Our Path to Marriage

Basically, we are getting contradictory information from UKVI and VFS. One site says to only send copies and no originals, the other site says to include both copies and originals.

Traditionally you have only needed to send copies of originals you wish to be returned to you.

If in doubt, send copies of everything except the application forms.


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Hi.. . when sending original and certified copies of things, do they just all go in a pile or do you need paper clips to separate things, one of my divorce decree's is 37 pages long, and one is 3 pages...

Basically, we are getting contradictory information from UKVI and VFS. One site says to only send copies and no originals, the other site says to include both copies and originals.

Traditionally you have only needed to send copies of originals you wish to be returned to you.

If in doubt, send copies of everything except the application forms.

Ah, that makes sense why I'm finding conflicting information. I will just make a copy of everything and send it just to be safe.

Just to be sure I have this right the "application forms" Is just the printed online application, and the appendix 2, correct?

(in other words I need to have copies of everything else other than the printed online application, and the appendix 2)

Hi.. . when sending original and certified copies of things, do they just all go in a pile or do you need paper clips to separate things, one of my divorce decree's is 37 pages long, and one is 3 pages...

Hi, generally the things I have found recommend separating documents with paperclips and post-it notes (when necessary to title something).

However, if you have more specific questions pertaining to your situation (how to go about doing that, specifics regarding how to include/copy the divorce decree's, etc.) I would recommend starting your own thread so people have a chance to respond. It's good to have one thread going for one persons questions so people can focus on only one situation per thread, and so they can look back and see everything that you've already asked and where you are at in the process.

Good luck with everything!

So I've just finished drafting my cover letter and would so appreciate if somebody would look it over and let me know of anything I've left out or done incorrectly.

Thank you so much!

(My name)
(current date)
(my address)
(My phone number)
(My email address)

Applicant Letter of Support and Contents List
To The Entry Clearance Officer,

My name is (my name) and I am applying for a Settlement Visa to join my husband (spouse's name) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. My hope is to travel to join (spouse name) in the UK on the 8th of January, 2019.



I have filled out the online application and have included all supporting documents in this package. I have also attached an additional page of travel dates to my online application. My full list of travel outside my country of residence, excluding the UK, in the last 10 years did not fully fit in the online form. 



(Spouse) and I met in person at our church, (name of church), on 9th July, 2017. We started dating on the 5th September, 2017. While I was living in Belfast on my (name of specific visa), (Spouse) and I were able to see each other regularly and get to know one another. As we continued in our relationship, we found that we shared many interests including music, films and traveling. I also was able to meet (spouse's) family and even spent Christmas with them in their home in (name of city), Northern Ireland, 25th December, 2017. 



My visa ended and I returned home to Minnesota, USA on 18th January, 2018. (Spouse) and I began communicating daily through Facebook Messenger, regularly talking over Facetime, and we also sent letters to each other. (Spouse) came to visit me in the States and met my family on 30th March, 2018. He celebrated Easter with us and left the USA on 8th April, 2018.

I traveled to Northern Ireland and visited (spouse) in Belfast from 30th May, 2018 to 10th July, 2018. (Spouse) and I got engaged on the 16th June, 2018.



(Spouse) traveled to the States again from 9th September, 2018 to 15th September, 2018. We got married in a civil ceremony at (Name of church in USA) in the presence of family and friends on the 12th September 2018. We have made the decision to settle in the UK because we feel it is a better place for us to start our lives together and has a high quality of education, level of skilled jobs, excellent healthcare system and the safe environment that it provides, thus enabling us to start a family. 



Here is the full list of contents for this package

Applicant Documents:
•   Settlement priority service payment receipt
•   Return shipping label
•   Cover Letter/Table of Contents
•   Printed and signed visa application
•   Appendix 2
•   Biometric data submission confirmation
•   My current passport as well as my previous passport
•   1 recent passport-sized photograph of applicant
Sponsor’s Information:
•   Sponsor’s Letter of Support
•   Certified Photocopy of Sponsor’s Passport
Evidence of Accommodation: 

•   Original tenancy agreement
•   Letter of Accommodation Support from sponsor’s landlord
•   Letter of support from roommate
Evidence of Sponsor’s Employment and Finances:
•   Sponsor’s pay slips covering 6 months
•   Printed copy of sponsor’s bank account 6-month history. Stamped and signed by bank.
•   Employment status/history letter from sponsor’s employer (signed by employer)
•   Sponsor’s employment contract
•   Sponsor’s most recent P60 Certificate
Evidence of Marriage and Relationship:
•   Marriage Certificate
•   1 photo from wedding and 1 from earlier in our relationship
•   All boarding passes from travels to see each other
•   Letters that we have written to one another.
•   FaceTime history screenshots from various points in the last year
•   Facebook Messenger screenshots showing consistent correspondences throughout our relationship

Photocopies:
•   Copies of documents



If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by the address, phone number, or email address at the top right of the first page.


