Exempt Vignette international organisation employee’s spouse visa acquisition

Dear all,

I am wondering about proper way for my wife to apply for an UK visa. Recently I have got an offer from a UK-based exempt international organisation (it’s also interesting that list of such organisation on gov.uk website was last updated six years ago). I noticed that inside my application there was a section called “ Spouse / partner details”, which I have filled in.

I wonder whether my wife need to make a separate application (and I am puzzled as unlike diplomats or official passport holders there is no application category called “dependant of employee or official of an exempt international organisation”) or she will be part of my application and we will receive two visas under one application? Another question is whether she would have right to work in UK with such visa (while HRs have mentioned this possibility, I didn’t find relevant information on this topic).

Any advise on these issues would be very helpful. Many thanks in advance!

Kind regards,
Boris

bikkerion wrote: ↑

Tue May 31, 2022 10:46 am

list of such organisation on gov.uk website was last updated six years ago

It was updated in September 2016, see
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -clearance
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ations.pdf
If your prospective employer is on the list that's fine, otherwise there is a problem that you'll need to try sort out in te first instance with the organisation concerned.

The July 2017 guidance is here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... eed-a-visa

how to apply for an exempt vignette is described here:
https://www.gov.uk/exempt-vignette
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.u ... -selection
Unless the online form you completed states that your wife can apply on the same form she'll have to complete a separate form

If your wife succeeds getting the exempt vignette she will be free from immigration control and will be free to live and work in the UK during the validity period of the exempt vignette.

Dear manci,

Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated!

manci wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:27 pm

It was updated in September 2016, see
https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -clearance
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ations.pdf
If your prospective employer is on the list that's fine, otherwise there is a problem that you'll need to try sort out in te first instance with the organisation concerned.

That's a good note, they are not at this list yet, but HR team assured that they were recently added and that website list just wasn't updated yet. As they are an inter-govenment organisation funded jointly by many countries including UK, I hope they are right on this issue (if not - this whole thread would be irrelevant). Let's assume that I will be EXM4(f).

manci wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:27 pm

Unless the online form you completed states that your wife can apply on the same form she'll have to complete a separate form

Yes, I have similar understanding that unless specified otherwise, every person has to complete a separate form. When filling in my form I had section called "Your current partner" with question "Will they be travelling with you to the UK?", but there was not a single word about whether she could apply on my form.
According to guidance (which you have kindly mentioned) she would also fall under EXM4(f) category as member of my family forming part of my household. The main issue is with category selection within EV application. So starting with https://visas-immigration.service.gov.u ... -selection
and goint to exempt vignette we have following statement:

You can use this form to apply, if you are an eligible family member forming part of the household of:
a diplomat on a posting to the UK
a consular officer, administrative, support or member of technical staff on a posting to the UK
a diplomat in transit through the UK to or from a diplomatic posting
a member of certain international organisations posted to or on an official visit to the UK
a serving member of the US military who is coming to the UK on posting, or for study or training as part of their military service

So it looks like she can use this form (and it looks like she should complete a separate form). After pressing "Apply now" there is a list of categories and…
There are a lot of categories and they sometimes are paired with "dependant" addition like "Diplomatic posting to the UK" - "Dependant of a diplomat posted to the UK", "Official or special passport holder posted to the UK" - "Dependant of an official or special passport holder posted to the UK" and single "Dependant of a member of the United States or Canadian visiting forces". For sure these are not relevant and closest category is "Employee or official of an exempt international organisation", which was used in my application. The trick is that technically my wife is not employee or official of an exempt international organisation so I am puzzled how to proceed with her form. My only guess is that she should use the very same category as me, but maybe specify somewhere that she is "a member of my family forming part of my household". Maybe I'm just being too picky about the category name

She should use the category "Family member of someone who is exempt from immigration control".

On her application your application will be cross-referenced.

manci wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 02, 2022 5:52 pm

She should use the category "Family member of someone who is exempt from immigration control".

On her application your application will be cross-referenced.

Dear manci,

Thank you one more time for your reply. Yes, your advice sounds absolutely reasonable and that category would fit perfectly. The issue is that neither me or she can’t find this category after hitting “apply now”. The only available categories are:

Diplomatic posting to the UK
Dependant of a diplomat posted to the UK
Diplomatic transit through the UK
Official visit to the UK
Employee or official of an exempt international organisation
Visiting forces posted to or training in the UK
Armed forces training in the UK
Member of Commonwealth armed forces posted to or training in the UK
Home forces posted to or training in the UK
Official or special passport holder posted to the UK
Dependant of an official or special passport holder posted to the UK
Dependant of a member of the United States or Canadian visiting forces
Arms control inspector posted to the UK
Diplomatic courier
Official invitation from the UK Government
Diplomat on an official visit to the UK supported by a Note Verbale
S2 Healthcare Visitor
UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) attendee

Sorry if it sounds silly, but it looks like I just can’t find this category in the list. Maybe I am just hitting wrong “apply now” button?

Many thanks for any hint in advance!

bikkerion wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 8:19 am

I just can’t find this category in the list

I think the best fit category would be: "Dependant of an official or special passport holder posted to the UK".

Towards the end of most online applications there is a section for Additional Information. Explain here the exact situation of your wife if this is not otherwise clear from the application itself. Alternatively a cover letter can be written and uploaded with the other documents.

This issue should not be an impediment for your wife getting the exempt vignette. If the incorrect category was chosen they'll contact your wife. No money is at stake as the fee is zero for the application.

manci wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 10:10 am

bikkerion wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 03, 2022 8:19 am

I just can’t find this category in the list

I think the best fit category would be: "Dependant of an official or special passport holder posted to the UK".

Towards the end of most online applications there is a section for Additional Information. Explain here the exact situation of your wife if this is not otherwise clear from the application itself. Alternatively a cover letter can be written and uploaded with the other documents.

This issue should not be an impediment for your wife getting the exempt vignette. If the incorrect category was chosen they'll contact your wife. No money is at stake as the fee is zero for the application.

Dear manci,

Many thanks for your advice, I think we will indeed take this route. I was just thinking that maybe I missed family category as sometimes there might be a tricky route. After passing through this process I will share my experience - maybe it would help others.

Dear Boris,

Please advise on the status of your application. I have a similar issue and need to include my child as well. Was your attempt to use "Dependant of an official or special passport holder posted to the UK" category successful?

Many thanks in advance!

Kind regards,
MJ