Interesting Case Please Help... Apply for FIANCE Visa tomorrow

Hello everyone, thank you for this forum it provides such great information.

I am hoping to apply for a UK fiance visa tomorrow (ASAP) and just would like to know if someone can review the documents I have to submit as soon as they can. Any help or advise is greatly appreciated!

Background: I am from the United States, my fiancee is a British citizen. If possible, we would like to apply tomorrow, to hopefully enter the UK by November to marry in January.

Biometrics Options: I have filled in and saved the online application to submit, however at the end it asks if I would like to choose a VFS PAC or ASC location. (VFS Global Premium Application Centre (PAC) OR the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Application Support Center (ASC). Currently, VFS have just opened as of 13 July, but are possibly backlogged with numerous applicants. I have also read that they are only accepting Bronze packages at this time. Will I be able to get an appointment there soon? Do I need to purchase the Bronze package for $410, or can I still use the free uploading system without a package purchased? I don't mind buying the package if it is useful and worth it.

If possible, I prefer to choose the ASC (US immigration) office, mine in Sacramento is scheduled to open on July 20. Right now, it also says that they are only taking appointments by phone once they are open. Would this take a lot longer? Can I go this route and still upload the documents for free via the VFS website. (The application says that once I pick VFS or ASC, I cannot go back and change so I just would like to get this right). I would like to use whatever is fastest and easiest. The ASC is much closer to me than the VFS, but if it is a much longer wait than I will pick VFS.

Regarding finances: my fiancee in the UK was in a road traffic accident and is temporarily severely disabled with a shattered femur, so he receives the benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Due to this, I have read that the financial requirement is waived, and we just have to meet the maintenance requirement. We have that PIP paperwork from the Department of Work and Pensions. In addition, to be on the safe side, we also have over £65,000 in savings combined with half in my US accounts, and half in his UK accounts. Does anyone have any knowledge of using a benefit in place for the financial requirement. Any thoughts on this would be great as it is so difficult to find information specific to this. The online application didn't ask me for any further financial information after I checked the box "PIP" so I am wondering what I should include to get this right.

Refusal: I have had one prior refusal of leave to enter at the UK border due to not having proof of departure within 6 months at the time. I have since corrected it and been allowed entry to the UK twice. Would this cause problems? I have addressed this in my statement.

TB: I am a US citizen and resident, but I have also been a temporary resident of Taiwan and Panama in the past. Panama requires a TB cert. I have not been there for over 2 years, and have been back only in the US and Europe since mid-2018. Would I require a TB test cert still? It seems to me I would not, but I could be wrong.

My documents for uploading include:

CATEGORY 1: APPLICANTS’S DOCUMENTS:

•   First Page of Applicant’s Visa which I assume I will be able to print out once I submit my application
•   Appendix II VAF 4A 2018
•   My applicant's statement to index my documents, other information about my application to refer to, etc.

Financial Requirement:
•   6 months of bank statements - HSBC US savings accounts of applicant's statements (December 24 - June 24). These are e-statements but are accompanied by a mailed "Balance Verification Letter" from the bank. The statements themselves are not originals, but the bank said they look exactly the same anyways, so will they work for uploading? It is all they would offer me. Is this good enough? Any advise on what US banks are authorised to offer?
•   Letters of Account Balance Verification for US savings accounts
•   Declaration of Savings made by myself about source of funds

Accommodation Requirement:
•   Letters of permission to stay from sponsor's mother and as a secondary, another home owned by his step-mother and father, all homes are large homes with only two people residing there, not overcrowded, owned outright, no mortgage, which we have stated
•   Land Registry documents of both homes
•   Copies of passports of people who live in the homes

Additional Supporting Documents:
•   Passport info page copy of myself, applicant. Do I need copies of every page of my passport (certified or normal ok) and previous passport? Or just info page? I can mail in both passports to the NY office if necessary.
•   10-year traveling document evidencing all entry / exit stamps and dates throughout my current and previous passport. I have traveled a lot and there are over 100 entry stamps to various countries so I have created a spreadsheet to make sense of it all. But no visa overstays at all.
•   Reference letters from close friends/family

