Spouse Visa -Checklist (Finally!!!)

Hi All,

I am finally about to hit submit on our applications. Please can someone just double check my list. I am applying with 2 dependent children. Hoping to submit next week as bank Statements are dated Aug 30th.

3 Application
3 appendix 2
2 Passport Size Photos Each
3 Current Passports
5 Old/Expired Passports
Copy of Spouse Passport Page
Copy of ILR- Visa Page
Sponsor Birth Certificate
My Birth Certificate
Sponsorship Letter

Financial
Job Letter
Offer Letter
Original Contract & Job Description
6 months payslip Mar-Aug 2018
Bank Statements Mar-Aug 2018 (printed in branch and all pages stamped Aug 30th)

Relationship Evidence
Marriage Certificate Original
Divorce Decrees- Certified Copies
Birth Certificate of Children Original
Certified Copy of Relocation Agreement for my son
Whatsapp Conversation
Itineraries
Hotel Reservations
Passport Pages to Confirm Travel
Family Photos

Accommodation Evidence
Accommodation Letter from Family Friend
Land Registry

Please let me know if I am missing anything. I appreciate all the help I can get. I am also not applying priority as it seem like individuals with children application are a bit more complex especially when it includes step children. I do not want to waste the money if it will not be processed as priority.

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Okay, you don’t need:
- your birth certificate
- husband’s birth certificate
- 2 passport photos each... you only need 1 each
- passport pages showing travel
- family photos (only include 2 photos max, with only you and your spouse in them)
- unless your sponsor is changing jobs now (in which case you would need to show 12 months of income), you do not need the job offer letter... however you should include his latest P60.

Just going to rearrange your documents slightly so they are in the correct sections, and also add in the extra admin docs:

Applicant Documents
- priority processing receipts x 3 (if purchasing)
- Return shipping labels
- Contents letter
- 3 Application
- 3 appendix 2
- IHS payment receipts
- stamped biometrics sheets
- 3 Current Passports
- 5 Old/Expired Passports
- 1 passport photo each (UK or US size)

Sponsor’s Documents
- Copy of Spouse Passport Page
- copy of ILR page
- Sponsorship Letter

Financial Documents
- 6 months payslip Mar-Aug 2018
- 6 Bank Statements Mar-Aug 2018
- Current UK employer Letter
- Original Contract & Job Description
- latest P60

Do the payslips and bank statements cover 6 months to the day? I.e. if the last one of each is dated end of August, then the first one of each needs to cover the same date in February... which may mean sending February to August payslips and bank statements, not just March.

Accommodation Evidence
- Accommodation Letter from Family Friend
- Land Registry

Relationship Evidence
- Marriage Certificate Original
- Divorce Decrees- Certified Copies
- Birth Certificate of Children Original
- Certified Copy of Relocation Agreement for my son
- 2 photos of you and your sponsor together
Evidence of regular communication while living apart
- boarding passes/etickets from trips to see each other
- any letters cards sent to each other
- Whatsapp Conversations while apart (just lists of dates and times - no more than 3 pages
- any other communication evidence, like emails, calls, messages from other programs 

Photocopies of all original documents you want returned

Please let me know if I am missing anything. I appreciate all the help I can get. I am also not applying priority as it seem like individuals with children application are a bit more complex especially when it includes step children. I do not want to waste the money if it will not be processed as priority.

Personally I would always purchase priority if I could afford it. Even if the application takes a bit longer with kids, it could mean the difference between waiting 2-3 months and 5-6 months for the visas.

Just a quick note:
It’s easier for us if you can keep all your questions in the same thread, rather than making new ones. I just spent ages writing a reply, without remembering your personal situation... and from the documents you listed I thought:
- you and your sponsor live together in the US
- he is showing US income for 6 months plus he has a new job offer in the U.K. starting in the next 3 months
- you used to hold ILR in the U.K. but moved back to the US and let it lapse
- you were missing several years of documents showing you had lived together for 5 years in the U.K. and the last few years in the US

Then when I went to check your past posts, I discovered that was not the case at all, so I had to rewrite my whole reply!

Now, I understand that your situation is:
- you and 2 US children live in the US
-  your sponsor lives and works in the U.K.
- your sponsor is the one who holds ILR
- you have not lived together before



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Okay, you don’t need:
- your birth certificate
- husband’s birth certificate
- 2 passport photos each... you only need 1 each
- passport pages showing travel
- family photos (only include 2 photos max, with only you and your spouse in them)
- unless your sponsor is changing jobs now (in which case you would need to show 12 months of income), you do not need the job offer letter... however you should include his latest P60.

