Any updates from recent applicants?

The past payslips they are requesting are in our files which hubby packed up whilst trying to be helpful before everything was collected for moving. We do have color scans though and he is requesting the rest of the ones for January - May 2015 from former employer. I have 1 months worth (from when we purchased our home in December 2014...good timing...!)

Which category did you apply under?

The email didn't state any of the specifics you're referencing regarding former employers to stamp/sign the pay slips or to confirm their authenticity? How would we know to do this as it doesn't explicitly say this?

It's in the official immigration rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449637/20150803_Immigration_Rules_-_Appendix_FM_SE.pdf):

(b) If the applicant:
(i) Has submitted:
(aa) A sequence of documents and some of the documents in the sequence have been omitted (e.g. if one bank statement from a series is missing);
(bb) A document in the wrong format (for example, if a letter is not on letterhead paper as specified); or
(cc) A document that is a copy and not an original document; or
(dd) A document which does not contain all of the specified information; or
(ii) Has not submitted a specified document,

the decision-maker may contact the applicant or his representative in writing or otherwise, and request the document(s) or the correct version(s). The material requested must be received at the address specified in the request within a reasonable timescale specified in the request.

and

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 regulated by the appropriate regulatory body for the country in which that institution is operating.

(ii) not be from a financial institution on the list of excluded institutions in Appendix P of these rules.

(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 statementswhich 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.

and

(bb) Payslips must be:
(i) original formal payslips issued by the employer and showing the employer's name;
or
(ii) accompanied by a letter from the employer, on the employer's headed paper and signed by a senior official, confirming the payslips are authentic;

It just requests that we email them over. I'm confused...and now really concerned!

In that case, you would have to scan them in once they have been signed or you have a letter from his employer confirming they are authentic.

(v) be:
(1) on official bank stationery;
or (2) electronic bank statementswhich 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.

How can the ECO differentiate official bank stationery from electronic statements?

For example, a bank I used a few years ago provides the same paper statements as it does electronic (once printed).  The bank itself essentially just prints the electronic and mails it out.  So that's technically its official bank stationery.  How can the ECO claim it isn't?

That's why I would assume there is some discretion there.

How can the ECO differentiate official bank stationery from electronic statements?

For example, a bank I used a few years ago provides the same paper statements as it does electronic (once printed).  The bank itself essentially just prints the electronic and mails it out.  So that's technically its official bank stationery.  How can the ECO claim it isn't?

That's why I would assume there is some discretion there.

Guess it depends on what the online bank statements or payslips look like... some may not look the same as the official stationary or may not look official, so it would be obvious if they are printed (and we have seen refusals for providing only online statements or copies of statements before).

Guess it depends on what the online bank statements or payslips look like... some may not look the same as the official stationary or may not look official, so it would be obvious if they are printed (and we have seen refusals for providing only online statements or copies of statements before).

They are equivalent statements the bank would mail, but you can download them (we use USAA) from the website. They're very straightforward PDFs.

Which category did you apply under?

We applied for the settlement visa on my husband's income.
I do work however I'm a contractor and he makes more than enough to satisfy the requirement.

We applied for the settlement visa on my husband's income.
I do work however I'm a contractor and he makes more than enough to satisfy the requirement.

You must have applied under category A or B.

Where was your husband working 6 months prior the date you submitted the application?

You must have applied under category A or B.

Where was your husband working 6 months prior the date you submitted the application?

He was working in the US through June 30, went through redundancy and is now employed by UK company...hence the move back.

They are equivalent statements the bank would mail, but you can download them (we use USAA) from the website. They're very straightforward PDFs.

PDF's are fine.  They are genuine, original statements.

He was working in the US through June 30, went through redundancy and is now employed by UK company...hence the move back.

Then I think you need 12 months of statements and payslips, not 6.  As this would be category B. Hopefully you applied under category B.

Or am I missing something?

We applied for the settlement visa on my husband's income.
I do work however I'm a contractor and he makes more than enough to satisfy the requirement.

Which Category did you fill out on Appendix 2?

There are a number of different categories based on your husband's income and when he started his job - you need to know which one he qualifies under so you know what documents to include.

