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Spouse Visa Extension

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Max1609
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Spouse Visa Extension

Post by Max1609 » Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:45 pm

Hi all,

We are in the process of applying for my wife's visa extension FLR (M). I am a British Citizen.

We have misplaced our marriage certificate and are finding it difficult to get one from our home country due to covid-19 closures.

We have a certified English translation.

Would the certified English translation alone be sufficient?

We have all the other necessary documents.

Best

Max

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seagul
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Re: FLR (M) Marriage Certificate Question

Post by seagul » Wed Jun 03, 2020 11:05 pm

If you have the copy/image of that certificate then it will serve the purpose as no original document is sent.
The opinion expressed as above is neither a professional advice nor contesting/competing to other member's opinion/advice.

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Re: FLR (M) Marriage Certificate Question

Post by Max1609 » Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:53 am

Many thanks Seagull - much appreciate your response.

We have a scan of our original marriage certificate and the certified translation. Based on what you've said, I assume we can upload this?

We have also been able to obtain another certified translation but have had delays with obtaining another original as Government departments are still closed in our home country.

Is there any indication on when the premium service will re-open?

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Re: FLR (M) Marriage Certificate Question

Post by CR001 » Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:34 am

We have a scan of our original marriage certificate and the certified translation. Based on what you've said, I assume we can upload this?
Yes, its fine.
Is there any indication on when the premium service will re-open?
No.
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.

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Re: FLR (M) Marriage Certificate Question

Post by Max1609 » Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:42 am

Many thanks CR01.

Much appreciate both your responses. So helpful to those like me who have questions like this.

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FLR (M) Application - Council Tax

Post by Max1609 » Thu Jun 11, 2020 5:07 pm

Hello all,

We are applying for my wife's visa extension. We don't have any council tax bills in either of our names.

On the list of proofs required, we HAVE NOT been asked for a council tax bill either. We have only been asked to submit a tenancy agreement.

The council tax bill has only been mentioned as an example to show proof of address but it also mentions a number of other options.

Despite the above, is it mandatory to provide a council tax bill?

Thanks in advance.

Max

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Re: FLR (M) Application - Council Tax

Post by Zerubbabel » Thu Jun 11, 2020 5:27 pm

The council tax bill has only been mentioned as an example to show proof of address but it also mentions a number of other options.
It's not part of the application. It's just one of the proofs.

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Re: FLR (M) Application - Council Tax

Post by Max1609 » Thu Jun 11, 2020 5:36 pm

Many thanks Zerubbabel.

1. Does that mean if I provide other documents as proof of living together (utility bills, DVLA letter etc), we are not required to submit a council tax bill?

2. Are online bills accepted? Online mobile bills, credit card statements and so on?

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Re: FLR (M) Application - Council Tax

Post by geoeng » Fri Jun 12, 2020 8:00 am

Max1609 wrote:
Thu Jun 11, 2020 5:36 pm
Many thanks Zerubbabel.

1. Does that mean if I provide other documents as proof of living together (utility bills, DVLA letter etc), we are not required to submit a council tax bill?

2. Are online bills accepted? Online mobile bills, credit card statements and so on?
1. Yes. I know when I applied, I was asked for evidence of housing costs, but this did not necessarily have to be a council tax bill in the name of the applicant or sponsor and this may depend on the type of accommodation you live in as to whether you would even be asked for it.

2. Provided they are largely similar to what you would receive in the post (showing address, a date, etc.), yes it would be accepted as everything is uploaded online anyway.
I'm just a guy on the Internet who immigrated to the UK. My opinions are based on my experience and interpretation of the immigration rules and should not be considered legal or immigration advice; your mileage may vary.

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Re: FLR (M) Application - Council Tax

Post by seagul » Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:55 pm

Max1609 wrote:
Thu Jun 11, 2020 5:36 pm
we are not required to submit a council tax bill?
Most often council tax bill is merely to reinforce the accomodation evidences whilst not mandatory. However, in case if it is included in your rent as most often happens then it can be stated in your tenancy agreement.
The opinion expressed as above is neither a professional advice nor contesting/competing to other member's opinion/advice.

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Family Visa - Spouse Documents Checklist and Questions

Post by Max1609 » Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:58 pm

Hello all,

I’m not sure if I’m posting this in the right place. If I’m not then – apologies in advance. Also huge huge apologies for the long post. I wanted to put all in one.

