10-01-2006, 01:43 PM
I need some advice on this issue and would appreciate being pointed in the right direction so that I have my facts and figures straight.
I have been approached by a friend in South Africa whose mother is desperate to get into the UK. The mother is wanting to get an ancestral visa before the window of opportunity closes on this (as has been reported). However I have been informed that she needs to have documentation to take to the Embassy/Consulate in Pretoria stating that she has employment in the UK (company, position and income stated in letter).
I run a small company here in England and my friend has asked if it would be possible to put together a letter for her mother to present to the British authorities on behalf of the organisation I run that will facilitate her acquiring a visa for the UK.
I think it might be important to mention at this point, that I will not be employing this person, nor providing for her. She just needs something official to present to British immigration so that she can obtain a visa. She will look for employment on her own merits when/if she gets to England.
I have not given my agreement to this, however, I said that I would look into the matter and come back to her with an answer. There are a few questions that have been raised in my mind that I would like some help with.
1. Is guarantee of employment required for an ancestral visa?
2. What are the implications for me and my small organisation if a letter is presented to the British authorities?
3. Will the British authorities follow this up and want to see legal documentation that this person is employed and drawing income from my organisation?
4. Am I in fact sponsoring this person to come into the country? Do I need to show evidence of the fact that I will be responsible for this person's health insurance, housing situation, pension, etc, in the event that she cannot provide for herself and won't be a burden to the state?
I have been approached by a friend in South Africa whose mother is desperate to get into the UK. The mother is wanting to get an ancestral visa before the window of opportunity closes on this (as has been reported). However I have been informed that she needs to have documentation to take to the Embassy/Consulate in Pretoria stating that she has employment in the UK (company, position and income stated in letter).
I run a small company here in England and my friend has asked if it would be possible to put together a letter for her mother to present to the British authorities on behalf of the organisation I run that will facilitate her acquiring a visa for the UK.
I think it might be important to mention at this point, that I will not be employing this person, nor providing for her. She just needs something official to present to British immigration so that she can obtain a visa. She will look for employment on her own merits when/if she gets to England.
I have not given my agreement to this, however, I said that I would look into the matter and come back to her with an answer. There are a few questions that have been raised in my mind that I would like some help with.
1. Is guarantee of employment required for an ancestral visa?
2. What are the implications for me and my small organisation if a letter is presented to the British authorities?
3. Will the British authorities follow this up and want to see legal documentation that this person is employed and drawing income from my organisation?
4. Am I in fact sponsoring this person to come into the country? Do I need to show evidence of the fact that I will be responsible for this person's health insurance, housing situation, pension, etc, in the event that she cannot provide for herself and won't be a burden to the state?