Visa Application

[a man with a plan]

Well, I'm about ready to put in the applications for my wifes settlement in England... but even though I have the application for I can't help but feel a little lost. I know that you are supposed to submit stuff like photos etc. but in any particular way?

Advice anyone? Also it would be good to have like a check list for it, then maybe you could have it posted and then when people want more information you could just link them to it instead of having to explain again. Also how do I know if I need a sponsor? I have a feeling I might so I will prepare the information regarding that aswell.

[the scouser]

Amwap,

[the scouser]

Amwap,

In support of your wife's application you should submit the following:-

1. Your last 6 months bank statements;

2. Your Thai bank book (if you have such an account);

3. Your last 4 months wage slips;

4. Confirmation of your employment in the UK;

5. Evidence of your relationship (photos, e-mails, phone bills, letters addressed to the 2 of you at the same address - basically anything that springs to mind)

6. Your passport;

7. Your marriage certificate (with a translated copy)

8. Any other evidence of your financial standing;

9. Details of the accommodation available to you in the UK;

10. The birth certificates of any children your wife may have had prior to her relationship with you).

You can just submit these documents in a big envelope if you so wish but, often, good presentation can help, so I suggest laying everything out neatly in a folder which is annexed; e.g. annex 1 - bank statements, annex 2 - wage slips etc. All documents should be original and accompanied by 1 copy.

When you say that you're not sure whether you need a sponsor I presume that you mean you're not sure if your financial standing in the UK will be deemed sufficient. There is no fixed amount that is required to prove this point but, rather, what is considered reasonable. If you feel that what you won't pass this assessment then it is advisable to obtain a letter from someone who is willing to financially support you and your wife should the need arise. This should be accompanied by evidence of their ability to do so.

With regard to accommodation you should submit proof of mortgage/tenancy/ownership of the property. If you will be staying with friends or family your hosts should confirm in writing that they are willing to do this and also state how many bedrooms the house has as well as how many are currently occupied, confirming that one is for the exclusive use of you and your wife.

If you don't have employment in the UK but have a job offer then proof of this should be submitted as it should for your wife too if this applies to her.

All of this should be capped with a covering letter which briefly outlines the circumstances of your relationship. It should address the requirements of the immigration rules (see below) making reference to the various annexes; e.g. with regard to my ability to support my wife I refer you to annex 1 of my bundle.

The immigration rules for settlement as a spouse:-

281. The requirements to be met by a person seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom with a view to settlement as the spouse of a person present and settled in the United Kingdom or who is on the same occasion being admitted for settlement are that:

(i) (a) the applicant is married to a person present and settled in the United Kingdom or who is on the same occasion being admitted for settlement; or

( the applicant is married to a person who has a right of abode in the United Kingdom or indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom and is on the same occasion seeking admission to the United Kingdom for the purposes of settlement and the parties were married at least 4 years ago, since which time they have been living together outside the United Kingdom; and

(ii) the parties to the marriage have met; and

(iii) each of the parties intends to live permanently with the other as his or her spouse and the marriage is subsisting; and

(iv) there will be adequate accommodation for the parties and any dependants without recourse to public funds in accommodation which they own or occupy exclusively; and

(v) the parties will be able to maintain themselves and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds;

Best of luck,

Scouse.

[a man with a plan]

Okay, two things. First off, what does amwap mean? and secondly, what exactly do I have to get from the person who is acting as sponsor? A letter and some bank statements maybe? Anything else?

[Explorer]

Okay, two things.  First off, what does amwap mean?  and secondly, what exactly do I have to get from the person who is acting as sponsor?  A letter and some bank statements maybe?  Anything else?

Amwap = A Man With A Plan

Explorer

[a man with a plan]

Well I'll be... really? I don't really use message boards much so I'm not to up on a lot of the jargon used. I didn't think of that tough.

A question about pictures - I have thousands of them and they date back over two years, but what's to stop the bloke in the embassy saying 'these could have been taking last week'. We both haven't changed a bit in the last two years.

[the scouser]

Amwap,

Yes, a letter and evidence of their financial standing will be required from a sponsor. Don't worry about the photos. Not even visa officers are disingenuous enough to question the timescale over which they were taken. Unless, of course, you're wearing the same clothes in all of them and they're set in the same location. Anyway, presumably you'll have other forms of proof too which will corroborate the photos.

Scouse.

[Gibbo]

I contacted the Embassy in Bangkok and was told I could present copies of all my documents at the application stage of my Fiancees Visa application, and present the original documents at the time of her interview. Is this correct?

Regards

Gibbo

[a man with a plan]

Amwap,

Yes, a letter and evidence of their financial standing will be required from a sponsor.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What kind of evidence, will a bank statement do it?

Amwap,

Anyway, presumably you'll have other forms of proof too which will corroborate the photos.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What other forms of proof would be good?

[the scouser]

Amwap,

Yes, a letter and evidence of their financial standing will be required from a sponsor.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What kind of evidence, will a bank statement do it?

Amwap,

Anyway, presumably you'll have other forms of proof too which will corroborate the photos.

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What other forms of proof would be good?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, bank statements, wage slips, anything that shows they can support you. With regard to evidence other than photos:-

5. Evidence of your relationship (photos, e-mails, phone bills, letters addressed to the 2 of you at the same address - basically anything that springs to mind)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gibbo,

I contacted the Embassy in Bangkok and was told I could present copies of all my documents at the application stage of my Fiancees Visa application, and present the original documents at the time of her interview. Is this correct?

Regards

Gibbo

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, that's fine as long as the visa officer gets to see the originals at some stage. Don't forget to submit more up to date evidence if there is a lengthy delay between the application and interview.

Scouse.