ooooyes:
Nairalanders please you all should help me to thank Jehovah God the most high for his faithfulness and mercy. I got my spousal visa today!!! My joy knows no bound. I want to thank all the wonderful people in the house who have helped keep the forum alive, giving practical advice and direction. May God bless you all. I've always said it that you can never go wrong when you follow all the great advice coming from this house and backing it up with prayer. Thank you all once again.

Please my timeline.
Spousal visa (non priority) wife

8th June........ submitted my biometric
19th June....... Hubby sent supporting documents
28th June....... acknowledgment email from Sheffield
8th September........ decision made email from TLS
passport sent by courier the same day. Been that it was a weekend I got the passport on Monday 11th September and behold my visa was granted.

My advice to all about to apply, take your time to read this tread from the very beginning and make note. It is a time we'll spent

Congratulations

cindylee:


Thanks. I was really afraid if I would have a ban or something like that in future

No ban. You were simply refused entry on grounds that you might incur costs for the government. If you had made alternative medical arrangements or your husband had said so then you wouldn't have been returned. Bans are usually reserved for criminal acts like submitting false/fake documents. If you are banned that letter would definitely include a statement to that effect (Paragraphs 3.6, 3.7 of the immigration rules). However, in every future you must mention it, explain briefly the misunderstanding and apologise. It's probably best you wait till your child is born and able to travel and your husband has switched status.

cindylee:



Please I am still waiting for my response concerning my case. I really need clarification on way forward.

Thanks

Cc. Justwise

I do think you can reapply again if you want to or just wait till after giving birth and your husband has switched visa category. To reapply again now you need to make prenatal arrangements with a private hospital and provide such evidence. After birth, you simply apply again as a dependent and ensure you mention that you were refused entry previously and why. As long as you are upfront with everything you shouldn't have any problems.

buddymetro:
Hi everyone. Am a newbie here but have seen all the informed posts on the platform. I just want to ask if anyone has been in my situation before. After a protracted battle, I won a settlement appeal in July for my son to join me In the UK. I got an email from Sheffield 2 weeks ago asking us to submit his passport at the TLC which we did immediately. Since then we've heard nothing. Does anyone know how long it usually takes at that stage? I was hoping that my son will start school with his mates as they've resumed school here already. Does anyone know how longer I need to wait please. Many thanks and God bless.

It varies between 4 to 12 weeks. You need to also get your local mp to apply some pressure on them.

Sammiejokes:
Dear @Lexusgs430

1)Please am a little confused about applicants after biometrics send have to send original supporting document to Sheffield UK. What i saw on TLS website is that all supporting document will be scanned to UKVI.

2)My bank statement cannot meet up with the maintenance cost but is it sufficient if i use my workplace cooperative society statement with sufficient statement together with my partners COS and the employer ticked "Y" for both her maintenance and dependant.

I need guidance on this.

Tier 2 requirements

You need:

Sponsorship Certificate: you need a valid certificate of sponsorship for your job (your certificate of sponsorship reference number)

Appropriate Salary: you must show you’re being paid an appropriate salary for your job. You’ll usually need to be paid at least £30,000 per year or the ‘appropriate rate’ for the job you’re offered - whichever is higher. You can be paid less - for example if you’ll work as a medical radiographer, nurse, paramedic or secondary school teacher in some subjects or as a pre-registration nurse or midwife.

English Language: you must prove your knowledge of English (IELTS, UK NARIC, etc)

Personal Savings: you must have personal savings so you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK; a bank or building society statement or letter that shows you have enough personal savings (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your sponsor can support you).

You must have £945 in your bank account for 90 days before you apply. This is to prove you can support yourself.

You don’t need to prove this if you have a fully approved ('A-rated') sponsor who can give you at least £945 to cover your costs for a month if you need it. Your sponsor must confirm this on the certificate of sponsorship. In your case yes.

Each dependant must have £630 available to them whether they apply with you or separately. This is in addition to the £945 you must have to support yourself.

You must have proof you have the money, and that it’s been in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 90 days before you or they apply.

You won’t need evidence of your savings if you have a fully approved ('A-rated') sponsor or certificate of sponsorship stating that your sponsor will give each of your dependants at least £630 to cover their costs for a month if they need it

Travel History: you must show you can travel and your travel history over the last 5 years; expired passports or travel documents if you need them to show your travel history. A current passport or travel document to prove you can travel - you need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa

Tuberculosis test: have tuberculosis test results

Police Check: provide a criminal record certificate from any country you’ve lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, if you’ll be working with vulnerable people. You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate if you work in Education - teachers, education advisers and school inspectors; Healthcare - nurses, doctors, managers, pharmacists, dentists, ophthalmic opticians; Therapy - psychologists, speech and language therapists; Social services - social workers, managers, probation officers

You must provide the original plus a photocopy of every document you provide. A friend of mine went through this process in November 2016. It takes about a week or so to get the visa approved. His wife was a doctor in Nigeria and they traveled together with their 3 kids no problem. She started work immediately and earns about £60k plus a year. He was a banker in Nigeria and got a job with Lloyds after about a month £30k a year.

