Applying for a UK Settlement Visa

[viking639]

Firstly, thanks to those members who have been kind enough to offer advice and help to my previous posts.

After obtaining 7 Tourist Visas to visit the UK since 2008, my partner wishes to apply for a Settlement Visa which I understand runs for 30 months? We already entered into a Civil Partnership in 2012 in the UK.

Can anyone please point me towards either a previous pinned post that is up to date with current regulations or to the website link where we can start the application process online.

As ever, thanks again for your valued assistance.

Viking639

[Richard W]

The Immigration Rules are here, and the basic web page for applications is here, which should lead you here. Note that you are dictated to by Appendix FM, not Part 8, of the Immigration Rules.

[7by7]

The third of Richard's links above, Apply to join family living permanently in the UK, gives you the basics.

You may also find the pinned topic UK settlement visa basics useful; but the links contained therein and the information on the language test providers need updating.

Basically:-

1) You and your partner will need to show that the relationship is genuine and subsisting; which shouldn't be difficult as your partner has already obtained several visit visas on the basis of it. But do not assume it's a foregone conclusion! Provide similar, but updated, evidence to that you used for the visit visa applications.

2) You will need to satisfy the financial requirement; which basically means you need an income of at least £18,600 p.a., savings of at least £62,500 or an acceptable combination of both.

The income must be yours, not your partner's; but if you use savings, whether in whole or in part, they can belong to you, your partner or you both jointly.

See the financial requirement appendix for full details of what is required and how it can be met.

3) You will also need to show that you and your partner will be adequately accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds.

4) Your partner will need a valid TB certificate obtained from the IoM in Bangkok

5) They will also need at least A1 of the CEFR in English speaking and listening obtained from a an approved test provider, the ones in Thailand are on page 8, unless they can give evidence that they have an academic qualification that both:

• was taught or researched in English
• is recognised by UK NARIC as equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree or PhD.

6) Details of the type of evidence required to show all that, including that which is compulsory, are in Appendix FM-SE

Hope this helps; any further questions feel free to ask.

[viking639]

Thanks to Richard W and 7by7 for the very useful links.

Two questions:

1. The fee is £ 950+. Is that part-refundable should the application ultimately fail? Or do you lose the lot!?

2. Regarding the English Test, I have been advised separately that you can apply via the British Council website: thailand.ielts.britishcouncil.org.

Thanks again.

[theoldgit]

1. The application fee is claimed to cover the cost of processing, it is retained whatever the decision.

2. Yes, I understand that BC offer English tests.

[7by7]

1. The fee is £ 950+.

From 18th March it will be £1195!

Plus the NHS surcharge.

[brewsterbudgen]

Thanks to Richard W and 7by7 for the very useful links.

Two questions:

1. The fee is £ 950+. Is that part-refundable should the application ultimately fail? Or do you lose the lot!?

2. Regarding the English Test, I have been advised separately that you can apply via the British Council website: thailand.ielts.britishcouncil.org.

Thanks again.

She can also do the IELTS A1 Life Skills at IDP Bangkok.

http://www.ielts.idp.co.th/life_skills.aspx

[theoldgit]

1. The fee is £ 950+.

From 18th March it will be £1195!

Plus the NHS surcharge.

As the fee has to be paid in US$ it likely that it would actually cost an applicant more than the published rate.

[rasg]

If it was in GBP it is £956. I paid on a card two weeks ago and the USD dollar transaction to GBP, made it £1020...

[brewsterbudgen]

Has anyone discovered why UK visa fees, even when paid on a UK bank credit card, are charged in US dollars?

[theoldgit]

Has anyone discovered why UK visa fees, even when paid on a UK bank credit card, are charged in US dollars?

There is no reason other than that's how the UKVI insist on doing it.

[7by7]

When they started doing this I, among many others, attempted to discover why; including asking the then Immigration Minister.

All sorts of excuses were offered, none of which made any sense.

The most ridiculous one was that the company they use to process the transactions, World Pay, insisted on it.

World Pay are a British company and confirmed at the time that they will process transactions in any currency the customer chooses, including Sterling.

