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Heartbroken

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I got my passport back yesterday evening. My visiting visa to the UK for 5 days was denied.

The reasons mentioned in the letter don't sound very believable. I mean, I was accompanying my husband who holds a 5year visa to the UK and was visiting for just 5-6 days! I was heartbroken to read that letter. We had EVERYTHING planned out....itinerary of places to visit, gifts for all our friends, I had a day planned with Diane G and was also planning a YLF mini-meet up so I could meet Jane and anyone else in the UK who would like to meet in person, and we had even bought £. To say I was shell shocked all of yesterday would be an understatement. I spent most of today angry, cranky and stressed out.

I spoke to a few friends and got the sense that Brexit may be to blame. UK is denying all but business visas at the moment because things are tense. It was bad timing, perhaps....but I really needed that trip.

In any case, UK is not a possibility for me right now. Since my husband & I were really really looking forward to the getaway, we feel majorly let down. He will still be traveling to the UK for work on the 12th of July though.

We decided today we should anyways just go on a trip since we had put away money for it. Heaven knows we need it! He insists it be before he flies to the UK. So he's booked tickets to Krabi, Thailand and we'll be going next week. Totally spontaneous....I haven't bothered to look at Things To Do in Krabi yet but I'm surely looking forwar to it. There's nothing in the world I love more than the ocean. And the ocean it is......

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43 replies

Latest reply was from Jane

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(((HUGS)))

Oh, Manny. How utterly disappointing. Is there any way you can find out why your visa was denied? Don't they usually tell you?

Krabi sounds fabulous.

RobinF

Veteran

Well shoot, that is very disappointing! I'm not really familiar with how visas work, are they often denied for vacationers? Thailand sounds pretty nice though, very different than England. I hope you have a fabulous time anyway!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Angie & Robin. No, visas are not usually denied for tourists. That's why I never expected this.

The letter stated the embassy wasn't satisfied with my application. The reasons stated sounded just bizarre...like they wanted my husband's financial details attached to my application!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

On the bright side, I don't need any travel capsule planning. EVERYTHING I own will work for Krabi!!! I plan to take jersey dresses, knit minis with tees and shorts. That's it. Oh, and swimwear!

deb

Veteran

Oh no, so disappointing. The second choices sounds nice, though.

Mochi

Veteran

Oh dear! I'd seen the thread title and thought your dog had gotten sick or died! Anyway, that's still a disappointment. Before reading down your post, I'd immediately thought "Brexit" myself. But for a measly five-day visit?! Things really are turned upside down. As if this is going to help their economy!

Well, I'm glad you'll be going to Thailand. It's a great place to chill out.

catgirl

Veteran

Ridiculous and frustrating. I have a friend going to London and I'm worried about how that will go (she's a US citizen but a desi...). Enjoy Thailand and try to forget the stupid world for a while.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Deb & Mochi. Yes...Thailand should do me some good.

Una, should I be worried? My husband is still going to the UK because he has a visa.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Manny, just to be thorough. Are you SURE you gave the British Consulate everything they wanted, working though their checklist? Greg has had to apply for visas MANY times with his (then) South African passport - and they sometimes do want bank statements and obscure information you think they will never use.

Anonymous

Oh, Manny. You know how sad and disappointed I am too. I'd been so looking forward to your visit with me. It will happen sometime I guarantee it. I want to show you my little corner of Britain

I think you will enjoy your Thai break once you get there...even though you aren't as excited about it at the moment. It'll be good to have a rest and to re-group. The place you're going to looks so beautiful.

Diana

Veteran

Oh no!!!! How annoying. I'm so sorry.

But Thailand is a good consolation prize!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone.

Yes Angie. My application was 100% complete. In fact, my husband filled it out for me. As Admin head of his company in India, he is the one who helps all employees at his office fill up their visa application forms to UK & USA (does it several times a month, in fact) because the firm has multiple offices in UK and a lot of employees travel. He's very well aware of ALL possible visa formalities. The application was compiled and put in to order with each & every document in their checklist, and then some extras!

From bank documents to income tax returns to HIS visa & passport copy, he had attached everything to my application. Including details of his own flight tickets showing he is traveling for 2 days of business, I was merely accompanying, and we were clubbing with 3 extra days of leisure.

