next »

[k2323]

A friend of mine in the US has been accepted to a programme in Wales.  He was all set to go, and then recently found out his visa was not granted.  Although he's disappointed, he seems to think all will be well if he simply re-applies next year.  The school has agreed to defer the acceptance until then.

It seems to me this might be too simple, but I moved here for work (not as a student, as my friend will be) and the uni handled most of the paperwork and - most importantly - it was before the new changes.

Any advice for him?  Or is it really as simple as waiting a year and re-applying?

Thanks in advance,
K

[wegie]

Any idea as to the grounds on which he was turned down? Unless there's going to be a significant material change in his circumstances next year, there's every chance he'll be turned down again, particularly as his application will have "refused entry 2009" stamped all over it.

Without knowing the grounds, it's difficult to say much, but I'd be inclined to suggest to him that he might want to appeal against the decision, unless it's completely cut and dried.

[qrypt]

Start by assuming that the refusal was incorrect/unjustified.  This is almost certainly true, especially if the applicant does not actually know of a reason why it would have been denied. 

The home office is quickly becoming notorious for this, following the recent change in regulations.

[colette_capricious]

Have him check out UK-Yankee. They are the experts.  http://talk.uk-yankee.com/ I couldn't have gotten my visa without their help.

You'll have to know the reason for the refusal. Was it lack of funds? Incomplete paperwork? It makes a difference.

[k2323]

Thanks all.  I do remember using the UK-yankee forums as well, and they were incredibly helpful when I went through my visa issues, but I did not have that bookmarked on my new computer, so thanks again.

I've sent all of these thoughts to my friend.  His boyfriend and I just chatted online and I sent him a few more links.  At this point, it seems they want to wait the extra year to save up money for the move, which is fine since the uni in question has delayed my friend's start date to a year from now.  It could be that my friend didn't have enough money in his savings account to get the visa granted - he just finished a BS in the states.

Additional question - if they move here and my friend gets a degree in sports medicine, how much should he expect to make?  His boyfriend does graphic design, so he can make fairly good money, but would someone doing sports medicine and a partner doing graphic design be able to live in London (comfortably) when my friend is done with his degree?  My friend's BF would love to live in London.  Thoughts?

K