Yours Faithfully,

(my name)

So I've just finished drafting my cover letter and would so appreciate if somebody would look it over and let me know of anything I've left out or done incorrectly.

Okay, it's way, way too long. It should not contain ANYTHING about your relationship at all, because all that goes in your sponsor's letter of support.

The cover letter is literally nothing more than an introduction to the contents of your package and an explanation of anything complicated, such as criminal convictions or previous refused visas. You do not need to mention anything about your extra travel history details - just make a note in pen on the application form that there is an additional sheet.

So, I would shorten it to:

To The Entry Clearance Officer,

Please find enclosed my application and supporting documents for a settlement visa to join my husband in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I would like my visa to start on 8th January 2019 as per the Intended Travel Date on my online application.

Here is the full list of contents for this package:
[list of documents]

Yours Faithfully,
(my name)[/list]

Okay, it's way, way too long. It should not contain ANYTHING about your relationship at all, because all that goes in your sponsor's letter of support.

The cover letter is literally nothing more than an introduction to the contents of your package and an explanation of anything complicated, such as criminal convictions or previous refused visas. You do not need to mention anything about your extra travel history details - just make a note in pen on the application form that there is an additional sheet.

So, I would shorten it to:

To The Entry Clearance Officer,

Please find enclosed my application and supporting documents for a settlement visa to join my husband in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I would like my visa to start on 8th January 2019 as per the Intended Travel Date on my online application.

Here is the full list of contents for this package:
[list of documents]

Yours Faithfully,
(my name)[/list]

Ah ok. That's basically what I had written before but then I saw this website ( https://www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-visa-uk-2018/#what-is-a-spouse-visa-for-the-uk ) that said I should include much more information in the "applicant support letter like our relationship history and when I met his family? Is this website just bad information?

Also, I just had a follow up question to an earlier question you had answered if that's ok? You had said that there was conflicting information on whether or not to copy all documents. So I've decided to copy everything just to be safe. But you said I should NOT send a copy of the printed application, and appendix 2, correct?

Thank you!

Ah ok. That's basically what I had written before but then I saw this website ( https://www.migrate.org.uk/spouse-visa-uk-2018/#what-is-a-spouse-visa-for-the-uk ) that said I should include much more information in the "applicant support letter like our relationship history and when I met his family? Is this website just bad information?

Yep, bad information.

The sponsor letter is absolutely mandatory for the visa and should include the following:
- how they qualify to be a sponsor
- how they meet the financial requirement
- where you will live in the UK
- short history of the relationship.

There is no requirement at all to include an applicant letter and it is only optional, so if you do include one, it should only contain:
- type of visa applied for and date you want the visa to start
- explanation of any complicated circumstances (criminal convictions or bad UK immigration history)
- list of documents in the package

Actually there is a lot of bad information on that page:
- they have the IHS surcharge amount incorrect (they say £500, it should be £600).
- they mention international postage, which does not apply anymore
- they suggest sending letters of support from family and friends, which CANNOT be considered and SHOULD NOT be included
- they tell you to include 2-3 pages of photos of you together... this is also not true. Only 1 photo is needed.
- they tell you to include photos with family and friends. This is not true
- they tell you to annotate all the photos. Also not true.
- they suggest printing out 1 page of messages for each week or month, and to include the message content, and that most people submit their entire chat history... which is NOT advisable
- they tell you that third party statements will strengthen the application. This is ABSOLUTELY not true, because third party statements CANNOT be considered
- they tell you to include 2 passport photos of the applicant. Not true. Only 1 is needed.
- they tell you to include 1 passport photo of the sponsor. Not true. None are needed.
- they tell you to put your name on the back of the photos. This is not required for a spousal visa
- they tell you to include a support letter from the applicant. As discussed, this is not true at all, and nowhere in the official guidance does it state anything about an applicant letter being required
- they tell you to use plastic wallets and folders, which we know from UKVI directly (at in-person appointments), they do not want these
- they tell you to include housing reports. These are NOT needed.
- they tell you to include birth certificates of British children. These are NOT needed.

Also, I just had a follow up question to an earlier question you had answered if that's ok? You had said that there was conflicting information on whether or not to copy all documents. So I've decided to copy everything just to be safe. But you said I should NOT send a copy of the printed application, and appendix 2, correct?

Correct.

However, definitely keep copies of the online application and Appendix 2 form (and your biometrics appointment details) for yourself, as they will be helpful when it comes to completing the next visa application in 2.5 years.

[/quote]
- they have the IHS surcharge amount incorrect (they say £500, it should be £600).
[\quote]
is this IHS surcharge already in the cost of a spousal visa or is it in addition to the cost of the Visa

- they have the IHS surcharge amount incorrect (they say £500, it should be £600).
[\quote]
is this IHS surcharge already in the cost of a spousal visa or is it in addition to the cost of the Visa

It's on top.

