Points for relationship with partner

[Smokie]

Hello everyone,
I am new 2 this group. You guys are doing a great job guiding HSMP seekers providing valuable information they need. I also have 1 question.
My wife and I have been married for about 16 months. Will I be able to claim the points based on relationship with her? I am confused 'coz home office asks for a proof of 2 yr relationship period.

Please guide.
Thx,
Brown S

[MWazir]

Yes, the HO will also for proof of relationship over a two year period which means you and your patner should have been living together for at least 2 years (married or otherwise) to claim spouse points. Anything less than that and they are likely not to award the spouse points.

[Smokie]

Oh well, this means that I'll have to wait some more time.
Doesn't sound good. Actually, we got engaged 6 months prior to marriage, but didnt start living together until marriage. Also, I do not have any proof for my engagement.
Could something else be done as I'm just able to reach 75 points, which includes 10 points for my spouse. Deducting those, I'll b pushed to the wall & just be able to manage 65 points, the boundary condition.

Do you think applying with just 65 points would be a good idea?

Thanks a lot for the information.

[MWazir]

It just depends on how confident you are feeling about getting your HSMP approval. If you are claiming 65 points only but the evidence you are submitting is irrefutable then you stand a good chance. The onus is on you to submit proper documentation and make a good presentation on why you deserve the approval. If I were you I would also submit evidence for claiming points for spouse. There is a high likelyhood that you will not got the points for it as you have been together only for 16 months but you never know.

[yodiyokun]

you can try for the spouse points now ... but make sure you submit only items listed on the guidance notes.

when i applied i had been married for about 17 months as well.

Another thing is that wether you are awarded points for spouse or not dosent matter to your application since you are claiming a maximum of 75 points.

let me illustrate.
In my case I claimed 85 points.
cert 15
exp 25
earning 35
spouse 10.

im sure my degree is recognised..thats not in doubt at all. but if i dint get exp or earnings ..i wouldnt be able to make the 65 pass mark. the max i would get is 60.

So the best thing is to make the claims on all other areas irrefutable.
A lot of people on this forum have claimed only 65 and got approved.

All the best.

[gagan]

Hi

What proof is required to show the relation ship between me & my partner?

Is Marriage certificate issued by the govt. enough or some other proof is required.

Will submitting the Marriage invitation card be of any help as it contains date of marriage.

Plz reply
Regards
gagan

[yodiyokun]

marriage invitation card will not be accepted
The marriage certificate recognised in your country will be recognised...you might need translations depending on your country.

The list of accepted docs to prove a relationship is avaliable in the guidance notes...

[MWazir]

Point 56, page 28 HSMP guidlines

In order to provide evidence of your relationship you must supply documents of the type described below as evidence that you and your partner live together.
* telephone bills or statements
* gas bills or statements
* electricity bills or statements
* water rates
* council tax documents
* local social services department correspondence
* local health authority correspondence
* government department or agency (e.g. Inland Revenue,) documents
* bank or building society letters or statements
* credit card statements
* insurance certificates complete with address
* mortgage statements or agreement
* tenancy agreement

Read details between 48-56 for all details pertaining to spouse points.

[Smokie]

Hmm..Thanks a lot again for the info. You guys' remarks do make sense.
I think I would apply with following documents for claiming spouse points.

1. Marriage Certificate.
2. Following items of correspondence to show that my spouse and I have been living together at the same address.
2.1 Correspondence in my name –
a) Credit Card statement.
b) Telephone & Broadband Services bill.
c) LPG connection voucher.
2.2 Correspondence in my spouse’s name -
a) Savings Account statement.
b) Letter regarding username & password for Online Trading account.
3. Joint Savings Account (in my spouse’s and my name) passbook.

This should be sufficient as far as documents are concerned. What do u guys reckon?

[MWazir]

Yes you got the right idea. the only thing I will add to your post is make sure that the documents you submit are spaced out to a two year span so that your case worker is left with no doubt that you guys have lived together for 2 years.

[Smokie]

yeah, that's the most important point. I'll try n take care of it. Thanks a ton.