Switching from Fiance VAF4A to Spouse Visa FLR(M)

[scoobydoolondon]

I’m looking to submit my wife’s Spouse Visa application FLR(M) after she was previously granted a Fiance Visa (VAF4A) for 6 months.

What is the emphasis on the Spouse Visa application FLR(M) compared to the Fiance Visa application VAF4A?

Do I only need to show what happened AFTER she came to UK after the Fiance Visa was granted or do I need to resubmit all the documents on the original Fiance Visa application plus additional supporting documentation after her arrival in UK?

This is the documentation I originally sent on the Fiance Visa application. I applied under the Cash Savings route as I was made redundant a few weeks prior to the application and I will still apply under the Cash Savings route for the Spouse Visa.

Here's our story:

- applicant came to UK as a vistor from Pakistan in Aug 2013, 6 month visa to expire Feb 2014. I'm a British citizen since birth resident in UK
- we met in Sept 2013 and got engaged in Nov 2013.
- religious ceremonies in Dec 2013 (nikkah and walima)
- applicant returned to Pak in Feb 2014, shortly before visa expired
- I joined her a few weeks later in Mar 2014 and submitted Fiance Visa application (VAF4A) under the Cash Savings route
- 6 month Fiance Visa granted in Mar 2014 to expire in mid-Sept 2014. Visa was granted in 5 days!!
- me and fiance return to UK in Apr 2014
- July 2014 we register our marriage in UK
- now looking to put in Spouse Visa application, switching to FLR(M). Will go down the premium service route in Croydon.


Original Fiance Application
1. Application Form VAF4A
2. VAF4A Appendix2

Applicant's details
3. Applicant’s original unexpired Pakistani passport
4. Applicant’s 2x passport photos
5. Tuberculosis Medical Certificate

Sponsor's details
6. Statement of the Sponsor
7. Copy of Sponsor’s British passport
8. Sponsor's 1 x passport photo

Marriage certificate
9. Original Marriage Certificate from UK Mosque (in English)

Accommodation (living with parents)
10. Statement from Sponsor’s father
11. Copy of British passport of Sponsor’s father
12. Office Copy Entry of the title register of the intended marital home in the UK
13. Original Property Inspection Report dated Feb 2014

Employment details (made redundant in Nov 2013)
14. Original employment contract
15. Sponsor’s 12 month original payslips
16. Letters from employer detailing redundancy
17. Original P60’s for past 4 years

Cash savings (last 12 months statements)
18. Sponsor’s original current account
19. Sponsor’s original savings account A
20. Sponsor’s original savings account B
21. Sponsor’s original savings account C

Language requirements
22. Applicant’s original A1 of CEFR ESOL (Speaking & Listening) language certificate from Trinity College from Feb 2014

Religious wedding (Walima)
23. Wedding invitation cards and Catering Menu
24. List of the 250 guest list that attended the religious wedding ceremony
25. Receipts for bride and groom wedding clothes, gold jewellery, plus engagement and wedding rings
26. Receipts for religious venue hire, catering, wedding cake, hotel stay
27. Receipts for furniture & carpets for intended marital home

Subsistence
25. Itemised mobile telephone bill during engagement period
26. Various receipts of expenditures incurred by the Applicant and Sponsor
27. Receipt for fiance’s engagement ring
28. Receipt for sponsor's air ticket to Pakistan to join my Fiance
29. Photos of applicant and sponsor at engagement and religious ceremony. Plus additional photos of applicant and sponsor together.

For the Spouse Visa do I need to submit all the above, with additional information after my fiance (now wife) came to UK?

Additional documentation I'm looking to add is as follows:

a) FLR(M) application instead of VAF4A
b) original UK marriage certificate
c) All bank statements as above (18-21) with up to date statements.
d) Additionally adding wife's current account and wife's savings accounts in sole name. Account A (19 above) is now in joint names
e) Council letter showing applicant on the electoral roll
f) Additional photos from UK registry wedding plus additional photos of applicant and sponsor together at social events.
g) Applicant's mobile phone in her name at home address
h) National Trust membership in joint names at home address
i) Credit card statements showing applicant as an additional card holder and has been using the credit cards
j) Medical records showing applicant is 3 months pregnant - letters from hospital, midwife and doctor written to home address.

