► HELP ON ULU
► Search ulu.co.uk
► ULU poll
► ADVERTISE THROUGH US
Want to promote through the ULU Network?
ULU has various student marketing and student advertising tools that can promote your services direct to UK students.
Click here for our student marketing & advertising opportunities
Cheap Flights
► Family and friends visiting
Family and Friends Visiting You in the UK
This leaflet aims to help you prepare for a friend or family member to visit you whilst you are studying in the UK.
1. Application form
2. Sample invitation letter
3. UK visas information sheet
A. DO THEY NEED A VISA?
Anyone who is not a British citizen or European Economic Area national or person with a right of permanent residence in the UK will need permission to come to the UK for a visit. Many nationalities (visa nationals) will have to apply for a visa before they travel to the UK. This can be checked out on the www.ukvisas.gov.uk website. All other nationalities (non-visa nationals) will need to get permission when they arrive from an Immigration Officer. The rules for entry as a visitor are the same for both groups.
B. VISITOR RULES
Your friend or family member will have to show the British immigration authorities they satisfy the following criteria:
1. Genuine visit
The purpose of the visit can be simply to spend some time with you. Your friends or relatives do not need to show they will visit all the sights in London and Edinburgh to qualify as genuine visitors.
2. Duration of 6 months or less
This is the maximum time allowed for a visit. If your visitor wants to come for only two weeks they will still be given a six month entry stamp. It is not possible to extend beyond six months.
3. Intention to leave
This is probably one of the most important conditions. Your visitor must provide evidence they will return to their country of residence after the visit.
4. Financial support and accommodation
Your visitor will need to show they are able to cover their living expenses and accommodation together with the return journey. They must be able to do this without working.
5. No study at maintained school
Your visitor will not be able to attend a state-funded school. However, if they want to do a short English language course at a private language college or university this is allowed provided the course can be completed before the expiry of their permission in the UK.
C. PREPARING FOR ENTRY
Both visa and non-visa nationals will need to collect certain documentation to show they meet the requirements of the rules. In addition visa nationals must fill in a visa application form (see section D below on Applying for a Visa).
1. Invitation letter
It is very helpful for you to write a letter inviting your visitor. They will then be able to show this to the immigration authorities as proof that they are coming to the UK for a genuine visit. The letter can also clarify how they will cover their living costs and where they will stay during their visit. It is also an opportunity for you to confirm your immigration status. A sample invitation letter is included in the pack. If your visitor does not read English we suggest you translate a copy for them. This is important as they may be questioned about its contents.
2. Intention to leave
As mentioned above your visitor will need to show they will leave the UK at the end of the stay. Such proof could be:
Letter from employer
Letter from school
3. Financial support
In many cases visitors will be bringing some of their own money to the UK to cover living expenses. They will need to show some evidence of this e.g.:
Bank statements
Credit cards
Travellers cheques
If you are adding to this by for example paying for all their food you will also need to show your bank statements (6 months).
4. Accommodation
Your visitor will need to show they can stay with someone or are able to cover the costs of hotel, bed and breakfast or other such accommodation. Again you can clarify this in your invitation letter. If your visitor has made their own arrangements they will need to provide evidence of this eg. hotel booking.
D. APPLYING FOR A VISA
If your visitor requires a visa they will have to apply for permission to come to the UK before they travel. It is recommended they apply at least one month before the intended visit as there can sometimes be delays in issuing visas. Good preparation is the key to success. All applicants must complete a VAF1 form. Most visas will be issued on the same day without an interview. You can help your visitor to prepare for the application process by doing the following:-
1. Prepare a draft of the VAF1 form
2. Getting the form and supporting documents
3. Translating any documents if your visitor does not understand English.
Special point: The Entry Clearance Officer normally issues the visa shortly after application. The visa acts as both the permission before entering the UK and on-entry. This means if there is a delay in your visitor travelling to the UK they will have less than six months permission to remain in the UK. If your visitor knows they will not travel immediately it is advisable for them to explain this to the Entry Clearance Officer. He/She will then give the start date of the visa closer to the expected date of departure.
E. APPLYING FOR VISITOR STATUS ON ARRIVAL IN UK
If your visitor is not a visa national they will simply have to carry the documents mentioned in Section C and show these to an Immigration Officer on entry to the UK. If all the requirements are met your visitor will be given a stamp saying they have “Leave to enter the UK for six months. Employment and recourse to public funds prohibited.” There will be a rectangular date stamp which gives the date of entry to the UK. It is important your visitor leaves the UK on or before expiry of the six month period.
F). IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH INSURANCE
Your family member or friend must buy the appropriate health insurance before travelling to the UK as they will only be entitled to limited free healthcare in the event of an emergency or accident. Without insurance they may find themselves liable to pay thousands of pounds for treatment.
G). USEFUL CONTACTS
UK Visas
www.ukvisas.gov.uk
List of UK embassies abroad can be found at:
www.fco.gov.uk click on Shortcut Menu and go to Foreign Embassies in the UK.
| 1. The Money Handbook | 2. Fee Status | 3. Students from the EEA | 4. Visa and Entry Requirements for Dependents |
| 5. Working in the UK During your Studies | 6. Working in the UK After Your Studies | 7. Family and Friends Visiting you in the UK | 8. Your Family's Rights and Entitlements in the UK |
| 9. Marriage, Relationships and Your Immigration Status | 10. Driving in the UK | 11. Travelling to Europe | 12. Staying in the UK for a Short Holiday |