UK spouse visa from US Questions

So my husband is a British citizen, and I’m a US citizen and we got married on Jan 2 of this year. We want to start our spouse visa application, but we do have some questions, and we want to make sure we have all the documents we need. I apologize in advance for being excessive, I’m just super nervous and stressed about the whole thing, and want to make sure I have everything I need for a successful application.

Documents:
-Priority paper and receipt
-Shipping label
-Online application with IHS # written on top
-Appendix 2
-Biometrics confirmation and receipt
-IHS confirmation and receipt
-My Current and pass passports
-2 Passport pictures in UK size of me, signed on back
-Husband’s cover letter of relationship
-Sponsorship undertaking form
-His Bank statements (letterhead paper)
-His Pay slips (letterhead paper)
-His employer stating position, permanent job, amount earned, etc (letterhead paper)
-His work contract (letterhead paper)
-His Tenancy agreement (letterhead paper)
-His Letter from landlord (letterhead paper)
-His Bills such as council tax, electric, and water. (Letterhead paper)
-Copy of his passport picture page and stamped pages
-1 uk sized passport picture of him
-My cover letter of relationship
-Marriage certificate
-Wedding photos
-Other pictures of relationship
-Diploma
-Letter from my employer (letterhead paper)
-My 6 months of bank statements (letterhead paper)
-My 6 months of pay slips (letterhead paper)
-Photo of intended travel date

I read I have to make two copies of everything, and all copies must be on A4 paper. As well as all letters, pay slips, bank statements, etc has to be within 28 days of starting the application.

Also do I have to make copies of the original documents such as marriage certificate for both packets, or just for the second one and keep the original for the first packet?

With parts of the Appendix 2 do I have to write anything in the sections that don’t apply to me, or do I just leave them blank? We are category 3A

I saw barcode dividers, do I need those for the physical application I’d be mailing to Sheffield? Or that’s just for scanning your application to Sheffield?

Do I need to send birth certificates?

Do I need to make copies of my husband’s old passports?

I’m also confused about the vfs priority stuff, more specifically which one to choose. I don’t live near any premium application centers, so do I just choose the ‘Settlement Priority Visa’ service that costs almost $800? And which courier service do I get?

Hi Bridget! 

I read I have to make two copies of everything, and all copies must be on A4 paper. As well as all letters, pay slips, bank statements, etc has to be within 28 days of starting the application.

Make a copy of the application and Appendix 2 for your own records. Copy and include with your application those important documents that you want returned. A4 is not required! Only the financial evidence needs to be within 28 days although the rest should be as recent as possible.

Also do I have to make copies of the original documents such as marriage certificate for both packets, or just for the second one and keep the original for the first packet?

Just one copy. You don't make 2 sets of copies.

With parts of the Appendix 2 do I have to write anything in the sections that don’t apply to me, or do I just leave them blank? We are category 3A

Leave blank those parts that don't apply.

I saw barcode dividers, do I need those for the physical application I’d be mailing to Sheffield? Or that’s just for scanning your application to Sheffield?

Those are only when applications as scanned so don't apply.

Do I need to send birth certificates?

No

Do I need to make copies of my husband’s old passports?

No

I’m also confused about the vfs priority stuff, more specifically which one to choose. I don’t live near any premium application centers, so do I just choose the ‘Settlement Priority Visa’ service that costs almost $800? And which courier service do I get?

Yes.  Settlement, to Sheffield

You're applying for your first settlement application or did you have a fiance visa and are now doing further leave to remain?

I only ask because you said spouse visa but for the initial spouse visa you don't need a passport photograph of your sponsor

And your cover letter shouldn't cover the relationship unless something odd needs to be mentioned, it should just be 'I'm applying for such and such, I intend to travel on this date, here's what documents are enclosed'

Also, it's his financial papers you need, not yours.

Don't forget to include screenshots of messages and calls for relationship evidence!