Just going to rearrange your documents slightly so they are in the correct sections, and also add in the extra admin docs:

Applicant Documents
- priority processing receipts x 3 (if purchasing)
- Return shipping labels
- Contents letter
- 3 Application
- 3 appendix 2
- IHS payment receipts
- stamped biometrics sheets
- 3 Current Passports
- 5 Old/Expired Passports
- 1 passport photo each (UK or US size)

Sponsor’s Documents
- Copy of Spouse Passport Page
- copy of ILR page
- Sponsorship Letter

Financial Documents
- 6 months payslip Mar-Aug 2018
- 6 Bank Statements Mar-Aug 2018
- Current UK employer Letter
- Original Contract & Job Description
- latest P60

Do the payslips and bank statements cover 6 months to the day? I.e. if the last one of each is dated end of August, then the first one of each needs to cover the same date in February... which may mean sending February to August payslips and bank statements, not just March.

Accommodation Evidence
- Accommodation Letter from Family Friend
- Land Registry

Relationship Evidence
- Marriage Certificate Original
- Divorce Decrees- Certified Copies
- Birth Certificate of Children Original
- Certified Copy of Relocation Agreement for my son
- 2 photos of you and your sponsor together
Evidence of regular communication while living apart
- boarding passes/etickets from trips to see each other
- any letters cards sent to each other
- Whatsapp Conversations while apart (just lists of dates and times - no more than 3 pages
- any other communication evidence, like emails, calls, messages from other programs 

Photocopies of all original documents you want returned


Personally I would always purchase priority if I could afford it. Even if the application takes a bit longer with kids, it could mean the difference between waiting 2-3 months and 5-6 months for the visas.

Just a quick note:
It’s easier for us if you can keep all your questions in the same thread, rather than making new ones. I just spent ages writing a reply, without remembering your personal situation... and from the documents you listed I thought:
- you and your sponsor live together in the US
- he is showing US income for 6 months plus he has a new job offer in the U.K. starting in the next 3 months
- you used to hold ILR in the U.K. but moved back to the US and let it lapse
- you were missing several years of documents showing you had lived together for 5 years in the U.K. and the last few years in the US

Then when I went to check your past posts, I discovered that was not the case at all, so I had to rewrite my whole reply!

Now, I understand that your situation is:
- you and 2 US children live in the US
-  your sponsor lives and works in the U.K.
- your sponsor is the one who holds ILR
- you have not lived together before



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Than you so much for your response. My post always seems to get buried and I do not know where to go and pick them back up. So sorry I made a new thread

I do not have the latest P60 (I will ask my hubby if he has one)- is it dire to the application, if I do not submit it?

And yes your summary is correct

I'm applying with 2 children (1 step and 1 biological to my husband). I have the court order which is all that I need for my son? I was hoping with the summer rush over, we would still get an approval quickly (or within) regular processing time and would not need the priority. (I will take your advise and pay for it though).

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Than you so much for your response. My post always seems to get buried and I do not know where to go and pick them back up. So sorry I made a new thread

It's not a problem - just makes things a bit easier if all the info about your application and your situation are on the same page, so it's easy to check/remember what your circumstances are (and what advice you have already been given).

However, it is easy to find all your previous posts... if you go to your profile, and then click on the icon on the left hand side of your username/avatar  that says 'Show Posts' when you hover over it, it will come up with every single post you have made since joining the forum... that's how I figured out what your situation actually was - I clicked on your profile and went to your previous posts.

I do not have the latest P60 (I will ask my hubby if he has one)- is it dire to the application, if I do not submit it?

It's not a required document, but it was a suggestion instead of the job offer letter, since the offer letter is irrelevant, but Sheffield can ask to see both the original contract and the latest P60. Your husband should have his latest P60 (issued April 2018, usually mailed/given out by end of May) as it's a legal requirement for his company to issue one every year.

I'm applying with 2 children (1 step and 1 biological to my husband). I have the court order which is all that I need for my son? I was hoping with the summer rush over, we would still get an approval quickly (or within) regular processing time and would not need the priority. (I will take your advise and pay for it though).

Yes, I believe that is all you need (I assume the court order states that you have custody?).

To be honest, the 'summer rush' timescales haven't been all that different from the non-summer timescales. Non-priority applications have been taking around 60 working days for the last 1.5 years, even outside of summer processing times (we have a couple of current non-priority people who are over 90 working days at the moment).

