UK Spouse Visas, supporting documents, originals etc?

[diyer]

Diyer's quote about the need for a property inspection report comes from a company which carries out property inspections!

Tony M, as many here will know, is not just a very experienced visa agent in Thailand with a very high success rate; he is also an ex UKBA employee and has worked as an ECO.

I certainly take his opinion over mine, and will continue to do so over other amateurs like myself.

BTW, Anon999, applicants have not been routinely interviewed for quite a few years; although sometimes, especially if the applicant is a child, there may be a telephone interview.

I gave the UKBA list of supporting documents checklist.

If you don't think a document is necessary, then don't supply it!

It's not my application.

[Kevin1908]

My council tax bill does not indicate the number of occupants, just that I don't get the single occupancy discount!

Exactly why you should do a separate property report with detailing number of rooms and occupancy.

I have a draft from an Independent Property Agent if anyone is interested.

Who does this property report, what is their professional qualifications. How you they verify who is occupying the property.

All I need to do is get the 2 families of Polish immigrants to get lost for the day and I am the only inhabitant.

[diyer]

With respect, if you are going to give advice then it should be correct. Incorrect advice can cause applicants and sponsors big problems. I know you say it is only a guide, but even a guide should contain correct information.

There is no need for any Property inspection report. The visa officer accepts proof of ownership or renting, and, in addition, photos of the available accommodation is sufficient.

The applicant has to meet A1 level, not B1, of the CEFR, from an approved test centre.

It was a list of documents to consider Tony as per UKBA website Guidance Notes.

As the OP is obviously not yet in a position to make an application, I assumed he wouldn't submit his applicant before 28th October 2013 and therefore quoted B1.

To avoid confusion it is currently level A1, but from October 28th 2013 the English language requirement will be B1 of the European Framework.

[7by7]

Not for the initial visa it wont be.

B1 will be required for ILR; but the level for the initial visa remains at A1.

Please check you facts before posting and get them right.

Edited July 25, 2013 by 7by7

[7by7]

My council tax bill does not indicate the number of occupants, just that I don't get the single occupancy discount!

Exactly why you should do a separate property report with detailing number of rooms and occupancy.

I have a draft from an Independent Property Agent if anyone is interested.

The only people you have found saying such a report should be included is a company who carry out such reports.

I have been involved in many settlement applications over the last 13 years, personally and through forums such as this.

How many included such a report? None.

How many were refused on accommodation grounds? None.

But, as you say, it is up to members whether or not they wish to go to the added expense of obtaining one.

Edited July 25, 2013 by 7by7

[theoldgit]

This thread is about the requirement for original documents, please keep on topic and stop offering misleading advice.

[Rob180]

My short question seems to have kick-started a lot of debate and unfortunately some misinformation. Personally, I've never heard of a Property Inspection Report being required ever and I've never heard anything about the English Test being anything other than A1 for an initial Spouse/Settlement Visa either.

If bank statements, payslips etc need to be originals, does that mean if you're not in Thailand at the right time, you have to use the POST !? What's the postal service like In Thailand? I have no idea!

[theoldgit]

Yes sorry Rob.

There is no need for debate, you have had your question answered, I will remove any further misleading advice.

If original documents are required, as I said earlier, Royal Mail signed for service is reliable and reasonably priced.

[7by7]

Rob,

Depends where you are sending stuff to.

Big town or city; no problem; airmail usually takes 2 to 3 days when we send stuff to my step son or sister in law in Bangkok.

Countryside; probably longer.

We usually send stuff signed for as a foreign letter left sticking out of someone's letter box could be nicked as it may have money in it.

Alternatively, you could use a courier, which for a large package of documents may even work out cheaper.

[theoldgit]

Off topic post removed.

[Rob180]

Thanks OldGit, I see the Property Report has been mentioned again above. It's a new one on me that, at this rate I'll need an articulated lorry to transport the Visa application file to the Embassy!