Documents:
-Priority paper and receipt
-Shipping label
-Online application with IHS # written on top
-Appendix 2
-Biometrics confirmation and receipt
-IHS confirmation and receipt
-My Current and pass passports
-2 Passport pictures in UK size of me, signed on back
-Husband’s cover letter of relationship
-Sponsorship undertaking form not required
-His Bank statements (letterhead paper)
-His Pay slips (letterhead paper)
-His employer stating position, permanent job, amount earned, etc (letterhead paper)
-His work contract (letterhead paper)
-His Tenancy agreement (letterhead paper)
-His Letter from landlord (letterhead paper) It must give you permission to live there
-His Bills such as council tax, electric, and water. (Letterhead paper) Not required
-Copy of his passport picture page and stamped pages
-1 uk sized passport picture of him
-My cover letter of relationship
-Marriage certificate
-Wedding photos
-Other pictures of relationship
-Diploma Not required
-Letter from my employer (letterhead paper)Not required-My 6 months of bank statements (letterhead paper)Not required unless you are using savings over £16,000 to make up a shortfall in your husband's earnings-My 6 months of pay slips (letterhead paper) Not required-Photo of intended travel date

I'm presuming the financial evidence meets the requirements.

You are missing most of your relationship evidence. How do you keep in contact? Trips to see each other? Have you lived together before? You need to provide all of this.

Welcome to the forum .

First off, you do NOT need ANY of the following, so you can take them ALL out:
-Sponsorship undertaking form
-His Bills such as council tax, electric, and water. (Letterhead paper)
-Copy of his passport stamped pages
-1 uk sized passport picture of him
-My cover letter of relationship
-Other pictures of relationship
-Diploma
-Letter from my employer (letterhead paper)
-My 6 months of bank statements (letterhead paper)
-My 6 months of pay slips (letterhead paper)
-Photo of intended travel date

I'll just rearrange everything into the separate sections for the documents, so it's easier to see if you have everything . I've added comments in blue.

Applicant
-Priority receipt
- Optional contents letter
-Shipping label
-Online application with IHS # written on top
-Appendix 2
-Biometrics confirmation (stamped at appointment)
-IHS confirmation and receipt (not strictly needed if the IHS # is on the application)
-My Current and passports
- 1 passport picture (can be UK or US size, does not need to be signed)

Sponsor
- Copy of photo page of his UK passport
-Husband’s cover letter of relationship

Finances - which category?
-His Bank statements (letterhead paper) - how many months?
-His Pay slips (letterhead paper) - how many months?
-His employer stating position, permanent job, amount earned, etc (letterhead paper) (needs to state ALL of the following: current employment and salary, length of employment, length of time earning current salary, type of employment)
-His work contract (letterhead paper)

Accommodation
-His Tenancy agreement (letterhead paper)
-His Letter from landlord (letterhead paper)

Relationship - you are missing almost all of the relationship documents. You MUST include the additions in blue.
-Marriage certificate
- 2 photos maximum of just you two (one at the wedding, one earlier in the relationship)
- boarding passes from trips to see each other
- letters/cards sent to each other
- evidence of  communication throughout the relationship... screenshots of emails, calls logs, messages etc.

Copies of all the documents that you wish to be returned

I read I have to make two copies of everything, and all copies must be on A4 paper.

I've never heard that before. You need to include photocopies of the originals you want to be returned to you. That's it.

I'd advise making an extra copy of everything for your own records though.

As well as all letters, pay slips, bank statements, etc has to be within 28 days of starting the application.

Only the sponsor's latest payslip, his latest bank statement and the employer letter must be be dated within 28 days of submitting the online application.

Also do I have to make copies of the original documents such as marriage certificate for both packets, or just for the second one and keep the original for the first packet?

There's only one packet - containing your documents as listed above.

With parts of the Appendix 2 do I have to write anything in the sections that don’t apply to me, or do I just leave them blank? We are category 3A

No, leave them blank.

