We submitted the online application on 9th April, then the biometric appointment was 16th April. Processing normally takes around 3 months here so we weren't expecting anything until the middle of July....then DH had unexpected business in the States so needed to retrieve his passport from the Embassy, which we expected to delay his application further.

To our delight and surprise DH got a text on 18th June to say his documents were ready for collection, only a week after returning his passport.

We are both so relieved that the waiting is over, and nearly a month earlier than anticipated especially since the rule changes are confirmed for next month and would effect the next stages for us (KOL then ILR).

My understanding or the new rules is that since his visa was granted prior to 9th July, he can still take the KOL as soon as he arrives in the UK, and once he's passed immediately apply for ILR....right? I hope so!

So, it remains for me to say a huge thank you to those here on the forum kind enough to post their experiences and patiently answer my questions (despite the fact you'd probably heard them many times before!) your help and advice was much appreciated - THANK YOU

Good luck to all still waiting

Congratulations!
(let me qualify that by just checking that you have the documents and it's an approval? We got the SMS, did the big happy dance, picked up the passport and opened it to find a rejection)

Yeah - I've posted the bit of the statement of change affecting going from KOL req to ILR onto the sticky thread. Your path to residency will stay under the current rules.

Congrats!!!!

When we first got the sms we were actually really nervous...was it a refusal...was it the correct visa (a friend of ours applied earlier this year and 'only' got spouse/cp...they had a nightmare getting it sorted!). DH arrived at Worldbridge very early on 19th, so if there were any 'problems' he could head straight to the embassy. As it turned out the visa was just what we'd requested: settlement spouse/cp (KOL req.). He called me and we did our little happy dance then

Cheers for that, and phew!!

Tad confused, I am the sponser for my better half, nowhere does it seem to say which visa one is applying for.. do I need to put in my letter 'spousal visa (KOL required)' and what does the KOL required acually mean?

Paws3, it is really confusing!

Assuming you are returning to the UK to settle, then your husband needs to fill in form VAF4A, this is the correct form for a settlement spouse visa.

The term KOL refers to the Life in the UK test. If your husband has passed this test (perhaps while visiting the UK) and you have lived together outside of the UK for 4+ years, under current rules he can ask for Indefinite Leave to Enter or ILE. If he's not passed this test, he can ask for his visa to be endorsed with KOL required. This means once he arrives to the UK and successfully passes the test, he can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR, with no 2 year probationary period.

Be aware though, the rules are changing and as of 9th July and the above options will no longer be possible, though he would still apply using the VAF4A.

Take a look here:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/vi...ly-outside-uk/

This has the link for the correct application form, as well as information on the upcoming rule changes. Also, take a look at the sticky thread on this forum, it has tons of helpful information.

Good luck with the application

ALF ALF MABROOUK ..Red sea angel..congratulations !!! so pleased for you. wishing you all the best Sun and Moon.

I found this info really helpful!! I am about to launch myself into this and find the whole visa thing extremely confusing. Our daughter is adopted from China which throws another spanner in the works. It's all rather confusing, as we applied for a British Passport for her thinking this would be a straightforward thing ...famous last words.... Our son no prob' for him it was just a matter or a renewal - our daughter however is a different matter. Our application for her was declined as adoptions from China, were not recognised in UK until 2006 - she was adopted in 2004. Supporting documents have FINALLY been returned so we can proceed the visa route. Any help or advice...??
Does anyone know ..as the 'sponsor' do I have to have employment lined up in UK ... will our equity in our house in Canada (selling) and other property in Canada - count? Bank statements etc; to show that we will have enough money to support ourselves.... I will have to do the whole thing for hubby (Canadian) too.. can I send both applications in at the same time.. will photocopies of the required documentation be ok? Am I making any sense?? Thanks to anyone who can help! Rather confused!!

Check out the sticky thread at the top of the forum. The answers all depend on one thong: can you get you application in before the 9th July? I'd also strongly suggest reading the current rules and the statement of changes on the UKBA site

Congrats

Got the email this morning saying wifes visa
Had been issued. Hooray!!!

They received it Monday June 11th,emailed on Saturday june 16th that it was going to entry clearance officer and today got the email, your visa has been approved,package to arrive tomorrow.

Pretty good service if you ask me (didn't do priority)' just hope they gave KOL status
All of you in the same boat good luck and have faith

G

Congrats! What type of visa did you apply for?

Spousal (ILE ?) with KOL req. don't know if that's what I got until passport arrives tomorrow.
We have been married for 24 years in the US so that's what I asked for
Also I sent very little documentation just what was asked for on UKBA guidance notes and a wedding photograph, hopefully I am not counting my chickens before they hatch but the email says your visa has been issued ( I had heard folks getting an email saying docs are being returned to find out that they were refused
Fingers crossed
G

Update. Got passports etc back this morning,
Wife's visa has sticker/stamp with spouse cp (KOL req)
Valid from 10/07/12 until 10/10/14 I'm reading this as July 10 2012
Does that mean that she is under the new rules as issue date is 1 day after new rules deadline or are we ok as visa is issued before 9th July and has KOL req
Confused

G

?? Her visa is only valid for 3 months? I don't get that. Hope you get things resolved quickly.

Correction. 10/10/2014. Changed in OP Thanks for spotting that typo on my part
G