UK Visit Visa for Vietnamese National

Member since 17 April 2013

fishcake67New member02 March 2014 15:23:56

Hi.

I was looking for advice on trying to get my friend a visit visa for the UK and was wondering if anyone has experience or advice on this subject please? We are trying to get a 2 week holiday visa arranged for the UK for this summer.

Here is some info about my friend -
She has a passport for about 18 months, but has never had any foreign travel.
She has strong links to Viet Nam which should help prove she is not a flight risk.
All her family live in VN and has no other friends or family in the UK
She has a job with foreign venture capital company, which she will return to.
She has just completed a University course, and currently attending other college course for advanced Japanese, which she will return to.
My friend and I have known each other for over 3 years and I have been to Viet Nam 8 times.

Some questions I was looking for advice on please

Do we stand a better chance going through an agency to get the Visa? (or are they a rip off?, I hear using an agency is like giving someone your watch and paying them to tell you the time.)
If an agency is the best option, does anyone know of a good agent, and how much they will cost?
Does she need to provide enough evidence that she will return to VN after her visit to the UK? Such as details of her employment , cash in bank account etc?
If cash in the bank is required, then how much is needed?
Is there a greater chance of being given a Visa if she has travelled to other countries previously?
If previous foreign travel is required, will a short trip to Singapore and Thailand be enough?
As my friend will be visiting me in the UK, do I need to provide my details to help support the application? Evidence of our relationship etc
Do I need to write a letter to sponsor her? Provide details that I can financially support her while she is on holiday in the UK? (none of this is a problem as I am in full time employment in a senior position and have significant funds in my bank account)
Any other advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

FC

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Bob-666 Contributor

Member since 01 February 2011

Bob-666Contributor03 March 2014 17:54:38

127

The information you need is here https://www.gov.uk/general-visit-visa

Voyager_2002 Active member

Member since 25 March 2009

Voyager_2002Active member10 March 2014 20:42:56

An agency will not help you if you know what you are doing...

All that really matters is that she demonstrates a good reason why she will go home at the end of her holiday. For most people that means earning a good salary. She will have to show that she has enough money to afford a holiday, and it is very important that she provides evidence of where the money came from: bank statements and pay slips covering the last year or so, since the visa officers know that some people just borrow money to show when applying.