CATEGORY 2: SPONSOR’S DOCUMENTS:

•   Passport copy of sponsor of info page only
•   Letter of Sponsor Statement from sponsor

Financial Requirement:
•   Personal Independence Payment letter from the Department of Work and Pensions
•   One bank statement with monthly deposit of PIP payment to sponsor’s HSBC UK account in May
•   6 months of bank statements of HSBC UK accounts to show other half of total combined savings. We have two options: 1) we received all of the originals in the mail (however some say 'duplicate' because they were ordered later but they still arrived by post) and 2) we have electronic copies from the bank that the teller printed and accompanied them with bank signed cover letters with each account. Which would be better to provide?

Relationship Requirement:
•   Copies of photos / letters / cards of us together together from 2018-2020 - compiled into one PDF for uploading
•   Boarding passes from trips to see each other and trips taken together
•   Whatsapp video call log from 2018-2020 from various time periods - compiled into one PDF for uploading
•   Sponsor’s hospital/doctors letters with mention of applicant/"girlfriend" being present during hospital stays and surgeries
•   Character and relationship reference letters from friends

Evidence of Intention to Marry:
•   Confirmation of Marriage Ceremony for January 2021 - Suffolk County Council Registration Service Office
•   Email correspondence with Bury St Edmunds Registration Office to reserve a wedding date in January 2021.
•   Photos/receipts for the engagement ring / wedding bands / wedding gown
•   A “Save the Date” and Invitation from the original postponed May 2020 USA wedding

I hope that the list is complete and please let me know if I am missing anything, or specifically if I need originals. Please forgive me, but I'm just not understanding what the difference is with originals or copies if they're all being electronically uploaded.

Also, regarding the process, am I understanding this correctly, please correct me if I'm wrong of the following next steps:
1.   I submit online application
2.   Upload documents on VFS page (even if I pick ASC for Biometrics, can I upload on VFS?)
3.   Whether I pick VFS or ASC I get an appointment for Biometrics by online or phone
4.   After appointment, I mail my passport and previous passport, biometrics stamped page, 1st page of application, and envelope with UPS return label to the NY address
5.   Wait until further notice

Again thank you all so much for any help you can give me as I would love to get this sent out as soon as possible. I'm sure so many people are on edge waiting for information and what to do next because of the pandemic.

Stressful Cheers

Welcome to the forum .

Background: I am from the United States, my fiancee is a British citizen. If possible, we would like to apply tomorrow, to hopefully enter the UK by November to marry in January.

Biometrics Options: I have filled in and saved the online application to submit, however at the end it asks if I would like to choose a VFS PAC or ASC location. (VFS Global Premium Application Centre (PAC) OR the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Application Support Center (ASC). Currently, VFS have just opened as of 13 July, but are possibly backlogged with numerous applicants. I have also read that they are only accepting Bronze packages at this time. Will I be able to get an appointment there soon? Do I need to purchase the Bronze package for $410, or can I still use the free uploading system without a package purchased? I don't mind buying the package if it is useful and worth it.

Unfortunately the Bronze package is not available to people applying for fiancé visas. The Bronze, Silver and Gold packages are for NON-settlement visas only (visitor, work and student visas).

The only VFS package available to fiancé visa applicants is the Settlement Premium Package which costs $2,000 .

However, this service really is a complete waste of money because it really does not get your application processed any faster - the application still has to be processed in Sheffield, UK so will take at least 20-30 working days even if you pay the $2,000 extra... it includes the Settlement Priority Service plus courier service, so basically, you’re paying an extra $1000 just to be able to keep your passport while the visa is processing.

