First Time Spouse Visa: Documents and Submittal Questions

Hi there! I am a newbie to this forum and my gosh, it has been a lifeline since I found it 2 days ago. Thank you all for your great input and responses!

I submitted my online application for a spouse visa on Jan. 3 2019. We thought we had all of our documents, but then found this and I wish I had found it earlier! I think we might be good now - but I am still super nervous. I have a few overall questions, and then I added the list of documents I intend to include. I welcome any input!

Q1: It seems there is a brand new VFS online document submission process. I can't find much on it, but I found the site where it seems I can upload all my documents and then choose (or not choose) a priority service. Can I actually submit my documents digitally without doing the priority service? Is it recommended, or is mailing them still best? And then, how would I submit my biometrics sheet, passport and return shipping label for my passport?

Q2: Is priority worth it right now? It seems priority approval is still running about a month and a half from what I've been seeing. I haven't really seen much on non-priority, except one person who was still approved within 2 months. Thoughts?

Q3: I keep seeing A4 paper size, but in some cases, it says US paper size is okay. Most of my documents are printed on 8.5x11 paper. Is that going to be a problem? Most places don't stock A4 size here, so not sure where to even get it/how to print with it!

Q4: I saw somewhere (and now can't find it) that Appendix 2 should be filled in in all caps. I did not do that. Should I redo it?

Q5: How does my document list look?:

Return Shipping Label (if submitting via mail)

Section 1: Application Forms
Application (printed from online service)
Appendix 2 (VAF 4A)
Form SU07 Sponsorship Undertaking - is this even needed?
IHS Surcharge Receipt

Section 2: Applicant’s Documents
My Letter/Personal Statement (detailing relationship, reason to move to UK (husband is UK military), financial situation, and list of closest family/friends in US (saw somewhere that was needed)
Passport and passport copies (photo page + all stamped pages)
Previous Passport and passport copies (photo page and all stamped copies)
2 Passport-sized photographs
Marriage Record
Stamped Biometrics sheet (but how would this be submitted if I submit through VFS online?)

Section 3: Sponsor’s Non-Financial Documents
Husband's Letter of Support (Confirming my statement, confirming salary/finances, explaining accommodation, promising to support me)
Husband's passport copy (photo page)
Husband UK Military ID copy

Section 4: Sponsor’s Financial Documents
Letter from Employer (confirming employment, dates, salary/payslips and date he started current pay grade)
6 months pay slips (husband is scanning me the mailed docs he received from work - is that okay?)
6 months bank statements (husband is scanning me the mailed docs he received direct from bank - is that okay?)

Section 5: Accommodation Documents
Tenancy Agreement (both of our names and signatures are on it, along with landlord's - it starts 1/11)[/li][/list]

Section 6: Relationship Documents
Letter of Support from my mother (attesting to relationship)
Letter of Support from best friend (attesting to relationship)
Select WhatsApp Messages (6 pages, showing select messages from each month from past 3 years - messages blacked out)
First email communication - proving date we met
Screenshots of engagement announcements on Facebook
Selection of 17 photographs over course of relationship
Premarital Preparation Course Certificate
Proof of flight receipts (all are email printouts - we never even thought about saving tickets for this purpose)

Section 7: My Financial Documentation
Proof of Savings (I know this is not needed, but is it helpful to show I have savings to support myself in the UK even if I don't find a job?)

Section 8: Qualifications for Work in the UK
My Resume (CV)
University M.B.A. diploma
University M.B.A. academic records
University B.A. academic records

Thank you so much in advance!! It has been a stressful few months gathering all this, and then finding out we had to gather even more!

Welcome to the forum .

Can’t help much with your questions at the moment (on a night shift) but you have a lot of documents in your list that you do not need, so they can be taken out.

You will still need a return shipping label, regardless of whether you upload your documents or not, because you still have to mail your passport (and presumably your application forms and biometrics sheet) to New York.

Also, as your husband is military I assume you are applying as the spouse of an HM Forces member, so you will also need to print and complete VAF(AF) as well as the online form and Appendix 2. If you apply this way, your visa will be made valid for either 5 years, or until the end of his service... rather than the 2.5 years that a normal spousal visa gets... though I think you have to select a different option on the online form.

Also, if you apply as a military spouse using VAF(AF), you are exempt from paying the IHS surcharge ... though there is a glitch in the system so you have to pay it and then get a refund afterwards.

Your tenancy agreement shouldn’t actually have your name on it already as it is illegal for a landlord to rent to you before you have a visa... however, this is your landlord’s problem, not yours, so just submit it as it is.

