My spouse visa hell.

Hello everyone. I am new to posting on this site. I have been hopping on here now and again because i have been struggling with getting a visa to the uk to join my wife and my dog louie in london

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I first inquired a consult back in october paid 400 big ones to Migration Expert uk http://www.migrationexpert.co.uk/visa_uk/ [nofollow] . I was happy with the consult they did and everything they said they would do. But i still felt no closer to getting my visa.  They told me I should wait for my wife/sponsor to be at her job for 6 months before I should apply. My wife works 2 jobs one of the jobs she has been working at for 5 months and the other is approaching the 6th month.  both jobs together she makes well over the minimum 19k.  Her main job pays her 40k a year and her second job is around 15k.  We have a flat in london where she has been living for the past 3 months. I am currently unemployed in the US with some savings.  I am completely lost, should i approach a barrister and have them handle everything which would drain me dry. Or should i go a different route. I am a fairly active diy guy so im sure i could figure this whole process out with a little help.  This is by far the most stressful thing i have ever had to go through.  does anyone feel my pain.? 

What exactly did you pay £400 for?  Advice only? 

I paid for the advanced migration service. which gave me a 30 minute phone consult and a list of all the documents i would need to submit.  They said it was personalized but they obviously just added my  name to a form letter.  They also gave me a free month of email communication with a certified immigration officer.  If i could go back i would not have wasted my money.

I was given these 5 download forms.


1. Advanced Migration Service Documents

Introduction

2. Advanced Migration Service Documents

Personalised Assessment of your Profile

3. Advanced Migration Service Documents

Your Personalised Visa Application Guide

4. Advanced Migration Service Documents

Guide to the UK

5. Advanced Migration Service Documents

Premium Contract of Engagement

Why did you feel the need to use this company?  You really don't need to hire a solicitor unless you have some unusual or complex case.  It's a pretty straightforward process.  It's true that you will need to wait until your wife's salary of above £18,600 can be documented over at least six months.  It's really not that difficult to apply if you can produce all the documents and meet the financial requirements.

You need to read UKBA's guidelines, particularly for how long your sponsor has to be in work, and then apply with the correct documents when you're eligible.  It's complex, but if you have a straightforward case there's no reason you can't do it all yourself.  

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/partners-families/citizens-settled/spouse-cp/apply-outside-uk/

Why did you feel the need to use this company?  You really don't need to hire a solicitor unless you have some unusual or complex case.  It's a pretty straightforward process.  It's true that you will need to wait until your wife's salary of above £18,600 can be documented over at least six months.  It's really not that difficult to apply if you can produce all the documents and meet the financial requirements.

I felt the need because I was thinking of handing the entire case over to a third party at the time i was doing much better financially then i am now.  Since i bought that consult i have left my job, taken my dog and me to the uk which cost about 4k and now i am back here with no job no dog and a marriage in turbulence. I was over in london for the past couple of months trying to sort out a job for when i got my visa, but i had to come back because me not working and my wife working 2 jobs was not good for our relationship. besides i couldnt take being bossed around by her.

You need to read UKBA's guidelines, particularly for how long your sponsor has to be in work, and then apply with the correct documents when you're eligible.  It's complex, but if you have a straightforward case there's no reason you can't do it all yourself.  

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/partners-families/citizens-settled/spouse-cp/apply-outside-uk/ [nofollow]

Thanks historyenn i will read this tonight.

This is by far the most stressful thing i have ever had to go through.  does anyone feel my pain.? 

Welcome to UKY mcain.  There are plenty here that feel your pain when dealing with the UKBA. 

besides i couldnt take being bossed around by her.

But, this sort of comment always makes me nervous...Without knowing the full story, I'll give the benefit of the doubt. 

As long as your case is straightforward and you fulfill all the requirements, you should be able to successfully apply for and receive your spousal visa on your own. I'd get started on compiling all the documentation and apply as soon as your wife reaches the 6-month mark.   To speed things up, it would probably be beneficial for her to send everything (pay slips/contract or employment agreement/proof of accommodation/etc.) through a priority service (Royal Mail Next day delivery/FedEx/UPS/DHL, etc.), so things don't get lost in the post.

Check out the boards here, as many people have applied for Spouse Visas and posted lists of everything they've included in support of their applications.  There's no need to stress yourself out about it too much at this point. 

Good luck.

Very cute dog!

I think you need to be careful of which company you use to advise you. £400 is a lot for the service you received.

As other posters say, read the guidance and then see how confident you feel about the application. Having a third-party doing it for you can save you a lot of stress but it's a luxury if you're on a budget.

Also, just a note - there are differences between barristers, firms of solicitors and OISC advisors. Barristers are likely to be more expensive than the other two. If you choose to use a third-party, check out their record first.

Very cute dog!

I think you need to be careful of which company you use to advise you. £400 is a lot for the service you received.

As other posters say, read the guidance and then see how confident you feel about the application. Having a third-party doing it for you can save you a lot of stress but it's a luxury if you're on a budget.

Also, just a note - there are differences between barristers, firms of solicitors and OISC advisors. Barristers are likely to be more expensive than the other two. If you choose to use a third-party, check out their record first.

Thanks Steve,

I miss that dog more then my wife sometimes! first time we have been apart since i got him. sad dayssss.

I was wondering if anyone could link me to some great threads on this forum regarding spousel visa's and there experiences. 

My wife just went to her bank natwest last monday and requested her original bank statement with the banks seal on it. So while im waiting for those i would like to get everything sorted and researched. From what i have seen this is what i will need from my spouse/uk citizen.

6 months original pay slips
6 months banks statements (showing corresponding payments from work)
p60 (if applicable)
2nd duplicate set of bank statements in sealed envelope
Work contract (original and signed)
Letter from employer stating type of employment (full time), how long I have been employed, my different pay levels and how long I have maintained said pay
Certified copy of my passport back pages
Rental contracts at current address clearly stating cost of rent (all bills included)
Letter from landlord stating that it is ok for my husband to move in.

Am i missing anything from her side?


Ya if i could go back i definately would not have wasted my $400 on that solicitor. Anyways live and learn.

Quick update. We have just reached my wife/sponsors 6 month work pre qualification and we are ready to apply for my visa. I just have a few questions I hope someone can answer.

1. My wife hasn't paid any tax yet as she has only been at her job for a little over 6 months. She says she has no tax documents? what should we do with that?

2. she has two jobs one main job then and the second a part time job. Her main job covers way more then the minimum 19k a year. My question is does she need letters from both jobs? also what should these letters look like.?

3. She has 6 months of printed tenancy documents for our flat. Do these have to be stamped or notarized? or can they be copies.?

4. Do I need her passport and our marriage certificate?

5. Her grandparents also send her money regularly. What should we get from them?

I really appreciate anyone who helps, really it means a lot.

1. My wife hasn't paid any tax yet as she has only been at her job for a little over 6 months. She says she has no tax documents? what should we do with that?

I think tax documents are only necessary for the self-employed.

4. Do I need her passport and our marriage certificate?

Yes. You need your original marriage certificate and either her original passport or a notarized copy of it.

5. Her grandparents also send her money regularly. What should we get from them?

If the amounts are large, you might need a letter saying that any money they send her is a gift, not a loan, and there's no expectation that they be paid back. But considering that you more than meet the maintenance requirements and aren't relying on any money from a third party (not that it's allowed under the new rules but still), I'm not sure if it's necessary. Can't hurt.