Right then, let’s get into how I sorted the UK family visit visa for my folks. Honestly, felt like climbing a mountain at first, all that paperwork nonsense. But took it step by step, and actually turned out alright in the end. Here’s exactly how I wrangled it.
Stage One: Getting My Head Around What We Actually Needed
First things first, I grabbed a cuppa and hit the official website. Man, that thing is wordy. Felt like reading a legal dictionary! Just wanted a simple list, you know? Anyway, I scribbled down the core stuff:
- Their passports – obviously, the main one.
- My stuff proving I live here (Council Tax bill, recent payslips).
- Proof they could afford the trip – their bank statements going back months.
- Some letter from me inviting them over, explaining the visit and promising I’d not let them beg on the streets.
- Planned travel dates – rough idea was fine, flights could come later.
Stage Two: Wrestling with the Online Form
This bit was tedious, no two ways about it. Created an account online – took forever because of the silly password rules. Then the actual application form popped up. Must have taken me like two hours! Questions about everywhere they’d travelled in the last ten years? Seriously? Dad can’t remember what he had for breakfast! We just put the major trips we remembered. Kept saving every few minutes in case the site decided to throw a wobbly.
Stage Three: Coughing Up the Cash and Booking Appointments
Finished the online marathon, then hit the payment page. Gulp. That visa fee stung a bit. Paid it online. Then it kicked me to book appointments. There’s two parts:
- Bio-metrics appointment – fingerprinting and photos. Found a slot next week.
- Doc submission appointment – handing over the paper mountain. Cost extra to do this nearby. Cheaper places were miles away! Grumbled, paid the convenience tax.
Stage Four: The Paper Chase Drama
Right, the fun part. Spent ages getting everything together.
- Copied every page of their passports.
- Pulled my Council Tax, payslips, and bank statement.
- Made copies of my UK residence card.
- Wrote that invitation letter – kept it simple: dates planned, they stay with me, I’ll cover expenses.
- They scanned their bank statements back home and emailed them over. Needed a few reminders!
Biggest headache? Their bank docs were in our language! Had to get the essential bits translated. Found someone local to do it quickly, cost a bit more but worth it to avoid delays.
Stage Five: Appointment Day(s)
Biometrics first: Quick in and out. People were surprisingly decent. Fingerprints done, mugshot taken. Bit nervous, but straightforward.
Doc Drop-off: Went to the posh centre I’d paid extra for. Lady behind the counter went through my folder, check, check, check. She needed an extra copy of my passport bio page I’d somehow missed. Ran downstairs like a madman to get it photocopied. Sweating buckets! But, she accepted everything else. Whew.
Stage Six: The Agonising Wait
Got an email saying the application was with UKVI. Cue weeks of obsessively checking the online tracking link. Felt like forever. Checked it morning, lunch, night. Seriously. Kept assuring the parents it was normal.
The Result!
After just over three weeks (felt longer!), got the email: “Passport ready for collection.” Heart was thumping. Rushed over to the collection spot. Flipped straight to the visa page in their passport. There it was! Properly chuffed. Whole thing cost a pretty penny with all the fees and extras, but got it done.
Quick Survival Tips
- Start EARLY – Seriously, weeks ahead. Stuff takes time.
- Read the website FAQs slowly – Painful, but avoids surprises.
- DO NOT leave the form – Do it one big sitting. Saved my bacon.
- Book appointments ASAP – Slots vanish quick.
- Translate crucial docs FIRST – Bank stuff is key.
- Check EVERYTHING twice – Copy count, passport numbers, dates.
- Pack some extra patience – For waiting, website glitches, the lot!