If possible, I prefer to choose the ASC (US immigration) office, mine in Sacramento is scheduled to open on July 20. Right now, it also says that they are only taking appointments by phone once they are open. Would this take a lot longer? Can I go this route and still upload the documents for free via the VFS website. (The application says that once I pick VFS or ASC, I cannot go back and change so I just would like to get this right). I would like to use whatever is fastest and easiest. The ASC is much closer to me than the VFS, but if it is a much longer wait than I will pick VFS.

Your options are:
- VFS using the Settlement Premium Service for $2,000 when it is available
- ASC using the Settlement Priority Service when it is available (£593)
- ASC using no priority service

We’re not sure how booking ASC appointments will work because there are 4 months worth of applicants also waiting to book their appointments too... all the propel who applied in March, April, May, June and July so far.

It may be the case that they are all given priority to book their appointments first (this is how it’s working for U.K.-based applications). So I would be prepared to have to wait several weeks, maybe a couple of months to be able to book an appointment.

Due to this, I have read that the financial requirement is waived, and we just have to meet the maintenance requirement. We have that PIP paperwork from the Department of Work and Pensions. In addition, to be on the safe side, we also have over £65,000 in savings combined with half in my US accounts, and half in his UK accounts. Does anyone have any knowledge of using a benefit in place for the financial requirement. Any thoughts on this would be great as it is so difficult to find information specific to this. The online application didn't ask me for any further financial information after I checked the box "PIP" so I am wondering what I should include to get this right.

Since you already have more than £62,500 in savings, you may just want to apply without mentioning the PIP. You will provide the same evidence of both the UK and US savings anyway, regardless of whether you are applying as exempt from the financial requirement or not.

So you could always just not mention the PIP at all and apply as if he is not on benefits.

Refusal: I have had one prior refusal of leave to enter at the UK border due to not having proof of departure within 6 months at the time. I have since corrected it and been allowed entry to the UK twice. Would this cause problems? I have addressed this in my statement.

No, it won’t cause problems, but you do need to declare it and include any paperwork you may have from it.

TB: I am a US citizen and resident, but I have also been a temporary resident of Taiwan and Panama in the past. Panama requires a TB cert. I have not been there for over 2 years, and have been back only in the US and Europe since mid-2018. Would I require a TB test cert still? It seems to me I would not, but I could be wrong.

No, you don’t need a TB test as you are not applying from Taiwan or Panama and you have been in the US for at least 6 months.

Hello everyone, thank you for this forum it provides such great information.

I am hoping to apply for a UK fiance visa tomorrow (ASAP) and just would like to know if someone can review the documents I have to submit as soon as they can. Any help or advise is greatly appreciated!

Background: I am from the United States, my fiancee is a British citizen. If possible, we would like to apply tomorrow, to hopefully enter the UK by November to marry in January.

Biometrics Options: I have filled in and saved the online application to submit, however at the end it asks if I would like to choose a VFS PAC or ASC location. (VFS Global Premium Application Centre (PAC) OR the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Application Support Center (ASC). Currently, VFS have just opened as of 13 July, but are possibly backlogged with numerous applicants. I have also read that they are only accepting Bronze packages at this time. Will I be able to get an appointment there soon? Do I need to purchase the Bronze package for $410, or can I still use the free uploading system without a package purchased? I don't mind buying the package if it is useful and worth it.

If possible, I prefer to choose the ASC (US immigration) office, mine in Sacramento is scheduled to open on July 20. Right now, it also says that they are only taking appointments by phone once they are open. Would this take a lot longer? Can I go this route and still upload the documents for free via the VFS website. (The application says that once I pick VFS or ASC, I cannot go back and change so I just would like to get this right). I would like to use whatever is fastest and easiest. The ASC is much closer to me than the VFS, but if it is a much longer wait than I will pick VFS.

Regarding finances: my fiancee in the UK was in a road traffic accident and is temporarily severely disabled with a shattered femur, so he receives the benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Due to this, I have read that the financial requirement is waived, and we just have to meet the maintenance requirement. We have that PIP paperwork from the Department of Work and Pensions. In addition, to be on the safe side, we also have over £65,000 in savings combined with half in my US accounts, and half in his UK accounts. Does anyone have any knowledge of using a benefit in place for the financial requirement. Any thoughts on this would be great as it is so difficult to find information specific to this. The online application didn't ask me for any further financial information after I checked the box "PIP" so I am wondering what I should include to get this right.