We are in the process of applying for my wife’s visa renewal. Her visa expires next month. She has been in the UK since October 2017.

We are looking to apply through the premium service. As it’s not open yet and the option doesn’t come up at the end of the application, we have kept it on hold after paying for the IHS Number. As a result, we are also not able to upload any documents at this stage.

When it opens, the following are the documents we will be uploading. I would be grateful if one of the experts on this forum (who have been very helpful in the past) could let me know if we’re uploading the correct documents.


Cover Letter - Cover Letter from my partner

Documents providing evidence;

Partners ID
1. Partner’s current passport
2. Partner’s old passport
3. Partner's Biometric Resident Card

Proof of my British Citizenship
4. My Passport
5. My Naturalisation Certificate

Proof of Marriage
6. Marriage Certificate
7. Translation of Marriage Certificate from an entity that has been authorised by our home country’s Ministry of Justice

English Language Proof
8. UK Degree Certificate (Certificate from a UK University although the degree was done overseas)
9. Degree Transcript
Third Party Verification
10. Signed Third Party Verification Document.

Evidence of monthly accommodation cost
11. Tenancy Agreement from September 2019 (the agreement states it is a continuation of our tenancy since October 2017)
12. New Tenancy Agreement signed on 1st June 2020 (the agreement states it is a continuation of our tenancy since October 2017)
13. Letter from Landlord

Financial Evidence
14. Payslips for 6 months
15. Bank Statements for 6 months

Proof of Cohabitation

16. We will be submitting the following documents. Please let me know if this is sufficient;

Date Spouse Myself
Jun-18 Barclays Statement Energy Company Letter
Oct-18 Barclays Statement Monzo Statement
Feb-19 Barclays Statement Energy Company Letter
Jun-19 Monzo Statement Mobile Bill
Oct-19 Monzo Statement Credit Card Statement
Feb-20 NHS Letter Monzo Statement
Jun-20 Energy Bill (Joint) Mobile Bill

All of the above were received exactly 4 months apart. However, in the intervening months we have the following from different sources. Should we add them as well just to prove we have more sources?
• DVLA Invoice paid to book license test
• Letter from the pension scheme
• Additional letters from the NHS (5-6 letters, some from different hospitals, trusts)
• Company that services our boiler

Questions

1. Partner's passports – Do we need to scan all pages or only the pages that contain a stamp?

2. Marriage Certificate Translation – The translation is on headed paper and contains a stamp with the date of translation, name of the translator and that they are authorised by the Ministry of Justice to do the translation – would this be sufficient?

3. Partner’s Degree – the Degree and certificate is from a UK university but the degree was done back home. Does this need to be verified by NARIC?

4. Payslips – These are soft copies printed on our company letterhead. Is this ok? Our office building is currently closed due to covid-19, so have no access to get it rubber stamped

5. Proof of Address – Can our travel insurance certificate which contains both our names, address and date be used as a proof of address? This will allow us to have an additional source. If this is fine, I’d like to use this and replace one on my existing list.

6. Change of Name – When my wife renewed her passport earlier this year, we added my surname to hers. We then booked to get a new biometric but could not do this due to covid-19 closures. When we filled her application, we filled the ‘old name’ section (same name as now minus my surname) and completed the application with her new name (same name with my surname added). Would this cause a problem as her biometric still has her name without my surname on it?

Many thanks in advance for reading the long post and hope to receive a response soon.

Best

Max

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Re: Family Visa - Spouse Documents Checklist and Questions

Post by seagul » Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:49 pm

Max1609 wrote:
Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:58 pm
Hello all,

I’m not sure if I’m posting this in the right place. If I’m not then – apologies in advance. Also huge huge apologies for the long post. I wanted to put all in one.

We are in the process of applying for my wife’s visa renewal. Her visa expires next month. She has been in the UK since October 2017.

We are looking to apply through the premium service. As it’s not open yet and the option doesn’t come up at the end of the application, we have kept it on hold after paying for the IHS Number. As a result, we are also not able to upload any documents at this stage.

When it opens, the following are the documents we will be uploading. I would be grateful if one of the experts on this forum (who have been very helpful in the past) could let me know if we’re uploading the correct documents.


