Visa Granted In 15 Days While On Maternity Leave

[AmazonianX]

Priority Application, Biometrics done on 26.11.2019
Visa granted 17.12.2019
Passport picked up 23.12.2019

First, thanks to this forum, casa, CR001, geoeng, seagul, others who were not mentioned and to the numerous contributors/forum members whose reports aided our application.
The application and other documents were ready and was submitted in July 2019 but had to cancel the application at the end of the day and finally got back to it and resubmitted in November 2019.
Took time to read enough this forum and I will say was very helpful and gave confidence to go ahead with the application without using any solicitor. Also took time to read relevant sections of the immigration rules, guidance Appendix FM SE, read well about applying while on maternity leave and this all helped a lot.
For meeting up MIR, used pay slips and bank statements for 6 months which was the exact duration of work and income earned. Even though met MIR with salaried income, we submitted bank statements and declaration for cash savings we hold and wrote in cover letter that ECO should not confuse it as using salary and cash saving to meet the requirement. It was only for their information (as the cash savings was used for previous family visit applications and to sponsor other family members visas)
Besides employment letter, also got employer to give letter stating when employed, date maternity leave started and when to return back to work.
Other evidence covering from the time we met and started dating till date of application were submitted. Quoted a section of the Appendix FM-SE where it states that decision maker may contact applicant and or their representative for further information or document. Requested them that if indeed there is need, they should contact us for whatever further things they need to make a positive decision. Wrote further that will appreciate if decision can be made quickly o as to ensure my family is reunited in time for and can spend our Christmas together.
All supporting documents were scanned, modified/merged as required and self-uploaded. This was time consuming but was well worth it as you have assurance that one negligent person has not ruined your chances by omitting one document or the other.
After submission and on reading on the forum the need for Appendix 2, submitting the HO standard Sponsorship Declaration. This was not filled and submitted with our application! Wrote to the Visassheffield@ and Complaints@ addresses and quoted GWF number. Wrote that our application should not be penalised because no Appendix 2 and HO sponsorship declaration form because 1. Same details in Appendix 2 already filled in the Online AccessUK form and it will be a duplication of effort to do so again on Appendix 2 2. The sponsorship declaration I submitted has the same and even much more information than the HO sponsorship declaration form 3. Document checklist not submitted as we did self upload and at Bio-metrics the personnel decline to accept and sign checklist as said not necessary since it was self upload. Got feedback that they will look into it and see how to make the application process smoother and better for applicant.
Was surprised when informed that visa was ready for pick up as we thought owing to end of year the earliest we can get a response will be in January 2020. From bio-metrics to granting of entry clearance took only 15 working days. No call to applicant, sponsor who is on maternity leave or to employer at all.
This was quite unbelievably fast.
At point of entry, IO only took passport and accompanying letter and did not ask for any other thing or question. Should there be any one with a question or the other generally or especially about applying while on maternity leave, do reach out and shall gladly share experience.
Thanks to everyone and wishing those that are still waiting to get positive feedback soonest.

[seagul]

Will appreciate a response to my query.

My wife/sponsor has exactly 6 months payslips from an employment she held for same time frame.
The last 2 weeks of the 6 months were paid annual leave (she had 28 days annual leave as per contract so took the 2 weeks paid leave as for the half year she worked with the company).
Last pay slip is tomorrow as her maternity leave is to start by Monday and within the 28 day period starting tomorrow is when the application will be submitted.

My questions are:

1. Will the exact 26 weeks/6 months payslips be acceptable by the HO
2. She is pregnant with our second child, do we need to mention or refer to it in our current application (as there will be a break in her employment and income)
3. If yes to the above she is to return to same employment after 9 months maternity leave, do we need to get a letter from the employer specifically detailing when her maternity leave starts and that she will return to them after leave.
4. After the previous refusal (which we will address in our cover letters), applied for and was granted Family Visit Visas and came on several occasions to see my wife and son, i hope this can not be used against us in the current application?
5. Besides pay slips and employment letter, are there other documents we will need to get from employer to increase the chances of getting a successful application?
Thanks a lot.

1. Yes including annual leave
2. No need unless application form ask about that
3. Preferably don't if she is meeting the financial requirement till the date of application & will return to same employer.
4. No issue
5. Inform your employer in advance that he might be contacted by HO.

immigration-for-family-members/fresh-ap ... 83770.html

Glad to hear that you planned in advance and followed the advice and got success.

[AmazonianX]

Will appreciate a response to my query.

My wife/sponsor has exactly 6 months payslips from an employment she held for same time frame.
The last 2 weeks of the 6 months were paid annual leave (she had 28 days annual leave as per contract so took the 2 weeks paid leave as for the half year she worked with the company).
Last pay slip is tomorrow as her maternity leave is to start by Monday and within the 28 day period starting tomorrow is when the application will be submitted.

My questions are:

1. Will the exact 26 weeks/6 months payslips be acceptable by the HO
2. She is pregnant with our second child, do we need to mention or refer to it in our current application (as there will be a break in her employment and income)
3. If yes to the above she is to return to same employment after 9 months maternity leave, do we need to get a letter from the employer specifically detailing when her maternity leave starts and that she will return to them after leave.
4. After the previous refusal (which we will address in our cover letters), applied for and was granted Family Visit Visas and came on several occasions to see my wife and son, i hope this can not be used against us in the current application?
5. Besides pay slips and employment letter, are there other documents we will need to get from employer to increase the chances of getting a successful application?
Thanks a lot.

1. Yes including annual leave
2. No need unless application form ask about that
3. Preferably don't if she is meeting the financial requirement till the date of application & will return to same employer.
4. No issue
5. Inform your employer in advance that he might be contacted by HO.

immigration-for-family-members/fresh-ap ... 83770.html

Glad to hear that you planned in advance and followed the advice and got success.

seagul, thanks very much for the guidance.