Supporting Documents

[Rj 81]

Hi once again folks,

The main factor the ECO is looking for when deciding on a Spouse visa application is, "do we intend to live together permanently" once in the UK.

My question is how do you show this in the supporting documents? This is the only thing I am bit concerned about, I think every other requirement we've got covered.

1, Legally Married. We won't be at the time of the application, but at the requested interview date we will be, so no problems with this.

2, I am settled in the UK. Yes no problem here.

3, Have met each other before. Yes no problem here.

4, Can support ourselves in UK. Yes no problems here either.

5, Have suitable accomodation. Another Yes.

6, Over 18. Yes.

7, Intend to live together permanently once in UK. Yes, but how do you prove it.

I will be able to show phone records from both my mobile and landline phones. We send about 4 or 5 texts a day and speak to each other from the landline once a day, usually for about 30 mins.

We have loads of photos of us together, plus some with me and the rest of her family.

There are no written letters, there will be very few emails (less than 5).

Last time we applied for a visit visa the ECO didn't believe are relationship was "as close as claimed". How he thought that when we were in contact every single day from the moment I left LOS to applying for the visa I don't know, but whats to say they won't come up with this again?

In the letter I have wrote to accompany the application I have tried to explain that we are as close and genuine as can possibly be.

Is there any other ways of showing that you are genuine and do intend to live together?

[vinny]

See: 13.12 Intention to live together: residence after arrival in the UK

[Rj 81]

See: 13.12 Intention to live together: residence after arrival in the UK

Thanks for the link vinny. I have read and understood it, but it doesn't really tell me what other documents I should provide.

[Jersey_UK]

Hi once again folks,

The main factor the ECO is looking for when deciding on a Spouse visa application is, "do we intend to live together permanently" once in the UK.

My question is how do you show this in the supporting documents? This is the only thing I am bit concerned about, I think every other requirement we've got covered.

7, Intend to live together permanently once in UK. Yes, but how do you prove it.

I will be able to show phone records from both my mobile and landline phones. We send about 4 or 5 texts a day and speak to each other from the landline once a day, usually for about 30 mins.

We have loads of photos of us together, plus some with me and the rest of her family.

There are no written letters, there will be very few emails (less than 5).

Last time we applied for a visit visa the ECO didn't believe are relationship was "as close as claimed". How he thought that when we were in contact every single day from the moment I left LOS to applying for the visa I don't know, but whats to say they won't come up with this again?

In the letter I have wrote to accompany the application I have tried to explain that we are as close and genuine as can possibly be.

Is there any other ways of showing that you are genuine and do intend to live together?

No doubt those who are more expert will respond in due course! But in the meantime...........

Sounds kinda similar to me (Not yet applied), although we have few photos (my fault, but will be rectified next trip), loadsa E-mails, telephone records which only say "International" and some letters. What we are doing now is writing to each other approx once a week, I guess mainly for the envelopes (whether this is actually needed or not is something I cannot say - but I figure it is something we can do).

What I am figuring on is (after have sucked all the information out of this website that I can!) is making sure that the Missus will be fully briefed on what she and us will be doing in the UK (I am someone who has a tendency to make things up as I go along - on the basis that even the best intended plans do change from evenets) which I figure is not something which will go down well with an ECO. I am assuming (hoping?!) that at the interview the Missus will sound like she "knows what she is doing" when it comes to her plans in the UK and that it revolves around us being together.

Also she does know a lot about me, and we will be "discussing" all this again - just to make sure she can demonstrate a knowledge of me.

The "intention" to live together is something that I won't be able to "prove" 100%, I think the best that we can do is present the ECO with realistic plans based around / include each other.

FWIW our plans (Heavily guided by me at the moment of course) are that as soon as she gets the Visa that I will come down to Thailand to help her pack up (and me to have a last holiday for quite some time!) and to travel back with her to Jersey.

Initially we will be staying with my Father and Brother (big enough house) mainly until I am sure of my work position (I work contracts) for the next couple of months and ASAP (5 days of 5 weeks later) we will then rent our own place (I could do this before, but I do not want to sign a lease for a year or 2 on somewhere I may not be using if the Visa is refused) - and also it would be nice if she had some input on where we lived together and where we stay starts off as our home, not just mine.

She will be going back to school (probably part time) for English lessons for at least a couple of months (She speaks enough to more than get by - but her written English and sentence construction is piss poor!). At the same time she will be getting a Mcjob of some sort, hopefully working in a shop / sandwich shop or similar where she can improve her spoken English from day to day contact with folk (and at her own pace), as well as her English reading to some degree. And also so she can start making some money! / give her something to do when I am at work and equally importantly so she can start building up a social circle independent of me as well as just learning how to live in Farangland. She will also have to come to terms with the concept of finding a "hobby" / non work interests........I am a sailing man and I hope she also takes to it............instead of golf!

After all that (6 months?) will depend job wise how well she is getting on with her written English (I am sure that her spoken English will improve very quickly from day to day use, especially from work), but mainly it will what she wants to do (and proves capable of), based on her experiances in Jersey - I figure their is no point "over planning" at the moment. Her going to get some formal qualifications is not a problem, as long as she wants to. We may also set up a business together - I have a few ideas (and part time for me), but this very much depends on what she proves capable of in practice and wants to do.

Possibly this post is not a lot of help (especially as it is untested by an ECO!), but I figure that sometimes it is just helpful to know that you are not alone.

[vinny]

Evidence of length and frequency of contacts will certainly show some form of commitment. Records of visits. Any flight stubs and other travel receipts available, hotel receipts where possible with names of both Applicant and Sponsor detailed, photographs of both parties together - a few from each visit spent together will suffice� It can be useful to present photographs of the Applicant and Sponsor with other family members though on balance do not worry if you do not have access to such photographs. Itemised Phone Statements. Receipts for gifts sent (flowers, etc.) for birthdays, Valentine's Day, etc. Transcripts of Real Time Online Communications.

Marriage certificate and corrresponding commitments will also be important.

Where both partners are clearly committed to stay together irrespective of whether they live in the UK or not, the intention to live together will be shown.

Paradoxically, it may be useful if both of you have the same concrete plans, demonstrating how you would stay together, in the case of the visa not being granted. Edited February 11, 2006 by vinny

[Jersey_UK]

Paradoxically, it may be useful if both of you have the same concrete plans, demonstrating how you would stay together, in the case of the visa not being granted.

A good idea I think, for me it's already called "Plan B" (C & D!).

[GU22]

See: 13.12 Intention to live together: residence after arrival in the UK

Thanks for the link vinny. I have read and understood it, but it doesn't really tell me what other documents I should provide.

There aren't any documents you can supply that will prove that the two of you intend to live together. However, the evidence of contact (phone and e-mail records, photos, Thai entry stamps in your passport etc.) go to show that the relationship is genuine. If the ECO is satisfied that the relationship is genuine then s/he will also be satisfied that you intend to live together.

Be aware of possible questions like:-

Whose idea was it to live in the UK?

Are you marrying him so you can get a visa?

Will you still want to live with him if you don't get the visa?

Would he move to Thailand to be with you if necessary?

See this thread.

However, if the ECO is satisfied that the relationship is genuine then questions such as these are highly unlikely.

[Rj 81]

Vinny & GU22

Thanks again for that info, much appreciated

Jersey, sounds like youv'e got a plan together there old chap Don't know the Jersey lingo

Best of luck to you I'm sure you will be okay.