Civil partnership visa denied - can I appeal?

[dillonuw]

I just received my visa application decision in the mail. I was refused on the grounds of one missing document (six months of bank statements). Everything else was fine, I included six months of payslips AND a letter from my sponsor's employer stating that he has worked there for years, makes the salary stated within, and the type of employment.

The refusal letter states that I can appeal, but like everything else in this horrible process, the details are vague. Can I appeal this decision and send the Home Office the missing bank statements? What would that process involve and how much does it cost? Do I need legal counsel and how can I obtain that from overseas?

Thanks everyone.

[CR001]

Bank statements are mandatory for a spouse visa or fiance visa application. How did you miss this when it is clearly stated?

If none were submitted, then the refusal is correct.

[dillonuw]

Gov.uk's guidance states:

"You'll need to include proof of income with your application. If you or your partner are employed, you could include:"

-bank statements
-6 months of payslips
-a letter from your employer

I don't know about anyone else, but in my world "could" implies 'not mandatory, but preferred.' Like everything else with this process, it's ambiguous as crap and poorly explained. This entire thing seems like a huge money racket. If I must include bank records, cut the 'casual English' garbage and tell me that I must include bank records.

So there's nothing I can do except re-apply from scratch?

[dillonuw]

Sorry if I'm coming off as rude, I'm merely frustrated. A simple phone call or email from UKVI and I would have had bank records in their hands within a day. Why did they not reach out to us? $2000 and four months completely wasted.

[Obie]

They have a duty to contact you and seek those missing document from the sequence .

Yes you can appeal and you have the right to do so, and the prospect of success is not fanciful but realistic.