DH got his Spousal Visa issued today + List of documents we sent, to help others

Firstly I want to say Thank You for the referral of Nadereh at Global VIP Services, she was a star !!!

If anyone needs a Courier service for the LA Consulate don't hesitate in using her services, she was wonderful.  She called me yesterday to tell me she had received my DH's Application, reviewed it and told me everything was good to go and that she would be taking it to the Consulate today.  I then got a call from Nadereh tonight about 6pm telling me that she had received my DH's Spousal Visa and all our original documents.  She said she would mail everything back to us tomorrow USPS Express and we should get everything on Saturday.

I applied online on behalf of DH who hovered in the background last Wednesday (25th March) , Biometrics appointment was Friday (27th March) 2 1/2 hr drive away.  I sent everything on Monday via UPS Overnight to Nadereh, Global VIP Services. Received by Nadereh Tues Morn, taken to the LA Consulate Weds Morn, Spousal Visa KOL (REQ) issued and received by Nadereh the same day.  I am amazed it went so smoothly. 

I am thinking that because I sent more than what was needed regarding documentation and it was all in a binder with tabs, table of contents etc and that we have been married 10yrs these are the reasons for the speed and ease.

If anyone is interested in what documentation I sent (married over 4 yrs) here is my list:-

1.   SPOUSAL SPONSOR LETTER
2.   ONLINE APPLICATION
3.   PASSPORT PHOTOS
4.   BIOMETRIC APPOINTMENT CONFIRMATION
5.   PASSPORTS & BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR XXXXXXX (Applicant)
6.   PASSPORTS & COPIES OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR XXXXXX (Sponsor)
7.   MARRIAGE CERTIFCATE
8.   XXXXXXX (Applicant) DIVORCE CERTIFICATE
9.   2008 TAX RETURNS
10.   2007 TAX RETURNS
11.   2006 TAX RETURNS
12.   2005 TAX RETURNS
13.   2004 TAX RETURNS
14.   2003 TAX RETURNS
15.   2002 TAX RETURNS
16.   2001 TAX RETURNS
17.   2000 TAX RETURNS
18.   1999 TAX RETURNS
19.   MISC DOCUMENTS COVERING 10YRS OF MARRIAGE (vet bills, electricity bill, couple of old bank statements)
20.   LETTER OF ACCOMMODATION FROM PARENTS
21.   ENTRY FROM UK LAND REGISTRY
22.   UK PROPERTY DETAILS & FLOORPLAN
23.   LETTER REGARDING FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS (reasons for larger deposits etc..)
24.   BANK STATEMENTS FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS
25.   401K BALANCE PAPERWORK
26.   BUDGET FOR LIVING IN THE UK
27.   CURRENT JOB PAY STUBS – LAST 3 MONTHS
28.   PENSION PAY STUBS – LAST 6 MONTHS
29.   XXXXXXX (Applicant) CURRICULUM VITAE
30.   LETTER FROM XXXXXX COUNTY POLICE DEPT., XX REGARDING PENSION

Couldn't have done it without y'all on here, this is a wonderful forum and a wealth of knowledge.  I will let y'all know when we have the Visa physically in our hands.

My DH has already been studying the Life in the UK Test.  Mum & Dad sent over the books and CD for him to study and he also studies at work as he has a lot of down time.  So far he hasn't failed one practice test (I have though, just once  ), he hasn't gotten all 24 questions right yet (I have, hehehehe  ) but at least he is passing every test consistently.  He will take the test within a few weeks of us arriving in the UK, our only hurdle to ILR will be the documentation needed as we will have to be there a while to get what is needed.

Everything so far is going fairly easy for us.  House went up for sale today.  One of cars sold in within 24 hrs.  So far so good, just keeping our fingers crossed that everything else goes smoothly.

Congrats  Thanks for posting the list, I have most of everything that would apply to my and my fiance, even though it'll be a bit smaller than that I'll prolly end up doing the tabs and table of contents as well, it seems to be a really good idea and I'm sure the ECO appreciates the consideration (as well as it possibly speeding up the process a little).

Seems like I'll also have to use Global VIP Services, I already got their site bookmarked for June. I've heard a lot of good things about them

I know I went above and beyond.

I also am not leaving the USA until November 5th.  I didn't need to use a courier but just wanted to have all this out of the way, done and dusted and not have to worry about it later on.  Because we were applying for Spousal Visa with KOL (REQ) we knew (thanks to Vicky) that we could apply at anytime having been married over 4 yrs.  So as long as we enter the UK before some such date in 2011 and take the Life in the UK Test Test DH can then apply for ILR.  If the rules change in the meantime then they change I can't help that.  But we are expecting the rules to change somewhat and are saving the pennies accordingly.

Good Luck, being prepared and presenting your best is never a bad thing. 

BTW I used one of those flexible binders as they weigh less.  I also sent a complete copy of everything for Nadereh in case the Consulate lost a document, she would then have a copy of it.  Nadereh was explaining to me yesterday that the Consulate barely looks at the paperwork/application when it comes via a courier because they expect the courier to have gone over all the paperwork to see if it's all there.  Not sure if that is how it's done......I'm not complaining because of the speed in which DH's visa was issued.

I know I went above and beyond.

I also am not leaving the USA until November 5th.  I didn't need to use a courier but just wanted to have all this out of the way, done and dusted and not have to worry about it later on.  Because we were applying for Spousal Visa with KOL (REQ) we knew (thanks to Vicky) that we could apply at anytime having been married over 4 yrs.  So as long as we enter the UK before some such date in 2011 and take the Life in the UK Test Test DH can then apply for ILR.  If the rules change in the meantime then they change I can't help that.  But we are expecting the rules to change somewhat and are saving the pennies accordingly.

Good Luck, being prepared and presenting your best is never a bad thing. 

BTW I used one of those flexible binders as they weigh less.  I also sent a complete copy of everything for Nadereh in case the Consulate lost a document, she would then have a copy of it.  Nadereh was explaining to me yesterday that the Consulate barely looks at the paperwork/application when it comes via a courier because they expect the courier to have gone over all the paperwork to see if it's all there.  Not sure if that is how it's done......I'm not complaining because of the speed in which DH's visa was issued.

I just won't have as much since me and my fiance don't have as much history together as you and your DH do Thanks for the tip on the flexible binder, I hadn't thought about that but it's a good idea--we'll prolly put everything we can together while my fiance is here, then I'll mail everything off once I get the biometrics done and dusted. But that's an awesome list, and it's even better you got such a quick response.