FLR M Application Questions

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to review the correspondence.

Can I ask what you mean by Source 1, Source2, etc? Do we need 7 Sources (I see you've mentioned 7 sources in your reply).

Honestly, I can't quite recall why we don't have bills from January and September 2019. If I had to guess, it could be because we switch providers quite regularly, always chasing better offers and deals. It could be that we misplaced the January 2019 statement...

Based on what you have suggested, I will proceed with applying in January. Are they harsh when it comes to the spacing? Do you think what we have and what you've suggested will be sufficient?

Thanks,

Can I ask what you mean by Source 1, Source2, etc? Do we need 7 Sources (I see you've mentioned 7 sources in your reply).

Your correspondence documents need to be from at least 3 different official sources.

For example:
- a bank statement is one source
- an electricity bill is a 2nd source
- a credit card statement is a 3rd source
- a council tax bill is a 4th source

I just labelled each individual source, in order to keep track of how many you had.

You have more than enough sources either way, but if you go the February to February route instead of January to January, you lose 3 sources and 2 of the 7 sponsor's documents, because of the way the months work out. So, comparing the two options, January to January gives you the most comprehensive document list.

Honestly, I can't quite recall why we don't have bills from January and September 2019. If I had to guess, it could be because we switch providers quite regularly, always chasing better offers and deals. It could be that we misplaced the January 2019 statement...

You need to provide a reason, so just explain the best you can. Even if it's just something as basic as: "We seem to have misplaced the mail that was sent to us in X months"/

Based on what you have suggested, I will proceed with applying in January. Are they harsh when it comes to the spacing? Do you think what we have and what you've suggested will be sufficient?

What you have is fine.

As long as you include an explanation for the uneven spacing, it won't affect the application.

Thanks, ksand24, makes perfect sense.

Last question regarding the correspondence: I noticed you've suggested using docs from Feb 2019 - Jan 2021. Should we maybe use post from late-2018 to ensure we've covered the entire 2 years? Are they as strict regarding this space of time as they are with the financial documents?

Thanks, ksand24, makes perfect sense.

Last question regarding the correspondence: I noticed you've suggested using docs from Feb 2019 - Jan 2021. Should we maybe use post from late-2018 to ensure we've covered the entire 2 years? Are they as strict regarding this space of time as they are with the financial documents?

As long as the uneven months/spacing is explained in a letter, it doesn’t matter.

You’re only supposed to go back a MAXIMUM of 2 years, so I would just include the Feb 2019 document, and explain that it is in place of the January 2019 document.

Also, from the documents you listed, it looks like you only have a document for the applicant for December 2018 anyway, so you’re better to include the joint document for February as that one actually meets the requirement.


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As long as the uneven months/spacing is explained in a letter, it doesn’t matter.

You’re only supposed to go back a MAXIMUM of 2 years, so I would just include the Feb 2019 document, and explain that it is in place of the January 2019 document.

Also, from the documents you listed, it looks like you only have a document for the applicant for December 2018 anyway, so you’re better to include the joint document for February as that one actually meets the requirement.


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Thank you - as always, I really appreciate the help.

Would you mind having a quick look at the employment letter for me, please, to see if HR has ticked off everything that's required?

To whom it may concern,

[Applicant's] FLR(M) Spousal Visa – Employment Letter

I write further to your request for Specified Evidence for [Applicant].

[Applicant] joined [the “Company”] on 17 July 2018 as a [role]. [Applicant] worked in this position for just over 2 years, between 17 July 2018 and 31 August 2020, and during this period [the Applicant's] basic gross annual salary was [above £18,600]. This position was on a Full-Time and Permanent contract.

[Applicant] transferred to a [new] role effective 01 September 2020 and [Applicant's] basic gross salary is now currently [above £18,600]. [Applicant] has been in his current role and on his current salary for 4 months, since 01 September 2020. He remains on a Full-Time and Permanent contract.

