Applying for a spouse visa

Yes, that fee is excluding the healthcare surcharge.

It's a flat fee of £200/year paid at the time of visa application.  So it'll add £600 to the visa application cost.  If the visa is not approved, the NHS fee is refunded.

We are in the final stages of the spouse visa application. We delayed it while my wife and I spent a few weeks together here in England.

Is a letter from the sponsor required or optional? I have not seen any formal statement that such a letter is required.

Thanks, and for all your ongoing help.

Is a letter from the sponsor required or optional? I have not seen any formal statement that such a letter is required.

The letter from the sponsor is required. It should outline how you meet each requirement for the visa:
- ability to sponsor the visa (UK citizenship)
- how you are meeting the financial requirement and under which category
- where you will live together in the UK
- a short history of your relationship (1 paragraph)

The supporting documents guidance says the following:

Evidence of your relationship to your sponsor and any contact between you
This could be a letter from your sponsor confirming your relationship and that they are supporting you along with copies of:
- birth certificate or adoption certificate
- marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
- death or divorce certificate
- photographs of your wedding, civil partnership ceremony or other time spent together
- phone records
- emails, letters or cards
* You should not submit DVDs or video cassettes*

While is does say 'could be', it's really a 'you need to' - we have seen visas refused in the past because a sponsor letter has not been included.

Thanks - are there any samples of such a letter we could look at?

Thanks - are there any samples of such a letter we could look at?

There used to be an example letter on Transpondia's immigration website, but the site has been defunct for a couple of years now. You may be able to find other people's letters here on the forum though.

If you like, you can draft a letter and post it here on the forum to see if it looks okay.

Thanks - are there any samples of such a letter we could look at?

Ksand has told you exactly what should be included, just fill in the blanks as it applies to you. It should be fairly short and to the point, no need to emote. 

The letter from the sponsor is required. It should outline how you meet each requirement for the visa:
- ability to sponsor the visa (UK citizenship)
- how you are meeting the financial requirement and under which category
- where you will live together in the UK
- a short history of your relationship (1 paragraph)

My wife and I are delighted that she has now been granted her Spouse Visa.

She applied using the priority service and received notification 6 weeks later.

We would like to thank everyone here for your patient support in answering questions and wish everyone  in the process of applying for a visa every success.

 

Great news! Congrats apc!

My wife and I are delighted that she has now been granted her Spouse Visa.

Fantastic news apc!