Help With UK settlement Visa Process Required

Drago · October 8, 2017

Hello to one and all, I'm in need of some advice to help with a successful UK settlement visa application for my wife.

I'm just a little unsure as to what the order of process should be, and the timeline that I should take with it.

So as to get the best advice from members I will quickly outline the situation.

I was living and working legally in Thailand from 2005 - 2017, I moved back to the UK for work earlier this year and now my wife of 9 years would like to apply for a UK settlement visa to join me in the UK and also work here.
I'm currently earning above the £18,600 requirement and I have 6 months pay slips (26 as paid weekly) and bank statements to show the money being paid in to my bank account. I can also get a letter from my employer stating that I'm in permanent full time employment and my salary level.
My wife has recently taken and passed IELTS A1 Life Skills with British Council, and also has her TB certificate through IOM Bangkok.
I currently stay at a family members home which is mortgage and rent free.

My plan is to visit Thailand over Christmas and New year, probably returning to the UK in the second week of January, and I'm hoping that my wife can make the visa application while I'm there with her in Thailand. Would this be possible?

Documents I have ready are;

IELTS A1 Test Cert
TB Test Cert
Marriage certificate - Original and translated copy (Married in Bangkok 9 years ago).
Bank statements (UK Bank showing money paid in from employment).
Wage slips (for 6 months up to date of application).
Letter from employer stating my employment details.
Letter from property owner when I reside stating that myself and my wife are welcome to live there free off any charge for as long as we wish.

What else besides the above do I need to supply?

What is the next step? Do I go online and make the application, and what happens after I (technically my wife) has filled out the application? Do I need to make an appointment to see anyone? Where do I give the documents to etc?

Many thanks for any help, it seems a rather complicated process but I'm sure there is some great advice to be gained from the forum.

Drago · October 8, 2017

Another question would be regarding the payments needed. When do I make the visa application payment (about £1500 I believe) and when do I make this NHS surcharge payment that I have read about? Does this NHS surcharge just get added on to the application fee? I pay all online when filling out application form or pay somewhere else?

Thanks.

Jip99 · October 8, 2017

Start here...

https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/Account/Login

and here...

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-uk-visa-in-thailand

Edited October 8, 2017 by Jip99

Drago · October 8, 2017

3 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

Start here...

https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/Account/Login

I want to understand the process before I begin an application.

Jip99 · October 8, 2017

Just now, Drago said:

I want to understand the process before I begin an application.

Then read the website, it describes the process. Also the VfS website.

Also look the pinned items above..

Drago · October 8, 2017

Yes thanks, they make it clear as mud. Also that document was issued in 2014 and I believe (though not sure) the process has changed somewhat and now involves scanning bar codes etc.

Perhaps someone who is in the know will comment with some useful information.

Thanks anyway.

Edited October 8, 2017 by Drago

7by7 · October 9, 2017

Have a read of the relevant to you parts of Family visas: apply, extend or switch

You, or your wife, completes the online application form.

During the online process you will need to pay the application fee. Although set by Parliament at £1464 applicant's in Thailand, for reasons the Home Office refuse to adequately explain, have to pay in USD at an exchange rate favourable to the Home Office. The current fee being 2050 USD (at today's rate, that's £1563.33!). You will also have to pay the NHS surcharge of £600.

At the end of the online process you make an appointment for your wife to attend the UK visa application centre, either in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, where she submits her passport, the signed hard copy of the application form and has her biometrics taken.

Settlement applications are sent to Sheffield for processing. You have the choice of submitting all the supporting documents at her appointment and VFS, the company who run the UKVAC, will scan them and return the originals, for a fee, or you can send them direct to Sheffield yourself. See this document. Her passport will be retained by the visa section at the British embassy in Bangkok and returned to her once the decision has been made; hopefully with a visa vignette in it.

18 hours ago, Drago said:

My plan is to visit Thailand over Christmas and New year, probably returning to the UK in the second week of January, and I'm hoping that my wife can make the visa application while I'm there with her in Thailand. Would this be possible?

Possible; but she is highly unlikely to have a decision before you return to the UK. UKVI recommend allowing up to 12 weeks for a settlement application to be processed; though anecdotal evidence suggests it usually takes less time than this. If your intention is for her to return to the UK with you in January then you should submit the application now and ask for a travel date to suit your plans. She can apply up to three months in advance of her intended date of travel and her visa will start from this date or it's date of issue; whichever is the later.

