Settlement Visa application Priority with two previous refusals ? - please help

Dear Group, I am a newbie, this is my first post.  My husband is American and we are in the process of applying for our Settlement Visa, he is currently in the USA and myself UK female and two UK kids are in the UK since summer 2017.  Although we used to live in the UK together he lost his ILR in 2014 whilst we were living in the USA for 8 years.
We had two visa refusals in 2017, a returning resident visa and then an FLR-FP.  We are ready to proceed with a new Settlement Visa on the savings route.  His biometric appointment is this pm in California.
My question is should we add priority to our application with the two refusals?  Will it help to speed our application even with the refusals.  I thank you for your help or if you have any experiences that may help us.
Percyberg

Yes, it will help but depending on the complexity of the refusals, it may not shorten the wait by much.  It’s a gamble, just depends if it’s one you want to take.

Do you want to post a list of what you are submitting so we can check it over?

Hi there, that is really kind of you, yes I can do that later on, I have only just found this website via a member of a facebook group I am in, but this one is so great as its completely for UK/USA partners.
I appreciate your answer and offer of help.
thankyou

Hi percyberg, welcome. 

In your position, I would use priority. It's almost always going to be worth it.

thankyou, we chose to go priority.

I am not sure if I should post this here to be seen.  This is the list we are following towards applying and sending our documents.  Is there something missing or needed?  I have had a look around this site and see a few differing thoughts.
SPOUSE VISA LIST FOR SAVINGS ROUTE

DOCUMENTS FOR BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT

Vaf4a Online application print out (signed by applicant)
Print out of application fee payment
Print out of IHS payment
Print out of priority payment(if applicable)
Print out of appointment confirmation
Passport
 

FOR SHEFFIELD
 
SECTION 1
 
ALL PROOF OF PAYMENTS
COPY OF ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
APPENDIX 2 FORM
SU07 (Sponsorship undertaking form)
IELTS LIFE SKILLS A1 as minimum
IF YOUR COUNTRY IS ON THE ENGLISH TEST EXEMPTION LIST YOU DO NOT NEED AN ENGLISH TEST CERTIFICATE
TB Test certificate (if applicable)

 
SECTION 2 RELATIONSHIP PROOF

All support letters -
Marriage certificate (with translation)
Divorce papers if married previously
Children’s birth certificates if you have children together.
Pictures through out relationship eg 2 to 3 from each visit and the same from wedding.
Conversations and call logs from What's app/viber/fb messages,facetime,fb video logs,skype logs (which ever communication you use).
Copy of ID page of passport.(sponsor)
Copy of all entry and exit stamps from passport.(sponsor)
Flight email bookings(if possible but optional).

 
REMEMBER although the list of relationship proof is not stated on the document list on the Gov website, if you don’t provide proof of regular contact with your spouse you will be refused.

SECTION 3 SAVINGS ROUTE
Bank statements authorised by bank showing money has been there for minimum 6 months and start date of account.
Letter stating where money came from and if a gift signed by gifter saying it is a gift..
Bank transfer letters

SECTION 4 ACCOMODATION
 
Renting
Tenancy agreement.
Letter from landlord (stating number of bedrooms, number of occupants, number of people the property accommodates.
Council Tax and Utility bills

I am not sure if I should post this here to be seen.  This is the list we are following towards applying and sending our documents.  Is there something missing or needed?  I have had a look around this site and see a few differing thoughts.
SPOUSE VISA LIST FOR SAVINGS ROUTE

DOCUMENTS FOR BIOMETRICS APPOINTMENT

Vaf4a Online application print out (signed by applicant)
Print out of application fee payment
Print out of IHS payment
Print out of priority payment(if applicable)
Print out of appointment confirmation
Passport
 

FOR SHEFFIELD
 
SECTION 1
 
ALL PROOF OF PAYMENTS
COPY OF ONLINE APPLICATION FORM
APPENDIX 2 FORM
SU07 (Sponsorship undertaking form)
IELTS LIFE SKILLS A1 as minimum
IF YOUR COUNTRY IS ON THE ENGLISH TEST EXEMPTION LIST YOU DO NOT NEED AN ENGLISH TEST CERTIFICATE
TB Test certificate (if applicable)

 
SECTION 2 RELATIONSHIP PROOF

All support letters -
Marriage certificate (with translation)
Divorce papers if married previously
Children’s birth certificates if you have children together.
Pictures through out relationship eg 2 to 3 from each visit and the same from wedding.
Conversations and call logs from What's app/viber/fb messages,facetime,fb video logs,skype logs (which ever communication you use).
Copy of ID page of passport.(sponsor)
Copy of all entry and exit stamps from passport.(sponsor)
Flight email bookings(if possible but optional).

 
REMEMBER although the list of relationship proof is not stated on the document list on the Gov website, if you don’t provide proof of regular contact with your spouse you will be refused.