Cover Letter - Cover Letter from my partner

Documents providing evidence;

Partners ID
1. Partner’s current passport
2. Partner’s old passport
3. Partner's Biometric Resident Card

Proof of my British Citizenship
4. My Passport
5. My Naturalisation Certificate

Proof of Marriage
6. Marriage Certificate
7. Translation of Marriage Certificate from an entity that has been authorised by our home country’s Ministry of Justice

English Language Proof
8. UK Degree Certificate (Certificate from a UK University although the degree was done overseas)
9. Degree Transcript
Third Party Verification
10. Signed Third Party Verification Document.

Evidence of monthly accommodation cost
11. Tenancy Agreement from September 2019 (the agreement states it is a continuation of our tenancy since October 2017)
12. New Tenancy Agreement signed on 1st June 2020 (the agreement states it is a continuation of our tenancy since October 2017)
13. Letter from Landlord

Financial Evidence
14. Payslips for 6 months
15. Bank Statements for 6 months

Proof of Cohabitation

16. We will be submitting the following documents. Please let me know if this is sufficient;

Date Spouse Myself
Jun-18 Barclays Statement Energy Company Letter
Oct-18 Barclays Statement Monzo Statement
Feb-19 Barclays Statement Energy Company Letter
Jun-19 Monzo Statement Mobile Bill
Oct-19 Monzo Statement Credit Card Statement
Feb-20 NHS Letter Monzo Statement
Jun-20 Energy Bill (Joint) Mobile Bill

All of the above were received exactly 4 months apart. However, in the intervening months we have the following from different sources. Should we add them as well just to prove we have more sources?
• DVLA Invoice paid to book license test
• Letter from the pension scheme
• Additional letters from the NHS (5-6 letters, some from different hospitals, trusts)
• Company that services our boiler

Questions

1. Partner's passports – Do we need to scan all pages or only the pages that contain a stamp?

2. Marriage Certificate Translation – The translation is on headed paper and contains a stamp with the date of translation, name of the translator and that they are authorised by the Ministry of Justice to do the translation – would this be sufficient?

3. Partner’s Degree – the Degree and certificate is from a UK university but the degree was done back home. Does this need to be verified by NARIC?

4. Payslips – These are soft copies printed on our company letterhead. Is this ok? Our office building is currently closed due to covid-19, so have no access to get it rubber stamped

5. Proof of Address – Can our travel insurance certificate which contains both our names, address and date be used as a proof of address? This will allow us to have an additional source. If this is fine, I’d like to use this and replace one on my existing list.

6. Change of Name – When my wife renewed her passport earlier this year, we added my surname to hers. We then booked to get a new biometric but could not do this due to covid-19 closures. When we filled her application, we filled the ‘old name’ section (same name as now minus my surname) and completed the application with her new name (same name with my surname added). Would this cause a problem as her biometric still has her name without my surname on it?

Many thanks in advance for reading the long post and hope to receive a response soon.

Best

Max
1. There are mixed experiences & opinions
2. Maybe fine
3. NARIC cannot reassess a UK achieved degree
4. Should be fine
5. Any document with name & address is usually acceptable
6. Usually within 3 months the new BRP must have been applied to avoid the £1000 penalty which might be waived due to this outbreak preventing biometrics appointments. Just add a covering letter.
The opinion expressed as above is neither a professional advice nor contesting/competing to other member's opinion/advice.

Max1609
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Re: Family Visa - Spouse Documents Checklist and Questions

Post by Max1609 » Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:16 am

seagul wrote:
Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:49 pm
Max1609 wrote:
Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:58 pm
Hello all,

I’m not sure if I’m posting this in the right place. If I’m not then – apologies in advance. Also huge huge apologies for the long post. I wanted to put all in one.

We are in the process of applying for my wife’s visa renewal. Her visa expires next month. She has been in the UK since October 2017.

We are looking to apply through the premium service. As it’s not open yet and the option doesn’t come up at the end of the application, we have kept it on hold after paying for the IHS Number. As a result, we are also not able to upload any documents at this stage.

When it opens, the following are the documents we will be uploading. I would be grateful if one of the experts on this forum (who have been very helpful in the past) could let me know if we’re uploading the correct documents.


