Priority Spouse Visa FALL Timeline (Oct-Dec)

Hi all!

I hope that everybody is having a beautiful day so far.

I just have a few questions that I'd love some assistance on if that's okay. I haven't really been able to discern concrete answers to these with the thread and other threads on the site.

My wife and I are getting ready to send off our application - hopefully by next Monday and we are doing this with priority. Can I just confirm a few things with people that have just gone through this same process?

- Will the supporting documents my wife who is based in NY is sending to the NY hub need to be sent on special size paper? We seem to be seeing conversations stating that it should be sent UK A4 paper size or US size. Can anybody confirm the size?
Also, we are sending legible copies of our documents. Has anybody also done this? We saw on the VSF website that this is something that we could do so I have not sent originals to my wife in the US. I really hope that this won't be a problem - copies of inspection report, bank statements sent to me from the bank etc.

- Are we required to use a specific courier when sending our documents? I know that the courier we use to get our documents back to us with UPS and paid via VFS (i think?) but in regards to sending our entire package to them, is there a preferred courier? Which one did you guys use?

It's really crazy that there are different instructions on gov.uk and vfs - this process is tedious enough to now have worry about whether you're following the correct instructions or not on official websites

Would appreciate all the help! Thank you in advance 

I sent mine using UPS. I went to the UPS store and got it done. My package was close to 6lb with 3 applications.

I also only sent copies. I made sure it was legible and I did do some documents on colored copies (like marriage certificates and birth certificates etc)

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I sent mine using UPS. I went to the UPS store and got it done. My package was close to 6lb with 3 applications.

I also only sent copies. I made sure it was legible and I did do some documents on colored copies (like marriage certificates and birth certificates etc)

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Great thats what my spouse did as our package was 3lbs, so we paid for the priority air labelling, so it arrived the next day. It was a similar cost to what is offered on VFS so we knew we weren't being necessarily ripped off

We did send originals and photo copies of what we want to be sent back. They are in this transition period and seemingly only want copies, so I am sure we will both be fine

Great thats what my spouse did as our package was 3lbs, so we paid for the priority air labelling, so it arrived the next day. It was a similar cost to what is offered on VFS so we knew we weren't being necessarily ripped off

We did send originals and photo copies of what we want to be sent back. They are in this transition period and seemingly only want copies, so I am sure we will both be fine

Yes I'm following another thread and one person received a decision who sent copies to NYC. I think by tomorrow they will have their passport back.

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Hi all!

I hope that everybody is having a beautiful day so far.

I just have a few questions that I'd love some assistance on if that's okay. I haven't really been able to discern concrete answers to these with the thread and other threads on the site.

My wife and I are getting ready to send off our application - hopefully by next Monday and we are doing this with priority. Can I just confirm a few things with people that have just gone through this same process?

- Will the supporting documents my wife who is based in NY is sending to the NY hub need to be sent on special size paper? We seem to be seeing conversations stating that it should be sent UK A4 paper size or US size. Can anybody confirm the size?
Also, we are sending legible copies of our documents. Has anybody also done this? We saw on the VSF website that this is something that we could do so I have not sent originals to my wife in the US. I really hope that this won't be a problem - copies of inspection report, bank statements sent to me from the bank etc.

- Are we required to use a specific courier when sending our documents? I know that the courier we use to get our documents back to us with UPS and paid via VFS (i think?) but in regards to sending our entire package to them, is there a preferred courier? Which one did you guys use?

It's really crazy that there are different instructions on gov.uk and vfs - this process is tedious enough to now have worry about whether you're following the correct instructions or not on official websites

Would appreciate all the help! Thank you in advance 

Hi there! I sent photocopies on US letter size paper per the instructions on the letter I was given at my biometrics appointment. The only original documents I sent were my passports. I purchased and printed my shipping labels through the VFS site. It’s next day air and cheaper than buying directly from UPS. Plus no worries about the return label being the correct format - I had seen instances where people had trouble with that when they purchased return labels directly from UPS.


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Here is where it's really tough for us as "experts" on the forum.  We haven't had anyone approved yet since the switch to the scanning hub in NYC.

The letter says to send copies - however the OFFICIAL UKVI .gov guidance specificially states original documents.  So until we see approvals for those who sent copies (which I assume is going to be 100% fine), it's hard for us to say copies are fine - as we haven't had any approved yet.