You DO NOT need:
- Form SU07 Sponsorship Undertaking - not required for a spousal visa
- My Letter/Personal Statement (detailing relationship, reason to move to UK (husband is UK military), financial situation, and list of closest family/friends in US (saw somewhere that was needed) - - won’t be considered
- Letter of Support from my mother (attesting to relationship) - cannot be considered
- Letter of Support from best friend (attesting to relationship) - cannot be considered
- Screenshots of engagement announcements on Facebook - won’t be considered
- Selection of 17 photographs over course of relationship (Send 2 photos maximum)
- Premarital Preparation Course Certificate - cannot be considered
Section 7: My Financial Documentation
Proof of Savings (I know this is not needed, but is it helpful to show I have savings to support myself in the UK even if I don't find a job?) - cannot be considered
Section 8: Qualifications for Work in the UK - cannot be considered
My Resume (CV) - cannot be considered
University M.B.A. diploma - cannot be considered
University M.B.A. academic records - cannot be considered
University B.A. academic records - cannot be considered

ONLY the U.K. sponsor’s finances and employment can be considered for the visa, to show HE can support YOU, so none of your documents regarding savings or employment can be considered. Your savings would only be looked at if your husband’s income did not meet the requirement, and even then the first £16,000 of your savings cannot be considered and then you need 2.5 times the difference between your husband’s salary and £18,600 (if his salary is less than £18,600).


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Also, as your husband is military I assume you are applying as the spouse of an HM Forces member, so you will also need to print and complete VAF(AF) as well as the online form and Appendix 2. If you apply this way, your visa will be made valid for either 5 years, or until the end of his service... rather than the 2.5 years that a normal spousal visa gets... though I think you have to select a different option on the online form.

Also, if you apply as a military spouse using VAF(AF), you are exempt from paying the IHS surcharge ... though there is a glitch in the system so you have to pay it and then get a refund afterwards.

Your tenancy agreement shouldn’t actually have your name on it already as it is illegal for a landlord to rent to you before you have a visa... however, this is your landlord’s problem, not yours, so just submit it as it is.

Wow, we weren't even aware this visa was an option - I glanced at it once but it seemed it did not apply for some reason that I can't recall now. The attorneys we spoke to never mentioned it (and I know how everyone feels about attorney's now...). Since I already submitted my online application, is it too late for this? Should I still fill out VAF(AF) and include it?

If we are unable to switch to the HM Forces spouse visa, do you know if I would still be except form the IHS surcharge, and could receive a refund?

And finally, do you think the tenancy agreement with my name on it would harm my application since it's technically illegal?

I look forward to the rest of your answers when you are not at work! Thanks so much for the fast reply!

Wow, we weren't even aware this visa was an option - I glanced at it once but it seemed it did not apply for some reason that I can't recall now.

It’s the same visa, just issued under a slightly different caveat .

Since I already submitted my online application, is it too late for this? Should I still fill out VAF(AF) and include it?

As long as you have not attended biometrics, you can cancel the application and get a full refund (though it can take a few weeks to get the refund), then just start a new application.

If you have attended biometrics, you can’t get a refund if you cancel.

If we are unable to switch to the HM Forces spouse visa, do you know if I would still be except form the IHS surcharge, and could receive a refund?

You would only be exempt if your visa was issued as an HM Forces spousal visa.

I’m not sure if you could just change the visa type manually in pen, include the VAF(AF) and write a cover letter explaining that he is HM Forces and you are applying for that visa.

Safest bet would probably be to cancel and reapply though.

And finally, do you think the tenancy agreement with my name on it would harm my application since it's technically illegal?

No, as I said, it’s the landlord’s problem, not yours.

It shouldn’t affect your visa, but if the landlord is found to be renting to someone without a valid visa, they can be fined £3,000.

I look forward to the rest of your answers when you are not at work! Thanks so much for the fast reply!

I’ll be honest - I don’t know the answers to most of them! Hopefully someone who has applied recently can help more with the uploading/mailing part.

I always recommend using priority if you can afford it. Non-priority can take 3 months or longer, whereas priority is usually about half that time.



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Thank you @ksand24 ! This info is incredibly helpful. I have not been to my biometrics appointment yet, so I could be in luck.

So to confirm, the HM Forces Spousal visa and the regular Spouse visa have essentially the same requirements/documentation (except, course, the sponsor being in the military)? It looked that way when I quickly looked it up. And, the biggest difference is that it is for 5 years limited leave, versus 2.5 years for a regular spouse visa. Oh, and that it's more expensive (2,389 vs 1,523), but you're then exempt from the IHS surcharge. Sound right?

Do you think there is any difference in processing times between the two visas?

Thank you @ksand24 ! This info is incredibly helpful. I have not been to my biometrics appointment yet, so I could be in luck.

