Another ILR cohab. document date question

Spousal Visa Entry - Oct 2, 2016
FLR BRP Issued  - March 27, 2019
BRP Expiry Oct. 24, 2010.

Cohabitation Document Dates:
April 2019
September 2019
February 2020
July 2020
November 2020 - (only 1 of us has correspondence in December 2020)
May 2021
September 2021

November and September of 2021 are 4.5 months from the prior correspondence. Can this work?  It is so close and we are certainly getting less mail during the Covid time.

The documents are council tax bills, bank statement, GP letter, UK pension letter, Home insurance letter and Butterfly Conservation letter (which we used last time).

Thank you

Spousal Visa Entry - Oct 2, 2016
FLR BRP Issued  - March 27, 2019
BRP Expiry Oct. 24, 2010.

Cohabitation Document Dates:
April 2019
September 2019
February 2020
July 2020
November 2020 - (only 1 of us has correspondence in December 2020)
May 2021
September 2021

November and September of 2021 are 4.5 months from the prior correspondence. Can this work?  It is so close and we are certainly getting less mail during the Covid time.

The documents are council tax bills, bank statement, GP letter, UK pension letter, Home insurance letter and Butterfly Conservation letter (which we used last time).
 
Thank you

Assuming your BRP expires this year.  That looks fine.

Oops - nasty typo on the brp expiry date - should be Oct. 24, 2021. Thank you and I am pleased to hear from you- why it's only been 2.5 years since I last posted! Although perhaps I should be a bit concerned to see you, Ksand25, jfkimberly and others still keeping the rest of us sane through these processes (or at least keeping us from complete despair). I used to think you were probably some kind of angels but I now suspect you are bodhisattvas - forgoing nirvana out of compassion to stay here and help the rest of us on this benighted journey.

Back to the earthly realm - I saw a note on an immigration attorney's site that stated that copies of supporting documents as opposed to only originals (bank statements from online banking for example) are now acceptable following changes to the immigration rules in 2018. Is this true?

If it is true would that make any difference to the cohabitation correspondence documentation  - I understood that this had to be  actual delivered correspondence? 

Oops - nasty typo on the brp expiry date - should be Oct. 24, 2021. Thank you and I am pleased to hear from you- why it's only been 2.5 years since I last posted! Although perhaps I should be a bit concerned to see you, Ksand25, jfkimberly and others still keeping the rest of us sane through these processes (or at least keeping us from complete despair). I used to think you were probably some kind of angels but I now suspect you are bodhisattvas - forgoing nirvana out of compassion to stay here and help the rest of us on this benighted journey.

Back to the earthly realm - I saw a note on an immigration attorney's site that stated that copies of supporting documents as opposed to only originals (bank statements from online banking for example) are now acceptable following changes to the immigration rules in 2018. Is this true?

If it is true would that make any difference to the cohabitation correspondence documentation  - I understood that this had to be  actual delivered correspondence?

Still here!  There was a change in the rules which meant that for certain categories of visa copies were then to be acceptable, but this did not apply to the partner visas. The requirement for originals remains the same.

And yes, the correspondence still must be actually posted to you on paper.

Thank you. Would you possibly have a reference to the rules where I might see the changes to the document requirements for the other categories?  I have run into another immigration solicitor site where it expressly refers to copies being acceptable documents for partner/spousal visa applications.  Perhaps this does not extend to FLR/ILR applications or else is more internet BS (from alleged solicitors!). I am certainly not questioning your advice but I would dearly like to see the actual language somewhere.

Thank you. Would you possibly have a reference to the rules where I might see the changes to the document requirements for the other categories?  I have run into another immigration solicitor site where it expressly refers to copies being acceptable documents for partner/spousal visa applications.  Perhaps this does not extend to FLR/ILR applications or else is more internet BS (from alleged solicitors!). I am certainly not questioning your advice but I would dearly like to see the actual language somewhere.

It's fine, it's best to see for yourself. I remember when this happened we actually thought for a short while that it applied to the partner visas too then @ksand24 I think, found the language which applied to them and it could be seen that it hadn't changed.

If she doesn't pop in with a link soon I'll try having a look but if you want to search yourself meantime, I would start by searching "immigration rules" and kind of following your nose!

Yes - thank you - I have begun the "rules search". I have copy of the "Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules" from October 2018 which shows the 2018 changes but this only shows the language to be applied  and where but not the actual changed rules - for example -  "In paragraph 39B(d), for “must be originals, not copies, except where stated otherwise.” substitute “may be originals or copies.”  It is a good starting point but the search continues.....I will share what I find...

The  gov.uk Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE (Family Members Specified Evidence) appears to confirm what you are saying - same as always - "Bank statements must be on official bank stationery; or electronic bank statements which are either accompanied by a letter from the bank on its headed stationery confirming that the documents are authentic or which bear the official stamp of the issuing bank on every page."

Citation below from the gov.uk Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE (Family Members Specified Evidence) - The last section under "(v)" below

  1. In relation to evidencing the financial requirements in Appendix FM the following general provisions shall apply:
    (a) Bank statements must:
        (i) be from a financial institution to which Appendix Finance applies.
        (ii) DELETED.
        (iii) in relation to personal bank statements be only in the name of:
            (1) the applicant’s partner, the applicant or both as appropriate; or
            (2) if the applicant is a child the applicant parent’s partner, the applicant’s parent or both as appropriate; or
            (3) if the applicant is an adult dependent relative, the applicant’s sponsor or the applicant, unless otherwise stated.
        (iv) cover the period(s) specified.
        (v) be:
            (1) on official bank stationery; or
            (2) electronic bank statements which are either accompanied by a letter from the bank on its headed stationery confirming that the documents are authentic or which bear the official stamp of the issuing bank on every page.

Thank you again... never trust internet immigration sites .... except .... this one.

Sorry, yes.  FM-SE has remained the same on the topic of originals the whole time.

So to further complicate a simple question I have just completed most of my online application for Set(M). The following in quotes is part of the statement at the end when it specifies the requirements for the documents I have promised to provide - please note the first and second sentences. According to this, documents other than passports can be originals or copies. !!

"You must provide your documents after you submit your application, these can be originals or copies. Any passports provided must be originals.
You will be able to upload copies of your documents on our commercial partner's website, or you can take your documents to your biometrics appointment to be scanned and uploaded by our commercial partner for a fee. You'll be told how to book an appointment and upload your documents after you submit your application."

I just went through hoops to get certain original docs. so I am ok on whatever basis but what lot of added work if not actually required. Being cautious would suggest following the rules citation in the earlier comment rather than the online form statement but a consistent answer and a way to find that answer conclusively from UK Visas and Immigration (to this or any other question) is my greatest wish for everyone in this. I do not know how one would manage this process without your all's help. So huge thanks again.