South African applying for UK Spousal Visa

[letitiamm]

Hi there,

My fiancé and I are getting married in April in South Africa, we then plan to apply for the Spousal visa in South Africa the next day, will this be an issue?

We have known each other for ten years, worked together and were friends initially, lost touch when I moved to the UK for a few years but we got back in touch last year and have been in a relationship since. He visited the UK in Dec for 3 weeks to see me and then returned to SA.

I meet the salary threshold for the financial requirement however a visa agency is saying that he should still have £1,600 in his account, is this correct?

Thanks
Letitia

[CR001]

Hi there,

My fiancé and I are getting married in April in South Africa, we then plan to apply for the Spousal visa in South Africa the next day, will this be an issue? No, not an issue, if you can get an appointment at VFS.

We have known each other for ten years, worked together and were friends initially, lost touch when I moved to the UK for a few years but we got back in touch last year and have been in a relationship since. He visited the UK in Dec for 3 weeks to see me and then returned to SA.

I meet the salary threshold for the financial requirement however a visa agency is saying that he should still have £1,600 in his account, is this correct? You, assuming you are the British spouse, need to meet the requirement of £18,600pa and provide evidence of this with 6 months payslips and 6 months bank statements, the most recent bank statement cannot be older than 28 days at the time of visa application. There is no requirement to have a 'minimum balance of £1600' in your account. The visa agency has given you incorrect information.

Thanks
Letitia

Are you aware that the visa fees are increases by 25% for spouse visas on 18th March?

Are you also aware that your future spouse has to pay £600 immigration health surcharge on top of the visa fee.

[letitiamm]

Thank you the reply, that is a great help.
I understand the visa fees are increasing but I understood it was happening on 01 April?
Or do we have to book the visa appointment by the 18th March in order to avoid the increase?
Yes thank you I am aware of the medical surcharge, £200 per year of the visa issued/being applied for.

Thank you
Letitia

[letitiamm]

Another question, how far in advance you can book an appointment?
We have to send the application form, make the booking and pay by 17 March, are we able to get an appointment for mid-April?