Passport Photos for new service

[SpouseOfSettler]

Hi All,

We are in the process of filling out my wife's ILR Set (M) application. Everything seems straightforward but just needed some advice on a couple of questions and also confirm we have included the right documents.

Route: 5 year
Visa Expiry: 31/12/18
BRP Expiry: 15/12/18

1. For the question, "Are you part of any social groups or do you have other cultural ties in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years?" we have answered No with the following explanation:

As I have been living in the UK, I am unable to commit to the social groups or cultural activities in
the country of my birth. The only ties I have to the country are my family and friends, with whom I keep in touch as detailed in the questions above.

Is this sufficient?

2. For the question, "Please explain why you and your partner cannot live together outside the UK", we have stated:

Due to family and economical ties we have to the UK. My partner and I are in professional secure jobs
related to our skill set and have a house on mortgage.

Again, is this enough?

3. I am able to provide a contract of employment but there is no signature on it was done electronically by clicking an 'accept' button. This was an internal move within department. Will they accept without an actual signature? Just to add, I also have a signed letter of employment from HR.

4. Are passport photos required?

5. For evidence of monthly housing costs, is my mortgage offer and council tax bill enough?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[SpouseOfSettler]

One other quick question - is it mandatory to put anything for the question "Do you have any other reasons for wanting to stay in the UK?"

My wife has already stated earlier in the form that we cannot live outside of the UK:

Due to family and economical ties we have to the UK. My partner and I are in professional secure jobs
related to our skill set and have a house on mortgage.


Is this enough or do we need to include any other reasons?

[SpouseOfSettler]

Can anyone help with this?

[SpouseOfSettler]

Hi All,

I need some urgent help on documentation as my wife has her appointment in a few days.

We have contracts of employment from our respective companies, however my copy does not have a signature as it was an internal move within departments. At the time, I was sent an electronic copy of the new contract and all I had to do was click a button to accept the offer. The name of the HR person is on the contract but there is no signature from them either and they have since left the company.

My question is, will a signature required if the signed letter from employer matches what is on the contract and in payslips?

Regards,
SoS

[SpouseOfSettler]

Hi,

We are going to be submitting my wife's SET(M) application soon and had a question regarding how far back should my bank statements be.

I have been working for the same company for the last 5 years so able to show up to the last 12 months worth of payslips. Therefore, do I:

1) Provide bank statements that covers the full 12 months

2) Provide bank statements that cover just the last 6 months.

Thanks,
SoS

[Casa]

Hi,

We are going to be submitting my wife's SET(M) application soon and had a question regarding how far back should my bank statements be.

I have been working for the same company for the last 5 years so able to show up to the last 12 months worth of payslips. Therefore, do I:

1) Provide bank statements that covers the full 12 months

2) Provide bank statements that cover just the last 6 months. This one...with the corresponding payslips.

Thanks,
SoS

[SpouseOfSettler]

Thanks Casa.

Just want to clarify why you say that one as the checklist states:

Payslips covering any period of salaried employment (current and previous) in the period of 12 months
prior to the date of application

[allyf]

Yes if Casa could please confirm as I thought it was 12 month period as well... thank you

[SpouseOfSettler]

Hi,

Quick question - do we need to provide passport photos if using the new online service instead of old postal application?

We will be going to the VISA service point this week.

Thanks,
SoS

[SpouseOfSettler]

Hi Casa,

Could you please confirm that we can provide bank statements (and corresponding payslips) that cover just the last 6 months?

Regards,
SoS

[CR001]

Hi Casa,

Could you please confirm that we can provide bank statements (and corresponding payslips) that cover just the last 6 months?

Regards,
SoS

Yes, if the employment has been with the same employer. It must include at least the last 6 months pay dates.

[allyf]

Hi,

Quick question - do we need to provide passport photos if using the new online service instead of old postal application?

We will be going to the VISA service point this week.

Thanks,
SoS

Hi spouseofsettler, I’m not 100% sure but I don’t think you need to provide passport photos anymore. Hopefully one of the moderators will confirm.

I too am applying for set M but can’t do so till next week. I didn’t know the questions are now different than the paper form! Oh no..
Did you get a response for your question:
For evidence of monthly housing costs, is my mortgage offer and council tax bill enough?