Refusal: I have had one prior refusal of leave to enter at the UK border due to not having proof of departure within 6 months at the time. I have since corrected it and been allowed entry to the UK twice. Would this cause problems? I have addressed this in my statement.

TB: I am a US citizen and resident, but I have also been a temporary resident of Taiwan and Panama in the past. Panama requires a TB cert. I have not been there for over 2 years, and have been back only in the US and Europe since mid-2018. Would I require a TB test cert still? It seems to me I would not, but I could be wrong.

My documents for uploading include:

CATEGORY 1: APPLICANTS’S DOCUMENTS:

•   First Page of Applicant’s Visa which I assume I will be able to print out once I submit my application
•   Appendix II VAF 4A 2018
•   My applicant's statement to index my documents, other information about my application to refer to, etc.

Financial Requirement:
•   6 months of bank statements - HSBC US savings accounts of applicant's statements (December 24 - June 24). These are e-statements but are accompanied by a mailed "Balance Verification Letter" from the bank. The statements themselves are not originals, but the bank said they look exactly the same anyways, so will they work for uploading? It is all they would offer me. Is this good enough? Any advise on what US banks are authorised to offer?
•   Letters of Account Balance Verification for US savings accounts
•   Declaration of Savings made by myself about source of funds

Accommodation Requirement:
•   Letters of permission to stay from sponsor's mother and as a secondary, another home owned by his step-mother and father, all homes are large homes with only two people residing there, not overcrowded, owned outright, no mortgage, which we have stated
•   Land Registry documents of both homes
•   Copies of passports of people who live in the homes

Additional Supporting Documents:
•   Passport info page copy of myself, applicant. Do I need copies of every page of my passport (certified or normal ok) and previous passport? Or just info page? I can mail in both passports to the NY office if necessary.
•   10-year traveling document evidencing all entry / exit stamps and dates throughout my current and previous passport. I have traveled a lot and there are over 100 entry stamps to various countries so I have created a spreadsheet to make sense of it all. But no visa overstays at all.
•   Reference letters from close friends/family

CATEGORY 2: SPONSOR’S DOCUMENTS:

•   Passport copy of sponsor of info page only
•   Letter of Sponsor Statement from sponsor

Financial Requirement:
•   Personal Independence Payment letter from the Department of Work and Pensions
•   One bank statement with monthly deposit of PIP payment to sponsor’s HSBC UK account in May
•   6 months of bank statements of HSBC UK accounts to show other half of total combined savings. We have two options: 1) we received all of the originals in the mail (however some say 'duplicate' because they were ordered later but they still arrived by post) and 2) we have electronic copies from the bank that the teller printed and accompanied them with bank signed cover letters with each account. Which would be better to provide?

Relationship Requirement:
•   Copies of photos / letters / cards of us together together from 2018-2020 - compiled into one PDF for uploading
•   Boarding passes from trips to see each other and trips taken together
•   Whatsapp video call log from 2018-2020 from various time periods - compiled into one PDF for uploading
•   Sponsor’s hospital/doctors letters with mention of applicant/"girlfriend" being present during hospital stays and surgeries
•   Character and relationship reference letters from friends

Evidence of Intention to Marry:
•   Confirmation of Marriage Ceremony for January 2021 - Suffolk County Council Registration Service Office
•   Email correspondence with Bury St Edmunds Registration Office to reserve a wedding date in January 2021.
•   Photos/receipts for the engagement ring / wedding bands / wedding gown
•   A “Save the Date” and Invitation from the original postponed May 2020 USA wedding

I hope that the list is complete and please let me know if I am missing anything, or specifically if I need originals. Please forgive me, but I'm just not understanding what the difference is with originals or copies if they're all being electronically uploaded.

