US citizen, UK spouse visa steps

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by Starla

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!!

starla-
thank you so much!!!!!! may i ask a question?
well i was told that they of course dont want excess info....so what did yalls story cover? and your intentions?
me and my hubby have been together 2 years, so we really dont have emails etc...im not sure what to do with that. We chatted via myspace chat for the first two months and then he came here...so ???what do you think?
thanks again!

[ciaran1433]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post so please be kind.............

I am originally from Northern Ireland and have Irish, U.K. and in April 2005 I also obtained my U.S. citizenship. In July 2009 in Dublin, Ireland I legally married my American wife who has U.S. citizenship only.

We currently reside here in New Jersey but would like to permanently move to Northern Ireland in the next year or two.

1. Can anyone please let us know the name of the correct visa application form so that my American wife can apply to move, live and work in Northern Ireland with me? A link to this form would be super

2. Can we apply to the British consulate in New York City for this visa?

3. Does anyone know the exact cost for my wife to apply for this type of visa that will allow her to legally live and work in Northern Ireland with me?

4. How long before we move to Northern Ireland should we wait before submitting my wife's visa application form?

5. When a spouse visa has been obtained to move to the UK does it specify a time period by which in my case my wife has to move to the UK?

We plan to move at some point in 2011 but we want to get as much as possible organised now.

Thanks, Ciaran

[thegirl]

Originally Posted by babystace806

Thank you for your message. I still haven't heard anything. I did hear that there's been delays at the Chicago Consulate because of an IT system upgrade they performed at the end of August for about 6 business days. Still concerned though. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. I'm really missing my husband. Have you heard any word yet on yours?....

I'm on business day 54 and still nothin..I really miss my fiancé as well..it sucks..

I heard the LA consulate where i sent mine was behind as well, maybe for the same reason, who knows. I'm ready to get out of here already though..I've had my bags packed for weeks!

[Joppa]

Originally Posted by ciaran1433

Hi everyone,

This is my first post so please be kind.............

I am originally from Northern Ireland and have Irish, U.K. and in April 2005 I also obtained my U.S. citizenship. In July 2009 in Dublin, Ireland I legally married my American wife who has U.S. citizenship only.

We currently reside here in New Jersey but would like to permanently move to Northern Ireland in the next year or two.

1. Can anyone please let us know the name of the correct visa application form so that my American wife can apply to move, live and work in Northern Ireland with me? A link to this form would be super

Form VAF4A (Settlement Visa), which is available on http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/resources/.../1903073/vaf4a

2. Can we apply to the British consulate in New York City for this visa?

Yes, through their agents WoodBridge Service https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pag...g=Welcome_PAGE

3. Does anyone know the exact cost for my wife to apply for this type of visa that will allow her to legally live and work in Northern Ireland with me?

A settlement visa costs $995.

4. How long before we move to Northern Ireland should we wait before submitting my wife's visa application form?

Border Agency can take up to 12 weeks to process an application for settlement visa. You cannot apply more than 3 months before your intended date of travel. See https://www.visainfoservices.com/Pag...singTimes_PAGE

5. When a spouse visa has been obtained to move to the UK does it specify a time period by which in my case my wife has to move to the UK?

You can specify a start date up to 3 months from the date of application. A visa has 'valid from' date and 'valid until' date. Once your visa is issued and its validity period has started, you can enter UK right up to the last date of its validity. But if you delay your entry, you may have to apply for an extension before you can apply for another visa, such as indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Your initial visa is for 2 years (because you haven't been married for 4 years). During the last month of its validity, you apply to the Home Office for ILR. If you entered UK a few days after the start of its validity, it doesn't matter but if you entered more than a month later, you will not have lived the required 23 months and will have to get an extension before applying for ILR. So it's in your interest to enter UK as soon as your visa becomes valid.

We plan to move at some point in 2011 but we want to get as much as possible organised now.

Regulations change all the time. What I've given reflects the rules as they stand now. You need to check on up-to-date information near the time of application.

Thanks, Ciaran

Best of luck!

[laffylou]

I submitted my spouse application to the Chicago office (am on business day 13 now) with no "extras" included with my application materials. I.e. we didn't submit pictures, cards or ticket stubs, etc. Although we certainly have an abundance of these things as we have been together for 7 years (married since June), I figured the immigration people would just be annoyed about having more documents to look through. Was I wrong in leaving this out? The application doesn't say to include these things....it just asks for phone bills or copies of emails if you have been apart for a period of time.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks!

[peppera-ann-]

Originally Posted by laffylou

I submitted my spouse application to the Chicago office (am on business day 13 now) with no "extras" included with my application materials. I.e. we didn't submit pictures, cards or ticket stubs, etc. Although we certainly have an abundance of these things as we have been together for 7 years (married since June), I figured the immigration people would just be annoyed about having more documents to look through. Was I wrong in leaving this out? The application doesn't say to include these things....it just asks for phone bills or copies of emails if you have been apart for a period of time.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks!

I will defo be sending in the extras-not as much as some- I am just worried about the intro letters...what is too much info???
Laffylou! keep us updated! would be interesting to see if sending in just the requested stuff gets it approved-and if its faster!

[ciaran1433]

Your initial visa is for 2 years (because you haven't been married for 4 years). During the last month of its validity, you apply to the Home Office for ILR. If you entered UK a few days after the start of its validity, it doesn't matter but if you entered more than a month later, you will not have lived the required 23 months and will have to get an extension before applying for ILR. So it's in your interest to enter UK as soon as your visa becomes valid

Thank you so much for this. To get this type of accurate, clear information by e-mailing consulates, visa centres etc would be almost impossible! I'm extremely grateful, cheers.

Just a few other questions and I know I'm getting ahead of myself here but how much does it cost to apply for ILR after the initial visa is about to expire in month 23? I'm guessing that applying for ILR after 2 years of successfully living in the UK is a much easier process than applying for the initial visa? and on average it has a more successful outcome versus applying for the initial settlement visa?

[babystace806]

Originally Posted by peppera-ann-

I will defo be sending in the extras-not as much as some- I am just worried about the intro letters...what is too much info???
Laffylou! keep us updated! would be interesting to see if sending in just the requested stuff gets it approved-and if its faster!

Would you believe....got a phone call this afternoon and found out I was approved! It was a total of 39 business days (Chicago Consulate). I sent A LOT of info. In fact, my stuff weighed so much I had to send all my documents in a small box (mine was extremely detailed with a small photo album)! I don't care...it's been approved and now I can finally be with my man again! Felt like ages though!

[ciaran1433]

Originally Posted by babystace806

Would you believe....got a phone call this afternoon and found out I was approved! It was a total of 39 business days (Chicago Consulate). I sent A LOT of info. In fact, my stuff weighed so much I had to send all my documents in a small box (mine was extremely detailed with a small photo album)! I don't care...it's been approved and now I can finally be with my man again! Felt like ages though!

Hi Babystace. Congratulations and good luck with everything. Can you let me know did you apply for an initial settlement visa in the UK or the ILR visa? If it was the initial settlement visa do you know how much you'll have to spend in 23 months time applying for the ILR visa? Thanks, Ciaran

[laffylou]

Originally Posted by babystace806

Would you believe....got a phone call this afternoon and found out I was approved! It was a total of 39 business days (Chicago Consulate). I sent A LOT of info. In fact, my stuff weighed so much I had to send all my documents in a small box (mine was extremely detailed with a small photo album)! I don't care...it's been approved and now I can finally be with my man again! Felt like ages though!

Wow! Congratulations!! It must be a huge relief. Best of luck.