Where does on begin?
 

My wife has recently returned to Scotland. The plan is for me to apply for my visa and join her. After reading the UK Immigration website, I feel more confused after each reading. All I'd like to see is a clear cut set of instructions of what to do. The lists of requirements run on and on. There is quite a bit to take in. People from my generation would liken it to stereo instructions.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Ah, where does one begin?

Which visa are you going to be applying for? Visit visa or Spouse visa?

For a Spouse visa application, your wife will have to have been earning at least £18,600 per year for the previous 6 months, or more if there are non-Brit children involved.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

I am aware of the financial requirements. I do not want to visit, I want to live there with my wife. What is confusing is the documentation. And when you are supposed to get biometrics. The UK site sends you to so many pages that it makes me squirm.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

She gets a job. If she is earning £18,600. she can sponsor you. It may be unfair but does not seem too complicated.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

since this has been covered many times as well there are folks on here that have gone this route

Simply follow the instructions in the info below, then come back with any specific questions that you may have

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spouse_Immigration-UK

https://www.gov.uk/remain-in-uk-family/overview

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...ugust_2015.pdf

Re: Where does on begin?
 

What if both of us is on social security? I have seen a couple of videos about immigration. Is it my wife in Scotland who files the application, or do I? I recall that when I brought her here when we were married (fiance' visa), I was the one who did the application.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Your wife has to sponsor you. She has to have income (not benefits) of 18,600 GBP per annum and/or savings, investments to make up the shortfall.

Read the following document carefully to see how you (via her) can qualify:

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...ugust_2015.pdf

You complete the application form as the applicant, she supplies you with all her financial documents etc.

You need to apply for a visa to join family in the UK. (She is already considered settled in the UK)

https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk

Apart from the financials you also need to show relationship and accommodation evidence.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

The rules were much easier before 9th July 2012.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Read the following link & what was discussed, which allows you to combined both SS income to meet the requirements

http://britishexpats.com/forum/citiz...mation-851135/

also see category E, section 8, page 55 in the following link 'Appendix FM 1.7

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...ugust_2015.pdf

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Re: Where does on begin?
 

People have said that my wife must sponsor me. Does that mean that she must submit the application from there, or do I do it from here?

Re: Where does on begin?
 

She is your wife, she HAS to be your sponsor.

See the post above by SanDiegogirl

Re: Where does on begin?
 

But is she the one who actually submits the application?

Re: Where does on begin?
 

See above!

Re: Where does on begin?
 

- You submit the application as the applicant. (you apply online)

- You fill out the handwritten forms such as Appendix 2

- You get all the necessary docs together (your sponsor provides all the financial stuff like payslips, bank statements, P60 etc) and send them to Sheffield.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

I guess that was the last piece of the puzzle for me. I get the feeling I have annoyed some people here because I did not read everything on here pertaining to my issue. Reading all of the stuff here and on UK.Gov is what rattled me in the first place. I am so emotionally hurting from separation anxiety that it has me frazzled.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Take a deep breath and take it all one step at a time - you'll get there. Sounds as though you're really feeling down: I'm sorry :(

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Wintersong's advice is golden. Most of us have been through this kind of thing and the only way to cope is not focus on the separation angle, but take a step back. No-one is annoyed with you really, they are just wanting to help you sort things out.

Put on a logical head, read the threads here, make notes of what you need to collate and start putting it all together. If necessary post a list of the info you have before you submit it - some other posters have done that and many people here will check it for you and let you know if you have an obvious gap.

Good luck :)

Re: Where does on begin?
 

The first thing to confirm is whether you can fulfill the financial requirements.

You said you were both on Social Security.

If you cannot meet the financial requirements everything else is moot - there would be no point worrying about any other aspect of the immigration process.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Basically there are 5 options. These numbers assume there are no non-EU children involved in the application.

1. Your Brit spouse meets the minimum income requirements of £18,600+ pa for at least 6 months before applying employed by an employer (12 months evidence if any month's income is less than £1,550 pcm.

