Visa help- please can anyone help!

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 2:55 pm

Hi,

Was wondering if anyone could help me with a couple of questions I have on spouse visas.

My fiancé (US citizen, living in the US) and I (UK citizen, living in the UK) are in the the process of applying for a UK visa so she can move to the UK once we are married, in the US, in June 2014.

We have applied for a Spouse Visa rather than a fiancé visa, is this correct? As although we are not currently married, we will be when she moves here, as the wedding is in the United States.

We have been asked to send our supporting documents, but are unsure whether to send them to the British Consulate in New York, or the visa office in Sheffield, as both addresses are given on the visa application.

With regards to the supporting documents, we have all of the standard stuff sorted - visa application, biometric data, passports, passport photos, birth certificates, mortgage agreement letter, letter from place of work stating how long I have worked there and how much I earn - is there anything else we need to include as supporting documents? For example, letters to each other, boarding passes, photographs of us together etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

Post by **CR001** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 3:51 pm

a spouse visa can only be applied for if you are already married at the time of submitting the application, not before the wedding takes place.

also, visas can only be post dated by up to three months if requested when submitting application.

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 3:52 pm

Thanks, so we need to change this to a fiancé visa? And then get married within 6 months? Does it make a difference where the wedding is held?

Post by **CR001** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 3:55 pm

a fiance visa is issued if you are getting married in the uk. if you get married in the US, nothing needed in terms of UK immigration until after the wedding and then apply for spouse visa

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:03 pm

Ok so basically we need to cancel the application for the time being and then apply once the wedding has taken place? This obviously means she will not be able to move straight over after the

Post by **CR001** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:06 pm

yes that is correct. not sure of the processing timelines in the US but dont think it takes excessively long if all your paperwork is in order.

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:08 pm

Thank you, you have been a real help, the UKBA website and Visa4uk website aren't exactly straight forward.

Would you perhaps know about the supporting documents?

Post by **CR001** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:14 pm

will have a look and reply later. my post from 2011 when i switched to spouse is also comprehensive, will post the link later but pls bear in mind that there was no financial requirement back then.

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:14 pm

Ok that would be great if you could repost and ill take a look.

Post by **Casa** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:47 pm

The official Instructions for UKBA Staff may help you.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... hp8-annex/

Post by **CR001** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:53 pm

http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewto ... highlight=

my post abovre for my in country switch.

the link Casa has posted is also very informative and helpful.

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:12 pm

Thanks, they are helpful.

We are just worried that we have already started the spousal visa process and paid, so if we stop we will lose that money. I will have to check if there was anything where we can put it on hold?

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:44 pm

Nasher1234 wrote:Thanks, they are helpful.

We are just worried that we have already started the spousal visa process and paid, so if we stop we will lose that money. I will have to check if there was anything where we can put it on hold?

Don't worry about losing the money, this whole trail is about money, you will have to spend lots more...

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:45 pm

I know, but still be nicer not to lose £800!

SoHopeful · Post by **SoHopeful** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:15 pm

If you have already applied for the visa and you're not married unfortunately you have lost that fee!

Nasher1234 · Post by **Nasher1234** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:26 pm

Is there anywhere on the web that states about when you should apply for each visa??

Post by **CR001** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:18 pm

Nasher1234 wrote:Is there anywhere on the web that states about when you should apply for each visa??

if applying for a spouse visa, one of the main supporting documents is the marriage certificate. so you can submit the application immediately after getting married and as long as all the other standard requirements are met.

SoHopeful · Post by **SoHopeful** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:47 am

To be fair the clues are in the names of the visas... fiance or spouse.
These are granted based on the status of your relationship. Once you are married in the UK your partner applies to extend their leave as the fiance visa is only for six months.

It's self explanatory here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... /how-long/

My husband and I opted to marry in his country and apply for spouse straightaway - cheaper ceremony and cheaper process!

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Visa help- please can anyone help!

Visa help- please can anyone help!