IPFM Convocation News
Dr Jeff Wooller
Institute of Professional Financial Managers
Annual Convocation 26 September 2009
Venue
The new venue of the Convocation was the MOSTYN HOTEL in Central London.
It was very successful with a record number of 75 attendees. As the hotel appeared to have insufficient chairs, we will be looking at other venues for 2010 capable of seating 100.
Photographs
We are indebted to Dr Tarun Pathak, IPFM Council Member, for taking over 100 photographs from the event. You can access these on :
http://groups.google.com/group/exhibits
Despite our successful Convocation and a good percentage of visa approvals, we know that we can do better and we have revised our tips in the light of experiences this year.
Tips on Visa Applications for a Six-Month Travel Visa
Apply preferably online (www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/ApplyNow.aspx) in good time. We will start issuing invitation letters in June 2010.
Applications for visas are not dealt with by staff of the British High Commission but by the UK Border Agency. When you have applied online, you will still need to visit an Entry Clearance Officer and show your documentation.
All documentation should be in original form. Your bank statement should be as up to date as possible and show that you have sufficient funds to finance your visit. You should show copies of salary/wage slips that agree with the figures you give online.
The Entry Clearance Officer has to satisfy himself that the costs of your trip and of your maintenance and accommodation in the UK can be met without recourse to public funds. In addition, and more importantly he has to satisfy himself that you intend to return from UK.
We suggest that you apply for say four days and allow GBP 80 per night for accommodation. Maintenance including food from the supermarkets and bus/underground passes should be a further GBP 30 per day. Thus, we consider that GBP 500 should cover it. Then add GBP 100 to cover the cost of the Convocation. Obviously once you are in UK you might decide to stay a few more days and to try some restaurants rather than the supermarkets!
Remember that there are millions in UK, who applied for visas and said they would return but did not. You have to put up a compelling reason to return to your home country. Being sponsored by your employer would help.
Where you obtain sponsorship, we recommend that the sponsor actually credits your account with the necessary funds. It helps if your bank account shows that you have sufficient funds to meet the cost of air travel and your maintenance in the UK. You should also show documentation as to the source of your sponsorship funds. It is not necessary to show the bank account of the sponsor if your account is showing sufficient funds. It helps if you can put up a good reason for the sponsorship.
If you have relatives and friends in the UK then the chances of your staying in UK will be perceived to be greater. We do not recommend that you stay with relatives/friends in the UK. We recommend that you choose a suitable hotel from www.schoolshotels.com and make sure that facilities are available for the days surrounding the convocation. Copy the details correctly onto the visa application form paying particular attention to getting the postal code correct.
Once you get your visa, you can make the booking although we recommend that you arrive in London and pay cash for your hotel as it is extremely unlikely that all the hotels will be full. You can get good discounts for cash!
In future, we will issue invitations only to IPFM members. This will stop the problems where the applicant has to provide details of the IUBS. We will offer a special rate of GBP 100 to cover IPFM membership and the cost of the hire of cap and gown. Existing IPFM members will be charged only GBP 50 for the hire of the cap and gown. You should pay these fees when you arrive in UK. If your visa is rejected then there is no need to pay.
If you have travelled overseas before you should give details. That shows that you are more likely to return home.
You must tell the truth on the application form and at the interview. If you lie or withhold relevant information, you will be barred from visiting the UK for 10 years.
If your visa application is rejected you should appeal. Your application does not attract a full right of appeal. You should appeal on the grounds of discrimination by public authorities and acting contrary to the Human Rights Convention. Do not worry about the grounds as that can be handled by the legal representative that will look after your case in the UK.
If you do not appeal then any future applications will also most likely be rejected. Remember that if everyone appealed no one would ever be rejected!
Any rejection by the Home Office should be in writing. You will have a limited time in which to appeal (usually 28 days). The appeal procedure is straightforward and does not require the use of a solicitor. There are no costs involved in making an appeal. The appeal is heard in UK where you are automatically provided with a legal representative free of charge..
If you are rejected, please send us a copy of the rejection notice.
In 2009 we saw only one application where we thought that the decision was wrong. On appeal the application was accepted before the Convocation.