I'm back here to share my experience and to thank forum members for their views on different cases.

After careful consideration of how my wife will join me in the UK, we decided to go down the route of spouse visa with all the information gathered within this forum. My wife was granted the spouse visa on Wed, 13th Nov.

Take away
- Put yourself in ECO's position and carefully analyze the application, don't be biased in your judgment
- Do extensive research on each of the requirements for the application
- Write a very clear and concise cover letter explaining your situation (Both sponsor and applicant)
- Make sure you do not leave any gap, ECO is probably looking for a loophole in your application

I do not know what actually worked for us but what I do know is that we put in all our efforts, considering the fact that my wife has previously been refused a visit visa on four different occasions.

Nonetheless, the most important is to rely on Almighty Allah having perfected your homework.

With God All Things Are Possible!

chrysbees:
Greetings All!
Please join me and thank the Lord almighty!
Below is my timeline

Online Application submitted – 9th of June 2019
Priority/ Non-priority – Priority
Biometric – 13th June 2019
Supporting document sent by my wife – 19th June 2019
Document received and signed via royal mail special delivery – 20th June 2019
Email stating “Application currently being prepared for consideration” – 25th June 2019
Wife contacted UKVI to enquire about visa status and was told decision has been made – 22 July 2019
Email stating “Application assessed” - 22nd July 2019
Email stating “Passport ready for collection” - 22nd July 2019
Passport collected with visa approved – 22nd July 2019

Goodluck to everyone still waiting for decision as well as others that are preparing to apply

Congratulations!

kaysus:


No. There is no connection between type of application and the date of biometrics. This is because you choose the biometrics date while submitting your application. Priority is an added-value service which you purchase afterwards from their partner- tls -anytime before your biometrics appointment.

Awesome!

LuvlyIva:


Many thanks for your respond. I appreciate. I will go through the link

It might have been a different case if your wife is in possession of a PR card as that will fall under EU regulations. Good luck all the same

LuvlyIva:
So I agree to what the agent said, we put single. I got the visiting visa and travel around June. And also I and my wife deceided that I will not come bk bc my wife av been trying to conceive. My wife put in for her papers again, To the glory of God my wife was given Indenfite leave just yesterday.

What route did she use to obtain her Indefinite leave to remain? EU (Permanent Residence) or British (ILR)

LuvlyIva:
And also I and my wife deceided that I will not come bk bc my wife av been trying to conceive

Make sure you do not run out of your visiting visa before you apply for an appropriate visa category based on the information you gather. By the way, are you aware it impossible to apply for spouse visa whilst in the UK as a visitor? You need to apply from outside the UK as far as I can tell, make sure you're not given false information once again just as you were told to apply for visiting visa as a single person.

LuvlyIva:
Will the visa be denied bc of saying I was single in my visiting visa application?

I can definitely tell you this will amount to deception and could be up to a 10 year ban, think carefully about it if you're going that route.

LuvlyIva:
We spoke to my wife lawyer she said we can apply for spouse visa but need to explain all in cover letter to ECO why I decided to put single in my visiting visa application.

Yes, you can but it will be extremely difficult without engaging the services of a lawyer but it's doable. You will need to do a lot of research and read through the immigration guidance provided by UKBA thoroughly. I am a fan of DIY (Do It Yourself) but seems your case is slightly complicated.

The below link is a good place to start your research. It deals with how applications from families applying after 9 July 2012 under Immigration Rules, chapter 8, appendix FM, are handled by UK Visas and Immigration

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chapter-8-appendix-fm-family-members

kaysus:



Was looking for a way to pay for priority all that time as tls did not register my account from where you'd usually access extra services. I later learnt from them at the vac that it was because I applied through the old visa4uk website. They gave me their UK bank account details and I had to cancel that appointment and choose to walk-in at a later date as i wanted to pay for the priority. Not just me, there are others here that had the same issue.

Thanks with the above information, will definitely be helpful for others. Could it have been different if it was just a standard application?

Could it be the case that standard or priority application actually determines the earliest biometric appointment date one could get, can you tell from your experience?

Dee282:
Hello Everyone! I am planning to apply very soon and I have started my application online. However, I saw a post indicating that visa4uk.com is old and that there’s a new website. How true is this please?

Yes, there is a new website however, visa4uk still exist too. You can access the new online form via the link below;

https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse

Read through, there is a link within the page that redirects you to start your application.

Lexusgs430:



If you have money to waste...... Use a lawyer....... If not, do the legwork yourselves...........

For staters, read this thread thoroughly.........

99% of successful applicants on this thread.... Never used lawyers.......

I didn’t quite agree with this, cases are treated by the home office differently based on individual circumstances.