2. Same but as self-employed, and has to be a year's accounts I believe.

3. Savings. Income of less than £18,600pa under option 1 can be made up from savings, up to a total of £62,500. This is calculated as;

18,600-annual income=A Example: 18,600-14,000=4,600
A*2.5=B 4,600*2.5=11,500
B+16,000=C 11,500+16,000=27,500

C is the amount in savings needed. In the example, if the Brit spouse's employment income is £14,000pa, they'll also need £27,500 in savings for you to apply.

4. DLA/PIP/Carer's Allowance. If the Brit spouse is receiving any of these, there are different rules but the Brit must still have an income of at least the couple's rate of Income Support left after housing costs have been paid. This is currently £114.85pw.

5. You're SOL.

Good luck.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

I have been reading the UK Immigration website. Under "Apply to join family living in the UK Permanently" Under exceptions, it states "you're in the UK". Does that mean I could apply to remain while being there?

Re: Where does on begin?
 

No. That phrase is for folks who already have a visa for entry to the UK and are now switching to the spouse visa.

You can only enter the UK as a visitor and there is no switching to any other visa from a visitor status.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Exceptions

If you’re already in the UK
You can’t apply for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa - you must apply to remain in the UK with family instead.

You can apply to extend or switch in any of these routes if you’re eligible, except if you have permission to be in the UK:

as a visitor


You would be unable to legally apply to remain in the UK as a visitor. To remain in the UK longer than 6 months per year, I believe you'd need to apply for a Spouse visa as you're married to a UK national.

Overstaying your visitor status by more than 28 days WILL affect any future visa applications

Visitor rules guidance
V 8.5 The applicant must not be in the UK in breach of immigration laws, except for any period of overstaying of 28 days or less which will be discounted.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Got it. Those advisories on the website are confusing to me.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Deliberately so, to lure the unwary into spending money to apply for visas they don't qualify for.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Frankie: let's break the info down into manageable parts.

Is you wife working? Y/N. If yes, is she earning £18600/year? Y/N. If yes, How long has she been working & earning that salary?

Is your wife receiving benefits (social security - see DaveLovesDee's post #20)? Y/N.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Do you have any recent European ancestry? Italian or Irish-born grandparents for instance?

Re: Where does on begin?
 

I would like to see an all inclusive up to date list of all the required forms. Does something like that exist?

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Which forms?

Spouse visa?

Sections 5 and 6 tell you what you need.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Thank you. I am feeling much better about the process now.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

I believe I have a better handle on it now. Thank you.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

BTW, do we need to provide my wife's birth certificate?

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Have you read the links you've been given?

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Yes and they are confusing.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

[QUOTE=Shirtback;11877045]Have you read the links you've been given?
You sound like I'm bothering you. I am very unhappy with your tone since I have merely asked for help.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Your wife is the British sponsor.

She supplies a copy of the bio page in her passport. You CAN provide a copy of her birth certificate is you want but it is not necessary.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

[QUOTE=Frankie Bronx;11877131]I had to go back & look at the posts prior to Shirtbacks [polite] question to you

Many posts of help, including links & steps within the pages. Did you manage to open the links, as well as read all of the help folks provided?

You are new to the forum, we understand the frustration, like many before you - we shall try to help and walk you through it. You'll find the members on BE are the most helpful of any forums.

Please don't take offence if someone asks you a question

Now, back to trying to help you with the spousal visa application

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Re: Where does on begin?
 

was answered in post #5, #7, #10 previously, then again in post #29

Re: Where does on begin?
 

Let's try this again.

Spouse visa

5. Documents you need to provide
You’ll need to provide:

your current passport or other valid travel ID
previous passports
one passport-sized colour photograph
proof of your relationship to the person you’re joining - Usually your marriage certificate and copy of their passport picture page.
proof you can meet the financial requirement or maintenance requirement
proof of your knowledge of English if you’re 18 or over - unless you’re applying as an adult dependent relative
your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

You must apply online for this visa.

You may have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you need to pay before you apply.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.

You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you’re in - check with your visa application centre.


That's pretty much all of the previous information in one place. If you're still unsure what you need to do, ask your spouse to read it.

Re: Where does on begin?
 

To add to post 39

... there are several links & posts with that same information

A forum search on BE under 'spousal documents'

http://britishexpats.com/forum/citiz...k-list-870997/

http://britishexpats.com/forum/citiz...cklist-868244/

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