Mamalicious:

Thanks a lot . I appreciate. Lemme go and stsrt print screening d whole whatsapp log then. It is nt a small sometin ooo. All is well in Jesus name. Yes whats apl messages would be easy to get bt whatsapp call log is another story ooo.

The call, video logs and chats are included in the same file when you email the whatsapp record. We didn't do any print screen just a full paper roll of WhatsApp calls and chats from the first day till just before application.

Mamalicious:
Gd day everyone , i must confess i find this thread interesting and very educative. So muchto learn for people like us who would be putting in our application soon. I have few questions to ask .
1 . My hubby earns well over the 18600 required from his salaried employment and he has bn employed for over 2 yrs with the same employer. is there any need to include my stmt of acct or savings ?
2. Must i include my original certificate with my ielts result ? Currently ASUU is on strike and i dnt know wen it wuld be called off to go and pik my cert . However i av my original stmt of result . So am thinking of adding my original stmt of result to the IELTS A1 result i have.
3. My hubby and i met in UK 2015 wen i went for my vac and since then he has nt bn bk except for April ds year wen we got married. Do i need to print our emails, wats app chats frm 2015 till date. As per the calls we often use watsapp calls asides his normal line he uses to call how do i print d watsapp call log from then till now.
4. As per supporting letter cn anyone help with a format of how it shld look like . Please

Am sorry to disturb bt i wuld be overly grateful if someone can assist with answers. Thanks in advance.

1. No need for your bank statement.

2. Only English language certificate is required.

3. You must provide conversations from 2015 till date. Someone was refused recently for only providing communication from the last few months even though they had been married for years. They want to see evidence from when the relationship started. I provided over 500 pages for Whatsapp messages and calls but usually they say 2 to 3 pages for every month or so is okay. You can email your chat log directly to yourself or any email address from the WhatsApp app, just open your chat window and click the menu (...) and then "More". You should see "Email Chat". Luckily for me my wife saved all the logs even from the first day.

4. My lawyer wrote my support letter but from what I understand you should simply introduce yourself and briefly summarise your relationship like how, where and when you met, how often you have met, when you decided to get married and where you got married. Your spouse may also write a support letter. Some people include letters from their friends and family supporting the relationship, though I didn't do this.

Lamakinde:

Please don't use Medview to the UK oooo! Tried it on my last trip to visit my wife, they delayed and we couldn't fly until 3 days later and they use old planes. Though they are cheap. I have been using KLM which is pretty cool via Schipol in Amsterdam. Vowed never to use Medview.

That was my worry. Thanks a lot.

Allgood2017:


I usually fly Virgin, but I know someone who flew air maroc just last month . Said it was really good ,spacious and good service

Nice to hear. Thanks a lot.

Hello guys, not directly visa related but I was wondering if anyone in this group has flown with Air Maroc or MedView? The online reviews for Air Maroc are not really great but Virgin and KLM ticket prices are ridiculous right now. Thanks.

Allgood2017:


Thanks , already had all the information posted. Thanks for all that though . Just wanted to know if you are allowed to use clips on documents to hold them together

No clips.

Allgood2017:
One last question,how do you guys send your package ? Like all clip together ,in a folder or just in the envelope . It's confusing. Thanks

According to UKVI:

"To apply for a settlement visa you should make an appointment to attend the visa application centre (VAC) to give your biometric data.
You must take with you:

• your visa application form;
• your current passport;
• a colour photo; and
• evidence that you have paid your fee online

The VAC will not accept any additional supporting documents. You or your representative/sponsor should then send a completed application package within 2 weeks of enrolling your biometric information to:

UK Visas and Immigration, International
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
United Kingdom S3 8WA

This should include: 

A stamped, self-addressed envelope or prepaid return self-addressed courier envelope to return any original UK documents. 

The GWF reference provided at the time of application (eg GWF 123456789). 

One printed copy of the application form and photo. 

All additional documents supporting your application. These should include any documents originating in the UK, like evidence of maintenance and accommodation. 

