English Language requirement for spouse visa

rayree wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2019 3:29 pm

Dear members,

Hope you are all well!

I am a naturalised British Citizen and looking for some help regarding my wife's spouse visa application. I do apologise for a long list of questions but I wanted to ask all the questions in one place. I would be very glad if you help clarify my questions please!

I got married recently and she is looking to apply for her spouse visa from Delhi, India. I have managed to put together a list of documents from reading the forum and Home Office website https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa. I was wondering if you could advise if the following documents are enough or if I have missed out any?

A. Sponsor Documents

- Passport Copy and 2 x Passport photos
- Naturalisation certificate Not required
- Landline and Broadband Bills for last 6 months (address proof)
- Sponsor letter (Is there a specific form or a template)? No template.
- Employer letter
- Appointment letter

As a sponsor, do I need to include the following documents as well? I didn't think these documents were mentioned in Home Office website though.
- All academic certificates (Degree, NARIC etc) Not required
- Life Insurance certificate? Not required
- Driving License? Not required
- National Insurance? Not required
- Birth Certificate? Not required
- Pension Statements? Not required

B. Financial

1. 6 months salary slip
2. 6 months bank statements
3. Savings account statement - Is this required as my salary is much more than the required minimum earning specified? Not required.
4. P60 - Is this required? Not mandatory

C. Accommodation

1. Tenancy Agreement
2. NOC Letter from landlord in accommodating my wife once she gets her spouse visa
3. Survey of the property (being in a sharing house)

D. English Language

1. English Medium certificate from the University
2. UK Degree Certificate ( Apparently she doesn't need NARIC as her degree is from a UK university)

E. Evidence of marriage

1. Marriage Certificate
2. Wedding Invitation Card
3. Photos of our Wedding (Ceremonies, With family and friends)

F. Proof of relationship

1. WhatsApp messages
2. WhatsApp call log
3. Pics of Holidays together
4. Hotel booking and flights
5. Do I need to provide our Facebook and Instagram links, print out and submit as well? No

G. Evidence of continuing contact with ur wife

1. WhatsApp messages
2. WhatsApp call log

We have only been married for a month. So is the above evidence enough (meaning I have not made any trip to India after coming back from the wedding)? Before wedding we were dating for a year and half and the evidence of which will be provided in the proof of relationship section. Also does the relationship need to be 2 years old before we apply her spouse visa? No. This is only for unmarried partners

Also do we both write up seperately and include narratives of our relationship as to how and when we met, how many holidays we had together, my proposal, our engagement, her visiting me to London and staying for couple of months, shopping for wedding rings etc? Your choice

As for the applicant (my wife), are these the correct documents?

1. Her Passport and 2x UK passport size photos
2. Sponsor’s bank statements (six months) Not required. Only the sponsor needs to submit financial evidence
3. Her degree certificate and medium of instruction certificate.
4. Tuberculosis test certificate as she is from India.

I have some questions regarding the application itself.

1. Does the application need to be done online or download forms and fill up accordingly? I have downloaded 3 forms - VAF4A-11-18.pdf, vaf4a-appendix1-11-18.pdf and VAF4A-Appendix2.pdf. I see the first two forms are only ever so slightly different but mostly the same. Which one should I be using? Others to advise

2. Do I need to send all my original documents to India or just scanned copies will do in which case I can put all the documents in a drop box for her to download and print?
OR, I can just simply send the documents myself to Shieffield? Others to advise

3. Would it be better if I write a covering letter explaining the documents for each section and how the requirement is met? Not needed

Thanks very much in advance.

Best regards.
Ray.

ILR1980 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:55 pm

You must apply online

https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome

and also fill this form

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... form-vaf4a

You will get instruction during filling process. They have recently changed the process of sending supporting doucments . We used to send orginal documents to shieffield but now they give you option to upload documents yourself after filling online forms and paying fees they redirect you to vfsglobal for uplaoding doucments and booking appointment ..they also give you option to scan documents at visa centre if you cannot uplaod youself

https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/

rayree wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:28 pm

ILR1980 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 15, 2019 7:55 pm

You must apply online

https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome

and also fill this form

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... form-vaf4a

You will get instruction during filling process. They have recently changed the process of sending supporting doucments . We used to send orginal documents to shieffield but now they give you option to upload documents yourself after filling online forms and paying fees they redirect you to vfsglobal for uplaoding doucments and booking appointment ..they also give you option to scan documents at visa centre if you cannot uplaod youself

https://www.vfsglobal.com/india/uk/

Good afternoon,

Thanks Casa, ILR1980. I have few more questions please.

1. The department in the company for which I was working, was taken over by another company and named differently now and I obviously became part of it. That said many of the resources in the company are still shared eg Office building, HR, Payroll etc. So my paylips now somewhat show the name of the newly formed company but the Salary BACS into my bank account still shows the name of the previous company. Even the employment letter I requested shows the old company name saying I have been working in the company for the last 1.5 years. In this situation, can I just explain in a covering letter stating its the same company and because of the takeover process that is going on the documents are showing differently? It's a well known financial services company and its takeover so if the case worker looks up, it will tie in of what I would explain in the covering letter.
Alternatively should I just treat this as two salaried employments and provide 12 months payslips with corresponding bank statements?