Also, regarding the process, am I understanding this correctly, please correct me if I'm wrong of the following next steps:
1.   I submit online application
2.   Upload documents on VFS page (even if I pick ASC for Biometrics, can I upload on VFS?)
3.   Whether I pick VFS or ASC I get an appointment for Biometrics by online or phone
4.   After appointment, I mail my passport and previous passport, biometrics stamped page, 1st page of application, and envelope with UPS return label to the NY address
5.   Wait until further notice

Again thank you all so much for any help you can give me as I would love to get this sent out as soon as possible. I'm sure so many people are on edge waiting for information and what to do next because of the pandemic.

Stressful Cheers

I don't know about timelines and what is open at the moment but I can tell you that unless you pay for the settlement premium package at $2,000, you will not be giving your biometrics at vfs (bronze, silver etc are only for other visa types).
Normally we recommend buying the settlement priority service at around $800 to ensure faster processing but that doesn't appear to be available at the moment.
https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/us/en/premium-services

So biometrics at ASC.

If you have savings over £62,500 held in only the names of you and your partner for at least 6 months, I would forget about the PIP and apply using savings. It will keep the application simpler. Proving maintenance can be a little tricky.

Do mention the entry refusal, yes. It will not cause problems.

Not sure what you mean by first page of applicant's visa. You won't have a visa until your application is processed and accepted.
Appendix II - not required. It is part of the online applciation.
Index etc-  Keep it simple.

Pick the house you are going to be living in. Do not send info on 2 properties.

All pages of your passports are required. They do not need to be certified.

Leave out the letters from friends and family.

All pages of sponsors passport.

Financial requirement

I would use just savings if you qualify that way. Send at least 6 full months of bank statements from each of you. You must cover the exact same dates on which you are relying so most people send 7 months worth. Original though the post, stamped on every page by the bank or accompanied by a letter verifying their authenticity are your options. Must be dated within 28 days of your application date.

Your relationship evidence looks good but again, the letters from friends and family should be removed.
Evidence of intent to marry looks good too.

Regarding the documents, you have several documents you do not need, so I've just arranged everything according to what you DO need (my additions in blue):

APPLICANT DOCUMENTS:
Mailed to New York:
•   Actual US passport
•   Stamped biometrics confirmation sheet
•   First Page of Applicant’s Visa APPLICATION
•   Receipt for Settlement Priority Processing (if available and if using)
•   Return packaging and return shipping label
Uploaded:
•   Cover letter (My applicant's statement to index my documents, other information about my application to refer to, etc)
•   Previous US passports

SPONSOR’S DOCUMENTS:
•   Passport copy of sponsor of info page only
•   Letter of Sponsor Statement from sponsor

ACCOMMODATION DOCUMENTS
•   Letters of permission to stay from sponsor's mother
•   Land Registry documents of mother's home
•   Copy of mother's passport - I don't actually think this is required, but they like to put it on the list

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS:
If using Category D: Cash Savings (no PIP exemption):
•   6 months of bank statements of HSBC UK accounts to show other half of total combined savings. (use the statements received in the mail)
•   6 months of bank statements - HSBC US savings accounts of applicant's statements (December 24 - June 24). (these are fine as long as they are accompanied by a bank letter verifying them)
•   Letters of Account Balance Verification for US savings accounts
•   Declaration of Savings made by myself about source of funds
If applying using the PIP exemption, you also need:
•   Personal Independence Payment letter from the Department of Work and Pensions
•   One bank statement with monthly deposit of PIP payment to sponsor’s HSBC UK account in May

RLEATIONSHIP DOCUMENTS:
•   Maximum of 2 photos of you together
•   Copies of letters / cards of us together together from 2018-2020
•   Boarding passes from trips to see each other and trips taken together
•   Whatsapp video call log from 2018-2020 from various time periods - compiled into one PDF for uploading  (should be no more than 2-3 pages)

