Visit visa to UK from USA

[kewlclassic]

I live in USA on H1B. I want to apply for visitor visa to UK.

I have a valid H1B petition 1797 (work permit) till 2012 but the H1B visa stamping on the passport got expired.

Can I still apply for visa? Is there anyone who applied visit visa to UK from USA?

please share your thought and experiences here and really appreciate.

Thanks

[tellbuk]

Visit visa to UK from USA

You should have the following documents when applying to visit the United Kingdom as a visitor:

- a letter from your employer granting leave of absence from your job for a specified period. The letter should also say how long you have been employed by that employer, in what job(s) and should indicate when you are expected back at work;

(The letter which I used was the first letter I got from my employer offering me a job which stated my start date and my salary)

- evidence of any property you own in your home country or in the US (lease agreement can be a supporting document)
I didn't send any such document but I would suggest sending a copy of lease agreement. This would support your application since you have an obligation to fulfill the agreement.

- If they have traveled to the UK before make sure that you make this obvious on the application. You say "we have traveled to the UK before and enjoyed the country and would like to visit again (the British like people who suck up to them or people who praise the country).


-If you have other separate saving account from India or in the US get a copy of the account and send it as further supporting documents along with your current account. British immigration officials wants to be convinced that you are not intending to stay in the country for any purpose other than visiting.

Be VERY VERY organized! It it always helpful to write a one page memo stating that you work in the US and you enjoy your work thoroughly and you would like your family to spend a two or three weeks vacation with their British relatives. You should also state that you are sending your family to shop for clothes and shoes (this way they like the fact that you are contributing to the British economy).

-Get an invitation letter from your sister which should include that your wife and kids will be staying with her for 2 or 3 weeks. If your sister visited the US whilst you guys have been living in the US make mention of this on the application form itself and in the memo. I would suggest you type the invitation letter and send it to her. In the letter, it should appear that your sister LOVES your wife and children dearly and would like them to have a great experience in England.

-It is very helpful to elevate your job or social status by stating what capacity you work in and your educational background (I told them that I studied a graduate and post graduate degree and sent pictures to prove it)...it's a way of boasting that you really dont want you or your family to stay in the UK because you are valued elsewhere. The British are very arrogant in this regard and like people who are very qualified academically because they are least like to overstay.

-Send a copy of your social security card and a copy of your wife's social security card as well. The purpose is to prove you are legitimately employed in the US and have legal status there.

-I assume you work in an office or a moderately organized environment. If not, see how organized secretaries and assistants are. This is exactly how organised your application and supporting documents should be. For example, attach all the applicant passports together with a click. Staple all pages of the same bank statements, staple all pages of the lease agreement and so on.

-Your memo should start similar to this:

"The purpose of this memo is to confirm, support and reference the documents enclosed in application for a multiple entry visa to the United Kingdom. Please find enclosed 2 (the number of passports) of applicants Joe Block and Mary Block (applicant's names). Please also find enclosed attached bank statement of the account we hold at Bank of _______. " Please note this can also be done in bullet points which is a better approach.

Send as many supporting documents as possible which would convince the caseworker that you are a qualified applicant who would not abuse your chances of visiting the UK. Once again be very organised!! If you are not very organised it could be interpreted as either an overwhelming application which doesn't warrant an approval or it could appear that you dont have clear case as to why you should be granted a visa.


Send an itinerary of travel that you can print from one of the websites. DO NOT PURCHASE AIR TICKET!!!!

Good luck with the applications and hope your family have a great trip.