private visa to UK for Ukrainian

[Irene1972]

I want to visit my British boy-friend. Has anyone had an experience in opening private visa for Ukrainian to the UK last couple of years? It's not a problem to bring a standard set of documents but it doesn't guarantee they will open you a visa. I have been to GB years ago but am afraid my experience is out of date. Also, would be great to hear from British gentlemen who married Ukrainian girls.

[JG]

Hiya,

This is a tricky one - as you say, there is no guarantee that they won't refuse your application for a Visitor's Visa (and they put a nasty stamp in your passport).

A visitor is either a tourist (needs to have enough of their own money to live on whilst in UK) or family/friend of a UK resident. Your case would be the latter, in which case, your boyfriend would be your sponsor. This means that he would undertake to pay the costs of your stay - especially food and accomodation. He needs to show that he has suitable accomodation and that he has enough money (e.g. a job) and that he is not claiming welfare or other government funds.

This is not the end of it - the officials also need to be convinced that your are only coming for a visit (not intending to work) and that you will leave the UK at the end of your stay. They will look for "substantial ties" to your home country - job, family, etc. The difficulty here is that so many visitors have overstayed and gone to work illegally. Unfortunately, Ukranians are amongst those seen as more likely to do this, so the officials need more convincing. If you can demonstrate a steady income in the Ukraine and have visited the UK before (and returned), this will all work in your favour.

Loads of info at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk - forms and guidance brochures to download. Also look at "More about UK Visas" and "Diplomatic Service Procedures - Entry Clearance" - this shows the rules that the embassy officials use to make their decisions.

My friend (half English/half Irish) has been married to a girl from Odessa for 3.5 years. They, like myself, live in Germany.

I was very briefly married to a Ukranian-born girl who came from Latvia. She left and went back to her Mum - and then wanted to come back again. It was all very complicated and quite sad for everyone involved.

Ciao - and good luck!
JG

[Irene1972]

That I will leave te UK at the end of my stay? But what if our relationship is serious and we may get married (so I will not be coming back) and the actual reason I'm coming to GB is we want to live together in the same environment we're going to see if we get married and fianlly decide if it's right for us or not? Should we hide it?

[JG]

OK - In that case, the Fiancee Visa is for you. This is for when you are coming to the UK with the intention of getting married and living there permanently. This is almost the same as a Spouse (Wife/husband) Visa, the difference being that you do not have to be married first.

From the UK Visas website:

How do I qualify to join my fiancИ or fiancИe in the UK?
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You must show that:

you plan to marry within a reasonable time (usually six months)

you plan to live together permanently after you are married

you have met each other

there is somewhere for you and any dependants to live until you get married without help from public funds

you and any dependants can be supported without working or having recourse to public funds

You will be allowed to stay in the UK for 6 months with no permission to work. When you are married you may apply for a two-year extension as a spouse and, if the application is granted, you will be allowed to work. Near the end of this time you may apply to stay in the UK permanently.

What will I need to make my application?
----------------------------------------
You will need:
a completed Application form VAF2 - Settlement
Any dependants under 16 years old, included in your passport and travelling with you can be included on your form. Older dependants should complete separate forms your valid passport or travel document

two recent passport sized photographs (N.B. some visa sections may require three photographs - you can find out more by using the Do I Need a UK Visa? questionnaire)

the visa fee, which is non-refundable, and must normally be paid in the local currency of the country where you are applying

You will have to attend an interview. At the interview you should have the following documentation available:

your birth certificate

your marriage certificate (if you are married)

your sponsor▓s birth certificate

recent statements or letters from your sponsor▓s United Kingdom employer, bank, local authority or building society on support and accommodation that will be available for you in the United Kingdom

letters written by you and your sponsor which are relevant to your application

divorce or death certificate of you or your spouses previous husband or wife (if you were married before)
evidence that your sponsor is settled in the United Kingdom in the form of an attested copy of his or her passport or registration certificate

=================================================

The cost was 240 UKP (I haven't checked lately).
There is a right of appeal if they refuse your application - make sure you understand how to appeal before you get the decision.

The letters between you and your boyfriend, photos and anything else that demonstrates an established relationship are quite important. The other things that show there is a somewhere to live and that he has a job or money are also important. There would probably need to be some indication that you both intend to marry in the near future - maybe some discussion of this in your letters.

I hope this helps...
Ciao
JG

[JG]

Hi,

I just wanted to add...

The UK visa system is "all or nothing" when it comes to relationships. On one hand there is a Visitor's visa which is for short visits, on the other there are the Spouse and Fiance visas where a couple has already decided to get married.

It would be useful to have some intermediate option but I guess the authorities feel it would be abused by people coming to work illegally.

I (and my ex-wife) had exactly this experience. I visited her a couple of times, she visited me once (for a couple of months). We were pushed into an early decision about marriage (partly because she had a child) because the alternative was that we would not see each other often enough to maintain a relationship. She had been refused entry at immigration on an earlier visit (before we met).

Tough choices.....

Good luck!
JG

[Adriana]

Hi Irene

I'm not sure if this helps but you mentioned that you went to the UK years ago. I can't speak for UK immigration procedures but I know with Australian procedures you can be sponsored by a relative and obtain a 3 month visa, of course relevant proof is required and the usual 'red tape' along with it......alternatively, without knowing your circumstances, if you lived here during your childhood for a period of time you are entitled to return here as a permanent resident on a 'formative years visa'. I know of a couple of eastern European people that have come here that way. Maybe this criteria applies to you, from what JB says above the laws are similar with small variances. On the other hand if you don't, alot of patience is needed. Also Irene if you apply for the fiancee visa say for here in Au, they require a wedding date virtually straight away but you also have 9 months in which to get married which means you could leave it to the last minute and in that time get to know your prospective husband. If you don't get married within that 9 months visa you simply go home, perhaps JB can clarify if UK is the same. I hope this helps a little.

[Adriana]

oooppppssss it's JG.....sorry!