Visa advice

Do they need original paystubs or will copies suffice?

They must either be:
- original, printed on official company letterhead,
or
- printed electronic copies, but they MUST be accompanied by a letter of authenticity from his employer

As far as the application, no. Where would I get the sample? The home office website is so confusing. There's like 6 pages of info on each visa and each pages has about 10 hyperlinks to more info.

You can find the forms here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-for-family-settlement-form-vaf4a

The paper copy of the online application is VAF4A, which you can use for reference only. It's slightly different from the online application that you will submit.

You also need to print and fill out VAF4a Appendix 2, which is also on that page. This is the second half of the application form and includes all the questions about how you meet each requirement of the fiance visa (accommodation. relationship and financial requirement).

I would also read the following carefully, as they specify how can you meet the financial requirement, which category you qualify under, which documents you need and the format the documents must be in:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/525708/Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement.pdf
and
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidence

As far as travel history...how specific does it need to be? I just renewed my passport so I have all the information about arrival and departure dates with just that. But I'm sure I can manage to look up my previous flights since I have frequent flyer accounts.

I believe you need to list details of your last 5 trips to the UK and your last 10 trips overseas.

Oh my god I want to cry! The 28 days thing is freaking me out. He only gets paid once a month. Could they make it any more difficult?

It's not as bad as it sounds, you just need to time the date you apply online to ensure that you have received his most recent payslip and bank statement (and employer letter) so they are within the 28 days.

He should mail things to you using a UPS/FedEx/DHL courier - DO NOT use Royal Mail or USPS for anything, as there's a chance the documents may get stuck in customs or get lost.

And this is why you prepare everything, and have it in your hands, before you submit the online application, so that you can make sure you are within the 28 days .

its 28 days from application so the last pay check needs to be from within a 28 day time frame. my husband is only paid once a month too, so its totally ok.

I know the other people on the site have a really easy to follow list of documents that you should gather. its in some of the other discussions. But the financial part is the east part if he makes the minimum don't worry about it!

its 28 days from application so the last pay check needs to be from within a 28 day time frame. my husband is only paid once a month too, so its totally ok.

Just to note that it's the norm in the UK to be paid once a month... the majority of people in the UK only have one payday each month (mine is on Tuesday this week - yay!).

So, almost everyone applying for a fiance or spousal visa using UK employment income is in the same boat in regards to timing their payslips and bank statements.

You guys are seriously the coolest humans ever! I'm so thankful!

My stress level just went from 0 to 1,000,000 but I knew it was going to be a challenge. I just need to make a list and start getting my ducks in a row. I'm just feeling sorry for myself because I'm also a full-time student in a full-time job and planning a wedding. Time is not my friend! haha.

He said he gets paid the last Friday of every month so I'm guessing that I'll need to apply right around the 1st of April to make sure that it's all together and within the time limits.

Again, serious thanks to all of you who are responding. Makes me feel a little less freaked out that I'm not alone and people have been through this madness before.

My stress level just went from 0 to 1,000,000 but I knew it was going to be a challenge. I just need to make a list and start getting my ducks in a row. I'm just feeling sorry for myself because I'm also a full-time student in a full-time job and planning a wedding. Time is not my friend! haha.

You'll be fine - just take it slowly and calmly and you'll get it sorted out. The good thing is that it's a tick-box visa - if you meet the requirements and provide all the documents, the visa will be granted. Approximately 95-98% of fiance and spousal visa applications lodged in the US are approved, so you have a very good chance of getting it.

Where people can fall down is making sure they have all the documents and in the right format, but as long as you check everything carefully (you can post your list of documents here to make sure you have it all), you'll be fine.

He said he gets paid the last Friday of every month so I'm guessing that I'll need to apply right around the 1st of April to make sure that it's all together and within the time limits.

The last Friday of March is the 31st, so you will have until April 27th or 28th to get the online application submitted.

Just remember that you also need the corresponding official bank statement showing that his March 31st payslip has been deposited, so you may need to wait a little longer for that before you apply.

I would NOT submit your online application until you have EVERY document in your hands. Once you submit online, that is your official application date and then you only have 5 days from attending your biometrics appointment to mail all the documents.

We have had some people submitting their online application before they have received all the documents, and then the documents have been delayed (i.e. stuck in US customs) or they've realised they are missing something important and they panic because they don't have time get it before the deadline.

If you're not planning to travel until July, you have some leeway anyway, so if you have to wait a few extra days to submit your online application in order to make sure you have everything, it's not going to be a big issue.

Ok so another question. Andrew (my fiance) has been reading this thread as well, so I don't have to tell him everything. Someone said I have 5 days after I've submitted the application to get the documents to the UK? Did I read that right? I thought there were consulates in New York or wherever that I would be sending the documents to. If so, how do you recommend I get the documentation there in that time frame. Further....If I have to send the documentation to the UK couldn't Andrew just send it all off? Or will they not accept that if they know it's coming from within the Uk?

Also..can someone please lay down a timeline for me of when I need to do stuff? Like, in what order. I need to apply before I go to my biometrics right? And I need to submit the documentation before or after biometrics?

Learning so much from everyone!

You used to send to the consulate but now us citizens send to Sheffield.

Some people send their docs to their sponsor in the uk and then have them send but it's recommended to have them send you theirs and ship everything by the vfs global service from the states.

