If I download the immigration form and apply for him now do you have any idea of the cost, or how long the procedure will take? because we were considering going back with him on a 90 day visa and applying from the UK....time's very important right now as I have a very sick son who would appreciate my bring there.
A few things:
1) if he went to the UK as a visitor, it would be a 6-month visa, not 90 days.
2) However, if he did that, you couldn't apply from the UK anyway because he would not qualify for the visa and it will be refused - you cannot switch from a visitor visa to any other kind of visa from within the UK.
3) It's not quite as simple as downloading the form and applying. The application process and the documents required are very specific, and you really need to do your research before you apply.
4) There are actually two forms to complete - the online application and the paper VAF4a Appendix 2 form
5) The spousal visa itself costs £1,195. Then you also have to pay an IHS surcharge, which is a levy to give free access to the NHS... this is £600 paid upfront when you apply. So the visa is £1,795 in total.
There are 3 main requirements you must meet for the visa:
- financial requirement... your pension income of £18,600 per year
- accommodation requirement... you must have guaranteed accommodation to live in in the UK, with evidence in the form of permission from the landlord/homeowner to live there
- relationship requirement... evidence of your marriage and of living together in the US for the last few years
Your timeline should be:
1) research the visa requirements, the documents you must gather and the format that each document must be in
2) gather all the documents together and make sure your timing is all sorted because certain documents have to be dated within 28 days of the date you submit the online application (which will be one of the last things you do)
3) Read through the paper version of the online application form, to get an idea of how you will need to fill it out (though some of the questions are slightly different)
3) Print and complete the second half of the application form, VAF4a Appendix 2... this contains all the questions about how you meet the requirements for the spousal visa
4) When you are completely ready to apply, with every document in your hands, complete the online application form
5) Submit the online application form and pay for the visa and for the IHS surcharge. You will then be prompted to book an appointment to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a USCIS Application Support Center
6) Attend the biometrics appointment with your US passport and appointment confirmation letter. They will stamp the letter, take your fingerprints and photo and send you home
7) Within 5 days of the biometrics appointment, you must mail your application forms, passport, stamped biometrics letter and all your supporting documents to Sheffield for processing
8 ) there is an option to purchase settlement priority processing for £450 to get the application put to the front of the processing line. This is definitely worth paying for at this time of year (and through the summer) as processing times can be anywhere from a couple of weeks up to a few months.
9) Wait for the visa to be processed and mailed back to you
10) book flights to the UK and move
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