But if you use priority, we have seen people getting their decisions within about 25 working days in the last couple of weeks, with other applications taking 35-45 working days, so even with kids, I would say priority will likely be about half the time of non-priority.

So, just depends on if you will be happy to save the money and wait longer, or if you want to spend the money and get a faster decision. I don't think we've ever really seen anyone who has regretted paying the extra for priority, but we have seen plenty of people who didn't pay for priority who have regretted it afterwards.

I don't know.... the last year applications with a child dependent application DO take forever.  We have a member on 90+ business days right now and they've had the "not straight forward" email.  Each one who has a step-child seems to get this email as I think these are having to be reviewed by a supervisor or something. 

Honestly, I would hesitate to pay priority for two applications to have it still take many months to process.  But I'm cheap and I like value for my money....

This is what I'm thinking... I wouldn't want to pay the priority and then still wait anyway. Which to me defeats the purpose of priority. I would be out $2400 (because its 3 applications) and still be waiting. My lease expires in February 2019 so I would be okay just waiting 5 months.

IDK...I'm conflicted.

I don't know.... the last year applications with a child dependent application DO take forever.  We have a member on 90+ business days right now and they've had the "not straight forward" email.  Each one who has a step-child seems to get this email as I think these are having to be reviewed by a supervisor or something. 

Honestly, I would hesitate to pay priority for two applications to have it still take many months to process.  But I'm cheap and I like value for my money....

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This is what I'm thinking... I wouldn't want to pay the priority and then still wait anyway. Which to me defeats the purpose of priority. I would be out $2400 (because its 3 applications) and still be waiting. My lease expires in February 2019 so I would be okay just waiting 5 months.

IDK...I'm conflicted.
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I'm conflicted too.  I really hate to tell you to spend $2400 and then get the not straight forward email, meaning they don't have to respond within the 12 week service standard.

But then I'd also hate to see your lease end and you still not have a decision. 

ARRRGGGHHHH.

The choice is yours and your husbands!!!

The court order states that I have permission to live with him and the address we will be moving too. We share custody of my son but my ex has agreed to us moving. We also have a new visitation schedule which will now include him traveling in holidays etc.

I live in Florida, so state law requires this document for moving and I assumed it will be more than acceptable to the UK. This document will be sufficient right?

It's not a problem - just makes things a bit easier if all the info about your application and your situation are on the same page, so it's easy to check/remember what your circumstances are (and what advice you have already been given).

However, it is easy to find all your previous posts... if you go to your profile, and then click on the icon on the left hand side of your username/avatar  that says 'Show Posts' when you hover over it, it will come up with every single post you have made since joining the forum... that's how I figured out what your situation actually was - I clicked on your profile and went to your previous posts.

It's not a required document, but it was a suggestion instead of the job offer letter, since the offer letter is irrelevant, but Sheffield can ask to see both the original contract and the latest P60. Your husband should have his latest P60 (issued April 2018, usually mailed/given out by end of May) as it's a legal requirement for his company to issue one every year.

Yes, I believe that is all you need (I assume the court order states that you have custody?).

To be honest, the 'summer rush' timescales haven't been all that different from the non-summer timescales. Non-priority applications have been taking around 60 working days for the last 1.5 years, even outside of summer processing times (we have a couple of current non-priority people who are over 90 working days at the moment).

But if you use priority, we have seen people getting their decisions within about 25 working days in the last couple of weeks, with other applications taking 35-45 working days, so even with kids, I would say priority will likely be about half the time of non-priority.

So, just depends on if you will be happy to save the money and wait longer, or if you want to spend the money and get a faster decision. I don't think we've ever really seen anyone who has regretted paying the extra for priority, but we have seen plenty of people who didn't pay for priority who have regretted it afterwards.

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Not sure if I asked this question already but what's the order of payments including if I pay for priority?

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It's a tricky one with priority - especially for 3 applications.

The court order states that I have permission to live with him and the address we will be moving too. We share custody of my son but my ex has agreed to us moving. We also have a new visitation schedule which will now include him traveling in holidays etc.

I live in Florida, so state law requires this document for moving and I assumed it will be more than acceptable to the UK. This document will be sufficient right?

Does the court order specifically include the agreement from your ex to move?

If not, it might be worth getting him to write a letter just confirming that as well.

Not sure if I asked this question already but what's the order of payments including if I pay for priority?

