supporting documents for fiance visa

Just out of curiosity.......I've read in past posts of all the supporting documents that other people have sent or brought with them to the visa appointments.

Such as: (for the applicant)

• 3-6 months bank statements........
    would just the current suffice? I'm assuming my bank statement (if needed at all, as it's not listed as part of the supporting documents the applicant needs) would just show how much money I have currently?

• Resume/CV, Educational certificates, references from previous employers........
You can't work on a fiance visa, so is this mainly to prove you are willing to work (ie not relying on public funds), and can work (after marriage), and if you have any skills (to be able to get employment and support yourself)? This doesn't seem to be listed as documents the applicant (me) needs, but more for the sponsor, but I've seen other people include it.

As for the Sponsor: (fiance)
[li]3-6 months bank statements........[/li]
    would just the current suffice? As a letter from Employer is also needed, which states income, etc. Plus, it states for the financial support of the sponsor - recent bank statements showing sufficient means of support while employment is sought in the UK - well if he already has employment, is it then needed?
[li]CV, Educational certificates, references from previous employers[/li]........he already has employment, so is that needed in case he ever lost his job?

I've also seen emails, photos, cards, letters from friends and family, etc being included.

I'm just curious as to what is really necessary? I'm trying to decide on what I need to go with my application. From what I understand, they mainly want proof that you have met (from applicant side), your intentions are truly for love/marriage, and your sponsor can support you (which mortage papers and letter from employer stating salary should be able to prove). Just seems like it's alot of extra documents to prove that you truly want to get married and the sponsor can support you. - and proof you plan on getting married within 6 months.

I have no problem taking all of the above with me or sending, (better safe then sorry). However it just seems like an aweful lot of documents from what they say on the website. It's a bit confusing and stressful trying to get all that information together. I'm worried about not having the right thing or too much of another thing, or stressing about getting one or any documents that in the end isn't needed.

Although in reality, I suppose, it really isn't all that much information, just seems like alot with trying to wrap my head around it all at once. eek

Just a note: You mentioned that you've seen other people include things that your application isn't asking for.... When I applied, we got together all the information the website said we needed. Then, after I completed the fast-track application and submitted it, the webpage it took us to surprised us with a few other things we needed! I can't remember what they were but I think one of them was proof of relationship, or something like that. So, once you fill out your application, that might happen to you too.

The NY consulate did take all previous 6 months of my bank statements.  I'm sure that they ask for a history of statements so that your hypothetical rich uncle cannot just loan you some money to satisfy the visa requirement.  You also need proof of your fiancé's accommodations, whether in the form of a deed, mortgage papers, or lease agreement.  You also need an invitation letter from him as the sponsor, which, I believe, is what among the stars recalling.

ahh ok...Thanks! I'll just take it all, better safe then sorry....    Just seems like so much.........

As for the Sponsor: (fiance)
[li]3-6 months bank statements........[/li]
    would just the current suffice? As a letter from Employer is also needed, which states income, etc. Plus, it states for the financial support of the sponsor - recent bank statements showing sufficient means of support while employment is sought in the UK - well if he already has employment, is it then needed?

I have no problem taking all of the above with me or sending, (better safe then sorry). However it just seems like an aweful lot of documents from what they say on the website. It's a bit confusing and stressful trying to get all that information together. I'm worried about not having the right thing or too much of another thing, or stressing about getting one or any documents that in the end isn't needed.

Although in reality, I suppose, it really isn't all that much information, just seems like alot with trying to wrap my head around it all at once. eek

Are these things really needed? If the consulate is asking for them, then yes, they are. It is a lot of stuff. But, it's better to bring what they ask than to risk having trouble with your application because you didn't provide them with everything they want.

Not everyone can provide everything they asked for. So, you find something else to take it's place. My husband and I depleted our bank accounts from just trying to stay together for the 6 months before we got married. Providing them with 3 months worth of statements each was just going to show that we depleted them and were in the hole! So, instead of bringing them, we brought 3 months worth of statements from his father along with a letter stating he would help us out while we got back on our feet.

Like someone else said, having three months of statements is to help show that the money is really yours and you didn't borrow it from someone to bulk up your bank account. I borrowed $6,000 from my dad to help me get into the UK after being denied entry. Bad me, but it worked. I'm sure that's the type of thing they're trying to avoid when you're applying for visas. Providing a few months worth will show how much money is going into the account every month.

It does end up being a lot of information in the end. I had a binder full of information. And, don't worry about having too much of something. If they don't want to see it they won't ask for it. Most people say they didn't look at the majority of the stuff they brought when they went in person. I don't know what they saw of mine because they took the binder and kept it overnight. The woman handling our case though told us it was the best presented application she had ever seen! My husband was proud because he spent a lot of time putting it together (I got too frustrated so he handled most of it).

Although everyone says that the fiancé(e) visa process is so easy, I think I even had an easier time than most.

Here's what I brought:

my passport
fiancé's passport
fiancé's invitation letter
6 months of my bank and investment statements
6 months of his bank statements
9 months of my telephone bills (land and mobile)
9 months of his telephone bills (mobile)
letter from his employer stating his position, that he is full-time, and his annual salary
his wage slip for the past quarter
a copy of his lease
a letter from his landlord stating that I can also live at the house
5 emails dating back over a year
5 photos of us clearly taken during different seasons
my CV
a few of my business cards
a letter I had written to the Church where we intend to marry


Here's what they actually used:

my passport
fiancé's passport
fiancé's invitation letter
6 months of my bank statements
letter from his employer stating his position, that he is full-time, and his annual salary
a copy of his lease

I went in dressed very business-like, and I had all of my paperwork organized in files.  The woman at the counter who handled my application was very nice and very casual.  When she asked questions, she did so in a very friendly way, as if she were interested to hear our story.  It was a quick and painless experience. 

The biggest thing I worry about is not having enough funds. The past year I have spent a lot of time in the UK visiting. Each time I go back to the US, I work a few months and make enough to fund my next trip back to visit my bf, and to pay what ever bills need to be paid while away. I don't have any extra in savings. Although my sister will be owing me money and will be making monthly payments to me for my car when I return to the UK on the fiance visa (if I get it). The last 3 months I have been working (in the US), but it was mainly part-time as I was taking care of my sick mother as well. But as far as full time, I can give them bank statements for, but it just goes back further then the standard 3-6 months. Should I take those as well to prove that I do have income when working and I don't live off of any gov. funds. It's just trying to fill in the holes from being in the UK and my account being low vs when I'm in the US and working normally.

As for my fiance, he doesn't have any extra savings either. He does have equity in his flat, which is more then what is owed on it (I think). He makes enough to support the both of us, at least we feel he does.

As far as emails, IMs and such.....I have never kept those. 3 yrs ago when we first started chatting, that's all it merely was, would have never thought to keep them for whatever just in cases (such as this). Over time, in box gets full and I just start deleting, flirtatious emails were not ones I kept, lol. I would have never thought from those first IMs and emails especially the 1st 2 yrs of it, that this is where we'd end up - getting married. lol. Definitely never thought of logging any IM chats.

So as far as proof of prior relationship, all I have are plenty of photos of him and then of me (in the same spot - he takes a picture of me, I take a picture of him), only 1 of us together in the same photo. I do have cards he gave me or I gave him, a couple of other cards - one from his neighbor and one from his mom (birthday cards).

I suppose I should have stated that from the beginning. But that is why I was curious as to what documentation is really needed.