THE BRITISH High Commission, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, says Jamaicans planning to travel to the United Kingdom and who intend to apply for the required visas must ensure that they have:
- A valid passport with at least six months validity remaining, and enough
space to insert a visa;
- A fully-completed and signed application form showing a contact name and
address in the UK;
- Two recent passport-size colour photographs;
- The correct fee;
All supporting documents. It may cause some delay, or affect the outcome of the application, if the applicant does not include all relevant documents.
The documentation should include up-to-date bank statements, invitations, business letters from reputable companies explaining the reasons for the visit, and its duration and who is funding the trip. It is helpful also to provide documents confirming the sponsor's immigration status in the UK, for example, whether the sponsor is British, or has permanent residency, or is in the UK on a temporary basis.
The High Commission says it would help the staff to make a decision if applicants provide a letter of invitation from their sponsors in the UK explaining who is paying for the visit and evidence of funds - for example bank statements for a six-month period, financial deposits, pensions.
If you are applying for a settlement visa, then you should also provide evidence demonstrating your relationship, for example correspondence between you and your sponsor; copies of wedding photos; your marriage certificate.
Also, it would be helpful if we could see evidence of your sponsor's employment, for example, their P60, or evidence of any state benefits they receive. You will also need to show that there will be somewhere for you to live in the UK and that there is money available to support you. A good way of doing this is to provide a housing report from the local authority, and confirmation from the landlord or mortgage company that is acceptable for you to live at the property.
It is always helpful if you include evidence of your personal circumstances in Jamaica, such as evidence of your employment, land documents and bank statements.