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When you submit each online application, you will be prompted to:
- pay the IHS surcharge
- book the biometrics appointment
- pay for the visa

However, there is a glitch in the IHS surcharge payment site where it says children don't have to pay it... but they do! So, if this happens, you just complete their applications without paying the £600 surcharge each, and then Sheffield will contact you later on to ask you to pay it (usually when they're ready to approve the visas).

Then once you have submitted the online applications and have the GWF numbers for them, you can go to the VFS Global website and purchase the shipping labels, and priority processing if you decide to go with priority.

It's a tricky one with priority - especially for 3 applications.

Does the court order specifically include the agreement from your ex to move?

If not, it might be worth getting him to write a letter just confirming that as well.

When you submit each online application, you will be prompted to:
- pay the IHS surcharge
- book the biometrics appointment
- pay for the visa

However, there is a glitch in the IHS surcharge payment site where it says children don't have to pay it... but they do! So, if this happens, you just complete their applications without paying the £600 surcharge each, and then Sheffield will contact you later on to ask you to pay it (usually when they're ready to approve the visas).

Then once you have submitted the online applications and have the GWF numbers for them, you can go to the VFS Global website and purchase the shipping labels, and priority processing if you decide to go with priority.

These are the forms the lawyer sent in, it's all attached in 1 large document. It's a 13 page document. We both signed and it was ordered by a Judge.

-agreement relocation with minor child including modification of child support.
-Relocation Parenting Plan
-order ratifying relocation agreement

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I tried to get a letter from his dad, I asked the same time the lawyer submitted the court docs and lets just say its September and I still have not received it. I asked several times and no response. I have my divorce decree which outlined the custody arrangement included and this stated that I get majority time 295 overnights, this is also stated in the new document. I think I've done due diligence with all the docs required.

Hubby has also sent off the P60 today via ups. So will be submitting and paying tonight. Hoping I can sneak to the uscis next week for biometrics. Its 2 mins from my home.

And we decided to do priority as well. We have q few changes that might greatly affect our life, so just trying to get this in and approved ASAP.

It's a tricky one with priority - especially for 3 applications.

Does the court order specifically include the agreement from your ex to move?

If not, it might be worth getting him to write a letter just confirming that as well.

When you submit each online application, you will be prompted to:
- pay the IHS surcharge
- book the biometrics appointment
- pay for the visa

However, there is a glitch in the IHS surcharge payment site where it says children don't have to pay it... but they do! So, if this happens, you just complete their applications without paying the £600 surcharge each, and then Sheffield will contact you later on to ask you to pay it (usually when they're ready to approve the visas).

Then once you have submitted the online applications and have the GWF numbers for them, you can go to the VFS Global website and purchase the shipping labels, and priority processing if you decide to go with priority.

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Not to freak myself out but can someone explain the #'s on the P60. Also is it an entire year? Should the 2 #'s in the P60 be added? Not sure if I'm overthinking. We more than qualify based on Job Letter and Pay stubs...but P60 shows something different and we either barely qualify or dont qualify at all.. Please help!!!



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Not to freak myself out but can someone explain the #'s on the P60. Also is it an entire year? Should the 2 #'s in the P60 be added? Not sure if I'm overthinking. We more than qualify based on Job Letter and Pay stubs...but P60 shows something different and we either barely qualify or dont qualify at all.. Please help!!!



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The figures detailed on the P60 will be taxable pay for the tax year (06 April to 05 April), not necessarily gross pay.

It is gross pay that is taken into account for the financial requirements, as far as I understand it.

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I tried to get a letter from his dad, I asked the same time the lawyer submitted the court docs and lets just say its September and I still have not received it. I asked several times and no response. I have my divorce decree which outlined the custody arrangement included and this stated that I get majority time 295 overnights, this is also stated in the new document. I think I've done due diligence with all the docs required.

In that case, don't worry about a letter from him. I just suggested it as an added extra in case it didn't state on the court agreement that you your ex was happy for your son to be taken out of the US.

Not to freak myself out but can someone explain the #'s on the P60. Also is it an entire year? Should the 2 #'s in the P60 be added? Not sure if I'm overthinking. We more than qualify based on Job Letter and Pay stubs...but P60 shows something different and we either barely qualify or dont qualify at all.. Please help!!!

The P60 is basically like a W2 form... it simply states all the money earned and tax paid in the last tax year, which was April 6th 2017 to April 5th 2018.

It has nothing to do with the income amount you are relying on for the financial requirement, it's just an additional document that it says in the guidance they might ask to see, so we just suggest sending it if you can, so there's no reason for them to contact you later to ask for it.