Settlement Visa for Spouse - questions?

[Abelel]

Hi,

My husband and I are putting together our spouse application for him to come to the UK. We have all of the list of requirements from UKBA and are working through it providing everything we can. However, there are a few things which aren't totally clear whether they will help or not so any advice will be useful.

- Text messages. I can export these from my phone and we have hundreds. There are of course some intimate (but clean!) and some ordinary day-to-day. Is it worth putting ALL of them in, a selection in...or...?

- Photos. Similarly we have hundreds from several trips together. I don't want to overload them but also super keen that they can see we have many times and have a proper relationship. Does anyone have an idea of how many is appropriate?

- Copy of my passport to show I am a UK citizen. Is it enough that I get a certified copy from the notary public or do I need to get that legalised by FCO as well?

Thanks very much.

A

[skyepark]

- Text messages. I can export these from my phone and we have hundreds. There are of course some intimate (but clean!) and some ordinary day-to-day. Is it worth putting ALL of them in, a selection in...or...?
print out your telephone records and highlight his number where you sent all your texts not worth sending text transcripts

- Photos. Similarly we have hundreds from several trips together. I don't want to overload them but also super keen that they can see we have many times and have a proper relationship. Does anyone have an idea of how many is appropriate? 10-15 pictures over a period of time at special events will in different seasons/ hairstyles and locations will be fine

- Copy of my passport to show I am a UK citizen. Is it enough that I get a certified copy from the notary public or do I need to get that legalised by FCO as well? you can certify at the post office, a notary notarises signatures

[Abelel]

Thanks very much!

[Abelel]

Hi,

Just a note to say that unfortunately when I went to the Post Office for the certified copy of my passport, they said they couldn't do this as they only verify documents as part of financial products related to the Post Office, or something along those lines...It wasn't exactly clear, but a total blank with regards to certifying my passport.

Will try the notary again...

Thanks,

A

[Casa]

Take your documents to a solicitor who certifies documents, not all of them do. Look for a 'notary public' in your area.

[Abelel]

Indeed, that's the new plan. Thanks!

[sweetmissy]

Just one bit of advise... with regards to your phone bills and text messages.

It is worth calling your provider to get them to send you itemised versions of your bills.. this way you can highlight, and the document is an original.

I know nowadays you can print off your bills, but i was advised by our immigration lawyer to provide originals not online versions.

Hope that helps!

My hubbys visa is on its way to him, fingers crossed we get good news tomorrow!!

[Abelel]

Thanks, I've been advised about that already and to put photocopies of the originals in as well.

I don't have originals of flight details though - just online confirmations as most airlines do that. Is that OK? I didn't keep boarding passes:-(

Also, I have got a copy of my birth certificate from the General Register of Scotland. Does that count as original? Or do I need to get it certified as well? It's on original embossed paper from the Registry...

Finally, we also have lots of tickets from places we have visited together - museums and sites, that kind of thing. Is that any use? Maybe to put in alongside the photos.

[sweetmissy]

Don't worry about boarding passes... I just printed off the booking confirmation from email. They said that was fine.

With regards to tickets to museums, not that important really, you have the photo's already... don't over bulk.

Birth certificate is not nessesary as you are submitting a copie of your passport right? that will need to be certified.

Who told you to put in photocopies? I was never told that.

[Abelel]

It says so on the Settlement Guidance Notes issued on the UKBA website. Just trying to follow that to the letter.

I have a tendency to provide too much information so it's good to hear about how it should be balanced.

Thanks again!

[sweetmissy]

No problem!

If that is what the UKBA states in their guidelines, then do that! we used and immigration lawyer who put our application together, so they may have done the photocopying.

Any other questions, dont hesitate to ask!

[Abelel]

Thanks.

Out of interest. how much is it for a lawyer to do this? We're trying to do it ourselves but it's stressful, and I'm wondering if a lawyer is beneficial, necessary or if it's OK to go it alone?

A

[sweetmissy]

Both ways really... we only used one, because my hubby was an overstayer in the UK, and we wanted to get legal advise.

The cost in total, including visa fees:

£1,700

Many people use lawyers and many go it alone. Each case is rewarded on its own merit, regardless of legal help or not.

[Abelel]

Thanks.

All the best for tomorrow. Insha'allah everything will be fine!

[sweetmissy]

Thank you so much...

Feels like a lifetime...

Dont know what to feel though..

[STLewis]

A few other things that I put in my husband's application were local jobs advertisments which he was qualified to apply for; two personal references for myself (both from solicitor colleagues); my husband's Degree Certificate and other qualifications; his last employment reference; a letter from myself as his sponsor explaining how we met etc and why it is more beneficial for my husband to move rather than me move to his country etc; itemised phone bills (these were great as they did show every call and text message to his number which I then highlighted); letters he had written to me and cards; fed ex receipts when I had sent things to him; my qualification certificates, business card etc which all related to my employment (perhaps this is why they never contacted my employer).

These probably were not all necessary, but I didn't care as I wasn't prepared to give the ECO any opportunity to say no!! Good luck

[STLewis]

Sweet missy,

I see its with the courier! At last...I bet you won't be able to sleep tonight, bless you.

No doubt you'll update us all tomorrow x

[Abelel]

Thanks.

I'm self-employed and not on a high income which I'm worried will count against us. I own my own property though so hoping that's a plus...

We'll try and put in as much as we can.

It's nerve-wracking though!

A

[sweetmissy]

Sweet missy,

I see its with the courier! At last...I bet you won't be able to sleep tonight, bless you.

No doubt you'll update us all tomorrow x

Thank you STLewis... This will be the longest 24hrs of our lives...

FINALLY!!! the waiting is over!

My MP got invovled too they contacted the UKBA today and they confirmed to him, the decision on his visa was made on 21/08/2011 they couldnt tell him the outcome as it had already left that department...

Fingers and toes crossed please!

xxxxxxxx

[skyepark]

I did it at the post office though not all do them, look at my post history to see a list of what I submitted, I did submit my certified copy of passport.