I can confirm that the payslips provided by [Applicant] are authentic originals and reflect his salary payments made by [the "Company"]. Please see below confirmed details for the salary payments made:

May 2020
Date of payslip: 22 May 2020
Pay period: May 2020
Gross pay: [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 22 May 2020

June 2020
Date of payslip: 25 June 2020
Pay period: June 2020
Gross pay: [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 25 June 2020

July 2020
Date of payslip: 24 July 2020
Pay period: July 2020
Gross pay: [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 24 July 2020

August 2020
Date of payslip: 25 August 2020
Pay period: August 2020
Gross pay: [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 25 August 2020

September 2020
Date of payslip: 25 September 2020
Pay period: September 2020
Gross pay : [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 25 September 2020
This pay run included a £500 signing on bonus, which is included in the Gross Pay amount.

October 2020
Date of payslip: 26 October 2020
Pay period: October 2020
Gross pay: [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 25 October 2020

November 2020
Date of payslip: 26 November 2020
Pay period: November 2020
Gross pay : [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 25 November 2020

December 2020
Date of payslip: 25 December 2020
Pay period: December 2020
Gross pay: [above £1,550]
Net pay: ££
Date deposited into bank account: 21 December 2020
The December payroll was processed earlier than usual due to the Christmas Bank Holiday.

This reference is given in confidence and only for the purposes for which it was requested. Whilst it is given in good faith, it is on the strict understanding that neither the Company nor any of its officers or employees have any responsibility or liability to you, the subject of this reference, or any third party for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in the information it contains or for any loss or damage that may result from reliance being placed upon this reference.

Yours sincerely,
HR Manager

Can I just double-check that the net pay can dip below £1,550? My net pay was below this amount between May and August and then went up post-September. Gross pay has always been above £1,550.

Another dumb question, but I just want to make absolutely certain. If we are only relying on my income [the Applicant], should I answer "no" to this question?

Does the account with the bank or utility company for which you have supplied information and supporting documentation relate to another person who is to provide you financial support?

This is the declaration part of the application.

Thanks!

Thank you - as always, I really appreciate the help.

Would you mind having a quick look at the employment letter for me, please, to see if HR has ticked off everything that's required?

The letter is too long, so I'd cut it down a bit. And if you can, I would put the payslip verification details into a table, so that it doesn't take up as much space.

With the payslip verification, you only need to include the 'pay period' if the payslips actually show numbered pay periods 1-12 corresponding to the months in the tax year (April to March)... i.e. June = pay period 3, July = pay period 4 etc.

As an example:

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to confirm that [Applicant] joined [the “Company”] on 17 July 2018 as a full-time, permanent employee in [role] earning an annual salary of [above £18,600]. On 01 September 2020 [Applicant] moved to [role], with a new annual salary of [above £18,600].

I can confirm that the payslips provided by [Applicant] are authentic originals and reflect his salary payments made by [the "Company"]. Please see below confirmed details for the salary payments made:

Pay Date            Gross pay        Net pay        Date deposited into bank account
22/05/2020         £XX                £XX              22/05/2020
25/06/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/06/2020
24/07/2020         £XX                 £XX             24/07/2020
25/08/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/08/2020
25/09/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/09/2020
26/10/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/10/2020
26/11/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/11/2020
25/12/2020         £XX                 £XX             21/12/2020

The September pay run included a £500 signing on bonus, which is included in the Gross Pay amount. The October and November payslips were deposited one day earlier than the payslip date because [reason]. The December payslip was deposited on December 21st due to the Christmas bank holiday.

Yours faithfully,
HR Manager

Can I just double-check that the net pay can dip below £1,550? My net pay was below this amount between May and August and then went up post-September. Gross pay has always been above £1,550.

The net pay is completely irrelevant. They will only look at the gross pay before tax. As long as the gross pay is at least £1,550 each month, you will meet the requirements.

Another dumb question, but I just want to make absolutely certain. If we are only relying on my income [the Applicant], should I answer "no" to this question?

Yes.

Does the account with the bank or utility company for which you have supplied information and supporting documentation relate to another person who is to provide you financial support?

This is the declaration part of the application.

