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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 13:36:08
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The harrowing tales of rejected Gambians applying visas to the US and UK has now caught the attention of the legislators. Most of the time genuine applicants are denied depending on the wimps and caprices of the issuing authorities, for such cheap reasons as am not convinced that you are married to this guy, or am not convinced that ur sponsor can continue footing ur expenses. Ridiculous! The worst is the rip-off by these super-power countries, they keep on increasing these non-refundable fees on end. Are they truly interested in being partners in development of these poor countries? Partnership does not anly stop at economic aid packages etc.
The observer has this to say:http://www.observer.gm/enews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8006&Itemid=1
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madiss |
Edited by - MADIBA on 21 Jun 2007 13:47:00 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 13:58:20
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madiba, i agree with some parts, the fee should be returned but look at this point, why would you applly for a visa if "am not convinced that you are married to this guy" how stupid would you have to be to go for a visa and not have the correct documents, you should have proof of marriage and not some made up. " or am not convinced that ur sponsor can continue footing ur expenses", the UK embassies are strict on this they ask for bank statement, why do people not think to provide proof that they can support the person they are bringing to the UK.
All fees should be non refundable, but gambians could be exploited by dubious agents who "promise to arrange things a visa for them". Everything is there for people to see, why do some people try and skip corners, definately refund the fees, but do not pretend to be married when you are not, the consulars are not stupid. If I want to bring someone to the UK, I have to provide proof of marriage and proof of finances, quite easy, if you cannot do that do not apply, IF YOU DO HAVE THAT PROOF THEN THE PERSON IN THE UK CAN APPEAL to their MP against discrimination, it has been done, not sure what happens to the US visas there are ways of getting the visa if your are geniune. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 14:21:57
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| You can have all the correct papers and still be refused. My guide was refused because they 'thought he might not return'. Well if that is a good reason then surely that applies to the whole of Africa? Or is it one rule for rich and one rule for poor. Who do you have to bribe to get a visa? My guide did everything right and was still knocked back right at the end. It is soul destroying for him. He wants to try again. But is there any point? He is young and poor. |
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mbay
Germany
1007 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 14:28:08
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Jambo, don't you see that this people simple dont want have them/us here? no matter what fact you provided the prove will not be enough ,there is always way to triply-kick you out, its that simple!
Am not encouraging this people but some time you have see that all that don't have much choice but to retaliate with that feculence tricks! |
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MADIBA
United Kingdom
1275 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 15:10:14
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| Jambo am not sure abt the UK, but apparently the US now dnt believe ladies claiming to be married to a Gambian Man residing in the US, if the supposed marriage was done in the absence of the bridegroom.In Gambian culture its immaterial whether both the bride and groom are both present or in the same country wen the marraige is contracted atleast for Muslims. American consular is reported to have said that these marraiges are bogus, despite the provisions of marraige certifcates from the Cadi courts. There is a provison in American law which he invokes but which is generally not known to the public. The embassies to allevaite the problem by conducting sensitisation progrms.Sometimes too these consulars are moody, you won't beleive probably, sometime last yr, the British consular is reported to have told applicants to come the next day becos he was in a bad mood and won't probably give out any visas that day. Ridiculous! Watever their reasons the fact is Gambians have suffered enough. Even civil servants are not spared this embarassment at times. |
madiss |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 16:12:34
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MADIBA, i agree that is why i said, for the UK if you think it is unfair appeal here in the UK against the decision my friend did and she got her husband through. Again show proof, that are married, Bev if you want to bring over your guide show proof that you can support him.
Madiba, i will say again they should get the fee refunded, otherwise it could be mis-contrued as theft. Civil servants/consulars are paid by their UK governments and all UK residents have the right of appeal, if you believe in the person you want to bring over then fight for it.
someone else has spoken for the USA. I stand by what I say if you believe in them appeal from the UK side. nothing gets through in Gambia, too many scams. If people are not satisfied, take it to your MEP, other avenues are open. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 16:39:58
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| Jambo I gave him a character reference, details of my property and bank account in uk. An uncle of his checked it all over and said it was good and there was nothing else required. He went one day and I waited outside for him. I wasnt allowed to speak. He was told to call back the next day. He was excited because he hadnt been refused and thought he was to collect his visa. The next day he was refused. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 17:08:27
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Bev, if you believe in your guide and you believe it is discrimination apply to your MP, state your case and ask for an explanation, it might take time but you will get an answer..
madiba, you mention the marriage in the absence of the bridgegroom and a letter from the Cadi, not sure that USA would accept that, my answer to people getting married is this, check what is needed for a visa before you get married, or be prepared to get re married in a recognised place, but if you have truth on your side you will get the visa. I agree in an ideal world people would be free to travel, but when i visited the embassy i was surprised at how many people had not done there homework before hand, also MADIBA, I GUARANTEE if you visit the UK embassy you will see a lot of "non-gambians" applying for visa. check it out
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 17:09:48
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Jambo you are naive if you think honesty guarentees you a visa.  |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 17:35:56
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| i stand by what a say, people who have been honesty and fought FROM THE UK have won. I AM NOT NAIVE |
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electric
United Kingdom
28 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2007 : 15:34:40
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Jambo, you are clearly missing the point here. HONESTY..think again
Why take all that trouble appealing to MP or whoever just to get someone you've invited over. Too complicated mate!!!
I cannot complain too much because I have invited people on three different occations and they were granted visas...but this is a general view and they are now being applied on our authorities too - RIDICULOUS.
Bev's example is a shining one...normally the poor looses out.
Provide all the documents they asked for and they still reject you
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2007 : 15:40:31
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| electric were you being honest? |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2007 : 15:58:15
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I WAS HONEST. 100%. The guy is my guide and has helped with my charity things. He is a good man and I wanted to help him help his family. There is no relationship between us except friendship.
They didnt believe he would go home. How can you challenge that? All his family and his wife are in Pirang. But he is young and poor. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2007 : 16:07:13
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Bev, I do not doubt it and I am sure you wanted to give him a chance, but the sentence" am not convinced that ur sponsor can continue footing ur expenses" is what I am looking at. would you have continued to support him. Not sure of your circumstances, but I could not support some here.
If you marry someone you have the legal write to bring your husband/wife over provided you got married together in a leglly recognised place and have legal documents.
As Electric mentioned it they have done it 3 times, so what went wrong it your case. i do not know but they made a judgement call. I just wish people got their fees refunded when they are refused it would help a lot. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2007 : 16:13:50
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Where is that quote from, not me.....
He was refused purely on the grounds that they thought he wouldnt return.
He has friends in the Uk that would help him and I was the guareentor, so if things went wrong for him them the buck stopped with me and I would support him for a few weeks until he returned home. I was going to pay his flights. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jun 2007 : 16:24:24
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| the quote is from the first posting, from Madiba.... |
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