So to confirm, the HM Forces Spousal visa and the regular Spouse visa have essentially the same requirements/documentation (except, course, the sponsor being in the military)? It looked that way when I quickly looked it up. And, the biggest difference is that it is for 5 years limited leave, versus 2.5 years for a regular spouse visa. Oh, and that it's more expensive (2,389 vs 1,523), but you're then exempt from the IHS surcharge. Sound right?

It’s not more expensive - both visas are the same price: £1523.

I think you may be looking at the wrong visa type (there is also a visa for dependants of foreign non-UK citizens who are serving in the HM Forces - this is NOT what you want).

The HM Forces visa should be £1200 cheaper than the regular spousal visa because there’s no IHS Surcharge - though you will have to pay it and then request a refund.

Note that the IHS is supposed to double to £1200 from £600 today.

So:

Spousal visa:
£1523 visa fee
£1200 IHS
£573 Priority

HM Forces spousal visa:
£1523 visa fee
£573 Priority

Do you think there is any difference in processing times between the two visas?

No, there isn’t - all settlement visas are treated the same. They won’t know what type of visa you are applying for until the day they process the visa and make a decision.



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So to confirm, the HM Forces Spousal visa and the regular Spouse visa have essentially the same requirements/documentation (except, course, the sponsor being in the military)? It looked that way when I quickly looked it up.

Yep - exactly the same. It used to be that spouses of Armed Forces members were also exempt from meeting the financial requirement, but they changed that a few years ago, so everyone has to meet the same requirements.

And, the biggest difference is that it is for 5 years limited leave, versus 2.5 years for a regular spouse visa.

The maximum it will be granted for is 5 years.

It will be issued for either:
- 5 years
or
- until his end of service date
whichever is shorter

So if he has less than 5 years left of service, it will only be valid for that amount of time.

The VAF(AF) form you need is here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-as-member-of-hm-armed-forces-vaf-af

The visa fee in US dollars is here:
https://visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk/y/usa/usd/join-family/settlement-for-current-and-former-members-of-hm-armed-forces-and-their-dependants/hm-forces-dependants-applying-under-part-457-or-8-of-appendix-armed-forces

And the immigration rules for it are here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-armed-forces

Out of curiosity, what does he do in the Armed Forces? I’m a civilian but I work on RAF bases .


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@ksand24 you are a life saver! This makes the decision to do priority much easier now.

I can't figure out how to post a screen shot here, but on the Visa4UK website, it notes several military options. I am assuming it is this one:

Family Member of a Serving Member of HM Forces under Appendix Armed Forces (LLE)

It wouldn't be (ILE), right? Because that would require me to have lived in the UK for 5 years already?

Thanks again for your help!

@ksand24 you are a life saver! This makes the decision to do priority much easier now.

I can't figure out how to post a screen shot here, but on the Visa4UK website, it notes several military options. I am assuming it is this one:

Family Member of a Serving Member of HM Forces under Appendix Armed Forces (LLE)

Yes. That sounds like the correct one.

It wouldn't be (ILE), right? Because that would require me to have lived in the UK for 5 years already?

No, it’s not ILE.

ILE is not issued anymore for spousal visas (it used to be issued to people who had been married and living together outside the U.K. for at least 4 years), so that one will be for a different visa category.



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And the immigration rules for it are here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-armed-forces

Hi again! I read through all of the rules for the FM Forces Spouse Visa, and it makes no mention of the strict financial documentation required for the regular VAF(FM) Spouse Visa. It only says you must show proof of income (does not say how). Are the requirements for documentation not as strict?

The reason I ask is that my husband's bank where his pay checks are deposited is a small bank in Scotland without any branches anywhere else. He was able to print statements from online with the bank logo at the top. For the regular spouse visa, this type of bank statement evidence would have to be stamped in a branch, or be accompanied by a bank letter signed in a branch. Since the only branches are in Scotland, that is not a speedy option.

Any advice here?

Thanks!

Hi again! I read through all of the rules for the FM Forces Spouse Visa, and it makes no mention of the strict financial documentation required for the regular VAF(FM) Spouse Visa. It only says you must show proof of income (does not say how). Are the requirements for documentation not as strict?

No, the financial requirement is exactly the same for all spousal visas - the only people exempt from it are those who receive certain government benefits. The immigration rules won’t mention this part though, because they don’t go into that much detail - I just linked you to the rules so you could read the parts about him being able to apply for an HM Forces visa and that the visa will be issued for up to 5 years instead of 2.5 years.

You’ll notice in the link I gave you to the VAF(AF) form that there is a link to Appendix 2 as well... which has the same financial requirements section that you fill out for a regular spousal visa.

