Applying for Marriage Visa for my wife

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:30 am

There is a test centre in Guangzhou but it is of the 'Internal' type so will not test and issue certificates to non-students.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 7:19 pm

With regard to the 'Life in UK' test to get her ILR, and always assuming we get a Spouse Visa to start with, is there any set time within which my wife will have to take the 'Life in UK' test ?

Post by **John** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 8:07 pm

is there any set time within which my wife will have to take the 'Life in UK' test ?

Once she gets the spouse visa and is in the UK, and the choice to take will depend upon her English ability, she needs to get either a pass certificate from the Life in the UK test, or alternatively a completion certificate from a combined ESOL/Citizenship course.

She should aim to get one of those certificates before the end of her 27-month spouse visa, and as soon as she has it she can apply for ILR, thanks to the "KOL REQ" requirement.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:51 am

Thanks for your reply John.

I have an UK agency helping me with documentation at the moment and they have advised that she must pass the 'Life in UK' Test within 6 months of arrival which seems quite a short amount of time to arrange for and complete the necessary course. Any idea why they might have stated this time limitation ?

Post by **John** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:55 am

Any idea why they might have stated this time limitation ?

I have not got a clue. Lack of competence?

In any case, as I stated previous, she has not got to pass the test, but instead can do a combined ESOL/Citizenship course.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:59 am

Thanks again John.

I felt something wasn't right in their advice and will now be able to raise a query with confidence.

I'm afraid this is not the first time that I will have questioned the competence of the particular Case Officer I have been assigned to.

Post by **John** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:09 am

I have an UK agency helping me with documentation at the moment

Are you sure the agency is registered with OISC, or otherwise allowed to conduct an immigration business in the UK?

Do you really need to use an agency at all?

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:20 am

Hi John,

This is who I am using http://www.ukvisaandimmigration.co.uk/about-us.php

They claim that "We are level 3 OISC credited, which is the highest Accreditation an immigration firm can have regarding UK Immigration law."

I am using them because I am in China and felt I needed someone in the UK who could help me avoid any potential pitfalls in our application. Unfortunately, I didn't find this web forum until after I had engaged them.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:47 am

You've gone quiet John.

I hope you don't work for them.

Post by **Greenie** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:04 pm

Chinahand46 wrote:Hi John,

This is who I am using http://www.ukvisaandimmigration.co.uk/about-us.php

They claim that "We are level 3 OISC credited, which is the highest Accreditation an immigration firm can have regarding UK Immigration law."

I am using them because I am in China and felt I needed someone in the UK who could help me avoid any potential pitfalls in our application. Unfortunately, I didn't find this web forum until after I had engaged them.

if they are advising you incorrectly on such simple things as by when your wife needs to take the LITUK test then I would suggest seeking advice elsewhere.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:08 pm

Unfortunately I've paid my money so have to live with them now

Post by **John** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:15 pm

You've gone quiet John.

Unfortunately I've paid my money so have to live with them now

Trevor, firstly, I do not live on this board, and I am allowed to watch TV or even go to Church!

The fact that you have paid them money does not mean that you need to follow their advice.

I just wonder what else they are telling you. But clearly they are OISC-registered.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:19 pm

Sorry for disturbing your Sunday John. I didn't actually expect any replies until after the weekend so please go watch TV now and enjoy your Sunday lunch.

Post by **Greenie** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:24 pm

Chinahand46 wrote:Unfortunately I've paid my money so have to live with them now

no you don't - they have given you incorect advice, complain and ask for your money back.

Post by **Greenie** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:28 pm

A few other points to note

- they may have advisors who are registered at OISC level 3, but this doesn't mean that all advisors are at level 3- so ask what level your advisor is.

- yes level 3 is the highest level for the OISC, but to say that it is the 'highest accreditation in UK immigration law' is slightly misleading - an OISC Level 3 advisor is not permitted for example to make applications to the high court- only solicitors can do this.

- staying with an advisor who is giving you poor advice purely because you have already given them money will probably waste more money in the long run.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:11 am

I realise I'm looking well ahead but I've been searching the internet for organisations that do ESOL/LIUK Certificate Courses and one company keeps coming up.

http://www.lifeintheukcitizenshiptest.co.uk/

Does anyone know of this company and, if so, whether their certificates are recognised by the UK Border Agency when applying for LTR.

harv · Post by **harv** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 12:49 pm

Hi

If you are doing the Life in the UK test here in the UK, you do not have to enroll for a course. I would suggest the following:

- Buy the training CD with the tests included (Amazon is selling one -
- Once ready book you test from UKBA approved center - http://lifeintheuktest.ukba.homeoffice. ... ng_10.html

That is it.

Hope this was helpful...

Post by **John** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:59 pm

Trevor, I do not know of that company but as they only do their courses in London, and I am in Birmingham, there is no particular reason for me to have heard of them.

I think the main thing is get to the UK, and then start looking for a course. Do you know where in the UK you will be living?

Although I do not know of the company you link to, their website accurately describes the ESOL/Citizenship course. That is, have a simple test at the beginning to establish your level, do the course .... ESOL and Citizenship .... do the test again, to ensure that the language level has improved, and if it has a Completion Certificate will be issued.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:53 pm

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I know I'm getting ahead of myself but I was just seeing who does the courses and where they are in ralation to where I will be living, which is in Daventry.

Here's wishing all here a Very Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New Year.

Thanks for all your help.

Post by **John** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:32 pm

I would be amazed if a town the size of Daventry had an ESOL/Citizenship course. However I see that this company do run courses in Birmingham, Leicester and Luton.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:49 pm

That's brilliant John. Thank you so much. They even have a centre in Guangzhou so I will give them a ring tomorrow. It might save us a trip to Beijing.

Post by **John** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:51 pm

This site might be of interest, but do ensure that the course is both ESOL and Citizenship.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 10:21 pm

Thanks again John. You're too kind.

Chinahand46 · Post by **Chinahand46** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 12:06 pm

Well I think I've finally found the solution to the English Speaking & Listening Test requirements. Up to now everything had directed me towards the Cambridge University KET Test which requires a pass in both Reading & Writing as well as Speaking & Listening to get an A1 Pass Certificate. To make matters worse even the Speaking and Listening elements require some reading & writing skills.

I have now discovered that there is a much better alternative which is the Trinity College London GESE Test which is a simple 10 minute aural test. A Pass at Grade 2 level gets an A1 Certificate that is accepted by the UKBA. To add the cherry on the cake there is a Test Centre here in Guilin instead of having to travel 1000 miles to Beijing for the KET.

I call that a result.

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Applying for Marriage Visa for my wife