Standard Visitor Visa help

In April my husband flew to the UK to visit me (not on a visa because the research we had done said you could be granted entry at the border, it was a really stupid idea) and he got denied on entry as they suspected he would work due to his lack of funds and the length of the visit.

This time we are doing it properly and he is applying for a Standard Visitor Visa but he's scared of getting a refusal.

We have some questions that I'm hoping you'll be able to help us with:
1. How long before he wants to travel should he submit his application?
2. What options do they give you for setting up your biometrics appointment?
3. Do you have any feedback on filling in the application?
4. How long does it typically take to get a decision?

Any replies are much appreciated.

As he is from one of the many countries the UK class as non-visa nationals, he could apply at the border to visit, but he still needed to meet the visitor visa conditions.

He can apply straight away if he can show he has to go back to the US (won't overstay in the UK), He will need proof of ties to the US: is expected back at my work/university, mortgage or lease on a property in the US, enough funds to show he can keep himself for the length of his visit (so he won't try to work while in the UK) etc. Have a look at the visitor visa guidelines.

How long was he planning to stay? It's not normal for someone of working age to be able to get months off work.


I didn't think that visitors needed to give biometrics for the UK?


Why hasn't he applied for a spouse visa to the UK, or you to the US?

Look at it from the border officers view, he has a wife in the UK and he arrives with very little money.

He should apply for the actual time he wants to be in the UK. The visa will be for six months but don't let him stay longer than he applied for, as that catches a lof of people out when they apply again. The UK has exit checks and UKVI will take the view that he was not honest in his last application, unless he can prove why he was incapable of leaving when he claimed he would.

In April my husband flew to the UK to visit me (not on a visa because the research we had done said you could be granted entry at the border, it was a really stupid idea) and he got denied on entry as they suspected he would work due to his lack of funds and the length of the visit.

This time we are doing it properly and he is applying for a Standard Visitor Visa but he's scared of getting a refusal.

We have some questions that I'm hoping you'll be able to help us with:
1. How long before he wants to travel should he submit his application?
2. What options do they give you for setting up your biometrics appointment?
3. Do you have any feedback on filling in the application?
4. How long does it typically take to get a decision?

Any replies are much appreciated.

1.  He can submit up to 3 months before his intended travel date (though that seems to have possibly been removed so you can submit even earlier).
2.  Biometrics will default to the location nearest him, but he can select any in the whole of the USA.  Usually the appoints are for a minimum of two business days out, but everyone who has tried walking in before their appointment time has been successful.
3.  Just make sure you tick the boxes:
Return flight (itinerary)
Job to return to
Proof of a home that he is maintaining in the US during his visit
reason for the visit and a brief description of what you will be doing
bank statements showing he has enough funds to support his visit
and it would be wise for him to explain in a cover letter his understanding of the visa rules and what you are doing long-term to close the gap
4.  Visit visas are processed in NYC and usually only take about 3 weeks max.  Right now is peak season due to high volume of student visas being processed.  You can also pay for priority and get a decision even quicker.

As he is from one of the many countries the UK class as non-visa nationals, he could apply at the border to visit, but he still needed to meet the visitor visa conditions.

He can apply straight away if he can show he has to go back to the US (won't overstay in the UK), He will need proof of ties to the US: is expected back at my work/university, mortgage or lease on a property in the US, enough funds to show he can keep himself for the length of his visit (so he won't try to work while in the UK) etc. Have a look at the visitor visa guidelines.

How long was he planning to stay? It's not normal for someone of working age to be able to get months off work.


I didn't think that visitors needed to give biometrics for the UK?


Why hasn't he applied for a spouse visa to the UK, or you to the US?

Look at it from the border officers view, he has a wife in the UK and he arrives with very little money.

He should apply for the actual time he wants to be in the UK. The visa will be for six months but don't let him stay longer than he applied for, as that catches a lof of people out when they apply again. The UK has exit checks and UKVI will take the view that he was not honest in his last application unless he can prove why he was incapable of leaving when he claimed he would.

I will be supporting him during his trip, there is a 3rd party option on the visa application, he's planning to stay for 6 weeks. He does not currently work, that was our problem when he tried to visit in April - lack of funds, the trip was 6 months and the thought he was coming to work.

The visa specifically says that he'll have to get his biometrics done as part of the application process. We haven't applied for the visa process yet because we don't meet the income requirement to do so, I earn £400 less a year than the required £18,600 but that is eventually our plan.

We only got married in June so we weren't married the last time he tried to visit.

1.  He can submit up to 3 months before his intended travel date (though that seems to have possibly been removed so you can submit even earlier).
2.  Biometrics will default to the location nearest him, but he can select any in the whole of the USA.  Usually the appoints are for a minimum of two business days out, but everyone who has tried walking in before their appointment time has been successful.
3.  Just make sure you tick the boxes:
Return flight (itinerary)
Job to return to
Proof of a home that he is maintaining in the US during his visit
reason for the visit and a brief description of what you will be doing
bank statements showing he has enough funds to support his visit
and it would be wise for him to explain in a cover letter his understanding of the visa rules and what you are doing long-term to close the gap
4.  Visit visas are processed in NYC and usually only take about 3 weeks max.  Right now is peak season due to high volume of student visas being processed.  You can also pay for priority and get a decision even quicker.

Thank you, I went back and did some digging and it is 3 months before travel.

He currently lives with his mum so doesn't have any documents about maintaining a home, he also does not currently work due to circumstances out of his control. Would a letter of offer of employment work to show he will be returning to the US.