INTENT TO MARRY DOCUMENTS
•   Confirmation of Marriage Ceremony for January 2021 - Suffolk County Council Registration Service Office
•   Email correspondence with Bury St Edmunds Registration Office to reserve a wedding date in January 2021.
•   Photos/receipts for the engagement ring / wedding bands / wedding gown
•   A “Save the Date” and Invitation from the original postponed May 2020 USA wedding

Documents you DO NOT need
•    Appendix II  - not accepted in the US anymore because all the questions on it are now part of the online application. It is ONLY accepted in North Korea where they cannot apply online.
•   10-year traveling document evidencing all entry / exit stamps and dates throughout my current and previous passport. I have traveled a lot and there are over 100 entry stamps to various countries so I have created a spreadsheet to make sense of it all. But no visa overstays at all. - NOT REQUIRED as you will be sending your current passport and uploading all your previous passport pages anyway
•   Reference letters from close friends/family - CANNOT be considered
•   Sponsor’s hospital/doctors letters with mention of applicant/"girlfriend" being present during hospital stays and surgeries - IRRELEVANT to the application
•   Character and relationship reference letters from friends CANNOT be considered

Also, regarding the process, am I understanding this correctly, please correct me if I'm wrong of the following next steps:
1.   I submit online application
2.   Upload documents on VFS page (even if I pick ASC for Biometrics, can I upload on VFS?)
3.   Whether I pick VFS or ASC I get an appointment for Biometrics by online or phone
4.   After appointment, I mail my passport and previous passport, biometrics stamped page, 1st page of application, and envelope with UPS return label to the NY address
5.   Wait until further notice

Biometrics for a UK visa can only be booked via the VFS website.

If they are saying they can only accept booking by phone, this means that UK visa applicants cannot currently book biometrics and will have to wait. The ASC is run by US immigration on behalf of UKVI, so the phone booking will apply to US visa applicants only.

If you use the VFS centre Settlement Premium Service for $2,000 all your documents are uploaded at the appointment, so you don't mail anything to New York.

So, the process is, if using the ASC:
- Submit the online application
- Go to the VFS website and book biometrics - when it will allow you to
- Purchase any additional services when you book the appointment, such as Settlement Priority Processing and return shipping labels
- Upload your documents to the VFS Global website
- Attend biometrics, where they will stamp your appointment confirmation sheet
- Mail your passport and stamped sheet to NYC within 5 days
- Wait for the visa to be processed and your passport to be mailed back to you

And if using the $2,000 Premium Service at the VFS Centre:
- Submit the online application
- Go to the VFS website and book a Settlement Premium appointment
- Attend the appointment where your documents will be scanned and uploaded for you
- Wait for the visa to be processed. If you have kept your passport they will contact you to ask you to take it back to them so they can issue the visa.

Just a couple of pointers,

Make sure you will meet the financial requirements again at the end of the finance visa (keep the £62,500 in savings untouched).

Do NOT book ANYTHING for a wedding date until you have your visa, are in the UK, and have given notice and a “you can book to marry after xxxx date”

Make sure you have insurance that will cover you before you switch visas after you marry.  An unpaid NHS bill of £500 results in an automatic visa refusal.

Make sure you’ll be able to be entertained while waiting to marry and switch visas as you can’t work (even remotely for a US company), volunteer, study, etc.  It can be a lonely time.

Thank you! Thank you! to everyone's response! It really helps having these experts on here help us with all these tiny details. I've applied today, and will start uploading docs tomorrow, and try to get an appointment at my local ASC as soon as they're available. I'll update when I've found out any further information with this process during COVID.

Best Regards

Just as an update, I applied yesterday for the fiance visa. Today, the VFS website continually said there were no appointments available due to COVID, and then at noon one opened up on August 7 as the soonest one, and I was able to grab it. Just in case anyone would like to apply, so far the Sacramento ACS for biometrics is backlogged just 3 weeks.

Hopefully the appointments won't be affected by the possibility of the USCIS furlough of 80% of employees, that is possibly going to start August 3, but I don't know.