You are not allowed to use third party financial support to meet the financial requirement, so your answer is No, and no one signs this declaration.

The letter is too long, so I'd cut it down a bit. And if you can, I would put the payslip verification details into a table, so that it doesn't take up as much space.

With the payslip verification, you only need to include the 'pay period' if the payslips actually show numbered pay periods 1-12 corresponding to the months in the tax year (April to March)... i.e. June = pay period 3, July = pay period 4 etc.

As an example:

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to confirm that [Applicant] joined [the “Company”] on 17 July 2018 as a full-time, permanent employee in [role] earning an annual salary of [above £18,600]. On 01 September 2020 [Applicant] moved to [role], with a new annual salary of [above £18,600].

I can confirm that the payslips provided by [Applicant] are authentic originals and reflect his salary payments made by [the "Company"]. Please see below confirmed details for the salary payments made:

Pay Date            Gross pay        Net pay        Date deposited into bank account
22/05/2020         £XX                £XX              22/05/2020
25/06/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/06/2020
24/07/2020         £XX                 £XX             24/07/2020
25/08/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/08/2020
25/09/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/09/2020
26/10/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/10/2020
26/11/2020         £XX                 £XX             25/11/2020
25/12/2020         £XX                 £XX             21/12/2020

The September pay run included a £500 signing on bonus, which is included in the Gross Pay amount. The October and November payslips were deposited one day earlier than the payslip date because [reason]. The December payslip was deposited on December 21st due to the Christmas bank holiday.

Yours faithfully,
HR Manager

The net pay is completely irrelevant. They will only look at the gross pay before tax. As long as the gross pay is at least £1,550 each month, you will meet the requirements.

Thank you. I have gone back to HR with these amendments. No doubt they will want to insist on keeping their disclaimer at the end though. I've asked if they can remove it and I just sign a separate disclaimer between the company and me. It's not really necessary for the Home Office.

As soon as I hear from them I'll post my final list before I pay and submit the application.

Hello!

Can someone please check the list of my documents and let me know if I am missing anything? I haven't paid yet, so receipts/BRP appointment letter/IHS surcharge receipts etc aren't included yet.

Application
- Online Application
- Signed consent form for Home Office to verify application information
- Signed consent form for Home Office to verify third party information
- Signed declaration by spouse
- Applicant's current USA passport
- Applicant's expired USA passport
- BRP
- Sponsor's passport

Financial Documents
- Payslips (May 2020 - December 2020), latest payslip dated 25 December 2020
- Corresponding bank statements for the above payslips, latest dated 1 January 2021
- Employment letter (as per ksand24's above example), dated 12 January 2021

Accommodation Documents
- Signed Tenancy Agreement - both my husband and I are on the lease
- Joint Council tax bill, Jan 2021

Correspondence
- Letter explaining the irregular gaps in post, signed by both parties
- Joint SSE electricity statement - Feb 2019
- Joint SSE gas statement - May 2019
- Joint United Utilities statement - August 2019
- Applicant NHS appointment letter - Jan 2020
- Sponsor M&S bank statement - Jan 2020
- Applicant Nationwide credit card statement - May 2020
- Sponsor M&S bank statement - May 2020
- Applicant Nationwide credit card statement - September 2020
- Sponsor Capital One statement - September 2020
- Joint Council Tax Bill - Jan 2021

I plan to purchase the scanning service when I pay for the application. If we are using the Jan 2021 council tax bill for both the accommodation and correspondence sections, how do we make this known?

Grateful for some feedback before I hit submit.

Thank you!

Just going to rearrange the documents into the correct upload sections for the UKVCAS website. Missing documents are in red.