Note that once her visa is issued, she will have just 30 days from it's start date to use it to enter the UK. If she doesn't do so during this time she will have to pay to have the vignette extended. Once in the UK she will have the longer of until her vignette expires or 10 days in which to collect her biometric residence permit.

I see you say she already has her TB certificate; these are only valid for 6 months and if this one expires before she submits her application then she will need to obtain another.

Your list of supporting documents seem ok, although the letter from the owner of the property where you will reside should state their relationship to you, say why they are allowing you to live there rent free and describe the property and who else lives there to show that there is at least one room for the exclusive use of you and your wife.

Although the reason is obvious, I'd also suggest that in your sponsor's letter you explain why you returned to the UK before your wife.

Also, include a copy of your passport showing your previous Thai visas and any other evidence of cohabitation you may have to show that you were living there with her before returning to the UK. and any evidence you have of contact with her whilst you have been separated.

The evidence you must provide to show you meet the financial requirement can be found in the relevant to you part of the financial appendix; from what you have said this is 5.1. Category A: With current employer for 6 months or more – person residing in the UK.

See also Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE: family members specified evidence.

Edited October 9, 2017 by 7by7
addendum

Drago · October 9, 2017

7by7 firstly let me just say a massive thank you for the reply, it is above and beyond what I was expecting and is hugely appreciated. I have gained some excellent insight as to what is needed for the application from both your post and the linked documents within it. Again thank you!

I have a few further questions which are relatively trivial but important to me that I'm sure my wife's application is as good as possible.

On the online application one of the questions is 'How long do you intend to stay in the UK?' As the application is for a settlement visa the the answer is surely is 'indefinitely'? or would it be 2.5 years as this is the duration of the visa?

On the online application there is a question regarding the 'SPONSOR' which asks, 'When did they arrive in the UK?' I'm not entirely sure what they mean, arrive from where? I was born in the UK.

The second question regarding the online application is the end where it asks for the applicant to 'sign' the form, is this just a case of typing the applicants name in to the box?

With regards to the supporting documents, I will send these to Sheffield with my UK return address. Does the supporting document pack I send to Sheffield have to include a completed VAF 4A form or does this need to be handed in to the office in Bangkok? Do I just print the form out on to standard A4 paper and fill in with pen? It's about 12 pages I think.

Final Question for the moment until I think of another! If we fill in the application online, pay for application with bank card online, pay NHS fee online, and then book appointment at the Bangkok office all my wife needs to take is her passport and ID card? As all other documentation that I'm aware of will be sent from the UK by myself to Sheffield.

Thanks for any answers I get regarding the above.

rasg · October 9, 2017

1 hour ago, Drago said:

On the online application one of the questions is 'How long do you intend to stay in the UK?' As the application is for a settlement visa the the answer is surely is 'indefinitely'? or would it be 2.5 years as this is the duration of the visa?

On the online application there is a question regarding the 'SPONSOR' which asks, 'When did they arrive in the UK?' I'm not entirely sure what they mean, arrive from where? I was born in the UK.

The second question regarding the online application is the end where it asks for the applicant to 'sign' the form, is this just a case of typing the applicants name in to the box?

With regards to the supporting documents, I will send these to Sheffield with my UK return address. Does the supporting document pack I send to Sheffield have to include a completed VAF 4A form or does this need to be handed in to the office in Bangkok? Do I just print the form out on to standard A4 paper and fill in with pen? It's about 12 pages I think.

Final Question for the moment until I think of another! If we fill in the application online, pay for application with bank card online, pay NHS fee online, and then book appointment at the Bangkok office all my wife needs to take is her passport and ID card? As all other documentation that I'm aware of will be sent from the UK by myself to Sheffield.

1. Indefinitely

2. I put my date of birth on it.

3. Your wife needs to sign and date it.

You need to print the whole thing out and your wife needs to sign and date it.

If it's still the same you need to pay the NHS surcharge first as you will need the number they provide you with for the application.

I can’t help you with your other questions. Life was a lot simpler and quicker when everything went to VFS.

Drago · October 10, 2017

20 hours ago, rasg said:

1. Indefinitely

2. I put my date of birth on it.

3. Your wife needs to sign and date it.

You need to print the whole thing out and your wife needs to sign and date it.

If it's still the same you need to pay the NHS surcharge first as you will need the number they provide you with for the application.

Hi, that's great and clears up a few niggling questions. Thanks!

Can anyone assist with the following three questions please?

