Spouse Visa Help!

Hi there! I am going to be applying for a uk spouse visa this summer.

Where do I go to apply for one? Can someone give me the link? How much is it?

Does anyone know what the average time for response would be? Is August a busy month to apply for it?

Any tips or advice would be so so helpful!!

Thanks carly

Welcome to the forum .

My best recommendation for preparing for a spousal visa is to do your research and gather all your documents before you start trying to apply.

You'll need to show that you meet the following requirements (with specified evidence to back it up):
Financial requirement:
- your UK spouse earns at least £18,600 per year in the UK and you have their payslips, bank statements, employer letter, job contract and P60

Accommodation requirement:
- you have suitable accommodation to live in, in the UK, with written permission from the landlord or homeowner for you to live there

Relationship requirement:
- you can prove a genuine and subsisting relationship (marriage certificate, photos, trips to see each other, emails/messages/call logs etc.)

You will need to complete 2 application forms:

1. Online application, which is a generic form that just asks basic questions about you, the applicant: https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome

2. VAF4a Appendix 2 (printed and filled out by hand), which has all the questions about how you meet the above requirements for a spousal visa:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-for-family-settlement-form-vaf4a

See here for information about how to apply for the visa:
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse

And you'll need to read these documents regarding how you can qualify for the financial requirement and what documents are needed:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/636618/Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement_Final.pdf
and
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-fm-se-family-members-specified-evidence

Also see here for visa applications made in the US:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/usa-apply-for-a-uk-visa/apply-for-a-uk-visa-in-the-usa

Unfortunately, May-August is usually the busiest time of the year to apply so processing times can be long.

Processing times in the summer have been as long as:
- 3-5 months for non-priority processing
- about 2 months for priority processing (which costs £600 extra)

Here is my general timeline for applying from the US:

1) Research the visa requirements and documents needed

2) Gather all the documents. Check and double-check you have everything to meet all of the requirements , making sure everything is in date and meets the formatting requirements

3) Print and fill out VAF4a Appendix 2 - this is the second half of the application form and contains all the questions relevant to applying for a spousal visa.

4) Start to complete the online application (which is generic information about you and doesn't actually ask any questions about how you qualify for the visa), but do not submit it until you are completely ready to mail all the documents to Sheffield for processing.

5) When ready to mail everything, submit the online application. You will be prompted to pay for the visa, pay the IHS surcharge and book a biometrics appointment at one of the 129 USCIS Application Support Centers across the US... DO NOT book at a premium centre as they cannot process your biometrics there unless you are purchasing the $1,700 Settlement Gold Premium Service (which is a waste of money).

6) Print the online application and the biometrics confirmation sheet

7) Purchase settlement priority processing for $793 (if you are paying for priority) and shipping labels from VFS Global.

8 ) Print the priority receipt and shipping labels

9) Attend the biometrics appointment with US immigration (at the USCIS center), taking with you your passport and biometrics confirmation sheet. They will stamp the confirmation sheet, then take your fingerprints and photo and send you home... shouldn't take more than 5-10 minutes

10) Place your passport and stamped biometrics confirmation with your documents in the package

11) Place the return shipping label in the package, with your Priority Processing receipt on the very top

12) Write 'Settlement Priority Service' in very large letters on the outermost packaging

13) Mail documents to Sheffield for processing... this must be done within 5 days of biometrics

14) Wait for visa to be processed and mailed back to you in the US

15) Book your flight to the UK and move within the 30 days allowed on your visa vignette in your passport

16) Within 10 days of arriving in the UK, pick up your BRP card (your actual visa) from a designated Post Office

August will be busy but less busy than May/June/July.  The application is likely to get caught in the summer backlog for a bit.  Plan on 6-8 weeks for priority processing and 12 weeks plus for non-priority.

Thank you so much for this. It's all very helpful!

So for priority it is an extra 600 pounds. What is the standard fee for the visa? What should I expect to pay? Thanks!

Thank you so much for this. It's all very helpful!

So for priority it is an extra 600 pounds. What is the standard fee for the visa? What should I expect to pay? Thanks!

The fees are as follows (from April 6th):
Visa fee = £1,523
IHS surcharge = £600 (though it is set to double to £1,200 sometime this year - we don't know when yet)
Priority processing = £573
UPS pre-paid Shipping labels = currently $155 for just the return shipping or $265 for round-trip shipping

The fees are as follows (from April 6th):
Visa fee = £1,523
IHS surcharge = £600 (though it is set to double to £1,200 sometime this year - we don't know when yet)
Priority processing = £573
UPS pre-paid Shipping labels = currently $155 for just the return shipping or $265 for round-trip shipping

And this is for the initial visa.  You'll have two more after this one.  Plan for about £12,000 over the next five years.  Hopefully it'll be closer to £10,000....  but...   

Thanks so much for all of this!

Would I be able to get my biometrics done the week before we get married and before we send out the online application and paper application? I'm trying to see if we can send it out the day or two after we get married so we can get it done as soon as we can! Let me know! Thanks -C

Thanks so much for all of this!

Would I be able to get my biometrics done the week before we get married and before we send out the online application and paper application? I'm trying to see if we can send it out the day or two after we get married so we can get it done as soon as we can! Let me know! Thanks -C

No, the biometrics will be scheduled during the application process.  And as you must be married before submitting the application, that won't work.

Though we have yet to have a member have an issue with walking in for biometrics in advance of their appointment (after application submission).

The reality is that as we approach the summer peak, it will likely be 6ish weeks for priority processing and 12 weeks plus for non-priority (sometimes 5 months in peak summer season).  So a day or two won't make a difference.  It is 100% better to be sure you have EVERY SINGLE ITEM necessary than to rush the application.

I just got married a week ago and am beginning the process of gathering all of our information. Thank you so much for this!

I do have another question! So will I need to apply for a passport change after I get my visa as I will be changing my name. Should I just wait to change my name? Or can I do that at the same time I'm waiting for the visa? What do you suggest? Thanks!

I do have another question! So will I need to apply for a passport change after I get my visa as I will be changing my name. Should I just wait to change my name? Or can I do that at the same time I'm waiting for the visa? What do you suggest? Thanks!

The visa will only be issued in the name in your passport so if you want to change the name in your passport, it's best to do it before you apply. 

Or can I do that at the same time I'm waiting for the visa?

You have to mail your passport to Sheffield, UK with your visa application, so you won't be able to do it while you're waiting.

As KFDancer said, if you want your visa to be issued in your married name, you'll need to change your passport name before you apply for the visa.

It is okay for the visa to be issued in your maiden name, but it's a big hassle to change your name on your passport after the visa has been issued, because you have to change it on your visa too (which is expensive and can take several months).

Do you guys know how much it is for British citizen to get a spouse visa in the states? We might get one for my future husband after in a few years as well. Just want to know what we should expect. Is it the same process like the UK?

Also the spouse visa in the uk will last me two years, correct?

Do you guys know how much it is for British citizen to get a spouse visa in the states? We might get one for my future husband after in a few years as well. Just want to know what we should expect. Is it the same process like the UK?

Also the spouse visa in the uk will last me two years, correct?

Correct, the visa is for 2.5 years.

Going in reverse, the Greencard would cost just under $1,000 all in and be valid for 10 years.  Your spouse would qualify for citizenship after 3 years residence in the USA.