Letters of intent

On the thread I started about a previous same-sex relationship, there was a discussion about what needs to go in letters of intent, in this case, that a letter of intent needs state awareness of a fiance's previous marriages or marriage-like relationship.

I have heard, via messageboards, about the visa applicant and sponsors writing letters of intent and cover letters, and conflicting information about what these letters should contain.

In the Britainusa website's list of necessary documentation for a visa, it mentions only one letter, a letter of support to be written by a sponsor, only necessary if the sponsor will not be at the interview.

Exact wording on the website:

"Letter Of Support
If your fiance(e) does not attend in person at the time of your application then we require a letter from them to state that:

a) they are aware of and support your application to marry them in the United Kingdom.
b) that each of the parties intends to live permanently with the other as his or her spouse after the marriage has taken place".

Nothing about discussions of previous relationships. Nothing about the ability to support the applicant financially. Nothing about providing accomodation.  No mention of a letter from the applicant at all.

Information about finances, previous relationships, etc. would all be in the application itself, and back-up (letters from employers, tenancy agreements, photos of the couple, etc.) would all go with the application.

So where does the idea that both parties need to write letters--regardless of who will be present at the interview-- and that the letters have to repeat information that is already included in the application, come from? Someone who just went directly to Britainusa for information and did not bother with message boards would  not write anything more than the short letter described above.

Basically, my question is why "message board" information differs from the information provided by the British Embassy's official website.

The idea that you as the applicant would write a cover letter is more appropriate when you're applying by post.  If your application is anything less than straightforward (kids involved, divorces, etc.), a cover letter giving a general idea of the timeline and nature of your relationship could be helpful to the guy/gal at the consulate.

That said, though, it's certainly not a requirement.  I've known people who didn't send in a cover letter (I'll bet the majority don't) and they were just fine.

Honestly, just speaking from gut instinct (and as a businessperson and former copyeditor)  for an in-person application, I think it would be better to just provide the minimum information in a cover letter.  As long as the application is filled out correctly and all the back-up documentation is provided.  To me, a cover letter/letter of intent is an introductory letter, and should not include detail, just the basic info about wanting to get married and live together in the UK. An additional letter(s) could be written if detailed explanations are needed that aren't supported by documentation: for example, if a divorce is in process but divorce papers haven't been signed.

I just think it's "unpleasant" to have to read a long cover letter with lots of extra detail that is already provided elsewhere. For example, saying in the letter "I will be living with so-and-so in a 2-bedroom apartment at _____, paying _______ rent" when the application already asks about your accomodations, you have a copy of a tenancy agreement, and a separate letter from the landlord describing the accomodations and saying that you can live there.

Sort of the same reason that CV's contain bulleted phrases and not paragraphs.

You know what, Sweetpeach - just do whatever the heck you feel like doing.

Good grief.

i can tell you what i did, and it was what the NYC consulate asked for.

My fiance (at the time) had written a 2 sentence letter, stating that he indeed wanted me over there (and added some nonsense how the airline industries will now go out of business since we're not traveling every month-the guy didn't get it.  don't include jokes!!!)

I applied in person.  No cover letter.  I had all my stuff organized and was able to provide just what they asked for (and a million more things if they had asked!)

It never crossed my mind to prepare a cover letter if i was in fact in front of my interviewer.

i can tell you what i did, and it was what the NYC consulate asked for.

My fiance (at the time) had written a 2 sentence letter, stating that he indeed wanted me over there (and added some nonsense how the airline industries will now go out of business since we're not traveling every month-the guy didn't get it.  don't include jokes!!!)

I applied in person.  No cover letter.  I had all my stuff organized and was able to provide just what they asked for (and a million more things if they had asked!)

It never crossed my mind to prepare a cover letter if i was in fact in front of my interviewer.

Thank you. That was useful and makes sense. My situation is very similar. I will probably write a very brief letter of intent anyway, but this was very informative.  It is good to hear of other people's experiences, even though they are all different, and you can never predict exactly what an interviewer will ask.

Considering that about 90% (don't have the figures exactly) of visas for Americans that go through NYC are approved, I've never stayed in the UK later than the date on my return ticket, or done anything else that would flag me as a problem to immigration I'm  not going to worry about things. Not worth getting stressed over nothing.

seriously, we all freak out and worry so much....when really, if you're prepared and don't have any black marks on your past, it's really easy!  good luck!

I know. My fiance's ex-wife was also foreign (Japanese), so he's been through this before, although she originally came in on a student visa, I believe. Still, he tells me to relax, it's really easy.

I know. My fiance's ex-wife was also foreign (Japanese), so he's been through this before, although she originally came in on a student visa, I believe. Still, he tells me to relax, it's really easy.

Hi-jack here...

I think if you were to get a super-cynical examiner, on a bad day, your whole circumstances might get more attention than most applications.  Your situation is "unusual" to say the least.

I would not be surprised if your fiancé were called upon to provide details of the circumstances of his dissolved marriage.  Divorced to one foreigner, and seeking a marriage settlement visa for another foreigner who has until now been in a homosexual union.  It could look a tad fishy...

I believe that the burden of proof lies with you and your fiancé that everything is above board.  Your case might bring some welcome relief to the daily tedium of approving visas for more conventional romances - hence more scrutiny.  Forewarned is fore-armed!

As per this thread, the question has been resolved.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=9120.0

Regarding a fiance visa, immigration is only interested in previous legal marriages and divorces, which would affect one's ability to remarry legally.  There is nothing unusual about my fiance's previous marriage.  He has been legally divorced for about 4 years, and I will be providing the divorce papers.  There is nothing unusual about an Englishman marrying a foreigner, or this board wouldn't exist.