Category A: (6 months payslips and bank statements required)
Either:
- With current UK employer for at least 6 months, earning £18,600 or more for the whole 6 months
OR
- With previous US employer earning £18,600 for at least 6 months AND he has a UK job offer paying at least £18,600 and starting within 3 months of moving back to the UK

Category B: (12 months payslips and bank statements required)
- Currently earning at least £18,600 in the UK, but hasn't been with the employer for 6 months yet or has a variable income
AND
- he has earned at least £18,600 in the previous 12 months before applying

OR

- Has a UK job offer paying at least £18,600 and starting within 3 months of moving back
AND
- was not with his US employer earning at least £18,600 for 6 months before applying but has earned at least £18,600 in the previous 12 months before applying

Category F/G: Self employment income
- He has earned at least £18,600 in self-employment income in the last full financial year (Category F) and his self-employment income will continue in the UK at £18,600 or more per year
OR
- He has earned an average of £18,600 per year in self-employment income in the last 2 full financial years (Category G) and his self-employment income will continue in the UK at £18,600 or more per year

Then I think you need 12 months of statements and payslips, not 6.  As this would be category B. Hopefully you applied under category B.

Or am I missing something?

The email states 6 months from his US employer between December 14' - May 15'...but I see how that is contradictory? I am of the mind that I do not present extra information unless required, it can gum things up.

Requested the payslips...waiting for the US on central time to wake up. Then it's in HRs hands.

Which Category did you fill out on Appendix 2?

There are a number of different categories based on your husband's income and when he started his job - you need to know which one he qualifies under so you know what documents to include.

Category A: (6 months payslips and bank statements required)
Either:
- With current UK employer for at least 6 months, earning £18,600 or more for the whole 6 months
OR
- With previous US employer earning £18,600 for at least 6 months AND he has a UK job offer paying at least £18,600 and starting within 3 months of moving back to the UK

Category B: (12 months payslips and bank statements required)
- Currently earning at least £18,600 in the UK, but hasn't been with the employer for 6 months yet or has a variable income
AND
- he has earned at least £18,600 in the previous 12 months before applying

OR

- Has a UK job offer paying at least £18,600 and starting within 3 months of moving back
AND
- was not with his US employer earning at least £18,600 for 6 months before applying but has earned at least £18,600 in the previous 12 months before applying

Category F/G: Self employment income
- He has earned at least £18,600 in self-employment income in the last full financial year (Category F) and his self-employment income will continue in the UK at £18,600 or more per year
OR
- He has earned an average of £18,600 per year in self-employment income in the last 2 full financial years (Category G) and his self-employment income will continue in the UK at £18,600 or more per year

We would be category A...he's earning well over 70K GBP before bonus, that's not an issue. Plus he was starting within 3 months of the application being submitted online (early June) when we had the offer letter come through.

The email states 6 months from his US employer between December 14' - May 15'...but I see how that is contradictory? I am of the mind that I do not present extra information unless required, it can gum things up.

Well, it depends which category and whether or not you were required to send 6 months or 12 months. Since they have only requested 6 months, I would assume that you correctly applied under Category A... if it was category B, then they should have asked for 12 months.

We would be category A...he's earning well over 70K GBP before bonus, that's not an issue. Plus he was starting within 3 months of the application being submitted online (early June) when we had the offer letter come through.

That's good - assuming that he was with his US employer and earning £18,600 for at least 6 months before he moved, Category A was correct.

It can be confusing though, trying to wade through the requirements for each Category.

This case study from the Financial Requirements Guidance illustrates a similar situation to your husband:

Example (a)
The applicant’s partner currently works in Australia but is returning with the applicant to the UK to work.

The applicant’s partner has been with working for the same employer for the last 5 years in Australia earning a gross annual salary of £25,000.

The applicant’s partner has a confirmed job offer to start in the UK in 8 weeks of their return, with an annual starting salary of £30,000.

Therefore the applicant’s partner has both current gross annual salary and a future starting salary which meet the financial requirement under Category A.

Well, it depends which category and whether or not you were required to send 6 months or 12 months. Since they have only requested 6 months, I would assume that you correctly applied under Category A... if it was category B, then they should have asked for 12 months.

That's good - assuming that he was with his US employer and earning £18,600 for at least 6 months before he moved, Category A was correct.

It can be confusing though, trying to wade through the requirements for each Category.

This case study from the Financial Requirements Guidance illustrates a similar situation to your husband:

Fairly certain it's category A. Come on HR!! Send me the payslips!

Well, it depends which category and whether or not you were required to send 6 months or 12 months. Since they have only requested 6 months, I would assume that you correctly applied under Category A... if it was category B, then they should have asked for 12 months.

That's good - assuming that he was with his US employer and earning £18,600 for at least 6 months before he moved, Category A was correct.

It can be confusing though, trying to wade through the requirements for each Category.

This case study from the Financial Requirements Guidance illustrates a similar situation to your husband:

Can applying for category B instead of A be grounds for refusal?

I can understand the other way around because you won't provide enough financial documentation.