El Cee

Veteran

So sorry Manny -- how disappointing! [My first thought was Brexit when I saw the first 2 sentences of your post. ] Well -- heading to Thailand is certainly turning lemons into lemonade. Hope you have a lovely getaway… and perhaps you will get in a UK visit when things settle down over there.

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

Oh, I would be heartbroken, too. I am sure you will get there someday but that doesn't really help with the disappointment now. Thailand sounds like a pretty wonderful plan B, though!

Eliza

Veteran

So sorry for this big disappointment... How discouraging to not have your trip work out for reasons so beyond your control.

I'm hoping that Thailand will your chance to make lemonade out of lemons. Keep us posted.

Angela K

Veteran

Sorry that your initial plans got cancelled. What an awesome husband you have to throw together the trip to Thailand. It sounds amazing!

When I saw your comment about the loving the ocean I thought of the quote below--I found this to be very true for me!

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rachylou

Veteran

Oh foObash.

You're not alone tho. I have had a number of colleagues whose wives couldn't get visas. And also, my family is from one of those drug running countries...the criminals there make it hard for ordinary people. In fact, I had to get a block removed special just to make calls to there! Sorry state this world sometimes :p

JAileen

Veteran

I'm so sorry. I hope you have a good time in Thailand.

Style Fan

Veteran

I am so sorry Manny. I have heard good things about Thailand.

Robin

Oh, so frustrating! I've lots of thoughts about the arbitrariness of political borders, but...those can wait. Just sending hugs and gentle thoughts for the disappointment.

Yay for vacation, though! Enjoy yourselves.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Speaking from the US immigration lawyer perspective (I don't know the British consular decision process), I predict it's 80% arbitrary and 20% because you work from home and are young (thus have the likelihood in some consular officer's mind of throwing everything away and just staying in Britain past a visa expiration date.) Mind you, I know it's not true and I sympathize.

Speaking as myself, I'd rather go to Thailand anyway! One of the best countries I've ever visited for food, scenery, good people and weather.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Maneera, I am so very sorry. How incredibly disappointing and frustrating. HUGS!!!! This is so sad because I know you were longing to meet up with Diane and enjoy the change of British weather and the whole experience.

I seriously hope in a few months you will get another opportunity to go. Wishing you joy in the Thailand trip.

Brooklyn

Veteran

How disappointing! I am really sorry Manny. I know how much you were looking forward to the holiday and to meeting Diane. I hope Thailand is some consolation.

DonnaF

Veteran

So sorry; how disappointing. FWIW, I agree with UmmLila, but then again we're in the same occupation.

crazyone

Veteran

Sorry to hear it, Maneera. You were so looking forward to the trip and meeting DianeG, I'm sad you can't go One of my friends is Indian but is a student in the US and is in the UK right now to do an experiment in a lab in Cambridge. He was massively hassled upon entry to UK though he was let in at the end.

I hope you have a great time in Thailand, though!

Sal

Veteran

Very sorry to read that Manny. Big hugs to you.

Beth Ann

Veteran

So sorry, Manny! This decision seems so arbitrary and odd. There is so much confusion in Britain at the moment, but it is so unfortunate that you miss out on your planned trip, and all the merchants, hoteliers, restaurant owners, miss the income you, as a tourist, would bring into the the country.

Thailand sounds magical -- here's to the best vacation ever!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Thanks ladies.

UmmLila is 100% correct. The 2 biggest problems for my visa were:

1) I'm a freelancer; hence no monthly salary slips. Somehow USA & UK believe that if you're not a salaried employee, you'll not come back from their country. My letter said so on that many words...that they're not satisfied I'm a genuine 'visitor' and will not leave the country at the end of my visa.

2) I am child-less. Somehow, being married is not enough! Owning your own home is also not enough. Child-less women who are freelancers are a Red Flag. As if we will enter their country & find a new husband!!!! My friend at the consulate told me so in that many words.

It just sucks. But that's just how it is.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

AngelaK - I love that quote!!! I really do love the ocean...always have....and I woke up feeling GOOD today

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