I’m not denying the fact that applicants should try their best possible to submit an application by themselves but if you know your case is so much complicated, then there’s nothing wrong engaging a lawyer.

One thing you have to remember again is that, forum member don’t usually disclose all the material facts concerning their application, so therefore they put their case forward here on this platform with the happy path of their story and they get response from members based on that. I reckon it’s always a different ball game if they were to approach a lawyer.

PS: I’m not a lawyer.

MamaEEE:



Yes ooo, but I can sense small small, u r a little bit scared or too anxious from ur different write ups, I might b wrong dou ... Even from ur last congratulatory post. If u keep asking to know what pipo submited den u find out u did not have dat in urs , the thing go give you headache oooo ...
U don do ur part let God favour u and us all

Actually, by providing those information might be very helpful for those who are planning to put in an application

@kaysus
If you don’t mind, can you please answer those questions?

In addition, what are the major stumble blocks you came across prior to submitting the application? If any, how do you overcome them please?

kaysus:
Greetings all,
Been a silent follower for the last 4/5 months and I have to say the information I gathered on here was immense. Thanks to @lexusgs430, justwise and co. God bless U all. Here's my time line for anyone interested..
Application submitted: 14th May, 2019 @tls Ikeja
Priority/non-priority: Priority
Biometrics: 6th June, 2019
Email stating " application transferred to UKVI: 6th June, 2019
Email stating "application currently being prepared for consideration": 19th June, 2019
Email stating "application assessed": 16th July, 2019
Email stating "passport ready for collection": 16th July, 2019
Passport collected with visa: 17th July, 2019
(Vignette: 18 July - 17 August)

Altogether 29 working days from biometrics despite my initial fears about few minor errors. What a journey it's been!

Goodluck to everyone still expecting good news.

Congratulations �

Is there any reason why it took a bit longer to get biometrics done?

You have to possibilities here;

1. You can either wait for 2 additional months and apply under category A of financial requirements of Appendix FM

2. You can combine two jobs. This would be under category B of financial requirements of Appendix FM. This category applies to sponsors who have not been in the same salaried or non-salaried employment for at least six months before the application. This is the category you will follow;

Category B requires two different calculations:

(a) Gross annual salary/income at the date of the application and
(b) actual salary/income received in the 12 months prior to the application.

Both calculations must show income above the required threshold.

Therefore, firstly your husband must calculate his gross annual salary.

If he his in salaried employment, he must count his gross annual salary at the date of the application.

Hope this info helps

Odimaluv:
Good evening house .

I am about to apply for a UK visa but I have a question to ask.

My husband recently got a new job four months ago but was working with another company before switching to this new one.

My question now is,
Is it ok if we add January and February pay slips from his previous company and add 4 from this company to make it 6months pay slips.

Please justwise and other guru don't waka pay this as it's urgent.

Thanks in participation

There’s no specific amount of photos to include. However, the pictures should capture a specific moment or timeline e.g picture of both of you during holiday. Someone’s idea is to have 2 pictures on a A4 size paper with annotation to capture the timelines.

reemix123:
How many photos are required to include in spouse visa application

Oh ok! You will spend more money and you will have to proof that you’ve been in relationship for at least 2years if you’re going down fiancé visa application route.

Bear in mind that, you’ll not be allowed to work whilst on fiancé visa until you change your status and fiancé visa won’t count towards your 5years indefinite leave to remain.

Monmarri:


Thanks for respond. The reason is partner can't come down to Nigeria due to work. So that means one is spending twice for the both visa?

Monmarri made it very clear, she wanted to apply for fiancé visa not spouse visa. They are two different set of applications

Lexusgs430:



And you want to apply for spousal visa?........

Monmarri:
Good morning house I am new on this forum. Please I will like to get information from those people that have recently done fiance visa for UK. Please I will appreciate any body that have done it and it was successful. Please kindly assist and let me know the process and documents submitted and how much spent in the process.

After one got the fiance visa and travel to UK, after the marriage is the person expected to apply immediately or still wait till the six months is about to end?

Cost of visa: How much was the cost of visa for the fiance and spouse visa. How much was paid in total.

Use of English: for fiance visa can one use degree certificate and transcript from the university to prove test of English or one have to write and pass the English test?

For NHS: Do one need to pay for it for the fiance visa?

TBS: Do one need it?

Proof of relationship: what does one need.

Pls I will appreciate responses. Thank you.

Lexusgs430:


Do yourself a huge favour and read through this thread.....

This thread can boast of achieving 98% success rate......

The 2% failure rate, is due to those that refused to fully absorb or adhere to the strict guidelines on this thread....

The percentage you want to fall under, is in your hands.......

98% or 2%.……. You decide.....

