejected UK visa a couple of months ago and I
was terrified of my parents meeting the same fate. I was extra cautious and
compiled all the information needed to get a visa to UK successfully; I had
already booked non-refundable round tickets, so failing was not an option!
I filled both my parent’s application forms
(from 2 different email ids) here, https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/.
It’s quite a detailed form, take your time and fill every detail carefully,
esp. the financing section. No tips just use commonsense.
I wrote a very personal invitation letter,
mentioning what I do, my NI number, why do I want my parents to visit me, where
I live and my contact details just in case there is anything else needed. (Please
write to me if you want a sample for the invitation letter.)
Also I wrote a covering letter from my parents
side explaining why they want to visit me, what are their plans during their
stay and why am I sponsoring them. My parents don’t have easy access to mail
and computers, so I did all the computer work from here.
I didn’t send any original document from my
side; I took online bank statements and sent photos of my electricity bill,
work proof (company’s registration number in my case), visa and passport. They
took a printout of all the documents there.
Documents you need to send your parents.
1. Invitation letter
2. Passport copy
3. Visa copy
4. 6 months bank statement (if you’re
sponsoring)
5. Address proof - Electricity Bill, Utility
Bill or Council Tax Bill.
6. Work proof (yours)
Documents your parents need to gather
1. Covering letter (make it personal)
2. Application form (filled online and
printed), you can also fill it from here and mail it to your parents.
3. Passport - Original and Photocopy
4. Bank statements with bank seal - 6 months -
Original and Photocopy, even if you’re sponsoring their bank statement will make
the case stronger.
5. Work proof or Pension Passbook - Original
and Photocopy
6. Pay slips if not retired – Original and
Photocopy
7. House proof (papers of property - Original
and Photocopy
8. Proof to show ties back home; letter from
sibling in India or property papers should suffice.
9. Income tax papers (3 years) - Original and
Photocopy
10. Photos according to the UK visa
guidelines. Although my parents told me they didn’t need the photos as they
click in the visa office with their camera.
11. Return ticket copies, although according
to the guidelines it’s not necessary to book tickets in advance, I feel it
makes the case stronger.
Maybe I was a nervous wreck but my parents got
their visa in 10 working days! It’s going to be a beautiful summer!
Good luck!
Anu
Good luck!
Anu