Good to know

• Fee: £135 for a visit of up to 6 months. She can stay up to 6 months on it.
• When: the earliest she can apply is 3 months before she travels. Decisions usually take about 3 weeks after the biometrics appointment, so leave a buffer before Christmas flights.
• Purpose: say it plainly: visiting her child and family to support around the birth of her grandchild. She can’t do paid work while here.
• Money: big unexplained deposits into her account just before applying are a common reason for refusal. Your sponsorship evidence covers the gap.
• Healthcare: visitors are usually charged for NHS hospital treatment, so get travel medical insurance for the whole stay.
• Translations: anything not in English needs a full translation with the translator’s confirmation, date, name, signature and contact details.
• Honesty: answers on the form must match the documents exactly (names, dates, amounts). Any past refusal must be declared.

Always check the latest rules on gov.uk/standard-visitor and the guide to supporting documents before she applies.