[Debconf-team] Re: On visas also
On Sun, 2006-06-18 at 16:04 -0500, David Moreno Garza wrote:
> How would the Edinburgh guys work this out to get visas for these
> nationals? What could be the best way to get these visas?
To begin by stating the obvious, people need to apply as early as
possible in their home countries. http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/ has
information for each country, including the form that needs to be filled
out so you can see what information needs to be provided. People
attending DebConf only need a "visitor" visa (not business/student/
working), which is the easiest kind to get.
According to government statistics, the main reasons given for visa
refusal (there can be more than one reason) are:
65% Doubts over intention to return to home country/insufficient
economic or family ties in home country
54% Inadequate funds for trip
47% Doubts over credibility of applicant
33% No evidence of financial circumstances
22% Lack of knowledge of United Kingdom/course
14% Forged documentation
Source: National Audit Office Report (HC 367, 2003-04): Visa Entry to
the United Kingdom: The Entry Clearance Operation (Full Report)
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/NAO%20Report%20170604.pdf
As conference organisers, we should help the process as much as possible
by providing letters stating that the person will be attending DebConf,
and where appropriate stating what financial/travel/accommodation/food
sponsorship we are providing to them. Attendees should in turn make
clear in their applications that they have the money to, and intend to,
return to their home countries after DebConf.
There's more information on what sponsors can/can't do at
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1006977150088
Here are the refusal rates for 2004-2005 (the most recent year for which
figures are available) by region, for all non-settlement visa
applications. There should *not* be read as predicting the outcome of
new applications from DebConf attendees, but more documentation may be
required to support an application from a region where there are many
refused visas.
Applications Refused
Australia & South Pacific 46337 339 0.7%
Central Europe & Former Soviet Union 298197 25754 8.6%
Equatorial Africa 390884 157116 40.2%
Far East 203921 23672 11.6%
Latin America 29000 2946 10.2%
Middle East 217611 15679 7.2%
Near East & Northern Africa 105211 10651 10.1%
North America 129390 3560 2.8%
South Asia 584758 175359 30.0%
South East Asia 129513 11338 8.8%
Southern Africa 78007 15676 20.1%
Southern Europe 72911 3644 5.0%
UKvisas, London (diplomatic) 795 0 0.0%
West Indies & Atlantic 28588 10259 35.9%
Western Europe 139031 9759 7.0%
Source: UKvisas Global Statistics 2004-05
http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/GlobalStats2005,0.pdf
(The full report has the figures broken down to individual countries
also.)
--
Moray
http://www.morayallan.com/
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