British Visa for Tourists what a faff! (rant)
Discussion
How does this work then?...The missus isn't English and needs a visa to visit in November, now I have been all over the world and gotten Visa's no problem in all sorts of ways, but never have I come across a system so arse about face as the British system in Qatar!
I downloaded the required forms from the Internet and diligently filled them out with her, collated all of the documents required... there is about 15 pages worth of unneccessary crap like who your parents are and what assetts you have overseas asking you to make a full declaration (this is for a 1 week visit not a lifetime visit)...a bit of a ball ache but ok, we get on with it. We have nothing to hide so nothing to fear.
I then call the UK Embassey here to ask about the procedure for applying for a Visitor Visa, only to be told that they will not process any application unless it is sent through their official agent....So I call them, have a pleasant conversation with an Arabic woman who explains to me that (despite the clear "documents required" checklist being included on the back of the UK Embassey forms) proceeds to add all sorts of stupid documents to the list of things we need to bring, seriously, nothing short of a stool sample was required!...
So the missus gets down to the agency for her appointment and is promptly turned around and told to bugger off as no applications by hand are accepted anymore and only online applications shall be processed!..but wait, no fear, for 80QAR you can have a woman in the basement fill in the application online for you!...now I went on the website and searched thoroughly and there is nowhere to apply online for a visa (and in any event, how are you supposed to supply your passport, photo's, stool sample etc etc online!) I smell BS here and a lazy secretary! If I had been able to get off work to go with her I'd of had something to say about this but as it was a woman applying on her own who'se 1st language isn't English it is apparently ok to rip her off!
SO she pays the money, goes back upstairs, and hands over the documentation (and another 475QAR) and was told that they'll text her when/if something happens in about 8 days.
RAAAAWR IM SO ANGRY I COULD TEAR A PAPER TISSUE IN TWO!!!!
I downloaded the required forms from the Internet and diligently filled them out with her, collated all of the documents required... there is about 15 pages worth of unneccessary crap like who your parents are and what assetts you have overseas asking you to make a full declaration (this is for a 1 week visit not a lifetime visit)...a bit of a ball ache but ok, we get on with it. We have nothing to hide so nothing to fear.
I then call the UK Embassey here to ask about the procedure for applying for a Visitor Visa, only to be told that they will not process any application unless it is sent through their official agent....So I call them, have a pleasant conversation with an Arabic woman who explains to me that (despite the clear "documents required" checklist being included on the back of the UK Embassey forms) proceeds to add all sorts of stupid documents to the list of things we need to bring, seriously, nothing short of a stool sample was required!...
So the missus gets down to the agency for her appointment and is promptly turned around and told to bugger off as no applications by hand are accepted anymore and only online applications shall be processed!..but wait, no fear, for 80QAR you can have a woman in the basement fill in the application online for you!...now I went on the website and searched thoroughly and there is nowhere to apply online for a visa (and in any event, how are you supposed to supply your passport, photo's, stool sample etc etc online!) I smell BS here and a lazy secretary! If I had been able to get off work to go with her I'd of had something to say about this but as it was a woman applying on her own who'se 1st language isn't English it is apparently ok to rip her off!
SO she pays the money, goes back upstairs, and hands over the documentation (and another 475QAR) and was told that they'll text her when/if something happens in about 8 days.
RAAAAWR IM SO ANGRY I COULD TEAR A PAPER TISSUE IN TWO!!!!
My company's PRO is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard and in any case, no he wouldn't assist us unless we paid him personally. Given the number of exit visas he has cocked up recently I would say there is no way I would entrust him with this task as he would probably find a way to have her extradited to the UK for trial as a war criminal or something,lol
I'm not in the ME but in Russia. My OH is Kazakh and we've been through the whole UK visa circus a few times now. The system is the same at all British embassies so if you want any help or advice I'll happily lend you a hand.
Due to me living and working abroad she is still on a visit visa, even though we're married. The UK has one of the most contrived visa application/visa systems I've come across.
Due to me living and working abroad she is still on a visit visa, even though we're married. The UK has one of the most contrived visa application/visa systems I've come across.
ks and blatent extortion you have to go through.No worries Mark, if you have any questions or run into issues just drop me a PM.
The costs involved if you are in it for the long haul are ridiculous though, she's cost me thousands so far and she still isn't allowed a UK residence visa!
Good luck with it though, it's great taking them to the UK for the first time.
The costs involved if you are in it for the long haul are ridiculous though, she's cost me thousands so far and she still isn't allowed a UK residence visa!
Good luck with it though, it's great taking them to the UK for the first time.
haha, she has cost me thousands before she even left the country anyway in birthdays and dates etc! (all at my porogative mind you, she never asks for anything) 
I am tres excited to show her around (she has never seen a real forest even), and then we're off to Barbados for 2 weeks after the UK for my bro's wedding, all inclusive etc etc.
I am tres excited to show her around (she has never seen a real forest even), and then we're off to Barbados for 2 weeks after the UK for my bro's wedding, all inclusive etc etc.
Mine had never seen the sea before so I took her to the beach, she loved it! Then there was the cinema and 'Pick 'n Mix' which she'd never come across before.
Don't mention exotic holidays to mine, she is desperate to go on a lazy beach holiday, so as a treat I took her to Le Mans this year. On the back of the bike, with some mates.
Don't mention exotic holidays to mine, she is desperate to go on a lazy beach holiday, so as a treat I took her to Le Mans this year. On the back of the bike, with some mates.
Chilli said:
Na, twins is fine, triplets would just be a waste on me!
How's the biking going mate? Are you still threatening to pop over once you leave Russia?
I struggle with one to be honest!How's the biking going mate? Are you still threatening to pop over once you leave Russia?
The bikes are all tucked up at the moment, I can't wait to get them out when I go home.
I'll definitely come and visit, I could do with some warm weather and nice cold beer!
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