So the simple answer is; because they can and, as they use their own consular exchange rate instead of the commercial one, it makes an extra bit of profit for the government.

Edit:

Found the reply they sent me:

Visa fees in USD.doc

Edited March 5, 2016 by 7by7

[viking639]

Thanks to Richard W and 7by7 for the very useful links.

Two questions:

1. The fee is £ 950+. Is that part-refundable should the application ultimately fail? Or do you lose the lot!?

2. Regarding the English Test, I have been advised separately that you can apply via the British Council website: thailand.ielts.britishcouncil.org.

Thanks again.

She can also do the IELTS A1 Life Skills at IDP Bangkok.

http://www.ielts.idp.co.th/life_skills.aspx

Thanks to all the contributors. We now have a clear idea of what is needed. First, the English Test must be completed. When I clicked on the ielts link provided by brewsterbudgen above, I see that they only do 2 tests a month and the next booking isn't until 23 April. That is a surprise.

The other website that has the test, run by British Council, requires you to register first prior to booking a test. However, when trying to sign up the website takes you to an "Oops" page. Weird.

Are there any other sites that carry the test?

Thanks as ever.

[brewsterbudgen]

Life Skills A1 & B1 tests in Bangkok are only offered by IDP and British Council.

Edited March 5, 2016 by brewsterbudgen

[viking639]

*** UPDATE ***

We have applied for the Visa and delivered what we thought were all the necessary documents. However, my partner was then informed that Appendix 1 or Appendix 2 was also required to be completed.

They would not state which one that we needed - odd.

I had a look on the website and opted for Appendix 1 which I couried over to her to complete. This was handed in, then a few days later she received a call from the Visa Centre saying that she needs to complete Appendix 2 instead !!!

The whole process seems to be a confusing minefield of misleading information and unclear instructions: When going back to the website it states that Appendix 2 should be completed by applicants from North Korea!! However, having now downloaded the 18-page Appendix 2, I am wondering if that does need to be completed instead?

To top it all, the Visa Centre said that they had e-mailed my partner a link to the correct Appendix that we need. Needless to say, no such e-mail was sent to her and of course the telephone number they called her on does not accept incoming calls. In short, they are making it as difficult as possible. Not to mention the increased cost and recent $ 900 NHS surcharge fee introduction.

Any thoughts/advice please!!

Thanks as ever.

Viking639

[daniel2183]

*** UPDATE ***

We have applied for the Visa and delivered what we thought were all the necessary documents. However, my partner was then informed that Appendix 1 or Appendix 2 was also required to be completed.

They would not state which one that we needed - odd.

I had a look on the website and opted for Appendix 1 which I couried over to her to complete. This was handed in, then a few days later she received a call from the Visa Centre saying that she needs to complete Appendix 2 instead !!!

The whole process seems to be a confusing minefield of misleading information and unclear instructions: When going back to the website it states that Appendix 2 should be completed by applicants from North Korea!! However, having now downloaded the 18-page Appendix 2, I am wondering if that does need to be completed instead?

To top it all, the Visa Centre said that they had e-mailed my partner a link to the correct Appendix that we need. Needless to say, no such e-mail was sent to her and of course the telephone number they called her on does not accept incoming calls. In short, they are making it as difficult as possible. Not to mention the increased cost and recent $ 900 NHS surcharge fee introduction.

Any thoughts/advice please!!

Thanks as ever.

Viking639

I think appendix 2 is the financial requirement form isn't it ? When I did my wife's application we had to fill out appendix 2 ( financial requirements form ) by hand and it was submitted along with all the other documents .

[daniel2183]

I'm dreading what the fees are going to be in 2019 when we apply for FLR .

[viking639]

Hello All,

Update - July 2016. My partner was awarded a Settlement Visa! The decision took approximately 6 weeks - well within the 60-working day criteria. No interview required either.

An initial 30-day Visa was granted. Then, upon arrival in the UK, she must collect her Biometric Resident Permit from a nominated Post Office, which runs until April 2019.

Thanks to everyone who contributed above, your help was much appreciated.

With Best Regards to All!

Viking639

[rasg]

Many congratulations!