PLAB 2 VISA MADE EASY

Welcome. I assume you’re here because you want to get a standard visitor visa for your PLAB 2 exam. Even if you're nowhere near this phase, you still need this information. The best time to start preparing for a visa is now. In this article, I would explain the intricacies of curating your situation so that you will have the best chance of success. This article begins with the Appendix V for visitors. It’s very important that you are conversant with this Appendix. I would like you to click this and read it. When you’re done, come back to the article and it would be clearer. Your application is either accepted or rejected based on the rules set out by that Appendix.

Let's take Appendix V 4.2 (a) to (e) one after the other.

Your true intentions don’t matter. What matters is what you can prove with paper evidence. Since you don't have access to the entry clearance officer (the person who handles the application), the onus is on you to show, with all available evidence, things to back up the criteria listed in Appendix V. Don't listen to those who say "keep it simple". That's like rolling the die with your destiny. Before they'll hand you a rejection letter, the ECO would have gone through your entire application to search for evidence to back up all your claims.

Appendix V 4.2 (a): That you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.

This is shown through ties to your home country. Investments that make sense and show that you wouldn't abandon it (or them).

Examples.

·         Properties (Houses, Lands)

·         Family

·         Investments.

·         Immigration history.

All must have evidence. You can be creative here. Many of us don't have things to our name, so in the cover letter, when we address this, we add ancillary things like "Career progression" "Track record" "Volunteer work" and we explain how we're good citizens and they usually help. You must dedicate a section of your cover letter to address this, each with their own subheading. At the end, read it again. Be convinced that if you were the ECO handling the application, there would be no doubt. If you have travelled to a European country or the UK before, that's a huge plus because it shows that you have a good immigration history and that you have returned from previous trips. It also shows that you did not abscond or commit any crime when you were there. Everyone has one form of tie or the other. You just have to be creative.

Appendix V 4.2 (b): That you will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visit, nor make the UK your main home.

Your Job is the most important thing here. You need a paper evidence of a leave of absence from your place of work. Once you have this leave, it shows that you are only free for a certain period and that you have something important you need to come back to. Also, when travelling to the UK, it’s usually advisable to book a hotel. When you book a hotel in Manchester they would give you a hotel booking confirmation for the exact amount of days you're staying. This would serve as paper evidence that you're only staying for an exact amount of days. There are hotels that you can book without immediate payment. These hotels still give you a booking confirmation.  That can serve as proof.

In Summary.  To prove V 4.2 (b) you need a leave of absence from work and a hotel booking Confirmation.

Appendix V 4.2 (c): Genuinely seeking entry

This part is simple. You have a genuine reason, which is for your PLAB 2 exams. You need to attach all your evidence. IELTS result, PLAB 1 booking confirmation/payment receipt, test results showing you passed, PLAB 2 booking confirmation and payment receipt. You have a genuine reason, so capitalise on that. People have been denied because they didn't think it was necessary to upload one or more of these documents. If you don't attach one, they can latch on to that as a reason for denial. 

 Appendix V 4.2 (e): That you have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the journey.

Although there is that there is no set cut off by which they assess this, there are patterns. We will treat this with questions and answers.

How much will your trip cost?

This amount is different for different people. The things you generally need to include as part of your budget includes your flight cost, hotel booking (if applicable), feeding/living expense, miscellaneous/transport. Factor in how many days you’re staying and the total amount should make sense with the situation that you are presenting.

How much should you have in your account?

If your trip is going to cost you X amount of money, then the minimum amount you should have in your account is 2 multiplied by X. For example, if your budget is 450,000 for your trip, the minimum amount you should have in your account should be 900,000. The money in your account must be from ONLY regular salary deposits from the company you work for. No other unexplained credits. If there is any other, you have to explain it. But it is easier to keep the account clean and straightforward.

How much salary should you earn monthly?

If your trip is going to cost X, then the salary you earn monthly should be equal to X, or X divided by 2. For example, if your entire budget for the trip is 450,000, then you should earn between 225,000 and 450,000 monthly.

How much do you spend and what is your disposable income?

You should spend less than 30% of your income monthly. Anything more would raise eye brows. The expenses should be reflected on your bank statement with labels. E.g. Rent, light bill, car repairs e.t.c. The amount of salary left after your regular monthly expenses is termed the ‘Disposable income’. For good chances at visa, Three times of your disposable income (or less) must be able to cater for the budget of your entire trip. For example, if my entire trip budget is 600,000. My disposable income should be at least 200,000. Anything less and it would not make sense in light of your financial situation.

 

With the explanation above, you probably have a good idea of the requirements. If you satisfy all of the above, to the letter, the visa is literally as good as done. People usually plan 4 to 6 months to the exam with things like this with a clean account. Finally, to put the story together, draft a cover letter to explain all these points. You should also get an introductory letter from work for your visa as well as your letter of employment, payslips and leave of absence. You can find samples online. Apply for visa as early as you can. The earliest you can apply is within three months of travel date.  It takes about 15 working days for a response, but sometimes can extend beyond 30 working days. That’s why it is important to apply early.

Using a sponsor.

I would put a link to an article which explains the intricacies of using a sponsor. Please go through it. In the coming days I would explain on this blog in more detail, so please continually check this blog posts for updates.

click to read

REAL LIFE REJECTIONS AND ANALYSIS

This above applicant contravened the Appendix V(e). His total budget for his trip was 4000, which was 5.6 times of his disposable income of about  700. Furthermore, he had cash deposits in his account which were unexplained and did not clearly show the company name and his statement did not reflect the salary he claimed to earn. As such, his application was rejected. These problems all stemmed from not fulfilling the V 4.2 (e).

This applicant also contravened the V 4.2 (e). His trip budget was more than four times his disposable income. He spent more than 30% of his salary which caused his account to go very low occasionally, and he received a credit into his account which was not his regular salary. As such, the applicant was rejected.

This applicant failed to demonstrate his intentions with paper evidence. All he attached was a booking email. To properly demonstrate the Apppendix V 4.2 (c), he needed to have attached all forms of evidence relating to the PLAB exam like we earlier discussed.

This applicant, as part of the problems, failed to show and give evidence for the ties to his country. Tied are important and must be shown with evidence, as well as explained in a cover letter. 

Do you have any questions? pop them in the comment box below. I'd be checking around and replying.