To send away for my visa, I filled out the online application form from the ukvisas.gov.uk website. This form was the spouse visa form. You fill out all of the info (be honest with everything), look it over, and submit it. At the same time, you will be charged the fee for the application so have a credit card handy. They'll also ask you to create a username and password so you can access the application later if you need to.

I put together a collapsible file folder (tip from another applicant) filled with a letter of how we met and what our intentions are when we move to the UK. I included all of the mandatory information (passport, proof of where you're going to live, marriage certificate, bank statements, employment info, etc) as well as pictures of us together, with our families, anything to show that we had met, we had been a couple for a while and that this was a legitimate application. BE SURE to make copies of your marriage certificate or any other original documents and send those WITH the originals. As you can see from one of my posts, they kept the originals because I didn't send copies. Grr.

Once you submit your application, you will be told where to mail your application and supporting documents. This depends on what state you live in. You will need to print a copy of your application and mail it in with your info.

You will also be prompted to pick a location and date for you biometrics info. They will give you a list of states and locations to pick from so pick one that works for you.

When you make your biometrics appointment, you will get an email confirming the date. They will also give you a list of what you need to bring. I just brought the whole file folder with me including the application.

Now this is very important. In that biometrics confirmation email there is a link that says, "to cancel or change your appointment, click here"...you need to click this link, sign in with your username and password and print the appointment page out. It has a large bar code on it. They stamp and scan this sheet at the biometrics center and you need to submit it with your supporting documents when you mail your application in.

You will be told to mail your application within two weeks of getting your biometrics taken.

I sent my application/file folder through the post office and asked them to ship it overnight. It was less than $20 to do that and they gave me a tracking number so I could see when the package was received.

The consulate sent me an email once they received it...told me they would review the application and get back to me.

Five days later, I got an email saying the visa was issued and the next day, they sent everything back via UPS. You'll have to sign for it, by the way. Inside the package should be all of your original documents and your passport with the visa sticker on it.

As long as your intentions are good and you can show proof that you can support yourselves, you should be fine. Keep in mind that YOU will not have access to public funds so you need to show that you have money and a sponsor to help support you. Your husband, being a citizen, shouldn't be an issue.

I hope I helped. I SO wanted someone to do this for me when I was applying. It was nerve wracking.

GOOD LUCK!!