1. Does my wife have to provide any financial information for herself? Bank statements etc? As it's a settlement visa and I'm the sponsor I'm guessing it's only my financials that are of interest?

2. Does the supporting document pack I send to Sheffield have to include a completed VAF 4A form or does this need to be handed in to the office in Bangkok? Do I just print the form out on to standard A4 paper and fill in with pen? It's about 12 pages I think.

3. In the guidance notes for supporting documents it states that all documents should be A4 size and if they are smaller should be copied on to A4 size paper. Obviously my payslips from work are not A4 size but I assume they still want the original non A4 size payslips included in the supporting document pack and not just copies?

Many thanks in advance for any help kindly offered.

7by7 · October 11, 2017

18 hours ago, Drago said:

1. Does my wife have to provide any financial information for herself? Bank statements etc? As it's a settlement visa and I'm the sponsor I'm guessing it's only my financials that are of interest?

If you are using her cash savings or unearned income to meet, in whole or in part, the financial requirement then the required evidence must be submitted.

However, as you say you are using just your earned income, then no financial documents are required from her.

18 hours ago, Drago said:

2. Does the supporting document pack I send to Sheffield have to include a completed VAF 4A form or does this need to be handed in to the office in Bangkok? Do I just print the form out on to standard A4 paper and fill in with pen? It's about 12 pages I think.

To be honest, I'm not sure and the guidance doesn't say.

But you do not print out the blank form to complete, it is completed online. the completed form is then printed out for the applicant, your wife, to sign the declaration.

As it's unclear, then unless someone who has more knowledge than I posts, I suggest that you print out two copies and your wife signs both. One to take to her appointment and the other to send to you. If at her appointment VFS say it should be sent to Sheffield then you can include the one you have with the other documents.

18 hours ago, Drago said:

3. In the guidance notes for supporting documents it states that all documents should be A4 size and if they are smaller should be copied on to A4 size paper. Obviously my payslips from work are not A4 size but I assume they still want the original non A4 size payslips included in the supporting document pack and not just copies?

Yes. You should provide originals and copies of all supporting documents.

Drago · October 11, 2017

Thanks again 7by7.

It says in the guidance notes for the Appendix 2 form:

Quote

4.16 If you are applying for indefinite leave to enter, has your sponsor completed and signed the Sponsorship Undertaking Form confirming that they will maintain and accommodate you without access to public funds for 5 years? Put a cross in the relevant box. The Sponsorship Undertaking Form must be completed by your sponsor and submitted with your application.

I take it that this is another document that I must submit in the the supporting documents pack I send to Sheffield?

I believe this is the form in question; https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261405/sponsorship-form.pdf

7by7 · October 11, 2017

No.

Your wife is not applying for indefinite leave to enter, so that form is not required.

Drago · October 11, 2017

18 minutes ago, 7by7 said:

No.

Your wife is not applying for indefinite leave to enter, so that form is not required.

Thank you 7by7.

Drago · October 12, 2017

Sorry for so many questions but I have been reading through the guidance notes in the Appendix 2 (VAF 4A) Financial Requirements form and it states the following:

Quote

You MUST also complete and submit the main Personal Details Form (VAF4A). Failure to do so will delay your application.

However when I google it and find a link to the form it comes up as broken. Is this form filled out online with the main application or is it filled out offline and submitted with the supporting documents as the Appendix 2 Financial Requirements form appears (yet to confirm) to be?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

7by7 · October 13, 2017

VAF4A is the online form.

There is still a paper version which can be downloaded from the same page as the financial appendix but, as it says there, these days that is for use in North Korea only. Presumably because the North Korean government restricts access to foreign websites.

Drago · October 15, 2017

On 10/13/2017 at 8:31 AM, 7by7 said:

VAF4A is the online form.

There is still a paper version which can be downloaded from the same page as the financial appendix but, as it says there, these days that is for use in North Korea only. Presumably because the North Korean government restricts access to foreign websites.

Indeed, however when you fill the online visa application form in there appears to be no financial appendix for the sponsors financial information. Other sources are stating that it must be printed and filled out with ink.

The other question is regarding my wife's PREVIOUS passport. Is she required to copy every page (including blank pages) of this and present them with the supporting documents? Sign and date each page copy?

7by7 · October 15, 2017

39 minutes ago, Drago said:

Indeed, however when you fill the online visa application form in there appears to be no financial appendix for the sponsors financial information. Other sources are stating that it must be printed and filled out with ink.