Application Documents
- Applicant's current USA passport
- Signed consent form for Home Office to verify application information
- Signed consent form for Home Office to verify third party information
- Signed declaration by spouse

Proof of Identity/Travel History
- BRP
- Sponsor's UK passport

Financial Documents
- Payslips (May 2020 - December 2020), latest payslip dated 25 December 2020
- Corresponding bank statements for the above payslips, latest dated 1 January 2021
- Employment letter (as per ksand24's above example), dated 12 January 2021

Residence in the UK
Accommodation Documents
- Signed Tenancy Agreement - both my husband and I are on the lease
- Joint Council tax bill, Jan 2021
Correspondence
- Letter explaining the irregular gaps in post, signed by both parties
- Joint SSE electricity statement - Feb 2019
- Joint SSE gas statement - May 2019
- Joint United Utilities statement - August 2019
- Applicant NHS appointment letter - Jan 2020
- Sponsor M&S bank statement - Jan 2020
- Applicant Nationwide credit card statement - May 2020
- Sponsor M&S bank statement - May 2020
- Applicant Nationwide credit card statement - September 2020
- Sponsor Capital One statement - September 2020
- Joint Council Tax Bill - Jan 2021

Other
- Marriage Certificate
- Applicant's expired USA passport (not really sure if this should go in Other or Application Documents, so it's up to you, really)

I plan to purchase the scanning service when I pay for the application. If we are using the Jan 2021 council tax bill for both the accommodation and correspondence sections, how do we make this known?

I assume you just tell them exactly that: that it needs to be uploaded to both sections.

However, both the accommodation and correspondence documents are actually uploaded to the same section: Residence in the UK, so it may not matter too much.

Thanks for reviewing, and good shout regarding the marriage certificate. I'd completely forgot.

We just paid for the application and biometrics; do I need to bring a printed copy of the application? Also, once biometrics are submitted, do you know how long a decision will take? Can you also please advise the legislation that allows applicants to stay in the country while the application is being considered? I'd like to have this to hand in case work mentions anything.

Thank you!

We just paid for the application and biometrics; do I need to bring a printed copy of the application?

No, the application is purely online now.

Also, once biometrics are submitted, do you know how long a decision will take?

Under normal circumstances (no pandemic), it would take up to 8 weeks for FLR(M). However, because of delays due to Covid, it’s been taking anywhere from 2-6 months lately (we even have a couple of people who have been waiting since April 2020!).

Can you also please advise the legislation that allows applicants to stay in the country while the application is being considered? I'd like to have this to hand in case work mentions anything.

Here you go - you will be covered under Section 3C Leave:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/3c-and-3d-leave


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Does the delay visa processing time impact the mandatory 5 years residence to ILR? In other words, if it takes 6-12 months to receive FLR(M), does this mean the second 2.5 years start from the date the visa commences?

Also, my biometrics is 2 Feb. I assume my countdown clock to a decision starts from then?

Thank you


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Does the delay visa processing time impact the mandatory 5 years residence to ILR? In other words, if it takes 6-12 months to receive FLR(M), does this mean the second 2.5 years start from the date the visa commences?

No, it has no effect on when you can apply for ILR. The date you can qualify for ILR depends on what date you first entered the UK on your spousal visa in 2018.

You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before you reach 5 years in the UK... your first post in this thread says that you entered the UK on 29th May 2018... therefore you will reach 5 years on 29th May 2023, and so you can apply for ILR from 1st May 2023 onwards.

If your FLR(M) takes a while to be issued, then that just means it will expire later, and which means you will have longer left on your visa after 29th May 2023 in which to apply for ILR.

For example, say your FLR(M) takes 3 months and is not issued until 1st May 2021... that means it will be valid from 1st May 2021 to 1st November 2023... so that will give you a 6-month window between 1st May 2023 and 1st Nov 2023 to submit your application for ILR. Or, if it takes 6 months to get FLR(M) and it is not issued until 1st August 2021... it will be valid until 1st February 2024, which will give you a 9-month window to apply for ILR (1st May 2023 to 1st Feb 2024).

So, basically, the longer it takes for your FLR(M) to be issued, the more leeway you have to apply for ILR in 2023.

Also, my biometrics is 2 Feb. I assume my countdown clock to a decision starts from then?

I always assume it starts from the date of biometrics, since that's when they get your documents... so they can't start processing your application before then.

However, the UKVI website says that their service standards times are from 'date of application'... which is the date you submitted your online application and paid for the visa.