[Rob180]

Thanks 7by7, so posting is not the problem I envisaged it might be. Although replacing those items that would need posted would be a nightmare if they went missing (eg: my employer can only ever provide 1 original payslip, subsequent one's would be computer print offs!). I think bringing the stuff over in person sounds a safer option! I'm also thinking using a good Agent is a safer option, this whole process sounds like a total nightmare !!

Edited July 25, 2013 by Rob180

[7by7]

deleted, no longer relevant.

Edited July 25, 2013 by 7by7

[theoldgit]

Further off topic post removed.

[7by7]

Thanks 7by7, so posting is not the problem I envisaged it might be. Although replacing those items that would need posted would be a nightmare if they went missing (eg: my employer can only ever provide 1 original payslip, subsequent one's would be computer print offs!). I think bringing the stuff over in person sounds a safer option! I'm also thinking using a good Agent is a safer option, this whole process sounds like a total nightmare !!

Up to you whether or not to use an agent; but read this first.

If you are going to be in Thailand when she submits the application anyway then taking the supporting documents with you is certainly a better option than posting them.

Don't worry; it's not the nightmare certain posters seem to want to portray it as.

[TCA]

Thanks OldGit, I see the Property Report has been mentioned again above. It's a new one on me that, at this rate I'll need an articulated lorry to transport the Visa application file to the Embassy!

I prepared my wife's application in full in the UK (having brought all the Thai paperwork with me) and sent an A4 folder plus another A4 folder of copies by Royal Mail back to Thailand. Heavy and cost a few quid but arrived safely after about 10 days.

[2yearvisitvisa]

best get a good agent ,the UKBA are there to stop people getting into the UK not to help you ,done the trip twice once for the wife ,used a agent easy ,once for her children ,did that my self ,thought it was easy ,they got no ,got yes year later after court case ,quite bad ,then all my documents originals where lost good luck ,think what your wife will do once she gets to the UK ,what you will find Thais overseas will always help your wife ,they are very good like that

in your case, it probably was better, to use an agent, do you know why, you think, you got no? did you get yes, year later, cause used a good lawyer? you think Thais, overseas, what you will will find, always help, other Thais?

:-)

[2yearvisitvisa]

best get a good agent ,the UKBA are there to stop people getting into the UK not to help you ,done the trip twice once for the wife ,used a agent easy ,once for her children ,did that my self ,thought it was easy ,they got no ,got yes year later after court case ,quite bad ,then all my documents originals where lost good luck ,think what your wife will do once she gets to the UK ,what you will find Thais overseas will always help your wife ,they are very good like that

The UKV&I are not there to stop people getting into the UK, so please don't scaremonger. Their role is to assess applications on the evidence provided, quite simply if the applicant can demonstrate they meet the criteria then a visa will be issued, as indeed the majority are.

Whilst I wouldn't advise against using an agent if you were unsure as to the strength of an application, in the majority of cases it isn't necessary, which is the advice a good agent would give.

I think, that depends, on the person, filling out the documents, ability, to deal with , officialdom and, documentations, in the case where , the person, aint too confident, its best,they use, an Agent.

[2yearvisitvisa]

My council tax bill does not indicate the number of occupants, just that I don't get the single occupancy discount!

Is that because you all live with your mum and dad or because you live in a rented flat?

[2yearvisitvisa]

Thanks 7by7, so posting is not the problem I envisaged it might be. Although replacing those items that would need posted would be a nightmare if they went missing (eg: my employer can only ever provide 1 original payslip, subsequent one's would be computer print offs!). I think bringing the stuff over in person sounds a safer option! I'm also thinking using a good Agent is a safer option, this whole process sounds like a total nightmare !!

Rob, do not risk the royal mail or the Thai mail service - I have had plenty of letters and packages go missing. DHL easy, cheap and effective.

[theoldgit]

Thanks 7by7, so posting is not the problem I envisaged it might be. Although replacing those items that would need posted would be a nightmare if they went missing (eg: my employer can only ever provide 1 original payslip, subsequent one's would be computer print offs!). I think bringing the stuff over in person sounds a safer option! I'm also thinking using a good Agent is a safer option, this whole process sounds like a total nightmare !!