Only valuable documents such as marriage and birth certificates will be returned and only if you have supplied photocopies of these supporting documents. Documents such as photographs, records of correspondence, bank statements will not be returned and will be retained in UKVI only if directly relevant to the decision. 

If you want your supporting documents returned, you should send photocopies as well as the original documents. We will not return documents if they have not been photocopied. 

The documents should be arranged in this order:

o Application form and Appendix 2
o English language evidence
o Relationship documents
o Maintenance documents
o Accommodation documents
o TB certificate (if applicable)

Once a decision has been made, the passport will be sent to the VAC where the application was made. All other original documents will be returned to the address on the self-addressed envelope."

Some people put the application form, English language evidence and TB certificate in the same folder. Relationship documents in one folder, Maintenance (Financial) documents in another folder, Accommodation documents in another folder.

All folders then go into a bigger envelope.

joygirl2017:


As far I know home office wont just call with out giving you notice or informing you .
Conclusion , i doubt its home office .

Not correct. Home Office usually calls the sponsor without giving any notice and every time from a private number. They try up to 3 times and if no answer they don't stop. They call when they want to verify some information. They sometimes also call the sponsors employer to confirm employment and wages. If they are not satisfied, sponsor can be invited for an interview. Most times visa is granted as long as everything is on the up and up.

Allgood2017:


Quick question ,did you have to cross the date out and put the new one on the printed application ?or you simply just told them your mistake with the date in your cover letter ? Thanks

I did that but they didn't collect the form at my biometric appointment, just the first page. Also, my lawyer said there was no need to make amendments by hand as the form submitted online is what they look at, not the hard printed copy. According to him, applications are only considered based on evidence in the application pack including the cover letter.

Lawyers statement in cover letter: We aver to the online application submitted on (online submission date) for our client contains an error in the date of his travel to country. The correct date he arrived was (correct date) not (wrong date) as entered in the form. This error was made by our staff when completing the form online therefore we would be grateful if the Secretary of State for the Home Department could disregard this and make note of the correct date of travel (correct date).

Realgeo:


Congratulations!!! Let the celebrations continue

Thanks. Yes indeed!

Lexusgs430:


Congratulations.........

Remember to drop all the contents of your Naira account for us..........

Thanks. Lol yes sir.

Allgood2017:
Filled the wrong date on spouse arrival to UK. Meant to be 8/8/1999 but filled 30/8/1999. Would this affect anything ? Please advise ,thanks

Did you already submit your application form? If you already did, just explain in your cover letter. I also had a mistake on my form with one of my travel dates. My lawyer told me it didn't matter and just explained in my cover letter. According to him, a spouse visa can only be refused on grounds of relationship proof, lack of financial proof, inadequate accommodation and no English (and TB test) certificates. I just collected my passport with visa in it.

Hello guys,

All glory to God, I have just collected my passport with the issued vignette sticker and BRP letter!!!!!

I only discovered this group after I had already submitted my application and was really impressed that a lot of people were willing to provide so much advice and support for their fellow Nigerians. I was also a little worried after reading all the posts and seeing all the documents people had submitted as I had been very nonchalant with mine. But thanks to this group and some research after the fact, I know now what I didn't then. And luckily for me, I also had a good lawyer. But with this group, you don't really need a lawyer. My lawyer did make a mistake on the online application form with one of my travel dates. I was worried about that but he did say it didn't matter but also included the correction in the cover letter.

From my experience, the spouse visa application is similar to the Tier level system. As long as you meet the required points (English language, tb test; adequate accommodation; minimum financial requirements and proof; relationship evidence) then by Gods grace, you should get your visa. I must thank all the people that help on here and also hope more people will find this group before they submit their applications. I do pray that every application is granted in Jesus name!



TIMELINE

ONLINE APPLICATION (Standard): May 10th, 2017 (completed and submitted by my lawyer)

BIOMETRIC (Ikeja Lagos): May 17th, 2017

DOCUMENTS SENT TO SHEFFIELD: May 18th, 2017 (sent by my lawyer)

CONFIRMATION EMAIL FROM UKVI: May 28th, 2017

DECISION MADE ON UKVI WEBSITE: August 8th, 2017 (Tracked that day nothing, displayed only on August 10th, 2017 after 12 noon) 57 Nigeria working days / 59 UK working days (https://www.timeanddate.com/date/workdays.html)

TLS EMAIL (Decision made): August 14th, 2017

TLS EMAIL (PASSPORT READY FOR COURIER DELIVERY): August 14th, 2017

TLS EMAIL (COURIER DISPATCHED): August 14th, 2017

PASSPORT PICKED: August 15th, 2017

After DHL tracking system failed and several customer service calls, I had to track down the delivery guy who didn't have a motorcycle or car to deliver packages. He apparently delivers using public transport and had gone home due to heavy rain. Luckily he didn't lose my passport.

