I have been using this forum for the past 4 years to assist me with UK immigration matters; there have been good times and bad and in both scenarios, I always share my experiences.
Today is a good day!
I am a British citizen, my wife is from the Caribbean. Last year, we applied for a Spousal visa and was refused because of the financial requirement (I was not contracting for a full year). We then applied for a family visitor's visa, and was refused because, well they didn't think she would return to her home land.
We then decided to move over to Ireland.
I took a job offer with my company, that started in September '13. We arranged a rental property as well before we arrived.
We flew over from the Caribbean, avoiding the UK in transit. There was no visa requirement for my wife to enter Ireland. Upon arrival, she was given a GNIB number and 90 days clearance as I told them I was entering the country for employment (job letter in hand). We came over at the end of Aug, from the airport, straight to our new home.
Two months passed and we collected the following to apply for her EU1 resident card for Ireland.
Rental agreement
PRTB registration confirmation
Utility bill with both our names on it (electric)
My job letter and contract
2 months wage slips
Tax Credit Certificate
All was supplied to the IRISH NATURALISATION & IMMIGRATION SERVICE and in 6 weeks time, we got her Residency card, valid for 5 years.
In November, we registered with out local doctor's office and purchased some furniture from DFS (its relevant
)Fast forward to 2 weeks ago.
We decided that it was time to face the UKBA once more, after researching the Surinder Singh law for the past 8 months, along with the amendments to the Regulation 9 (centre of life test).
We gathered and submitted the below documents along with the EEA FP form on Sept 5th
• Passport of Applicant and expired passports
• Passport of EU Citizen (they returned this when we applied on the day; they took a copy)
• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificate and Marriage Register
• Registrar’s Certificate (this was the document you sign on the wedding day)
• 6 months wage slips of EU Citizen
• Work Contract of EU Citizen (including letter of employment)
• Family member Resident Card (this was also returned on the day of application appointment)
• Tenancy agreement and PRTB documents
• PPSN letters (both me and my wife)
• Utility bills (Bord Gais, TV License and SKY)
• 6 months bank statements of EU Citizen
• Joint bank statements
• Tax Credit Certificate of EU Citizen
• P60 from EU citizen employer for year ending December 31st 2013
• P45 and letter from HMRC of EU Citizen (confirmation of UK departure)
• Medical reference letters
• DFS sale agreement
The appointment was done through Teleperformance. The appointment went smoothly, I wasn't allowed in, only the applicant. Finger prints were take, photos taken etc. We provided a list of the above which made it easy for them to check through.
Did I say today was a good day? Today, we got an email from Teleperformance today stating that my wife's passport was ready for collection.
Visa GRANTED!!!!!
It was issued 4 days after it arrived at the visa office, valid for 6 months. Talk about excitement at our home, we're very happy to have reached this point in our lives. And now, unto the UK.
If anyone wants to know anything further, feel free to PM me if you want to be discreet, I'll be happy to help if I can.
It's not over yet, it never is when you have to deal with Immigration in a foreign land.
As always, thanks to everyone who share their experiences, knowledge and wisdom in this forum.
God bless and best of luck with your endeavors.