I didn’t realize they were going to be asking this as it wasn’t on the old paper form. What will you be proving as proof of monthly housing costs?
Many thanks

[CR001]

There is no requirement to provide evidence of monthly costs.

[allyf]

There is no requirement to provide evidence of monthly costs.

Ok thank you!

[SpouseOfSettler]

The last item on my wife's document checklist states:

"Evidence of monthly housing costs for the accommodation in the UK where you live or will live"

I plan to provide latest utility bills (energy, water, broadband) as well as history of mortgage payments.

I'm going to use Council Tax bill (jointly addressed) to meet these 2 requirements:

"6 letters and/or other documents addressed to you and your partner at the same address to show that you
have been living together during the past 2.5 years"

"Evidence of council tax costs for the accommodation in the UK where you live or will live"

SoS

[SpouseOfSettler]

Moderators,

Could one of you please confirm regarding passport photo requirement for new process? I don't think there is but just want to be 100% sure.

SoS

[allyf]

The last item on my wife's document checklist states:

"Evidence of monthly housing costs for the accommodation in the UK where you live or will live"

I plan to provide latest utility bills (energy, water, broadband) as well as history of mortgage payments.

I'm going to use Council Tax bill (jointly addressed) to meet these 2 requirements:

"6 letters and/or other documents addressed to you and your partner at the same address to show that you
have been living together during the past 2.5 years"

"Evidence of council tax costs for the accommodation in the UK where you live or will live"

SoS

Thank you for confirming this...now I’m really confused as the moderator said we don’t need to provide proof of monthly housing costs

[SpouseOfSettler]

No worries allyf.

Yeah I'm confused by that too but just going with what's on my checklist.

It doesn't say anything about passport photo so I'm going to assume that is no longer needed since biometrics are done at the center anyways.

I just wish there was more guidance from the government on this new service. We're having to figure it all our by ourselves through the experience of others. There's a lot at stake to be relying on educated guesswork.

SoS

[CR001]

See below links for the Set M paper form (archived) and the Set M Guidance Notes.

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov ... -form-setm

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov ... -07-18.pdf

[SpouseOfSettler]

Thanks CR001, but we are doing going through the new online service. The guidance notes you linked to state passport photographs required for both applicant and spouse.

I can't find anywhere to confirm if this is also required when doing the new online form.

SoS

[CR001]

Thanks CR001, but we are doing going through the new online service. The guidance notes you linked to state passport photographs required for both applicant and spouse.

I can't find anywhere to confirm if this is also required when doing the new online form.

SoS

I posted the links as a reference as you stated there was no guidance. The Immigration rules have NOT changed in what is required as supporting documents. It is ONLY the application process that has changed.

So you might not need physical photos, will it harm your application to submit any, no it won't. You definitely do not need evidence of monthly costs. Note also that the same form is used for different routes, it is generic. You only submit what is applicable to your route, which is a re-run of the up to date documents you used for your FLR(M) extension application, nothing more.

[SpouseOfSettler]

CR001,

Appreciate what you are saying and understand that it is a generic form.

The document checklist produced at the end of my wife's application clearly states:

"Evidence of monthly housing costs for the accommodation in the UK where you live or will live"

What would you recommend submitting to meet this?

Note, there is a separate requirement for evidence of council tax costs.

SoS

[CR001]

It is not required.

It is likely for those applying under the adequate maintenance and accommodation rule who do not have to meet the financial requirements due to getting certain benefits as there is a specific calculation they have to prove and provide.

Note the adequate maintenance and accommodation section of the form would not be relevant to you so hope you have not completed that.

[SpouseOfSettler]

CR001,

Thanks for the clarification and you have got me worried now.

We definitely meet the financial requirement and have stated as such on the relevant sections of the form. I have just gone through all our answers on the application and the monthly costs evidence seems to have been triggered by this question:

Do you own or rent your home?

My wife answered that she does own, however, technically she doesn't as the mortgage is under my name only. Will it matter if the bills provided as evidence are under my name?
The council tax bills are in joint names.

Please advise as I don't want the application to get rejected on this small technicality.

Regards,
SoS

[allyf]

Hi spouseofsettler, I have started the online form for Set M and am actually shocked by some of the questions already! It is very different from the paper form set M....
I haven’t gotten to the finance section yet but will confirm what is stated in that area for myself.