Gabirich

We are about to start the application for my American husband to get a spouse visa and have learned we need to prove residency in the UK as part of the application.

However, we don't possess a place to live in England as we house sit or stay with friends whenever we visit.

In order to fulfill those requirements, it appears we'd have to rent a place before going to the US to apply for the visa. In doing so, however, we'd be paying rent on a place we're not using for one, two or three months while waiting for the visa to come through. This seems ridiculous and expensive and not something we'd want to do.

We have friends who have offered to rent us a room in their flat at a nominal fee so we can prove we have a place to live, but we're concerned this may not fit in with requirements.

Can anyone please suggest how we might be able to work this out so we don't have to fork out a lot of money on a place and yet be seen by UK authorities as doing what is needed?

az2014

Why would staying with friends not fit with requirements?

As long as the owner of the property gives permission, shows proof of ownership and its not considered overcrowded then its fine.

Read other threads about accomodation requirements theres loads.

BritInParis

You don't need to prove residency, only that you have adequate accommodation arranged. Staying with friends or family is perfectly acceptable providing you have sufficient evidence of the arrangement.

Gabirich

Thanks for the replies so far. We are planning on starting the spouse visa this summer when we will be in the U.S. so I'm assuming we'd need to start our "rental" from our friends before departing and have proof of it so we can show to the authorities. Seems a bit daft to be paying for something if we're not using it since it could take a couple of months before the visa comes through.

angie_329

You can book short term 'serviced accommodation' for a suitable date ahead, the date you put you plan to travel to UK, the main companies will refund or not charge if you have to cancel at short notice. Check when booking. The booking confirmation will show you have accommodation available on arrival, until you have secured permanent accommodation.

DernierVirage

There is no requirement to pay anything, the only requirement is to demostrate that you have permission from the owners of the property to stay there.

BritInParis

Not at all. The accommodation just needs to be arranged from your proposed date of return. If you are planning on arriving on 1 August then your rental agreement or arrangement with friends would need to start on 1 August.

spouse of scouse

+1
And if your friends charge you rent before you've arrived and are actually living with them, they're not very good friends!