Hints and tips for applying for a spousal visa.

[hira_a]

Hi there,
****I am new to this forum and this is my first post. So incase I have posted in the wrong section, I’m very sorry. Please move it to the correct section if possible. ****

I was wondering if anyone can give me any hints and tips before applying for a spousal visa.
I am due to be getting married in late March/early April 2018 (exact date has not been decided yet), to my fiancé. The marriage will take place in Pakistan.

Once married, and once I have returned to the uk after staying in Pakistan, I want to start the application process as soon as I can.

But before all that I wanted to know if anyone can give me some ideas/tips regarding the evidence of our relationship / to show it’s a genuine marriage/relationship, and/or anything else you think is helpful.

I will be the sponsor (British citizen with a British passport etc).
My husband will be the applicant (Pakistani citizen).

I know of things such as giving copies of photos of the Nikkah/reception/living together/days out etc. And also I have been told by a few people that giving evidence of whatsapp calls/chats/ emails/ Skype calls etc is also helpful in strengthening the case.

But other than all that, is here anything else that can be beneficial is strengthening the case.

Also does having a child impact the case? I don’t have any children yet, but I’m thinking ahead that if in case I fall pregnant (with my husbands child) and have a child once I’m in the uk, how will that affect the outcome . I have heard from some people that that can negatively impact the case and I have heard from some it can positively impact the case. I know it makes the financial income requirement slightly higher, which may be a downside, but some say it’s better as it proves applicant/sponsor have a good genuine relationship.

To be honest, ANYTHING that you think can help, anything at all (as I would like to mentally prepare in advance) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Wanderer]

It's a tick box application, if it's all ticks, the visa is granted.

So it's proof of having met, being free to marry, being able to afford it, and having somewhere suitable to live. Everything else is just extraneous. There's no judgement as such anymore, just a queston of meeting the requirements which are clearly laid out on the UKVI web site.

[hira_a]

So it's proof of having met, being free to marry, being able to afford it, and having somewhere suitable to live.

So it’s really just proof needed for the above 4 things.
Anything else doesn’t really matter?

[asadq7]

immigration-for-family-members/settleme ... 06101.html

this is handy
but
prepare your finances, make sure your wage slips match your bank deposits and dates and payment type are all correct.
Plenty of pictures, call logs, chat logs.
tickets you brought to go out there
bank statements original or printed at bank and stamped
English test - approved centre only
TB - Test again same approved centre only
Certified copies of your passport
Housing inspection report
Land Registry
Mortgage Statement
the list goes on.

[asadq7]

also in the link above money transfers to your spouse, I suggest minimum £200 monthly via western union as you will get receipts on both sides.

[hira_a]

immigration-for-family-members/settleme ... 06101.html

this is handy
but
prepare your finances, make sure your wage slips match your bank deposits and dates and payment type are all correct.
Plenty of pictures, call logs, chat logs.
tickets you brought to go out there
bank statements original or printed at bank and stamped
English test - approved centre only
TB - Test again same approved centre only
Certified copies of your passport
Housing inspection report
Land Registry
Mortgage Statement
the list goes on.

Thanks a lot!! That above link and the other few points you mentioned are very helpful!!
Much appreciated!
Just wondering, that above links post was made in 2012. Is it still valid?
I’m assuming most of it wouldn’t have changed much, but still- any idea?

Even if it isn’t, at least it’s given me an idea about how the whole process goes anyway.

[hira_a]

Housing inspection report
Land Registry
Mortgage Statement

The applicant if approved a visa, will be living with me in my parents house which is in their name.
Therefore, the land registry and mortgage statement is not going to be in my name, neither is the housing inspection report as I don’t own the house. My parents will basically be letting me and my husband live in their house for free.
So how does that go?

[asadq7]

It's the same for me as well
Get all the reports done in your parents name and then a letter to the home office stating you and your husband can stay at there place
Letter will be from your parents

Most of it is up-to-date
I'll add my own list once I get a chance but make no errors and double check
I used a solicitor to apply purely because he came up with some extra support letters and arranged every thing in the correct order
Certified all documents that needed it and filled in both the application forms. For the money it was a no-brainer

[samkahn]

You will also need your original Urdu Nikah Nama as well as the computer printed certificate that is issued by your local union council.
In my personal opinion it will be a better to get the Urdu Nikah Nama translated into English over here by a certified translator. (As you are submitting a document in Urdu as evidence, it needs to be translated into English).
I will add all a list if all the documents I sent for our application.

