Hey all!
I'm American and my husband is British- we got married through a marriage visa in September in the UK (then had a big ol celebration earlier this month in the states) and now we're starting the visa process for me to move over there. We've had enough of long distance!! One concern is that we've only been together since August/Sept 2011. I heard that if the relationship is less than 3 years the application will be under a lot of scrutiny.
Here's everything that I have compiled:
Application (will do online as well)
Appendix 2
Current passport (with new married name)
Previous passport
2 passport sized photos
Original marriage certificate
Official copy of marriage certificate
Husband's letter: when we met, started our relationship, our marriage, engagement, where I'll live, his financial responsibility for me
Colour copy of my husband's passport
Email from his boss regarding his continued employment
Paystubs for the past 6 months (he exceeds the 18,600 minimum)
Cover letter for finances
Tenancy agreement/letter from estate agency (I can be added to the tenancy pending visa approval)
Bills paid at this address (we only have one month of water so far)
20 photos of the two of us
Skype screenshots of our call log
Emails
Hotel receipts
Flight itineraries
Letter from my parents regarding our relationship (when they met him, knowledge of marriage, etc.)
Priority payent receipt
Proposed flight details
Questions:
- I already did my biometrics for my marriage visa- do I need to redo them for this visa? If so, what's the exact timeline and order of events? The UKBA page is so vague.
- The 2 passport sized photos; can these be the exact same image?
- Should the letter from my husband and the financial explanation be signed? Also, his letter was straightforward about the facts of our relationship. Would they rather see emotion and devotion?
- We rented our house beginning in August and before that my husband was living at home to save money. Do we need to include information from his parents?
- Should the photos be timestamped? I have some screenshots from facebook which show the uploaded date if that helps.
- I stayed with his parents for all my visits except the most recent ones, should I get a letter from them regarding our relationship?
- TB tests are always required for university in the US, should I just include my immunization record? Or should I get a new one done?
- Explanation of no shared finances: I can't be put on any of the bills until I have a visa and the same goes for a bank account. Will this hurt my application?
- Two names on the two passports; marriage certificate explains this of course. Do I need my birth certificate anyway?
- Do they take emails seriously? I.e. the email from my husband's employer regarding his history with the company and continued employment.
- I've traveled to the UK many times and each one was to see my now husband. For the explanation of the trips do I just put him?
- For the language requirement: I'm from the US, is that enough? Or should I include my diplomas for proof?
- Appendix 2, question 1.19: I "lived" in the UK for three months (not working of course). Does that apply as "yes" for "Have you lived with your sponsor in a relationship akin to marriage at any time?
- Appendix 2, question 2.8: I intend to work in the UK upon visa approval only. Should I say I intend or do not intend? I feel like it's a trick question! I do not have any prospective jobs waiting to hear from me.
- Appendix 2, part 3C: My husband has his own company but there currently isn't any profit; it's very very small and doesn't have an impact on our finances at the moment. Include it or will it just confuse? We do not need it to complete the financial requirement.
Finally, here's what I have in my head as the process and please correct me if I'm wrong! So many details to keep track of:
Complete online application with priority processing
Mail paper application and supporting documents same day or asap to Sheffield
Redo biometrics same day or asap (if needed)
Hear confirmation of arrival for my stuff and receive timeline
...hopefully only a few days later...
Get confirmation of their decision
Receive items and visa in the mail
Thank you so much to anyone and everyone that replies! You're all internet saints!
I'm American and my husband is British- we got married through a marriage visa in September in the UK (then had a big ol celebration earlier this month in the states) and now we're starting the visa process for me to move over there. We've had enough of long distance!! One concern is that we've only been together since August/Sept 2011. I heard that if the relationship is less than 3 years the application will be under a lot of scrutiny.
Here's everything that I have compiled:
Application (will do online as well)
Appendix 2
Current passport (with new married name)
Previous passport
2 passport sized photos
Original marriage certificate
Official copy of marriage certificate
Husband's letter: when we met, started our relationship, our marriage, engagement, where I'll live, his financial responsibility for me
Colour copy of my husband's passport
Email from his boss regarding his continued employment
Paystubs for the past 6 months (he exceeds the 18,600 minimum)
Cover letter for finances
Tenancy agreement/letter from estate agency (I can be added to the tenancy pending visa approval)
Bills paid at this address (we only have one month of water so far)
20 photos of the two of us
Skype screenshots of our call log
Emails
Hotel receipts
Flight itineraries
Letter from my parents regarding our relationship (when they met him, knowledge of marriage, etc.)
Priority payent receipt
Proposed flight details
Questions:
- I already did my biometrics for my marriage visa- do I need to redo them for this visa? If so, what's the exact timeline and order of events? The UKBA page is so vague.
- The 2 passport sized photos; can these be the exact same image?
- Should the letter from my husband and the financial explanation be signed? Also, his letter was straightforward about the facts of our relationship. Would they rather see emotion and devotion?
- We rented our house beginning in August and before that my husband was living at home to save money. Do we need to include information from his parents?
- Should the photos be timestamped? I have some screenshots from facebook which show the uploaded date if that helps.
- I stayed with his parents for all my visits except the most recent ones, should I get a letter from them regarding our relationship?
- TB tests are always required for university in the US, should I just include my immunization record? Or should I get a new one done?
- Explanation of no shared finances: I can't be put on any of the bills until I have a visa and the same goes for a bank account. Will this hurt my application?
- Two names on the two passports; marriage certificate explains this of course. Do I need my birth certificate anyway?
- Do they take emails seriously? I.e. the email from my husband's employer regarding his history with the company and continued employment.
- I've traveled to the UK many times and each one was to see my now husband. For the explanation of the trips do I just put him?
- For the language requirement: I'm from the US, is that enough? Or should I include my diplomas for proof?
- Appendix 2, question 1.19: I "lived" in the UK for three months (not working of course). Does that apply as "yes" for "Have you lived with your sponsor in a relationship akin to marriage at any time?
- Appendix 2, question 2.8: I intend to work in the UK upon visa approval only. Should I say I intend or do not intend? I feel like it's a trick question! I do not have any prospective jobs waiting to hear from me.
- Appendix 2, part 3C: My husband has his own company but there currently isn't any profit; it's very very small and doesn't have an impact on our finances at the moment. Include it or will it just confuse? We do not need it to complete the financial requirement.
Finally, here's what I have in my head as the process and please correct me if I'm wrong! So many details to keep track of:
Complete online application with priority processing
Mail paper application and supporting documents same day or asap to Sheffield
Redo biometrics same day or asap (if needed)
Hear confirmation of arrival for my stuff and receive timeline
...hopefully only a few days later...
Get confirmation of their decision
Receive items and visa in the mail
Thank you so much to anyone and everyone that replies! You're all internet saints!