Online application for Tier 1 (general) Spouse

[cosmo]

Has anyone used the online application for a Tier 1 dependent?

After being on an HSMP, and now Tier 1 General, I'm now applying for my husband to come join me in the UK as a dependent after over two years. After reading for days online I still have questions about the process:

1. WHICH APPLICATION PURPOSE & TYPE?
He must use the online application form b/c he's applying from the US. They don't indicate any name for the application form (e.g. VAF10) Plus, there are no detailed guidance notes for the online application. Q: Should we select 'Purpose: Tier 1 (general)...' and then 'Type: Partner'? And should we follow the guidance notes for the VAF10 (Nov 2008) to know what supporting evidence to include?

2. EVIDENCE OF ACCOMMODATION
Do I need to provide evidence that he has suitable accommodation upon arrival in the UK for this application? E.g. (1) My rental contract; (2) A letter from my flatmates saying he can stay here with us; (3) An official letter from the Council saying the shared flat will not be overcrowded if he moves in; (4) Pictures of the accommodation? I read all of these suggestions when I was accidentally under the Spouse / Settlement Visa section. Seems strange they'd require that for Spouse visas married to UK residents, but not Tier 1 Dependents.

3. EVIDENCE OF MAINTENANCE FUNDS
If he has $15k in a savings account and I have 10k GBP, is that enough? (Meeting the 3-month rules, etc.). We don't have kids. The rules are so scattered and unclear it's hard to know for sure.

4. EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP
Am I correct in thinking they only want to see a marriage certificate? Do they not want two sources of evidence? Say, a mortgage in both our names, utility bills, photos, letters from family, etc?

5. EVIDENCE OF CONTACT
It's been well over two years since we lived in the same country. For the Settlement visa / Spouse visa they ask for evidence of contact. Isn't that necessary for this application as well? E.g. Screen shots of Skype history, Emails, handwritten letters, my boarding cards for flights back and forth between the countries?

Many thanks for any replies you can provide. Feel I'm going in circles with all of this and time is running out.

[cosmo]

Can anyone help me? Can anyone at least confirm the 'purpose' and 'type' I should select on the online application for a dependent to a Tier 1 (general) located outside the UK?

Many thanks.

[push]

1. WHICH APPLICATION PURPOSE & TYPE?
He must use the online application form b/c he's applying from the US. They don't indicate any name for the application form (e.g. VAF10) Plus, there are no detailed guidance notes for the online application. Q: Should we select 'Purpose: Tier 1 (general)...' and then 'Type: Partner'? And should we follow the guidance notes for the VAF10 (Nov 2008) to know what supporting evidence to include?

Tier 1 (general) - if you are on Tier-1 General and then Type: Partner

2. EVIDENCE OF ACCOMMODATION
Do I need to provide evidence that he has suitable accommodation upon arrival in the UK for this application? E.g. (1) My rental contract; (2) A letter from my flatmates saying he can stay here with us; (3) An official letter from the Council saying the shared flat will not be overcrowded if he moves in; (4) Pictures of the accommodation? I read all of these suggestions when I was accidentally under the Spouse / Settlement Visa section. Seems strange they'd require that for Spouse visas married to UK residents, but not Tier 1 Dependents.

If the main applicant is already in UK then you will need to provide a proof of adequate accommodation - Rental Contract in itself will suffice (However I have seen cases of rejection in case a shared accommodation is used - A letter from Council might be helpful); Pictures are not required but if you could provide measurement of the rooms available to you it would be helpful.

3. EVIDENCE OF MAINTENANCE FUNDS
If he has $15k in a savings account and I have 10k GBP, is that enough? (Meeting the 3-month rules, etc.). We don't have kids. The rules are so scattered and unclear it's hard to know for sure.

- More than sufficient

4

. EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP
Am I correct in thinking they only want to see a marriage certificate? Do they not want two sources of evidence? Say, a mortgage in both our names, utility bills, photos, letters from family, etc?

Marriage certificate alone is sufficient

5. EVIDENCE OF CONTACT
It's been well over two years since we lived in the same country. For the Settlement visa / Spouse visa they ask for evidence of contact. Isn't that necessary for this application as well? E.g. Screen shots of Skype history, Emails, handwritten letters, my boarding cards for flights back and forth between the countries?

Not really. However I am not really sure about this particular requirement

[cosmo]

Thanks for your response, push_HSMP! The visa was approved yesterday. Relief.

A note to future applicants: On the online application, we saw no reference to form "VAF 10" until it was all submitted and paid for. Only at that point did we have the option to print out a final copy, which said "VAF 10" at the top. A bit unnerving when $1200 are at stake.

Also to note if anyone else is following this strand:

- Accommodation - I submitted the contract only, indicating there was no restriction on family living with me. I didn't submit anything from the Council proving it wouldn't be over-crowded.

- Evidence of relationship - I submitted the marriage certificate plus joint mortgage

- Evidence of contact - I did submit screenshots of skype history, emails, and original boarding cards for flights over the past two years.