VISA VALIDITY: August 16th, 2017 to September 15th, 2017 (expires same day as my current visit visa)

mimimonroe:
Good day all,
Please I need advice.
I submitted the supporting documents from my husband's spousal application last week
I have been living with my mother for over 10 years and have used my mum's address to invite my husband and he was issued visiting visa three times.
I decided to get council apartment that we can move into when he comes over
The issue now is that some of my documents have the old address (mum's) while some have my current address.
Would that be grounds for refusal?
Thank you

From what I have heard before, it is never advisable to use a council apartment for a spouse visa application as it is under the public funds. Some people do it but they usually lie to the council that their spouse is living abroad.

subomi2:
ok bruff but do i need to go with all my original supporting docs, cos it means i need hubby to send them all back nowwwww....i may looose my biometric appointment..

pls help.

All original documents get sent to Sheffield including copies of your old passport if available. Even in countries where scanning is available, there's the option to still send to Sheffield. One lady was refused recently cos the VFS employee failed to scan most of her documents without her knowledge. She was refused for not including supporting documents even though she did. So even though TLS Nigeria starts the scanning option for settlement visa, I will advice to send directly to Sheffield.

subomi2:
. Now i am reading that i need to take them all to TLS whn going for biometric.....so they can scan them?? i read here that they wont collect supporting docs from you that they will ask you to send them to partner who will now send to sheffield , so i have been sending all docs in bits to him o.

Please help, is it true??

What am i really to take along to the TLS for biometrics.....i hope i dont have high BP before someone responds....

All you need for biometrics is your current passport, printed online application form, application fee payment receipt, two passport photos and appointment confirmation. They will probably only take your passport and first page of the application form.

MrBBBB:
My good people,

Passport collected and visa ISSUED!!!!!

Dont know how to thank this forum. You all have been amazing and a blessing. I pray for all who are expecting to have the reason to smile like i did when i opened my passport

I will be posting my timeline soon

Regards

Awesome news! Congrats.

Phebesfab:
My Timeline:

April 28- Online Application Submitted
May 3- Biometrics Registration
May 3- Sent my supporting document to hubby via DHL
May 3- Mail was sent from Sheffield that my application had been received
May 5- DHL delivered supporting documents to hubby
May 5- Hubby sent supporting document to Sheffield via Royal Mail
May 8- Mail was sent from sherifed that my application had been received
May 9- Hubby called Sheffield office to ask if the documents had been received and they acknowledged the receipt of the document
July 27- Tracked using the link on the forum. A decision had been made on the 25th of July
July 28- Got a mail from TLS that a decision has been made
July 28- Got a mail from TLS that my passport was ready for collection.
July 31- Passport collected with visa

Congratulations

readynow:
Want to know what evident of accommodation would my wife have to present,since she stays in one of the (double room) in a 3 bedroom flat with 2 other tenant occupying the other rooms. she had to since we discovered that were she was staying before the so called landlord was not the real landlord. The present landlord has given her a tenancy agreement and has agreed to give a letter of consent for the husband to come join her and we have also agreed to do property inspection(thanks for information on this forum).my question now is
1.what will my wife present as evident of residing in this property since all the bills are shared with the
2 other occupants and since it is shared it will not carry her name( its already started in the agreement that the bills are shared)
2. Will changing the bank address, GP and electoral register be enough to cover for evidence of accommodation even when the essential evident (council tax,water bill,gas bill etc) does not carry her name. Since it is shared. Will like to have more if any,to proof accommodation genuineness
3.having just moved into this new place first 1st of august will applying September ending be good since we will only have 2 month to show for accommodation evident in this new place.
Your kind response will be appreciated

The most important accommodation documents for spouse visa application with rented accommodation are the letter from the landlord/tenancy agreement and property inspection report. Bills are not required until the FLR stage to prove cohabitation. Then you will need to provide joint or separate bills with the same address.

subomi2:
many thanks. deep sigh!

But you must include the original transcript and certificate in your application. I saw somewhere someone was refused for failing to provide both.

subomi2:
ok. many thanks. please these letters who do we address them to?

plus im filling my form online now and there is this sponsorship undertaking FormSU07/12, those that apply to spousal visa? please help, cos im wondering whose details should go on there??

To whom it may concern or UKVI.