Do yourself a big favour and follow Lexusgs430's advice!

This will help you such that when next you're asking questions, such questions will be very specific haven gone through a lot of info

By the way, why are you considering fiance visa over spouse visa? Regardless of any amount you spend on fiance visa, you will end up spending nearly £2k for spouse visa application (non-priority service) if you eventually get into the UK

Yeah you dream shall come through, once you don’t loose focus

Lexusgs430:


UK ke..... Only in my mind........

You’re right, applicants without qualifications will need IELTS and mind you, even the qualification has to be equivalent to a UK degree or above

Lexusgs430:



What about applicants without qualifying certifications?.....

Update!!!

You will eventually be directed to those test centres mentioned by mamaEEE. Technically, both links provided below are valid and recognised test centres for IELTS (life skills)

Apologies for any confusion.

Univas01:
List of tests and test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration to show that applicants have the required level of English for their visa. See the list in the following link;

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests

The interpretation is on the onus of the applicant but I personally won’t risk writing my test at a centre not listed in the above link.

Rule of thumb, you should always refer to the most recent UKBA guidelines when applying for any category of visa.

That’s too generic and very broad, you should visit gov.uk for other ways

Ysakaws1:

Kindly please list some of the ways

The rules have changed since then, most likely possible as at then - not anymore.

Ysakaws1:

I think the marriage stuff was 2012 thereabouts

List of tests and test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration to show that applicants have the required level of English for their visa. See the list in the following link;

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applying-for-uk-visa-approved-english-language-tests

The interpretation is on the onus of the applicant but I personally won’t risk writing my test at a centre not listed in the above link.

Rule of thumb, you should always refer to the most recent UKBA guidelines when applying for any category of visa.

MamaEEE:
]Good morning house,
When filling online tuberculosis test form and the test which I wanted to do is meant for UK spouse visa. I made mistake where they wrote “type of visa”, I mistakenly selected students without scholarship, instead of settlement and dependent. Pls, can anyone tell me how I can make the correction?

You can book your ielts here https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/locations/nigeria
And I don't think you need a B1 for spouse visa its suppose to b A1(life skill test)
2ndly abt ur mistake from the mail u sent to IMO for tuberculosis test it wnt count , don't b too hard on your self . All you r doing is just booking to get a spot... When you get der u verbally tell them they put you true. You get same certificate for school and spouse visa... It's duration is 6months... BLESS

Read the new guideline, you don’t necessarily have to send your documents to Sheffield anymore, you can instead scan.

If you are applying for a settlement visa, there are three options for submission of supporting documents:

1. For a fee you can, at any stage in the process, opt for the Document Scanning Assistance Service at the Visa Application Centre.
2. You can self-upload supporting documents without additional charge. If you wish to self-upload your supporting documents, you should refer to the document checklist you have received as part of your online application.
3. Your sponsor or an agent can submit supporting documents in the UK for a fee of £75 per application payable in cash or with a debit card.

The choice is yours

MamaEEE:
YES to all your questions but in addition, you go with the online documents check list form

Thanks for your response

1. Does that mean TB certificate is not required in Nigeria.
2. That all original documents including wedding certificate should be sent to Sponsor in UK for submission
3. At appointment the only document they will ask for to submit is passport, sponsor bio page and proof of payment

I wasn’t the one that actually asked the question, I just added my point

Lexusgs430:


You did not answer the question o......

Well, you might just want to send an email to the centre and explain yourself, hopefully you will get a fair response

Folashine:
Good morning house,
When filling online tuberculosis test form and the test which I wanted to do is meant for UK spouse visa. I made mistake where they wrote “type of visa”, I mistakenly selected students without scholarship, instead of settlement and dependent. Pls, can anyone tell me how I can make the correction?

Very good question (thumps up)

One more thing, there are different routes for an overstayer to becoming a UK citizen, not necessarily by marriage.

Lexusgs430:


One thing you forgot to mention is, what year did this incident happen?...?

One thing you have to understand is that you will need to make notice of marriage at the council prior to wedding date and at that point, your legal status document would be required.

So you can’t obviously register if council did not see your paperwork. BTW, you should make it clear if you’re getting married to UK or European citizen.

Ysakaws1:
Please how true is this: I was told one cannot marry in the UK when your UK visa has expired. Which means no illegal immigrant in the UK can later get married to a UK citizen in UK or what??

Use the following link to calculate your Immigration Health Service Surcharge;

https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type

Then navigate to oanda.com for current exchange rate.

Elite4dollar:
Please i don't get you.

Depends on the exchange rate.

450 for postgraduate

300 * 3 or 4 for UG

Depends on the exchange rate or what pops up for you on the day of application.

You can use the above as a guide to plan