Post
by mrsbean » Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:31 pm
I just got my marriage visa as a wife of a British citizen and here is what I have submitted:
- Proof of my husbands citizenship/right to live in the UK (copy of bio page of his passport); you will need to submit a copy of your residence permit, visas, etc. - they have to be able to establish that you are "present and settled in the UK"
- My passport and all old passports previously used (expired, in maiden name, etc) - they will accept ORIGINALS only - and if you can't produce an old passport they want to know why that's the case - and will need a certified copy/copies. Also copies of all "used" pages in old passports as they can keep anything that you don't provide a copy of (anything original that you want back needs to have a copy)
- A proof of MY knowledge of English (my husbands knowledge of English is irrelevant, they want to have the proof that the applicant is fluent in English at least on a basic level) - so either an approved test centers test scores, or a diploma from a NARIC approved list of universities (at least Bachelor level) confirming that that degree was taught in a mainly English-speaking country. Also submit copies of all these documents if you want the originals back.
- AN ORIGINAL MARRIAGE LICENSE in English. If the license was originally issued not in English, it must be translated and the translation MUST BE CERTIFIED. (This is the only proof they will accept to confirm that the parties are married). Don't forget to also submit a copy.
- My bank statements for the last 6 months (checking, savings accounts)
- My husband's bank statements for the last 6 months
- My brokerage account statements for the last 6 months (investments)
- My husband's brokerage account statements for the last 6 months (investments)
- My husband's P60 for the last 2 years (2009/2010 and 2010/2011)
- My tax return for 2010
- A letter from my husband's employer confirming his employment, the length of such employment, whether it's full time or part time, and his annual compensation
- My husband's payslips for the last year
- A letter from my employer confirming my past employment, the length of such employment, whether it was full time or par time, and my salary
- My payslips for the last year
- My husband's lease agreement (valid for another 11 months)
- A letter form my husband's landlord confirming that he does not object to me living with my husband in the rented property
- Photos of us together (tons and tons of photos)
- Photos of our marriage ceremony (they particularly like to see those photos most of all)
- Proof of constant contact (copies of emails - 2 years worth, skype conversations, birthday cards, notes, copy of text messages, and phone bills detailing the outgoing and incoming calls)
- A letter from my husband stating that he supports my application
- A letter from me explaining the nature of our relationship: where and how we met, how long we dated, how often we saw each other, how he proposed, why we got married, why we decided that I should apply instead of him moving to be with me in my home country, etc)
That's about all of it. REMEMBER they want ORIGINAL documents only! Falsifying any documents is a crime and will result in being banned from the UK for 10 years!
My application was approved in 10 business days in Kiev, Ukraine. I had been to England before to visit my husband, then boyfriend (and have valid UK visitor visas that I never overstayed); I also had resided in the United States where I studied, worked, and lived for the last 10 years - and had 4 U.S. visas previously stamped in my passport. So I'm sure that all helped. Everyone's situation is different but hope this gives someone a little bit of an insight into this whole process.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL and GOD BLESS!
