Appeal Visa Decision

cailinoBAC

So I worked in Belarus about 14 years ago as a teacher and still have many friends there. I have been back many times in the years since, though unlikely to be back in the near future since I'm expecting now.
I've always told my closest friends there that they were welcome to visit and stay with me but always knew visas would be an issue. Anyway, one friend made an application to visit me next month and she just got the refusal.
Looking at the Inis site I can appeal on her behalf (once I have original letter authorising me). Are there any tips on what I need to say? Obviously to try and set out as clearly as possible that she is not planning on overstaying or crossing border to UK.
One thing I thought was probably unwise was that she hadn't bought flight tickets, she was waiting for the decision, which I understand, as flights are expensive, but also help 'prove' intention to return?

Dandelion6

They don't expect you to buy flight tickets before the visa is approved. I'm assuming you've looked at the reasons for refusal and they've stated that they think the person might overstay. They need to establish that they have a job, college, family or other responsibilities to return to. There's a list on the INIS site of the types of documents that are needed - they're very strict about these so no shortcuts.

Unfortunately a lot of times visit visas get refused on very silly grounds, even when you've provided all the documentation they asked for. Someone just gets a gut feeling that you're going to overstay and that's that.

fleet

Dandelion6 wrote: »

Unfortunately a lot of times visit visas get refused on very silly grounds, even when you've provided all the documentation they asked for. Someone just gets a gut feeling that you're going to overstay and that's that.

This.

There is an almost total lack of transparency in visa decisions here. You will not get a reason why beyond a cut and paste one liner.

Once refused then you're a "marked man" (or woman) and any further application will be even

more likely to be rejected.

Investigate ways around the Irish office. For instance some nationalites can get a UK Visa that allows travel to Ireland for the valid duration. My brother's wife had to do this...

Myself, I'm Irish, but will be emigrating just to avoid having the heartbreak of dealing with /Mod deletion/ Burgh Quay ever again.

Mod
Fleet - Pls be civil here

Shtanto

Pardon the late reply. Just wanted to say I'm in a similar situation myself at this time. I'll be submitting my appeal tomorrow. I think they thing to do is read through all the reasons they pasted out into their objection letter and hope for as much detail as you can get. The INIS are a remarkably obtuse organisation, less transparent than gravy and their one job (namely guard the gates) is a job they want to do well. If you can walk even half a mile in their paranoid shoes, writing up an appeal might be easier and more successful.

Go néirí linn

cailinoBAC

Best of luck! I really did my best with the appeal but it was refused. There were 4 reasons given on the initial application and they only dropped one. Was so disappointed for my friend and ashamed.