STANDARD VISITOR VISA GRANTED AFTER TWO REFUSALS
22.08.2025
Standard Visitor visas are often seen as straightforward, but in practice, many applicants are surprised to receive refusals. This is especially common when people decide to submit the application themselves, relying only on the minimum mandatory documents and brief answers.
One of our recent clients came to us after receiving two refusals for his wife’s Standard Visitor visa applications. The refusals were based mainly on financial grounds. The applicant did not have employment or personal savings, and the immigration officer was not satisfied she could support herself in the UK without accessing public funds.
When reviewing the case, our paralegal Daria Kotkova, under the supervision of an immigration advisor, Tetiana Deren, identified a different approach. Instead of focusing solely on the absence of employment or savings, we demonstrated an alternative source of regular income that is far less common in visitor visa applications: a monthly allowance. The applicant was receiving financial support both from her husband and from her father. We gathered comprehensive evidence of these allowances and presented them alongside a full picture of the family’s overall financial situation.
By reframing the case in this way, we addressed the immigration officer’s main concern. Previously, the officer had only seen the applicant through the narrow lens of unemployment, leaving unanswered questions about how she would fund her stay in the UK. In the new application, the financial position was clear and well-documented. As a result, the visa was granted.
Cases like this highlight that even so-called “simple” applications require careful preparation. At Sterling Law, we always look beyond the bare minimum. We assess the case as a whole, anticipate what an immigration officer will scrutinise, and identify anything that could be perceived as unclear or a red flag. We then work to present your circumstances in the clearest and strongest way possible, tailoring the application to your individual situation.