Timeline is you apply and pay application fee. Once fee is paid you can make your biometrics appointment

After your appointment you have 5 days to ship the documents to Sheffield but everyone recommends to have the docs ready to send day of your appointment and get there as soon as possible.  You have to wait to send them till after your appointment because you need the stamped receipt from the appointment. 

The vfs global information will be provided to you after you do your online application to ship the docs. I just did round trip with ups and that was ok as well. Though WAY more expensive so I recommend the vfs

Someone said I have 5 days after I've submitted the application to get the documents to the UK? Did I read that right? I thought there were consulates in New York or wherever that I would be sending the documents to.

Yes, the documents must go to the UK - to Sheffield, to be exact. And yes, you have 5 days from the biometrics appointment to mail the documents.

- Settlement visas (fiance, spousal and other family visas) are only processed in Sheffield, UK

- All other visa types are processed in New York

See here for more information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-apply-for-a-uk-visa/apply-for-a-uk-visa-in-the-usa

If so, how do you recommend I get the documentation there in that time frame.

It doesn't have to arrive in the UK within 5 days, it just has to be put in the mail within 5 days.

You should only send the documents via registered courier. You can either do it yourself using UPS or DHL, or you can pay for pre-paid, fixed-price shipping (UPS shipping) through UKVI's commercial partner, VFS Global. This is also where you can purchase settlement priority processing if you wish:
https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/usa/user_pay_services.html

Further....If I have to send the documentation to the UK couldn't Andrew just send it all off? Or will they not accept that if they know it's coming from within the Uk?

He could do in theory, although it depends what shipping method you use - if you use the VFS Global round trip shipping, it can only be shipped directly from the US to UKVI Sheffield. Also, a couple of people have had issues when their spouse has mailed the documents from within the UK - there has been confusion over whether they were applying for the correct visa, for example.

Plus, everything must be in the same package, so you would have to attend biometrics, mail all your documents plus your passport(s) to him, then he adds his documents, then ships it all on to Sheffield.

Also..can someone please lay down a timeline for me of when I need to do stuff? Like, in what order. I need to apply before I go to my biometrics right? And I need to submit the documentation before or after biometrics?

Basic timeline:

- research the visa and the documents you will need
- gather the documents
- print and fill out VAF4a Appendix 2
- print VAF4a, which you can use for reference for the online application
- fill out the online application
- when ready, submit the online application. You will be prompted to pay for the visa and then to book the biometrics appointment online as well
- attend the biometrics appointment, taking with you your passport, printed appointment confirmation and printed online application
- at the appointment they will check your ID and stamp your appointment confirmation, then take your fingerprints and photo
- after the appointment, you place your passport, printed application, and stamped biometrics confirmation with the rest of your documents
- before you mail the documents, you can purchase settlement priority processing if you wish, and the VFS Global shipping if you wish
- mail all the documents to Sheffield for processing within 5 days of biometrics
- wait for the visa to be processed

Thanks again everyone for your advice. I think I'm going to take a break from thinking about this for the rest of the evening. My brain hurts.

I will definitely be hitting you guys up within the next few weeks as I start filling out the practice application. Or sooner when I randomly think of something that makes me panic.

Now I need to send an email to my lawyer and tell her her services will no longer be needed. I haven't heard from her in almost two weeks so I don't think she'll be to upset.

Truly, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You guys have given me so much information and it's so much appreciated. Andrew has followed all of this thread and he is thankful as well. 

Your lawyer is incorrect - the whole point of the fiance visa is that you move to the UK permanently and can switch to the FLR(M) visa after you are married WITHOUT having to return to the US.

It may be though that the terminology is confusing both you and her, leading to miscommunication.

A spousal visa can only be applied for in the US if you are already married before you move.

However, what you will be applying for in the UK after the wedding is not called a spousal visa, it's called FLR(M) - it's an extension visa that you switch to from a fiance visa.  FLR(M) = Further Leave to Remain based on Marriage to a UK citizen.

So, technically, your lawyer is correct that you have to return to the US to apply for a SPOUSAL visa, but what she should have told you is that you would not be applying for a spousal visa... instead, you need to apply for FLR(M) from inside the UK.

The first visa you need (fiance visa) is this one:
https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk/overview

The second visa you need after the wedding (FLR(M)) is this one:
https://www.gov.uk/remain-in-uk-family

Personally, I would not advise using a lawyer unless you have serious criminal convictions or refused entries/visas for the UK in the past. We all know what we are talking about here on the forum and can give you accurate advice for free.

So many people here have been given bad advice from lawyers that I'm very sceptical of them these days. One person here just had a visa refusal because their lawyer made them apply for the WRONG visa... one they didn't even qualify for!

If you absolutely must use a lawyer, we only recommend two here on the forum:
- Medivisas, based in London (particularly Victoria Sharkey)
- Laura Devine, based in London and New York City

However, they will be expensive, so unless you have serious reasons to believe your visa will be refused and need them to fight your case, I personally wouldn't bother spending the money - all the information you need for a successful application can be found on the UKVI website and here on the forum... all for free.

The lawyer probably got the two different marriage visas confused.

Marriage VISITOR visa is what the lawyer told you you needed to do. 6 months, allows you to marry in the UK then you have to go back to the US and apply for a spousal visa. It's relatively cheap, under £100 for the application fee.

Marriage visa for settlement (we call it a fiance visa) is the one everyone is telling you to do. 6 months, allows you to marry, you apply for Further Leave to Remain while in the country. Expensive nearly £1200. Requires trave insurance until you have you FLR visas.

Both are marriage visas. So dumb that they have the same name.