2. Currently I don't support my wife financially i.e I dont send money to her account. Is it a must to show this as evidence of a husband-wife relationship?

3. Is it enough if one of us write the accounts of our relationship when and where we met, how we got married etc? Is this even required especially when we are mentioning in the form when we met, got married etc?

Best regards.
Ray

rayree wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:28 pm

I have few more questions please.

1. The department in the company for which I was working, was taken over by another company and named differently now and I obviously became part of it. That said many of the resources in the company are still shared eg Office building, HR, Payroll etc. So my paylips now somewhat show the name of the newly formed company but the Salary BACS into my bank account still shows the name of the previous company. Even the employment letter I requested shows the old company name saying I have been working in the company for the last 1.5 years. In this situation, can I just explain in a covering letter stating its the same company and because of the takeover process that is going on the documents are showing differently? It's a well known financial services company and its takeover so if the case worker looks up, it will tie in of what I would explain in the covering letter.
Alternatively should I just treat this as two salaried employments and provide 12 months payslips with corresponding bank statements?

seagul wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:34 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:28 pm

I have few more questions please.

1. The department in the company for which I was working, was taken over by another company and named differently now and I obviously became part of it. That said many of the resources in the company are still shared eg Office building, HR, Payroll etc. So my paylips now somewhat show the name of the newly formed company but the Salary BACS into my bank account still shows the name of the previous company. Even the employment letter I requested shows the old company name saying I have been working in the company for the last 1.5 years. In this situation, can I just explain in a covering letter stating its the same company and because of the takeover process that is going on the documents are showing differently? It's a well known financial services company and its takeover so if the case worker looks up, it will tie in of what I would explain in the covering letter.
Alternatively should I just treat this as two salaried employments and provide 12 months payslips with corresponding bank statements?

Its called transfer of undertakings under employment regulations 2006 where on transferring to new company your employment with previous employer remain continue. But unfortunately under HO eyes it would be counted as new employment where you will have to apply under category B.

rayree wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:01 pm

Thanks ILR1980, Seagul. Hope you are enjoying the long sunny weekend.

I wanted to ask what documents are applicable for 28 days rule from the application date - Bank statements, employer letter and latest salary slip? What about the NOC letter from landlord and property inspection report? Could you advise please?

Thank you.

seagul wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:34 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:01 pm

Thanks ILR1980, Seagul. Hope you are enjoying the long sunny weekend.

I wanted to ask what documents are applicable for 28 days rule from the application date - Bank statements, employer letter and latest salary slip? What about the NOC letter from landlord and property inspection report? Could you advise please?

Thank you.

As a precaution try to not let your NOC letter and property inspection report be older than 28 days.

rayree wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:09 pm

If I am applying online, do we need to fill up VAF4A-11-18.pdf paper form as well (Personal details form (VAF4A) November 2018 Family settlement application form)? I appreciate we still need to fill up "APPENDIX 2 (VAF4A August 2018) FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT FORM" though to be submitted along with the printed online application duly filled.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:15 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:09 pm

If I am applying online, do we need to fill up VAF4A-11-18.pdf paper form as well (Personal details form (VAF4A) November 2018 Family settlement application form)? I appreciate we still need to fill up "APPENDIX 2 (VAF4A August 2018) FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT FORM" though to be submitted along with the printed online application duly filled.

No. The paper VAF4A form is ONLY for applicants from North Korea.

rayree wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 17, 2019 4:45 pm

Hi,

My wife recently submitted her spouse visa application from India. There is one thing that's troubling me about the evidence for her english language requirement. She did her Bachelor's degree in an Institute in India which was affiliated to a well recognised UK university hence the degree was awarded by the same university. I did send a copy of her degree, transcript and medium of instruction letter to NARIC Visas and nationality to certify its UK equivalent degree and taught in english but NARIC came back saying it was a UK degree already and hence they can not certify it. So we went ahead and applied the Visa with just the certificate, transcript and medium of instruction letter as evidence for her english language requirement.

Could anyone advise if we did right or she should have taken CEFR A1 to meet the requirement? I am a bit worried.

Thanks.
Ray

seagul wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:23 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 17, 2019 4:45 pm

Hi,

My wife recently submitted her spouse visa application from India. There is one thing that's troubling me about the evidence for her english language requirement. She did her Bachelor's degree in an Institute in India which was affiliated to a well recognised UK university hence the degree was awarded by the same university. I did send a copy of her degree, transcript and medium of instruction letter to NARIC Visas and nationality to certify its UK equivalent degree and taught in english but NARIC came back saying it was a UK degree already and hence they can not certify it. So we went ahead and applied the Visa with just the certificate, transcript and medium of instruction letter as evidence for her english language requirement.

Could anyone advise if we did right or she should have taken CEFR A1 to meet the requirement? I am a bit worried.

