The one weak point of my wifes settlement visa application is accomodation in the UK, any help/advise appreciated.

I've been in email contact with a letting agency where we want to live, I know them from the past, and finding somewhere won't be a problem. The probem is that we cant sign a contract to rent until she (hopefully) gets the visa, and I don't think the Embassy will give a visa without somewhere to live. We have the option of staying with my brother or sister until we can arranage somewhere to live, but its 200 miles away from where we want to live. Not a problem to arrange a place but what would the Embassy think?

Help!

Ideally, the embassy want to see that you already have a suitable place to stay whether it be mortgaged, owned, rented, or with family. If the visa officer was so minded, he could refuse the application solely for the lack of accommodation as this is one of the main thrusts of the immigration rules. I think you should either get somewhere sorted before you return, or provide evidence that you've been in contact with the letting agency, but the latter is not guaranteed to be acceptable for the purposes of supporting your wife's application.

Cheers,

Scouse.

I thought the answer would be something like that Scouse, thanks for confirming it.

We have the option of staying with my brother or sister until we can arrange somewhere to live, but its 200 miles away from where we want to live.

But still a ###### sight closer than Thailand!

As Scouse says, one of the criteria for a visa is that you must be able to accommodate yourselves in suitable accommodation without recourse to public funds. A couple of years ago we were applying for a vv for my wife's son and at the same time looking to move into larger accommodation. (I know, should have got that sorted first, but we were trying to fit everything into university holidays.) We were due to sign the rental agreement the day before his interview and I had already confirmed with the visa section that it would be OK to fax the agreement to them. Unfortunately, 2 days before this the landlord backed out! I did fax through a letter from the lettings agent that we were looking at other properties and that they would find one for us before his visit, but he was refused on accommodation grounds.

Therefore, I would suggest that you take up one of the offers from your siblings and stay with them so you can both come to the UK and sort out a place of your own.

Remember, they will need to show that the accommodation is suitable, with a bedroom for the exclusive use of you and your wife. They will also need to provide evidence that they own the property, or, if they rent, a letter from their landlord giving permission for you and your wife to stay there.

The offer of employment is sorted, in Bognor Regis. My brother and sister both own their own houses in Ipswich, and we can stay there. How will the Embassy view her going to the UK, with accomodation arranged, but a long way from the job offer?

I feel caught between a rock and a hard place!

You could try booking a hotel for a week and showing the confirmation to the ECO, explaining that within that week you will find permanent accommodation, but, again, if I were the ECO I'd look rather dimly upon it.

Scouse.

The offer of employment is sorted, in Bognor Regis. My brother and sister both own their own houses in Ipswich, and we can stay there. How will the Embassy view her going to the UK, with accomodation arranged, but a long way from the job offer?

I feel caught between a rock and a hard place!

It might raise eyebrows at the embassy, but could you not say that you intend to commute fom Ipswich to Bognor each day? It's a heck of a round-trip (about 250 miles in total), but there are people I know in London who actually do a similar distance each day.

Best of luck.

djmm