FLR(M) Document Clarification

Hey everyone!

Apologies if this has been answered somewhere else - I'm relatively new!

I'm currently working on my FLR(M) visa to replace my PSW visa (I qualify for ILR and could immediately apply for citizenship after that, but do not want to pay for both when my British husband and I are unsure how long we'll stay in the UK - very frustrating really). We met in October 2007 while I was on a work permit, married in the states in August, 2013.

Anyway, forums like this have been helpful - something that I find the UKBA really struggles with. It is from forums that I learned about the FM 1.7 Immigration Directorate Instructions (the link in the guidance book leads to "Page Not Found" for all their FM documents, which are themselves filed under "Policy and Law") and discovered that original payslips are not proof enough for the financial requirement.

To further add to my dismay, other posters' "Checklist" holds more items/documentation than my husband and I were planning on sending (apparently, one cannot take the Documents section at face value). My husband doesn't want to send off all our important/financial papers without just cause. If anyone can help with the following document questions, I'd really, really appreciate it.

1. Cover letters from both you and your sponsor - did I miss where it says you should do this?

2. Accommodation - I know people are submitting documents about rent/mortgage/tenancy. I was not planning on sending our mortgage agreement as proof was not requested - again, did I miss where it specifies this?

3. Evidence that you've met (according to the website) / Evidence you have been living together - I just assumed that this, combined with the marriage license, covered the whole "in a real relationship" aspect as we've lived together 3 years already. We have a joint savings account, various council tax bills for the past 3 years, and a life insurance policy all addressed to us both. Then I have a letter from my bank and a letter from my dr addressed just to me and my husband has a utility bill and letter from his work. Is it really necessary to include the photos, plane tickets, emails, etc? Actually, re-reading the requirements, is 12C even necessary as it seems to apply to unmarried or same-sex applicants?

What else is needed that isn't expressly spelled out in the "Documents" section? And do we need to submit a copy of the entire application as that also isn't listed as a requirement (unless I missed it)?

Ahh - this is all so incredibly frustrating. I managed to apply for a work visa, renew said work visa (ok, my work did more than I on that one), apply for a student visa, and apply for a PSW visa - all without this stress and difficulty in understand what is required of me.

Please continue in your other thread