Urgent: Dependant Visa

Hi,

I have heard a lot about the support this site offers to all for visa and immigration issues.

I need your support. Let me give you a bit of my back ground. I am currently in the UK working with one of the number one mobile phone retailers on work permit visa for 5 years. I am getting married on 24th Feb 2008 to an Indian girl (arrange marraige). We got engaged in March 2007.

However, I don't want to wait until Feb next year to put up her visa file as a dependant. I am going home in November for a week to submit her file. I plan to do a court marraige and get a legal marraige certificate.

My question is do I have to be traditionally married before I can apply for her dependant visa?? Also, what evidences I can add to show her and my relationship?

On my side I have the following documents:

1. Original work permit
2. My passport and visa
3. Bank statments
4. Salary slips
5. my education certificates
6. a letter from my landlord of my rent and accommodation

Do I need the following document in addition to what I have?

1. a company letter indicating my continued employment with them
2. property inspection report: I have heard about this on this site only, not sure if it is essential
3. accomodation photographs
4. wedding invitation card: I won't have one as I am doing traditional marraige in Feb 08.

Please advise asap as your help will ensure a successful application.

Thanks,

Dev

To apply for a spouse visa, the important factor is that your marriage has to be legally recognised in UK and - if it is legally recognised in the country in which it is taking place, then it will be sufficient for the spouse visa. I see no reason why a court marriage should be a problem, as long as it is documented.
As well as the documents you mention - and I would include all of them - also include photos of you together and evidence of communication between you since you met - phone calls, texts, emails etc.....
The main criteria you have to evidence are:
1) that you have met (flight tickets)
2) that you are legally married (marriage certificate)
3) that you intend to stay together (evidenced by proof of an ongoing and close relationship since u met)
4) that you have secure long term accommodation (you have covered this)
5) you have sufficient funds to support yourselves (you have covered this)
Hope this helps.