What options do we have?

[DanielP]

Okay I've attempted to fill out the VAF4A for the fiance visa on behalf of my mexican fiance and I've hit a few questions I'm unsure how to answer along the way.

I was hoping you experts could lend a hand please.

1.19 - Have you lived with your sponsor in a relationship akin to marriage or a civil partnership at any time?
Yes - give details. No- Give reasons why never lived together.

I'm not sure if there a better way to word this, but essentially I was travelling in Mexico and had an apartment with a friend and she lived with her family close to her work whilst we were dating.

Unsure if I need to expand on that?

1.9 - Are you seeking permission to come to the UK as a fiance to enable your marriage to take place in the UK?

This is a yes for us, it goes on to ask if 'yes' when and where do you plan to marry?

At this point we have not decided since we thought we'd need a granted visa prior to making plans and also I don't want to get my hopes up and book a wedding! Any input on this would be great.

2.8 - Do you intend to work in the UK?

My fiance does intend to, yet we both know she won't be able to until she has fixed leave to remain on the marriage visa...Not sure what to input? Plan is for her to live with me, for us to then marry apply for the next visa and then for her to seek employment when she is legally able to.

We are required to meet the £18.6k with no child dependents.

3.3 From the list below, please indicate the main method of meeting the financial requirement.
Income from salaried employment in the UK (this is for me)
I am currently employed in the UK.

3.11 What is your sponsors annual income from this employment before tax?
This is a question I'm unsure how to answer.
When I started my full time job on the 6th July 2015 my base salary was £15,500.
I have guaranteed overtime at my job and my months went as followed:
month 1: £1,821.
month 2: £2,120
month 3: £3,830
month 4:£2,963
month 5:£3,320
Internal promotion (new salary £20k didn't make month 6 cutoff which left a shortfall)
month 6:£1,626
month 7: £3,351

so I don't know if I should put my annual salary as 1626 *12 or 15.5? or what really?
Since having the internal promotion I've not had 6 pay slips at it but I'm still at the same company.

I sincerely appreciate your help in advance,
Daniel

[DanielP]

Hi,

Can any of you experts assist me please.

Thanks again,
Daniel

[DanielP]

I've been to an immigration advisor who despite being level 1 oisc qualified didn't have the foggiest about a lot of things.

What do people do in my position? Get an immigration lawyer to help fill out vaf4a and appendix 2? I realise I am asking quite a lot from yourselves offering your free time but any suggestions would be great.

[Wanderer]

I've been to an immigration advisor who despite being level 1 oisc qualified didn't have the foggiest about a lot of things.

What do people do in my position? Get an immigration lawyer to help fill out vaf4a and appendix 2? I realise I am asking quite a lot from yourselves offering your free time but any suggestions would be great.

No, we just read the guidance notes.

[CR001]

level 1 oisc qualified

Not very qualified then as this is only the entry level and very basic.

[ohara]

Aren't NCS advisers level 1 OISC? They clearly state they are not immigration solicitors. In fact my local NCS doesn't even know the difference between PR and ILR, or a residence permit and a document certifying permanent residence. I'd be wary of paying any such person for advice which could end up being very costly for me.

[CR001]

Aren't NCS advisers level 1 OISC? They clearly state they are not immigration solicitors. In fact my local NCS doesn't even know the difference between PR and ILR, or a residence permit and a document certifying permanent residence. I'd be wary of paying any such person for advice which could end up being very costly for me.

NCS are not immigration advisors or likely even OISC qualified. NCS is only a third party document handler for HO.

Your question is irrelevant to the questions in this thread as NCS only deal with citizenship applications.

[DanielP]

Reading the guidance notes don't really help with answering my salary query.

If level 1 OISC isn't recommended who in the east midlands can I go to with more qualifications that can assist?

[Casa]

A higher level OISC registered advisor. Level 3 preferably.

[DanielP]

If someone could provide a link of qualified people for this type of application that would be amazing then I could just pay them and all my problems would be solved.

[Casa]

https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration- ... an-adviser

[DanielP]

I'm really struggling to find someone locally that can help. I certainly am not wanting to pay £150 for a consultation.

[noajthan]

I'm really struggling to find someone locally that can help. I certainly am not wanting to pay £150 for a consultation.

You will need to take on board & embrace the fact that the UK immigration route is going to be a huge financial burden for years to come.
£150 is just a drop in the ocean I'm afraid.

[DanielP]

Years to come? What costs are involved post marriage visa?

thanks

[Wanderer]

Years to come? What costs are involved post marriage visa?

thanks

Blimey - a lot!

Roughly £1600 for FLR(M) now, another £1600 in 2.5 years time, £1500 in five years time plus another £1500 for citizenship - all these figures will rise over time.

And you need to pass the same financial test too at various stages.

Plus she'll want to go home at least twice a year to visit (mine does) it's freaking expensive, and not for the light of wallet!

[Casa]

Years to come? What costs are involved post marriage visa?

thanks

Fees from March 18th 2016
£811 for the FLR(M) extension after 2.5 years postal application (or £1311 if submitted in person) + £500 NHS surcharge
£1,875 for ILR at the end of the 5 year period postal application (or £2375 if submitted in person)
British Citizenship £1,236

The good news it's less than Wanderer's estimated costs

[DanielP]

Hi all,

In our situation currently before we spend a lot of money on the fiancée application we want to make sure this lifelong commitment is best for the both of us, we've thought that it will be a good thing for us if she came over on a visitor visa with no intention to work and just live with me for under 6 months so we can get more of a feel around how well we live together and to see how strong our relationship is. We've dated in the same country for 5 months and she has since visited England once for 1 week back in October and it's been long distance since. I know some people have had bad experiences whereby they've been denied entry due to belief they won't return.

I have evidence to prove that I can support financially and that she can stay with me and she also has proof of funds, so if we are completely up front and honest that her intention is to live with me for us to decide if we want to proceed with the v4f4a in 3-5 months time how would that be perceived in the eyes of UK border? I'm nervous of the thought of her being refused which more than likely is me being overly fearful.
If I documented this all and she presented it with my evidence would this be a good thing? Is it necessary for a return flight to be booked?

Would really appreciate any help,

Regards,

Dan

[noajthan]

Hi all,

In our situation currently before we spend a lot of money on the fiancée application we want to make sure this lifelong commitment is best for the both of us, we've thought that it will be a good thing for us if she came over on a visitor visa with no intention to work and just live with me for under 6 months so we can get more of a feel around how well we live together and to see how strong our relationship is.

...

If I documented this all and she presented it with my evidence would this be a good thing? Is it necessary for a return flight to be booked?

Would really appreciate any help,

Regards,

Dan

A visit visa is not a boyfriend/girlfriend dating type of visa.

The whole point to making a strong visit visa application is to prove the applicant will return home at the end of the visit.
The HO gets funny about overstayers.

If you submit this proof, that the applicant has sufficient ties to the home country, you will need to avoid or suppress the topic of the current relationship.
That won't sit well with another application, (possibly in a few months or next year), for a fiancee or spouse visa.