Hello everyone with family visa worries,
After reading Ange's post I wanted to say allot but don't want to post hijack so I thought I would post a bit of my happy visa outcome:
To everyone being split from family and loved ones I really do hope everything works out good for you, and as someone who has been through the nightmare of UK immigration with my family I feel for you and yours. I haven't been separated though and thus can only empathize.
My situation was a family situation and involved my mother. She never over stayed, and we thought she was okay returning to the U.S. and coming back, but it added up to too many visits and an IO informed us as such at Heathrow. Long story short, she stayed to help with my son after his birth a few years ago. I had complications after birth (botched epidural and partial paralysis) and suffer from an immune disorder which hasn't helped. She bonded with my son and we all ended up as a happy family: Nana, Momma, Daddy & Baby. Unfortunately family does not = visa and every time I tried to find help, more doors and bad news was all we heard. Many solicitors forgot to return calls, e-mails, you name it as a case destined to lose and outside the rules was a no go.
I learned anything and everything I could about immigration and was even pointed at looking at a European route on this forum which was going to have to be a possibility for us. But, at the last minute we found someone who was costly, but not more so than others, and in the end was our Angel. We spent allot of time in her office, phone, e-mail and it was tiring but worth every moment. She never gave up on us, or we our case. My family shared tears, arguments, and were scared. With her brilliance, her team, her caring, and a clever barrister we were saved. My mothers app. was processed as a denial in less than a month from the day she turned it in, her appeal was about a month later. The judge we had was clear, concise, professional, and above all honest and fair to both parties.
Many weeks later we received the good news we only dreamed of!
Mind you its only 3 years, but the impossible is possible, expensive and stressfull, but possible. I don't want to give anyone too much hope as nothing is sure in this world and sadly many don't succeed, but with honesty, determination, some study, and those who believe in you good things can happen in this crazy mixed up system called immigration.
I am happy to recommend my solicitor 100% and would provide a link, though I don't know if its allowed so please send me a message and I will be happy to send you her e-mail and or web address.
Blessings to everyone, take care, and may you never be separated for long.
~ C
