Welcome to the forum
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IHS number
Perhaps as a starter point I can describe confusion about which number we should have used. We entered the IHS number from the first time my (American) husband applied thinking (ie first spouse visa) for when we booked the premium appointment. The number was accepted and there was no request for payment and we went ahead and got an appointment. Apparently this is not the right thing to do! We have had to generate another number (and pay the charge) and were advised to write a letter to include in our pack we present in Croydon to explain all this (along with payment proof etc). Wanted to share this in case it is useful for others.
Yeah, you need to pay the IHS fee and get a new number for each application you make, except ILR - because the amount you pay only covers the length of the visa you are applying for. Therefore your first IHS number from the spousal visa only covers your healthcare up until the expiry date of that visa and becomes irrelevant when you apply for the next visa.
So, you have to pay again when you apply for FLR(M) to cover your healthcare for the next 2.5 years... and you will get a new number for this. So, what you should do when you book the appointment is go to the IHS website, pay the fee, then enter the new number on the appointment booking form.
Joint financial responsbilities
I am wondering what we should write in section 6.33 of the FLR (M) form. We share bills but not in a formal way as we just both contribute to the 'pot' and currently dont have a joint bank account (although perhaps we should set one up urgently)? Furthermore, is any documentary evidence included here? Our names are both on various bills etc and we will be submitting those as proof of address etc..
It doesn't really matter what you put here and there is no need to include evidence of joint responsibilities.
Personally, I think it means things you are both legally responsible for paying jointly, like a mortgage or a loan, but some people put things like utility bills and groceries. It's really up to you how you answer it. There's no right or wrong answer.
Financial requirement
Under 7.3 it says 'indicate which option you are relying on' category A or B. Apologies if I am being stupid here but if we are relying on the sponsor's income..what should we do for this? Is it A or B..?
It depends on how long the sponsor has been with their current company and how long they have been earning at least £18,600.
Category A:
Requirements:
- they must have been with the same employer for at least 6 months and have been earning at least £18,600 for all of that time
Documents required:
- 6 full months of payslips
- 6 full months of bank statements
- a letter from their current employer
Recommended:
- job contract and P60
Category B:
Requirements:
- they either have not been with the same employer for at least 6 months, or have not been earning at least £18,600 for 6 months yet
AND
- they have earned at least £18,600 in total before tax in the last 12 months
Documents required:
- 12 full months of payslips
- 12 full months of bank statements
- a letter from their current employer
Recommended:
- job contract and P60
Photographs
Is there a specific format for THIS form? I have older passport photos and my husband has had some taken for the purpose of this form. At snappy snaps they asked him which specific form this was for and he now has some which are smaller than the ones I had taken (for a Chinese visa request)! Guessing I will have to go back to snappy snaps to get the completely perfect format :-(
They must be UK passport size (35mm x 45 mm) and taken recently (I thought I read somewhere that they had to be taken in the last 90 days, but can't find that now. You need 2 identical ones of the applicant with their full name written on the back, and 1 of the sponsor with their full name written on the back
You can normally just get them done in a regular photo booth in a supermarket or shopping centre for about £5 or so. I don't see any reason why you should have to get special ones from Snappy Snaps.
See:
https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports and
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/303780/Photoguidance_v7.pdfAccommodation proof -
Assuming this is what is specified under the page photograph and documents checklist and ' evidence of where you and your parent/child normally live'.. - i will ask for a copy of the tenancy agreement. I hadnt noticed this requirement to date and was trying to avoid as the estate agent is useless!
You need to send the tenancy agreement, and if the applicant's name is NOT on it, you also need a letter from the landlord giving the applicant permission to live there.
Other:
Do we need to include our birth certificates?
Do we need to highlight salary in the six months of bank statements so it is easy to find?
No, birth certificates are never needed for a visa application (unless the sponsor has never held a passport and has to provide their birth certificate as proof of ID instead).
No, don't touch the bank statements - they will know what they are looking for.
