Is it more difficult to apply for a UK visa than Schengen?

I think your situation is relatively good. For the question of friends, you only need to prove your relationship and the need to visit friends. In fact, income comes second, as long as the information you provide is true. Besides, your personal situation is also good. Below is my guide for applying for a visiting friend visa, I hope it can help you.

I went from Xi'an to Beijing to submit documents on May 31, 2010. It happened to be my birthday. I don't know if it was my birthday luck. It was my first time to apply for a British Visiting Friend Visa. The success. Thank you very much to all colleagues in Taisha Forum UK Visa for their help, so that all preparations can be completed smoothly. I would also like to share my entire process experience with you here, hoping to help others.

My plan is to go to the UK for 3 weeks in mid-August. The purpose is to visit friends. I was invited by three friends. The first friend is a British friend who is getting married in early September; the second friend is a colleague from my old job who is also British and invited me to play; the third friend is my boyfriend’s parents who invited me to visit them during the summer vacation. . I originally planned to complete all the information in February and start applying three months in advance, but I changed jobs after the Chinese New Year, so I didn’t finish sorting out the information until the end of May. I submitted the information on May 31st, accepted it on June 1st, sent it via EMS on June 9th, and received my passport and other original documents on the 11th. I completely agree with the reason why the visa officer issued the visa as someone mentioned before. As long as your purpose is clear and you can provide relevant proof, they will definitely sign it for you.

First of all, let me summarize some of the questions I had before applying:

1. Fund deposit: When I started to apply, I still didn’t understand what the fund was and how much it would cost. How long will it last? Of course, the longer the period, the better, but you can also use the deposit when you get the visa. Some friends just save it until the scheduled departure time. I saved 50,000 yuan at the beginning of the year after reading what other friends were doing.

2. Translation: When I was at the application center, I saw many people taking all the materials directly to the application center for photocopying. Of course, if you are not afraid of spending money, you can do this. It saves trouble. I saw on the VFS website that the translation must be signed and dated. I sent an email to inquire, and the person in charge said that the visitor visa can be translated by myself without notarization or other certification. It is recommended that if you want to translate it yourself, you should translate everything. When I went there, they said that the hotel reservation did not have translation, so I spent another 300 yuan, which I could have saved! There are many translated versions on the website. Find an English major or someone with better English skills who can translate them, which can save you thousands of dollars.

3. Company agent: When I first started preparing, I also thought about finding an agent to help me. I was very busy at work and felt that I had no experience. If something went wrong, the price would be quite high. . Later, my mother said, since your English is so good, you can just read other people’s instructions on the Internet. We don't have to spend that money. This sentence strengthened my determination to deal with this matter myself. If you don’t speak English, the company can help you by telling you what you need. If you can’t provide it, they may be able to provide it for you, as well as a translation. In today's society, children are very good at English. Just find a college student at home to help.

4. Air tickets and hotels: I was very worried about these two things at the beginning. If I were really asked to book air tickets and hotels, it would be very costly if the visa was not approved. Hotels on the Booking.com website can be canceled, and there are no handling fees as long as you cancel in advance. Many travel agencies can help you with air ticket itineraries, and prices may vary from city to city. These two things are necessary documents and must be prepared.

Let’s talk about my information. During the preparation process, you will find that there are so many things in the end that you can’t even remember them. It’s best to use an insert folder or a bellows bag to give yourself a detailed catalog for easy reference. .

My information: 1. Original household registration book, translation and their copies (my parents have different household registrations, so I have 2 household registration books)

2. Original ID card , translations and their copies (mine and my parents')

3. Certificate from the employer (Chinese and English): Indicate my job position and salary, as well as the time when I ask for leave, and explain that I will return to China on time to participate. work and ensure that I comply with local laws and regulations.

4. The statement of my account for the past 6 months, using a highlighter to draw the salary income

5. The criminal record certificate issued in the place where my household registration is located, and the translation Copies and copies

6. Copies and translations of the unit’s business license

7. Copies of the front and back of bank cards and credit cards

8. Airplanes and hotel order and translation

9. Application form and 1 passport photo, original and copy of passport. (Please make sure there are at least a few blank pages in your passport)

10. About 15 photos of me and my friends

11. Detailed itinerary

Provided by parents Information:

1. Mother’s deposit certificate and passbook: time deposit, of course, the longer the better, the amount is moderate, otherwise people will suspect you of immigrating.

2. Work certificate and translation from parents’ employer

3. Guarantee letter and translation from parents: This shows that our parents, as applicants, are willing to provide necessary financial support And ensure that the applicant returns to the country on time and abides by various British laws.

Information provided by friends:

1. Copy of passport: The photo page of the British passport has a signature, so a copy of the last page is not needed

2. Invitation letter : Indicate the relationship, indicate the invitation time, make sure it is the same as the time of your itinerary, and provide accommodation, food and transportation, etc.

3. Unit work certificate: indicate what unit and position the person is in, and how long he has worked.

4. Any documents that can prove that the person has a stable income in the UK: My friend provided copies of bank cards, real estate certificates, utility bills, and personal business cards.

I took a train to Beijing with all my things on the evening of the 30th. The 31st was a Monday and the train was delayed. When we arrived at Oriental Ginza, there was a queue of about 12 people outside. I was anxious, thinking that this might not be scheduled until when, and I still dared to take the train back that day. The numbering at the door went pretty quickly. When I entered, there were 10 people in front of the first place waiting to hand in materials, but at the same time there were 10 people collecting materials, so I was quickly reached. When handing in the information, the beauty asked why you have prepared so many things! I said I would rather prepare more than do it again. She said then take out everything. I said I would give it to you one by one. I have sorted it all out. Then I took one and she looked at it, but it was stuck when I made the reservation at the hotel. She said no, the hotel has to have a translator. You go there and pay the fee, and then come back to me. I went to pay the fee depressedly. At first I thought I had to wait for them to translate it, but finally I asked and they said they would transfer it themselves. I came back to the second step - paying 715+50=765. The order is still to take the number first and then wait for the number to be called. The staff at the window have a good attitude and answer all questions. The third step is to take photos and fingerprints. By this time in line, there was no one at the third step of the door. I went in directly to solve the problem for one minute, and then someone said - OK! I'm quite surprised that it happened so quickly. It took me exactly 1 hour to complete the task from the time I entered to the end.

The center works from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. In fact, it is a good time to go there after 10 o'clock. There must be a lot of people when you first go to work. The above is the entire process. If anyone has any questions, please contact chrisjay@163.com