Visit visas to the UK can be harder to obtain for applicants from poorer (developing) countries due to several risk-based factors used by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to assess the likelihood that a visitor will comply with the visa conditions—especially the rule that they will leave the UK at the end of their visit.
Applicants from countries with higher rates of overstaying, asylum claims, or illegal working tend to face greater scrutiny. These are more common (statistically) among applicants from poorer countries due to:
- Lack of economic opportunity at home.
- Political instability or corruption.
- Weak social support systems.
This means that, even if an individual has genuine reasons to visit, they might be refused based on the general risk profile of their country.
This means a stronger application will be expected if you are applying from a developing country such as Pakistan and this usually entails more work.
Ultimately, if you have strong social and economical ties to your home-country with no major adverse immigration or criminal history - you have a good chance of success.
*Booking a FLEXIBLE (Cancellable) RETURN FLIGHT TICKET is good secondary evidence to support an intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit. But it will not be sufficient on its own.
If a visitor visa is refused, you can apply for Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) to Judicial Review, which gives Home Office (or other decision-making body) a chance to reconsider their decision without the need for court proceedings. It is free to apply.
However, in Khan v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1138, it was held that:
- a decision to refuse a visitor visa should not be overturned lightly by the tribunal unless it is irrational or procedurally unfair.
This highlights the high threshold for judicial review of visitor visa refusals.
Note that in Adjei (visit visas - Article 8) [2015] UKUT 0261 (IAC), the Tribunal confirmed that in exceptional cases, involving financial dependency (not just emotional ties), Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights is engaged (right to respect for private and family life) - despite it being a visit visa.
For example, financial dependency might arise between adult siblings where one lives in the UK and the other lives in a third world country: proof of relationship and financial dependency should be included inter alia to give force to your Article 8 ECHR element of your visit visa application. Sometimes, elderly parents in other countries are financially dependent on their adult children in the UK, so proof should be provided to give more weight to your visitor application under Article 8 ECHR.
For minors (applicants under 18), sibling relationships can engage Article 8 if they’ve been raised together.
Visiting the UK to mourn a close relative can engage Article 8 ECHR.