[samkahn]

Here's a list if the docs I sent:

Covering Letter (Brief details about us and contact details)
Printout copy of online application (This need to be signed by your spouse) and your spouse will also need to hand another copy of this form in when he/she attends the biometrics appointment.
Completed Printout of Appendix 2 VAF 4A
Completed printout of VAF4A - Personal Details
Statutory Declaration (Sponsorship details and Accomdation details)
Photocopy of every page of your British passport (It does not need certifying)
Certificate of your spouse English language (IELTS)
TB certificate (be aware these are only valid for 6 months)
Original Urdu Nikah Nama
Certified translation of the Urdu Nikah Nama
Marriage registration certificate - issued by the union council
Wedding photos - I sent 20 photos
WhatsApp screen shots - from both parties
Itemised mobile phone bill
Money transfer slips
Employers letter
6 months wage slips
6 months bank statements (Wage slips and bank statements cover same period)
P60
Declaration of accommodation
Property inspection report
Property title deed
Council tax for the property
Utility bill for the property
Airline ticket.

This is what I sent off, all original documents. Make sure you send them via recorded delivery and include a return mailing bag, also paid for recorded delivery.

[hira_a]

It's the same for me as well
Get all the reports done in your parents name and then a letter to the home office stating you and your husband can stay at there place
Letter will be from your parents

Most of it is up-to-date
I'll add my own list once I get a chance but make no errors and double check
I used a solicitor to apply purely because he came up with some extra support letters and arranged every thing in the correct order
Certified all documents that needed it and filled in both the application forms. For the money it was a no-brainer

Oh!! That’s good that there won’t be an issue regarding the accommodation.
Yes once I apply, it’ll also be through a solicitor. I just came on here for a little extra help so I can prep everything in my mind.
Thanks for all your advice btw, very helpful!

[hira_a]

You will also need your original Urdu Nikah Nama as well as the computer printed certificate that is issued by your local union council.
In my personal opinion it will be a better to get the Urdu Nikah Nama translated into English over here by a certified translator. (As you are submitting a document in Urdu as evidence, it needs to be translated into English).

• Is the local union council the council in Pakistan or over here in UK?
• who translates the Urdu Nikkah Nama into English? Is it the solicitor?

Thanks

[hira_a]

Here's a list if the docs I sent:

Covering Letter (Brief details about us and contact details)
Printout copy of online application (This need to be signed by your spouse) and your spouse will also need to hand another copy of this form in when he/she attends the biometrics appointment.
Completed Printout of Appendix 2 VAF 4A
Completed printout of VAF4A - Personal Details
Statutory Declaration (Sponsorship details and Accomdation details)
Photocopy of every page of your British passport (It does not need certifying)
Certificate of your spouse English language (IELTS)
TB certificate (be aware these are only valid for 6 months)
Original Urdu Nikah Nama
Certified translation of the Urdu Nikah Nama
Marriage registration certificate - issued by the union council
Wedding photos - I sent 20 photos
WhatsApp screen shots - from both parties
Itemised mobile phone bill
Money transfer slips
Employers letter
6 months wage slips
6 months bank statements (Wage slips and bank statements cover same period)
P60
Declaration of accommodation
Property inspection report
Property title deed
Council tax for the property
Utility bill for the property
Airline ticket.

This is what I sent off, all original documents. Make sure you send them via recorded delivery and include a return mailing bag, also paid for recorded delivery.

Thanks so much!! That list looks like it’ll be sooo helpful!! It didn’t even come to mind about stuff like plane tickets!

Just quick question: when you said all docs have to be original, then surely wouldn’t the passport page copies need to be certified, as it’s just photocopies?

[samkahn]

The union council is in Pakistan, they will have one in your district somewhere. You have to register the marriage with them. They will then issue you a certificate.
The solicitor will not translate it, you have to find someone who can, preferably someone who is registered with the chartered institute of linguists. They will translate it and issue a certificate that they have translated it.

I did not certify my passport copies, some people do. It's just an extra cost. The only things I got certified by a solicitor was my statutory declaration and my declaration of accommodation.

[hira_a]

Ok thanks! I will keep all that info in mind