Settlement visa for children

[Morris]

Hi all,

I am British, married since 2008 to a Swazi lady who has a indefinite stay visa. We applied (via the Pretoria visa office) for UK settlement visas for her 2 children from a former partner, who live in Swaziland. The application was refused on several points, the most important, i suspect, stating that no father was named, and that it was not clear who was looking after the children. The children are being cared for by their grandmother, but i saw no question on the form that asked who was caring for them.

We obviously have the right of appeal, but my question is, if the appeal is refused, can we appeal again, or do we have to re-apply? Is it advisable to use a solicitor?

Many thanks in advance.

[vinny]

Can she show sole responsibility?

[Morris]

Well, her mother is currently caring for them, but she's around 80 and her health's not good. (My wife also has a copy of her mum's birth certificate). My wife pays school fees for the children, and her ex-partner rarely sees them.

I presume a judge would want to see as much evidence as possible of contact with the children since she came to live in the UK.[/quote]