Cover Letter - Cover Letter from my partner

Documents providing evidence;

Partners ID
1. Partner’s current passport
2. Partner’s old passport
3. Partner's Biometric Resident Card

Proof of my British Citizenship
4. My Passport
5. My Naturalisation Certificate

Proof of Marriage
6. Marriage Certificate
7. Translation of Marriage Certificate from an entity that has been authorised by our home country’s Ministry of Justice

English Language Proof
8. UK Degree Certificate (Certificate from a UK University although the degree was done overseas)
9. Degree Transcript
Third Party Verification
10. Signed Third Party Verification Document.

Evidence of monthly accommodation cost
11. Tenancy Agreement from September 2019 (the agreement states it is a continuation of our tenancy since October 2017)
12. New Tenancy Agreement signed on 1st June 2020 (the agreement states it is a continuation of our tenancy since October 2017)
13. Letter from Landlord

Financial Evidence
14. Payslips for 6 months
15. Bank Statements for 6 months

Proof of Cohabitation

16. We will be submitting the following documents. Please let me know if this is sufficient;

Date ------ Spouse ------------------ Myself
Jun-18 --- Barclays Statement --- Energy Company Letter
Oct-18 --- Barclays Statement --- Monzo Statement
Feb-19 --- Barclays Statement --- Energy Company Letter
Jun-19 --- Monzo Statement ------ Mobile Bill
Oct-19 --- Monzo Statement ------ Credit Card Statement
Feb-20 --- NHS Letter -------------- Monzo Statement
Jun-20 --- Energy Bill (Joint) ----- Mobile Bill

All of the above were received exactly 4 months apart. However, in the intervening months we have the following from different sources. Should we add them as well just to prove we have more sources?
• DVLA Invoice paid to book license test
• Letter from the pension scheme
• Additional letters from the NHS (5-6 letters, some from different hospitals, trusts)
• Company that services our boiler

Questions

1. Partner's passports – Do we need to scan all pages or only the pages that contain a stamp?

2. Marriage Certificate Translation – The translation is on headed paper and contains a stamp with the date of translation, name of the translator and that they are authorised by the Ministry of Justice to do the translation – would this be sufficient?

3. Partner’s Degree – the Degree and certificate is from a UK university but the degree was done back home. Does this need to be verified by NARIC?

4. Payslips – These are soft copies printed on our company letterhead. Is this ok? Our office building is currently closed due to covid-19, so have no access to get it rubber stamped

5. Proof of Address – Can our travel insurance certificate which contains both our names, address and date be used as a proof of address? This will allow us to have an additional source. If this is fine, I’d like to use this and replace one on my existing list.

6. Change of Name – When my wife renewed her passport earlier this year, we added my surname to hers. We then booked to get a new biometric but could not do this due to covid-19 closures. When we filled her application, we filled the ‘old name’ section (same name as now minus my surname) and completed the application with her new name (same name with my surname added). Would this cause a problem as her biometric still has her name without my surname on it?

Many thanks in advance for reading the long post and hope to receive a response soon.

Best

Max
1. There are mixed experiences & opinions
2. Maybe fine
3. NARIC cannot reassess a UK achieved degree
4. Should be fine
5. Any document with name & address is usually acceptable
6. Usually within 3 months the new BRP must have been applied to avoid the £1000 penalty which might be waived due to this outbreak preventing biometrics appointments. Just add a covering letter.

Many thanks for the response Seagull - much appreciated. We applied for the change of name on the biometric within a couple of weeks of changing the name and even paid for it. We had to postpone the appointment we had once. By the time the next appointment came, they had closed due to Covid-19.

Grateful if you can let me know if the documents I have listed are all correct, if you have the time. Apologies for the inconvenience.

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Spouse Visa Extension

Post by Max1609 » Fri Jun 26, 2020 12:00 pm

Hi all,

A spouse visa question.

My partner's visa expires in a couple of weeks. We have filled out the application and have been holding on to see if the 'priority' or 'super priority' service becomes available.

However, may now need to apply through the standard service as we don't want her to be classed as an overstayer.

My question is, is it sufficient if she submits and pays for the application before the visa expires?

or are we also required to have submitted her biometrics before the visa expires?

