skinderella

Hi. I have hired an immigration consultant to help me obtain my spousal visa for residency in the UK. They are asking that we send them our most sensitive information like copies of our bank statements as well as all of the other sensitive documents that you must submit to the British immigration officers when applying for a visa. It is stated in our contract that we are required to send them copies of all of these documents, as well as send the originals to the British Consulate in Chicago. Is this standard procedure? I am completely ignorant of how all of this works and I am terrifed of becoming a victim of identity theft. Any advice or help with this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

FlyergirlUK

I don't know of anyone who has used an immigration consultant for a UK spousal visa but I can tell you that you will be required to show that you have sufficient funds and/or a job to go to so that you will not become a burden on the benefits system. It makes sense, therefore, that you are being required to submit bank statements along with other documents that will be used to determine your eligibility for a spousal visa.

Have a look here for information on applying for a spousal visa.

skinderella

Thanks Flyer. I am not concerened about sending that info to the Consulate, that is a given. I am concerned if it is standard procedure or not to be sending it to an immigration consultant. I was really hoping I could find someone on this board who has used a professional service to obtain their spousal visa- but thanks anyhow.

skinderella

Also, if we feel uncomfortable about the immigration consultant team that we hired and want to hire another, could someone please tell me how to go about it properly? Are there any organizations that reputable consultants are registered with that are connected to the British immigration offices? While for the most part I do somewhat trust the people we are now working with- I do have a nagging feeling that something is not right. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Pollyana

If you don't provide the information to the consultants, then how do you expect them to work on your case? The alterantive is not to use a consultant, but do the application yourself.

Mummy in the foothills

I'd go ans check out www.uk-yankee.com and see if anyone else has used the same immigration consulants or have a reccomendation for one. There are a lot of US sPouses in the UK on visas on that site.

skinderella

Thanks for the useful advice Mummy- I will definitely be checking that out. I just did a little more investigating on the consultants that we hired and just found out that they are strongly connected with mail order bride and Russian escort sites- call me crazy, but that doesn't sit well with me. I would imagine if you were willing to market yourself as a mail order bride, then you would also be willing to pay (or others would be willing to pay for you) top dollar for identification if needed to get out of your country . I would also imagine that a very profitable side business for corrupt employees would be to sell these people the identitys of others. I guess it's not really that I am reluctant to provide the necessary documents to the people that I hire- it is that I am reluctant to provide info to these people in particular given their blatant and strong connections with such a questionable industry. There are also some other things that have come up in my short time working with them that have aroused my suspicions. So I am going with my gut on this one and after doing a little bit of research last night, we will now be hiring a consultant that is registered with the OISC. At least they are monitored and regulated by the government. Thanks again for your helpful link!

Fleaflyfloflum

Do you know you dont have to use a consultant? If it is a fairly straightforward application I wouldnt waste your money.
We didnt use one at all and did it ourselves.

skinderella

Thanks hon. I am well aware that I don't have to use a professional, but I would rather pay someone to assist us with it. It is very difficult to appeal an application once it has been rejected for insufficent documentation and/or petty mistakes, and I would just rather pay someone to handle it for us who will make sure that it is done right the first time. There are factors regarding our specific situation that make the process a little more complicated than a straight forward application, and we definitely need legal advice and guidance throughout the process. Thanks for your concern!

Fleaflyfloflum

No worries, just letting you know.

Good luck

sans

Hi ...Just a thought, would you feel better with a immigration lawyer? Rather then a consultant....at least they are more likely to be bound by law and hopefully more professional etc

Jules Europe

Given that most consultants and lawyers are money grabbers and often of low morality in such matters concerning immigration etc, follow the advice that for example Flea has given and do it yourself and at least you know it will be done properly and you`ll save yourself a lot of money as well.