So here is my very long cover letter!! There were quite a few things to address, and this was mostly written by our (mostly) useless former solicitor! Any edits/suggestions are very welcome!
Please find attached to this letter the supporting papers to the application where the biometrics appointment is set for: xxxxxx
We would like to address a number of matters in this letter where the VAF4A and Appendix 2 have had inadequate space to set out the positions in those fully.
I have traveled extensively and have a very large number of visits I wish you to be aware of. You will see that I have completed fully within the VAF4A those trips to the UK and Commonwealth at pages 5 to 7 on the form.
I have answered “no” to question 37 at page 7 of the form, “Have you ever travelled outside your country of residence, excluding the UK, in the last 10 years?” We answer that here in far greater detail than was physically possible within the form, and to that end, please find attached to this letter a detailed spreadsheet containing my full travel history in response to your enquiry. It is important to explain that I have an extensive history of voluntarily assisting in humanitarian projects and operations as well as a well documented curiosity and desire to see the world. The frequence sequence of entries between Turkey and Greece is simply explained by my involvement in assisting refugees escaping war and persecution in the Middle East. In breaks from my NGO work in Greece, I transited frequently to Turkey for those breaks, staying with friends who have accomodation there. It is important to note that I had all the proper visa permissions at all times to undertake NGO work in Greece and also legitimately entered and exited Turkey at all times.
You will note that in the course of my visit to the UK between 07 July 2016 and 10 Jan 2017, I in fact overstayed that one visa by 3 days. I would like to make clear that the reason for this was being struck down with a viral infection the duration of which prevented my ability to travel on my planned date within the currency of my visa permission. As soon as I was able to travel, i exited the UK and that, just 3 days late. You will also no doubt note that my immigration history reflects a wholly compliant series of visits. I am acutely aware of visa restrictions and I respect the laws of those countries I visit at all times, including the UK. I will therefore be grateful if the small period of overstay could be disregarded please, as is within your discretion to do so.
At question 72 on page 10 of the VAF4A, I responded “no” in response to the question “Have you ever received medical treatment in the UK?” The reason for this is there remains ambiguity over the term “treatment’ in my case.
I did access GP assistance in 2007 when in the UK on a voluntary workers visa. I was experiencing excruciating abdominal pain. The GP was unable to properly diagnose the presentation and therefore referred me immediately to a local hospital to undergo an urgent diagnostic scan. It was discovered that I would need surgery to resolve the cause of the symptoms. Once the GP delivered the full diagnosis on receipt of the results, I returned to the US where I underwent surgical intervention required to resolve my symptoms.
As that scan was carried out as a part of urgent primary care effort, urgent given potential outcomes in such presentations, my view must be that this was not “treatment” as such. This was a part of the primary care given by the GP in an emergency situation. Treatment was actually performed in the United States as is envisaged being the correct course of action for visitors to follow where that is possible.
I have declared that two passports I have in my posession: ie my current passport (#) and my spent passport (#). Please note that I also had a passport between 2000-2010, however this was retained by the US Consulate in Dublin where I had renewed it. The VAF4A does not appear to anticipate situations where the details, such as passport number and dates of issue and expiry are simply not available: thus it is the passport could not be declared here.
Please note that our first application for settlement (GWFXX) was prepared by an immigration solicitor and, due to his error, was refused. Although we clearly satisfied the relationship and suitability requirements, our solicitor failed to include the employment letter we provided him. He also failed to address slight discrepancies between payslips and salary amounts that entered my husbands accounts. These discrepancies are easily explained, and you will find they are addressed in the letter from my husband’s employer.
We would also like to point out that our refusal letter listed my husband as a salaried employee, when he is in fact a non-salaried, permanent employee.
Although my husband clearly meets the financial requirements for sponsorship, we would like to address his low pay for the months of February and March 2018. I left the UK before my visa expired in January 2018 so I could return home to the US and submit my application for settlement. My husband accompanied me to the US so he could meet my family. Due to the nature of his field of employment, he is able to take time off in the slow season and his employer allowed him approximately six weeks holiday. We were able to take this time to travel throughout the United States so he could meet not only my immediate family but various aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends. This is why he does not have a payslip to submit for February 2018 - he was in America on holiday and therefore did not work any hours so there is no payslip to submit.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to contact me where you require any further information, or where I can assist in any other way.
Yours Faithfully,
