Mexican girlfriend visiting me in the UK for 6 months, will she have problems?

Upvote:1

In addition to Redd Herring’s answer I suggest that, if you decide to continue with a 6 month-long visit, as well as the documents you mention your girlfriend has her bank statements with her, and that you provide her with a full letter of invitation (see eg What should a sponsor tell the ECO?) plus a copy of your passport and your bank statements to prove your existence and that you can afford to support her. There is no published minimum funds requirement, but your invitation should state eg an estimate of the costs of the trip, that you’ll cover it all from income/savings, and that you’ll give her a weekly/monthly allowance for personal expenses whilst she’s here (if that’s your intention).

This may seem like overkill but if she’s arriving with little funds of her own, she may need to prove there and then that you can afford the visit. In effect, she should have all the documents that she’d need were she to apply for a visa with you as the 3rd party providing maintenance and accommodation.

It goes without saying that you must be at the airport to meet her and be available for any contact from Immigration during her landing interview. Also that she must be very careful in her conversations with Immigration, and to ensure she has nothing at all with her that might be interpreted as indicating intention to work during her visit.

Upvote:6

I'd say you're on shaky ground here.

UK immigration are looking for the ability to support oneself in one's own right. Your girlfriend's lack of funds will be a problem.

They're also looking for ties to the home country. You've already identified this. Anyone who can leave their daily life for as long as six months isn't really tied to it. Your girlfriend's letter from her 'employer' counts for little since they're proposing to offer her a job when she returns. Clearly she's not working there now in a role that she's tied to.

Her apartment will help but is sublet, which weakens the argument.

We can't say you'll be unsuccessful, but there are potential problems. Improving her finances, shortening the trip, addressing her employment situation will all help.

Don't be tempted to try to game the system by telling the border guards she's staying for a month or two and staying for six. Technically this might be legal, but it will raise questions on the next visit.

Good luck!

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