SECTION 3 SAVINGS ROUTE
Bank statements authorised by bank showing money has been there for minimum 6 months and start date of account.
Letter stating where money came from and if a gift signed by gifter saying it is a gift..
Bank transfer letters

SECTION 4 ACCOMODATION
 
Renting
Tenancy agreement.
Letter from landlord (stating number of bedrooms, number of occupants, number of people the property accommodates.
Council Tax and Utility bills

This list is not great. I think it would be better if you post the list of what you actually intend to submit according to your actual circumstances. That way we will be able to make useful comments more easily. 

Okay, for the biometrics appointment you only need:
- passport
- biometrics appointment confirmation sheet

Of your documents, you do not any of need the following:
-  SU07 (Sponsorship undertaking form)
- Children’s birth certificates if you have children together.
- more than 2 photos of you together
- Copy of all entry and exit stamps from passport.(sponsor)
- Bank transfer letters
- Council Tax and Utility bills
- if you are a US citizen, resident in the US, you don’t need English Language proof or a TB test



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Dear Larrabee and co
 here is what we actually have, thanks for your help x

Table of Contents

UK Settlement Visa Application

Section I
Online Application and Proof of Payment
1)   Online Application (signed and dated)
2)   Passport Photo
3)   Biometrics (date stamped 31 Aug 2018)
4)   Payment for GWF Online Application
5)   Payment for IHS Immigration Health Surcharge
6)   Payment for VFS Global Expedited Processing and Roundtrip Courier

Section II
Financial Documentation
1)   Appendix 2 (VAF 4A August 2018)
2)   Sponsorship Undertaking (SU07/12)
3)   Certified Copies of Bank Statements satisfying Category D Savings
4)   Letters confirming gift to sponsor
5)   Foreign payments US to UK (Co-operative Bank) for Category D Savings
6)   Foreign payments US to UK (Smile.co.uk) for rent, bills and childcare
9)   joint US Taxes 2016 (Married Filing Jointly)
9)   joint US Taxes 2017 (Married Filing Jointly)
10)    UK Accounts 2008
11)    Accounts 2008

Housing Section
1/ rental contract UK
2/letter from landlady saying yes to husband living in house in UK
5)   Letter from former Landlord 2010-2017- , CA, USA
7)   Electricity and Gas Bills
3/   Council Tax Bill last 12 months


Section III
Relationship Section
1)   Marriage Certificate
2)   Children’s Birth Certificates
3)   Copy of sponsors UK Passport
4)   Copy of Children’s UK Passports
5)   8 pages of photographic evidence of family relationship from 2000 to 2018
6)   22 pages of Facebook Messenger Logs from 10 Oct 2017 to 24 Aug 2018

Section IV
Offers of Employment

1)   Offer Letter good company  (dated 28 Aug 2018)
2)   Offer Letter from same good company from last years application (dated 27 Jul 2017)
3)   Offer Letter from another good company


Support Letters from friends, family and colleagues
7)   Letter of Reference from friend and high profile business man
   Letter of Reference from friend and business man
9)   Letter of Reference from Professor and work colleague who is an, OBE
10)   Letter of Support from sponsors ageing parents
letter of support from sponsor

Section V
History of Study and Work in the UK

1)   Certificate of Master of Arts with Distinction from the London Institute, 1999
2)   Certificate of Bachelor of Arts from University of California 1994
3)   Copy of National Insurance Card, UK License and Inland Revenue Registration Card
4)   Copy of Current US Passport
5)   Copy of Additional US Passport  Obtained due to offer of international employment during UK visa processing
6)   Copy of expired US Passport with ILR stamp
7)   Copy of UK Self Employment Artist Visa 2000
   Copy of UK Indefinite Leave to Remain - 2004

Section VI
Previous Immigration History
1)   Biometrics for Returning Resident Visa  2017
2)   Refusal of Entry Clearance of FLR-FP2017
3)   apology from Home Office for saying children not English as part of refusal

Okay, you don’t need any of the following so you can take it all out:
2)   Sponsorship Undertaking (SU07/12)
5)   Foreign payments US to UK (Co-operative Bank) for Category D Savings
6)   Foreign payments US to UK (Smile.co.uk) for rent, bills and childcare
9)   joint US Taxes 2016 (Married Filing Jointly)
9)   joint US Taxes 2017 (Married Filing Jointly)
10)    UK Accounts 2008
11)    Accounts 2008

Accommodation
5)   Letter from former Landlord 2010-2017- , CA, USA
7)   Electricity and Gas Bills
3/   Council Tax Bill last 12 months


Section III
Relationship Section
2)   Children’s Birth Certificates
3)   Copy of sponsors UK Passport
4)   Copy of Children’s UK Passports

5)   8 pages of photographic evidence of family relationship from 2000 to 2018 - include 2-3 photos MAX, with only you and the sponsor in them
6)   22 pages of Facebook Messenger Logs from 10 Oct 2017 to 24 Aug 2018 - include 3 pages MAX.

