How long should I wait to file for my husband to come over?

[Joynhope15]

Hi guys,
Hoping you can help and advise me. I have been married for just over 6 months now and my husband resides in Jamaica. I want to apply for him to come over and I was told not to file for him to come over straight away but to wait for a year. Does anybody have any advice on this and should I apply for a visitors visa or a settlement visa? All info on this from those who have gone through this is welcome. Thanks in advance

[Casa]

You could have applied straight after the wedding. As long as you meet all the conditions, including the financial minimum of £18,600 annual earnings and have adequate accommodation you can apply now. Ensure you submit all evidence of contact between you since you've been apart.

[Joynhope15]

Thank you!

[Casa]

You're welcome

[escoppycoppy]

As far as I know the only reason people wait is to meet the financial requirements- you should read those very carefully. I had to wait as I need to have had the required level of savings in my account for 6 months- alternatively, I could wait longer until I will have been working at the same job with a salary of £18,600+ for 6 months.

[Joynhope15]

Thanks! Escoppycoppy, I hear wat you are saying, I have been getting conflicting info, I have my own home with a mortgage and earn over the required amount £18,600 by about £12k. The only problem now is I don't have any savings of a substantial amount due to me paying for most of our wedding, flying my children over and myself and hotel accommodation etc. So do you think I should wait until I have saved some more or just apply anyway showing the cost of the wedding and all the receipts? I have completed all the paperwork and am in the process of gathering all the required documents, (somebody on this site gave a brilliant list she used). I would love for him to be here for Xmas but realise this might be a bit adventurous given we are nearing Oct.
Any advice or thoughts

[Rayking]

You don't need savings to apply, as long as you meet the financial requirement and evidence can be provided, that's all you need.

[Casa]

Rayking is correct. No savings required. In fact if you want to stand a chance to have your husband with you here at Christmas, you should apply now.

[escoppycoppy]

It's effectively savings OR salary- if you earn over the required amount not having savings is no problem at all. I'm only using savings (which I'm lucky enough to have) because I haven't been working long enough at my job.

The only potential issue is how long you've been working- basically...
1. have you been working at the same job for six months?
OR
2. have you earned over £18600 (before tax) over the course of the last twelve months?

If either 1 or 2 is true, you can apply immediately.

(disclaimer: I'm no expert, although I guess I have done a lot of reading for my own applicatIon. I recommend you get reading, starting here: https://www.gov.uk/join-family-in-uk. Getting your head around it is not the easiest thing, but you'll want to understand it)

[Joynhope15]

Thank you all for your responses! I'm glad I signed up I'm getting more help and assistance than from friends and others. No doubt I will be asking more questions so please be patient with me......this is all so very daunting but I need to get this done and get it right first time, I'm so missing my husband right now
I am now in the process of trying to get all my phone records together, how far should I go back, we first met in 2007 but started dating in 2011 then married in 2014. I'm thinking from 2011?

[Casa]

From 2011 will be fine.

[SoHopeful]

I'm assuming your husband is on Digicel?
Prior to our application my husband was able to get the last 3 months worth of calls made at that time. Our plan was to go back and ask for the next 3 months just before we applied but they claimed they no longer did this It's worth contacting them via email to enquire. They said they needed a letter from the embassy to produce the records but that's only for US visas so just say that if they do try that line.

[Joynhope15]

You guys are so helpful. Thank you look out for my next question, I have so many!!

[michellev1982]

What if you don't meet the financial requirements could u still get a visa if you have been married over 2 years does anyone know

[SoHopeful]

If you don't meet the requirements unfortunately the applicant will not get a spouse visa.
The only option would be visitor's visa but then the trouble is they may refuse the visa knowing that the applicant has a spouse in the UK and may not return.

[Rayking]

What if you don't meet the financial requirements could u still get a visa if you have been married over 2 years does anyone know

Start your own thread to ask your questions.

[Rayking]

You guys are so helpful. Thank you look out for my next question, I have so many!!

Be free to ask any question, better than wasting almost £1000!