Post
by whatapalava » Fri Mar 14, 2008 5:56 pm
My new wife has been here in the UK on a student visa for the last few years and we both went to apply in person for an FLR(M). We thought we had brought all the required documentation as specified on the form but the lady at the counter came up with a left-field requirement that my wife should show that she has been attending her studies and has achieved what she needed to achieve as a student.
I pointed out that this was not mentioned on the FLR(M) form as being a requirement. The response I got was that because it was a change of visa type to another my wife has to prove that she is here legally and actively studying.
This seemed a bit suspect to me since I would have thought the current visa stamped in the passport was proof enough of her being an active student and here legally, especially since the student visa has been renewed over the years. Why have to prove all this again when she is not even applying to be here on the basis of being a student now? Also, supposing we had children, for example. Would they split up a family and deport one parent based on their academic performance?
While we look for a lawyer and re-apply by post, I would be interested to know if we were having the wool pulled over our eyes by the immigration official. Thankfully, we didn't get as far as forking out the half-a-grand fee before we hit this road block and left.
BTW I am a British citizen all my life.