Rob, do not risk the royal mail or the Thai mail service - I have had plenty of letters and packages go missing. DHL easy, cheap and effective.

On the other hand, I have had numerous letters and packages delivered using the Royal Mail's Signed for Service, not one has failed to arrive.

[theoldgit]

best get a good agent ,the UKBA are there to stop people getting into the UK not to help you ,done the trip twice once for the wife ,used a agent easy ,once for her children ,did that my self ,thought it was easy ,they got no ,got yes year later after court case ,quite bad ,then all my documents originals where lost good luck ,think what your wife will do once she gets to the UK ,what you will find Thais overseas will always help your wife ,they are very good like that

The UKV&I are not there to stop people getting into the UK, so please don't scaremonger. Their role is to assess applications on the evidence provided, quite simply if the applicant can demonstrate they meet the criteria then a visa will be issued, as indeed the majority are.

Whilst I wouldn't advise against using an agent if you were unsure as to the strength of an application, in the majority of cases it isn't necessary, which is the advice a good agent would give.

I think, that depends, on the person, filling out the documents, ability, to deal with , officialdom and, documentations, in the case where , the person, aint too confident, its best,they use, an Agent.

Yes, I am certainly assuming that most people reading this thread are able to complete a pretty straight forward form and carry out a straight forward procedure.

[theoldgit]

Nonsensical and off topic remark removed.

[2yearvisitvisa]

Thanks 7by7, so posting is not the problem I envisaged it might be. Although replacing those items that would need posted would be a nightmare if they went missing (eg: my employer can only ever provide 1 original payslip, subsequent one's would be computer print offs!). I think bringing the stuff over in person sounds a safer option! I'm also thinking using a good Agent is a safer option, this whole process sounds like a total nightmare !!

Rob, do not risk the royal mail or the Thai mail service - I have had plenty of letters and packages go missing. DHL easy, cheap and effective.

On the other hand, I have had numerous letters and packages delivered using the Royal Mail's Signed for Service, not one has failed to arrive.

And on my hand again, Ive lived in Thailand since 1995 and ran a business which exported to the UK. And, for the a few quid why even risk it? We all know DHL is by far superior that the Thai postal service......

[Rob180]

Thanks everyone for the advice. For the benefit of the person who made the comment (which has now been removed) implying I was thinking about coming to Thailand just to deliver documents in person........ if you don't have the intellect to decipher that perhaps I was meaning bringing the documents with me on my forthcoming already arranged trip, then I would suggest you refrain from commenting and leave that to all the other people on this thread who are both helpful and sensible which you clearly are not.

[bubbles]

When we did my wife's 2 visa visits (gf at the time), we used an agent & sent over via e-mails, scanned copy of all the docs, the agent printed them, made it look presentable & 2 visit visa's were granted.

Lucky I found this as we are going for the spouse visa this time without the agent & was planning the same approach over scanning the docs & printing them again.

The agent would still be accepting e-mails if we did it through her again though, she offered a guaranteed visa or we get her fee back and I've known her 10 years so she isn't about to lie to me. The process isn't different to agents by any small chance is it? I'd be surprised it was.

[theoldgit]

The process isn't different to agents by any small chance is it? I'd be surprised it was.

No, the process is exactly the same, an agent acts for an applicant and it's still the applicant who responsible for the content of the application.

[bubbles]

The process isn't different to agents by any small chance is it? I'd be surprised it was.

No, the process is exactly the same, an agent acts for an applicant and it's still the applicant who responsible for the content of the application.

so it's originals all the way, despite previous experience with the visit visa?

[theoldgit]

UKV&I are clear in their instructions that only original documents are acceptable, together with a copy if you want the originals returned.

It's really up to the applicant to decide whether to take a chance, I'm sure some do, but I wouldn't.

[7by7]

Certainly, your financial evidence must be originals, or if print outs or copies be certified as per section 3.3 of Annex FM Section FM1.7