Mitzyboy

I have a SA acquaintance who left SA some years ago to live in the UK. Her mother, who lives in Pretoria, has now decided she wants to escape to the UK as well.

She applied for a visa, but was granted one that apparently allows her only to stay 6 months and then has to leave. She doesnt want to have to go back to SA, so she is asking if it is possible to come to Spain for a period before returning to the UK for the next 6 month stint!

I suspect this is a complicate scenario, but anyone have any ideas as I'm assuming visas would have to be applied for here as well

Rosemary

I worked with people from SA and they had to keep on renewing their visas but I thought that was because they were of working age more than the fact that they were from SA. I suspect that it would be similar here but have no idea. Maybe there is a suspicion regarding her motives eg, maybe the authorities are afraid that she will try to claim things that she should not or that she will become a liability of some sort. They never seem to take into consideration what income the person may bring with them or that the family may take all responsibility for them. Hope you get more info.

Rosemary

Nige

You need to read up BORDER Agency details. Especially if the 'indefinite leave to remain' qualification applies. Application can be made in the UK after arrival if necessary.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

HBG

I can only think of a workaround by the lady coming to Spain with a visa first and then applying for residency – the Spanish seem to be quite lax about issuing those to foreigners.

She would still need a visa for the UK but wouldn’t have to return to SA after six months.

I wonder if the UK agencies chase up South Africans in the UK if they’re not working or claiming?

It doesn’t seem fair when you consider the undesirables from other places littering our lovely islands.