Non-priority Spousal Visa Timeline

Congratulations! Did you apply from the US? That's amazing that it went so fast.

My husband did (I’m the sponsor/wife).

We were absolutely amazed that it was so fast. The only thing I had that was above and beyond everyone’s recommendations was an affidavit in place of the sponsor letter. We had used advisors before who recommended doing this and we bit the bullet and did it to add some punch to our words.

My husband did (I’m the sponsor/wife).

We were absolutely amazed that it was so fast. The only thing I had that was above and beyond everyone’s recommendations was an affidavit in place of the sponsor letter. We had used advisors before who recommended doing this and we bit the bullet and did it to add some punch to our words.

Congratulations .

The affidavit would not have made any difference whatsoever. They just need to tick a box to state they have seen a letter from the sponsor.

- No letter included at all = possible visa refusal
- Letter included in some format = they tick to say you meet that requirement, and they move on to the next document

In all my years on this forum, I have never heard of anyone sending an affidavit in place of a sponsor letter, and I have no idea why an advisor would recommend sending one.

The only requirement for a sponsor letter is:

Evidence of your relationship to your sponsor and any contact between you
This could be a letter from your sponsor confirming your relationship and that they are supporting your application along with copies of:
 birth certificate or adoption certificate
 marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
 death or divorce certificate
 photographs of your wedding, civil partnership ceremony or other time spent
together
 phone records
 emails, letters or cards
* You should not submit DVDs or video cassettes*

From here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270197/sup-docs-settlement.pdf

My husband did (I’m the sponsor/wife).

We were absolutely amazed that it was so fast. The only thing I had that was above and beyond everyone’s recommendations was an affidavit in place of the sponsor letter. We had used advisors before who recommended doing this and we bit the bullet and did it to add some punch to our words.

That wouldn't have affected the processing time.

It's simply that they picked your application up and processed it - to skew statistics in their favor.  They want to show they are meeting processing standard targets.

An application only takes 1-2 hours to process and the ECO doesn't know what will be in front of them until they start to process the application.

I had read that it was totally unnecessary but you know what it’s like when someone is telling you otherwise and you’re at peak stress 

I didn't have a sponsor letter. There was nothing on the website about that. Or I guess I didn't see it. I added the marriage cerfificate and his birth certificate and evidence that we lived together the last 4 years (In Germany, you have to be officially registered at a residence, they are very strict about this.) Along with electric bills. And the blood of a unicorn.

Where did you get that doc with those requirements? I never saw that.

I didn't have a sponsor letter. There was nothing on the website about that. Or I guess I didn't see it. I added the marriage cerfificate and his birth certificate and evidence that we lived together the last 4 years (In Germany, you have to be officially registered at a residence, they are very strict about this.) Along with electric bills. And the blood of a unicorn.

I also didn’t see anything about a sponsor letter or missed that...

There is a Guide to Supporting Documents Giles on the same page as VAF4A Appendix 2. It’s linked to through the spousal visa webpages:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-for-family-settlement-form-vaf4a


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There is a Guide to Supporting Documents Giles on the same page as VAF4A Appendix 2. It’s linked to through the spousal visa webpages:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-for-family-settlement-form-vaf4a


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I think I took this as optional since it doesn’t state required. My bad! With all of my issues going on I’ve pretty much resigned myself to reapplying. It’s been hard to figure out what is a hard rule since “may” to me implies “you can but don’t have to”. In most people’s eyes that doesn’t signal automatic refusal. —correction, meant to say possible refusal not automatic.

I think I took this as optional since it doesn’t state required. My bad! With all of my issues going on I’ve pretty much resigned myself to reapplying. It’s been hard to figure out what is a hard rule since “may” to me implies “you can but don’t have to”. In most people’s eyes that doesn’t signal automatic refusal. —correction, meant to say possible refusal not automatic.

Yeah, it isn’t the best guidance because they’re wishy-washy about it. There’s a few things on there you don’t need to include and others you do, but there’s no indication as to which is which!


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Yeah, it isn’t the best guidance because they’re wishy-washy about it. There’s a few things on there you don’t need to include and others you do, but there’s no indication as to which is which!


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It sure is! It really needs to be more straight forward but I think the government is confused right now on a lot of things so not surprising. I can’t wait to get a response, denied or approved, just to see reasoning behind either decision. It’s a fascinating maddening process. Of course I hope we’re approved but am mentally prepared if not.

It sure is! It really needs to be more straight forward but I think the government is confused right now on a lot of things so not surprising. I can’t wait to get a response, denied or approved, just to see reasoning behind either decision. It’s a fascinating maddening process. Of course I hope we’re approved but am mentally prepared if not.

How long has it been so far, Cali?

How long has it been so far, Cali?

Paperwork was received in Sheffield on March 16th. So only about 18 business days. It sure feels a lot longer.

Paperwork was received in Sheffield on March 16th. So only about 18 business days. It sure feels a lot longer.

Well they have been picking up a bit lately so hopefully you won't have too much longer to wait. As you say, it'll be a relief to know one way or the other.