my problem stems from being an expat for too long and having nowhere to live in the UK and so we have the chicken/egg scenario, if I make arrangements for somewhere to live (buy/rent) and then apply for the visa and get refused then Jonzie's gonna be mad, apply without the proof of accommodation and I run the risk of being refused anyway

so my question is, has anyone been successful getting the visa approved by proving sufficient funds to buy a reasonably sized house with no mortgage required?

cheers all

Jon

Yours is not an unusual situation, and one that the ECOs see often.

You will need to say where you will be living until you have your own accommodation sorted. This can be with a relative or friend, and they will need to write a letter of invitation and provide evidence that they either own (e.g. a mortgage statement) or if they rent a letter from their landlord giving you permission to live there. They will also need to provide evidence that there is at least one room for the exclusive use of you and your wife.

You will also, of course, need to show that you have sufficient finances to support yourselves without recourse to public funds, although from what you say this shouldn't be a problem, and how you will be supporting yourselves in the future; employment prospects, independent means etc.

See Maintenance and accommodation for more details.

thanks again 7X7, that's what I call pay dirt!!!

I've been wondering for a while if there was something available on the UKBA website that explained things more clearly

your link, and other links from there, have been very useful indeed

having said that, I am still not satisfied with the way UKBA look at things

there has to be circumstances, like mine, where an applicant, the wife, and the sponsor want approval to go to UK before making arrangements for accommodation (my mother lives in a care home, and my only other close relative. my brother, lives in a one bed apartment)

I guess I'm just gonna have to jump through some hoops, firey ones at that, and hope that the visa gets approved after shelling out my hard-earned

but again, if ANYONE has any experience of NOT doing this, I'd be grateful for some help

Not going to be very helpful 7x7 is, as always accurate. I wonder how they would feel about a pre-booked, pre-paid (and documented) stay in a hotel or guest house together with evidence of funds for longer-term rental/mortgage? Does anyone know?

From what I understand the rules are to make sure that people do not just turn up and demand emergency accomodation. Perhaps an email to the embassy or a chat to one of the OISC advisors may be worthwhile.

This cannot be an uncommon problem. Perhaps someone on the forum could advise.

From what I understand the rules are to make sure that people do not just turn up and demand emergency accommodation.

Spot on

Jon,

Surely you have given some thought to where you will be living until you have purchased and are able to move into a suitable property of your own?

In your sponsor's letter, outline these plans. If you do intend to stay in a residential hotel, say so. If you have a booking confirmation, then include it in the supporting documents, if not then say that you are unwilling to book such accommodation until you know for sure that your wife has her visa and when you will be traveling to the UK.

Also, if you have already been in correspondence with estate agents in the area where you want to live, then include copies of this as well.

Contrary to what some people believe, the ECOs are not power crazed sociopaths who take great delight in refusing applications on the flimsiest of excuses!

Simply show that, on the balance of probabilities, your wife meets the criteria. Show that you have prepared for your arrival and make a credible case for where you will be staying and you should be ok.

just a thought. Maybe you could contact Letting Agents in the area. Most of them are on the Internet.

They might be able to help you secure accommodation. You will have to send a deposit and advanced rent. Plus sign a 6 mont tenancy agreement.

That way you will be able to show you have accommodation to go to. Best of luck

Well guys, it's been a while, but today the wife picked up her ILE visa. Thought I'd share our experience in case it comes in handy for someone in future.

Firstly, with regard to accommodation, we decided to on buying up front as renting is a nightmare when you are overseas and have no idea when you can actually travel to UK to take up a tenancy. Also we have no friends or relatives suitable to put us up. Anyway, wifey and I went back to UK for two weeks in May, having already set up a number of houses to view using internet searches (www.globrix.com was the best for me). We made an offer on a house on 21st May, had a homebuyers survey done and commissioned a solicitor to start the conveyancing.

When we got back home (to Hong Kong) I started putting together the remaining parts to our submission. For accommodation I provided the estate agent's offer to buy letter, my solicitor's letter with initial details of the searches on the house, and a letter from the surveyor confirming the survey had been completed. I also provided proof of funds to buy the house without mortgage.

We did the online application on Tuesday 15 June, booked an appointment for submitting documents for 17 June, which the wife attended, did the biometrics etc (no TB test here) and we got the email saying the decision was ready for collection yesterday 23rd June. Amazing!!!

Now, I accept all cases are different, but I was a little unsure about getting approval because it would not take to much imagination to realise that today I could withdraw my offer to buy the house as we haven't exchanged contracts yet, which of course I won't. So, I guess 7X7 is right is saying the ECOs are not a bunch of ogres waiting to ruin your day.

By the way, whilst back in UK, the wife took the Life in the UK Test and passed. No problem taking the test whilst in UK as a visitor I rang up our nearest centre before we flew back and they were very helpful), just make sure you use the passport you intend to submit to UKBA as your ID proof when attending the test centre.

All in all a stressful journey so far, made significantly easier by all of the wonderfully helpful people on this forum.