Thanks.
Ray

If the degree was awarded specifically by UK university then it should be sufficient to meet any English language requirement. There are a lot of distance learning programs and foreign UK partner universities. But as long as its awarded by UK university then no issue.

marcus12a wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:37 am

Hi

I just want to ask did you upload the documents on VFSGlobal then? I am in the process doing this now but was not sure if it has to be scanned in black and white etc and what dpi setting.

Thanks

rayree wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 10:45 am

seagul wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:23 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 17, 2019 4:45 pm

Hi,

My wife recently submitted her spouse visa application from India. There is one thing that's troubling me about the evidence for her english language requirement. She did her Bachelor's degree in an Institute in India which was affiliated to a well recognised UK university hence the degree was awarded by the same university. I did send a copy of her degree, transcript and medium of instruction letter to NARIC Visas and nationality to certify its UK equivalent degree and taught in english but NARIC came back saying it was a UK degree already and hence they can not certify it. So we went ahead and applied the Visa with just the certificate, transcript and medium of instruction letter as evidence for her english language requirement.

Could anyone advise if we did right or she should have taken CEFR A1 to meet the requirement? I am a bit worried.

Thanks.
Ray

If the degree was awarded specifically by UK university then it should be sufficient to meet any English language requirement. There are a lot of distance learning programs and foreign UK partner universities. But as long as its awarded by UK university then no issue.

Thanks Seagul! That put my mind at ease.

I knew there was a link on UKVI website saying Degree from a UK university satisfies the english language requirement but I can't seem to find it. Could you share the link if you have please?

seagul wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:55 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 10:45 am

seagul wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:23 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 17, 2019 4:45 pm

Hi,

My wife recently submitted her spouse visa application from India. There is one thing that's troubling me about the evidence for her english language requirement. She did her Bachelor's degree in an Institute in India which was affiliated to a well recognised UK university hence the degree was awarded by the same university. I did send a copy of her degree, transcript and medium of instruction letter to NARIC Visas and nationality to certify its UK equivalent degree and taught in english but NARIC came back saying it was a UK degree already and hence they can not certify it. So we went ahead and applied the Visa with just the certificate, transcript and medium of instruction letter as evidence for her english language requirement.

Could anyone advise if we did right or she should have taken CEFR A1 to meet the requirement? I am a bit worried.

Thanks.
Ray

If the degree was awarded specifically by UK university then it should be sufficient to meet any English language requirement. There are a lot of distance learning programs and foreign UK partner universities. But as long as its awarded by UK university then no issue.

Thanks Seagul! That put my mind at ease.

I knew there was a link on UKVI website saying Degree from a UK university satisfies the english language requirement but I can't seem to find it. Could you share the link if you have please?

When you will be filling application form then will see it there.

rayree wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 03, 2019 9:29 am

Hi,

My wife's Family Settlement/Spouse Visa has finally been granted. I must say the Visa came quick (6 weeks from appointment/Biometrics) considering it was a non priority application.

Our concern however is that the approval letter says Partner (Standard) rather than Family Settlement/Spouse Visa. It says something like this " Your application for a UK Visa has been successful. This means that when you arrive in the UK you will have permission to be in the UK (known as leave to enter) as PARTNER (STANDARD) from July 19 to April 22".
Also the vignette shows Type of Visa as D - PARTNER (STANDARD) <Sponsor's Name>.

Just wondering others got their visa as above or should we be of any concern?

Following is the timeline if anyone would like to know

Application submission online - 08/05/2019
Biometrics/Document Submission at VFS New Delhi - 16/05/2019
UKVI emailed stating documents not received - 07/06/2019
Resubmitted documents at VFS London - 13/06/2019
Text/Email from VFS saying Visa has been processed - 01/07/2019
Passport delivered to home by the courier - 02/07/2019

Thank you.
Ray

seagul wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 03, 2019 5:18 pm

rayree wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 03, 2019 9:29 am

Hi,

My wife's Family Settlement/Spouse Visa has finally been granted. I must say the Visa came quick (6 weeks from appointment/Biometrics) considering it was a non priority application.

Our concern however is that the approval letter says Partner (Standard) rather than Family Settlement/Spouse Visa. It says something like this " Your application for a UK Visa has been successful. This means that when you arrive in the UK you will have permission to be in the UK (known as leave to enter) as PARTNER (STANDARD) from July 19 to April 22".
Also the vignette shows Type of Visa as D - PARTNER (STANDARD) <Sponsor's Name>.

Just wondering others got their visa as above or should we be of any concern?

Following is the timeline if anyone would like to know

Application submission online - 08/05/2019
Biometrics/Document Submission at VFS New Delhi - 16/05/2019
UKVI emailed stating documents not received - 07/06/2019
Resubmitted documents at VFS London - 13/06/2019
Text/Email from VFS saying Visa has been processed - 01/07/2019
Passport delivered to home by the courier - 02/07/2019

Thank you.
Ray

Its normal spouse visa under 5 years route and the accompanying letter must be indicating that from what date the BRP can be collected from local post office.