I understand a date for biometrics may only be offered a few weeks from the application is submitted.

If anyone has any idea as to when UKVI are likely to open the 'priority' and 'super priority' services, grateful if they can let us know.

AmazonianX
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Spouse Visa Extension

Post by AmazonianX » Fri Jun 26, 2020 12:16 pm

Max1609 wrote:
Fri Jun 26, 2020 12:00 pm
Hi all,

A spouse visa question.

My partner's visa expires in a couple of weeks. We have filled out the application and have been holding on to see if the 'priority' or 'super priority' service becomes available.

However, may now need to apply through the standard service as we don't want her to be classed as an overstayer.

My question is, is it sufficient if she submits and pays for the application before the visa expires? Yes, the most important thing is to get the application submitted before expiration of current leave or visa.

or are we also required to have submitted her biometrics before the visa expires? No, the biometrics can come after the application. Ensure to pay and submit application before visa expires.

I understand a date for biometrics may only be offered a few weeks from the application is submitted.

If anyone has any idea as to when UKVI are likely to open the 'priority' and 'super priority' services, grateful if they can let us know.

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Spouse Visa Extension

Post by CR001 » Fri Jun 26, 2020 12:19 pm

is it sufficient if she submits and pays for the application before the visa expires?
She must submit and pay BEFORE her visa expires.
or are we also required to have submitted her biometrics before the visa expires?
No.
If anyone has any idea as to when UKVI are likely to open the 'priority' and 'super priority' services, grateful if they can let us know.
No. They are working through the backlog for biometrics, March applicants first, then April, then May etc before they are likely to consider offering super priority or priority service again. Currently, people who applied in April are still waiting to book biometrics.
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.

Max1609
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Spouse Visa Extension

Post by Max1609 » Fri Jun 26, 2020 12:35 pm

Many thanks AmazonianX and CR001 - much appreciated.

We have filled the application online and only need to submit it, which we will do next week based on what you have just said.

We also have all the necessary documents ready.

So should be a smooth process, although we would have preferred applying through the priority service.

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Spouse Visa Extension

Post by Max1609 » Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:57 am

Hello all,

When producing bank statements as proof of address (of cohabiting), do we need to;

1. scan every page of the bank statement?

or

2. just scan the first page that contains the name, address and date?

I guess the same applies to other documents we are uploading as proof of address.

Grateful for a quick response.

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Re: Spouse Visa Extension

Post by CR001 » Fri Jul 03, 2020 12:24 pm

Posts/Topics Merged!!
Char (CR001 not Casa)
In life you cannot press the Backspace button!!
Please DO NOT send me a PM for immigration advice. I reserve the right to ignore the PM and not respond.

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Re: Spouse Visa Extension

Post by seagul » Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:28 pm

Max1609 wrote:
Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:57 am
Hello all,

When producing bank statements as proof of address (of cohabiting), do we need to;

1. scan every page of the bank statement?

or

2. just scan the first page that contains the name, address and date?

I guess the same applies to other documents we are uploading as proof of address.

Grateful for a quick response.
If you receive these online in pdf format then can upload them without being worried about scanning them from all sides.
The opinion expressed as above is neither a professional advice nor contesting/competing to other member's opinion/advice.

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Re: Spouse Visa Extension

Post by Max1609 » Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:55 pm

Many thanks Seagull.

But we are using some of our Monzo Bank Statements, which we got Monzo to stamp and send in the post.

I am trying to figure out if we'd need to scan all pages of the bank statement or just the first page which contains all our information (name, date and address).

Thanks

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Re: Spouse Visa Extension

Post by seagul » Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:58 pm

Max1609 wrote:
Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:55 pm
Many thanks Seagull.

But we are using some of our Monzo Bank Statements, which we got Monzo to stamp and send in the post.

I am trying to figure out if we'd need to scan all pages of the bank statement or just the first page which contains all our information (name, date and address).

Thanks
You will certainly receive oscillating views about this but as a precaution scan all sides if these stay within the allowable limit which usually is less than 6 MB.
The opinion expressed as above is neither a professional advice nor contesting/competing to other member's opinion/advice.

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Re: Spouse Visa Extension

Post by Max1609 » Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:54 pm

Thanks for the answer to the previous post Seagull. Much appreciated.

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