Yes, for some reason the personal details form, VAF4A, is filled in online but the financial appendix is completed by hand.

Remember, though, that once completed, the online form is printed out and then signed by the applicant.

39 minutes ago, Drago said:

The other question is regarding my wife's PREVIOUS passport. Is she required to copy every page (including blank pages) of this and present them with the supporting documents? Sign and date each page copy?

Some documents are mandatory;

marriage certificate or relevant evidence of relationship to sponsor,
TB certificate,
English certificate or proof of exemption,
financial documents required depending on how the financial requirement is being met;

others are up to you. As the the supporting documents guide says

Quote

It is not a list of documents that you must submit. We do not expect you to provide all of the documents listed below, it is for you to decide which documents are most relevant to your application.

I'm not convinced that for a settlement application previous passports are necessary; unless they contain evidence of her previously visiting you in the UK or the two of you travelling to their countries together. .

If she does supply her previous passport, and doesn't want to supply the original, then she should photocopy each page, including the blank ones to show that they are, indeed, blank, and self certify each as a true copy.

I'd definitely provide a copy of yours, to show that you were living with her in Thailand previously.

Drago · October 15, 2017

Thanks again for all the help 7by7, and again it is very much appreciated. I really want my wife and I to get this application right so please excuse the constant questioning.

I think I'm about there now with regards to understanding everything required, I may still be missing something though!

Documents my wife will take to the application center in Bangkok are;

Printed online application form signed and dated.
Completed (in ink) financial appendix 2 form.
Current valid passport (original).
Previous passport (original).

Documents I will send to Sheffield after wife has been to application center in Bangkok are;

English test certificate.
TB test certificate.
Marriage certificate & certified translation.
Copy of my passport (self certified).
Letter from me outlining our relationship and situation.
Evidence of relationship.
Six moths pay slips from my job.
Six months bank statements showing the salary being paid in to account.
Letter from my employer stating payslips are genuine, how long I have worked for them, my type of employment and my salary.
Letter from property owner highlighting relationship to them, property description, people who live at property and stating that both myself and wife can stay there FOC.
Evidence I currently live at the property.
Evidence that the property is owned by the letter writer.

I believe that you have up to 20 days to submit the documents to Sheffield starting from the date the application is handed in and biometric information is taken in Bangkok.

In the opinion of those who have experience with this type of visa does the above look like a successful application if the financial requirements and accommodation requirements are met?

Is there anything you would add to the list?

Thanks for all the help.

Drago · October 15, 2017

I'm now re-reading through the guidance notes and it's rather unclear as to whether or not the signed application form and completed appendix 2 form is actually handed over in Bangkok or submitted with the rest of the supporting documents directly to Sheffield.

The order we are doing things is as follows.

Fill out online application, make appointment for biometrics in Bangkok, pay online and then print out application and sign.
Go to Bangkok and do biometrics and hand in passport. (At this time I'm unsure as to whether or not my wife must hand in the signed copy of the printed online application and appendix 2 form or they should be included with the rest of the documents being sent directly to Sheffield).
Send all supporting documents from within the UK directly to Sheffield with paid return post to UK address.

It's all as clear as mud. 555

Edited October 15, 2017 by Drago
spelling error

rasg · October 15, 2017

Don't forget the NHS surcharge. If it's still the same, you need to pay it first to get the number to add to the application.

Drago · October 15, 2017

42 minutes ago, rasg said:

Don't forget the NHS surcharge. If it's still the same, you need to pay it first to get the number to add to the application.

Yes thanks. This is paid at the end of the online application.

rasg · October 16, 2017

We were married in the UK so no NHS surcharge and with FLR you pay it first.

7by7 · October 16, 2017

Drago, as I've already said, I, too, am unclear whether she hands the signed hard copy of the personal details form in when she attends the VAC to have her biometrics taken; which is why I suggested she do two, one to take with her and one to send to you.

The guidance for the new system says

Quote

Settlement customers will need to:

1. Attend their chosen Visa Application Centre to submit their biometrics and passport. Visa applicant’s passports will be retained by UKVI until the visa decision is made.

2. Arrange to post or courier their supporting documents directly to UKVI in Sheffield or contract VFS Global to digitally scan the supporting documents as outlined above.

Which suggests to me that all supporting documents, including Appendix 2, can be sent direct to Sheffield.

Guemlum · October 22, 2017

This has been a great post Drago and as always, 7by7's replies have been invaluable.

