Eligibility relationship requirement - Lack of proof of a genuine and subsisting relationship: We declared we communicate every day using a software, we did not give any evidence other than a written declaration.
It is mandatory to submit evidence of subsisting relationship and communication. A simple declaration saying you communicate is irrelevant and would be ignored.
Eligibility financial requirement - Lack of proof of salary going specifically into my bank account: I provided all manners of proof except printed bank statements to supplement my payslips. They said they didn't request the missing bank statements due to other parts of the eligibility criteria not being met.
Appendix 1.7 and the HO official website states very clearly that bank statements are mandatory. You should always read the guidance and not only follow checklists, which are often not 100% accurate.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... -ext_1.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/proof-income
What proof you need to give
You’ll need to provide proof of your income with your application. If you or your partner are employed, you could include:
bank statements showing you or your partner’s income
6 months of payslips
a letter from an employer, dated and on headed paper
Eligibility English Language Requirement: She's Russian and hasn't taken a test. We didn't realise this was a requirement as we followed the downloaded checklist and this isn't mentioned as a requirement here, it probably is elsewhere and we were a bit naive.
Also a mandatory requirement unless under 18 or over 65 or from an exempt country. Russia is not an exempt country.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 4.0ext.pdf
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/knowledge-of-english
Knowledge of English
You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.
You can prove it with an academic qualification, or by taking a test.
You do not need to prove it if you’re applying as a:
child
adult coming to be cared for by a relative
Academic qualifications
You can prove your knowledge of English if both:
you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English
your qualification is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher
You’ll need to provide a certificate from UK NARIC confirming this when you apply.
Take an approved English language test
You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test with at least a CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening.
So, our question is, if we can provide chat logs (in excess of over 100,000 messages and 400 voice calls over a year and half), pictures together, obtain my bank statements proving income into my account and get her to pass an English language test, is it recommended to simply bite the monetary option and reapply or take the option of appealing which I read can potentially take over a year?
An appeal is unlikely to succeed as the application failed on 3 of the mandatory factors. It is unclear how you missed these requirements when you would have had to apply from the link I posted above. Reapplying with all the correct paperwork will likely be the better option.
Are there any negative consequences of having a refusal if we address the reasons for refusal in a subsequent application as well as updating the evidence we had already provided?
No issue re a refusal.
Have you and your partner met in person??