Form SU07 to be completed by the sponsor.

subomi2:
i think you know my story. we have just gotten a 2/3 bedroom now. 1 year let agreement and you bet my application is going in like now. Tenancy agreement we have. evidence of rent and deposit paid. trying to get bank statement , voters registration to come in that new address and i can go ahead.

Do we still need letter from landlord. trying to work on the next council tax bill reflecting his name as the new tenant.....do we sti; need letter from landlord??

If possible also get an inspection report.

subomi2:
hmmmn, please kindly confirm that my UK MSC and Unilag English degree covers my English Language Proficiency??

Any degree undertaken in the UK covers the English requirement.

Mfdoom1:
Hi everyone,

I applied for an entry clearance as a partner of a British citizen. My application was refused on 320 (11). The two main points made by the ECO are: overstaying the 6months limit and breaching the conditions attached to my leave by undertaking University degrees. There was no mention of aggravating circumstances in my case.

I moved to britain as a child, with my family, and stayed there for 12 years (I was granted a 10 year visit visa). The decision to settle down in the country was taken by my parent. I met my wife in 2014, a year before the 10 year visit visa expired. The the 10 year visa expired the year after (2015), and I moved out of UK in February 2017, at my own expense, without the home office having any knowledge of me overstaying, detaining me or forcefully sending me out. I married my wife in Nigeria, then we filed the app in April. My wife has lived in Britain all her life.

During the 10 year period, I undertook studies and gained two university degrees at a time when my visa didn't allow me to do so. However, I paid for the degrees, and never used student loan or any sort of benefit. I was able to enrol with utility cards and bank card, as I didn't have any other form of ID (driver's licence, residence card etc). Although I've met all the other requirements for the spouse visa, my application has been refused for 'contriving in a significant way to frustrate the immigration rules', without any mention of the aggravating circumstances attached to 320 (11), and I've been told that studying is not an aggravating circumstance. Also, the phrase 'aggravating circumstances' was not used in the refusal letter, although 320 (11) was used.


It may be important to state here that I have neither been involved in any criminal activity, nor benefitted from public benefits, during my stay in Britain. I also did not sought or partake in any form of employment during my stay in Britain.

I sent an appeal 2 weeks ago, with the help of a lawyer, and also got my MP involved, who has sent a letter to UKVI. What are my chances in this case? Can the decision be overturned before hearing? I'll really like to hear from you.

If you moved to the UK as a child (under 18) and lived continuously for a period of 7 years, you should have applied for FLR in the UK before coming back to Nigeria (https://www.freemovement.org.uk/can-children-and-parents-apply-to-remain-after-seven-years-residence/) as your stay at the time was lawful and the law before 2012 was more favourable compared to now. I do know a few people who moved to the uk as children with visiting visas but are lawful residents today. It becomes more difficult since you left and therefore the ECM will argue that you have reasonable ties and support in Nigeria. But a good immigration lawyer should be able to get it overturned but it might take some time.

Lamakinde:
I will go ahead and include all original documents. As stated earlier, she works in same place since 2015 and have told her to get the payslips and statements of account which she says doesn't matter (been British), thinks all that is formality. I insisted saying we should put all rather than to be told why you are refused. Thanks I will do that. Just waiting for UK NARIC which delayed because they couldn't view my MOI(Mode of instruction from University registry) which I have to reload on getting notification after 10 days of payment and uploading of docs. Told to wait another 10 days. Thanks.

She must include a letter from her employer which clearly states how long she has been employed, her contract duration, monthly income and any additional pay including overtime. Her 6 months bank statement and payslips must also match as they will be looking for her monthly pay going in and the last month must not be older than 28 days before application. If she doesn't include all of that, the application will be refused British or not. Only EU nationals are exempt from all of this. Lots of people have been refused for less. Appeals take up to 18 months or more.

chrisj2:


Thanks again.

One more thing... What is involved with bringing a step child?
Does the child have to be legally adopted or will a consent from the biological father be enough? (It will be a shame to tear a mother from her child...)

No adoption or consent required. Financial requirements go up to around £22,400 or so. Same application as mother but separate. Also, I think you can't pay the NHS fee until they are reviewing your application and contact you to do so.

Lamakinde:
Please yet to get any help on this.

I think you should include original documents wherever possible.

As per the financial requirements, you need to under which category your sponsor falls under. If she has been employed by the same employer for over 6 months, then you must include her pay slips and bank statement for the 6 months prior to your application and the last month no later than 28 days.

The August 10 changes will mostly focus on couples with children and some exceptional circumstances. I will advise that you include a 12 month bank statement for the applicant as well as a statement clarifying source of funds and any additional proof that funds do indeed belong to you.