Drago, please update us all on your last question "At this time I'm unsure as to whether or not my wife must hand in the signed copy of the printed online application and appendix 2 form or they should be included with the rest of the documents being sent directly to Sheffield" as you will most likely find out before those of us who are still in the process of putting together the application and supporting evidence.

Also, did you have to print out 2 sets of the barcodes? 1 for original documents and 1 for copies?

Regards

Guemlum

Drago · October 22, 2017

1 hour ago, Guemlum said:

This has been a great post Drago and as always, 7by7's replies have been invaluable.

Drago, please update us all on your last question "At this time I'm unsure as to whether or not my wife must hand in the signed copy of the printed online application and appendix 2 form or they should be included with the rest of the documents being sent directly to Sheffield" as you will most likely find out before those of us who are still in the process of putting together the application and supporting evidence.

Also, did you have to print out 2 sets of the barcodes? 1 for original documents and 1 for copies?

Regards

Guemlum

Hi Guemilum-

We are actually not making the application until the back end of December and at the moment I'm just making sure that I understand as best I can and have the required paperwork ready.

As I'm planning on sending the supporting documentation to Sheffield via Royal Mail from within the UK then I won't need to do anything regarding barcodes as these are only to do with scanning, I'm also under the impression that the barcode system is not actually being used for settlement visas, maybe someone can correct this if I'm wrong?

The thing I'm still unsure of is whether the printed and signed application along with the appendix 2 form is handed in with my wife's passport in Bangkok when she gets her bimometrics taken or if the application and appendix 2 form is to go with the supporting documents directly to Sheffield.

I will have her take the signed application and appendix 2 form with her to the appointment in Bangkok and if they don't take and scan them there I will take them back to the UK and put them with the rest of the documents and send to Sheffield.

I know that when you make payment after completing the online application they give you a reference number, this number must be written clearly on a photocopy of the applicants passport photo page and put at the front of the supporting documents as the first page when sending to Sheffield.

I will post any more details I get here. Also when we have made the application if it is successful I will make a thread with detailed guide to try and help others.

Edited October 22, 2017 by Drago
add info

Guemlum · October 22, 2017

1 hour ago, Drago said:

Hi Guemilum-

We are actually not making the application until the back end of December and at the moment I'm just making sure that I understand as best I can and have the required paperwork ready.

Likewise, we will probably submit our's at the end of December, beginning of Jan. I have an existing template from previous visa applications, so a lot of the legwork is done. I just need some clarification on financial requirements, which I have posted in seperate thread.

As I'm planning on sending the supporting documentation to Sheffield via Royal Mail from within the UK then I won't need to do anything regarding barcodes as these are only to do with scanning, I'm also under the impression that the barcode system is not actually being used for settlement visas, maybe someone can correct this if I'm wrong?

If anyone could confirm, that would be great.

The thing I'm still unsure of is whether the printed and signed application along with the appendix 2 form is handed in with my wife's passport in Bangkok when she gets her bimometrics taken or if the application and appendix 2 form is to go with the supporting documents directly to Sheffield.

It doesn't hurt to send 2 copies. I will send my wife 2 copies for her to sign...one for her to submit when she visits the VFS and one to send back to me should it be required along with the supporting documentation being sent to Sheffield.

I will have her take the signed application and appendix 2 form with her to the appointment in Bangkok and if they don't take and scan them there I will take them back to the UK and put them with the rest of the documents and send to Sheffield.

I know that when you make payment after completing the online application they give you a reference number, this number must be written clearly on a photocopy of the applicants passport photo page and put at the front of the supporting documents as the first page when sending to Sheffield.

I will post any more details I get here. Also when we have made the application if it is successful I will make a thread with detailed guide to try and help others.

That would be great. There definitely needs to be a more up to date "step by step" process on here to assist all, but then that would take out all of the fun in trying to research it yourself. Having said that, you've done a great job with your questioning, which I know will help others.

Regards

Guemlum

7by7 · October 24, 2017

On ‎22‎/‎10‎/‎2017 at 7:01 PM, Drago said:

Also when we have made the application if it is successful I will make a thread with detailed guide to try and help others.

Please do.

At present all we have to go on is the UKVI guidance; which isn't as clear as it should be.

It will help enormously to have actual first hand experience from someone who has gone through the process.

Jip99 · November 5, 2018

I haven't seen anything subsequent from Drago....if still out there it would be interesting to hear how the application went.

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