Spouse / Settlement visa from Pakistan requirements - help!

fn286 wrote:Dear All,

I need an urgent advice and help from all who have applied for spouse/settlement visa from Pakistan. I'm not a British citizenship but I have permanent residency in UK (Indefinite leave to remain, also called ILR). I'm a working professional and will apply for the settlement visa for my wife.

1) There is a requirement for bank statements on letterheaded paper with stamps. But banks in UK doesn't issue statements on letterheaded (coloured) papers, but rather black and white printed letterhead and statements on plain paper with bank stamp on each page. I have requested by bank but this is what they are offering, will that be accetable? I know banks in Pakistan issue statements in coloured letterheaded paper.
They should at least have the bank symbol or lettering unique to that bank.

2) Also, banks in UK takes 2 weeks in sending statements and then its take at least 5 days to courier documents to Paksitan. How old should be the statement? I've heard it should be a month old from the application date. But there is good chance that a statement will be older than a month at the time of applicaion. will it be acceptable if its older than a month but less than 2 months?
The statements and payslips need to be 28 within application date, which is the date you submit online, not the biometrics appointment.

3) Whether whats app and/or viber chats are acceptable? I know these cannot be printed but can be shown on a mobile.
I'm assuming you have a smartphone? I created weekly print screens and emailed them to myself to print.

4) Does anyone had problems with visa if conversations were held over skype and viber instead of a phone? What if there is no evidence of mobile calls?
There should be no problems, again print screen the call history. If there is no phone evidence explain why.

5) Does wife's qualification certificate (degree or transcript) is necessary to submit with the application. My wife is waiting for the degree to be awarded.

6) How long it takes to get the spouse visa these days? and what is the waiting time for visa appointment at centre when you call gerrys?

Please I really need urgent help. Appreciate replies for each queston from experienced people.

Thanks a lot.

fn286 wrote:Dear king2be98,

Thanks a lot for your complete and clear answers. We've been married for 11 months, not sure if that is a long time. I will try to make few calls directly on her mobile. One question though...Can I just submit print out of my mobile bill taken from online account?
If it shows your details and can be printed in colour then yes, if not print screen also.

Regarding my question 5: Actually my question was is there any requirement for academic qualification i.e. degree or university transcript?

My wife is planning to do IELTS..are there any alternates in Pakistan (Karachi)?

For other proofs, My wife have changed her name (she uses my name as surname) on the CNIC and passport. I purchased a very heavy life insurance policy since we got married (Nikaah) and she is the beneficiary. Didn't purchase for this purpose but now I'm thinking of using that as a proof too.