I will also be supporting him during the length of his trip, there is a 3rd partly option on the application, is there a specific length of time the bank statement should cover and do I need to include my payslips to prove I have an income? Also would a copy of these do I need to send him my original copies?

Thank you, I went back and did some digging and it is 3 months before travel.

He currently lives with his mum so doesn't have any documents about maintaining a home, he also does not currently work due to circumstances out of his control. Would a letter of offer of employment work to show he will be returning to the US.

I will also be supporting him during the length of his trip, there is a 3rd partly option on the application, is there a specific length of time the bank statement should cover and do I need to include my payslips to prove I have an income? Also would a copy of these do I need to send him my original copies?

You’ll need to submit original bank statements.  How long will his visit be for?  The longer the visit, the more scrutiny he will have.

Honestly, I think we need a bit more documentation to show he has a life to return to the USA.

Have you considered applying for a spouse visa?

You’ll need to submit original bank statements.  How long will his visit be for?  The longer the visit, the more scrutiny he will have.

Honestly, I think we need a bit more documentation to show he has a life to return to the USA.

Have you considered applying for a spouse visa?

The visit will be for 6 weeks, we are intending to apply for the spouse visa but we don't currently meet the income requirement to do so. I earn £400 less than the required amount and I don't have enough savings to supplement my income.

If he doesn't look after his own property and doesn't currently have a job what documentation can he show to prove he will be returning to the US?
We weren't going to purchase plane tickets until after the visa result so we didn't waste money.

Does he have other responsibilities in the US?  Does he look after his mom in any way?  Does he contribute towards the household in any way (paying a portion of rent to her, utilities, maintenance, etc)?  Is he attending any kind of class or education program?  Is he training somewhere, or doing any kind of internship or apprenticeship?  Does he have any interviews he needs to attend confirmed after his holiday?  Does he have a job that will be starting after his holiday?  Is there anything he can show that would prove he has responsibilities or obligations in the US that he couldn't just abandon at the drop of a hat?

Does he have other responsibilities in the US?  Does he look after his mom in any way?  Does he contribute towards the household in any way (paying a portion of rent to her, utilities, maintenance, etc)?  Is he attending any kind of class or education program?  Is he training somewhere, or doing any kind of internship or apprenticeship?  Does he have any interviews he needs to attend confirmed after his holiday?  Does he have a job that will be starting after his holiday?  Is there anything he can show that would prove he has responsibilities or obligations in the US that he couldn't just abandon at the drop of a hat?

He does help his mum when his step-dad is away for work but he doesn't have any paperwork that says he officially helps out.

We haven't applied for the visa process yet because we don't meet the income requirement to do so, I earn £400 less a year than the required £18,600 but that is eventually our plan.

Is it just the fact that you don't meet the financial requirement that is holding you back or are you not quite ready to take that step yet?

If it's the former, you could always take a second, part time job to make up the shortfall. You would only need to keep that up until he made it into the country because for the next visa, his employment income in the UK can be counted too.

Is it just the fact that you don't meet the financial requirement that is holding you back or are you not quite ready to take that step yet?

If it's the former, you could always take a second, part time job to make up the shortfall. You would only need to keep that up until he made it into the country because for the next visa, his employment income in the UK can be counted too.

Yeah it is pretty much just that requirement holding us back, we've been together for 5 years this year so we're pretty ready. I am looking for other jobs and my manager has put me forward for a raise so I'm hoping I get it, it's just you need to be earning the requirement for at least 6 months before applying and we would both love for him to visit me in the UK before then. I've been to see him 4 times and met his family but he's never met mine.

If we apply for this visa and it gets denied how much will it hurt the spouse visa?

Yeah it is pretty much just that requirement holding us back, we've been together for 5 years this year so we're pretty ready. I am looking for other jobs and my manager has put me forward for a raise so I'm hoping I get it, it's just you need to be earning the requirement for at least 6 months before applying and we would both love for him to visit me in the UK before then. I've been to see him 4 times and met his family but he's never met mine.

If we apply for this visa and it gets denied how much will it hurt the spouse visa?

It might slow the processing down a little as they would have to look into the reasons for the refusal but other than that, there would be no detrimental effect.

I would word the application as “we are close to meeting the income requirement for the spouse visa.  However, having never even visited the UK, I would like to spend six weeks visiting my wife to ensure I like the UK.  As well as some much needed time together during our separation while we await xxxxx (sponsor) to meet the financial requirement to sponsor me.  I will not overstay my six week entry to the UK, as we plan to spend our lives together in the UK.  At the end of the six weeks, I will return to the US and apply for my spousal visa in due course.  My wife will be supporting me financially during my visit and I will be staying with her.”

It’s a bit of a gamble but worth it.

I  just found out that my bosses have given me the raise I asked for! So hopefully sooner rather than later we can put my husband's application in for the Spouse Visa, for now, we are still working on what to say in the visitor visa.

Just as another question, my bank statements are typically sent electronically, so they have the address and all the information from my bank on them, is this sufficient for the evidence or is it better for me to go into the bank and ask for a copy of my statements?

Our situation has now changed. We realised that if he visits at Christmas then we can't afford to do his Spouse visa next year so we have decided to forget the visit and instead focus on the Spouse Visa.

Will it affect the visa decision if he hasn't ever been in the UK?
I saw a comment on another thread about the NHS fee increasing soon, do we have a date when this will be increasing?

Also I found this walkthrough guide https://migrate.org.uk/spouse-visa-uk-2018/#what-is-a-spouse-visa-for-the-uk I just wanted to check that the information was accurate.