Visa For A Brother's Wedding: Is It Possible?

If you are planning to attend your brother's wedding in a different country, you may need to apply for a visa. The type of visa you will need depends on the country where the wedding is taking place. For example, if the wedding is in the UK, you will need a Standard Visitor Visa, whereas if the wedding is in Canada, you will need a Visitor Visa. In the US, you will need a B-2 Visitor Visa, unless you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. It is important to note that the requirements and application processes may vary depending on the country, so be sure to check the official government websites for detailed and accurate information.

Standard Visitor Visa for the UK

To visit the UK as a Standard Visitor, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.

To be eligible for a Standard Visitor Visa, you must have a passport or travel document that is valid for your entire stay in the UK. You must also be able to demonstrate that:

• You will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• You can financially support yourself and any dependants during your trip (or someone else will support you).
• You can pay for your return or onward journey (or someone else will pay for your journey).
• You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits or make the UK your main home.

If you are a visa national, you need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa before travelling to the UK. You can apply for the visa up to three months before your date of travel. The visa costs £115 for up to 6 months.

When applying for a Standard Visitor Visa, you will need to provide certain documents, including:

• Formal documents showing that you have been accepted on a short course and have enough money to pay your tuition fees and living costs during your stay.
• Evidence that you have sufficient funds for your proposed visit (e.g. at least 3 months' bank statements and/or payslips).
• A supporting letter detailing what you are coming to study and the dates of that study.
• Evidence that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay, such as a flight booking.

Marriage Visitor Visa

If you are planning to get married in a different country, you may need to apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa. This type of visa is required if you want to get married or register a civil partnership in a country that is not your own, and you are not planning to settle there after your marriage.

In the UK, for example, you must apply for a Marriage Visitor Visa if you want to get married or enter into a civil partnership within 6 months of your arrival. The visa costs £115 and is valid for up to 6 months. You can apply for this visa online up to 3 months before you travel, and you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks. As part of the application process, you will need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to prove your identity and provide your documents. You will also have your fingerprints and photograph taken.

For the United States, there is no specific Marriage Visitor Visa. Instead, individuals planning to get married in the US would typically apply for a B-2 visitor visa, which is for tourism purposes. This visa is also suitable if you are attending a wedding in the US but are not the one getting married. The B-2 visa allows visitors to stay in the US for up to 6 months, and it costs $160. To apply for this visa, you will need to provide documents such as a passport, proof of financial support, and evidence of ties to your home country.

It's important to note that the visa requirements for marriage may vary depending on the country, so it's always best to check the official government website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Visa Waiver Program for the US

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries to visit the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. The program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department. In return, the US requires that those countries allow US citizens and nationals to visit their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes.

There are currently 42 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, including the UK, the Czech Republic, Korea, and Liechtenstein. To be eligible to travel under the VWP, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.

To travel to the US under the VWP, you must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to your trip. ESTA is a web-based system operated by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel to the US for tourism or business under the VWP. Your ESTA will usually be valid for two years, but you must obtain a new one if you get a new passport, change your name, gender, or country of citizenship, or if your answers to the 'yes' or 'no' questions on the ESTA application change.

You must also have a valid passport that meets certain requirements. It must be valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the US and must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page. Since April 1, 2016, all travelers must also have an e-passport with an embedded electronic chip containing biometric information about the passport owner.

B-2 Visitor Visa for the US

The B-2 Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals who want to enter the United States temporarily for tourism, pleasure, or visiting purposes. It is important to note that citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not usually require non-immigrant visas for tourism.

• Complete the Online Visa Application: Fill out the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) and print the confirmation page for your interview. You will also need to upload a photo that meets the Photograph Requirements during this step.
• Schedule an Interview: In most cases, an interview is required for the B-2 Visitor Visa. Schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. Wait times for interview appointments vary, so it is recommended to apply early.
• Pay the Visa Application Fee: Pay the non-refundable visa application fee before your interview, if required. The fee information is available on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will be applying.
• Gather Required Documentation: Prepare the necessary documents for your visa interview. This includes a valid passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, the application fee payment receipt, and a photo that meets the requirements. Additional documentation may be requested, such as evidence of the purpose of your trip, your intent to return to your home country, and your ability to pay for all trip costs.
• Attend the Visa Interview: During the interview, a consular officer will determine your eligibility for the B-2 Visitor Visa. They will assess whether you meet the legal requirements and may request additional information.
• Visa Processing and Passport Return: After the interview, the consular officer will inform you if further administrative processing is needed. If your visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee and make arrangements to receive your passport with the visa.

It is important to note that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have the authority to permit or deny admission when you arrive at a U.S. port of entry.

Family Visa for the UK

A UK Family Visa is required to join family members in the UK for longer than six months. The type of visa will depend on your circumstances. For instance, you can apply for a Child Dependent Visa, Adult Dependent Visa, or Skilled Worker Dependent Visa.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Family Visa, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Your family member/spouse is a British citizen.
• Your family member/spouse has ILR or settled status.
• You have an eligible relationship with an individual in the UK with refugee status or humanitarian protection.
• You live outside the UK and your family member who has citizenship, settled status, or refugee status is in the UK, or you are in the UK on a visa that allows you to switch to a family visa.

Other Requirements

You and your family member must also meet other requirements, which vary depending on the type of visa. These include:

• Financial requirements: The sponsoring family member, or the applicant with permission to work in the UK, must have a minimum income of £29,000 earned in the UK.
• Language requirements: You will need to pass an approved language test, have a qualification from an English-speaking course, or be from a national or majority English-speaking country.

Application Process

The application process for a Family Visa can be complex, and it is recommended to seek the advice of an immigration lawyer. They can help you assess your eligibility, gather supporting documents, and complete a high-quality application. The application can be completed on your behalf, and a Letter of Representation can be prepared to provide evidence of the merits of your application.

Costs

The cost of a Family Visa depends on who you are joining and how you apply. The application fee is £3,250 if you are applying from outside the UK and £1,258 if you are applying from inside the UK. There may also be additional costs, such as the healthcare surcharge.

Extensions

You can apply to extend your Family Visa at any time before your current permission to stay in the UK expires. If you are extending to stay with the same family member, you will only get up to 28 days left on your current stay added to your new visa.

Frequently asked questions