Now what?

[jenjen284]

Hi Everyone,

My husband's switch from a fiance visa to a spouse visa has FINALLY been approved - yay!

However, we now face the daunting prospect of....now what?!

I was just wondering if anyone had any insights to share as to what important things we may be overlooking that we should really be sorting out?

We are still waiting on his BRP card to arrive. I assume we should wait for him to receive this before he applies for jobs? Will we also need to sort out a NI number before he can apply?

Sorry, these probably seem really obvious questions...

TIA

[CR001]

I was just wondering if anyone had any insights to share as to what important things we may be overlooking that we should really be sorting out?

Start by adding him to bills etc. For his visa renewal in 2.5 years time, you have to submit evidence of cohabitation in both your names from 3 to 6 difference sources for 2 years preceding the date of applying for an extension.

We are still waiting on his BRP card to arrive. I assume we should wait for him to receive this before he applies for jobs? Will we also need to sort out a NI number before he can apply?

Yes as his brp is his proof of right to work. He can apply for NI once he has his brp but he can work before he gets the NI number.

He can register with a go once he has his brp card as well as open a bank account etc.

[jenjen284]

Thank you - we are currently living with my parents (I saw we will need a letter from them to cover the period of time we stayed with them when we come to reapply) but will make sure we cover both names on bills when we move out (hopefully soon now he can look for work!).

Will get him signed up at the GP! Do we have to provide a reference number in relation to the IHS we paid?

[CR001]

Do we have to provide a reference number in relation to the IHS we paid?

No.

[secret.simon]

Also see this thread on helping a foreign spouse culturally acclimatise to the UK.