I saw barcode dividers, do I need those for the physical application I’d be mailing to Sheffield? Or that’s just for scanning your application to Sheffield?

Nope, not relevant to your appication.

Do I need to send birth certificates?

No.

Do I need to make copies of my husband’s old passports?

No

I’m also confused about the vfs priority stuff, more specifically which one to choose. I don’t live near any premium application centers, so do I just choose the ‘Settlement Priority Visa’ service that costs almost $800? And which courier service do I get?

Settlement Priority for $771 is the service you want if you want your application processed faster. It's just a receipt that you include in your package and then you write SETTLEMENT PRIORITY SERVICE in very large letters on the outside of the package.

For the shipping labels, you can either use round trip for $227 or just the return for $141 (and ship it there yourself using a courier)

The only premium service for a spousal visa is the Settlement Gold Premium for $1600.. DO NOT purchase it - it's a waste of money and is slower than the $771 proirity service.

Sorry, I forgot to mention the other proof of relationship such as call logs, messages, itineraries  etc. we are going to provide those.

We didn’t have a fiancé visa. We got married in Las Vegas, and are applying for a settlement UK spouse visa for me to move to England.

And yes does make more than £18600, before taxes.

Omg Thank you guys!!

Sorry, I forgot to mention the other proof of relationship such as call logs, messages, itineraries  etc. we are going to provide those.

Great . Just wanted to make sure, as the visa will be refused without them .

We didn’t have a fiancé visa. We got married in Las Vegas, and are applying for a settlement UK spouse visa for me to move to England.

The reason for asking was because if you apply for a fiance or spousal visa from the US, you provide the following:
- 1 passport photo of the applicant (nothing written on back)
- no passport photo of the sponsor
- a copy of the sponsor's passport photo page ONLY

But if you apply for FLR(M) from inside the UK (i.e switching after marrying on a fiance visa), then you provide the following:
- 2 passport photos of the applicant, with name on the back
- 1 passport photo of the sponsor, with name on the back
- a full photocopy of every page of the sponsor's passport

And yes does make more than £18600, before taxes.

Great .

You mentioned ‘copies of all documents you want returned’. Do they not return your packet back with all your original documents that you sent in the packet?

You mentioned ‘copies of all documents you want returned’. Do they not return your packet back with all your original documents that you sent in the packet?

They do but you are supposed to send copies of the important documents to ensure that this happens.

You mentioned ‘copies of all documents you want returned’. Do they not return your packet back with all your original documents that you sent in the packet?

They should do, but they might keep your originals if you don't send copies.

So for example, if I want my marriage certificate returned I should include a copy of it in my packet.

So for example, if I want my marriage certificate returned I should include a copy of it in my packet.

Yes. 

So for example, if I want my marriage certificate returned I should include a copy of it in my packet.

Yep .

They will normally keep the application forms and any letters addressed to them (i.e. sponsor letter, employer letter, landlord letter, contents letter).

Everything else should be returned to you, but you should send copies of anything original that you definitely want back, just in case.

Awesome!

Another question I have is about the biometrics, like what should I expect? And when should I send my application after my biometrics appointment?

Also if I do get accepted, do you have to go to the UK embassy in America to get a your vignette? Or is it in your passport when it’s sent back to you from Sheffield? 
And do I need to do anything after I’ve arrived in England?

Awesome!

Another question I have is about the biometrics, like what should I expect? And when should I send my application after my biometrics appointment?

Also if I do get accepted, do you have to go to the UK embassy in America to get a your vignette? Or is it in your passport when it’s sent back to you from Sheffield? 
And do I need to do anything after I’ve arrived in England?

You will make the biometrics appointment as part of the online application. It's 5 mins photo and fingerprints, couldn't be easier.

You have 5 days to post it from attending the appointment.

Your vignette will be in your passport when you get it back. You have to enter the UK within the 30 days noted on the vignette and then pick up your BRP when you arrive.