Section IV
Offers of Employment - only 1 letter from a new job offer, dated in the last 28 days can be considered
2)   Offer Letter from same good company from last years application (dated 27 Jul 2017)
3)   Offer Letter from another good company


Support Letters from friends, family and colleagues - none of these can be considered
7)   Letter of Reference from friend and high profile business man
   Letter of Reference from friend and business man
9)   Letter of Reference from Professor and work colleague who is an, OBE
10)   Letter of Support from sponsors ageing parents
letter of support from sponsor

Section V - cannot be considered
History of Study and Work in the UK
1)   Certificate of Master of Arts with Distinction from the London Institute, 1999
2)   Certificate of Bachelor of Arts from University of California 1994
3)   Copy of National Insurance Card, UK License and Inland Revenue Registration Card

7)   Copy of UK Self Employment Artist Visa 2000 not relevant
   Copy of UK Indefinite Leave to Remain - 2004  not relevant


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Are you applying with savings or employment?  If savings, do NOT include employment info or you could confuse the ECO.

What are the dates on the bank statements? Start and end date.

As is and said, you’ve got a TON of stuff that is irrelevant to your application.  Keep it simple and don’t confuse or complicate the ECO.

How long have you been married?  You need to cover the full length of your relationship with post while living together and communication while apart.

applying with savings.  Bank statements cover last 9 months, but money only was enough 6 months ago.
Job offer is for my husband the applicant
We have been together for 18 years.  Only apart this last year due to visa refusal last year.  We have messenger log examples and photos for the 11 months apart.

Okay, you don’t need any of the following so you can take it all out:
2)   Sponsorship Undertaking (SU07/12)
5)   Foreign payments US to UK (Co-operative Bank) for Category D Savings
6)   Foreign payments US to UK (Smile.co.uk) for rent, bills and childcare
9)   joint US Taxes 2016 (Married Filing Jointly)
9)   joint US Taxes 2017 (Married Filing Jointly)
10)    UK Accounts 2008
11)    Accounts 2008

Accommodation
5)   Letter from former Landlord 2010-2017- , CA, USA
7)   Electricity and Gas Bills
3/   Council Tax Bill last 12 months


Section III
Relationship Section
2)   Children’s Birth Certificates
3)   Copy of sponsors UK Passport
4)   Copy of Children’s UK Passports

5)   8 pages of photographic evidence of family relationship from 2000 to 2018 - include 2-3 photos MAX, with only you and the sponsor in them
6)   22 pages of Facebook Messenger Logs from 10 Oct 2017 to 24 Aug 2018 - include 3 pages MAX.

Section IV
Offers of Employment - only 1 letter from a new job offer, dated in the last 28 days can be considered
2)   Offer Letter from same good company from last years application (dated 27 Jul 2017)
3)   Offer Letter from another good company


Support Letters from friends, family and colleagues - none of these can be considered
7)   Letter of Reference from friend and high profile business man
   Letter of Reference from friend and business man
9)   Letter of Reference from Professor and work colleague who is an, OBE
10)   Letter of Support from sponsors ageing parents
letter of support from sponsor

Section V - cannot be considered
History of Study and Work in the UK
1)   Certificate of Master of Arts with Distinction from the London Institute, 1999
2)   Certificate of Bachelor of Arts from University of California 1994
3)   Copy of National Insurance Card, UK License and Inland Revenue Registration Card

7)   Copy of UK Self Employment Artist Visa 2000 not relevant
   Copy of UK Indefinite Leave to Remain - 2004  not relevant


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Wouldn't the taxes be best moved to proof of relationship?

So, of your documents, what you need is, in order:

Applicant documents
- priority processing receipt
- return shipping label
- cover/contents letter explaining refusals
- Online Application (signed and dated)
- VAF4a Appendix 2
- biometrics receipt
- US passport
- all previous US passports
 - 1 Passport Photo
- previous visa refusal paperwork

Sponsor Documents
- copy of sponsor’s U.K. passport photo page
- letter of support for the visa, outlining how each requirement is met

Finances - Category D
- 6 full months of stamped bank statements showing at least £62,500 in the account on every single day of the 6 months
- letter(s) stating any gifts given

Accommodation
- rental contract UK
- letter from landlady saying yes to husband living in house in UK

Relationship
- Marriage Certificate
- any divorce decrees
- 2 photos of applicant and sponsor together
Evidence of living together for every single year you have lived together, both in the U.K. and the US:
- tenancy agreements
- house deeds
- tax returns
- utility bills etc.
Evidence of regular contact while living apart
- 3 pages of Facebook Messenger Logs from 10 Oct 2017 to 24 Aug 2018
- any cards/letters sent to each other
- boarding passes from trips to see each other

Photocopies
- copies of all original documents you wish to be returned



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Wouldn't the taxes be best moved to proof of relationship?

Yes, good point - I’m reading and replying on my phone at 3am during a night shift. I’ve added them in the relationship section of my list above.


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