- they have the IHS surcharge amount incorrect (they say £500, it should be £600).
[\quote]
is this IHS surcharge already in the cost of a spousal visa or is it in addition to the cost of the Visa

It’s extra.

Currently £600 (£200 per year of the visa, rounded up to 3 years), but will be increasing to £1200 in December.

So the fees are:
£1523 visa fee
£600 (or £1200) IHS surcharge
$793 for priority processing
Up to $140 for shipping (depending on which label(s) you purchase)


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Yep, bad information.

The sponsor letter is absolutely mandatory for the visa and should include the following:
- how they qualify to be a sponsor
- how they meet the financial requirement
- where you will live in the UK
- short history of the relationship.

There is no requirement at all to include an applicant letter and it is only optional, so if you do include one, it should only contain:
- type of visa applied for and date you want the visa to start
- explanation of any complicated circumstances (criminal convictions or bad UK immigration history)
- list of documents in the package

Actually there is a lot of bad information on that page:
- they have the IHS surcharge amount incorrect (they say £500, it should be £600).
- they mention international postage, which does not apply anymore
- they suggest sending letters of support from family and friends, which CANNOT be considered and SHOULD NOT be included
- they tell you to include 2-3 pages of photos of you together... this is also not true. Only 1 photo is needed.
- they tell you to include photos with family and friends. This is not true
- they tell you to annotate all the photos. Also not true.
- they suggest printing out 1 page of messages for each week or month, and to include the message content, and that most people submit their entire chat history... which is NOT advisable
- they tell you that third party statements will strengthen the application. This is ABSOLUTELY not true, because third party statements CANNOT be considered
- they tell you to include 2 passport photos of the applicant. Not true. Only 1 is needed.
- they tell you to include 1 passport photo of the sponsor. Not true. None are needed.
- they tell you to put your name on the back of the photos. This is not required for a spousal visa
- they tell you to include a support letter from the applicant. As discussed, this is not true at all, and nowhere in the official guidance does it state anything about an applicant letter being required
- they tell you to use plastic wallets and folders, which we know from UKVI directly (at in-person appointments), they do not want these
- they tell you to include housing reports. These are NOT needed.
- they tell you to include birth certificates of British children. These are NOT needed.

Correct.

However, definitely keep copies of the online application and Appendix 2 form (and your biometrics appointment details) for yourself, as they will be helpful when it comes to completing the next visa application in 2.5 years.

Thank you so much!!! You answered so many of the questions I was debating on which is so helpful.

I have one question about the plastic wallets. I plan on including as few plastic wallets as possible to make it easier for the entry clearance officer. However for things like our boarding (which are starting to fall apart a little bit on the perforated line) I was thinking of including these in a clear plastic wallet just so they don't fall out and get lost when the package is opened. Is this a good idea?
Also, a bit nervous to send my passports stacked in amongst a bunch of papers without anything to hold it in place. Is there a secure way to put these in the package without using plastic wallets?

I have one question about the plastic wallets. I plan on including as few plastic wallets as possible to make it easier for the entry clearance officer. However for things like our boarding (which are starting to fall apart a little bit on the perforated line) I was thinking of including these in a clear plastic wallet just so they don't fall out and get lost when the package is opened. Is this a good idea?

Don't include ANY plastic wallets. For the boarding passes, I would just either paperclip them together, or maybe put them in an envelope to keep them together.

The Entry Clearance Officer will not actually see any of your physical documents, because they will be scanned and sent to Sheffield electronically, so the documents will already be organised electronically for them.

But, if you include plastic wallets, all you are doing is making things more difficult for the staff in New York, who have to take everything OUT of the plastic wallets to scan it all in.

Also, a bit nervous to send my passports stacked in amongst a bunch of papers without anything to hold it in place. Is there a secure way to put these in the package without using plastic wallets?

They will be fine in the pile with the rest of your documents. You could just hold them together with an elastic band or something.

It’s extra.

Currently £600 (£200 per year of the visa, rounded up to 3 years), but will be increasing to £1200 in December.

So the fees are:
£1523 visa fee
£600 (or £1200) IHS surcharge
$793 for priority processing
Up to $140 for shipping (depending on which label(s) you purchase)


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Great, thank you so much for the breakdown of the cost YOU are awesome  .. YAY...just a few more weeks 

This feels like a dumb question but I'm going to ask it anyway.

I'm including the date on my cover and I also know that once I print the application I will need to sign and date it in several places. Should I sign in UK (since the application is being sent to the UK) or US (since I am from the US) date format.

For instance

UK - day/month/year: 7/11/18

or

US - month/day/year: 11/7/18

Thank you!

Do it the UK way.  Or you could write the date in full. 22nd November 2018 for example.