So right now, it's a personal choice.  I would recommend sending originals as there is no question as to whether or not that was the right decision.  But the letter received at biometrics does say copies.  But it also gives the wrong address for where to send the documents.   

The letter says to send copies - however the OFFICIAL UKVI .gov guidance specificially states original documents.  So until we see approvals for those who sent copies (which I assume is going to be 100% fine), it's hard for us to say copies are fine - as we haven't had any approved yet.

So paragraph 7.13 of this memo...is this not official?
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/747688/Explanatory-memorandum-HC1534-Print.pdf

A little information from my side:
Met the Mrs in april this year.
submitted application online on the 3rd oct 2018
Married on 28th oct 2018
Biometrics in india on the 6th Nov 2018. Priority VISA.
All Documents submitted at VFS by my MRS
I missed 2 so i sent registry document and my sisters letter of consent for her to live in the house straight to sheffield.

Documents received back with letter saying decision is being made: 23rd NOV 2018

Now waiting for the passport and decision 

So paragraph 7.13 of this memo...is this not official?
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/747688/Explanatory-memorandum-HC1534-Print.pdf

Yes, that memo is official. I'm sure we are all good, if you sent copies in there is nothing to worry about.

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A little information from my side:
Met the Mrs in april this year.
submitted application online on the 3rd oct 2018
Married on 28th oct 2018
Biometrics in india on the 6th Nov 2018. Priority VISA.
All Documents submitted at VFS by my MRS
I missed 2 so i sent registry document and my sisters letter of consent for her to live in the house straight to sheffield.

Documents received back with letter saying decision is being made: 23rd NOV 2018

Now waiting for the passport and decision 

Hi Micky.  Are those dates correct?
Looks like you applied for a spouse visa before you were actually married?

Hi Micky.  Are those dates correct?
Looks like you applied for a spouse visa before you were actually married?

I'm a little concerned about this as well - the date you submit the online application and pay for the visa is your official application date... and you must meet all the requirements on that date, including being legally married.

If you married AFTER you applied online, your visa may be refused due to not meeting the visa requirements on the date of application.

oh cra*. Yes i applied online before i was legally married. Although the application asks when you got married which has the correct date. ?

So we finally got a "Documents received" email through! We sent an inquiry email in on Monday, then after getting no response by Thursday I put in a second - at which point both were responded to within an hour to say that they had it, then today we got the confirmation.

Possibly a waste of ~£11, but I feel _so much_ better knowing

Here is where it's really tough for us as "experts" on the forum.  We haven't had anyone approved yet since the switch to the scanning hub in NYC.

The letter says to send copies - however the OFFICIAL UKVI .gov guidance specificially states original documents.  So until we see approvals for those who sent copies (which I assume is going to be 100% fine), it's hard for us to say copies are fine - as we haven't had any approved yet.

So right now, it's a personal choice.  I would recommend sending originals as there is no question as to whether or not that was the right decision.  But the letter received at biometrics does say copies.  But it also gives the wrong address for where to send the documents.   

There is at least one person in a fB group I'm in that just got her 'decision made' email. If she gets approved I'll post in here with an update. My understanding is she sent in copies.

You’ve all been amazing, thank you very much. Nerves are definitely more calm now lol. My wife was pretty sure that copies were fine but I had to get more voices on it.

One more question, for those that used their parents house as their accommodation, what did you submit as proof of ownership? It looks like my mum may have misplaced her land registry so I’m currently looking how to get that resent to her. I think I’ve found a way on the gov.uk website and they can send an official copy. Is anything else required, evidence wise?

You’ve all been amazing, thank you very much. Nerves are definitely more calm now lol. My wife was pretty sure that copies were fine but I had to get more voices on it.

One more question, for those that used their parents house as their accommodation, what did you submit as proof of ownership? It looks like my mum may have misplaced her land registry so I’m currently looking how to get that resent to her. I think I’ve found a way on the gov.uk website and they can send an official copy. Is anything else required, evidence wise?

For the accommodation evidence, you need:
-  a printed copy of the Land Registry document from the website (which you can get and download yourself for £3)
- a letter from your mum giving you both permission to live with her and confirming that the home will not be overcrowded (by listing the number of bedrooms + living rooms, and the total number of people who will be living there)

Optional extra:
- your mum’s latest annual mortgage statement, if she has a mortgage


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