-
Ensure your friend has a valid passport with at least 12
months left to run to be safe. Many people from poorer countries do not have a
passport valid for travel to the UK.
-
Do not apply until you have known each other for
at least six months. It seems to be a magic figure for the embassies
and is a 'hard and fast', though not admitted, rule. Try earlier
than that and you'll just help alleviate the embassy's payroll
problems.
-
Read the embassy's website carefully and download
the forms you need in duplicate or triplicate.
See the 'Useful Links' page.
-
Determine exactly what information they require
and create a list of the records you will need to support your
application.
-
Follow the Embassy's rules and advice to the
letter. They are sticklers for detail and seem to be quite
unforgiving of transgression.
-
The number one rule is: do not be tempted
to lie. They will almost certainly catch you out and refuse
your application, which means you will lose your fees and have to
wait another month to re-apply.
-
Enclose the correct fee otherwise your
application will almost certainly be returned.
-
Be punctual for the interview. If there's a peaceful
restaurant near the embassy, go there at least
an hour early; have a bite to eat and run through the details one
more time.
-
Get your 'stories' straight. This is not meant to
suggest 'lie', but communication between some peoples, especially Asians, and Brits (or
in any
other European language for that matter) is notoriously unreliable. Make
sure you are both absolutely certain of the answers you want to give
to the interviewing staff at the embassy.
NB: interviews can be in English or the applicant's mother tongue at the applicant's request,
but it is always best to speak at least a little English at the
interview to demonstrate proficiency.
-
Don't get your hopes up if you are asked to
re-attend on a Friday. Some embassies will not issue standard visas on
Fridays:
"Visas may be collected at 1500 hours Monday
to Thursday, the first working day following approval. Please
note that visas may not be collected on Fridays except in an
emergency".
British Embassy: Services: Visas