Does that look ok or anything else I should add?

Many thanks

[Rayking]

Made redundant as a sponsor or applicant? I'm afraid you need to meet the financial requirement of 18600 again to apply for FLR(M)
Hope senior members can add to this.

[Wanderer]

Made redundant as a sponsor or applicant? I'm afraid you need to meet the financial requirement of 18600 again to apply for FLR(M)
Hope senior members can add to this.

Not if the OP has £62,500 savings though surely?

[scoobydoolondon]

I was made redundant as the sponsor.

Which is why I intend to apply under the Cash Savings route as I did on the original Fiance Visa. I have savings in excess of £62,500 and have had for over 12 months. I have about twice the required cash savings.

Made redundant as a sponsor or applicant? I'm afraid you need to meet the financial requirement of 18600 again to apply for FLR(M)
Hope senior members can add to this.

[Rayking]

Then you're fine!
Just update the documents to last 6 months with the wedding certificate.

[Wanderer]

I have savings in excess of £62,500 and have had for over 12 months. I have about twice the required cash savings.

Couldn't lend us a Tenner, could you?

[Casa]

Get in the queue Wanderer

[scoobydoolondon]

Thanks guys, really appreciate your feedback.

I'm usually nervous with these things but feel better now.

Seems straight forward - include original docs and refresh the bank statements to current dates and add the supporting evidence as I've indicated.

Btw, if you're in London, will gladly buy you guys lunch when I go down to Croydon for the same-day visa service.

PS Do you recommend I use a solictor or go solo with my application?

[Rayking]

With what you've got in the bank spending a thousand quid on solicitor wouldn't hurt.lol
Tbh,I think you've got a straightforward case and it will be fine if it's same day application. Best of luck in advance.

[scoobydoolondon]

I used a solicitor on my first application and he didn't do much, so relunctant to use him again. Plus he took ages to do nothing!

Actually, I've been recommended a local solicitor who will do a "lite" application, ie I will put the pack together and he will go over the application to ensure everything is good and proper.

Just one thing - the Property Inspection Report is dated Feb 2014 - do I need to request another inspection or is it ok to go with this one?

With what you've got in the bank spending a thousand quid on solicitor wouldn't hurt.lol
Tbh,I think you've got a straightforward case and it will be fine if it's same day application. Best of luck in advance.

[Rayking]

I think it lasts 6 months, not very sure,it's better to refresh. You wouldn't want anything as minor as it is to disturb your mind,would you?

[scoobydoolondon]

Yep, you've got a point. Will get this actioned ASAP and get it added to the bundle.

I think it lasts 6 months, not very sure,it's better to refresh. You wouldn't want anything as minor as it is to disturb your mind,would you?

[SoHopeful]

I really don't think you need a solicitor. Seems like a straightforward application that you can do yourself, esp as its more a case of just refreshing some of your slightly dated documents.

[scoobydoolondon]

One more thing, regarding dates - I just checked and its takes about 5-7 days to get an appointment at Croydon for the same-day visa service.

To ensure my documentation is all within the 28-day limit, is the reference date taken from when I submit my online FLR(M) application or the date of the premium visa appointment?

thanks again

[Rayking]

I think it will be your appointment date,I know if it's by post,it's the day they receive your documents and with that in mind,the appointment date makes sense.

[SoHopeful]

Whenever the application is paid for.

[scoobydoolondon]

Aha, so its the payment date - kind of makes sense as the premium appointment could well be some time in the future.

So, all correspondence must be dated before this reference date and within the past 28 days.

Getting everything together nicely, looking to submit the application and book the same-day visa service hopefully by the end of the week.

Will update everyone on the experience and the outcome.