Spouse Visa Questions

I've been reading a lot and found this website very useful as I prepare to apply for a visa for me and my son.  I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find recent answers to (and I know the requirements are changing a lot) so I thought I would ask or some assistance.  I have a ton of questions but I will start with these as I am currently focusing on finances.

My husband's uncle owns his large 3 bedroom, 2 bath house and has offered to let us stay there to save up some money after the move.  His uncle has an abundance of money and is not asking us to pay anything towards rent, utilities, groceries, etc.  He has agreed to send any documentation required.  Can you tell me exactly what the required documents are?  I know he will need to send a letter stating he is allowing us to stay there for free but is there any specific terminology that should be included?

This ties into my second question which is in relation to our budget.  Neither me or my husband really have any money in savings.  My husband makes between 1100-1200 pounds per month.  He doesn't have a lot of bills but hasn't really been able to save much because all of his extra money has been spent on coming back and forth as often as possible to see my and my son, and he has also been sending me money to help me out with paying my bills since I was laid off.  How much money is required (or suggested) to be left over each month?  There are 3 of us so I didn't know if the fact that I have a child would make the number higher than what I've seen on other posts (which I believe was around 90-100 pounds per week). 

You have to prove that you CAN pay rent, even if your Uncle doesnt actually collect it from you.  If the Uncle allows you to stay there for free, it is considered third party support, and that is not allowed.  So you must work it into your budget.  You will need a letter from the Uncle saying that you both may live there, how many other people live there, how many rooms are in the house and what you will "pay" for rent.  He will also need to provide a certified or original copy of a mortgage statement or title showing that he owns the home. 

I dont remember the maintenance number for couples with children, but I know it is higher than the regular 100.95GBP that you see for a couple with no children. I am sure someone else will come along soon with that magic number. 

Good Luck!

The documentation the Uncle would need to supply is a copy of his recent mortgage statement or if he does not have a mortgage statement the a copy of the deed for the home. He would also need to write a letter and state how many people are living at the residence and who they are as the residence cannot be overcrowded.

The amount that a family of 3 would need per week after rent, council tax, any repayments but before food & entertainment comes from the income support amount for a family of that size. For a couple it is £100.95 plus £56.11 for each child under the age of 20 totalling £157.06/pw that you would need to meet. So that would be £628.24 per month (assuming a 4 week month).

Have a look at the Guidance on Maintenance & Accommodation and please note that there is different information for Spouses vs. fiancees: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/maintenanceaccommodation

Thanks a lot - this definitely helps me get started on some of this.  His uncle lives in a very large 3 bedroom bungalow alone so I'm sure we'll be fine as far as the overcrowding issue.  I know he owns the house so I will ask for a copy of the deed.  As for proving that we can pay rent, is there any sort of magic number we should shoot for to include in the budget (even though we won't actually have to pay this)?  For example, in the letter his uncle writes, could he just say something like "They will be paying 200 pounds per month to assist with monthly household bills" and that will be fine?

As for the budget, my husband gets paid once a month so should I compile my budget on a monthly basis and assume the 628.24 pounds per month will be sufficient.  I have done a quick draft of our budget and it looks like we will have over that anyway. 

I've also read about people including their resume and potential jobs they are qualified for in the area but I'm assuming that potential pay is not allowed to be included in the application unless you already have a job secured. 

Another question in regards to the budget and showing potential savings:  are you able to "predict" the amount of money you will have in savings after you sell things?  I have 2 cars and I rent a 4 bedroom house that is full of furniture and none of those things will be coming with me to England.  I haven't sat down yet to try to calculate an estimate on how much everything would sell for but I was just curious as to if I should try to do this for the purpose of my application of if it would just be a waste of time.  I also receive child support every month - can I include this in the budget?  If so I'm assuming I should include a copy of the child support order with the application.

I don't think it's worth it to use potential savings from things you intend to sell.  There's no guarantee that you will be able to sell any of it, and what's important is the money you have at the time of your application.  Your budget should show you can pay at least a minimal amount of rent, 100-200 pcm.  It doesn't have to be a lot.  On my spousal app, I included around £150 for rent, and that was fine. 

OK I've completed a very detailed budget.  I included everything in the budget (groceries, entertainment, setting aside money for emergency funds and our savings accounts, etc) and I came up with over 800 pounds left over each month so I'm hoping it's safe to say we should be ok as far as the financial portion of the application.  My husband's uncle has the deed to the house so that portion is covered. 

Is it safe for me to type up the letter from his uncle (since I have all the details that need to be included) and email it to him so he can just print and sign it?  This would include all the details you have provided below (we are allowed to live there, who else lives there - just him, how many rooms are in the house - 3 bedrooms) in addition to the agreement we have made concerning finances (we will pay 100 pounds rent, 100 pounds towards groceries/personal items, and take care of the internet, tv license and phone bills).  I remember reading somewhere else that people were including floorplans and a lot of other details not mentioned here so I want to make sure none of that is required.  Sorry if this is overkill with repeating everything but I can't afford to miss something simple and have both applications denied.

Is it safe for me to type up the letter from his uncle (since I have all the details that need to be included) and email it to him so he can just print and sign it?

It shouldn't matter who types it up, as long as it reads as written by him.  (i.e. it doesn't include references to "my uncle", etc.)  If he prints it off, signs it, and mails it to you, that should be fine.

Your finances sound fine.  Technically you shouldn't need to include the items like entertainment and emergency savings, but IMO it's all the better if you do include those and still have money leftover, as then there's very little room for doubt.

OK I just talked to my hubby and figured out that I had forgotten to factor into my budget a loan that he has for 384 pounds each month.  Great!  I found a sample budget spreadsheet here and when I fill in everything (entertainment, pocket change for me and husband, savings, money set aside for gifts to other people, etc) I come up with 567 pounds.  Since this budget reflects below the 628 that is required for a family of 3, do I need to attach a note or include a budget that excludes the extra things we will be spending money on and shows we do meet the minimum?  Or should I just take all the extra things out of the budget I submit with my application?  When I take out all the things that are not needed my final amount left over is 722 pounds.  We also have about 1000 pounds in savings if that makes a difference.

Also do the letters from my husband and his uncle need to be dated?

I would date them to be on the safe side