Also, if you look at Appendix FM 1.7, which details all the way to meet the financial requirements, it explicitly states in the title that it is for Appendix Armed Forces spousal visas as well as regular spousal visas:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/636618/Appendix_FM_1_7_Financial_Requirement_Final.pdf

And the second paragraph in the Introduction section states:
”Since 1 December 2013, the Immigration Rules in Appendix Armed Forces have also contained a financial requirement to be met by a person applying for entry clearance to, leave to remain in or indefinite leave to remain in the UK as the non-EEA national partner or dependent child of a person (British or foreign or Commonwealth) who is a member of HM Forces (as defined in paragraph 2(d) of Appendix Armed Forces).”

So, literally the only differences between the HM Forces spousal visa and the normal spousal visa are:
- extra VAF(AF) form, plus the Armed Forces Appendix 2 to fill out
- no IHS surcharge
- visa issued for different length of time

The financial, accommodation and relationship requirements, along with the evidence requirements, are exactly the same for both visas.

The reason I ask is that my husband's bank where his pay checks are deposited is a small bank in Scotland without any branches anywhere else. He was able to print statements from online with the bank logo at the top. For the regular spouse visa, this type of bank statement evidence would have to be stamped in a branch, or be accompanied by a bank letter signed in a branch. Since the only branches are in Scotland, that is not a speedy option.

He will need to meet the same bank statement requirement regardless, so he will need to get the statements stamped or have them accompanied by a letter. Even if he WAS exempt from the financial requirement, he would still have to provide 6 months of official or stamped bank statements, meeting the same requirements (originals, or internet printouts that have been either stamped by the bank or accompanied by a letter)

Can he not just request paper statements to be mailed to him by the bank? That way, he won’t need to go to a branch at all, because they will be original and won’t need to be stamped.

As you had already applied online for the regular spousal visa, what were you planning to send to meet this requirement?

You really don’t want to apply online until after you have made sure you have every document in your hands, all meeting the evidence requirements as listed in Appendix FM-SE, and ready to mail to New York


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Thank you! Again, so glad I found this forum in time to save me from inadequate documentation and the wrong visa type.

Our US bank statements that are printable online are usually the exact same as the ones that are mailed monthly. I did not realize that was not the case in the UK. So, I didn't fully understand that requirement until now.

I've cancelled my regular spouse visa (before biometrics appt, thank goodness) and have started a new HM Forces spouse visa. I have learned my lesson and will not hit submit until every single document is in-hand with digital and printed copies of everything!

I'll post updates on my progress, as it seems the HM Forces spouse visas are not as common on this forum, so might be nice to have some data.

Thanks!

Thank you! Again, so glad I found this forum in time to save me from inadequate documentation and the wrong visa type.

Our US bank statements that are printable online are usually the exact same as the ones that are mailed monthly. I did not realize that was not the case in the UK. So, I didn't fully understand that requirement until now.

I've cancelled my regular spouse visa (before biometrics appt, thank goodness) and have started a new HM Forces spouse visa. I have learned my lesson and will not hit submit until every single document is in-hand with digital and printed copies of everything!

That’s great . Hopefully it won’t be too long before you get a refund.

I'll post updates on my progress, as it seems the HM Forces spouse visas are not as common on this forum, so might be nice to have some data.

There is no data because it is treated as regular spousal visa.

The documents required and the way the visa is decided is exactly the same as the regular visa, other than filling out a slightly different form.

The ONLY thing that will be different about how your application processed is the length of time your visa is made valid for.




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Welcome, AMM1987! I am another one who will be applying for a military spouse visa, and am also grateful for this forum. I didn't know about the military spouse visa either until I came here! Always nice to save some money and avoid having to go through the process again in 2.5 years

My fiance and I won't be getting married (in the US) until the end of next month, so I'll be starting the application process the first of March. I'm currently in Glasgow, spending time with him and getting our ducks in a row before I head back to the US and start final preparations!

Good luck in the process! I'll be watching some of your questions as I'm sure I may have the same questions myself soon.  And I know that even though the application process is almost identical as the regular spouse visa, there are enough differences to make you second guess yourself.    Ksand24 and the other members here are great in directing us in the right direction!

Hi @jennimaul ! Glad to have someone else in nearly the same position - hopefully our questions/answers will help each other. Congrats on your upcoming wedding! I have a dear friend living in Glasgow currently, and my husband is from Aberdeen - and we're going to be having our big UK wedding in Scotland too!

Not sure if you have started the online application yet (you can start it and keep it open for a few months), but I noticed they have a section for the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement - although that is not actually a requirement for limited leave to enter. It seems the online application is still very new, so I am hoping it is just a mistake. My plan is to check that "no" I am not exempt from the requirement, and then write a longer note in the explanation section that this does not appear to be a requirement for this particular visa, per the Appendix Armed Forces rules.

Best of luck to you! I'll keep posting about any other unusual things I notice as I go along.