About the client
In this case of dependant visa, the applicant hails from Ghana and is the stepdaughter of a Ghana national living in the UK under a skilled worker visa as a full-time employee. The client and her stepmother were residing together until she moved to the UK, but now the applicant also wanted to move to the UK to be with her stepmother and father.
She had been residing with her grandmother in her home country, but due to the old age and poor health of the grandmother, the applicant wasn’t taken care of properly. Besides that, she was financially and emotionally dependent on her parents, and staying away from them was causing harm to her as a child as she is a student.
Challenges in this dependant visa case
Navigating the UK immigration system can be complex, especially when family situations and age factors come into play.
In this case, the applicant’s age, being under 18, brought about its set of challenges. Minors in the UK’s immigration view aren’t seen as independent, implying they lean on a guardian or parent for support and decision-making. Consequently, this young dependant visa applicant had to provide a plethora of documents to confirm her identity and justify her reasons for wanting to travel to and live in the UK.
A significant complication arose from her family structure. She aimed to reside as a dependant of her stepmother. While stepfamilies are not unusual, the UK immigration process requires concrete evidence to confirm the authenticity of such relationships, ensuring they aren’t just arrangements to enter the country. The necessity for detailed proofs, such as written statements, was essential.
The presence of a living biological mother added another layer of complexity. The UK law ensures that in scenarios where a stepparent plays a role in the visa process, the biological parent’s views and rights are acknowledged and not infringed upon.
In support of the dependant visa applicant’s case, statements from her birth mother and grandmother were essential. These statements aimed to provide clarity on the family’s dynamics, assuring authorities of the genuineness of the applicant’s case.
In summary, this visa application wasn’t straightforward. It was a blend of legal intricacies, familial ties, and the need to ensure the system’s proper use. Detailed documentation and relationship proofs were extremely important in making this case strong and acceptable to the UK immigration authorities.
How did we solve it?
The success of the case depended on the strength of its documentation. To ensure the application was robust, we carefully compiled and organised documents that included every aspect of the applicant’s situation.
At the heart of our approach was understanding the curves of the case and addressing potential concerns that the immigration authorities might have. We realised the importance of showcasing the authenticity of the relationship between the applicant and her stepmother. An essential piece of evidence was a statement from the biological mother. This document confirmed the relationship between the stepmother and the applicant and indicated her consent and understanding of the situation.
Given that family dynamics can often be misunderstood or misinterpreted, we ensured there were multiple corroborative statements. Testimony from the grandmother was incorporated, highlighting her deteriorating health. This served a dual purpose: it explained the need for the applicant to be with her family and stated the genuine circumstances for the visa application.
Another critical step was proving the applicant’s dependency on her parents in the UK. Documents play a crucial role in painting a vivid picture. Hence, we included a letter from her school, showcasing her academic trajectory and highlighting the need for parental support. Additionally, hospital records were furnished to further confirm her dependency claim.
Lastly, it was essential for the authorities to hear from the applicant herself. A heartfelt statement was presented where she expressed her honest desire to move to the UK and start a new life with her father and stepmother.
Our approach was comprehensive, ensuring every document complemented the other, presenting a clear, genuine, and compelling narrative for the applicant’s visa request.
What was the result?
As a result, UKVI granted the dependant visa to the applicant successfully, stating that the reasons we presented to them were genuine and compelling. This convinced them to permit the applicant to join the Skilled Worker parent.
The case was one of the most complex ones; however, our talented team got the results with hard work and dedication. We were also glad to receive a letter of appreciation from the applicant’s father stating how much they appreciated our approach to the case and the results we got for them. At City Legal, we don’t just make promises; we deliver results, and this case is just one of the testaments to that commitment.
If you need us to be your legal consultants for immigration visa, contact our corporate immigration solicitors at 020 8175 4000 or drop an email at enquiries@citylegalsolicitors.co.uk
